Tier 2 – The Frost Wraith of Winterhaven (1)

**Tier 2 play**

In the high fantasy realm of Eldoria, a chilling fog has settled over the once-vibrant village of Winterhaven. The townsfolk whisper tales of the Frost Wraith, a malevolent spirit that rises with the winter solstice, draining the warmth from the land and casting an eternal winter upon all who dwell there. As the party arrives during this dark season, they find the village blanketed in thick snow, with icicles hanging from rooftops like ominous daggers. The air is filled with a biting chill, and the muted sounds of creaking wood and howling winds echo against the backdrop of eerie silence.

Upon entering the village square, the adventurers notice the desperate expressions on the faces of the villagers illuminated by flickering torches. An elder, clad in a worn cloak, approaches them, her voice trembling but laced with urgency. “Please, brave ones, you must help us! The Frost Wraith has stolen our warmth and life! Without your aid, we will face a winter that will claim us all!”

The adventurers are tasked with uncovering the source of the Frost Wraith’s power—a hidden lair buried within the Frigid Peaks. To reach it, they must navigate through a labyrinth of snow-covered trees and treacherous ice, filled with magical anomalies and hostile creatures drawn by the Wraith’s dark energy.

**Exploration Component:**

As the party journeys through the wilderness, they encounter various magical phenomena, including:

– **Snow Servants:** Animated snowmen that serve as minions of the Frost Wraith, challenging the party with ice-based attacks.

– **Icicle Forests:** Areas filled with towering ice formations that deflect spells, requiring clever tactics to navigate.

– **Crystal Caverns:** Hidden caves containing magical crystals that can bolster spells or enhance weaponry when harnessed correctly.

Eventually, the party reaches the Frost Wraith’s lair—a cavern of pure ice, where the air crackles with cold magic. An altar at the center emanates a dark, blue glow, fueling the Wraith’s cry to summon forth winter’s fury.

**Boss Enemy: Frost Wraith**

– **HP:** 80

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Icy Touch (melee spell attack +7 to hit, 2d10 cold damage)

– **Special Ability:** Frigid Veil (once per combat, the Wraith can create a blizzard effect, causing all players to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 3d6 cold damage and be blinded until the end of their next turn).

The party must gather clues throughout the lair, piecing together the riddle of the Frost Wraith. By disrupting the magical nodes fueling its power, they can weaken it before the final confrontation. Ultimately, if they succeed, the Wraith dissipates into a flurry of snowflakes, restoring peace and warmth to Winterhaven.

With their victory, the villagers will emerge from their homes, gratitude reflected in their eyes as the sun breaks through the clouds for the first time in weeks. The adventures they experience will bond them forever—not just to one another, but to the very spirit of the season.