The Unquiet Asphodel

One-Shot · 6 PCs · Lvl 8 · Underworld Mystery · ~3–3.5 hrs · + Optional Cerberus

Style: Ferry → Investigation → Stall Boss | Win: Force Persephone to leave initiative (unkillable) | Setting: Misthaven mist → Charon → Asphodel → Queen's garden.

Hermes gives Obol of True Passage. Rising dead are Persephone's secret necromancy. Asclepius allies. Stall until Hades arrives — or take optional Cerberus path.

"When the queen's garden sings with stolen breath, press this eye to the ferry-bell — the husband hears iron before lies." — Obol (22 words).

Major Beats

Misthaven — Hermes + Obol; mist.
Charon greets; fare paid.
Enc. 1 — Teeth on the Styx: Harryhausen skeletons.
Enc. 2 — Healer in Asphodel: Asclepius; death dogs + wraiths; clues.
Enc. 3 — Queen's Garden: Persephone stall; Arrival clock.
Optional: Cerberus Triple Gate — alternate Hades call.

Creature List

Creature	E	M	H	Notes
Hydra-Tooth Skeleton	4	6	8	Harryhausen; reassemble
Death Dog	2	3	4	Enc. 2
Stygian Wraith	1	2	2	Enc. 2 / Enc. 3
Persephone	1	1	1	Unkilleable; Threshold
Cerberus	—	opt	opt	Optional alt resolution

Difficulty

Tier	Adjust
As Written ★	6 PCs · APL 10
Library Standard	6 PCs · APL 8 — Dial back: reduce boss HP ~20–25%, cut one legendary action option or recharge breath to 6 only; Favor/track thresholds −1 where present; skill DCs −1.
Easier	APL 8–9: use the Library Standard (6×L8) box, then shave one more minion wave.
Harder	APL 11–12: boss HP +20%; +1 legendary; Favor/track +1 to win.

Mystery truth: Persephone is a secret necromancer/summoner. Olympus & Hades unaware. Do not kill gods — stall / jurisdiction.

ENCOUNTER 1 — Teeth on the Styx

Medium · 40–50 min | Skiff + shore; Charon greets post-mist

Obol pays fare for all. 6× Hydra-Tooth Skeletons (Harryhausen).
Reassemble on d6=6 unless bludgeon/fire. Pack Drill adv.
Styx fall: Con DC 15, 4d6 necrotic + restrained.
Clue: pomegranate-stained teeth (Inv DC 12).

ENCOUNTER 2 — The Healer in Asphodel

Medium · 50–60 min | 3× Death Dog + 2× Wraith

Meet Asclepius. Need 3 clues (Medicine floral inversion; shade testimony; tracks; royal dog collar).
Recruit Asclepius with ≥2 royal/floral clues.
Paths: Garden Road → Enc. 3 · Kennel Road → Optional Cerberus.
Animal Handling DC 15 (adv with Obol) turns one dog 1 min.

ENCOUNTER 3 — The Queen's Garden

Hard · Stall boss · Persephone unkillable

Threshold 180 (not HP). At 0 = Wrathful, still alive.
Primary win: Strike Obol on ferry-bell → Arrival clock 5 rounds → Hades arrives → she leaves initiative.
Bargain at Threshold 0: Pers/Intim DC 18 (adv if pomegranate smashed + Asclepius).
Pomegranate focus AC 20/HP 40: −30 threshold; no summons 2 rds.
Starts with 4 skeletons; Sow Teeth 1d4+1 (5–6); may add wraith at half threshold.
Never narrate her death.

OPTIONAL — Cerberus (not one of the 3)

Hard Optional · Alternate resolution

Calm: Animal Handling/Performance DC 16 group 3 before 3 (adv with Obol scent).
Calmed + Obol → husband-howl starts Arrival clock at 3 rounds.
0 HP → flees; clock starts at 3; Hades displeased.

CREATURE STAT BLOCKS

Hydra-Tooth Skeleton

Medium Undead · CR 2 · Harryhausen

AC 14 | HP 26 | Vuln bludgeoning

2× Shortsword +4 (1d6+2). Pack Drill.
Reassemble d6=6 at 1 HP unless smashed/burned.

Death Dog

AC 12 | HP 39 | CR 1 · Speed 40

2× Bite +4 (1d6+2). Both hit → Con DC 12 disease.
Two-Headed: adv Perception / multi-condition saves.

Stygian Wraith

AC 13 | HP 67 | CR 5 · Fly 60

Life Drain +6 (4d8+3 necrotic; Con DC 14 max HP).
Incorporeal; Create Specter 1/day.

Persephone — UNKILLABLE

Goddess · Secret necromancer · CR 12 threat

AC 18 | Threshold 180 | Fly 30

Necro-Vine +10 (2d8+5 +3d6 nec; restrain Str DC 18).
Spells DC 18: chill touch, blight, spirit guardians; 1/day circle of death.
Sow Teeth (5–6): 1d4+1 skeletons. LR 3/day.
LA: Vine / Whisper / Reap&Sow (2) / Wrathful (3 at Thr 0).
Win = leave initiative only.

Cerberus — Optional Iconic

AC 16 | HP 178 | CR 10 · Speed 50

3× Bite +10 (2d10+6); 2+ hits grapple Str DC 18.
Roar (5–6): Wis DC 16 fear cone.
LA: Detect / Bite / Drag (2).
Prefer calm/pass — not kill.

Charon

AC 16 | HP 110 · Pole +7 (2d8+3 +2d6 nec)

Styx Lash (5–6): line Dex DC 15, 6d6 nec. Neutral witness.

KEY ITEMS

Obol of True Passage

Pays Charon for whole party.
Strike ferry-bell (action) → start Hades Arrival clock (once/session).
Scent-token: adv first Animal Handling vs Cerberus (not consumed).

NPC QUICK REFERENCE

Hermes Psychopomp — Quest Giver

Misthaven → mist → Charon.
Suspects the Queen's court; won't say her name.

Asclepius

AC 14, HP 97. Medicine +10. Healing Touch 4d8 (3/day).
Recruit with floral/royal clues. Won't kill Persephone.
Cures Death Dog sleep-rot.

Hades — Resolution Device

Not a combatant. Clock 5 rounds after bell.
On arrive: Persephone leaves initiative; rising stops.

Shade Witness (Lydia)

Saw flower-crowned sowers after midnight.
Comfort Pers/Rel DC 13 → guide.

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