The Shattered Pact of Ironstone Hills

One-Shot · 6 Players · Average Level 8 · ~3.5 Hours · Greek Mythology · 3 Encounters (branching A/B/C)

SESSION SUMMARY

Style: Investigation / Roleplay / Combat — branching narrative
Setting: Ironstone Hills — Road of Koros, contested grove/forge-road/centaur valley, Forge-Shrine of Koros
Win Condition: Reach the Forge-Shrine, expose the true manipulator (Kephira), restore peace
Players: 6 × Level 8 · 3–3.5 hrs · Enc 1 skill+optional combat → Enc 2 avoidable → Enc 3 boss (branching)
Branching: Enc 1 outcome sets Enc 2 obstacle + Enc 3 boss. A Cyclopean Alliance → Satyr War-Chief · B Satyr Alliance → Cyclopean Warlord · C Neutral/Both Hostile → Medusid Sorcerer

An ancient divine truce between armored Cyclopean clans and wild Dwarf-Satyr tribes has kept the hills at peace for three centuries — until someone secretly stoked their hatred. Kephira (Medusid Sorcerer) forged letters and shipped sacred iron ore to each side; once both are weakened she will claim the Forge-Shrine’s divine fire and petrify the region. The Bronze Pact Medallion (from Lykaon) reacts violently to her sorcery.

"The ancient pact between the Children of Kyklops and the Wild-Hoofed ones has kept these hills at peace for three hundred years — and something has poisoned that peace. Seek the source; it will not be where the anger points. Take this seal: it was struck in divine fire and carries Hephaestus's word as law. Let it speak where words fail you. And be wary — a serpent's tongue is sweetest when it tells you what you want to hear." — Lykaon of Delphi

Major Beats

The Commission: Lykaon briefs the party, hands over the Bronze Pact Medallion; "serpent's tongue" foreshadows Kephira (DC 15 Arcana/History if asked).
Crossroads Dispute (Enc 1): Thrakos vs Aireen over "stolen" ore — skill challenge / side choice / combat sets branch A/B/C.
Contested Path (Enc 2): Unbefriended faction (or Centaurs) blocks the road — fully avoidable with roleplay or Medallion.
Medallion Glows: Near the Shrine the seal pulses warm gold — Kephira’s residue; payoff of Lykaon’s hint.
Fury at the Forge-Shrine (Enc 3): Boss + Rd 3 reinforcements; invoke Medallion to flip a duped boss or cripple Kephira.
Aftermath: Both elders alive + truth exposed → re-sign the Pact; else victorious faction claims Shrine. Lykaon rewards regardless.

Creature / Enemy List

Creature	CR	Easy	Med	Hard	Notes
Cyclopean Warrior	1	2	3–4	5	Enc 1; Enc 2B; Enc 3B initial
Dwarf-Satyr	½	3	4–5	5+	Enc 1
Human-like Satyr	1	2	3	4	Enc 2A
Satyr Hoplite	2	1	2–3	3	Enc 2A; Enc 3A initial
Centaur	2	—	3	3	Enc 2C allies/obstacles
Cyclops (Brokhos)	6	—	1	1+	Enc 2B gatekeep
Agrios	½	—	0–4	4–8	Enc 3A/B optional minions
Minotaur Hoplite	4	—	4	4	Enc 3A Rd 3 reinf
Skeletal Minotaur	3	—	3	3	Enc 3B/C Rd 3 reinf
Skeletal Centaur	3	—	2	2	Enc 3C initial
Satyr War-Chief ★A	6	—	1	1	Enc 3 Branch A boss
Cyclopean Warlord ★B	7	—	1	1	Enc 3 Branch B boss
Medusid Sorcerer ★C	8	—	1	1	Enc 3 Branch C boss

Difficulty Scaling (baseline APL 8)

APL	Enc 1 — Crossroads	Enc 2 — Path	Enc 3 — Shrine
5–6	2 Warriors + 3 Satyrs; DCs −2; Thrakos never fights	A: −1 Hoplite, DC 11 · B: no Cyclops · C: 2 Qs, DC 11/12	Boss −25% HP; reinf Rd 4; no optional Agrios; Kephira no LA
8 ★	As written. Medallion meaningful. Branch C hardest — pre-plan Petrifying Gaze targets.
10–12	4 War + 5 Sat + 1 Human-Satyr; Thrakos joins Rd 2; DCs +2	A: 4 H-Sat + 3 Hop · B: +Thrakos Warlord · C: +1 Minotaur guard; DCs +2	Boss +20 HP; reinf Rd 2; Kephira 4 LA; Branch A starts with 4 Agrios

