Tier 2 – The Curse of Willow Keep

**Tier 2 play**

In the mystical realm of Eldoria, where magic swirls through the air like sunlight through trees, a peculiar phenomenon has captured the attention of the realm's inhabitants. The once-vibrant town of Willowbrook has been shrouded in an eerie mist, and whispers of strange occurrences have begun to spread. Crops wither overnight, livestock vanish without a trace, and townsfolk speak of shadowy figures lurking in the fog.

The party finds themselves summoned to Willowbrook by the town's mayor, a stout dwarf named Marnis Ironfist. He meets them at the town square, his face etched with worry. “Adventurers,” he begins, his voice a gravelly rasp, “a dark power has taken root in our town. We believe there’s a connection to the old Willow Keep, long abandoned and said to be haunted. We need brave souls to investigate and put an end to this creeping dread.”

The party must navigate through the misty streets of Willowbrook, where the atmosphere is thick with unease. As they pass the crumbling façades of buildings, they encounter frightened villagers who speak in hushed tones of a ghostly figure spotted near the keep. Those who venture too close to the ancient stone walls have reported hearing mournful wails and glimpsing fleeting shadows.

### Exploration Component

The players make their way to Willow Keep, a dilapidated fortress perched atop a hill, its silhouette like a jagged tooth against the cloudy sky. The approach is fraught with tension. They must navigate through overgrown paths, encounter wildlife that has become unnaturally aggressive, and solve puzzles hidden within the ruins’ deteriorating walls.

Inside the keep, the atmosphere is cold and damp. Flickering torches reveal murals of a once-great kingdom, now forgotten. The party must search for clues that reveal the history of the keep and its last lord, Eldrin the Cursed, who was said to have dabbled in forbidden magic.

### Enemy Encounter

As night falls, the party uncovers the source of the malevolence: Eldrin’s spirit has been awakened, driven mad by power and betrayal. He manifests before them as a spectral figure, wreathed in a dark mist, glowing with an eerie blue light.

**Boss Enemy: Eldrin the Cursed**

– **Type:** Undead Spirit

– **HP:** 60

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Ethereal Touch (+7 to hit, 2d8 necrotic damage)

– **Special Ability:** Haunting Wail (Recharge 5-6) – All players within 30 feet must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target may repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns.

Eldrin is powerful but unstable, his form shifting as he faces the party. To defeat him, they must first gather three ancient relics hidden within the keep: the Amulet of Clarity, the Ring of Binding, and the Tome of Lost Whispers. These relics will allow them to weaken his spectral form and free him from his torment.

### Resolution

Once Eldrin is defeated, a calm settles across the keep. The mist lifts from Willowbrook, and the villagers awaken from their fear. The party is hailed as heroes, and they receive rewards in the form of gold, enchanted items, and a heartfelt gratitude from the town.

As the group basks in their victory, a mysterious figure watches from the shadows, a knowing smile playing on their lips. This encounter hints at future adventures—a reminder that in Eldoria, magic and mystery are never far away.