The Laurels of Olympia
One-Shot · 6 Players · Level 6 · ~3–3.5 Hours · Olympia Stadium / Greek Mythology
📜 Session Summary
| Style Mythic Contest / Stadium Crisis — Skill Games → Investigation → Boss Crash |
| Win Condition Compete with honor (or cleverness) and stop Khalkotaurus before the stadium is ruined; press the Olive Token of Nike for the divine payoff |
| Players 6 × Level 6 |
| Est. Duration 3–3.5 hours |
| Encounters 3 (two contest/skill-forward with combat paths; one Hard boss combat) |
Description
Invited through Misthaven’s mists to Olympia’s living Games, the party arrives at the colosseum gates as guest champions among rival teams of leonins, satyrs, hoplites, and horned brutes. Glory is optional — survival of the sacred sand is not, once a bronze war-idol of Ares wakes hungry for a blood-crowned victor.
Handouts
Key NPCs
Diaktoros — Quest Giver (Hermes in disguise)
Lean herald who meets the party in Misthaven, hands over the olive token, and ushers them into the mist. Secret: Hermes.
Judge Lykos — Hellanodikai
Chief judge. Explains contest rules, awards heats, and quietly worries about forbidden bronze magic near the prize vault.
Captain Lea — Pride of Nemea
Leonin captain. Best recruitment path for Enc. 3 if the party competes fairly or exposes cheaters without needless slaughter.
Competing Teams
| Team | Composition (miniature caps) | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Pride of Nemea | Up to 6× Leonin Athlete (led by Captain Lea) | Proud, fair, fierce |
| Iron Tusks | Up to 3× Bugbear Bruiser + up to 3× Rhino Minotaur | Brutal, foul-prone |
| Wild Chorus | Up to 10× Satyr Reveler | Chaotic, recruitable |
| Phalanx of Elis | Up to 10× Hoplite of Elis | Disciplined, legalistic |
| The Single Eyes | Cyclopeans (Cyclopean Contender) — orc-sized intelligent cyclopes | Clever smiths, proud |
| Labyrinth Horns | Up to 8× Minotaur Athlete | Direct, honor-charge |
| Mistwalkers | The PCs | Guest champions |
Field only as many miniatures as you have — the caps above are hard table limits, not encounter budgets. Shrink opposing heat sizes to match who shows up.
Creature / Enemy List
| Creature / Enemy | Easy | Medium | Hard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonin Athlete | 2 | 3–4 | 5–6 | Contest rivals; Lea separate |
| Bugbear Bruiser | 1 | 2 | 3 | Iron Tusks / Enc. 2 combat path |
| Rhino Minotaur | 1 | 2 | 3 | Iron Tusks heavy |
| Satyr Reveler | 3 | 5 | 8–10 | Crowd / recruit pool |
| Hoplite of Elis | 3 | 5 | 8–10 | Legal enforcers if fouls escalate |
| Cyclopean Contender | 2 | 3 | 4 | Puzzle / forge path |
| Minotaur Athlete | 2 | 3 | 4–5 | Charge threats in arena |
| Ares Cult Saboteur | 2 | 3 | 4 | Enc. 2 investigation combat |
| Khalkotaurus | 1 (adj.) | 1 | 1 | Boss Enc. 3; HP scales |
Major Beats
- Misthaven: Diaktoros invites the party; hands Olive Token of Nike.
- Mist crossing — immediate arrival at Olympia’s stadium/colosseum gates.
- Judge Lykos registers the Mistwalkers; explains contest menu.
- Enc. 1 — Opening Contests: party picks events; skill/puzzle first; combat path if fouls or Iron Tusks push.
- Enc. 2 — Contested Laurel: sabotage at the prize vault / sacred flame; puzzle + optional fight; recruit Captain Lea or satyrs.
- Closing ceremony — bronze prize idol stirs.
- Enc. 3 — Brazen Bull: Khalkotaurus rampages; allied team joins; olive-token brow payoff.
Encounter 1 — Opening Contests
Overview
Inside the stadium, Judge Lykos presents a slate of Olympic heats. The Mistwalkers may enter any two contests (or split across heats). Rivals from the listed teams fill other lanes. Glory, olive-leaf tokens (flavor), and rapport with captains are the prizes — not XP from slaughter.
