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Running a Frog Theme RPG Campaign

Creating a themed Dungeons & Dragons campaign can be a blast, especially when you build a consistent world with connected foes. Over the years, I’ve designed campaigns around fiends, undead, elementals, dragons, and more. It adds a cohesive feel to the adventure and helps players feel immersed in the theme. If you’re familiar with some of the products Nerdarchy has released, you know we have a thing for frogs. From warty little beasts to big green brutes, we love these hoppy critters.

As I looked through D&D lore, I noticed that many frog-like creatures seem to be bad news. We have the chaotic Slaadi, the monstrous Froghemoth, the crafty Grung, and others. This raised a question: why are so many frog creatures depicted as sinister? In some parts of the world, frogs are considered lucky and even symbols of fertility and wealth, while elsewhere they’re seen as slimy, disease-carrying pests. This duality seemed like a great starting point for building a frog-themed campaign.

For anyone wanting to dive deep into frog foes, our friends at Kobold Press have released several monster-packed books that are perfect for building your frog-ified world. Here’s a look at some standout frog creatures across their Tome of Beasts series, each offering unique twists on froggy foes.

Frogs & Toads from the Tome of Beasts Series

Tome of Beasts I

• Boloti (pg. 38): Fey creatures with watery wings and a penchant for ambushes. These evil creatures use allies to trap their enemies in deadly engagements.
• Bukavac (pg. 45): A large, six-legged frog-like creature with horns. Classified as a monstrosity, it’s as monstrous in appearance as it is in nature.
• Water Leaper (pg. 394): A terrifying, legless monstrosity that flies and preys on animals and fishermen. Unaligned but still fearsome.

Tome of Beasts II

• Toad King (pg. 22): A Neutral Fey frog who’s the ruler of all frog-kind—a great option as a mysterious quest giver.
• Curator Devil (pg. 100): A Fiend with a Challenge Rating of 24, this large fiend could control an entire campaign, manipulating events from the shadows.
• Resinous Frog (pg. 397): A small beast with unaligned alignment, it produces a sticky, glue-like substance on its skin.

Tome of Beasts III

• Amphibolt (pg. 21): A lightning-powered giant frog monstrosity that brings electricity into the fray.
• Cueyatl Warchief (pg. 101): Small, LE humanoid frogfolk. They’re formidable leaders who could command whole tribes of frogkin.
• Kogukhpak Demon (pg. 109): This huge, chaotic evil demon brings fiendish influence into the amphibian mix. Imagine pairing it with the Curator Devil for an all-out frog fiend showdown.

Creature Codex

• Cueyatl (pg. 68): Lawful Evil poisonous pirates with four stat blocks, making them versatile foes for a frog-themed adventure.
• Exploding Toad (pg. 150): As the name suggests, this chaotic evil monstrosity goes out with a bang—literally.

We Need Some Good Frogs

Since many frog monsters are inherently sinister, here are a few new ideas for frog allies or neutral creatures, adding some variety to a frog-themed campaign:

A froghemoth as seen in the fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons Volo’s Guide to Monsters

1. Frostbound Leapfrost
   • Description: These elegant, arctic-dwelling frogs have icy patterns on their skin, and their croaks sound like tinkling crystals.
   • Alignment: Neutral Good
   • Abilities:
     • Frosty Aura: Grants nearby creatures resistance to cold.
     • Icy Leap: Makes incredible leaps, leaving a trail of frost and catching enemies off-guard.
     • Healing Croak: Restores hit points to nearby allies.
2. Luminous Marsh Guardian
   • Description: Bioluminescent frogs that glow softly, illuminating the marshes they inhabit.
   • Alignment: Lawful Good
   • Abilities:
     • Radiant Light: Illuminates the area, granting bonuses to perception checks.
     • Cleansing Croak: Dispels certain magical effects and cures poison.
     • Guiding Presence: Guides travelers, granting advantage on survival checks to navigate.
3. Harmony Serenadefrog
   • Description: Found in enchanted forests, these brightly colored frogs emit soothing melodies.
   • Alignment: Chaotic Good
   • Abilities:
     • Enchanting Song: Calms creatures, granting advantage on saves against fear and charm.
     • Nature’s Harmony: Communicates with animals and plants, fostering unity in the area.
     • Revitalizing Melody: Restores hit dice during short rests for nearby allies.

Campaign Ideas for Frog-Obsessed DMs

Here are a few campaign ideas that make the most of these froggy friends and foes:

The Frogspawn Plague

• Plot Overview: A strange illness spreads across the land, transforming people into “Frogspawn,” frog-like creatures that feel compelled to seek out an ancient artifact in the swamp. The artifact grows in power the more it influences others.
• Campaign Highlights:
  • Players venture through swampy landscapes, facing mutated frog monsters.
  • They can ally with factions trying to cure or exploit the Frogspawn.
  • The final showdown takes place in an ancient frog temple, where a powerful Frogspawn queen guards the artifact.

The Frogfolk Rebellion

• Plot Overview: Peaceful frogfolk tribes have been corrupted by a dark force, turning them hostile. Players must investigate and restore balance to the marsh.
• Campaign Highlights:
  • Different frogfolk factions are under the influence of elemental forces (fire, water, earth, air).
  • Players must navigate political intrigue among tribes and form alliances.
  • The corruption stems from a dark artifact, guarded by a malevolent frog elemental lord.

The Amphibian Enigma

• Plot Overview: An anomaly causes creatures from the Feywild to take on frog-like forms, creating mischief across the land. Players are hired to investigate and resolve the situation.
• Campaign Highlights:
  • Frog-ified fey creatures with unique quirks await, each with bizarre powers.
  • Players move between the Feywild and material plane, facing surreal landscapes.
  • The final encounter pits players against a fey lord behind the anomaly, requiring negotiation, trickery, or a showdown.

From fiendish froghemoths to helpful Leapfrogs, there’s a whole swamp of potential for creating memorable adventures with frog creatures. Whether you go dark and sinister or lighthearted and whimsical, frogs add a unique charm to any campaign setting. So grab your tome, leap into the marsh, and let the froggy fun begin!

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!