Tier 2 – The Shade of the Hollow

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with the hues of magic and the lands are thick with ancient mysteries, a dark shadow has begun to creep across the peaceful village of Bramblewood. The once-bustling market square is now shrouded in whispers of terror, as townsfolk speak of a sinister force that has taken residence in the nearby Whispering Woods.

The party finds themselves drawn to Bramblewood, where they are greeted by a frantic mayor, a plump man with a balding head and eyes wide with fear. "Please, brave adventurers! You must help us! A creature known only as the Shade of the Hollow has begun to haunt our village. It steals our dreams and sows despair among our people. We cannot sleep, we cannot think! We need you to stop it before it consumes us all!"

The Whispering Woods, a place of ancient trees that seem to murmur secrets, lies just beyond the village. As the party ventures into the woods, the air grows thick with an otherworldly fog that wraps around their legs like the tendrils of a long-forgotten nightmare. The trees, tall and gnarled, twist upwards, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.

As they navigate deeper into the woods, the party encounters strange phenomena: glowing mushrooms that pulse with an eerie light, and will-o'-the-wisps that flit amongst the trees, leading them astray. The sound of rustling leaves echoes in the air, and the temperature drops suddenly, sending shivers down their spines.

Eventually, they come upon a clearing, where the moonlight breaks through the canopy, illuminating a towering figure cloaked in shadows. The Shade of the Hollow, a malevolent spirit, stands before them, its form shifting like smoke. It is a creature of nightmares, its eyes glowing like embers in the dark, and its voice a chilling whisper that echoes through the clearing.

"Why do you invade my domain? You seek to disrupt my feast of dreams?"

The party must confront the Shade, using their skills and wits to defeat it. The Shade has the following basic stats:

– **AC:** 15

– **HP:** 60

– **Attack:** Shadow Bolt (ranged attack dealing 2d8 necrotic damage)

– **Ability:** Dream Snare (once per encounter, can cast a spell to incapacitate one player for 1 round)

To vanquish the Shade, the players must devise a strategy, utilizing the environment and their abilities. Perhaps they can find a way to dispel its shadowy magic, or use the glowing mushrooms to create a barrier of light.

As the battle unfolds, the very fabric of the woods seems to respond to their struggle, with the trees swaying ominously and the fog swirling. If they succeed in defeating the Shade, a burst of light will explode from its form, and the oppressive air will lift, bringing a sense of peace back to the woods.

In the aftermath, the grateful villagers will reward the party with treasures from their vaults, and the adventurers will leave Bramblewood not just as heroes, but as the bearers of restored dreams.

As they exit the woods, the moon hangs high above, shining brightly as a symbol of hope, reminding them that even in a world filled with shadows, light can always be found.