The Uzranta-Drown

"Swamps—of all the places I've had to venture to deal with rampaging monsters, hunt for lost treasures, or play bodyguard to some eccentric (probably a wizard) collecting the snot of a winged pig for crafting a 'wand of porkchop summoning' or some equally bizarre nonsense—swamps are, by far, the worst!
Warm, cold, fresh water, or salt—they are all miserable, humid, sinking pits! Infested with biting insects, clinging muck, and lurking creatures eager to make a meal out of you! Let me recount my last trip to the Qaugmires near New Seriousia, a vast temperate marshland that spills into the sea, with saltwater bogs along the Northeast Coast of Western Terigoth. I thought it might be too chilly for crocodiles or giant snakes, so the waters couldn't be that bad. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong.
We were out there, providing bodyguard duty for some gnome egghead who was collecting rubbings from old rocks he claimed were the ruins of a lost lizardfolk civilization. I can't say I paid much attention because just listening about it made me want to take a nap.
Back to why I hate swamps. We were crossing a shallow section of marsh on our way to investigate a pile of old rocks when it happened—well, to be precise, it happened to me. We hadn't spotted it, and given its immense size, I'm both shocked and terrified in retrospect that it blended so seamlessly with the marsh. I recall it lunging at me with such speed that I barely had time to react. I managed to let out a scream before its colossal jaws delicately clamped down on me and dragged me beneath the shallow water.
My armor took most of the bite, but the creature didn't seem overly concerned that its fangs hadn't finished me off. This monstrosity, which must have been as massive as a warhorse with jaws as long as my torso, held me beneath the water's surface, squeezing the life from me in its relentless grip. I thrashed and struggled, the burning need for air overwhelming, but it paid little heed. It squeezed the air from my lungs with those monstrous jaws while I writhed helplessly on the murky, underwater bed. My lungs felt as though they were about to burst, and I hammered my mailed fist against the creature's head, desperately searching for an eye to gouge. However, its face was covered in knobby warts as hard as bone, rendering my desperate thrashing largely ineffective.
As the world began to darken and I felt my life slipping away, I was convinced I would meet my end in this fetid, sodden bog, in the jaws of an ugly beast that didn't even have the decency to rip me limb from limb, instead choosing to drown me like some murderous tavern brawler holding a man underwater in a horse trough.
When I finally regained consciousness, I was on dry land, coughing up water beside a campfire. Our party's ranger had somehow managed to cast a charm that compelled the creature to release me in exchange for a few pounds of salt pork from our supplies. I was told the orc tribes near the Quagmire Swamps call the beast an Uzranta and worship them as avatars of some heathen orc god or spirit of the drowned dead. Its name translates to something like the hungry drowner, rather fitting I'd say.
I consider myself lucky to be alive, but no matter the pay, I'm never setting foot in a damned swamp again as long as I live!"
—Kolthalus Windracer, Veteran Swordsman, Member of the Barter Bay Adventurers Guild, and steadfast in his refusal to accept any job within a mile of swamps, bogs, fens, marshes, mangrove groves, bayous, or any other sodden, swampy lands.
The Uzranta
Also known as the Marsh-Maw or Dragon Hog, is a formidable creature that has adapted to the challenging environment of saltwater marshes and fens. Its close relation to the Andrewsarchus gives it a fearsome appearance and a predatory nature. The Uzranta is a massive creature, rivaling many top predators in the marshes. It can grow to impressive lengths and heights, making it a dominant presence in its habitat. Its distinctive green beards and manes are a result of algae growth in its fur, giving it a unique and intimidating appearance. Horn-like growths and knobs on its face add to its fearsome visage. The Uzranta is well-suited to the marshy terrain. Its powerful limbs and swimming abilities allow it to traverse through mud, sludge, water easily it is also suprisingly fast on land. Its massive jaws are formidable weapons, used for hunting and capturing prey as well as easily crunching on carrion.
The Uzranta is an omnivore with a voracious appetite. It will consume a wide variety of food, including both plant and animal matter. Its diet consists of anything it can catch, whether it's live prey or scavenged carrion. These creatures are skilled hunters and are known for their ability to hold their breath underwater. They often use their massive jaws to trap and drown their prey, making them formidable aquatic predators.
Among the Orcs who dwell in or near marshy regions, the Uzranta holds a place of great respect. They are sought after as riding beasts for war. The Uzranta's adaptability, fearsome appearance, and predatory prowess make it a remarkable and influential creature in the marshes and among the Orc Tribes who revere it.

(Art by Midjourny)