Tier 2 – The Curse of the Vengeful Alchemist
**Tier 2 play**
In the magical realm of Eldoria, the sun hangs low, casting a warm golden hue across the rolling hills and ancient forests. Your party finds themselves in the bustling town of Willowbrook, known for its vibrant marketplaces and taverns filled with tales of adventure. However, a dark shadow has recently settled over the town, sapping its vitality and stirring fears among its denizens.
On the eve of a grand festival celebrating the region’s abundance, whispers of a malevolent force have emerged. Townsfolk speak in hushed tones about strange occurrences—the sudden illness of livestock, mysterious disappearances in the shadowy woods, and a series of unexplained mishaps disrupting the festival preparations.
As evening approaches, lanterns begin to flicker to life, illuminating the crooked streets. The local tavern, The Broken Wand, buzzes with rumors and the clinking of mugs. At the hearth, the townsfolk notice more than usual; one man, an anxious merchant, stands up, calling for attention. He recounts the tale of a once-celebrated alchemist who sought power in the forbidden arts, only to meet a tragic end. His spirit, they say, has since returned, angry and vengeful, haunting the woods with dark magic and summoning wicked creatures to terrorize the town.
Your party is approached by Mayor Elara, a resolute elf with silver hair and piercing emerald eyes. “I implore you brave souls to investigate the Enshadowed Glade,” she pleads. “It is there the alchemist met his fate, and the dark magic he wielded is bound to the very ground. Bring peace back to our town, and you shall be rewarded handsomely.”
As you prepare for your adventure, the villagers offer you supplies: healing potions, enchanted weapons, and scrolls filled with arcane secrets. The path to the Enshadowed Glade winds through twisted trees and ominous shadows, an uneasy silence enveloping the air.
Upon arriving at the glade, an eerie mist wraps around the gnarled roots of ancient trees, dimming the light. Suddenly, you hear a whisper—a voice not quite human, laced with sorrow and rage. From the center of the glade, a spectral figure materializes: the vengeful alchemist, now a wraith consumed by his unfulfilled desires.
**Boss Encounter: Vengeful Wraith**
– **HP:** 120
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Ethereal Touch (Melee Attack, +7 to hit, 2d10 necrotic damage)
– **Special Abilities:**
– **Corrupting Aura:** Any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet takes 5 necrotic damage.
– **Wraith's Curse:** Once per encounter, the wraith can cast *Bane* as a spell-like ability.
The tension mounts as you prepare for battle, frequency dancing in the air mixed with the scent of damp earth and the distant sound of rustling leaves. Defeating the wraith will not only free his tormented spirit but also lift the malevolent curse from Willowbrook, restoring the town to its former glory and allowing the festival to proceed.
Will your party rise to the challenge and rid the realm of this darkness? The fate of Willowbrook rests in your hands.