ENCOUNTER 1 — The Crossroads Dispute

Skill Challenge / Medium if combat · ~30 min skill / ~45 min combat · 3–5 rds | Terrain: Hermes shrine crossroads 80×60 ft

Creatures: 3× Cyclopean Warrior + Thrakos (NPC) vs 4× Dwarf-Satyr + Aireen (NPC). Ore sacks center. Win: defuse (any Path A/B/C counts — path diverges, not difficulty).

Terrain: Columns half cover (topple DC 16 Ath; AC 12 / 20 HP) · Ore sacks half cover · Hermes altar: touch + DC 10 Religion → Adv next Persuasion · N hillside: Kephira’s spy (DC 16 Perc spot; DC 18 Stealth approach).
Challenge: 3 successes before 3 failures; 1 check/PC/round. DC 12 Perc/Inv — bootprints (not Satyr hooves) → Adv next Persuasion/Insight · DC 12 Hist/Rel — quote Pact (auto if spoken; Medallion = free success) · DC 13 Insight — Aireen confused not guilty · DC 14 Pers/Dec — hold fire (Adv w/ bootprints) · DC 14 Ath/Intim — buy a beat (fail = +1 failure) · DC 15 Arc/Nature — Medusid gait ID (success + clue).
Combat fallback: Declare side on init 20 Rd 1. Join Cyclopeans → Branch A (Thrakos = Warlord ally). Join Satyrs → Branch B. Fight both → Branch C (elders flee at half warriors). Mid-combat defuse: action DC 16 Persuasion → Branch C partial.
Harder: Thrakos enters Rd 2 if any Cyclopean bloodied; +1 Human-like Satyr in rocks. Easier: 2 War + 3 Satyrs; DCs −2.

Failure: Combat erupts; choose side or fight all.

Resolution: A — 3 Warrior escorts; Enc 2A; boss War-Chief · B — grove pass + 2 Satyr guides; Enc 2B; boss Warlord · C — no escort; Enc 2C Centaurs; boss Kephira. Loot: obsidian snake-shard (DC 14 Arcana = scrying focus); bootprints → Adv Survival Enc 2. XP ~400 combat / 300 skill.

ENCOUNTER 2 — The Contested Path

Roleplay / Skill · Moderate if combat · ~20–30 min · combat fully avoidable | Medallion begins faint pulse (DC 12 Arcana → petrification residue)

Branch A — Satyr Grove (60×40 ft): 3× Human-like Satyr + 3× Satyr Hoplite. Dense trees half cover; ranged >30 ft Disadv; Hoplite Shield Wall + Brace; fallen tree high ground +1 AC. Avoid: Medallion auto 1st check · DC 13 Persuasion · DC 15 Deception (escorts "in custody") · DC 14 Intimidation (escorts stay behind).
Branch B — Forge Road Gate (70×50 ft): 2× Cyclopean Warrior + 1× Cyclops Brokhos. Arch AC 17 / 40 HP / force DC 18 Ath; Brokhos half cover behind arch; Rock if combat. Avoid: Medallion auto vs Warriors · DC 13 Pers Warriors (Adv w/ Medallion) · DC 16 Pers Brokhos (flattery) · DC 14 Dec (smiths; Brokhos Insight DC 8) · DC 10 SoH throw food → 3 rd distract. Easier: Brokhos asleep, DC 12 Stealth.
Branch C — Centaur Valley (100×60 ft): 3× Centaur; violence = instant combat (subdue only). Q1 Intent DC 13 Pers (Medallion auto) · Q2 "Who broke Pact?" DC 14 Hist/Insight ("Neither — outsider") · Q3 Worth DC 14 Survival / DC 15 Arcana / show shard. 3 succ: Centaur Charge allies Enc 3 (19 pierc, DC 14 STR or prone, 1/PC). 1–2: pass + intel "mirrors are her eyes." 0/violence: wake 1 hr later, short rest, no allies/intel.

