Tier 2 – The Captain of Lost Souls
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant and magical realm of Eldoria, where the air thrums with arcane energy and the skies shimmer with the colors of the dawn, an urgent call to adventure beckons you and your companions. Rumors have spread through the taverns and markets of the bustling city of Rivenspire about a series of mysterious disappearances plaguing the nearby village of Willowdale. Adventurers are encouraged to uncover the truth behind these vanishing villagers, and as you gather your supplies and gear, the weight of destiny settles upon your shoulders.
As you approach Willowdale, you are met with a haunting sight: the village seems dull and lifeless, the vibrant gardens now wilted, and an eerie silence blankets the air. The villagers who remain speak in hushed tones of a shadowy figure seen lurking near the ancient ruins that lie at the edge of town. As dusk falls, the winds carry whispers of the once-bustling marketplace, now replaced by an unsettling stillness.
Your task is to investigate these ancient ruins, rumored to be the resting place of the fabled Captain of Lost Souls, a former hero who fell victim to a treacherous curse. It is said that he now wanders the land, lost between the realms of the living and the dead. Though he is not villainous by nature, his despair and confusion manifest as a dark force that terrifies the villagers, drawing them into the depths of his sorrow.
In the heart of the ruins, amidst crumbling stone and overgrown vines, you find the Captain—a spectral figure clad in tattered remnants of his once-grand uniform, surrounded by the shimmering essence of lost souls. His hollow eyes seem to gaze through you, as if he is searching for something long forgotten. "I… I do not understand why they flee," he mutters, his voice echoing with a sorrowful timbre. "I am only trying to reclaim what I once was."
**Encounter: The Captain of Lost Souls**
– **Type**: Unique Spectral Boss
– **Armor Class**: 15
– **Hit Points**: 75
– **Speed**: 0 ft. (hovering)
– **Abilities**:
– **Wisdom Drain**: Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d10) psychic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or suffer disadvantage on Wisdom checks for 1 minute.
– **Soul Bind**: The Captain can target one creature within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of their next turn, as they are ensnared in ghostly chains.
– **Frightening Visage**: Each creature of the Captain's choice within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns.
As the encounter unfolds, your party must engage the Captain not solely in combat but also in dialogue. Discover the truth behind his curse and the power that binds him to this realm. Will you find a way to help the Captain reclaim his humanity, or will you be forced to banish him, potentially dooming the lost souls to eternal wandering?
This one-shot adventure weaves a tale of mystery and emotional resonance, challenging the party to confront both the physical and spiritual realms, and ultimately asking the question: What does it mean to truly be free?