🎭 THE SHOW MUST GO ON — DM QUICK REFERENCE
6 Players · Average Level 5 · ~3–3.5 Hours · Greek Mythology Setting
Style: Investigation / Skill Challenge / Stage Combat |
Setting: The Theatre of Dionysus — an ancient stone amphitheater (all 3 encounters here).
Encounters: Enc1 Easy–Medium brawl (non-combat option) · Enc2 Skill Challenge w/ combat sub-threats · Enc3 Hard boss combat on stage.
Win Condition: Survive all three acts of the play. Defeat Komos. Summon Dionysus with the Golden Mask to end the chaos and receive the God's blessing.
Description: A celebrated troupe is about to open a new play at the great amphitheater, and Dionysus wants a perfect, uninterrupted performance. Komos, a boisterous Satyr Captain who feels mocked by the script, has rallied a warband of satyrs and fauns to crash the stage. The party must survive a chaotic dress rehearsal, navigate backstage sabotage during the live show without tipping off the audience, then clash with Komos in a finale the crowd believes is part of the act.
Hook — Misthaven Tavern: "Dion" (secretly Dionysus) hires the party to protect tomorrow's play from satyr saboteurs, hands them the Golden Mask. DC14 Religion/Insight reveals his divine nature (goblet never empties, ivy crown glows, smells of grapes). Party steps through the mist and arrives at the amphitheater at dawn.
Major Beats
- Misthaven Hook: "Dion" hires party, hands over the Golden Mask, sends them to the amphitheater before dawn.
- Enc1 – Dress Rehearsal: Satyrs crash rehearsal; drive off or talk down. Pipes can be recruited if spared & charmed. Thalia and Papadakis introduced.
- Between Enc1 & 2: Party scouts the theater, speaks with Thalia about the script, identifies sabotage entry points.
- Enc2 – The Show: Three hidden threats during the live performance. Neutralize without the audience noticing. Disruption Counter tracks failures.
- Disruption Threshold: 3 Disruption Points → audience boos, Komos storms the stage immediately (skips "prepared" start of Enc3).
- Enc3 – Curtain Call: Komos and remaining crew brawl onstage; audience believes it's part of the show. Party defeats Komos & protects patrons from Faun Revelers in the stands.
- Deus Ex Machina: Komos defeated → any PC holding the Golden Mask on stage raises it aloft (DC12 Performance). Dionysus descends, freezes remaining satyrs, audience erupts. Show is a success.
Creature / Enemy List
| Creature | CR | Enc1 | Enc2 | Enc3 | Notes |
|---|
| Komos, Satyr Captain | 4 | — | — | 1 (Boss) | Enters stage at start of Enc3 |
| Silenos, Satyr Sorcerer | 3 | — | 1 (hidden) | 1 (if not stopped) | Hidden backstage compartment in Enc2 |
| Pipes, Satyr Bard | 2 | 1 | — | 1 (if not recruited) | Recruit opportunity in Enc1 |
| Nettles, Satyr Archer | 2 | — | 1 (upper gallery) | 1 (if not stopped) | Critical to find in Enc2 |
| Satyr Hoplite | 1 | 3 | — | 2 + 2 (wave) | Wave arrives end Rd2 of Enc3 |
| Faun Reveler | 1/4 | 4 | 2 (backstage) | 4 (audience) | Each disrupts patrons in Enc3 |
Scaling Table
| APL | Enc 1 | Enc 2 | Enc 3 |
|---|
| 6 |
Remove Pipes. Fauns flee at 2 down. Non-combat DCs −2. |
Remove Silenos. Fauns asleep (wake DC8 Stealth fail). Threshold 4. |
Komos 55 HP. No reinforcement wave. Fauns cause only 1 (not 1d4) flee/rd. Finale DC10. |
| 8 |
— Baseline as written — |
| 10 |
+2 Hoplites. Pipes plays Tragedy variant from wings (unseen) Rd1. Recruit DC16. |
Silenos pre-cast Mage Armor. Nettles' first 2 shots auto-Tangling. Threshold 2. |
Komos 95 HP + free Headbutt reaction/round. Wave arrives Rd2. Silenos starts w/ Hypnotic Pattern active if he survived Enc2. |
ENCOUNTER 1 — A Rowdy Rehearsal (Easy–Medium · ~25–35 min)
Pipes leads 3 Satyr Hoplites + 4 Faun Revelers to crash the dress rehearsal on stage/backstage. Non-combat resolution strongly available.
