One half of the forest has a Gnoll problem and you roll the Sylvan Forest Encounters table (see the 2014 Dungeon Master's Guide). While the other half of the Forest has an Ettercap infestation, so most of the plantlife is choked out by spiderwebs with only fungi remaining and it's extremely dark and infested with insects. The infested side is of course filled with ettercaps, giant spiders, giant wolf spiders, giant wasps, swarms of insects, fiendish giant spiders, giant centipedes and even assassin bugs (see Out of the Abyss and Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1). The Infested Effects table and the Magic Mushroom Effects table (see Tasha's Cauldron of Everything) can be rolled here.
Great premise! I love running ettercaps. Not sure what level the PCs will be, which puts constraints on monster CR, but agree with the others that if all of this is taking place in a forest and the forest is being denigrated by the infestation to include some plant monsters like blights. And ankhegs are always a good fit in forests. You could also add one or more of the following:
Hazards - some molds/vines/slime and info about webs are included under the Hazards section of the new DMG, which dovetails with the fungus in your description
Hooks - you may or may not want to add some additional hooks for future adventure/quest, e.g., something connected to the Feywild (e.g., low level hag, etc.), a BBEG mad NPC, encounter
Don't forget to think about treasure, magic items, etc.
Great premise! I love running ettercaps. Not sure what level the PCs will be, which puts constraints on monster CR, but agree with the others that if all of this is taking place in a forest and the forest is being denigrated by the infestation to include some plant monsters like blights. And ankhegs are always a good fit in forests. You could also add one or more of the following:
Hazards - some molds/vines/slime and info about webs are included under the Hazards section of the new DMG, which dovetails with the fungus in your description
Hooks - you may or may not want to add some additional hooks for future adventure/quest, e.g., something connected to the Feywild (e.g., low level hag, etc.), a BBEG mad NPC, encounter
Don't forget to think about treasure, magic items, etc.
One half of the forest has a Gnoll problem and you roll the Sylvan Forest Encounters table (see the 2014 Dungeon Master's Guide). While the other half of the Forest has an Ettercap infestation, so most of the plantlife is choked out by spiderwebs with only fungi remaining and it's extremely dark and infested with insects. The infested side is of course filled with ettercaps, giant spiders, giant wolf spiders, giant wasps, swarms of insects, fiendish giant spiders, giant centipedes and even assassin bugs (see Out of the Abyss and Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio Volume 1). The Infested Effects table and the Magic Mushroom Effects table (see Tasha's Cauldron of Everything) can be rolled here.
So, any opinions?
Potential for Vegepygmies
What about Blights?
Great premise! I love running ettercaps. Not sure what level the PCs will be, which puts constraints on monster CR, but agree with the others that if all of this is taking place in a forest and the forest is being denigrated by the infestation to include some plant monsters like blights. And ankhegs are always a good fit in forests. You could also add one or more of the following:
Don't forget to think about treasure, magic items, etc.
Started playing AD&D in the late 70s and stopped in the mid-80s. Started immersing myself into 5e in 2023
Maybe the adventure starts with a shy Dryad appearing to the party asking for help with their monster problem.
I'm kinda curious why the party needs to investigate the depths of this area? What lies within the Danger Zone that makes it worth the risk?
Maybe they'll receive a reward of some sort?
Considering the presence of Gnolls, Ankhegs, Assassin Bugs and Infernal Spiders there must be some Fiendish influence involved.
I honestly forgot to include Ankhegs.
Maybe they can find a Feywild Shard or a Chaotic Evil Essence Shard?