Tier 2 – Tier 2 play

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant city of Eldoria, where the streets are alive with the chatter of merchants and the scent of exotic spices wafts through the air, a dark shadow looms over the bustling marketplace. The annual Festival of Lights is just days away, but the recent murder of a beloved local merchant has cast a pall over the festivities. The victim, a jovial figure known for his rare wares and generous spirit, was found lifeless among the stalls, a dagger still clutched in his hand, and two others lie injured, their lives hanging by a thread.

As your party gathers in the heart of the marketplace, the atmosphere is thick with tension. Townsfolk whisper in hushed tones, their eyes darting nervously from shadow to shadow. The local constable, a grizzled veteran named Captain Thorne, approaches your group, desperation etched on his face. "We need your help. The murderer is still at large, and the festival will be ruined if we cannot find him before the sun sets."

Your investigation begins at the scene of the crime. The marketplace is a tapestry of colors and sounds, with stalls overflowing with shimmering fabrics, glistening potions, and tantalizing foods. As you examine the area, you notice a few key details:

1. **The Bloodied Dagger**: A finely crafted dagger lies partially hidden beneath a pile of fruit. It bears an intricate design, hinting at a noble origin.

2. **Witnesses**: A group of frightened merchants huddle together, their faces pale. One of them, a young woman named Lira, claims to have seen a cloaked figure fleeing the scene just after the attack.

3. **The Injured**: The two injured merchants, though in pain, may hold vital information. One of them, an old man named Barin, mutters about a secret deal gone wrong.

As you gather clues, the party must decide how to proceed. Will you interrogate the witnesses, search for the cloaked figure, or investigate the dagger's origins? Each choice will lead you deeper into the mystery.

### Encounter: The Cloaked Figure

As the sun begins to set, the party receives a tip that the cloaked figure has been spotted in the nearby alleyways. A chase ensues, leading to a confrontation with the figure, who reveals himself to be a rogue named Kael, a former associate of the victim.

**Kael's Basic Stats**:

– **Armor Class**: 14

– **Hit Points**: 45

– **Attack**: Dagger +6 to hit, 1d4 + 3 piercing damage

– **Special Ability**: Shadow Step – Once per encounter, Kael can teleport to an unoccupied space he can see within 30 feet, allowing him to evade attacks and reposition himself.

Kael, cornered and desperate, reveals that the merchant was involved in smuggling magical artifacts, and his death was orchestrated by a rival faction. The party must decide whether to bring him to justice or extract further information about the true culprits behind the murder.

### Conclusion

The investigation culminates in a thrilling showdown, where the party must confront the rival faction, uncovering a web of deceit that threatens the entire city. Will they bring peace back to Eldoria in time for the Festival of Lights, or will darkness prevail? The choices they make will shape the fate of the city and its people.