Tier 2 – The Heart of Eldoria (11)
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant city of Eldoria, where the streets are alive with the chatter of merchants and the scent of exotic spices wafts through the air, a peculiar incident has stirred the populace into a frenzy. The local tavern, The Gilded Griffin, has become the epicenter of a scandal that threatens to unravel the very fabric of the community. A beloved barmaid named Makino has been arrested under mysterious circumstances, accused of stealing a powerful artifact from the city’s vault—a shimmering crystal known as the Heart of Eldoria.
As the party gathers in the tavern, the atmosphere is thick with tension. Patrons whisper in hushed tones, casting wary glances toward the guards stationed at the entrance. The tavern keeper, a stout dwarf named Borin, approaches the party with a look of desperation in his eyes. “You’ve got to help us! Makino is innocent, I know it! She was here serving drinks when the artifact went missing. You must find out who really took it before the guards drag her away to the dungeons!”
The party is thrust into a whirlwind of investigation. They can choose to interrogate the tavern’s patrons, each with their own secrets and stories. A nervous bard claims to have seen a shadowy figure lurking near the vault the night of the theft, while a grizzled old warrior insists he overheard a plot among the city’s elite to frame the barmaid.
As they delve deeper, the party uncovers a web of deceit that leads them to the opulent estate of Lord Thalion, a powerful noble with a penchant for dark magic. Rumors swirl that he has been dabbling in forbidden arts, seeking to harness the Heart of Eldoria’s power for his own nefarious purposes. The party must navigate through his lavish halls, filled with enchanted traps and illusions, to confront the lord and retrieve the artifact.
**Boss Enemy: Lord Thalion**
– **HP:** 75
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Arcane Bolt (Spell Attack +7, 2d10 force damage)
– **Special Ability:** Shadow Manipulation (Once per encounter, can create a shadow clone that distracts the party, imposing disadvantage on their next attack roll)
As the party confronts Lord Thalion in his grand chamber, the air crackles with magic. He stands before them, the Heart of Eldoria pulsating with energy in his grasp. “Fools! You think you can stop me? This city will bow to my power!”
The battle that ensues is not just a test of strength but a clash of wits and strategy. The party must use their skills and teamwork to overcome the lord’s dark magic and free Makino from the clutches of injustice.
With the fate of Eldoria hanging in the balance, the party’s choices will determine whether they restore peace to the city or plunge it into chaos. Will they uncover the truth and save the innocent, or will they fall victim to the shadows that threaten to consume them all? The adventure awaits!