Tier 2 – Echoes of the Lost Wraith
**Tier 2 play**
In the heart of Eldoria, a land once vibrant with the wonders of a long-lost civilization, whispers of a dark force echo through the emerald forests and crystal-clear lakes. The remnants of your once-great empire lie in ruins, overrun by a burgeoning race of sentient beings known as the Sylithra. They have taken to building villages among the remnants of your ancestors' glory, showing a blatant disregard for the sacred sites that tell the stories of your civilization's rise and tragic downfall.
The air is thick with magic, shimmering in hues of purple and blue as day transitions to twilight. As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the crumbled stone and tangled vines, the party finds themselves drawn to the outskirts of Verdant Hollow—a forest teeming with life but overshadowed by unease.
Recently, the Sylithra have been experiencing troubling visions and unsettling occurrences, leading them to believe that a malevolent spirit, an echo of your own civilization, stirs beneath the earth. Rumors abound of villagers disappearing at dusk and strange shadowy figures haunting the pathways. The locals beseech the party for help, hoping to free their land from this ancient curse.
The adventure begins as the party sits among the villagers gathered around a flickering bonfire, discussing the details of the entity they believe haunts their woods. The air crackles with tension as an elder recounts the tales of the “Lost Wraith,” the restless spirit of a once-mighty ancient who watched as their world crumbled to dust. He warns the group of the Wraith's ability to manipulate shadows and strike fear into the hearts of mortals, growing more powerful with the despair it sows.
### The Investigation Component:
The heroes are tasked with investigating the strange occurrences around Verdant Hollow. They can choose to explore the following locations:
1. **The Ruined Temple**: A once-glorious place of worship, now shrouded in vines and mystery. Here, they may find remnants of ancient magic and clues about the Wraith’s past.
2. **The Whispering Caverns**: Beneath the forest lies a network of caves filled with echoing whispers that might reveal secrets of the lost civilization or further confuse the party with deceptive illusions.
3. **The Enchanted Glade**: A serene yet eerie spot where the Sylithra gather at night. There, the party might encounter a Sylithra Seer who can provide insights into the entity plaguing their lands.
### The Enemy:
As the party investigates, they will eventually confront the Lost Wraith in the heart of the forest—a spectral figure draped in tattered ancient robes, its eyes glowing like embers in the night. It feeds on sorrow, twisting the memories of its own destruction into a weapon against those who dare to tread upon its territory.
**Lost Wraith Stats**:
– **Armor Class**: 14
– **Hit Points**: 60 (8d8 + 16)
– **Speed**: 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
– **Abilities**:
– **Strength**: 12 (+1)
– **Dexterity**: 16 (+3)
– **Constitution**: 15 (+2)
– **Intelligence**: 14 (+2)
– **Wisdom**: 16 (+3)
– **Charisma**: 18 (+4)
– **Attacks**:
– **Shadow Strike**: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of the Wraith's next turn.
### Climax:
The showdown takes place as the party delves deeper into the woods, chasing the echoes of lost cries. The Wraith will use its shadow manipulation to create decoys and illusions, forcing the adventurers to face both their fears and the specter of their own civilization's fall. Players must strategize to break the cycle of despair—finding a way to quell the Wraith's anguish through compassion or perhaps uncovering an ancient artifact that symbolizes hope and rebirth.
As the battle climaxes, the party will not only have to defeat the Wraith but also confront the sobering truth of their civilization’s past, leaving them to ponder the legacy they wish to create in this high magic, high fantasy world. Will they bring peace to the lost spirit, or will they become the new echoes of despair? The fate of both the Sylithra and the ancient civilization lies in their hands.