The Bronze Heart of Crete
One-Shot · 6 Players · Level 8 · Greek Mythology
📜 Session Summary
| Style Infiltration & Shutdown-the-Colossus |
| Win Condition Reach the Ichor Heart inside Talos and complete the shutdown sequence before the colossus reaches the harbor |
| Players 6 × Level 8 |
| Est. Duration ~3.5 hours |
| Encounters 3 (Encounters 1 & 2 have non-combat resolution paths; Encounter 3 is a hard boss encounter) |
Description
The party's trireme makes landfall at Amnisos just as the bronze colossus Talos, guardian of Crete, lurches to life and begins rampaging toward the coast. A disguised smith warns them its ichor-heart has been corrupted, and only someone small enough to climb inside its chest can shut it down without destroying it forever.
Maguffin — The Aegis Pin
Kadmos presses a cold bronze nail into your palm, etched with spiraling script, attached to a scrap of hide reading: "Seek the ichor-valve at heart or heel. Turn the pin thrice. The bronze giant will sleep, not die." See The Aegis Pin for full details.
Key NPCs
Kadmos — Quest Giver
Dockside smith at the Drowned Anchor tavern in Amnisos. Secret: he is Hephaestus in mortal disguise.
Ikara of Knossos — Potential Ally
Artificer-scholar trapped under rubble in Encounter 1; carries half-remembered schematics of Talos's interior.
Kyros, the Bronze Owl — Potential Ally
A small bronze owl construct bound in an alcove within Talos's clockwork shaft during Encounter 2.
Creature / Enemy List
| Creature / Enemy | Easy | Medium | Hard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chalkotauros (Bronze Bull) | 1 | 1 | 1 (+2nd at half HP) | Avoidable via shutdown check |
| Bronze Sentry | 1 | 2 | 3+elite | Avoidable via valve puzzle |
| Bronze Legionnaire | 1 | 2 | 3 | Standard construct soldier |
| Keraunos Legionnaire (Lightning) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Discharges lightning at half HP |
| Pyrikaus Legionnaire (Fire) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Cinder Breath, Recharge 5–6 |
| Talos Overseer | — | 1 | 1 | Mini-boss; buffs Legionnaires, Overcharge Core |
Major Beats
- Trireme lands at Amnisos; party meets Kadmos at the dockside tavern, the Drowned Anchor.
- Kadmos explains Talos's ichor-heart has been corrupted and hands over the Aegis Pin.
- Encounter 1: Amnisos village is under attack by a rampaging Chalkotauros; scholar Ikara is trapped under rubble.
- Villagers point the party toward Talos's fallen heel-hatch, ground into the shoreline by its own weight.
- Encounter 2: Party climbs the internal clockwork shaft from heel to torso, past Bronze Sentries and steam hazards; may free the bound construct Kyros.
- Party reaches the torso access hatch and descends into the Ichor Heart chamber.
- Encounter 3 (Boss): Party defends the Ichor Valve from Legionnaire constructs and the Talos Overseer for 3 shutdown successes within 8 rounds.
- Success: Talos kneels and powers down on the shoreline, intact but dormant — Crete is safe, and legend gains a new chapter.
Encounter 1 — The Bull in the Streets
Overview
Amnisos village burns at the edges as a rampaging Chalkotauros smashes through market stalls, one of Talos's lesser bronze sentinels shaken loose and gone feral. The scholar Ikara is pinned beneath a collapsed well nearby.
- Style: Skirmish with non-lethal shutdown option
- Win Condition: Stop the Chalkotauros and free Ikara
Creatures
- 1× Chalkotauros (Bronze Bull) — CR 4 (1,100 XP)
🗺 Terrain & Features
Amnisos village street — 80×60 ft
- Overturned carts and fishing nets — difficult terrain and half cover
- Collapsed well pins Ikara — must be cleared to free her
Harder: A second Chalkotauros joins at half HP once the first drops below 50%.
Mechanics
- Non-combat option: An adjacent creature can spend an action on a DC 15 Arcana or Investigation check to locate the bull's neck-rune and shut it down instantly (provokes an opportunity attack).
- Combat option: Standard fight — watch for Trampling Charge (Recharge 5–6), which lets the bull move up to its speed and Gore every adjacent creature in its path.
