Bellerophon's Bargain

Major Beats

1. Pegasus watches from a ridge and judges every hand movement.
2. Bellerophon smiles like a hero one compliment away from ruin.
3. The Chimera's three heads argue over which rider smells proudest.
4. The best victory is loud in the sky and quiet at the feast.

Difficulty

Creature / Enemy List

DM Tips

• As Written ★ — 6 Players, Average Level 8: Baseline for this guide. Numbers, DCs, and win tracks assume six PCs at average level 8.
• Easier: APL 4–6: reduce minion counts ~30%; DCs −2; boss loses one recharge or legendary option.
• Harder: APL 10–12: boss HP +25–35%; +1 legendary action; add a lieutenant or extra wave.

Ally snapshot

Encounter 1 — The Bridle Shrine

• Recruit Pegasus with 4 successes before 2 failures using Animal Handling, Religion, Acrobatics, or Persuasion.
• Drawn weapons or trophy talk impose disadvantage until someone makes a sincere apology.
• The Humble Bridle may be offered, not forced; forcing it starts a chase instead of recruitment.
• Cultists spy from the rocks and flee if exposed without bloodshed.
• Tip: Medium Humanoid, Neutral · Recruitable Ally · Aerial mount, proud ally, and moral compass
• Tip: RECRUITMENT (Enc. Enc. 1 or Enc. 2). Approach without weapons drawn, free it from thorn snares, and promise not to claim the kill.
• Tip: Aid. Acts on party initiative when recruited; prefers nonlethal when asked.

Encounter 2 — Lessons Above Lycia

• Each aerial stunt needs DC 15 Acrobatics, Athletics, Animal Handling, or Arcana to use wind safely.
• Failure separates a rider, costs Pegasus 10 HP, or lets an Ash-Mane Lion threaten civilians.
• Saving shepherds gives the route to the Bragging Crag and a safe landing zone in Enc. 3.
• Bellerophon shadows the party; humbling him now prevents a dangerous boast in the finale.
• Tip: Medium Humanoid, Neutral · Recruitable Ally · Aerial mount, proud ally, and moral compass
• Tip: RECRUITMENT (Enc. Enc. 1 or Enc. 2). Approach without weapons drawn, free it from thorn snares, and promise not to claim the kill.
• Tip: Aid. Acts on party initiative when recruited; prefers nonlethal when asked.

Encounter 3 — The Bragging Crag

• At initiative 20, choose a vent: lift 30 feet, fire burst 14 damage, or smoke lightly obscures a lane.
• Mounted PCs can trade an action to steady another rider and prevent a fall.
• Maguffin payoff: refuse the killing blow with the Humble Bridle to let Pegasus drive the Chimera off.
• If someone boasts ownership of the kill, the Chimera heals 25 HP and Pegasus demands a DC 17 apology check.
• Tip: Medium Humanoid, Neutral · Recruitable Ally · Aerial mount, proud ally, and moral compass
• Tip: RECRUITMENT (Enc. Enc. 1 or Enc. 2). Approach without weapons drawn, free it from thorn snares, and promise not to claim the kill.
• Tip: Aid. Acts on party initiative when recruited; prefers nonlethal when asked.

DM Callouts

• Medium Humanoid, Neutral · Recruitable Ally · Aerial mount, proud ally, and moral compass
• RECRUITMENT (Enc. Enc. 1 or Enc. 2). Approach without weapons drawn, free it from thorn snares, and promise not to claim the kill.
• Aid. Acts on party initiative when recruited; prefers nonlethal when asked.
• Medium Humanoid, Neutral · Recruitable Ally · Aerial mount, proud ally, and moral compass

Extra Encounter Detail (from session guide)

• Tip: Keep page-3 creature AC/HP lines visible while resolving Enc. 3.
• Tip: Favor non-combat paths in Enc. 1–2; Enc. 3 should still feel Hard.

Quick combat reference

• Half-Tamed Pegasus — AC 16 | HP 104 | Speed 30 ft. · Medium Humanoid, Neutral · Recruitable Ally · Aerial mount,
• Goatfire Cultist — AC 14 | HP 49 | Speed 30 ft. · Medium Creature · CR 3 · Ranged fanatic
• Ash-Mane Lion — AC 15 | HP 102 | Speed 30 ft. · Medium Creature · CR 5 · Pouncing brute
• Serpent of the Thermal Vents — AC 16 | HP 118 | Speed 30 ft. · Medium Creature · CR 6 · Terrain controller
• Chimera of the Bragging Crag — AC 17 | HP 188 | Speed 40 ft. · Large Creature · CR 10 · Boss, three-headed aerial terror ·

Additional DM notes

• Motivation.** Make sure the Chimera is stopped by disciplined heroes rather than another glorious fool.
• Secret.** Bellerophon has already been warned that claiming the kill will cost Pegasus's trust.
• Hard rule.** She refuses to bless any plan that treats Pegasus as loot or a god-given siege engine.
• Appearance:** Plain leather with a moonlit bit that grows lighter when thanked.
• Handout.** "Hold with open hands. Ask before ascent. Return before applause."
• Enc. 1–2.** Grants advantage on one Animal Handling, Acrobatics, or Persuasion check involving Pegasus.
• Enc. 3.** If a rider refuses the killing blow while holding the bridle, Pegasus can force the Chimera to retreat.
• 12 (+1)**STR**14 (+2)**DEX**12 (+1)**CON**12 (+1)**INT**14 (+2)**WIS**16 (+3)**CHA
• Role:** Aerial mount, proud ally, and moral compass
• RECRUITMENT (Enc. Enc. 1 or Enc. 2).** Approach without weapons drawn, free it from thorn snares, and promise not to claim the kill.

Pacing helpers

• Enc 1: End by ~45–50 min; if stuck, telegraph the non-combat path once.
• Enc 2: Spend recruitment / maguffin early so Enc 3 is not a blank check.
• Enc 3: Keep Hard, not Deadly — drop a minion wave before a TPK spiral.
• Table tip: Restate win condition when HP dips; players often forget the maguffin.

STAT BLOCKS

Session reminders

• Default: 6 PCs level 8; 3 encounters; 3 to 3.5 hours.
• Recruit Pegasus in Enc. 1/2; do not treat it as equipment.
• Enc. 3 is Hard and includes aerial movement hazards.
• The Chimera can be driven off instead of killed.
• Maguffin payoff requires humility at the finishing moment.

Maguffin

NPC / ALLY

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