ENCOUNTER 3 — Fury at the Forge-Shrine (Boss)

Hard · Deadly (Branch C) · ~45–60 min · ~6–8 rds · reinf init 20 Rd 3 | Terrain: Forge-hall 90×60 ft

Medallion hot + golden pulse on entry. Shared: Forge-Pit 10×10 (difficult; fall 14/4d6 fire; forced move DC 14 DEX) · 4 Brazier pillars (DC 16 Ath → 10-ft fire 7/2d6) · 6 Obsidian Mirrors AC 11 / 5 HP (BA destroy) · Anvil ¾ cover · Barricade east door DC 15 Ath (delay reinf 1 rd).

Medallion (Action, 1/day): A/B — boss DC 14 WIS or pause → DC 14 Persuasion (Adv) ends aggression + redirects vs reinf. Trigger at <½ HP (A) or Skeletal Shock (B). C — Kephira loses Minor Illusion; Gaze DC −2 (to 12); Disadv next Conc; Mirror Gaze suppressed.
Branch A: Pyrakios (War-Chief) + 2 Hoplite (+ opt 4 Agrios). Rd 3: 4× Minotaur Hoplite (Kephira mercs). Aura Frenzy (Satyr crit 19–20; ends <45 HP). Mirror sneak-attack BA spear 1/rd if mirror intact (DC 14 Perc deny).
Branch B: Molgos (Warlord) + 2 Warriors (+ opt 4 Agrios). Rd 3: 3× Skeletal Minotaur (Molgos horrified = Shaken 1 turn — Medallion trigger). Fire Resist; BA push Brazier free; Hurled Boulder rechg 5–6 (DC 15 DEX, 27 dmg).
Branch C: Kephira + 2 Skeletal Centaur. Rd 3: 3× Skeletal Minotaur (floor tremble Rd 2, DC 12 Perc). Mirror Gaze: intact mirrors → 2nd target CON DC 12 (restrained only). Targets casters/Medallion-holder. ≤30 HP + not restrained → LA Move retreat; seal door (DC 16 Ath in 1 rd or partial victory). Centaur Charges ignore Undead Resilience.

Resolution: Full = both elders reconcile, re-sign Pact · Faction win = allied claims Shrine · Kephira escape = half Lykaon reward + sequel. Loot A/B: 800 gp + +1 Spear or Gauntlets of Ogre Power + 200 gp ore · C: spellbook + 3 shards + Stone Shape scroll · All: 500 gp + divine favour (Adv 1 check/save/atk within 30 days).

CREATURE STAT BLOCKS

Cyclopean Warrior

Medium Humanoid (Cyclops-Kin), LN · CR 1 (200 XP)

AC 15 (chain, shield) | HP 32 (5d8+10) | Speed 30 ft.

STR 17(+3) DEX 10 CON 15(+2) INT 8(−1) WIS 9(−1) CHA 7(−2) · Ath +5 · DV 60

Poor Depth Perception. Disadv ranged. Iron-Blooded. Adv vs frightened.

Spear. +5, 5 ft or 20/60, 7 (1d6+3) pierc (ranged Disadv). Shield Bash. +5, 5 (1d4+3); DC 13 STR or pushed 5 ft prone.

Dwarf-Satyr

Small Fey, CN · CR ½ (100 XP)

AC 13 (leather) | HP 18 (4d6+4) | Speed 30 ft.

STR 10 DEX 15(+2) CON 13(+1) INT 11 WIS 12(+1) CHA 14(+2) · Perc +3 Stealth +4 · DV 60

Magic Resistance. Adv vs spells. Bracing Ram. No move → Ram +1d4.

Ram. +2, 5 (1d10). Short Sword. +4, 5 (1d6+2). Panpipe Wail (R6): 20 ft hear DC 12 WIS or frightened until end next turn.

Human-like Satyr

Medium Fey, CN · CR 1 (200 XP)

AC 13 (leather) | HP 32 (5d8+10) | Speed 35 ft.

STR 12(+1) DEX 16(+3) CON 14(+2) INT 11 WIS 10 CHA 15(+2) · Perc +2 Stealth +5

Magic Resistance. Adv vs spells. Fleet-Hoofed. OA vs it at Disadv.