- Style: Menu of skill contests with combat escape valves
- Win Condition: Earn at least 1 Contest Victory for the team (place 1st or 2nd in a heat) or survive a forced brawl without a disqualification if violence erupts
Typical Rival Presence
- Heat A: 3× Leonin Athlete or 4× Satyr Reveler
- Heat B: 2× Bugbear Bruiser + 1× Rhino Minotaur or 3× Hoplite of Elis
- Heat C: 2× Cyclopean Contender or 2× Minotaur Athlete
🗺 Terrain & Features
Olympia stadium floor — 200×80 ft sand track + side courts (pankration circle 40 ft diameter; discus field; judges’ dais).
- Crowd tiers = difficult terrain to climb; thrown objects possible if brawl starts
- Sacred center flame (noncombat hazard if knocked: DC 14 Dex or 2d6 fire)
- Gates/north tunnel lead to Enc. 2 prize vault area later
3–4 PCs: Baseline DCs; 2–3 rivals.
5–6 PCs: Full heat; DCs as written; rivals may use team features (Phalanx, Pride’s Dash).
Spectating PCs: Can Aid (action, DC 12 relevant skill) once per heat, shout warnings (Perception vs. saboteur Stealth), or bribe judges (DC 15 Persuasion — risky; Lykos disapproves on fail by 5+).
Mechanics — Contest Menu
Each contest is a short skill challenge (3 rounds of checks unless noted). A PC who rolls a natural 1 or fails by 5+ while an Iron Tusk is present may be fouled — see Combat Path.
- Each round: Athletics or Acrobatics (DC 14). Best 2-of-3 vs. rival group’s highest check.
- Optional: shove rival (opposed Athletics) once — success = +2 on your next check; fail by 5+ = foul.
- Attack roll vs. AC 12 (improvised / athletics tool) or Athletics DC 15; range accuracy matters (disadvantage if rushed).
- Best of 3 throws. Puzzle twist: wind flags — Nature or Survival DC 13 once for advantage on all throws.
- Nonlethal. Opposed Athletics/Acrobatics; first to 3 degrees of success pins the foe.
- Spellcasters may use Athletics with spellcasting ability if they describe a magical grapple; judges ban damaging cantrips.
- Group puzzle: History, Religion, or Insight DC 14 (one check per PC; need 3 successes before 3 failures).
- Sample riddle answer: olive / peace-crown / Nike’s leaf — if players answer in character, auto-success that check.
- Cyclopeans love this heat and play fair.
- Carry a lit torch through 4 stations (sand, water channel, wind corridor, dark tunnel).
- Stations: Athletics DC 13 → Acrobatics DC 14 → Strength DC 13 (brace against wind) → Perception or Survival DC 14.
- Fail a station: torch sputters (1 strike). 3 strikes = loss. Prestidigitation/Create Bonfire clever use = remove 1 strike (once).
- Trigger: deliberate foul, attacking a rival, or Iron Tusks refuse a loss (DM: after a PC Contest Victory against them).
- Skirmish budget (Medium): 2× Bugbear Bruiser + 1× Rhino Minotaur or 3× Minotaur Athlete.
- Lykos calls for nonlethal; Phalanx of Elis joins on round 3 to break it up if still fighting (3× Hoplite as neutrals).
- Win skirmish: reduce foes to 0 HP (nonlethal) or force surrender (Intimidation DC 14 after dropping one).
- Fair play toward Captain Lea’s heat → she seeks the party after Enc. 1 (sets up Enc. 2/3 alliance).
- Win a musical/performance flourish for the crowd (Performance DC 15) → 1× Satyr Reveler offers to “share wine and steel” later.
Resolution
Creature Cards
Leonin Athlete
Medium Humanoid (Leonin), Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (natural) | HP 45 (6d8+18) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +5, Perception +3, Survival +3 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
Pride's Dash. Once per short rest, Dash as a bonus action; opportunity attacks vs. it have disadvantage that round.
Team Cap. Pride of Nemea fields up to 6 Leonins (miniature limit).
Multiattack. Two claw attacks, or one claw and one javelin.
Claw. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (1d8+3) slashing.
Javelin. +5 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing.
Roaring Challenge (1/day). Creatures of its choice within 30 ft. make a DC 13 Wisdom save or have disadvantage on their next Contest check or attack.
Bugbear Bruiser
Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid), Chaotic Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (hide) | HP 42 (5d8+20) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +5, Stealth +6, Survival +2 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
Long-Limbed. +5 ft. reach with melee attacks.
