Tier 2 – Shadows of the Forgotten

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic weaves through the very fabric of reality, a peculiar phenomenon has begun to unfold. The once serene village of Willowbend, nestled at the edge of the Whispering Woods, has been plagued by a series of mysterious disappearances. Villagers whisper of shadows lurking in the trees and strange lights flickering in the night. The local tavern, The Gilded Griffin, buzzes with rumors, drawing adventurers from near and far, eager to uncover the truth.

As the players gather in the tavern, the air is thick with the scent of spiced ale and roasted meats. A frantic villager bursts through the door, his eyes wide with fear. “You must help us! My sister went missing last night, and I fear the woods are cursed!” He explains that several villagers have vanished without a trace, last seen wandering towards the ancient ruins deep within the Whispering Woods.

The players are tasked with investigating the ruins, said to be haunted by the spirits of an ancient civilization. As they venture into the woods, the sunlight dims, and a chilling breeze rustles the leaves. Strange, ethereal lights dance between the trees, beckoning them deeper into the forest. The players must navigate through dense underbrush and avoid pitfalls, using their skills to track the missing villagers and uncover the source of the disturbance.

Upon reaching the ruins, they find crumbling stone structures overgrown with vines, remnants of a once-great temple dedicated to a long-forgotten deity. Here, they encounter the boss enemy: **The Wraith of the Forgotten**, a spectral guardian cursed to protect the secrets of the ruins.

**Wraith of the Forgotten**

– **AC:** 15

– **HP:** 60

– **Attack:** Ethereal Touch (2d8 necrotic damage)

– **Special Ability:** Shadowy Grasp – Once per encounter, the Wraith can attempt to grapple a player, pulling them into the shadows for 1d4 rounds, during which they take 1d6 psychic damage per round.

The Wraith, shrouded in tattered robes and glowing with an eerie light, rises from the ruins, its hollow eyes fixed on the intruders. “Leave this place, or suffer the fate of those who came before you!” it warns, its voice echoing like a distant memory.

As the players engage the Wraith, they must also solve the mystery of the disappearances. Clues scattered throughout the ruins reveal that the villagers were lured by the Wraith’s enchanting lights, drawn to the promise of lost knowledge and power. To defeat the Wraith, the players must not only overcome its formidable abilities but also find a way to break the curse binding it to the ruins.

In the midst of battle, they can discover a hidden artifact—a crystal shard that holds the essence of the ancient deity. By using the shard, they can weaken the Wraith, turning its own power against it. Once defeated, the Wraith dissipates into a swirl of mist, releasing the captured villagers, who emerge from the shadows, disoriented but unharmed.

With the mystery solved and the villagers safe, the players return to Willowbend as heroes, celebrated for their bravery and cunning. The village can now begin to heal, and the adventurers leave with tales of their own to tell, ready for the next journey that awaits them in the high magic, high fantasy world of Eldoria.