Tier 2 – Mystery in Eldenwood

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic sparkles through the air like fireflies and ancient secrets lie beneath the surface, a chilling mystery unfolds in the quaint village of Eldenwood. The streets, usually filled with laughter and the scent of baking bread, now echo with whispers of tragedy. Harshita Brella, a beloved member of the community, has been found dead in the enchanted glade where she often gathered herbs. Questions abound, and fingers are pointing.

Gather your players as they arrive in Eldenwood, greeted by a tense atmosphere. Villagers scurry about, their faces pale and drawn, murmuring about the dark omen cast upon their village. The players find themselves drawn to the somber gathering at the town square, where Sunil Devi, Harshita’s mother, is defending her son, Pankaj Lamba, against accusations of foul play. With tears in her eyes, she insists that Harshita and Pankaj were happy, that their bond was strong.

As the party investigates, they uncover a series of clues leading to the enchanted glade where Harshita fell. They might speak with townsfolk, each with their own piece of the puzzle but clouded by fear and sorrow. Some claim to have seen a shadowy figure lurking near the glade on the night of Harshita's death, while others mention strange occurrences—a sudden darkening of the sky and eerie sounds that echoed through the trees.

The party can choose to explore the glade or delve into the darker corners of the village, where a rival herbalist might be hiding secrets of their own. Perhaps they encounter Elara, a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows, who holds knowledge of the forbidden enchantments Harshita was rumored to be experimenting with before her death.

As night falls, the players might set up camp near the glade, where they hear whispers carried by the wind and see fleeting shadows. A sudden rustling in the underbrush draws their attention; it’s a monster summoned by dark forces seeking revenge on the village—a Harrowed Shade, once a villager now twisted by malevolence after death.

### Harrowed Shade Stats:

– **Armor Class:** 14

– **Hit Points:** 45

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Abilities:**

– **Strength:** 12 (+1)

– **Dexterity:** 16 (+3)

– **Constitution:** 10 (+0)

– **Intelligence:** 14 (+2)

– **Wisdom:** 15 (+2)

– **Charisma:** 18 (+4)

– **Attack:**

– **Life Drain:** Melee Spell Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (4d8 + 2) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its maximum hit points reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken until the target finishes a long rest.

The final confrontation reveals the truth of Harshita’s death; her experiments with dark magic led to the awakening of the Harrowed Shade, tied to her demise by a spell gone wrong. The players must subdue this entity to bring peace to the village and uncover deeper layers of deception involving the rival herbalist.

Will they clear Pankaj's name and unravel the web of deceit, or will the village succumb to the shadows of despair? Adventure awaits as they step into the magic and mystery of Eldoria!