Surprise Attack. If it hits a creature that hasn't acted yet in combat, deal +7 (2d6) damage.
Team Cap. Iron Tusks field up to 3 Bugbears.
Morningstar. +5 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 12 (2d8+3) piercing.
Javelin. +5 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 10 (2d6+3) piercing.
Rhino Minotaur
Large Monstrosity, Neutral · CR 4 (1,100 XP)
AC 15 (natural) | HP 76 (9d10+27) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +7 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft. | Resistances: bludgeoning from nonmagical
Charge. If it moves ≥20 ft. straight toward a target and hits with gore on the same turn, +9 (2d8) piercing and DC 15 Strength save or prone.
Reckless. Advantage on melee attacks; attacks vs. it have advantage until its next turn.
Team Cap. Iron Tusks field up to 3 Rhino Minotaurs.
Gore. +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 14 (2d8+5) piercing.
Maul. +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 16 (2d10+5) bludgeoning.
Satyr Reveler
Medium Fey, Chaotic Neutral · CR 1/2 (100 XP)
AC 14 (leather) | HP 22 (5d8) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Performance +6, Persuasion +4, Stealth +5 | Magic Resistance: advantage on saves vs. spells
Team Cap. Wild Chorus fields up to 10 Satyrs.
RECRUITMENT. A spared/impressed satyr may join Enc. 3 with DC 13 Persuasion or Performance (adv if the party won a musical contest fairly).
Ram. +3 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 6 (2d4+1) bludgeoning.
Shortbow. +5 to hit, range 80/320 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing.
Panpipes (3/day). 30 ft.; DC 13 Wisdom. Fail: enchanted (incapacitated, dance) 1 minute; repeat save end of turns. Or: calm emotions / sleep (as spell, CHA-based).
Hoplite of Elis
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Neutral · CR 1 (200 XP)
AC 18 (breastplate, shield) | HP 32 (5d8+10) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +4, Perception +2
Phalanx. While within 5 ft. of another Hoplite with a shield, +1 AC and advantage on saves vs. being moved.
Team Cap. Phalanx of Elis fields up to 10 Hoplites.
Spear. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing, or 6 (1d8+2) two-handed.
Shield Bash. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) bludgeoning; DC 12 Strength save or pushed 5 ft.
Cyclopean Contender
Medium Humanoid (Cyclopean), Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (hide) | HP 52 (7d8+21) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +6, Intimidation +2, Perception +3 (adv on sight-based checks beyond 30 ft.: disadvantage)
Single Eye. Disadvantage on Perception checks relying on sight beyond 30 ft.; immune to gaze attacks that require meeting both eyes.
Forge-Kin Cunning. Intelligent — speaks Common and Giant; can contest riddles and craft checks.
Reskin Note. Orc-sized intelligent cyclopes (not Huge mythic Cyclopes).
Multiattack. Two greataxe attacks.
Greataxe. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (1d12+4) slashing.
Rock. +6 to hit, range 30/60 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) bludgeoning.
Minotaur Athlete
Large Monstrosity, Chaotic Neutral · CR 3 (700 XP)
AC 14 (natural) | HP 76 (9d10+27) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +6, Perception +7 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
Labyrinthine Recall. Perfect memory for mazes/paths; advantage on Survival to navigate stadium tunnels.
Charge. As Rhino Minotaur charge, but DC 14 and +9 (2d8) piercing.
Team Cap. Labyrinth Horns field up to 8 Minotaurs.
Greataxe. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 17 (2d12+4) slashing.
Gore. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) piercing.
Encounter 2 — The Contested Laurel
Overview
Between heats, the sacred laurel crown for the closing ceremony goes missing from the prize vault beneath the stands — and the eternal flame gutters. Judge Lykos asks the Mistwalkers to investigate before the crowd turns riotous. Ares cult saboteurs (optionally tipped by sore Iron Tusks) are swapping the true laurel for a bronze-keyed idol control rod that will wake Khalkotaurus.
- Style: Timed investigation / vault puzzle with optional skirmish
- Win Condition: Recover the true laurel or learn the brow-socket secret of the bronze bull and prevent a vault collapse; combat win = defeat saboteurs
Creatures (Combat Path)
- 3× Ares Cult Saboteur
- Optional reinforce: 1× Bugbear Bruiser if Enc. 1 grudge
- Neutral complication: 2× Cyclopean Contender guarding forge door (talk-down possible)
🗺 Terrain & Features
Vault & service tunnels — 80×50 ft understadium grid.
