Tier 2 – The Shadow Wraith of Eldergrove (2)

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows as freely as the rivers and ancient trees whisper secrets of the past, the town of Eldergrove stands at the crossroads of adventure. The townsfolk have been living in fear, plagued by a series of mysterious disappearances. Each night, shadows seem to stretch longer, and strange whispers echo through the streets, leaving the villagers restless and anxious.

As your party arrives in Eldergrove, the air is thick with tension. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting an orange hue over the cobblestone streets. Children play nervously, glancing over their shoulders, while shopkeepers hurriedly close their stalls, casting wary glances toward the darkening forest that borders the town.

The local tavern, The Gilded Griffin, buzzes with hushed conversations. You overhear snippets of tales about the infamous "Shadow Wraith," a spectral being said to roam the woods, ensnaring the unwary and dragging them into an eternal night. The townsfolk believe that if the Wraith is not stopped soon, it will claim the entire village.

Your party must investigate the source of these disturbances. As you gather information, you learn of an ancient ruin deep within the forest, rumored to be the resting place of a powerful artifact known as the Dawnstone, said to banish darkness and restore light. The townsfolk believe that the Shadow Wraith is tied to this artifact and that retrieving it may be the key to saving Eldergrove.

**Exploration Component:**

The journey to the ruins is fraught with danger. The party must navigate through the dense forest, where the trees loom like giants, and the underbrush is alive with the sounds of unseen creatures. The path is riddled with traps set by the Wraith to deter intruders. Players should make Perception checks to spot these traps and Dexterity checks to avoid them.

As night falls, the forest transforms. Strange luminescent fungi emit a ghostly glow, and the air grows colder. The party may encounter spectral apparitions—lost souls trapped by the Wraith, who offer cryptic warnings or clues about the artifact’s location.

**Enemy Encounter:**

Upon reaching the ancient ruins, the party finds themselves face-to-face with the Shadow Wraith. This ethereal foe is a manifestation of fear and despair, shrouded in dark mist, with glowing eyes that pierce through the gloom.

**Shadow Wraith Stats:**

– **Armor Class:** 14

– **Hit Points:** 85

– **Speed:** 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

– **Attack:** Life Drain (Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 24 (4d10) necrotic damage, and the Wraith regains hit points equal to the damage dealt.)

– **Special Ability:** **Fear Aura** (Any creature that starts its turn within 20 feet of the Wraith must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.)

As the party confronts the Wraith, they must utilize their skills and teamwork to overcome this formidable foe. Will they succeed in retrieving the Dawnstone and banishing the darkness that threatens Eldergrove? The fate of the village rests in their hands.

Prepare for an evening of thrills, chills, and heroic deeds as your players delve into the heart of this mystery, forging their legacy in the vibrant tapestry of Eldoria.