The Wrath of Pyrakmon

One-Shot · 6 Players · Level 8 · Greek Mythology · ~3.5 hrs / 3 Encounters

SESSION SUMMARY

Style: Mythic Sea Voyage / Dungeon Assault
Setting: Isle of Kyklos — open Aegean trireme deck, ruined coastal temple, Cyclops sea cave
Win Condition: Defeat Pyrakmon, rescue Elara's crew, recover the Naxian Seal
Players: 6 × Level 8 · ~3.5 hours · Quest Object: Wineskin of Maron (payoff Enc. 3)

A Naxian merchant hires the party to reclaim her crew and the Naxian Seal from the Elder Cyclops Pyrakmon. Survive a harpy ambush at sea, navigate a Medusa's shattered temple, then confront Pyrakmon in his cave — Elara's divine wine is their best edge: "No giant can resist it."

"Sailors of fortune — my name is Elara of Naxos. The creature Pyrakmon has taken my crew and my livelihood from the waters between here and his wretched island. I offer eight hundred gold pieces to any soul brave enough to see them returned. Come to the Anchored Krater before the tide turns. I have a gift that may prove useful — something the giant cannot resist." — Note by harbour boy, blue wax seal · Elara of Naxos

Major Beats

Hook — The Anchored Krater: Elara briefs the party, hands over the Wineskin of Maron, and explains Pyrakmon cannot resist divine wine.
Encounter 1 — Storm of Feathers: Harpies + Matriarch attack the trireme. Sail survival determines rest before landing.
Encounter 2 — The Shattered Temple: Kithara the Medusa guards the cave path — fight, sneak, or negotiate for fire-vulnerability intel.
Encounter 3 — The Eye of Pyrakmon: Storm the cave; use the wineskin; target the eye; free the bone-cage crew; recover the Seal.
Resolution: Crew freed, Seal recovered. Elara pays; if pressed, reveals the Seal's true power as a campaign hook.

Creature / Enemy List

Creature	Easy	Med	Hard	Notes
Harpy	3	5	7	Enc. 1; Luring Song targets crew NPCs too
Harpy Matriarch	0	1	2	Enc. 1 leader; omit for APL 4–5
Kithara (Medusa)	1*	1*	1*	Enc. 2; *bypass via negotiation
Skeleton Archer	2	4	6	Enc. 2; crumble if Kithara dies
Pyrakmon (Elder Cyclops)	1†	1†	1†	Enc. 3 boss; †HP / Legendaries scale
Giant Cave Hound	1	2	3	Enc. 3; released BA on Pyrakmon's 1st turn

Difficulty Scaling

APL	Enc. 1 — Storm	Enc. 2 — Temple	Enc. 3 — Cave (Boss)
4–5	3 Harpies, no Matriarch; Song DC 9; sails 30 HP; 5 crew	Kithara 80 HP, Gaze DC 12; 2 Skeletons; Persuasion DC 13; Mirror auto-succeeds 1st use	140 HP, STR 20/+5; no Legendaries/Resist; 1 Hound; Wineskin DC 14
6–7	4 Harpies, no Matriarch; Song DC 11; std sails	Kithara 100 HP, Gaze DC 13; 3 Skeletons	170 HP; no Leg. Resist; 1 Hound; Wineskin DC 15; 2 Leg. Actions
8	Baseline — 5 + 1 Matriarch; Song 11/14; sails 20 HP; 8 crew	Baseline — 127 HP, Gaze DC 14; 4 Skeletons	Baseline — 200 HP; 2 Leg. Resist; 2 Hounds; 3 Leg. Actions; Wineskin DC 17 w/ Disadv.
10	7 + 2 Matriarchs; 1 hidden in crow's nest; sails 15 HP; 3 sail-hunters R1	150 HP, Gaze DC 15; 6 Skeletons; regen 10 HP/turn while skeletons stand	240 HP, STR 27/+8; 3 Hounds; Lair Init 20 (DC 15 STR or Prone); no fire-eye bonus; Wineskin = Poisoned only on fail

ENCOUNTER 1 — Storm of Feathers

Medium · ~20–25 min · ~4–5 rounds · 5× Harpy + 1× Matriarch · XP adj. ~3,400 | Terrain: Trireme Deck, 60×20 ft

Storm-cover ambush at sea. Two harpies bank for sails; Matriarch dives highest-AC PC. Charmed oarsmen are the clock. Win: kill/drive off all harpies before sails destroyed and too many crew overboard.

