Tier 2 – The Heart of the Forest A Quest in the Whispering Woods
**Tier 2 play**
As the sun sets beyond the horizon, casting long shadows over the vibrant landscape of Eldoria, your party gathers in the small village of Windmere. The air is thick with the fragrance of blooming nightflowers, and the sound of distant laughter and music drifts from the tavern, where locals celebrate the annual Festival of Lights. However, a sense of unease permeates the festivities, as whispers of a dark presence lurking in the nearby Whispering Woods have reached the ears of the villagers.
The townsfolk speak of a powerful artifact known as the Heart of the Forest, said to grant immense power to its wielder. Recently, rumors have spread that a malevolent entity has emerged from the shadows, seeking the Heart to plunge the realm into darkness. The villagers plead for your help, offering you the promise of treasures and the gratitude of Windmere if you can uncover the truth and defeat this looming threat.
As night falls, the party ventures into the Whispering Woods, where the trees seem to sway and murmur secrets. The path is dimly lit by glowing fungi and fireflies, creating an ethereal ambiance. The deeper you go, the more distorted reality becomes; trees twist into grotesque shapes, and the air grows thick with an ominous energy.
After navigating through the maze-like woods, you arrive at a clearing where the Heart of the Forest is said to be hidden. However, you are not alone. A towering figure emerges from the shadows—a corrupted treant, once a guardian of the forest, now twisted by dark magic. Its bark-like skin is cracked and blackened, and its eyes glow with a malevolent green light.
**Boss Enemy: Corrupted Treant**
– **HP:** 85
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Slam +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 2d10 + 4 bludgeoning damage.
– **Abilities:**
– **Rooted Rage:** The treant can cause the ground to erupt with roots. Each creature within 15 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained until the end of their next turn.
– **Regeneration:** The treant regains 5 HP at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 HP.
As you engage in battle, the treant calls forth twisted creatures of the forest to aid it—shadowy wolves with glowing eyes and skeletal vines that lash out at your party. The environment shifts as the battle rages, with the treant drawing power from the Heart of the Forest, creating an ever-changing battlefield.
To succeed, your party must not only defeat the treant but also find a way to cleanse the Heart of the Forest from the corruption. Perhaps an ancient incantation is hidden among the runes etched into the stones surrounding the clearing, or a sacrificial offering must be made to restore balance.
With the fate of Windmere hanging in the balance, will your party uncover the secrets of the Whispering Woods and bring light back to the land? The adventure awaits!