- Prize vault door: puzzle lock (see Mechanics)
- Oil channels (fire hazard), statue niches (½ cover), amphora stacks (difficult terrain if smashed)
- Viewing grate to arena sand above — fall = 20 ft
Full party in vault: Baseline 3 saboteurs; puzzle as written.
Only 1–2 investigators: Lykos assigns 2× Hoplite escorts (allies, AC 18 / HP 32); DCs −2.
Mechanics
- Perception or Investigation DC 13: bronze filings trail toward north tunnel.
- Insight DC 14 vs. a smirking Iron Tusk: they were paid to “look away.”
- Ask Cyclopeans: History/Persuasion DC 13 — they forged a “ceremonial bull” with a brow socket “for a victor’s seal.”
- Four reliefs: Footrace, Discus, Wrestling, Sacred Flame. Press in the order of today’s opening slate (DM: whatever two contests the party played, plus flame last — or tell them Lykos’s posted order).
- Default order if needed: Race → Discus → Pankration → Flame.
- Wrong press: DC 14 Dexterity save or 2d6 poison dart; lock resets. Three failures = alarm (combat path).
- Arcana/Religion DC 15 identifies that the false laurel is a control spike for a construct.
- Non-combat: Stealth DC 14 to snatch true laurel; or Persuasion/Intimidation DC 15 to force cultists to flee (they drop a diagram of the bull’s brow).
- Combat: 3× saboteurs; round 2 one tries to escape upward with the control spike (chase Athletics/Acrobatics DC 14).
- If control spike reaches the arena idol before Enc. 3, Khalkotaurus starts Enc. 3 with 1 legendary action already spent recharge (i.e. scarier opener) — actually: starts with Furnace Breath available.
- Captain Lea: share proof of Ares cult → automatic ally for Enc. 3 (brings 2 Leonins if miniatures allow).
- Spare a cultist for questioning (Medicine DC 12 keep alive): reveals brow-socket weakness — pairs with olive token handout.
- Wild Chorus: Performance or Persuasion DC 13 after returning the laurel → 2 satyrs join Enc. 3 as skirmishers.
Resolution
- Confirm olive-token payoff if they found the brow-socket diagram.
- Lock in which ally team (if any) stands with the Mistwalkers.
Creature Cards
Ares Cult Saboteur
Medium Humanoid (Human), Chaotic Evil · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 13 (studded) | HP 38 (7d8+7) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Deception +4, Sleight of Hand +4, Stealth +4
Fanatic. Advantage on saves vs. being frightened while it can see Khalkotaurus or the prize vault.
Scimitar. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) slashing.
Hand Crossbow. +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing.
Blood Signal (1/day). Summons 1d2 additional saboteurs at the end of the next round (Enc. 2 only; max +2 total).
Bugbear Bruiser
Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid), Chaotic Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (hide) | HP 42 (5d8+20) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +5, Stealth +6, Survival +2 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
Long-Limbed. +5 ft. reach with melee attacks.
Surprise Attack. If it hits a creature that hasn't acted yet in combat, deal +7 (2d6) damage.
Team Cap. Iron Tusks field up to 3 Bugbears.
Morningstar. +5 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 12 (2d8+3) piercing.
Javelin. +5 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 10 (2d6+3) piercing.
Cyclopean Contender
Medium Humanoid (Cyclopean), Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (hide) | HP 52 (7d8+21) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +6, Intimidation +2, Perception +3 (adv on sight-based checks beyond 30 ft.: disadvantage)
Single Eye. Disadvantage on Perception checks relying on sight beyond 30 ft.; immune to gaze attacks that require meeting both eyes.
Forge-Kin Cunning. Intelligent — speaks Common and Giant; can contest riddles and craft checks.
Reskin Note. Orc-sized intelligent cyclopes (not Huge mythic Cyclopes).
Multiattack. Two greataxe attacks.
Greataxe. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (1d12+4) slashing.
Rock. +6 to hit, range 30/60 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) bludgeoning.