Non-Combat Options:
- Show Mask: no check — adv. on all social checks rest of encounter
- Persuasion DC14 (DC10 w/ mask shown)
- Performance DC13: satyrs lose next turn, 1 Faun defects
- Intimidation DC15 w/mask / DC18 without: Fauns flee
Combat Notes:
- Pipes: Panpipe Melody Rd1, stays on gallery
- Hoplites: Ram Charge when possible
- Fauns: scatter, throw figs, target Thalia
- Break point: 2 Hoplites + 3 Fauns down → rest flee
Recruit Pipes: Drop to 0 HP (not killed) + immediate DC14 Performance/Persuasion → joins party for Enc2–3.
Aftermath: Success → scout theater, reduces Enc2 DCs by 2. Pipes' clue (if not recruited): "check the upper storage room." Damage to Thalia/3+ actors → Enc2 Disruption threshold drops from 3 to 2.
ENCOUNTER 2 — The Show Must Go On (Skill Challenge · ~35–45 min)
⚠️ 3 Disruption Points = Komos storms stage IMMEDIATELY (Enc3 starts, no prep, reinforcements arrive Rd1 instead of Rd3).
Gains: unaddressed threat (+1) · failed Recovery check (+1) · visible/audible action + failed cover check (+1).
Recovery check: DC14 Performance/Deception to play off a disruption as intentional theater.
🎭 Threat 1: Rigged Crane (Act I)
Find: DC14 Investigation (adv. w/mask). Disarm: DC12 Sleight of Hand or DC16 Athletics.
Unaddressed: prop crashes, Papadakis screams, +1 Disruption.
🎭 Threat 2: Nettles (Act II, gallery)
Spot: DC13 Perception (stairs) / DC15 (backstage). Approach: DC14 Stealth.
Unaddressed: Tangling Shot restrains an actor, +1 Disruption, flees to Enc3 gallery.
🎭 Threat 3: Silenos + 2 Fauns (Late Act II)
Find: DC14 Arcana or DC15 Investigation (adv. w/mask). Bypass fauns: DC13 Stealth or DC10 Persuasion/bribe.
Unaddressed: cues confused, +1 Disruption, flees to Enc3 backstage-left.
Loot: Nettles: 3 Tangling Arrows (DC13 STR or Restrained). Silenos: Potion of Greater Healing (4d4+4) + note revealing Komos targets the mask-holder and enters center-left archway with 2 hoplites.
Resolution: 0–2 Disruption → smooth transition, 1 min prep, Pipes grants 5 temp HP to all. 3 Disruption → Komos vaults on stage NOW: "NOW! The show is OVER!"
ENCOUNTER 3 — Curtain Call (BOSS) (Hard · ~45–60 min)
Primary: Defeat Komos. Secondary: Keep 20+/50 audience seated.
Round Timeline:
- Rd1–2: Audience cheers, thinks it's the show
- Rd3: +2 Satyr Hoplites burst in (Rd1 if Enc2 failed)
- Rd4+: Komos uses Stage Crash on recharge; audience starts noticing
Audience Protection:
- Each active Faun in stands = 1d4 patrons flee/round (from Rd3)
- Real damage reaching crowd = 2d6 flee + 1 round panic
- PC action, DC10 Persuasion = usher 10 patrons out safely (no penalty)
Komos AI: Rd1 Ram Charge + Multiattack. Rd2 Rally the Revel, targets mask-holder specifically. Rd3+ Stage Crash on recharge. Won't flee unless all allies down AND below 15 HP (DC15 WIS to actually retreat).
Finale: Komos at 0 HP → mask-holder on stage, Action, DC12 Performance (DC10 if 30+ patrons remain) → Dionysus descends, paralyzes remaining enemies (no save), encounter ends.
| Patrons Remaining | Result | Reward |
|---|
| 30+ | Full Success — standing ovation | Blessing of Dionysus + 800 GP |
| 20–29 | Partial — chaotic but survived | Blessing (shorter) + 500 GP |
| <20 | Technical — show was a disaster | No Blessing, 1 Inspiration + 200 GP |
Komos's Fate (player choice): Captured → exile 10 yrs or turned into a goat. Killed → satyrs bow and leave quietly. Spared → slinks off, "he'll be back."
