Tier 2 – The Mystery of Starhaven Station

**Tier 2 play**

In the heart of the Astral Veil, a shimmering expanse of stars and nebulae, your party of intrepid adventurers finds themselves drawn to the enigmatic Starhaven Station. Known for its bustling trade and vibrant culture, the station has suddenly gone silent, its once-glimmering lights dim and its docking bays empty. Whispers of a dark phenomenon have begun to circulate among the nearby planets, tales of ships disappearing into the void and strange energy signatures emanating from the station.

As your heroes approach the desolate structure, the cold vacuum of space envelops them, contrasted by the warmth of their ship's interior. The metallic clang of the docking clamps reverberates through the air as they secure their vessel. Stepping out into the dimly lit hangar, the adventurers are greeted by an unsettling stillness. The faint hum of machinery used to be a comforting backdrop; now, it feels like a premonition of danger.

The once-vibrant marketplace is now eerily abandoned, with stalls left in disarray, goods scattered like forgotten memories. A sense of urgency hangs in the air—something has happened, and time is of the essence. As they begin to explore, faint echoes of a distress signal can be heard, crackling through the static. The signal leads them deeper into the station, past flickering lights and shadowy corridors.

Suddenly, your party stumbles upon a hidden chamber filled with strange artifacts and ancient technology. At the center stands a massive, pulsating crystal, radiating an otherworldly energy that seems to warp the space around it. As they draw nearer, the air grows thick with tension, and a voice reverberates through the chamber, echoing with power and malice.

“Foolish mortals! You dare invade my domain? The energy of this station belongs to me now!”

Emerging from the shadows is the boss enemy: **Karnath the Voidbinder**. A former guardian of the station turned malevolent entity, he wields dark magic that siphons energy from the very fabric of space. His once noble form is now twisted and ethereal, surrounded by a swirling mass of void energy.

**Karnath the Voidbinder**

– **HP:** 85

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Void Bolt (ranged spell attack, +6 to hit, 2d10 necrotic damage)

– **Abilities:**

– **Warp Space:** Once per encounter, Karnath can create a zone of warped space, causing difficult terrain in a 20-foot radius for 1 minute.

– **Energy Drain:** On a hit, the Void Bolt reduces the target’s maximum HP by 5 until a long rest.

To defeat Karnath, the party must first disable the crystal, which is feeding him power. As they battle him, they need to solve a puzzle involving the ancient artifacts scattered throughout the chamber, each providing clues on how to disrupt the crystal's energy flow.

Once the crystal is stabilized, the heroes must confront Karnath directly. The battle is fierce, with the environment itself shifting and changing due to his powers. The final blow will require a coordinated effort, combining their skills and wits to overcome the dark entity and restore the station’s vitality.

As the combat comes to a close and the echoes of the void dissipate, the heroes will find themselves standing amidst the remnants of a once-thriving hub, now on the cusp of rebirth. The station's systems begin to hum back to life, and the distress signal fades, replaced by the promise of new adventures among the stars.

This one-shot offers a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, allowing each player to shine as they unravel the mystery of Starhaven Station. Will they save it from the clutches of darkness, or will they become yet another tale lost to the void?