Tier 2 – The Specter of Scrooge A Quest for Redemption

**Tier 2 play**

In the mystical realm of Eldoria, whispers of strange occurrences in the quaint village of Shrewsbury have reached the ears of adventurers. Underneath the silvery glow of a crescent moon, a sense of unease hangs heavy in the air, as townsfolk speak in hushed tones about a recent disturbance at the old cemetery—where the gravestone of a long-dead miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, lies shattered into pieces.

Legends say that Scrooge’s spirit, once filled with greed and bitterness, has become restless. The broken pieces of his gravestone are rumored to be the key to a powerful artifact, the "Heart of the Redeemed," which grants unimaginable power to its wielder. However, the artifact has attracted the attention of dark forces that seek to harness its energy for malevolent purposes.

As your party approaches Shrewsbury under the light of the moon, they encounter an eerie silence. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and moss. Fog rolls across the cobblestone streets, swirling like ghosts around the twisted trees that line the cemetery. Flickering lanterns barely pierce the darkness, illuminating the path ahead.

Upon arriving at the cemetery, the adventurers discover the shattered gravestone lying amongst the gnarled roots of an ancient oak. The fragments glow faintly, pulsing with a magical aura. However, as they investigate, an ominous presence begins to materialize. From the shadows emerges the malevolent spirit of the Reclaimed Scrooge, twisted by anger and sorrow—a once-miserable man who clings to his riches, even in death.

**Boss Encounter: The Specter of Scrooge**

– **Challenge Rating**: 4

– **Hit Points**: 65

– **Armor Class**: 15 (Ghostly Form)

– **Abilities**:

– **Strength**: 10

– **Dexterity**: 14

– **Constitution**: 12

– **Intelligence**: 16

– **Wisdom**: 14

– **Charisma**: 18

– **Actions**:

– **Chilling Touch**: Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d8) necrotic damage. If the target is a creature with a soul, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have disadvantage on its next attack roll.

– **Haunting Lament**: The specter unleashes a sorrowful wail, forcing all creatures within 30 feet to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, creatures take 22 (4d10) psychic damage and are frightened until the end of their next turn.

– **Legendary Actions** (3 per round):

– The specter can take one of the following actions:

– **Spirit Drain**: One creature within 10 feet must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 10 (3d6) necrotic damage, and the specter regains hit points equal to the damage dealt.

– **Wishful Echo**: The specter conjures an illusion of Scrooge’s past, distracting one creature of its choice. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or have disadvantage on its next ability check or attack roll.

As the party engages the specter, they must work together to unravel the mystery of the gravestone's fragments and the history of Ebenezer Scrooge. They can discover that by piecing together the remnants and confronting the spirit with the compassion he once rejected, they might find a way to lay him to rest—or risk the spirit’s wrath and the dark forces looking to exploit his remaining power.

In this high-stakes adventure, the fate of the village hangs in the balance. Will your party restore peace to Shrewsbury, or will they become mere echoes in the night, lost to the haunting memories of a once-greedy soul? The choice—like the fragments of the gravestone—lies in their hands.