Captain Lea (Pride of Nemea)
Medium Humanoid (Leonin), Neutral Good · CR 4 (1,100 XP) · Ally Candidate
AC 15 | HP 78 (12d8+24) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +6, Insight +3, Intimidation +4
RECRUITMENT. Help her team fairly in Enc. 1 or expose cheaters in Enc. 2 without slaughtering Leonins → she offers alliance for Enc. 3 (joins with 2 athletes if available).
Pack Leader. Allied Leonins within 30 ft. gain +1 to Contest checks and saving throws vs. fear.
Multiattack. Three claw attacks.
Claw. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d8+4) slashing.
Victory Roar (1/rest). Allies within 30 ft. gain 10 temporary HP.
Hoplite of Elis
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Neutral · CR 1 (200 XP)
AC 18 (breastplate, shield) | HP 32 (5d8+10) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +4, Perception +2
Phalanx. While within 5 ft. of another Hoplite with a shield, +1 AC and advantage on saves vs. being moved.
Team Cap. Phalanx of Elis fields up to 10 Hoplites.
Spear. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing, or 6 (1d8+2) two-handed.
Shield Bash. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) bludgeoning; DC 12 Strength save or pushed 5 ft.
Encounter 3 — The Brazen Bull Awakens (Boss)
Overview
At the crowning moment, the bronze prize idol — Khalkotaurus, Brazen Bull of Ares — tears free of its plinth and turns the stadium into a kill-box. Crowds stampede. One allied team (ideally Captain Lea’s Pride, or satyrs/hoplites if recruited) fights beside the party. This is not a god-killing: it is stopping a war-construct before Olympia’s Games become a massacre.
- Style: Arena boss fight with environmental collapses
- Win Condition: Reduce Khalkotaurus to 0 HP or press the Olive Token of Nike to its brow-socket twice (second press requires ally help or the bull prone/restrained) — either ends the animation
Creatures
- 1× Khalkotaurus (boss)
- Allies: Captain Lea + up to 2× Leonin or 3× Satyr or 4× Hoplite
- Optional trash (Hard+): 2× Ares Cult Saboteur cheering from stands
🗺 Terrain & Features
Stadium arena — 120×80 ft sand + crumbling plinth + gate tunnels.
- Collapsed stand section (difficult terrain, ½ cover)
- Water troughs: action to hurl (Athletics DC 13) — suppress Furnace Heart 1 round
- Brow-socket: visible after first thunder damage or Investigation DC 14 from within 10 ft
Harder: HP 200; 2 cultists snipe; legendary resistance 3/day; gates seal until bull ≤ half HP.
Mechanics
- Initiative: Bull acts on initiative count; lair tremor at init 20 (10-ft square becomes difficult terrain).
- Olive Token: Action, adjacent: 40 force damage + lose legendary actions until end of its next turn. Second press (ally uses Help action, or bull prone): bull’s animation ends at 0 HP equivalent (crumbles, non-exploding).
- Crowd: End of round 2, stampede — DC 13 Strength save or 2d6 bludgeoning and prone if in outer 10 ft ring.
- Ally captains: Lea focuses the bull; satyrs harass cultists; hoplites form a shield corridor for civilians (failing to protect civilians is a soft failure, not a TPK condition).
- Persistence: Do not kill gods or level Olympia. If the bull would destroy the Temple of Zeus, it turns back to the party — Ares wants a fight, not rubble.
Resolution
Creature Cards
Khalkotaurus, Brazen Bull of Ares
Huge Construct, Unaligned · CR 9 (5,000 XP) · BOSS
AC 18 (natural / bronze) | HP 168 (16d12+64) | Speed 40 ft.
Immunities: poison, psychic; bludgeoning/piercing/slashing from nonmagical | Resistances: fire | Vulnerabilities: thunder | Senses: darkvision 120 ft.
Siege Monster. Double damage to objects and structures (stands, gates, prize vault).
Furnace Heart. Start of turn: creatures that begin within 10 ft. take 7 (2d6) fire. Water/holy oil splash (action) suppresses for 1 round.
False Victor. Animated prize-idol meant to crown Ares's 'true champion.' Destroying it or pressing the Olive Token ends the rampage.
Legendary Resistance (2/day). Turn a failed save into a success.
Multiattack. One gore and one slam, or two slams.
Gore. +10 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 19 (3d8+6) piercing + 7 (2d6) fire.
Slam. +10 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 17 (2d10+6) bludgeoning; DC 17 Strength save or knocked prone.