- Rescue: DC 13 Athletics to clear rubble off Ikara, or DC 12 Medicine to stabilize her once freed. Each failed rescue attempt while the bull is active draws its aggro toward the rescuer.
Resolution
- Villagers direct the party to Talos's fallen heel-hatch, the only way inside the colossus.
Creature Cards
Chalkotauros (Bronze Bull)
Large Construct, Unaligned · CR 4 (1,100 XP)
AC 17 | HP 85 (10d10+30) | Speed 40 ft.
Resist: bludgeoning, piercing, slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions | Darkvision 60 ft
Siege Monster. Deals double damage to objects and structures.
Multiattack. Two Gore attacks.
Gore. +8 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 18 (2d10+7) piercing; Medium or smaller target must succeed a DC 16 Str save or be knocked prone.
Trampling Charge (Recharge 5–6). Moves up to its speed; adjacent creatures in its path take a bonus Gore attack.
Shutdown. Adjacent creature may spend an action for a DC 15 Arcana/Investigation check to disable it (provokes an opportunity attack).
Encounter 2 — The Clockwork Ascent
Overview
The party enters Talos through the heel-hatch and climbs a vertical gear shaft toward the torso. Twin Bronze Sentries patrol the gantry, and a small bound construct, Kyros, watches from a locked alcove.
- Style: Environmental hazard with avoidable guardian skirmish
- Win Condition: Reach the torso access hatch
Creatures
- 2× Bronze Sentry — CR 2 each (450 XP)
🗺 Terrain & Features
Vertical gear shaft — 40 ft spiral gantry
- Steam vents erupt every 3 rounds (initiative count 20) — DC 13 Dex save or 2d6 fire
- Rotating gear-plate floor sections are difficult terrain
- 3 valve stations along the gantry
Harder: 3 Bronze Sentries plus 1 elite Sentry (add 20 HP and +1 to hit).
Mechanics
- Non-combat option: Three valve stations along the gantry each take a DC 14 Investigation or Arcana check (one action, checks may be split among party members). Succeeding at 2 of 3 sets the Sentries to dormant standby, bypassing combat entirely.
- Combat option: Shoving a Sentry into an active gear-plate (a successful shove or contested Athletics/Acrobatics check) destroys it instantly.
- Recruit: A gear-locked alcove holds Kyros. Freeing it costs a DC 12 Sleight of Hand or tinker's tools check.
Resolution
Creature Cards
Bronze Sentry
Medium Construct, Unaligned · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 16 | HP 45 (6d8+18) | Speed 30 ft.
Resist: bludgeoning, piercing, slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions | Darkvision 60 ft
Multiattack. Two Bronze Fist attacks.
Bronze Fist. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (1d10+3) bludgeoning.
Standby. Can be set dormant via the valve puzzle (DC 14 Investigation/Arcana, 2 of 3 valves).
Encounter 3 — The Ichor Heart (Boss)
Overview
Deep in Talos's chest, the corrupted Ichor Heart churns amid grinding gears. A Talos Overseer commands a squad of Legionnaires — including lightning- and fire-infused variants — to defend the valve. The party must use the Aegis Pin to complete the shutdown before Talos reaches the harbor.
- Style: Defend-the-ritual boss encounter
- Win Condition: 3 cumulative shutdown-check successes at the Ichor Valve within 8 rounds
Creatures
- 1× Talos Overseer — CR 5 (1,800 XP)
- 2× Bronze Legionnaire — CR 2 each (450 XP)
- 1× Keraunos Legionnaire — CR 3 (700 XP)
- 1× Pyrikaus Legionnaire — CR 3 (700 XP)
🗺 Terrain & Features
Circular ichor-heart vault — 60 ft diameter
- Rotating gear-plates (initiative count 20) — DC 12 Dex save or slide 10 ft
- Ruptured wall conduits deal 1d8 fire or lightning on touch
- Central dais holds the Ichor Valve
Harder: Add a second Bronze Legionnaire and increase the Overseer's HP by 30.
Mechanics
- Shutdown check: A PC adjacent to the valve spends an action for a DC 13 Arcana or tinker's tools check using the Aegis Pin; max 1 success per round; 3 successes required to complete the shutdown.
- Overcharge Core (Overseer, Recharge 6): Undoes one banked shutdown success unless a PC reacts with a DC 15 Arcana check to stabilize the valve.