Shortbow. +5, 80/320, 6 (1d6+3). Short Sword. +5, 6 (1d6+3). BA Ram (moved ≥10 ft): +3, 3 (1d4+1); DC 12 STR or prone.

Satyr Hoplite

Medium Fey, LN · CR 2 (450 XP)

AC 15 (scale, shield) / 17 Shield Wall | HP 45 (7d8+14) | Speed 30 ft.

STR 16(+3) DEX 13(+1) CON 14(+2) INT 10 WIS 11 CHA 12(+1) · Ath +5

Magic Resistance. Shield Wall. Adjacent ≥1 Hoplite → +2 AC.

Multiattack. 2× Spear +5, 8 (1d8+3) / 9 (1d10+3) 2H. Shield Slam. +5, 6 (1d6+3); DC 13 STR or stunned until end next turn. R: Brace — Spear vs creature entering reach.

Centaur

Large Fey, CG · CR 2 (450 XP) · Ally / Enc 2C

AC 12 | HP 45 (6d10+12) | Speed 50 ft.

STR 18(+4) DEX 14(+2) CON 14(+2) INT 9(−1) WIS 13(+1) CHA 11 · Ath +6 Perc/Surv +3

Charge. Move ≥30 ft straight + Pike hit → +10 (3d6) pierc; DC 14 STR or prone.

Multiattack. Pike +6, 10 ft, 9 (1d10+4) + Hooves +6, 11 (2d6+4).

Cyclops (Brokhos)

Large Giant, CN · CR 6 (2,300 XP) · Enc 2B

AC 14 | HP 114 (12d10+48) | Speed 30 ft.

STR 22(+6) DEX 11 CON 18(+4) INT 8(−1) WIS 8(−1) CHA 7(−2)

Poor Depth Perception. Disadv attacks >30 ft. Unstoppable (1/combat): 0 HP from B/P/S → DC 15 CON or drop to 1 HP.

Multiattack. 2× Greatclub +9, 10 ft, 19 (3d8+6). Rock. +9, 30/120, 28 (4d10+6). R: Rock Catch DC 10 DEX → no dmg.

Agrios

Medium Humanoid (Wild Man), CN · CR ½ (100 XP) · Opt Enc 3A/B

AC 13 (hide) | HP 15 (2d8+6) | Speed 30 ft.

STR 16(+3) DEX 12(+1) CON 16(+3) INT 8(−1) WIS 7(−2) CHA 10 · Intim +2 · DV 60

Aggressive. BA move speed toward hostile. Use orc minis (8 available).

Greataxe. +5, 9 (1d12+3). Javelin. +5, 30/120, 6 (1d6+3).

Minotaur Hoplite

Large Monstrosity, LE · CR 4 (1,100 XP) · Enc 3A reinf

AC 16 (plate, shield) | HP 76 (9d10+27) | Speed 40 ft.

STR 20(+5) DEX 10 CON 17(+3) INT 8(−1) WIS 10 CHA 9(−1) · Ath +7 Intim +3 · DV 60

Charge. ≥10 ft + Gore → +9 (2d8); DC 14 STR or push 10 prone. Phalanx. Adv vs prone; +1 atk if adj to another.

Multiattack. Gore +7, 14 (2d8+5) + Battleaxe +7, 16 (2d10+5). BA Shield Wall: adj allies +2 AC vs ranged until next turn.

Skeletal Minotaur

Large Undead, NE · CR 3 (700 XP) · Enc 3B/C reinf

AC 14 | HP 58 (7d10+21) | Speed 40 ft.

STR 20(+5) DEX 10 CON 16(+3) INT 3(−4) WIS 8(−1) CHA 4(−3) · Immune Poison/Exhaustion · Vuln Bludgeoning · DV 60

Bone Charge. ≥10 ft + Gore → +9 (2d8); DC 15 STR or push 10 prone. Mindless Aggression. Moves toward nearest creature each turn start.

Gore. +7, 13 (2d8+5). Greataxe. +7, 17 (2d12+5).

Skeletal Centaur

Large Undead, NE · CR 3 (700 XP) · Enc 3C initial

AC 14 | HP 52 (7d10+14) | Speed 50 ft.

