Tier 2 – The Festival of Shadows (1)

**Tier 2 play**

In the heart of the vibrant and bustling city of Eldoria, where the cobblestone streets shimmer with enchantment and the air is thick with the scent of exotic spices, a shadow looms over the annual Grand Festival of Light. As the sun sets, casting a golden hue over the city, the townsfolk gather to celebrate, unaware of the sinister plot that threatens to plunge Eldoria into darkness.

The players find themselves drawn to the festival, lured by the sounds of laughter and music. However, amidst the festivities, whispers of a missing artifact—the Celestial Prism—begin to circulate. This ancient gem, said to harness the power of the stars, has been stolen from the Temple of Luminara, and its absence has caused the festival's magic to falter. The party is approached by a frantic priestess named Seraphina, who pleads for their help.

“Without the Prism, the balance of magic in our realm is at stake,” she implores. “We must retrieve it before the midnight hour, or the city will be consumed by shadows!”

The investigation leads the players through vibrant market stalls filled with shimmering wares, where they may gather clues from merchants, and navigate the winding alleys where dark figures lurk. They learn that the Prism has been taken by a notorious thief known as The Shadowcloak, who has ties to a secretive guild operating out of the city’s underbelly.

As the party delves deeper, they discover that The Shadowcloak is planning to use the Prism’s power to unleash a horde of shadow creatures upon Eldoria. The clock is ticking, and the players must race against time to confront this cunning foe.

The climax of the session unfolds in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the festival grounds, where The Shadowcloak awaits. The room is dimly lit, filled with crates and shadows that dance eerily along the walls. As the players enter, they are met with a chilling laugh echoing through the rafters.

**Boss Enemy: The Shadowcloak**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 80

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Attack:** Dagger of Shadows (+6 to hit, 1d8+4 piercing damage, and 1d6 necrotic damage)

– **Special Ability:** Shadow Step (Once per turn, can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space in dim light or darkness)

– **Legendary Action:** Cloak of Shadows (As a reaction, can impose disadvantage on one attack roll against them until the start of their next turn)

As the battle ensues, the players must use their wits and skills to outmaneuver The Shadowcloak, navigating traps and shadow minions that he summons to protect himself. The fate of Eldoria rests in their hands, and the festival's magic hangs in the balance.

Will they retrieve the Celestial Prism and restore the light to Eldoria, or will the city succumb to the encroaching darkness? The adventure awaits!