Tier 2 – The Enigmatic Case of Lady Seraphina

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant city of Eldoria, where the streets are lined with shimmering crystals and the air is thick with the scent of exotic spices, a peculiar case has landed on your desk. The renowned firm of "Fates and Contracts" has received a summons from Lady Seraphina, a noblewoman known for her beauty and cunning. She has come to seek your assistance in a matter that is both delicate and dangerous: her impending divorce from Lord Malakar, a powerful sorcerer rumored to have ties with dark forces.

As you gather your party in the firm’s opulent office, the flickering candlelight casts dancing shadows on the walls, and the sound of distant laughter from the taverns below fills the air. Lady Seraphina, draped in silks that shimmer like the night sky, explains her plight. “My husband has grown obsessed with a forbidden tome,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “He believes it holds the key to ultimate power, and I fear he will stop at nothing to obtain it, even if it means using me as a pawn in his dark schemes.”

Your investigation begins in the heart of Eldoria, where rumors swirl like autumn leaves. The party must navigate through the bustling marketplace, where merchants hawk enchanted trinkets and street performers dazzle with illusions. Here, they can gather information about Lord Malakar’s whereabouts and the tome he seeks. Perhaps a local bard knows a song that hints at the tome’s location, or a grizzled veteran has seen Malakar’s shadow lurking in the alleyways.

As night falls, the party discovers that the tome is hidden within the depths of the Whispering Woods, a place where reality bends and the very trees seem to whisper secrets. The woods are alive with magic, but they are also home to creatures twisted by dark enchantments. The party must tread carefully, for the woods are known to ensnare the minds of the unwary.

Upon reaching the heart of the woods, the party encounters a formidable foe: Lord Malakar himself. He stands before them, a figure cloaked in shadows, his eyes glowing with arcane energy. “You dare interfere?” he sneers, raising his hands to summon dark magic.

**Lord Malakar Stats:**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 70

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Abilities:**

– **Spellcasting:** Can cast spells up to 3rd level (e.g., Fireball, Shield, Mage Armor).

– **Dark Bolt (Recharge 5-6):** Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 3d10 necrotic damage.

– **Actions:**

– **Multiattack:** Lord Malakar makes two Dark Bolt attacks.

– **Shadow Step:** As a bonus action, he can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.

The confrontation will test the party’s resolve and creativity. Will they negotiate with Malakar, seeking to turn him from his dark path, or will they engage in a fierce battle to protect Lady Seraphina and the balance of magic in Eldoria?

As the dust settles, the party must decide the fate of the tome and its dark secrets. Will they return it to Lady Seraphina, ensuring her safety, or will they destroy it, preventing its power from falling into the wrong hands? The choices they make will echo through the realms, shaping the future of Eldoria and beyond.