- Gearlock Sync (Overseer trait): At the start of its turn, grants one Legionnaire within 30 ft resistance to all damage until the Overseer's next turn — focus the Overseer to strip this buff.
- Ally assist: Ikara grants advantage on shutdown checks if present; Kyros can auto-succeed one check (once).
Resolution
Creature Cards
Talos Overseer
Medium Construct (Animus Core Avatar) · CR 5 (1,800 XP)
AC 18 | HP 110 (13d8+52) | Speed 30 ft, hover 10 ft.
Skills: Arcana +5 | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions
Gearlock Sync. Start of turn: one Legionnaire within 30 ft gains resistance to all damage until the Overseer's next turn.
Overcharge Core (Recharge 6). Undoes one banked shutdown success unless a PC reacts with a DC 15 Arcana check.
Multiattack. Two Arc Lash attacks.
Arc Lash. +7 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 12 (2d6+5) force.
Command Legionnaires (no action cost, 1/round). One Legionnaire within 30 ft makes one weapon attack as a reaction.
Bronze Legionnaire
Medium Construct, Unaligned · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 17 | HP 60 (8d8+24) | Speed 30 ft.
Resist: bludgeoning, piercing, slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions
Multiattack. Two Xiphos Strikes.
Xiphos Strike. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d10+3) slashing.
Shield Bash (Bonus Action, 1/turn if it hit this turn). Target: DC 13 Str save or pushed 10 ft and knocked prone.
Keraunos Legionnaire (Lightning)
Medium Construct, Unaligned · CR 3 (700 XP)
AC 17 | HP 70 (10d8+25) | Speed 30 ft.
Resist: lightning, bludgeoning/piercing/slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions
Multiattack. Two Charged Blade attacks.
Charged Blade. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (1d10+4) slashing plus 7 (2d6) lightning.
Discharge (when reduced below half HP). 10-ft radius burst; DC 14 Dex save, 14 (4d6) lightning (half on success).
Pyrikaus Legionnaire (Fire)
Medium Construct, Unaligned · CR 3 (700 XP)
AC 16 | HP 65 (9d8+27) | Speed 30 ft.
Resist: fire, bludgeoning/piercing/slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions
Multiattack. Two Molten Fist attacks.
Molten Fist. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d8+4) bludgeoning plus 7 (2d6) fire.
Cinder Breath (Recharge 5–6). 15-ft cone, DC 14 Dex save, 18 (4d8) fire (half on success). Ignites flammable objects.
⚖️ Difficulty Scaling
As Written ★ — 6 Players, Average Level 8
- Baseline for this guide. Numbers, DCs, and win tracks assume six PCs at average level 8.
Library Standard — 6 Players, Average Level 8
- Identical to As Written — this guide’s baseline is already 6 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.
📋 Appendix — Cards
Full stat blocks for every creature, NPC, and item in this session.
Creature Cards
Chalkotauros (Bronze Bull)
Large Construct, Unaligned · CR 4 (1,100 XP)
AC 17 | HP 85 (10d10+30) | Speed 40 ft.
Resist: bludgeoning, piercing, slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions | Darkvision 60 ft
Siege Monster. Deals double damage to objects and structures.
Multiattack. Two Gore attacks.
Gore. +8 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 18 (2d10+7) piercing; Medium or smaller target must succeed a DC 16 Str save or be knocked prone.
Trampling Charge (Recharge 5–6). Moves up to its speed; adjacent creatures in its path take a bonus Gore attack.
Shutdown. Adjacent creature may spend an action for a DC 15 Arcana/Investigation check to disable it (provokes an opportunity attack).
Bronze Sentry
Medium Construct, Unaligned · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 16 | HP 45 (6d8+18) | Speed 30 ft.
Resist: bludgeoning, piercing, slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions | Darkvision 60 ft
Multiattack. Two Bronze Fist attacks.
Bronze Fist. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (1d10+3) bludgeoning.
Standby. Can be set dormant via the valve puzzle (DC 14 Investigation/Arcana, 2 of 3 valves).
Bronze Legionnaire
Medium Construct, Unaligned · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 17 | HP 60 (8d8+24) | Speed 30 ft.
Resist: bludgeoning, piercing, slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions
Multiattack. Two Xiphos Strikes.
Xiphos Strike. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d10+3) slashing.
Shield Bash (Bonus Action, 1/turn if it hit this turn). Target: DC 13 Str save or pushed 10 ft and knocked prone.