Sails (2): AC 10, 20 HP each. Both intact = Long Rest before Enc. 2; one down = Short Rest; both down = no rest + 1 Exhaustion each PC. 3 crew overboard = treat as both sails down.
Terrain: Rigging difficult (DC 12 Ath/Acro climb 15 ft w/o Dash); Crow's Nest 25 ft (DC 13 Ath); Mast = ¾ cover; oar banks = half cover (dive attacks disadv.); wind: PC shots NW disadv.; harpy shots with wind adv.
Overboard: Rail + fail DC 12 DEX when pushed/charm-walked → sea; swim 15 ft/rd; DC 14 Ath/rd or +1 Exhaustion.
Init: 5 harpies as group; Matriarch separate. Sail Targeting: 2 designated harpies claw sail as action (no attack vs Sail AC if uncontested). PC Reaction interpose → take claw hit instead.
Luring Song — Crew: 8 crew WIS +0; DC 11 WIS start of turn or walk toward singer. Matriarch Song DC 14.
Matriarch AI: R1 Dive Bomb (40 ft descend); R2 Talon Rake grapple + lift 15 ft. Flee: no Matriarch + 3+ harpies dead → DC 11 WIS morale next rd.
Skill checks: DC 13 Ath (BA, adjacent) grab charm-walker; DC 14 Animal Handling calm charm; DC 14 Performance counter-sing 1 crew (Matriarch targets counter-singer next); DC 15 Perception spot Matriarch pre-R1 (loses Dive Bomb BA).
Harder: 7 + 2 Matriarchs; 1 hidden crow's nest Surprise; sails 15 HP. Easier: 3 Harpies, no Matriarch; Song DC 9; sails 30 HP; 5 crew.

Failure: Both sails destroyed → row exhausted, no rest, 1 Exhaustion into Enc. 2. 4+ crew lost → Kairos unavailable in Enc. 3.

Resolution: Both sails intact → Long Rest. One sail → Short Rest. Matriarch corpse DC 12 Investigation → silver armband (eye + ΠΥΡ) — Pyrakmon sentinel hint. Grappled PC falls ≤15 ft (1d6) if Matriarch dies mid-lift.

ENCOUNTER 2 — The Shattered Temple

Hard · ~30–35 min · ~5–6 rounds · 1× Kithara + 4× Skeleton Archer · or bypass | Terrain: Ruined Coastal Temple, 80×60 ft

Medusa Kithara (cast off by Pyrakmon) animates petrified victims. Not mindlessly hostile — hates Pyrakmon. Win: defeat or bypass; clear path to sea cave. Bonus: stand-down → fire weakness + crew alive intel.

Terrain: 8 columns (¾ cover; LoS break = Gaze off); 4 deep-shadow 10×10 zones (lightly obscured; DC 16 Perception locate Kithara — she starts in shadow); Altar centre (DC 14 Religion → Adv. WIS vs Gaze 1 hr); Bronze Votary Shield on altar (mirror + AC +2); 4 petrified statues → Skeletons R1 (AC 15/20 HP if smashed pre-animate); S cliff 20 ft drop (2d6; climb back DC 14 Ath full move).
Petrifying Gaze: Start of turn, see eyes, ≤30 ft, not Incapacitated → DC 14 CON. Fail = Restrained; fail again next turn = Petrified (Greater Restoration). Avert Eyes = immune that turn, Disadv. attacks vs her. Skeletons/Kithara immune to Petrify. Blinded = Gaze-immune.
Bronze Mirror: Action angle shield → Kithara DC 15 CON or Restrained until end of her next turn; immune after first successful save. Full Action — hand to support PC.
Negotiate: Call "We are enemies of Pyrakmon!" (Action) → she skips that PC this rd (skeletons still act). DC 15 Persuasion → skeletons off 1 rd, listens. DC 17 Persuasion + proof (wineskin or Matriarch armband) → full stand-down, free shield, full intel (eye +2d6 fire; right-socket blind spot; crew in bone cage). Won't join combat; leaves island if given proof of his death.
Skeletons: Awaken Dead BA R1. Crumble if she dies. Never animate if negotiated before R1. Prioritise PCs not averting eyes.
Stealth bypass: DC 14 group Stealth. Success: no combat, no intel. Fail: Surprise + all PCs DC 14 CON or start Restrained.
Harder: 6 Skeletons; regen 10 HP/turn while any stand; Gaze DC 15. Easier: 80 HP, Gaze DC 12; 2 Skeletons; Persuasion DC 13.

Failure: Stealth fail → Surprise + possible Restrained openers. Petrified PCs freed later are Stunned until end of next turn.

