Tier 2 – The Missing Airship Aetherwind’s Call to Adventure
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where the skies are painted with swirling hues of azure and gold, a calling echoes through the air—a call to adventure that beckons brave souls to take to the skies. The players find themselves in the bustling port town of Aetherwind, renowned for its soaring airships and the vibrant marketplace filled with exotic wares from distant lands. The scent of roasted spices mingles with the sound of laughter and the distant hum of airship engines.
But amidst the merriment, a shadow looms. The town's beloved airship, the *Celestial Gale*, has gone missing during its last flight, vanishing without a trace. Rumors swirl of a cursed storm that has been brewing in the northern skies, and whispers of a nefarious sky pirate known as Captain Vespera, who is said to command a fearsome vessel, the *Stormchaser*.
As the players gather at the local tavern, the *Cloudy Chalice*, they are approached by Elara, a desperate young woman with tear-streaked cheeks. “Please,” she implores, “my brother was aboard the *Celestial Gale*. If you can find him and uncover what happened, I will reward you with all I have.”
### Adventure Components:
1. **Investigation in Aetherwind:**
– Players can gather information from townsfolk, uncovering tales of strange lights in the sky and sightings of the *Stormchaser*. They may discover that a mysterious artifact known as the “Skyward Compass” was aboard the *Celestial Gale*, rumored to lead to hidden treasures and powerful magic.
2. **Exploration of the Stormy Skies:**
– To find the *Celestial Gale*, the players must board an airship of their own, navigating through treacherous weather and battling against fierce winds and magical storms. They may encounter sky elementals or rogue clouds that attempt to thwart their progress.
3. **Confrontation with Captain Vespera:**
– Upon locating the *Celestial Gale*, the players find it tethered to a floating island shrouded in mist. Here, they face Captain Vespera, a cunning and charismatic leader with a magnetic presence.
– **Captain Vespera Stats:**
– **HP:** 80
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Dual Cutlass Attack (+6 to hit, 1d8+4 slashing damage)
– **Special Ability:** “Storm's Wrath” – once per encounter, unleash a storm of lightning, dealing 3d8 lightning damage in a 20-foot radius (DC 15 Dexterity save for half damage).
### Conclusion:
As the players confront Captain Vespera, they must decide whether to negotiate, fight, or outsmart her. Depending on their choices, they can either rescue Elara’s brother and retrieve the Skyward Compass or uncover deeper secrets about the magical storms threatening Aetherwind. Will they emerge as heroes, or will the skies claim them as their own? The adventure awaits!