Island of the Chimera • Odyssey of the Dragonlords

Small Island

Your ship approaches a curved island that wraps around a wide blue lagoon. A small, craggy mountain marks the island’s high point. Despite the lagoon’s calm waters, a number of abandoned ships dot the shore. Most are intact, but some have obviously begun to succumb to age and rot. No other signs of civilization can be seen within the natural harbor of the lagoon, only the hulks. Suddenly, a winged monstrosity appears above the island, flying in the direction of your ship. The creature appears to have three ferocious-looking heads, each of which is entirely different from the others.

This island is the crater rim of an extinct volcano, shaped like a crescent moon. Its interior lagoon has calm, turquoise water. Ships can anchor anywhere in the lagoon or run ashore along one of the many beaches.

An unusually aggressive Chimera lives on this island. It has preyed upon Thylean merchant ships for nearly five decades. It has become a terror of the sea, raiding merchant ships for easy meat and leaving wreckage in its wake.

The creature’s trove is now legendary among sailors. King Acastus has posted a 1,000 GP bounty for the chimera’s death, though few have dared try.

Event: Attack of the Chimera#

If the heroes turn away from the island, the chimera will leave them alone. It is experienced enough to know that the Ultros would not be easy prey. However, if the heroes continue to approach the island, the chimera will fly down to attack. It will remain at a distance and use its breath weapon. As soon as it is Bloodied, it will retreat, using its full move and taking the Dodge action. It will return to its lair to lick its wounds and return to full health.

The Island#

The island is eerily quiet, save for the cries of seabirds circling the lagoon. The wrecks that dot the beaches are not simply abandoned, they are stripped clean, their crews long devoured.

Patches of vivid blue orchids bloom along the slopes, their sickly-sweet scent attracting swarms of insects. Boar root noisily through the underbrush, while snakes coil in the branches above. The weather shifts quickly; blazing sun one hour, sudden tropical downpours the next.

Ship Graveyard#

The lagoon’s still waters reveal a graveyard of silent hulls. Sun bleached timbers and torn sails sag in the sand, the ships lying at odd angles. Up close, you see markings from every corner of Thylea: triremes of Mytros and Aresia; even the twin hulled catamarans of Indigo Island. One massive galley stands apart, seemingly built for humanoids ten feet tall.

The largest galley is also the most recent wreck. Its a warship from the Island of Yonder, once crewed by gygans. Two of them survived the chimera’s attack and now skulk among the shattered hulls. Both suffer two levels of Exhaustion, yet even in their weakened state they are dangerous. If anyone approaches their ruined vessel, the two Gygans (appendix B) attack in a desperate ambush.

The moment the crew members see the Lost One, their despair shatters. They shout the hero’s name in disbelief and joy, convinced that others from their ship must also have survived. If rescued, the sailors beg to rejoin the Lost One, believing the gods have reunited them for a purpose.

Chimera’s Lair#

Near the summit of the mountain, a black scar in the cliff marks the chimera’s lair. Even from the beaches, the entrance can be seen. Smoke sometimes drifts lazily from the opening, a sign of the monster’s fiery breath.

The climb from the beaches to the lair takes about four hours of steady effort through tangled forests and steep slopes. Heroes can attempt the climb by taking the most direct, and difficult, route. Each character must succeed on a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) to succeed at this climb.

Read the following if the heroes enter the cave:

A tunnel descends into a large chamber filled with hundreds of humanoid skeletons. At the chamber’s center, coiled like a lion amid its kills, rests an enormous chimera. It is a monstrous fusion of lion, dragon, and goat. Its heads seem to twitch in uneasy dreams, one snorting smoke, another gnashing teeth. But the eyes of the goat head remain open, staring at you.

The bones are all that remains of sailors that the monstrosity has taken over the years. If the heroes take more than two hours to reach the lair, the chimera will have recovered fully from any wounds it sustained during the aerial attack. If they manage to reach the cave more quickly by taking the direct route, or through flight or teleportation, they will face the monster still wounded.

Whatever state the Chimera is in when the heroes arrive, it defends its lair and its hoard to the death.

Treasure#

At the back of the cavern lies a heap of plunder gathered over decades of predation. Rotting crates, shattered chests, and even splintered rowboats are piled together, mingled with scattered coins and jewelry. In total there are 11,000 CP, 7,600 SP, and 2,300 GP. There are 25 gems worth 100 GP each, 3 gem-studded necklaces worth 500 GP each, and 7 platinum rings worth 150 GP each. There is one jar of Blessed Olive Oil (appendix C).