Resolution: Combat win → skeletons crumble; loot shield, 3× pearl earrings (20 gp), cave-map fragment (DC 13 Inv); dying whisper of eye intel on merciful kill. Negotiate → full XP + intel. Map shows fire pit, cage, rock piles.

ENCOUNTER 3 — The Eye of Pyrakmon (Boss)

Deadly · ~40–45 min · ~7–8 rounds · 1× Pyrakmon + 2× Cave Hound · XP adj. ~9,450 | Terrain: Sea Cave, 120×80 ft · Rescue

Central fire pit; hounds chained at entrance; 6 sailors in whalebone cage (N wall). Offer wineskin pre-init if possible. Win: Pyrakmon to 0 HP. Bonus: free all 6 (cage AC 12 / 40 HP or DC 20 Ath). Seal in shiny pile (DC 14 Inv).

Terrain: Fire pit 15×15: 3d6 fire (DC 14 DEX half); shove into pit free with Greatclub if within 10 ft. Bone cage N: freed sailor while he's alive = 1-in-4 chance next Rock (DC 15 DEX or 4d10+7). Chains: DC 18 Ath break early; he releases both BA R1. Rock piles unlimited ammo. Stalactites above pit: DC 16 attack/STR → 20-ft zone 2d10 (DC 16 DEX half) + extinguish fire (dim light). Tidal pool S 20×20, 3 ft: difficult; he can't enter; safe for sailors.
Wineskin: Pre-combat offer → Distracted 1 full rd (free surprise). Combat: adjacent Action DC 15 Ath/SoH → 1 measure; he Disadv. on DC 17 CON. Fail = Poisoned + Incapacitated EoNT; Success = Poisoned only. All 3 doses = auto-fail, Incapacitated 2 full rds. Willing or grappled per dose.
Eye (weak point): While Incapacitated/Restrained — called shot Action vs AC 20; 15+ dmg in one strike → Blinded permanently. Kithara intel: fire to eye +2d6. Blinded → Disadv. attacks/Perception; Frightened of unseen PCs.
AI: R1 Earthshaker + release hounds + Multiattack. R2–3 Multiattack damaged target; Fling consistent hitters; Rock ranged threats. R4–5 (<100 HP) shove toward fire; Thunderous Roar if up; Leg. Move chase. At 50 HP parley: "Give me your shiniest thing and go." Refuse → fight to death; Blind Swipe free-use (berserk).
Sailors: Direct to tidal pool. Kairos (if signalled, ≤3 crew lost Enc. 1) arrives end R6 with 4 oarsmen.
Harder: 240 HP, STR 27/+8; 3 Hounds; Lair Init 20; no fire-eye bonus. Easier: 140 HP, STR 20; no Legendaries; 1 Hound; Wineskin DC 14.

Failure / Retreat: He won't pursue past cave mouth; no HP regen on return. Sailors stay caged until he's down. Partial: some crew dead → 800 gp, no bonus.

Resolution: Full victory (all 6 alive) → 800 + 200 gp; Seal recovered; Seal secret revealed if pressed. Loot: 1,200 gp hoard; scrolls (Prot. Evil/Good, Stone Shape); Trident of Fish Command. Blessed Enc. 2 shield → +1 Shield rest of campaign.

CREATURE STAT BLOCKS

Harpy

Medium Monstrosity, CE · CR 1 (200 XP)

AC 11 | HP 38 (7d8+7) | Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft.

STR 12(+1) DEX 13(+1) CON 12(+1) INT 7(−2) WIS 10(+0) CHA 13(+1)

Luring Song. Creatures of choice within 300 ft. that hear: DC 11 WIS at turn start or Charmed + Incapacitated; all move toward harpy. Success = immune 24 hrs.

Multiattack. Claws + Talons. Claws. +3, 5 ft, 1d6+1 slash. Talons. +3, 5 ft, 2d6+1 pierce.

Harpy Matriarch

Large Monstrosity, CE · Custom · CR 3 (700 XP)

AC 13 | HP 78 (12d8+24) | Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR 14(+2) DEX 14(+2) CON 14(+2) INT 9(−1) WIS 12(+1) CHA 16(+3)

Saves: DEX +4, WIS +3 | Skills: Intimidation +5, Perception +3

Luring Song (DC 14). As Harpy but DC 14. While she sings, Harpies ≤60 ft. may Reaction-Claw a creature that stands from Prone within 5 ft.

Multiattack. 2× Claws + Talon Rake. Claws. +4, 1d8+2 slash. Talon Rake. +4, 2d8+2 pierce; Grappled (escape DC 13); carry up to 15 ft vertical.

