Sometimes ice-spitting or fire-breathing but always head- regenerating nightmares of bedtime stories and epic quests, the hydra is a challenge for any company of heroes.

Use these lists, to add depth and flavour to the hydra dens in your campaign.

Outside the Lair

1. Plate-sized scales from the hydra’s hide dot the ground.

2. Alternating banked furrows in the earth, like the passage of a sidewinder snake, mar the ground.

3. Broken branches and sharp rocks hold the shredded traces of shed hydra-skin.

4. Large pellets of dung containing crushed bones cover the ground.

What’s Going On?

1. The hydra lies coiled in the sun, its many heads watching in different directions for intruders (or its next meal).

2. The hydra’s many heads snap and pull at the shredded carcass of a huge bull.

3. The hydra’s long, sinuous necks coil protectively over a huge stone statue of a warrior of old.

4. Buried deep in the sandy earth the hydra leaves its heads just above the surface to spot prey.

Hydra’s Appearance

1. Hissing cobra heads writhe sinuously atop this black- and red-scaled hydra’s body.

2. Concealed below the surface of a deep pool this crocodilian hydra scans the area with a single head.

3. A ridge of bright red feather-like ridges erupt from the hydra’s head and descend down its many necks.

4. Icy scales of blue cover this mottled white and grey coloured hydra.

Treasure

1. The thick coagulated blood of the hydra is sought after by mages making regenerative magic items.

2. Not as tough as dragon scale the hide and scales of the hydra can make beautiful and unique armour.

3. This white-feathered arrow carved from the thigh bone of a hydra splits into five arrows when fired.

4. This small gold ring depicting different coloured enamelled serpents twisting together provides its wearer with potent protection from venom.

Want More?

This article is an extract from the Complete Monstrous Lair Collection which is available here for immediate download. Alternatively, check out the 4d4 Archive for more handy, flavoursome and time-saving 4d4 articles ready for immediate use in your campaign.