Tier 2 – The Weeping Nurse of Willowbend

**Tier 2 play**

In the heart of the lush, sprawling kingdom of Eldoria, where magic flows as freely as the rivers and the skies shimmer with the hues of enchantment, a dark shadow has begun to creep across the land. Whispers of a sinister plot have reached the ears of the royal court, and the citizens of the nearby town of Willowbend are gripped by fear.

The townsfolk have reported strange occurrences around the once-thriving Willowbend Hospital, a place that now stands silent, with its doors barred and windows shrouded. Children who were supposed to be cared for have gone missing, and the air is thick with the scent of despair. The townspeople believe that a malevolent force is at play, one that has taken root within the hospital's walls.

As the party arrives in Willowbend, they are met by a frantic mother, her eyes wide with worry. "Please, you must help us! My son was taken from his crib! I heard the cries of children, but when I went to check, they were gone! They say there’s a monster inside the hospital, a creature that steals the innocent!" With her plea echoing in their hearts, the adventurers gather their courage and resolve to uncover the truth.

The party sets out to investigate the hospital, a grand edifice now overrun with twisted vines and an ominous silence. As they enter, the air grows colder, and the light flickers as if in warning. The walls are adorned with faded murals, depicting scenes of healing and hope, now tarnished by the taint of something darker.

Throughout the hospital, the party encounters eerie phenomena: whispers echoing in empty hallways, toys left abandoned, and flickering shadows darting just out of sight. They discover that the source of the malevolence is none other than a corrupted spirit—a former nurse, once beloved by the townsfolk, now twisted by despair and vengeance after being falsely accused of wrongdoing and neglected in death.

As the party delves deeper, they must confront this spirit, known as Lethe. She seeks to reclaim the children she believes were taken from her care, convinced that they must join her in her sorrow. The adventurers will face spectral illusions of the children, testing their resolve and empathy as they navigate the twisted memories and confront their own fears.

**Boss Enemy: Lethe, the Weeping Nurse**

– **Type:** Undead Spirit

– **Armor Class:** 14

– **Hit Points:** 85

– **Speed:** 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

– **Abilities:**

– **Wisdom Save (DC 15):** Creates illusions to confuse and frighten the party.

– **Life Drain:** +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d8 + 3) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its hit point maximum reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken.

– **Sorrowful Wail (Recharge 5-6):** All creatures within 30 ft. must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they take 22 (4d10) psychic damage and are frightened until the end of their next turn.

To defeat Lethe, the adventurers must not only fight but also uncover the truth of her tragic past. Through exploration of the hospital's records and interactions with the lingering spirits of the children, they can reveal her innocence and help her find peace.

As the party uncovers the truth and faces Lethe, they will learn that compassion and understanding can be more powerful than steel. Should they succeed in calming her tormented spirit, she may reveal the location of the missing children, ultimately restoring hope to Willowbend.

With the darkness lifted, the town will once again thrive, and the party will be hailed as heroes, forever remembered as the brave souls who restored light to the shadows of despair.