Tier 2 – The Heart of Aeloria (5)

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant and magical realm of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with iridescent colors and the forests hum with the whispers of ancient spirits, a crisis brews in the bustling city of Valenwood. The once-peaceful town, known for its splendid arcane academies and lively marketplaces, is now shrouded in a thick veil of fear and uncertainty. A powerful artifact, the Heart of Aeloria, has been stolen from the Great Arcane Library, and with it, the balance of magic in the realm is at stake.

As the sun sets over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the cobblestone streets, the party finds themselves drawn together by a mysterious note slipped under their doors. The note, written in elegant script, reads: “The Heart has been taken. Find it before the moon reaches its zenith, or the world as we know it will be lost.”

The players are summoned to the library, where an anxious librarian, Elira, awaits them. Her hands tremble as she explains how the artifact was protected by powerful wards, yet somehow, a shadowy figure managed to bypass them. Rumors speak of a rogue sorceress, known as Selene the Shadowbinder, who has long coveted the Heart’s power to unleash chaos upon Eldoria.

**Investigation Component:**

The party must gather clues around Valenwood. They can explore the following locations:

1. **The Whispering Market:** A bustling bazaar filled with merchants selling enchanted items. Here, they can speak to a merchant who witnessed a cloaked figure slipping through the market just before the theft.

2. **The Moonlit Tavern:** A local haunt for adventurers, where they can overhear drunken whispers about Selene's last known hideout in the Darkwood Forest.

3. **The Arcane Academy:** They can consult with scholars who may provide insights into the Heart’s powers and weaknesses, perhaps revealing that it can be reactivated with the right incantation.

**Exploration Component:**

Once the party gathers enough information, they will venture into the Darkwood Forest, where the trees seem to shift and swirl with an eerie life of their own. As they navigate through the tangled underbrush, they encounter magical beasts and treacherous terrain, testing their skills and teamwork.

**Climactic Showdown:**

As the party approaches Selene’s lair, they find themselves in a clearing illuminated by the pale light of the moon. At its center, Selene stands, the Heart of Aeloria pulsating with dark energy in her hands. She is clad in robes that seem to absorb the very light around her, her eyes glinting with malevolence.

**Boss Enemy: Selene the Shadowbinder**

– **Hit Points:** 85

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Attack:** Shadow Bolt (ranged spell attack, +7 to hit, 2d10 necrotic damage)

– **Special Ability:** Shadow Step (once per turn, Selene can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space she can see).

– **Legendary Action:** Sorcerous Surge (Selene can use a legendary action at the end of another creature’s turn to cast a spell or make a Shadow Bolt attack).

**Conclusion:**

To defeat Selene, the party must disrupt her connection to the Heart while avoiding her powerful spells. Once she is vanquished, they can reclaim the Heart of Aeloria and restore balance to Eldoria. As dawn breaks, the city of Valenwood will awaken to a new day, forever grateful to the heroes who saved their world from darkness.

Will they succeed in their mission, or will Valenwood fall into eternal night? The fate of Eldoria rests in their hands!