Tier 2 – The Secrets Beneath Pontypridd

**Tier 2 play**

As the sun sets behind the twisted spires of Eldoria, an eerie mist creeps through the neighboring towns, settling heavily upon the flood-ravaged streets of Pontypridd. The air carries the stench of damp wood and despair, but beneath the gloom, whispers of magic and intrigue abound. In a world where the essence of the arcane flows like the rivers that swell and recede, you gather in a dimly lit tavern, The Soaked Willow, to hear the urgent news.

The proprietor, an anxious half-elf named Talia, beckons you closer. “The floods have not merely ravaged our streets,” she says, her voice trembling with fear. “It is a malevolent force that has surfaced, driven by the chaos of magic unleashed in the waters. My brother, a cartographer, went missing last week, and it’s said he uncovered something—a map leading to an ancient vault buried deep beneath our town. If we don’t act soon, we risk losing not only our homes but the very essence of our land.”

With the promise of uncovering the truth, you set out into the swirling mist. Your senses heighten as the streets become a labyrinth of treacherous paths, thick with mud and shadow. Each step tells a different story—a merchant’s wares washed away, a child’s laughter drowned. The nearby river, once a source of life, now gurgles with a sinister undertone, hinting at the dark magic at play.

As the group navigates the remnants of Pontypridd’s Mill Street, you come across a weathered stone marker, glowing faintly with residual magic. It hints at a centuries-old warding spell that has weakened, inviting you to delve deeper into the mystery. The party must investigate the area, discovering clues that will guide them to the source of the flooding and the fate of Talia’s brother.

After piecing together fragments of the map, you realize that the entrance to the ancient vault is hidden in the depths of the river. As you brave the waters, a colossal creature rises from the murky depths—a cursed Water Elemental, twisted by the chaos of the floods. Its form is an ever-shifting mass of liquid fury, with glowing eyes that flicker like lanterns in the dark.

**Boss Enemy: Cursed Water Elemental**

– **HP:** 100

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:**

– Slam: +7 to hit, 2d10 + 3 bludgeoning damage

– Water Whip: 15-foot range, +6 to hit, 2d8 + 2 bludgeoning damage, and pull target 10 feet closer

– **Abilities:**

– Water Form: Immune to non-magical damage.

– Drench: All players within a 30-foot radius must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw (DC 15) or take 2d6 cold damage.

– **Legendary Actions:**

– The elemental can take one legendary action to create a wave, forcing players within a 30-foot line to make a Strength saving throw (DC 15) or be knocked prone.

As combat erupts, the air fills with the sounds of splashing water and the crackle of spells illuminating the murky environment. The party must work together, using their skills and magic to bring down this formidable foe and uncover the true source of the curse plaguing Pontypridd.

With victory, the floodwaters begin to recede, revealing a hidden passageway beneath the riverbed leading directly to the ancient vault. Will you uncover the secrets within and save the town from its watery grave? The fate of Pontypridd hangs in the balance.