Tier 2 – The Curse of Dartitis

**Tier 2 play**

In the realm of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with ethereal hues and the air is thick with the scent of magic, a curious incident has unfolded in the village of Eldenwood. The villagers, once vibrant and filled with laughter, now find themselves in a peculiar state of disarray. A mysterious affliction known as Dartitis has swept through the community, affecting their ability to throw darts at the local tavern's dartboard, a beloved pastime that has brought joy for generations.

The party arrives in Eldenwood on a bright morning, greeted by the sounds of hushed whispers and the occasional frustrated shout from the tavern. The tavern keeper, a stout dwarf named Borin, pleads for assistance. “I can’t stand to see my patrons suffer any longer! We need to find the source of this Dartitis and put an end to it!” He explains that the affliction seems to have started after a peculiar traveler arrived in town, a bard named Lyra, who spoke of a cursed dartboard said to grant unimaginable power to those who can master it.

### Quest Hook

The party must investigate the origins of this curse, tracing Lyra’s steps through the village and beyond. They will encounter the townsfolk, each with their own tales and grievances about the Dartitis, as well as clues leading to the nearby Whispering Woods, where Lyra was last seen.

### Exploration Component

As the party navigates through Eldenwood, they can engage with various villagers:

– **Old Man Orin:** A wise elder who speaks of legends surrounding the dartboard, hinting that it may be tied to an ancient fey spirit.

– **Mira the Hunter:** A spirited ranger who offers to guide the party into the Whispering Woods but requires help in dealing with a troublesome beast that has been disrupting her hunts.

The woods are filled with magical flora and fauna, and the party must solve puzzles or face challenges that test their skills and wit. They may encounter enchanted creatures, such as mischievous sprites that play tricks on them or a guardian treant that demands a riddle be solved to pass.

### Investigation Component

As the party gathers clues, they learn that Dartitis is not merely a physical ailment but a psychological curse placed by a vengeful spirit that once lost a game of darts to a mortal. To lift the curse, they must confront this spirit in the heart of the woods, where the cursed dartboard resides.

### Boss Encounter: The Vengeful Spirit of the Dartboard

As the party reaches the clearing, they find the dartboard suspended in mid-air, glowing ominously. The spirit manifests as a swirling mist, taking the form of a shadowy figure with dart-like projectiles hovering around it.

**Boss Stats:**

– **Name:** The Vengeful Spirit of the Dartboard

– **Hit Points:** 65

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Abilities:**

– **Shadow Darts:** Ranged attack, +6 to hit, 2d8 psychic damage.

– **Cursed Throw:** Once per encounter, the spirit can force a player to roll a Wisdom saving throw (DC 14). On a failure, the player suffers from Dartitis until the end of their next turn, unable to make ranged attacks.

– **Ethereal Shift:** The spirit can become incorporeal as a bonus action, gaining resistance to all damage until the start of its next turn.

### Resolution

Upon defeating the spirit, the curse is lifted, and the dartboard loses its ominous glow. The villagers of Eldenwood are freed from Dartitis, and the tavern once again fills with laughter and games. As a reward, the party is gifted enchanted darts that return to their hands after being thrown, a token of gratitude from Borin and the townsfolk.

This one-shot invites players to explore a whimsical yet mysterious world, filled with magic and the charm of storytelling, while also challenging them to confront their fears and overcome obstacles in a high-stakes, high-fantasy adventure.