Tier 2 – The Lich’s Tomb A Race Against Time

**Tier 2 play**

In the wake of a brutal and unending conflict that has ravaged the land, the echoes of war have unearthed something ancient and terrifying. Deep beneath the scarred earth, the tomb of a long-forgotten lich, once a master of death and magic, has been disturbed. As the dust settles and the fighting subsides, strange occurrences begin to plague the nearby village of Elden Hollow. Whispers of the undead stirring in the night send shivers down the spines of its inhabitants.

Your adventure begins in the heart of Elden Hollow, where the villagers gather in the flickering light of torches, sharing hushed tales of shadowy figures seen roaming the edges of the forest. A local scholar, Elara, approaches the party with a desperate plea. She believes that the lich’s tomb is the source of the disturbances, and if left unchecked, the undead could overrun the village. A reward of gold and ancient relics awaits those brave enough to investigate.

As the party ventures into the nearby Eldenwood Forest, the air thickens with an unnatural chill, and the trees seem to whisper secrets of old. The path leads to a clearing where the ground is marred by the remnants of battle, revealing an entrance to the tomb partially obscured by vines and roots.

Inside the tomb, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. The air is heavy with the scent of decay, and flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the walls, revealing runes of power. The party must navigate through a series of traps and puzzles, each room echoing with the lingering essence of the lich’s dark magic.

**Encounter: The Guardian of the Tomb**

As the party delves deeper, they come face-to-face with the Guardian of the Tomb, an ancient skeletal warrior bound to protect its secrets.

**Guardian Stats:**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 65

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Attack:** Longsword (1d8 + 4 slashing damage)

– **Special Ability:** Life Drain (melee attack: 1d10 necrotic damage, and the Guardian regains hit points equal to the damage dealt)

The guardian, once a noble knight, now serves the lich and will fight fiercely to protect the tomb. Defeating this foe will require strategy, teamwork, and a bit of creativity, as the party can use the environment to their advantage.

Upon defeating the guardian, the party discovers a hidden chamber filled with treasures and the remains of the lich’s dark experiments. Here, they will find a powerful artifact, the Phylactery of Shadows, which holds a fragment of the lich’s essence. Elara has warned them that this artifact is both a boon and a curse, capable of granting immense power or unleashing chaos if misused.

With the artifact in hand, the adventurers must decide their next steps. Will they destroy it, risking the lich’s return, or harness its power to protect the village? The fate of Elden Hollow—and perhaps the world—rests in their hands.

As they leave the tomb, the ground trembles, hinting that the lich may not be as dormant as they hoped. A race against time begins as they must return to the village and prepare for the looming threat of the undead.

This one-shot adventure combines elements of exploration, combat, and moral decision-making, allowing for a rich and immersive experience in a high-magic, high-fantasy world.