Ixion: The Tormented King of Eternal Flames

“Discover the Shocking Tale of Ixion: The King Condemned to an Eternal Fiery Punishment for His Unthinkable Betrayal!”

• Alias: None
• Gender: Male
• Race: Human (Mortal King)
• Occupation: King of the Lapiths
• Religion: Ancient Greek Religion (worship of the Olympian gods)
• Allies: Initially, the Olympian gods, particularly Zeus
• Enemies: Zeus, Hera, and other Olympian gods after his betrayal
• Abode/Base of operations: Initially Thessaly; later Tartarus in the Underworld (punishment)
• Nationality: Thessalian (Ancient Greek)
• Languages: Ancient Greek
• Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (initially); Chaotic Evil (post-betrayal)
• Affiliation(s): Kingdom of the Lapiths; briefly the Olympian gods
• Significant others: Nephele (the cloud nymph created by Zeus in Hera’s likeness)

Ixion, a king renowned for his tumultuous life and tragic downfall, is a compelling figure in Greek mythology. His story is one of grave transgressions, divine retribution, and an eternal punishment that serves as a cautionary tale about hubris and the consequences of offending the gods.

Life Story

Ixion was born into royalty, ascending to the throne as the king of the Lapiths in Thessaly. Despite his noble status, his reign was marked by a series of reckless and immoral actions that would ultimately lead to his undoing.

Early Reign and Crime

As a ruler, Ixion was ambitious and driven, but his darker impulses soon surfaced. In a fit of jealousy and greed, he murdered his father-in-law, an act that stained his legacy and set the stage for his future suffering. This crime was particularly heinous in Greek society, where kinship and familial bonds were sacred.

Pardon and Betrayal

Despite his grievous offense, Ixion was given a chance at redemption. Zeus, the king of the gods, took pity on him and invited him to Mount Olympus, cleansing him of his sins and granting him a place among the divine. This act of mercy was a turning point, offering Ixion an opportunity to reform and show gratitude.

However, Ixion’s character flaws soon resurfaced. Consumed by hubris and desire, he dared to covet Hera, the wife of Zeus. His ambition to seduce the queen of the gods was a direct affront to Zeus’s authority and hospitality. In response, Zeus devised a cunning plan to expose Ixion’s treachery. He created a cloud nymph, Nephele, in Hera’s likeness. Deceived by the illusion, Ixion attempted to seduce the false Hera, leading to the birth of the Centaurs when Nephele bore a child from their union.

Eternal Punishment

Enraged by Ixion’s betrayal, Zeus condemned him to an eternal and harrowing punishment. Ixion was bound to a fiery, ever-spinning wheel in Tartarus, the darkest and deepest part of the underworld. This ceaseless torment was designed not only as retribution for his crimes but also as a perpetual reminder of the consequences of ingratitude and hubris.

Character Analysis

Ixion’s story is one of complex motivations and profound flaws. As a character, he is driven by an insatiable ambition and a relentless pursuit of his desires, regardless of the moral or ethical implications. His actions are fueled by a combination of fear and hubris: fear of losing power and status, and an overwhelming arrogance that blinds him to the sanctity of divine laws and hospitality.

Ixion’s deepest fear is perhaps his own insignificance. His attempts to seduce Hera and murder his father-in-law can be seen as desperate bids to assert his dominance and secure his legacy. However, his inability to recognize the limits of his mortal status and the sanctity of the gods’ domain ultimately leads to his downfall.

Despite his tragic end, Ixion’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and the dangers of overreaching. His life is a testament to the fragile nature of human ambition when pitted against the divine order, and his eternal punishment in Tartarus stands as a stark warning to those who might dare to defy the gods.

Conclusion

Ixion’s tale is a rich tapestry of ambition, betrayal, and divine justice. It explores the darker aspects of human nature and the inevitable consequences of unchecked desires. Through his story, Greek mythology imparts enduring lessons about the virtues of gratitude, humility, and the perils of hubris, ensuring that Ixion’s legacy remains a poignant reminder of the timeless struggle between human ambition and divine will.

Ixion: The Tormented King of Eternal Flames

Medium humanoid (human), chaotic evil

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 230 (20d8 + 140)
Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
24 (+7)	16 (+3)	24 (+7)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	18 (+4)

---

Saving Throws Str +12, Con +12, Wis +6, Cha +9
Skills Athletics +12, Intimidation +9, Perception +6
Damage Resistances fire; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned, charmed, frightened
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Infernal, Ancient Greek
Challenge 18 (20,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +5

---

Abilities

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Ixion fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Regeneration. Ixion regains 20 hit points at the start of his turn if he has at least 1 hit point. If Ixion takes radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of his next turn.

Flame Aura. At the start of each of Ixion’s turns, each creature within 5 feet of him takes 10 (3d6) fire damage, and flammable objects in the aura that aren’t being worn or carried ignite. A creature that touches Ixion or hits him with a melee attack while within 5 feet of him takes 10 (3d6) fire damage.

Infernal Binding. Ixion is bound to his fiery wheel and cannot be removed from it. He moves with the wheel and uses it to attack and defend. His movement speed is reduced by 10 feet due to the weight of the wheel.

Divine Punishment. Ixion’s attacks deal an extra 10 (3d6) fire damage (included in the attack).

Actions

Multiattack. Ixion makes three attacks with his Fiery Wheel or two attacks with his Flaming Chains.

Fiery Wheel. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus 10 (3d6) fire damage.

Flaming Chains. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 7) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) fire damage. The target must succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be restrained by the chains. A restrained creature can use its action to make a DC 20 Strength check, freeing itself on a success.

Hellfire Breath (Recharge 5-6). Ixion exhales a gout of hellfire in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 54 (12d8) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The fire ignites flammable objects in the area that aren’t being worn or carried.

Reactions

Fiery Retribution. When Ixion is hit by a melee attack, he can use his reaction to deal 10 (3d6) fire damage to the attacker.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Ixion takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

• Eruption of Flames. Flames erupt from the ground in a 20-foot radius centered on a point Ixion can see within 120 feet. Each creature in the area must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
• Blinding Smoke. Thick smoke fills a 30-foot radius centered on Ixion. The area is heavily obscured until initiative count 20 on the next round. Any creature that starts its turn in the smoke must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of its turn.
• Searing Heat. The temperature in the lair rises dramatically. Each creature that isn’t resistant or immune to fire damage takes 10 (3d6) fire damage at the start of its turn. This effect lasts until initiative count 20 on the next round.

Legendary Actions

Ixion can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Ixion regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

• Attack. Ixion makes one Fiery Wheel or Flaming Chains attack.
• Hellfire Blast (Costs 2 Actions). Ixion targets a point he can see within 60 feet. Each creature within 10 feet of that point must make a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
• Infernal Command (Costs 3 Actions). Ixion summons a fire elemental or two hell hounds to aid him in battle. The summoned creatures appear in unoccupied spaces within 30 feet of Ixion and act on his turn. They remain for 1 minute or until Ixion dismisses them as a bonus action.

Equipment

Crown of the Lapiths. A once-regal crown now blackened and tarnished by flames. While wearing the crown, Ixion has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.

Fiery Wheel. An enormous wheel engulfed in eternal flames, symbolizing Ixion’s punishment. It serves as both his weapon and his binding.

Flaming Chains. Heavy chains that are part of Ixion’s punishment, used to restrain his enemies and lash out with searing heat.

---

Ixion’s presence in a campaign introduces a formidable and tragic antagonist whose backstory and abilities can challenge even the most seasoned adventurers. His lair, filled with oppressive heat and relentless flames, provides a memorable and perilous environment for a climactic battle.