Tier 2 – The Shadows of Glimmering Hollow

**Tier 2 play**

As the sun begins its descent behind the towering peaks of the Eldran Mountains, the village of Glimmering Hollow buzzes with a festive air, though an undercurrent of anxiety permeates the atmosphere. Colorful lanterns sway gently in the evening breeze, casting playful shadows on the cobblestone streets. The townsfolk are preparing for the annual Harvest Festival, a celebration that honors the bountiful crops and the spirit of community. However, a dark cloud looms over the festivities—recently, villagers have reported strange occurrences in the nearby Whispering Woods. Crops are withering overnight, and livestock is disappearing without a trace.

Your party arrives just as the villagers gather in the town square, their faces a mix of excitement for the festival and dread over the mystery that has befallen them. The village elder, a wise and weathered half-elf named Eldrin, steps forward to address the crowd.

“Brave souls,” he begins, his voice quaking slightly. “We are in desperate need of your aid. Something sinister stirs in the Whispering Woods. My own daughter, Elara, ventured into the forest a week ago to gather herbs and has not returned. We fear she may have encountered the source of our troubles.”

Eldrin hands the party a tattered map of the woods, marked with a large 'X' where Elara was last seen. “Please, find her and dispel this darkness that threatens our harvest. In return, we shall offer you a bounty of our finest produce and the gratitude of Glimmering Hollow.”

As the party sets out towards the Whispering Woods, the air grows thicker with an eerie fog, and the trees seem to whisper secrets of ancient magic. The path twists and turns, leading deeper into the heart of the forest. The party can sense they are being watched, the shadows flitting just beyond their vision.

Suddenly, the tranquility shatters as a band of mischievous pixies, corrupted by dark magic, descends upon the party, their laughter echoing ominously. These pixies, once guardians of the forest, have turned hostile, their eyes glowing with malevolence.

**Enemy Stats: Corrupted Pixies**

– AC: 15

– HP: 20

– Attack: Dagger (melee) +5 to hit, 1d4 + 3 piercing damage

– Special Ability: Mischief (once per encounter, can cast *Confusion* on one target within 30 feet)

The party must defeat the pixies to uncover the source of their corruption. As they progress, they will encounter clues—twisted trees that seem to pulse with dark energy and remnants of Elara’s belongings that hint at her fate.

After navigating through the woods and overcoming the pixies, the party will discover a hidden grove where a powerful fey creature, the Shadow Nymph, has taken residence. This being, corrupted by a dark artifact called the Heart of Despair, is the root of the village's troubles.

**Boss Enemy Stats: Shadow Nymph**

– AC: 17

– HP: 50

– Attack: Shadow Tendril (melee) +7 to hit, 2d8 + 4 necrotic damage

– Special Ability: Dark Veil (once per encounter, can obscure an area in magical darkness for 1 minute)

To defeat the Shadow Nymph, the party must find a way to break the hold of the Heart of Despair, perhaps by using the very essence of the Harvest Festival’s joy or by appealing to the Nymph’s lost nature.

As the party confronts this foe, they must think creatively, utilizing their skills and teamwork to not only save Elara but also restore balance to the Whispering Woods and the village of Glimmering Hollow. Will they unveil the truth behind the darkness and bring joy back to the festival? The fate of the village rests in their hands.