Tier 2 – The Devil’s Contract in Vesper Hollow
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic saturates the air like the sweet scent of blooming flowers, your adventurers find themselves drawn to the bustling town of Vesper Hollow. The sun hangs high, casting golden rays upon the cobblestone streets, where merchants call out with fervor, selling everything from enchanted trinkets to exotic spices. Among the lively atmosphere, whispers of an unusual occurrence ripple through the town—a demon has made a peculiar proposition to a select few.
As dusk approaches, your party is summoned to the town square, where a swirling mist coalesces into the form of a towering demon, its skin a deep crimson and eyes ablaze with mischief. His name is Beltharax, and he bears an unsettling grin. “Ah, brave adventurers!” he bellows, his voice echoing off the stone walls. “I come not to wreak havoc, but to make you a most ironic offer.”
Beltharax explains that he has recently struck a deal with a human, a greedy noble named Lord Vaelen, who sought wealth and power beyond his means. However, the demon’s true intent is revenge; he wishes to hire the party to sabotage Lord Vaelen’s ambitions when the deal inevitably goes awry—a delightful twist of fate that would leave the noble in utter ruin. In exchange, Beltharax promises the adventurers a share of the noble’s wealth and a powerful artifact imbued with dark magic.
The party must decide whether to accept this devilish contract. As they delve deeper into their investigation, they learn that Lord Vaelen has been gathering a clandestine force of mercenaries, fueled by dark magic that he has acquired from a mysterious source. The adventurers must infiltrate his lavish estate, uncover the secrets behind his newfound power, and thwart his plans—before the demon’s wrath descends upon Vesper Hollow.
**Scene Structure:**
1. **Gathering Information**: The party can split up to gather intel from the townsfolk, learning about Lord Vaelen’s recent activities. They might discover clues leading to a hidden chamber in the noble's estate, where dark rituals are performed.
2. **Infiltration**: As night falls, the party approaches the grand estate, its walls adorned with glowing runes. They must navigate through traps and guards, using stealth or clever distractions.
3. **Confrontation with Lord Vaelen**: Upon reaching the chamber, the adventurers find Lord Vaelen mid-ritual, surrounded by a flickering portal and his mercenaries. He is a charismatic, yet power-hungry foe.
**Lord Vaelen’s Basic Stats:**
– **Armor Class**: 15
– **Hit Points**: 80
– **Attack**: +5 to hit, 1d8+3 slashing damage with a magical dagger.
– **Spellcasting**: Spell Save DC 13; Can cast *Charm Person*, *Misty Step*, and *Darkness*.
4. **Final Showdown**: The party must defeat Lord Vaelen and his mercenaries as they fight to close the portal, which threatens to unleash chaos upon the realm.
5. **Resolution**: With the noble defeated and the dark magic contained, Beltharax reappears, cackling with glee at the irony. He rewards the party with their promised treasures but warns them that dark forces are always lurking, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.
As the session concludes, the adventurers leave Vesper Hollow richer and wiser, aware that in a land steeped in magic, not all that glitters is gold—especially when it comes from a demon’s hand.