Tier 2 – The Fidgeting Wraith of Eldenwood
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows as freely as the rivers and the skies shimmer with the hues of enchantment, a peculiar disturbance has rippled through the tranquil village of Eldenwood. The townsfolk, once filled with laughter and joy, now whisper of a dark presence lurking in the nearby Whispering Woods. The air is thick with tension, and the scent of damp earth mingles with the sweet aroma of blooming wildflowers, creating an unsettling contrast.
The village elder, a wise and weathered elf named Thalion, has summoned the party to the heart of Eldenwood. As the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets, he reveals the source of the villagers' distress. "A malevolent spirit, known as the Fidgeting Wraith, has emerged from the depths of the woods. It feeds on the anxiety and restlessness of those who venture too close, leaving them in a state of perpetual unease. We must put an end to its reign of terror."
The party is tasked with investigating the woods, where the trees seem to whisper secrets and the very ground pulses with an eerie energy. As they delve deeper, they encounter strange phenomena: branches that twist and turn as if alive, and the unsettling sound of fidgeting—an incessant rustling that echoes through the air. The atmosphere grows thick with tension, and the party must navigate through illusions and traps set by the wraith to ensnare the unwary.
As they approach the heart of the Whispering Woods, they discover a clearing bathed in an otherworldly glow. Here, the Fidgeting Wraith manifests, a swirling mass of shadows and flickering lights, its form constantly shifting as if unable to settle. The wraith's eyes, glowing with a malevolent light, fixate on the party, and it unleashes a wave of anxiety that threatens to overwhelm them.
**Boss Enemy: Fidgeting Wraith**
– **HP:** 60
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Shadow Tendril (Melee Attack, +5 to hit, 1d8 + 3 necrotic damage)
– **Special Ability:** Anxiety Aura – All creatures within 10 feet must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 14) or be frightened until the end of their next turn.
To defeat the Fidgeting Wraith, the party must work together, using their skills to dispel its illusions and confront their own fears. As they battle, they can draw upon the magic of the woods, channeling the energy of the land to weaken the wraith. With each successful strike, the wraith's form begins to stabilize, revealing the tragic spirit trapped within—a once-great scholar who succumbed to his own anxieties.
Upon defeating the wraith, the party can choose to either banish it to the ethereal plane or help it find peace, allowing the spirit to finally rest. The villagers of Eldenwood will be forever grateful, and the party will leave with a sense of accomplishment, their names whispered in reverence throughout the realm.
As the sun rises over Eldenwood, the air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers once more, and the laughter of children echoes through the streets, a testament to the bravery and resolve of those who dared to confront the shadows.