Tier 2 – The Lantern Keeper’s Lure

**Tier 2 play**

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the sprawling town of Elderspring, whispers of an impending calamity stir within the tavern’s dimly lit corners. The scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread fills the air, mingling with the faint aroma of spell components from a nearby wizard's shop. Local gossip has turned towards a series of strange occurrences; children have gone missing, and eerie lights dance in the woods surrounding the town.

The players find themselves drawn to the tale of a mysterious figure known only as The Lantern Keeper, said to lure the unsuspecting into the depths of the Eldergrove Forest. The townsfolk, gripped by fear, plead for heroes to investigate the source of these disappearances. With only the flickering candlelight to guide them, the party must gather clues, confront local skeptics, and ultimately set out into the darkened woods.

**Adventure Hook:**

The party receives an urgent request from the town’s mayor, a stout dwarf named Balin Stonefist. He provides them with a parchment detailing the last known whereabouts of the children, along with a crude map indicating a location deep within Eldergrove Forest where strange lights have been reported. The mayor cautions them to beware of the Lantern Keeper and offers a modest reward for their safe return.

**Exploration Component:**

As the players venture into the forest, they are greeted by a cacophony of sounds—rustling leaves, distant animal calls, and the soft whisper of the wind. The forest is alive with magic, vibrant flora glowing softly under the moonlight. They must navigate through winding paths, overcoming natural obstacles, and perhaps encountering magical creatures who may either aid or hinder their progress.

**Investigation:**

Along their journey, the players come across remnants of children’s belongings—broken toys and scattered trinkets—leading them to suspect a dark force at work. As they investigate, they might stumble upon a hidden glade where a group of mischievous fae are holding a secret gathering. The fae, while capricious, may hold vital information about the Lantern Keeper if the players can convince them to share.

**Enemy Encounter:**

At the heart of the forest, the party confronts The Lantern Keeper, a sinister figure adorned in tattered robes that shimmer with an otherworldly glow. He wields a lantern that emits a magical light, capable of enchanting those who gaze upon it.

**Boss Stats:**

– **Name:** The Lantern Keeper

– **Type:** Undead Sorcerer

– **HP:** 75

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:**

– **Lantern Light:** +5 to hit, ranged spell attack, 2d8 radiant damage. Target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 14) or be charmed until the end of its next turn.

– **Darkness:** Can cast the *Darkness* spell once per encounter, enveloping the area in magical darkness.

**Conclusion:**

Defeating The Lantern Keeper or dispelling his enchantments will reveal the hidden children trapped in a magical slumber, their souls bound to the forest. The players must decide whether to release them or seek further knowledge about the mysterious force that holds sway over Elderspring. As they return to the village, echoes of laughter and relief fill the air, but they carry with them the weight of a deeper mystery yet to unravel in the realm of high magic and fantasy.

Prepare for a night of adventure filled with intrigue, exploration, and the challenges that only a world steeped in magic can bring!