The largest and most bestial of ogres, Swamp Ogres are the least likely to specifically hunt humanoids, but the hardest to kill should circumstance demand it. They are semi-aquatic, but are comfortable spending their entire lives in the water should they find swamps or marshes of their preferred depth. They will lie in wait for days at a time on a single breath, waiting for small and medium-sized crocodiles, unassuming boaters, or anything else convincingly large and animate to pass above them.

These swamp monsters will raise their hands above the surface to impede the movement of its prey, and then use its massive bite to incapacitate its prey and drag it underwater. Anything bitten by a swamp ogre takes 2d8 points of damage, and must save vs. Dragon Breath or be held inside the huge maw of the swamp ogre. Anything trapped in its mouth must save vs. Paralysis (one attempt per round) to escape. Those trapped in the ogre’s mouth will risk drowning once the ogre slips back beneath the water.

If the bite is ineffective, or it decides what it has bitten will not satisfy, the swamp ogre will use its hands to grasp the largest 1d2 creatures within reach, and hold them underwater until they drown. Any creature in its grasp must save vs. Paralysis or immediately begin drowning.

On the swamp ogre’s first failed morale check, it will retreat to deeper and muddier water. If it has prey grasped in one or two hands, it will flee at half its swim speed. If it fails a second morale check, it will abandon its prey and flee at regular speed.

The swamp ogre retains the gold, platinum, and treasure of its previous meals to regulate its buoyancy. It will regurgitate this treasure upon death.

The swamp ogre does not speak, but can understand Giant and Common.

Unlucky boaters are best advised to jump ship as soon as they realize they are being attacked. The safest way to flee is to get behind the swamp ogre and make for land as fast as possible.