STR 18(+4) DEX 14(+2) CON 15(+2) INT 4(−3) WIS 8(−1) CHA 5(−3) · Immune Poison/Exhaustion · Vuln Bludgeoning · DV 60

Bone Charge. ≥30 ft + Lance → +7 (2d6); DC 13 STR or prone. Undead Resilience (1/combat): 0 HP non-bludgeon/fire/radiant → CON DC 5+dmg; success → 1 HP.

Multiattack. Bone Lance +6, 10 ft, 9 (1d10+4) + Trampling Hooves +6, 11 (2d6+4); DC 13 STR or prone.

Satyr War-Chief (Pyrakios) — ★A

Medium Fey, CE · CR 6 (2,300 XP) · Branch A Boss

AC 16 (scale, shield) | HP 91 (14d8+28) | Speed 40 ft.

STR 17(+3) DEX 16(+3) CON 15(+2) INT 12(+1) WIS 14(+2) CHA 18(+4) · Saves Dex+6 Wis+5 Cha+7 · Ath+6 Intim/Perf+7 Perc+5

Magic Resistance. Aura of Frenzy. Satyr allies 30 ft crit 19–20; ends <45 HP. Oath-Breaker's Fury. Start: 1 creature 60 ft DC 15 WIS or frightened 1 min.

Multiattack. 2× Pact-Spear +6, 10 (2d6+3) + Headbutt +6, 8 (2d4+3); DC 14 STR or push 15. Panpipe Dirge (R5–6): 30 ft DC 15 WIS or incapacitated until end next turn. BA War Chant: Satyr allies Adv next atk. R Parry +4 AC.

Cyclopean Warlord (Molgos) — ★B

Large Humanoid (Cyclops-Kin), LN · CR 7 (2,900 XP) · Branch B Boss

AC 17 (plate) | HP 110 (13d10+39) | Speed 30 ft.

STR 22(+6) DEX 10 CON 17(+3) INT 12(+1) WIS 14(+2) CHA 13(+1) · Saves Str+9 Con+6 · Ath+9 Intim+4 Perc+5 · Resist Fire · DV 60

Poor Depth Perception. Disadv ranged >30 ft. Forge-Sworn. Fire Resist; immune frightened. Indomitable (2/day). BA push Brazier free.

Multiattack. 2× Warhammer +9, 15 (2d8+6) + Shield Bash +9, 11 (1d8+6); DC 17 STR or prone. Hurled Boulder (R5–6): DC 15 DEX 5-ft radius, 27 (4d10+5) + prone. BA Battle Roar: Cyclopean allies 30 ft move speed.

Medusid Sorcerer (Kephira) — ★C

Medium Monstrosity, NE · CR 8 (3,900 XP) · Branch C Boss

AC 15 | HP 105 (14d8+42) | Speed 30 ft.

STR 10 DEX 16(+3) CON 16(+3) INT 17(+3) WIS 14(+2) CHA 18(+4) · Saves Con+6 Wis+5 Cha+7 · Arc+6 Dec+7 Ins/Perc+5 · Resist Poison · DV 60

Petrifying Gaze. Turn start: 1 creature 30 ft seeing her DC 14 CON. Fail <5: restrained until end next. Fail 5+: restrained, save again next start or petrified 1 min. Already restrained: Disadv. Serpent Sense. Auto-detect hidden/invis 30 ft. Spells DC 15/+7: at-will Minor Illusion, Poison Spray; 2/day Charm/Hold Person, Fear; 1/day Hypnotic Pattern, Dominate Person.

Multiattack. Gaze + 2× Snake Hair +6, 5 (1d4+3) pierc + 7 (2d6) poison; DC 13 CON or poisoned 1 min. R Redirect Gaze: melee hitter DC 14 CON or restrained. LA 3/rd: Move (½, no OA); Serpent Strike (1); Constricting Vision (2) — DC 14 WIS or frightened + restrained until end her next turn.

KEY ITEMS

◈ Bronze Pact Medallion

Wondrous Item · Optional attunement · Given by Lykaon · Session McGuffin

Palm-sized dark bronze: Cyclopean eye one face, Satyr horns the other, Hephaestus lightning bolt between. Warm; goat-hair + copper cord.