Furnace Breath (Recharge 5–6). 30-ft. cone; DC 16 Dexterity save. 36 (8d8) fire on fail, half on success.
Detect (Cost 1). Khalkotaurus makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Slam (Cost 1). One slam attack.
Trample Charge (Cost 2). Moves up to 20 ft. without provoking; each creature in path DC 15 Dexterity save or 10 (3d6) bludgeoning and prone.
Captain Lea (Pride of Nemea)
Medium Humanoid (Leonin), Neutral Good · CR 4 (1,100 XP) · Ally Candidate
AC 15 | HP 78 (12d8+24) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +6, Insight +3, Intimidation +4
RECRUITMENT. Help her team fairly in Enc. 1 or expose cheaters in Enc. 2 without slaughtering Leonins → she offers alliance for Enc. 3 (joins with 2 athletes if available).
Pack Leader. Allied Leonins within 30 ft. gain +1 to Contest checks and saving throws vs. fear.
Multiattack. Three claw attacks.
Claw. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d8+4) slashing.
Victory Roar (1/rest). Allies within 30 ft. gain 10 temporary HP.
Leonin Athlete
Medium Humanoid (Leonin), Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (natural) | HP 45 (6d8+18) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +5, Perception +3, Survival +3 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
Pride's Dash. Once per short rest, Dash as a bonus action; opportunity attacks vs. it have disadvantage that round.
Team Cap. Pride of Nemea fields up to 6 Leonins (miniature limit).
Multiattack. Two claw attacks, or one claw and one javelin.
Claw. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (1d8+3) slashing.
Javelin. +5 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing.
Roaring Challenge (1/day). Creatures of its choice within 30 ft. make a DC 13 Wisdom save or have disadvantage on their next Contest check or attack.
Satyr Reveler
Medium Fey, Chaotic Neutral · CR 1/2 (100 XP)
AC 14 (leather) | HP 22 (5d8) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Performance +6, Persuasion +4, Stealth +5 | Magic Resistance: advantage on saves vs. spells
Team Cap. Wild Chorus fields up to 10 Satyrs.
RECRUITMENT. A spared/impressed satyr may join Enc. 3 with DC 13 Persuasion or Performance (adv if the party won a musical contest fairly).
Ram. +3 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 6 (2d4+1) bludgeoning.
Shortbow. +5 to hit, range 80/320 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing.
Panpipes (3/day). 30 ft.; DC 13 Wisdom. Fail: enchanted (incapacitated, dance) 1 minute; repeat save end of turns. Or: calm emotions / sleep (as spell, CHA-based).
Hoplite of Elis
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Neutral · CR 1 (200 XP)
AC 18 (breastplate, shield) | HP 32 (5d8+10) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +4, Perception +2
Phalanx. While within 5 ft. of another Hoplite with a shield, +1 AC and advantage on saves vs. being moved.
Team Cap. Phalanx of Elis fields up to 10 Hoplites.
Spear. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing, or 6 (1d8+2) two-handed.
Shield Bash. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) bludgeoning; DC 12 Strength save or pushed 5 ft.
Ares Cult Saboteur
Medium Humanoid (Human), Chaotic Evil · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 13 (studded) | HP 38 (7d8+7) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Deception +4, Sleight of Hand +4, Stealth +4
Fanatic. Advantage on saves vs. being frightened while it can see Khalkotaurus or the prize vault.
Scimitar. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) slashing.
Hand Crossbow. +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing.
Blood Signal (1/day). Summons 1d2 additional saboteurs at the end of the next round (Enc. 2 only; max +2 total).
⚖️ Difficulty Scaling
As Written ★ — 6 Players, Average Level 6
- Baseline for this guide. Numbers, DCs, and win tracks assume six PCs at average level 6.
Library Standard — 6 Players, Average Level 8
- Raise key enemy HP ~+25% and damage +1 per attack die; social/skill DCs +1–2. Boss legendary actions as written or +1/round.
Easier
- APL 4–5: −1 enemy/wave; DCs −1; ally auto-recruits if approached peacefully.
Harder
- APL 7–8: use Library Standard (6×L8).
📋 Appendix — Cards
Full stat blocks for every creature, NPC, and item in this session (including optional / difficulty-adjusted entries).
