Tier 2 – The Wraith of the Woods (8)

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant and mystical realm of Eldoria, where the sun bathes the land in golden light and magical creatures flit between the trees, a shadow looms over the village of Alderwood. The townsfolk whisper of strange happenings in the nearby woods, where the once-bustling paths are now overgrown and silent. Rumors swirl of a hidden treasure guarded by a malevolent spirit, an ancient being that was once a protector of the land but has since turned vengeful.

Your party finds themselves in Alderwood, drawn by the promise of adventure and the allure of treasure. As you gather in the village square, the air is thick with the scent of pine and the distant sound of a babbling brook. The villagers, wary yet desperate, approach you with tales of disappearances and sightings of a shadowy figure lurking in the trees. They believe this spirit, known as the Wraith of the Woods, has been awakened by greed and must be confronted before it descends further into madness.

Your adventure begins at dusk, as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The villagers provide you with a crude map, showing the way to the heart of the woods where the treasure is said to be hidden. As you venture deeper, the air grows cooler, and the trees close in around you, their gnarled branches resembling skeletal hands reaching for the sky.

As you navigate the twisting paths, you encounter various magical phenomena—glowing mushrooms that pulse with a soft light, wisps of ethereal energy that dart between the trees, and the distant echo of laughter that seems both inviting and unsettling. The forest is alive, but it is also perilous. You must remain vigilant, for not all that glimmers is gold.

Eventually, you arrive at a clearing where the ground is littered with ancient stones, each etched with runes that tell the story of the Wraith’s fall from grace. In the center stands a grand, gnarled tree, its roots twisted like the fingers of a giant. As you approach, the air grows thick with tension, and the Wraith materializes—a tall, spectral figure cloaked in shadows, its face obscured by a hood, glowing eyes piercing through the darkness.

**Boss Enemy: The Wraith of the Woods**

– **HP:** 80

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Shadow Strike (Melee Attack: +7 to hit, 2d8 + 4 necrotic damage)

– **Special Ability:** Ethereal Step (Once per encounter, the Wraith can become incorporeal, avoiding all attacks for one turn and reappearing in a different location within the clearing.)

– **Legendary Action:** Haunting Whispers (Each turn, the Wraith can target one player, forcing them to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15) or become frightened until the end of their next turn.)

As the confrontation with the Wraith unfolds, the party must work together, using both strategy and their unique abilities to dispel the dark energy that surrounds it. The key to defeating the Wraith lies not only in combat but in understanding the tragic history that binds it to this place. The players can uncover clues about the Wraith’s past through the runes and the environment, allowing them to weaken it by addressing its sorrow, perhaps even convincing it to relinquish its anger in exchange for peace.

Should the party succeed, the Wraith’s form dissipates into a gentle mist, revealing a hidden cache of treasure—ancient artifacts, enchanted items, and perhaps a glimmering gemstone that holds a piece of the forest’s magic. The villagers will rejoice upon your return, forever grateful for your bravery, and you will leave Alderwood not just as heroes, but as keepers of a newfound balance between the realms of man and magic.

Prepare to immerse your players in a world where every decision matters, and the echoes of the past can alter the future. Let the adventure begin!