Diplomatic Token (passive): Visibly held/worn — Cyclopean Warriors & Satyr-kind treat bearer as under the divine pact. Hostile of those types: DC 12 WIS (DC 15 if invoke aloud: "By the fire of Hephaestus and the wild of the Hills, I invoke the Pact of Ironstone") or indifferent until bearer attacks/deceives. Enc 1: showing grants free History/Religion success. Enc 2: auto-pass first avoidance check (A) / auto vs Warriors (B) / auto Q1 (C).

Serpent-Sense (detection): Pulses warm ≤200 ft of Kephira or active petrification magic; hot + gold glow ≤60 ft. Physical payoff of Lykaon’s "serpent's tongue" warning.

Pact Invocation (1/day, Action): A/B — boss DC 14 WIS or pause; then DC 14 Persuasion (Adv) ends aggression + redirects vs reinf for rest of fight. C — Kephira: Minor Illusion off; Gaze DC −2 (to 12); Disadv next Conc; Mirror Gaze suppressed until end of combat.

Obsidian Snake Shard (Enc 1 clue)

Hidden false bottom of one ore sack. Faint snake glyph. DC 14 Arcana → Medusid scrying focus. Auto-pass Centaur Q3 if shown. Trail NE toward Forge-Shrine.

NPC QUICK REFERENCE

Lykaon of Delphi — Questgiver

Human Seer · NG · Non-combatant · Divine messenger

Look: ~70, white hair, silver-grey irises; plain linen chiton + bronze sun-disc. Soft-spoken, precise.

Motivation: Restore the Pact. Suspects outside manipulation. Cannot approach Forge-Shrine — Kephira’s petrification aura begins hundreds of feet out.

Secret: Knows Kephira exists and gave the Medallion specifically because it reacts to her — withheld full danger so the party would not refuse.

RP: Answers lore; will not fight. Clarify "serpent's tongue" → DC 15 Arcana/History recall Medusids. Quote: "A serpent's tongue is sweetest when it tells you exactly what you want to hear."

Reward: 500 gp + divine favour (Adv one check/save/atk within 30 days). Half if Kephira escapes.

Thrakos, Clan-Father — Cyclopean Elder

Faction Leader · LN · Enc 1 · Combat: Warlord − Indomitable, HP 80

Look: ~8 ft, scarred empty socket (lost eye decades ago); ceremonial forge-hammer. Voice like millstones. Furious but principled.

Motivation: Protect sacred iron mine & forge-rights. Believes Satyrs violated a 300-year trust. Capable of deep remorse once shown truth.

Secret: Ore delivered by masked "Satyr envoy" — never saw the face (Kephira’s spy). DC 14 Insight: angrier at himself for being fooled than at Satyrs.

RP: "Iron does not lie. Contracts sealed in fire do not lie. Something here has lied, and I intend to find it." Path A → grants 3 Warrior escorts.

Aireen, Grove-Elder — Dwarf-Satyr Elder

Faction Leader · CG · Enc 1 · Combat: Dwarf-Satyr HP 26, Panpipe DC 14

Look: Tiny, ancient; silver-white hair in ivy, golden hooves; cloudy but sharp eyes; crooked pipe that carves air-shapes. Speaks half-riddles that are literally true.

Motivation: Protect grove & spring feeding Shrine cooling channel. Restrain volatile young warriors. Privately terrified by visions.

Secret: Recurring vision of snake-haired woman at Forge-Shrine pressing palms to obsidian mirrors (= Kephira). Ask about visions/prophecy or DC 12 Insight discomfort → she reveals it.

RP: "Ask what is older than both [grove and pact] — ask what benefits from forgetting." Path B → grove passage + 2 Dwarf-Satyr guides.

Branch Cheat-Sheet & Aftermath

A: Ally Cyclopeans → Enc 2 Satyr Grove → Boss Pyrakios + Rd 3 Minotaur Hoplites

B: Ally Satyrs → Enc 2 Forge Gate (Brokhos) → Boss Molgos + Rd 3 Skeletal Minotaurs

C: Neutral/both hostile → Enc 2 Centaur trial → Boss Kephira + Skeletal Centaurs + Rd 3 Skeletal Minotaurs

Full victory: both elders alive + truth exposed → re-sign Pact at Shrine; Lykaon witnesses; both factions reward. Faction win: allied claims Shrine; Pact unrestored but violence ends. Kephira escapes: partial victory, sequel villain.