Tier 2 – The Shattered Sigil

**Tier 2 play**

**Party Details:**

– Party Size: 5

– A: 6

– B: 30

– Party Level: 5 (30 divided by 6, rounded up)

**Adventure Title: "The Shattered Sigil"**

**Setting:**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows like rivers and the skies shimmer with the hues of enchantment, a dark cloud looms over the peaceful town of Eldenwood. The townsfolk whisper of a mysterious artifact known as the Sigil of Harmony, a powerful relic that maintains the balance of magic in the region. Recently, it has been shattered, causing wild fluctuations in magical energies, leading to chaotic phenomena—raging storms, wild beasts, and strange magical anomalies.

**Hook:**

The party finds themselves in Eldenwood, drawn by tales of the Sigil's power and the promise of a handsome reward from the town's mayor, Elara Windwhisper. She implores the adventurers to investigate the source of the disturbances and restore the Sigil before the chaos consumes the town.

**Exploration Component:**

The adventurers must explore three key locations to gather clues about the Sigil's whereabouts:

1. **The Whispering Woods:** A forest filled with enchanted creatures and treacherous paths. Here, they encounter a mischievous fae who offers riddles in exchange for information about the Sigil. The fae can provide hints about the Sigil's fragments but requires the party to solve her riddles.

2. **The Ruins of Eldoria:** Ancient stone structures that once housed powerful mages. The party must navigate through traps and illusions to uncover scrolls that detail the Sigil's creation and its fragments' locations. They may face spectral guardians that protect the knowledge within.

3. **The Crystal Caverns:** A network of caves that pulse with raw magical energy. Here, the party must confront magical beasts that have been twisted by the Sigil's destruction. They will find the first fragment of the Sigil, but it is guarded by a powerful creature.

**Enemy Encounter:**

As the party collects the fragments, they attract the attention of a rival faction, the Shadow Enclave, who seeks to harness the Sigil's power for their own dark purposes. The party must confront their leader, **Malakar the Shadowbinder**, in a climactic battle.

**Malakar the Shadowbinder:**

– **Race:** Human

– **Class:** Warlock (Level 5)

– **HP:** 45

– **AC:** 15

– **Spellcasting:** Can cast spells like *Eldritch Blast*, *Hex*, and *Invisibility*.

– **Abilities:**

– **Shadow Step:** Can teleport between shadows within 30 feet.

– **Dark Pact:** Once per encounter, can deal an extra 10 damage on a successful attack.

**Conclusion:**

Upon defeating Malakar, the party can restore the Sigil of Harmony, bringing balance back to Eldoria. The townsfolk celebrate their heroes, and the adventurers are rewarded with gold, magical items, and the gratitude of the people. The adventure ends with a sense of accomplishment and the promise of future quests in the ever-expanding world of Eldoria.

**DM Tips:**

– Encourage role-playing during the exploration phases, allowing players to interact with NPCs and each other.

– Use vivid descriptions to bring the magical world to life, emphasizing the beauty and danger of each location.

– Adjust enemy stats and abilities based on the party's strengths and weaknesses to maintain a balanced challenge.