Creature Cards
Leonin Athlete
Medium Humanoid (Leonin), Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (natural) | HP 45 (6d8+18) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +5, Perception +3, Survival +3 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
Pride's Dash. Once per short rest, Dash as a bonus action; opportunity attacks vs. it have disadvantage that round.
Team Cap. Pride of Nemea fields up to 6 Leonins (miniature limit).
Multiattack. Two claw attacks, or one claw and one javelin.
Claw. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (1d8+3) slashing.
Javelin. +5 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing.
Roaring Challenge (1/day). Creatures of its choice within 30 ft. make a DC 13 Wisdom save or have disadvantage on their next Contest check or attack.
Bugbear Bruiser
Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid), Chaotic Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (hide) | HP 42 (5d8+20) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +5, Stealth +6, Survival +2 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
Long-Limbed. +5 ft. reach with melee attacks.
Surprise Attack. If it hits a creature that hasn't acted yet in combat, deal +7 (2d6) damage.
Team Cap. Iron Tusks field up to 3 Bugbears.
Morningstar. +5 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 12 (2d8+3) piercing.
Javelin. +5 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 10 (2d6+3) piercing.
Rhino Minotaur
Large Monstrosity, Neutral · CR 4 (1,100 XP)
AC 15 (natural) | HP 76 (9d10+27) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +7 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft. | Resistances: bludgeoning from nonmagical
Charge. If it moves ≥20 ft. straight toward a target and hits with gore on the same turn, +9 (2d8) piercing and DC 15 Strength save or prone.
Reckless. Advantage on melee attacks; attacks vs. it have advantage until its next turn.
Team Cap. Iron Tusks field up to 3 Rhino Minotaurs.
Gore. +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 14 (2d8+5) piercing.
Maul. +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 16 (2d10+5) bludgeoning.
Satyr Reveler
Medium Fey, Chaotic Neutral · CR 1/2 (100 XP)
AC 14 (leather) | HP 22 (5d8) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Performance +6, Persuasion +4, Stealth +5 | Magic Resistance: advantage on saves vs. spells
Team Cap. Wild Chorus fields up to 10 Satyrs.
RECRUITMENT. A spared/impressed satyr may join Enc. 3 with DC 13 Persuasion or Performance (adv if the party won a musical contest fairly).
Ram. +3 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 6 (2d4+1) bludgeoning.
Shortbow. +5 to hit, range 80/320 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing.
Panpipes (3/day). 30 ft.; DC 13 Wisdom. Fail: enchanted (incapacitated, dance) 1 minute; repeat save end of turns. Or: calm emotions / sleep (as spell, CHA-based).
Hoplite of Elis
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Neutral · CR 1 (200 XP)
AC 18 (breastplate, shield) | HP 32 (5d8+10) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +4, Perception +2
Phalanx. While within 5 ft. of another Hoplite with a shield, +1 AC and advantage on saves vs. being moved.
Team Cap. Phalanx of Elis fields up to 10 Hoplites.
Spear. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing, or 6 (1d8+2) two-handed.
Shield Bash. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) bludgeoning; DC 12 Strength save or pushed 5 ft.
Cyclopean Contender
Medium Humanoid (Cyclopean), Neutral · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 14 (hide) | HP 52 (7d8+21) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Athletics +6, Intimidation +2, Perception +3 (adv on sight-based checks beyond 30 ft.: disadvantage)
Single Eye. Disadvantage on Perception checks relying on sight beyond 30 ft.; immune to gaze attacks that require meeting both eyes.
Forge-Kin Cunning. Intelligent — speaks Common and Giant; can contest riddles and craft checks.
Reskin Note. Orc-sized intelligent cyclopes (not Huge mythic Cyclopes).
Multiattack. Two greataxe attacks.
Greataxe. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (1d12+4) slashing.
Rock. +6 to hit, range 30/60 ft. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) bludgeoning.
Minotaur Athlete
Large Monstrosity, Chaotic Neutral · CR 3 (700 XP)
AC 14 (natural) | HP 76 (9d10+27) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +6, Perception +7 | Senses: darkvision 60 ft.
Labyrinthine Recall. Perfect memory for mazes/paths; advantage on Survival to navigate stadium tunnels.
Charge. As Rhino Minotaur charge, but DC 14 and +9 (2d8) piercing.
Team Cap. Labyrinth Horns field up to 8 Minotaurs.
Greataxe. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 17 (2d12+4) slashing.
Gore. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) piercing.