BA: Dive Bomb — moved 20+ ft straight: next melee +2d6. Reaction: Death Shriek — on 0 HP, 30 ft DC 14 CON or Stunned until EoNT.

Kithara (Medusa)

Medium Monstrosity, LN · Potential Ally · CR 6 (2,300 XP)

AC 15 | HP 127 (17d8+51) | Speed 30 ft. | Darkvision 60 ft.

STR 10 DEX 15(+2) CON 16(+3) INT 12(+1) WIS 13(+1) CHA 15(+2)

Skills: Deception +5, Insight +4, Perception +4, Stealth +5

Petrifying Gaze. See eyes, start turn ≤30 ft: DC 14 CON. Fail = Restrained; fail again = Petrified. Avert Eyes = immune that turn; Disadv. attacks vs her.

Multiattack. Snake Hair + 2× Shortsword, or 3× Longbow. Snake Hair. +5, 4d6+2 poison; DC 14 CON or Poisoned 1 hr. Shortsword. +5, 1d6+2 pierce. Longbow. +5, 150/600, 1d8+2 pierce.

BA: Awaken Dead (1/combat) — up to 4 petrified corpses ≤60 ft → Skeleton Archers; crumble if she dies.

Skeleton Archer

Medium Undead, LE · CR ¼ (50 XP)

AC 13 | HP 13 (2d8+4) | Speed 30 ft. | Darkvision 60 ft.

STR 10 DEX 14(+2) CON 15(+2) INT 6(−2) WIS 8(−1) CHA 5(−3)

Vulnerable: Bludgeoning | Immune: Poison; Exhaustion, Poisoned

Shortbow. +4, 80/320, 1d6+2 pierce. Shortsword. +4, 5 ft, 1d6+2 pierce.

Pyrakmon, Elder Cyclops

Huge Giant, CN · Boss · Custom · CR 10 (~5,900 XP)

AC 16 | HP 200 (16d12+80) | Speed 40 ft. | Darkvision 60 ft.

STR 25(+7) DEX 9(−1) CON 21(+5) INT 8(−1) WIS 10(+0) CHA 9(−1)

Saves: STR +11, CON +9 | Skills: Athletics +11, Perception +4

Single Eye. Disadv. Perception >30 ft and all ranged attacks; can't detect Invisible. Earthshaker. Moves 20+ ft: creatures ≤10 ft DC 19 STR or Prone. Legendary Resistance (2/Day).

Multiattack. 2× Greatclub. Greatclub. +11, reach 10, 3d8+7 bludgeoning. Rock (Disadv.). +11, 30/120, 4d10+7; DC 19 STR or Prone. Fling. Medium/− ≤10 ft: DC 19 STR or hurl 30 ft, Prone, 3d8+7; landing zone 2d6 (DC 15 DEX half).

BA: Thunderous Roar (Rech. 5–6) — 30 ft hear: DC 15 WIS or Frightened until EoNT. Reaction: Blind Swipe — hit by melee → 1 Greatclub vs attacker (1×/rd; free-use if berserk <50 HP).

Legendary (3/rd): Move (1) half speed no OA; Stomp (1) ≤10 ft DC 19 DEX or 2d6+7 + Prone; Sweep (2) Greatclub vs all ≤10 ft.

Eye called shot: while Incapacitated/Restrained, Action vs AC 20; 15+ dmg → Blinded permanently. Kithara intel: fire to eye +2d6.

Giant Cave Hound

Large Beast, Unaligned · Pyrakmon's Pets · CR 1 (200 XP)

AC 14 | HP 37 (5d10+10) | Speed 50 ft. | Darkvision 60 ft.

STR 17(+3) DEX 15(+2) CON 15(+2) INT 3(−4) WIS 12(+1) CHA 7(−2)

Skills: Perception +3, Stealth +4

Pack Tactics. Adv. on attacks if ally within 5 ft of target, not Incapacitated.

Bite. +5, 5 ft, 2d6+3 piercing; DC 13 STR or Prone. Released as Pyrakmon BA on his first turn.

KEY ITEMS

◈ Wineskin of Maron

Wondrous Item (Uncommon) · Session McGuffin · 3 Uses · Given by Elara at start

Appearance: Hammered gold flask, grape-vine relief · 2 lb. Wine of Maron, priest of Apollo — supernaturally potent; Giants have Disadvantage on the CON save.

Pre-Combat Offer (best): Offer before initiative — Pyrakmon accepts greedily. Distracted 1 full round → free surprise round of actions.

