Tier 2 – The Quest for the Weatherstone

**Tier 2 play**

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the mystical land of Eldoria, the air crackles with magic. A chill breeze stirs the leaves, whispering secrets of a brewing storm. You find yourselves in the quaint village of Thistledown, nestled between the sprawling Sylvanwood Forest and the ancient Gloomrock Mountains. This peaceful hamlet is known for its vibrant markets and friendly faces, but dark clouds are gathering on the edge of the horizon—both literally and metaphorically.

Recently, the villagers have been plagued by bizarre occurrences; crops turning to weeds overnight, livestock disappearing in the dead of night, and an unsettling murmur echoing from the forest. Elders speak in hushed tones, believing that the spirits of the forest have been angered by a powerful artifact, the Weatherstone, which has been disturbed by a nefarious cult. The Weatherstone, a crystal pulsating with the very essence of the seasons, is said to regulate the climate of the region, and its power has the potential to unleash catastrophic storms or grant bountiful harvests.

Your party is approached by the village chief, a stoic woman named Mira. With desperation in her eyes, she implores you to investigate the forest, retrieve the Weatherstone, and put an end to the cult's sinister plans. As you prepare to embark on your quest, the ground rumbles, and thunder echoes in the distance—a sign that time is of the essence.

### Exploration Component

The Sylvanwood Forest is alive with mystery. Towering trees arch overhead, their leaves shimmering with an ethereal glow. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, but there’s a sense of foreboding that weighs heavy in the atmosphere. As you venture deeper, you’ll face various challenges:

1. **Magical Creatures**: Encounter enchanted flora and fauna whose whims may be friend or foe. You might find a mischievous sprite who can lead you astray or a wise old treant willing to share his knowledge.

2. **Environmental Hazards**: Magical fog blankets the forest, obscuring your vision and attempting to disorient you. Test your wisdom or craftiness to navigate through or find a way to dispel it.

3. **Cultist Ambush**: As you draw closer to the heart of the forest, you’ll encounter members of the cult chanting around an ancient stone pedestal. They have been corrupted by the Weatherstone's power and will fight to protect it.

### Enemy to Defeat

**Cult Leader: Zareth the Stormcaller**

– **Hit Points**: 45

– **Armor Class**: 15

– **Attack**: Multiattack – Can make two attacks (one with a staff that deals 1d8 bludgeoning damage and one with a lightning bolt spell for 2d10 lightning damage).

– **Special Ability**: Storm's Wrath (Recharge 5-6): Calls down a bolt of lightning in a 5 ft radius within 60 ft, dealing 3d10 lightning damage to all enemies in the area, with a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw for half damage.

As you engage Zareth and his cultists in a dance of steel and sorcery, the very air crackles with tension. Will you harness your combined strengths to reclaim the Weatherstone and restore peace to Thistledown? The fate of the village—and possibly the entire region—rests in your hands.

Prepare your spells, ready your weapons, and steel yourselves for a journey steeped in magic, mystery, and the potential for greatness. This is a night you will not soon forget.