Tier 2 – The Shadow Sorcerer of Willowbend
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows as freely as the rivers and the skies shimmer with the colors of the aurora, a peculiar disturbance has caught the attention of the local populace. The once-bustling town of Willowbend, known for its enchanting gardens and lively markets, now finds itself shrouded in an unsettling silence. Whispers of a shadowy figure haunting the outskirts have spread like wildfire, and the townsfolk are gripped by fear.
Your party arrives in Willowbend just as the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming nightflowers, their luminescent petals glowing softly in the twilight. As you gather in the town square, a frail old woman approaches, her eyes wide with worry. “You must help us,” she pleads, her voice trembling. “A dark sorcerer has taken residence in the old nursery on the hill. He’s been siphoning the life from our gardens, and soon, he will drain the very essence of our children!”
The nursery, once a place of laughter and joy, now stands as a crumbling edifice, overgrown with thorny vines and darkened by an ominous aura. As you make your way up the hill, the atmosphere grows heavier, and the distant sound of a child’s laughter echoes eerily through the trees, sending chills down your spine.
Upon reaching the nursery, you find the door ajar, creaking ominously in the wind. Inside, the air is thick with dust and despair. Broken toys lie scattered across the floor, and the walls are adorned with faded murals of happy children playing. But in the center of the room stands the sorcerer, cloaked in shadows, his eyes glowing with a malevolent light. “Fools!” he cackles, “You’ve come to witness the birth of my new empire! Soon, all the magic of this town will be mine!”
**Boss Enemy: The Shadow Sorcerer**
– **HP:** 80
– **AC:** 15
– **Spellcasting:** Can cast spells such as *Magic Missile*, *Darkness*, and *Fear*.
– **Special Ability:** *Life Drain* – Once per turn, the sorcerer can target one creature within 30 feet, dealing 2d8 necrotic damage and regaining half the amount as HP.
As the battle begins, the nursery transforms into a battlefield of light and shadow. The walls pulse with energy, and the very air crackles with magic. The sorcerer conjures illusions of children to distract and confuse your party, while he attempts to siphon their strength.
Victory will not only save Willowbend but also restore the nursery to its former glory. As the sorcerer falls, a wave of warmth washes over the room, dispelling the darkness and revealing the true beauty hidden beneath the decay. The townsfolk will forever be grateful, and the laughter of children will once again fill the air.
Will your party rise to the challenge and bring light back to Willowbend? The fate of the town rests in your hands.