Combat (Action): Adjacent: DC 15 Athletics or Sleight of Hand to deliver 1 measure. Target must be willing or Grappled. Pyrakmon: Disadv. on DC 17 CON. Fail: Poisoned + Incapacitated until end of his next turn. Success: Poisoned only (Disadv. attacks/checks).

All 3 uses: Automatic fail. Incapacitated 2 full rounds — prime window for eye called shot (AC 20, 15+ dmg → Blinded permanently).

DM note: Only Maron's vineyard can refill — potential campaign hook.

Naxian Seal

Quest Object · Recover from Pyrakmon's shiny pile (N wall) · DC 14 Investigation

Appears as: Trade charter / merchant seal of Naxos.
True nature (Elara's secret): Binding of Poseidon — holder can command minor sea-spirits to fill or deny sails within 10 miles.
Reward: 800 gp on delivery; +200 gp if all 6 crew alive. If party confronts Elara about the Binding: she claims it by Naxian law; offers one extra warehouse magic item for silence. Campaign hook if revealed.

Polished Bronze Votary Shield

Found on Enc. 2 altar · Standard shield (AC +2) · Mirror vs Kithara

Mirror (Action): Angle at Kithara → DC 15 CON or Restrained until end of her next turn; immune after first successful save.
Altar blessing: DC 14 Religion at sea-god altar → Adv. WIS vs Gaze 1 hr; if blessed, treat as +1 Shield for remainder of campaign after Enc. 2.

NPC QUICK REFERENCE

Elara of Naxos — Quest Giver

Medium Humanoid (Human), NG · Non-Combatant · Merchant of Naxos

Appearance: Mid-forties, salt-bleached hair, ink-stained fingers; sea air + expensive perfume. Rarely raises voice; never bluffs when she can negotiate. Carries small bronze knife; will not fight. Languages: Common, Elvish.
Motivation: Rescue her 6-person crew; recover the Naxian Seal; return home. Pays 800 gp + 200 bonus if all six survive.
Secret: Seal is a Binding of Poseidon (sail fill/deny within 10 mi). Hasn't told the party — fears they keep it.
Roleplay: Briefs at Anchored Krater; hands Wineskin; insists Pyrakmon is a glutton for fine wine. If confronted about Seal: "Mine by Naxian law and Poseidon's blessing" — offers one extra magic item for silence.
Stats: Non-combatant — no combat block.

Captain Kairos — Trireme Captain (Ally)

Weathered sailor · Loyal to Elara's coin · Commands 8 oarsmen

Motivation: Get the ship and crew home; follow Elara's contract.
Role in Enc. 1: Survives unless DM rules otherwise. Crew charm-walks are his crisis. Beaches at island cove and waits.
Enc. 3 assist: If signalled and ≤3 crew lost Enc. 1, arrives end of Round 6 with 4 oarsmen to carry out survivors. If 4+ crew lost overboard, unavailable (managing reduced crew).
Roleplay: Practical, curt; improvises if sails/crew fail but party drifts (treat as both-sails-down rest).
Stats: Ally NPC — no combat block needed; focus on timing / availability.

Kithara — Medusa of the Shattered Temple

Potential Ally · Enc. 2 guardian · Full combat stats on page 3

Motivation: Survive in bitter solitude; hate Pyrakmon with cold ferocity. Enslaved by him years ago, discarded when she displeased him. Animates petrified prior visitors as Skeleton Archers.
Secret / Intel if stand-down: (1) Eye vulnerable — fire attacks deal +2d6 to the eye; (2) slight blind spot to the right of the socket (old scarring); (3) sailors alive in bone-and-chain cage at cave rear.
Roleplay: Pause if PC calls "We are enemies of Pyrakmon!" DC 15 Persuasion = listen 1 rd; DC 17 + proof (wineskin / Matriarch armband) = full stand-down, free Bronze Shield, full intel. Award full combat XP. Won't fight alongside party; promises to leave island if given proof of his death. Recurring NPC potential.
Stats: AC 15, HP 127, Gaze DC 14 — see creature card. Dying merciful kill may whisper eye intel.

Session Aftermath & Hooks

Full victory: All crew alive + Seal → 1,000 gp total; Elara may reveal Binding if pressed.
Partial: Pyrakmon down, crew losses → 800 gp, no bonus; Seal still recoverable.
Hoard: 1,200 gp coin/jewellery; Protection from Evil and Good scroll; Stone Shape scroll; Trident of Fish Command.
Hooks: Wineskin refill only at Maron's vineyard; Seal Binding as political/naval power; Kithara as recurring ally if Pyrakmon dies; Matriarch armband proves Cyclops uses harpy sentinels island-wide.