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Swampland Survival: Foraging Guide

A simple foraging guide detailing 20 different rations and their impacts, tailored for swamp and wetland campaigns.

Swampland Survival: Foraging Guide

I built this foraging table for my homebrew campaign, The Call of Fenaurum or "Swamp Gold". Foraging for rations was an important part of the journey in this campaign and we had a lot of fun with the foraging.

Utilize this table by allowing each player a single foraging attempt once a day. The Game Master rolls a 1d20 to determine the food discovered (There are 20 ration types in the table), followed by the player's Survival roll to secure the ration. Be aware, some foods carry potential hazards. It is the Game Master's responsibility to decide if a roll against these effects is immediate or upon consumption.

In my campaign, I also gave the players a choice between foraging for food or for wood, rolling against a small table of types of woods the players could discover. If the players failed to properly identify the wood, it could lead to poisoning the foods or the entire party through smoke inhalation. Each player would require one ration a day, and I made rations unavailable or expensive to purchase at the start of the campaign.

If the characters failed to forage sufficient rations, I applied standard fatigue rules as a penalty.

Food Source	Description	Feeds	Roll Required	Negative Effects
Reed Shoots	Young shoots of reeds, tender with a slightly sweet taste.	1-2	DC 10 Survival	NA
Wild Herbs	A variety of swamp herbs, medicinal or flavorful.	—	DC 12 Survival	Incorrect identification: DC 15 Survival or suffer mild poisoning (1d4 damage).
Leeches	Protein-rich in survival situations, albeit not first choice.	1	DC 15 Survival	Risk of disease without proper care.
Alligator Meat	Large swamp predators, alligators provide a substantial amount of meat.	4-6	DC 18 Survival	Hostile Alligator: DC 18 Survival or the player must battle the alligator on their own.
Bayou Nuts	Various nut trees grow in swamp areas, offering high-calorie food sources.	1-2	DC 12 Survival	NA
Catfish	Bottom-dwelling fish that thrive in muddy swamp waters.	2-3	DC 14 Survival	NA
Swamp Honey	Bees in the swamp lands produce honey from the unique flora.	—	DC 15 Survival	Bee stings: DC 14 Survival or take 1d6 damage from stings.
Duckweed	A fast-growing, floating plant that is high in protein and vitamins.	1	DC 10 Survival	NA
Pecans	Swamp lands often host pecan trees, whose nuts are rich in fats and flavors.	1-2	DC 12 Survival	NA
Mud Crabs	These crustaceans can be found in the muddy bottoms of swamp waters.	2-3	DC 14 Survival	Risk of cuts/infection: DC 13 Medicine to avoid.
Swamp Fish	Abundant in the murky waters, these fish are hardy and flavorful.	2-3	DC 14 Survival	NA
Frog Legs	A swamp delicacy, frogs are plentiful and provide lean, tender meat.	1-2	DC 13 Survival	NA
Cattail Roots	Found along the water's edge, cattail roots are starchy and filling.	2-3	DC 11 Survival	NA
Wild Rice	Grows in shallow waters, offering a nutritious grain.	2-3	DC 15 Survival	NA
Waterfowl	Ducks and other birds frequent swamp lands, providing a good source of protein.	3-4	DC 17 Survival	NA
Swamp Berries	Various edible berries grow in abundance, offering vitamins and sweetness.	1-2	DC 12 Survival	Incorrect berries: DC 15 Survival or suffer mild poisoning (1d4 damage).
Snapping Turtle	These reptiles are challenging to catch but offer substantial meat.	3-4	DC 16 Survival	NA
Wild Mushrooms	Various edible mushrooms flourish in damp conditions, but knowledge of safe types is essential.	1-2	DC 15 Survival	Incorrect identification: DC 15 Survival or severe poisoning (2d6 damage).
Lotus Seeds	The seeds of the lotus plant are nutritious and can be found in large pods on the water surface.	1-2	DC 14 Survival	NA
Sago Palms	These plants contain a starchy center that's a staple in many swamp diets.	3-4	DC 17 Survival	NA

For more information, you can view/download the CSV here.

Safe foraging!