ITEM CARD
🎭 Golden Theatrical Mask of Dionysus
Palm-sized gold mask on a braided cord, comedy front/tragedy back. Warm to the touch. Inscription: "When the curtain falls for the last time — raise me aloft upon the stage, and the God of Theater honors his word."
- Enc1 — Fey Hesitation: Displaying the mask openly (no check) causes all Fey within 30 ft. to hesitate — they recognize Dionysus's symbol. Grants advantage on Persuasion/Intimidation vs. satyrs/fauns this encounter. Faun Revelers won't approach the holder unordered.
- Enc2 — Sabotage Sense: Holder has advantage on Investigation checks to locate magically tampered objects, hidden effects, or illusion magic within 60 ft. Mask grows warm/vibrates near active sabotage.
- Enc3 — Deus Ex Machina: After Komos is incapacitated, holder standing on stage may use their Action to raise the mask aloft and make a DC12 Performance check (DC10 if 30+ audience remain). Success → Dionysus descends immediately. Failure → retry next turn. Result of 20+ → spectacular entrance, every PC gains full Blessing of Dionysus.
- Properties: Cannot be destroyed by non-divine means; not counted for attunement limits. Worth ~500 GP to a collector but won't be sold — reappears at holder's side the next morning if sold or lost.
NPC QUICK CARDS
🍇 Dionysus — Quest Giver & Deus Ex Machina
Disguised ("Dion"): striking, olive/ivy crown glowing faintly gold, goblet that never empties, smells of grapes and honey. DC14 Religion/Insight to notice divinity; winks if confronted.
Divine form: barefoot, purple silk, thyrsus staff (fennel + pinecone), eyes like wine at dusk, radiates golden light.
Motivation: Wants his festival play performed flawlessly — considers this entirely reasonable.
Secret: He wrote the play's provocative subject matter himself and is quietly amused that Komos has taken personal offense.
Divine Power: At the finale, freezes all remaining enemies with a gesture (no save, Paralyzed until released). Will not fight on the party's behalf mid-encounter — only after the win condition is met.
Line: "All who truly love theater are divine, are they not?"
🎭 Thalia — Lead Actress & Playwright
AC10 HP12 | Performance+8, Persuasion+5, History+4
Motivation: The show must go on — non-negotiable. Will physically try to remove satyrs from the stage herself if the party is slow.
Secret: Knowingly wrote a thinly-veiled caricature of Komos's father as the play's buffoonish villain. Entirely unapologetic — she was pleased when Komos showed up ("free publicity").
Useful: Knows the full backstage layout & every hidden compartment (advantage clue for the rigged crane if consulted). Will stall the audience with improvised monologue, buying 1 extra round on any Disruption timer at DM discretion. In a pinch, throws a ceramic prop vase (+2 to hit, 1d6 bludgeoning) with great drama.
📋 Papadakis — Stage Manager
AC10 HP8 | Investigation+5, Perception+4, Sleight of Hand+3
Motivation: To not be blamed for whatever goes wrong; to survive one performance without catastrophe; to possibly retire.
Secret: Hired a satyr stagehand last season who humiliated him with a prank (swapped chorus water for wine, painted masks upside-down). Suspects Komos is that satyr's cousin and this attack is revenge.
Useful: Complete backstage map in his wax tablet — automatic success on any Investigation check about prop locations if consulted. Carries a Potion of Healing "for emergencies."
Fainting Condition: DC10 CON save on witnessing open bloodshed on/near the stage. Failure = unconscious 1d4 rounds.
Quick Reminders
- Pipes recruit: 0 HP (not killed) + immediate DC14 Performance/Persuasion
- Papadakis faints: DC10 CON save on bloodshed near stage
- Thalia/3+ actors damaged in Enc1 → Enc2 Disruption threshold drops to 2
- Dionysus never fights directly — only freezes enemies at the finale
"The air above the stage shimmers with the scent of wine and pine resin... 'Well played,' he says simply. 'Well. Played.'" — Dionysus's Entrance (read-aloud)
— End of DM Quick Reference —