Ares Cult Saboteur
Medium Humanoid (Human), Chaotic Evil · CR 2 (450 XP)
AC 13 (studded) | HP 38 (7d8+7) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Deception +4, Sleight of Hand +4, Stealth +4
Fanatic. Advantage on saves vs. being frightened while it can see Khalkotaurus or the prize vault.
Scimitar. +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) slashing.
Hand Crossbow. +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing.
Blood Signal (1/day). Summons 1d2 additional saboteurs at the end of the next round (Enc. 2 only; max +2 total).
Khalkotaurus, Brazen Bull of Ares
Huge Construct, Unaligned · CR 9 (5,000 XP) · BOSS
AC 18 (natural / bronze) | HP 168 (16d12+64) | Speed 40 ft.
Immunities: poison, psychic; bludgeoning/piercing/slashing from nonmagical | Resistances: fire | Vulnerabilities: thunder | Senses: darkvision 120 ft.
Siege Monster. Double damage to objects and structures (stands, gates, prize vault).
Furnace Heart. Start of turn: creatures that begin within 10 ft. take 7 (2d6) fire. Water/holy oil splash (action) suppresses for 1 round.
False Victor. Animated prize-idol meant to crown Ares's 'true champion.' Destroying it or pressing the Olive Token ends the rampage.
Legendary Resistance (2/day). Turn a failed save into a success.
Multiattack. One gore and one slam, or two slams.
Gore. +10 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 19 (3d8+6) piercing + 7 (2d6) fire.
Slam. +10 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 17 (2d10+6) bludgeoning; DC 17 Strength save or knocked prone.
Furnace Breath (Recharge 5–6). 30-ft. cone; DC 16 Dexterity save. 36 (8d8) fire on fail, half on success.
Detect (Cost 1). Khalkotaurus makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Slam (Cost 1). One slam attack.
Trample Charge (Cost 2). Moves up to 20 ft. without provoking; each creature in path DC 15 Dexterity save or 10 (3d6) bludgeoning and prone.
NPC Cards
Captain Lea (Pride of Nemea)
Medium Humanoid (Leonin), Neutral Good · CR 4 (1,100 XP) · Ally Candidate
AC 15 | HP 78 (12d8+24) | Speed 40 ft.
Skills: Athletics +6, Insight +3, Intimidation +4
RECRUITMENT. Help her team fairly in Enc. 1 or expose cheaters in Enc. 2 without slaughtering Leonins → she offers alliance for Enc. 3 (joins with 2 athletes if available).
Pack Leader. Allied Leonins within 30 ft. gain +1 to Contest checks and saving throws vs. fear.
Multiattack. Three claw attacks.
Claw. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (1d8+4) slashing.
Victory Roar (1/rest). Allies within 30 ft. gain 10 temporary HP.
Judge Lykos
Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Neutral · Official
AC 12 | HP 27 (6d8) | Speed 30 ft.
Skills: Insight +6, Persuasion +4, Religion +3
Hellanodikai. Chief judge of these Games. Can disqualify a team, award a heat, or call for trial-by-contest.
Secret. Suspects forbidden bronze-animation magic near the prize vault — will tip helpful parties.
Staff. +2 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning.
Call Foul (Recharge 5–6). One creature must DC 13 Charisma save or be barred from the next Contest check (spectate only).
Diaktoros (Hermes in Disguise)
Medium Celestial (shapechanged), Chaotic Good · Quest Giver
Role: Quest giver · Public face: lean Olympic herald
Motivation. Ensure the Games honor the gods — and that mortals remember cleverness as well as strength.
Secret. He is Hermes. If confronted with divine truth, he winks and changes the subject.
If Confronted. "Run the race you were given. The olive will know the finish."
Item Cards
Olive Token of Nike
Wondrous Item (maguffin), Unique
Appearance: olive-wood disc, winged victory stamp, warm to the touch
Handout Text (24 words). "When bronze claims the sacred sand and the crowd screams for blood, press this olive to the false victor's brow."
Enc. 1–2. Optional: presenting the token grants advantage on one contested Contest check per event (judges recognize the invitation).
Enc. 3 Payoff. As an action adjacent to Khalkotaurus, press the token to its brow-socket: the colossus loses legendary actions for 1 round and takes 40 force damage (ignores resistances). Once per fight, or a second time if a recruited captain aids the press (helps as an action).