Tier 2 – The Wraith of the Forgotten (5)
**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 arisen in the tranquil village of Willowbrook. The once-bustling market square, filled with the laughter of children and the aroma of freshly baked bread, now lies shrouded in an eerie silence. The townsfolk whisper of a shadowy figure that has been seen lurking near the ancient ruins at the edge of the village, a place long believed to be haunted by the spirits of the past.
As the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the landscape, the party finds themselves drawn to the heart of this mystery. The village elder, a wise and weathered woman named Elara, approaches them with urgency in her eyes. "Brave adventurers," she implores, "we need your help. The spirit of the ruins has awakened, and it demands a tribute that we cannot provide. If we do not appease it, our village will be cursed, and darkness will consume us all."
The party must venture into the ruins, a crumbling structure entwined with vines and glowing with faint magical energy. As they navigate through the overgrown pathways, they encounter remnants of ancient magic—glowing runes etched into stone, and spectral echoes of long-lost souls whispering secrets of the past. The air is thick with tension, and the scent of damp earth and moss fills their lungs.
Upon reaching the heart of the ruins, the party discovers the source of the disturbance: a powerful spirit known as the Wraith of the Forgotten. This spectral being, once a guardian of the land, has been twisted by centuries of neglect and sorrow. It now seeks to reclaim its lost power by draining the life force of the living.
**Boss Enemy: Wraith of the Forgotten**
– **HP:** 80
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Ethereal Touch (Melee Spell Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d8 necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or have their maximum HP reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken until they finish a long rest.)
– **Special Ability:** Haunting Visage (As a bonus action, the Wraith can create an illusion of its former self, causing all creatures within 30 feet to make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.)
To defeat the Wraith, the party must uncover the truth behind its sorrow. They can find clues scattered throughout the ruins, leading them to a hidden chamber where the Wraith's tragic past is revealed. The spirit was once a protector of the village, betrayed by those it trusted. By offering a token of remembrance—a cherished item from the village's history—the party can either appease the Wraith or engage it in battle.
As the adventurers confront the Wraith, they must use their wits and skills to navigate the battlefield, avoiding its necrotic touch while uncovering the secrets of the past. Will they restore peace to Willowbrook, or will they succumb to the darkness that threatens to engulf the village? The fate of Eldoria rests in their hands.