Tier 2 – The Festival of the Walrus A Quest for Glacius

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows like the rivers and the skies shimmer with the hues of enchantment, a peculiar event has drawn the attention of adventurers far and wide. The annual Festival of the Walrus is upon the kingdom, a celebration dedicated to the majestic creatures that roam the icy shores of the northern coast. However, this year, something is amiss. The festival's prized walrus, a legendary beast known as Glacius, has gone missing, and with it, the magic that sustains the festival.

As the sun sets over the bustling town of Frosthaven, the air is filled with the scent of roasted meats and the sound of laughter. Colorful banners flutter in the breeze, but the townsfolk wear worried expressions. The mayor, a stout dwarf named Thrain, approaches the party with urgency. “Adventurers! We need your help! Glacius has vanished, and without him, the festival—and our magic—will be lost!”

The party learns that Glacius was last seen near the Icebound Caverns, a treacherous network of tunnels rumored to be home to ancient magic and fearsome creatures. The townsfolk believe that a rival wizard, known only as Malakar, has kidnapped Glacius to harness his power for a dark ritual. The party must venture into the caverns, confront Malakar, and rescue the walrus before the festival is ruined.

### Exploration Component

As the party makes their way to the Icebound Caverns, they encounter various challenges:

1. **Frostbite Forest**: A dense, snow-covered forest filled with magical creatures. The party must navigate through the trees, avoiding enchanted snowflakes that can cause temporary paralysis.

2. **The Frozen River**: A wide river that has frozen over. The party can choose to cross it carefully, risking a slip, or find a hidden bridge guarded by mischievous ice sprites who demand riddles in exchange for passage.

3. **Cavern Entrance**: Upon reaching the caverns, the entrance is blocked by a massive ice golem, a guardian of the ancient magic within. The party can either fight the golem or find a way to convince it to let them pass by solving a puzzle inscribed on the ice.

### Investigation Component

Inside the caverns, the party discovers remnants of Malakar’s dark magic. They find clues that lead them to understand his plan: he intends to use Glacius to amplify his spells, allowing him to dominate the region. The party must gather evidence of Malakar’s intentions, such as scrolls and magical artifacts, to present to the townsfolk upon their return.

### Enemy Encounter

As the party delves deeper into the caverns, they confront Malakar himself, a cunning and ambitious wizard. He is surrounded by swirling ice and shadow, channeling the power of Glacius.

**Malakar, the Ice Sorcerer**

– **HP**: 60

– **AC**: 15

– **Spellcasting**: Can cast spells such as *Ice Storm*, *Ray of Frost*, and *Hold Person*.

– **Abilities**:

– **Chilling Touch**: Melee spell attack, deals 2d8 necrotic damage and reduces movement speed by 10 feet.

– **Summon Ice Elemental**: Calls forth an ice elemental to aid him in battle (stats for the elemental can be found in the Monster Manual).

### Conclusion

Once Malakar is defeated, the party can rescue Glacius, who, in gratitude, grants them a boon of magical protection. The return to Frosthaven is met with cheers and celebration, as the festival resumes with renewed vigor. The party is hailed as heroes, and the bonds of friendship forged during their adventure will last a lifetime.

This one-shot offers a blend of exploration, combat, and investigation, perfect for a high magic, high fantasy setting, ensuring an engaging experience for both players and the dungeon master.