Tier 2 – The Festival of Unity A Shadowy Conspiracy
**Tier 2 play**
In the heart of the bustling city of Eldoria, where cobblestone streets shimmer with the glow of enchanted lanterns and the air is thick with the scent of blooming moonflowers, a whisper of intrigue has captured the attention of the populace. The annual Festival of Unity is approaching, a celebration of peace and cooperation among the city’s diverse factions. However, this year, the festivities are marred by a shadowy conspiracy that threatens to unravel the very fabric of the community.
As the players gather in the local tavern, The Gilded Griffin, they overhear hushed conversations about a secret meeting scheduled to take place in the abandoned temple on the outskirts of the city. Rumors swirl that a group of disgruntled nobles, led by the cunning Lord Varyn, is plotting to disrupt the festival, seeking to leverage chaos for their own gain. The players learn that the ceremony of union between two prominent Labour MPs, Jeevun Sandher and Louise Jones, is set to be the highlight of the festival, and the nobles seek to sabotage this event to assert their power.
**Adventure Hook:**
The players are approached by a frantic town crier, his eyes wide with urgency. “Adventurers! You must help us! The festival is in peril! If Lord Varyn and his conspirators succeed, it will plunge Eldoria into strife! We need brave souls to uncover their plans and protect the wedding!”
**Exploration Component:**
The players must navigate through the festival preparations, gathering clues and speaking with various townsfolk. They can visit the bustling market, where stalls brim with magical trinkets and potions, or the serene gardens, where they might find a wise old druid who has seen strange omens in the sky. Each interaction can lead to hints about the location of the meeting or the identity of the conspirators.
**Investigation Component:**
As the players delve deeper, they may discover a hidden ledger in the noble’s estate that reveals the names of those involved in the plot, along with coded messages hinting at the timing of their attack. They must decipher these codes, possibly using spells or skills like Investigation or Arcana, to gain the upper hand.
**Climactic Encounter:**
The adventure culminates in a tense confrontation at the abandoned temple. As the players arrive, they find Lord Varyn and his followers in the midst of a dark ritual to summon a fearsome creature to aid them in their quest for chaos.
**Boss Enemy: Lord Varyn**
– **Race:** Human
– **Class:** Sorcerer (Level 5)
– **HP:** 36
– **AC:** 12
– **Spells:** Fireball, Charm Person, Shield
– **Abilities:**
– **Spellcasting:** Lord Varyn can cast spells from the Sorcerer spell list.
– **Dark Bargain:** Once per encounter, Varyn can summon a shadowy minion (use stats for a Shadow) to aid him in battle.
As the players engage Lord Varyn and his conspirators, they must use their wits and skills to thwart his plans, protect the wedding, and restore peace to Eldoria. Will they emerge victorious, or will the city fall into chaos? The fate of the festival—and the union—rests in their hands.