Tier 2 – The Hourglass of Echoes

**Tier 2 play**

In the mystical land of Eldoria, where lush forests meet sparkling rivers, the sun rises over the tranquil village of Elmsworth. A gentle breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers and a distant melody of chirping birds, painting a serene picture. However, an undercurrent of unease ripples through the air, for the villagers have recently noticed time behaving oddly.

As the party arrives in Elmsworth, they are greeted by anxious townsfolk whispering of strange occurrences. At the heart of the commotion is a young sage named Lira, who has discovered that a time loop envelops the village. Every night at midnight, the day resets, trapping the villagers within its relentless cycle. The curse began when an ancient artifact, the Hourglass of Echoes, was disturbed in the nearby Ruins of Eldarath.

Lira explains her dilemma: she has been caught in the loop herself, aware of each repetition but unable to escape its grasp. To end the cycle, the party must venture into the Ruins of Eldarath, retrieve the Hourglass, and confront the guardian spirit that now protects it—an ancient and powerful being known as Kaldran the Timelost.

### Adventure Hook:

The party learns that if they can help Lira find others who may be trapped in the same loop, those individuals will gain awareness just like her. Each time the party resets their day, Lira will remember what they accomplished and can guide them through the next iteration.

### Encounter:

As the players navigate through the Ruins of Eldarath, they will face magical traps and time-themed puzzles. The Ruins are filled with echoes of past adventurers and glimpses of timelines that have gone awry. Keep an eye out for remnants of lost souls lingering in the corridors, desperate to share their knowledge.

### Boss Encounter:

Upon reaching the Hourglass of Echoes, the party encounters Kaldran the Timelost. This entity manifests as a spectral figure wreathed in swirling sands, his voice echoing like a ticking clock. He is bound to the artifact, controlling the loop but also suffering from its curse.

**Kaldran the Timelost Stats:**

– **HP:** 56

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Arcane Wave (Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, 2d10 + 4 force damage)

– **Ability:** Time Warp (Recharge 5-6): Kaldran can reverse time for one round, healing himself for half the damage taken and re-rolling the last attack made against him.

### Resolution:

To defeat Kaldran, the players must combine their skills to outsmart his time-based attacks while protecting Lira and any newly aware villagers. If they succeed, Kaldran reveals the truth about the Hourglass: it was meant to manipulate time for good, not to trap souls in endless loops. He willingly releases the artifact, allowing time to flow freely once more.

As the sun sets on Elmsworth, the party witnesses the grateful villagers celebrating their newfound freedom. With the curse lifted, Lira offers her services as a guide for future adventures, hinting at deeper mysteries that await in Eldoria.

The day may have reset, but the bonds forged in battle and friendship will leave a lasting impact on their journey through this high magic world.