Keraunos Legionnaire (Lightning)
Medium Construct, Unaligned · CR 3 (700 XP)
AC 17 | HP 70 (10d8+25) | Speed 30 ft.
Resist: lightning, bludgeoning/piercing/slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions
Multiattack. Two Charged Blade attacks.
Charged Blade. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (1d10+4) slashing plus 7 (2d6) lightning.
Discharge (when reduced below half HP). 10-ft radius burst; DC 14 Dex save, 14 (4d6) lightning (half on success).
Pyrikaus Legionnaire (Fire)
Medium Construct, Unaligned · CR 3 (700 XP)
AC 16 | HP 65 (9d8+27) | Speed 30 ft.
Resist: fire, bludgeoning/piercing/slashing (nonmagical) | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions
Multiattack. Two Molten Fist attacks.
Molten Fist. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d8+4) bludgeoning plus 7 (2d6) fire.
Cinder Breath (Recharge 5–6). 15-ft cone, DC 14 Dex save, 18 (4d8) fire (half on success). Ignites flammable objects.
Talos Overseer
Medium Construct (Animus Core Avatar) · CR 5 (1,800 XP)
AC 18 | HP 110 (13d8+52) | Speed 30 ft, hover 10 ft.
Skills: Arcana +5 | Immune: poison, psychic, exhaustion, most conditions
Gearlock Sync. Start of turn: one Legionnaire within 30 ft gains resistance to all damage until the Overseer's next turn.
Overcharge Core (Recharge 6). Undoes one banked shutdown success unless a PC reacts with a DC 15 Arcana check.
Multiattack. Two Arc Lash attacks.
Arc Lash. +7 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 12 (2d6+5) force.
Command Legionnaires (no action cost, 1/round). One Legionnaire within 30 ft makes one weapon attack as a reaction.
NPC Cards
Kadmos
Medium Humanoid (disguised deity), Neutral · Quest Giver
Role. Quest giver, dockside smith at the Drowned Anchor tavern in Amnisos.
Motivation. Wants Talos disabled, not destroyed — he forged it and refuses to let it be slain like a common beast.
Secret. He is Hephaestus in mortal disguise; reveals this only if directly confronted with divine-detecting magic or if the party succeeds a DC 18 Insight check.
Roleplay Notes. Speaks plainly, undersells his own power, deflects gratitude with dry humor. Will not fight alongside the party — "a god's hand is heavier than it looks."
If Forced to Act. Treat as a CR 10 humanoid with resistance to fire and an at-will heat-metal-like touch; he avoids combat whenever possible.
Ikara of Knossos
Medium Humanoid, Neutral Good · Potential Ally
Role. Rescuable artificer-scholar, descendant of Daedalus's workshop apprentices; recruited from Encounter 1.
Motivation. Obsessed with proving her lineage's worth by saving Talos rather than watching it be destroyed.
Secret. She has partial, half-remembered schematics of Talos's interior — the source of her assistance bonuses.
Roleplay Notes. Anxious, talks fast when nervous, lights up when given a technical problem to solve.
Mechanical Benefit. If rescued, grants advantage on Investigation/Arcana checks related to Talos's mechanisms in Encounters 2–3.
Kyros, the Bronze Owl
Tiny Construct, Unaligned · CR 1/2 · Potential Ally
AC 14 | HP 10 | Speed 10 ft, fly 40 ft.
Skills: Perception +6
Scout. Can fly ahead and report hazards or enemy positions.
Shutdown Assist (1/session). Auto-succeeds one shutdown check at the Ichor Valve in Encounter 3.
Recruitment. Freed from a gear-locked alcove in Encounter 2 with a DC 12 Sleight of Hand or tinker's tools check.
Item Cards
The Aegis Pin
Wondrous Item · Quest Maguffin
Description. A cold bronze nail etched with spiraling script, given by Kadmos at the outset, attached to a scrap of hide.
Note Attached. "Seek the ichor-valve at heart or heel. Turn the pin thrice. The bronze giant will sleep, not die."
Function. Required to attempt shutdown checks at the Ichor Valve in Encounter 3. Without it, the valve cannot be engaged at all.
Secondary Use. Can instantly disable a single lesser construct (Bronze Sentry or Legionnaire) if inserted into its back-panel port as an action — usable once per encounter.