“Encounter Codex” presents individual encounters that can be quickly slotted into any adventure. They are system neutral and easily adapted to any edition (and other games for that matter) with little effort—just add stats.

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Patches of ochre fungi illuminate this yawning cavern with preternatural moonlight. A waterfall tumbles from a fissure in the high ceiling, splashing down into a wide pond of murky water shrouded in mist. Through the dripping miasma, a totem pole can be seen jutting from the water, its submerged base surrounded by a halo of dozens of lily pads, atop which rest toads of various colors.

The pool of water is choked with weeds and slime, and runs 5 ft. deep at its center…