Tier 2 – The Blight of Eldoria
**Tier 2 play**
In the enchanted realm of Eldoria, where vibrant magic weaves through the very fabric of existence, a vibrant village known as Glimmerwood thrives at the edge of the Elderwood Forest. The villagers, full of life and laughter, have recently fallen under the shadow of a mysterious blight—a dark, creeping malaise that has begun to affect the land, causing crops to wither and animals to grow restless. Whispers in the taverns speak of a once-great sorceress named Elowen, whose tower lies deep within the forest, now rumored to be the source of this affliction.
Your adventurers find themselves drawn into Glimmerwood after hearing tales of the village's plight. As they gather in the local tavern, the warm glow of the hearth and the scent of roasted meats fill the air. An elder named Berin approaches them with grave concern, his voice trembling. "Please, brave souls," he implores, "you must venture into the Elderwood and confront the sorceress. Only she has the power to reverse this curse. But beware, for the forest is alive with danger and treachery."
### The Adventure Begins
As your party sets out toward the Elderwood Forest, the towering trees seem to loom ominously overhead, their bark twisted and gnarled. The air grows thick with tension, and an eerie fog begins to creep in, wrapping around the adventurers like a shroud. Unbeknownst to them, the forest is a living entity, home to creatures both magical and malevolent.
### Exploration Component
– **Encounter:** As the party traverses the winding paths, they come across a glade filled with strange, luminescent flowers. A successful Nature or Arcana check reveals that these flowers can purify the corrupted soil from the blight. Players can collect some as potion ingredients.
– **Challenge:** A group of corrupted fey creatures—twisted sprites and malevolent dryads—ambushes the party. They are desperate to protect their home and will attack anyone who threatens it. The players must either defeat or negotiate with them to pass through safely.
### The Tower of Elowen
After navigating through the trials of the forest, the adventurers finally arrive at Elowen's tower, a magnificent structure that seems to shimmer with arcane energy. The tower is surrounded by a swirling barrier of magical force, and to enter, the players must solve a riddle presented by an enchanted guardian statue.
### The Confrontation
Inside, Elowen appears as a spectral figure, her once-beautiful features now marred by an aura of despair. She reveals that a powerful artifact, the Heart of Eldoria, has been corrupted and is causing the blight. “I cannot control it,” she laments. “If you do not destroy it, the entire realm will perish.”
#### Boss Enemy: Corrupted Heart of Eldoria
– **Type:** Magical Entity
– **HP:** 80
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:**
– Corrupted Burst: +6 to hit, range 30 ft, one target, damage 3d8 necrotic damage.
– Aura of Decay: All creatures within 10 feet take 1d6 necrotic damage at the start of their turn.
### Conclusion
If the players manage to defeat the Corrupted Heart, Elowen is freed from her torment, and the blight begins to dissipate. In gratitude, she offers each adventurer a boon—a unique magical item tied to their personal journey. If they fail, the blight will spread, and they must flee with their lives, allowing the darkness to envelop the land.
Whether they succeed or fail, the party will return to Glimmerwood forever changed, their names whispered in the songs of the bards, and their deeds etched into the tapestry of Eldoria.