Tier 2 – The Wraith of the Woods A Quest in Eldoria

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows like the rivers and ancient secrets whisper through the trees, a mysterious event has stirred the tranquility of the Sapphire Glade. The townsfolk of Rivermere have reported a series of strange occurrences: crops wilting overnight, livestock vanishing without a trace, and eerie lights flickering in the woods after dusk. Rumors swirl that an ancient artifact, the Heart of the Glade, has been disturbed, awakening a powerful entity known only as the Wraith of the Woods.

As your party ventures into Rivermere, the air is thick with an unsettling tension. The sun hangs low, casting elongated shadows that dance eerily across the cobblestone streets. The villagers, with haggard faces and anxious whispers, implore your heroes to investigate the source of their plight. They speak of a hidden grove deep within the forest, where the Heart of the Glade lies—an artifact said to maintain the balance of nature itself.

Your journey begins at the edge of the Sapphire Glade, where towering trees form a natural archway, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly luminescence. The scent of damp earth and blooming wildflowers fills the air as you step into the verdant depths. The forest seems alive, with the distant sound of rustling leaves and the occasional call of a creature unseen.

As your party delves deeper, they encounter a series of challenges that test their skills and resolve. A rickety bridge spans a bubbling brook, its planks slick with moss. Below, the water churns ominously, hinting at the presence of magical fish that could either aid or hinder their progress. Further along, the ground trembles as a group of mischievous sprites emerges, playfully casting illusions to confuse the party. They must decide whether to engage with the sprites or find a way to bypass them.

Eventually, the party reaches the hidden grove, where the Heart of the Glade rests atop a stone pedestal, pulsating with a soft, green glow. However, the Wraith of the Woods, a spectral figure draped in shadows and vines, stands guard, its hollow eyes glowing with a malevolent light. The Wraith, once a protector of the forest, has been corrupted by the disturbance of the Heart. It seeks to reclaim its power and will stop at nothing to drive away intruders.

**Boss Enemy: Wraith of the Woods**

– **Armor Class**: 15

– **Hit Points**: 80

– **Speed**: 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

– **Abilities**:

– **Shadow Grasp**: Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d6) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have their maximum hit points reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken until they finish a long rest.

– **Wail of the Forest** (Recharge 5-6): The Wraith unleashes a haunting wail. Each creature within 30 feet must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

– **Ethereal Jaunt**: The Wraith can shift between the Material Plane and the Ethereal Plane as a bonus action.

As the party confronts the Wraith, they must use their wits and teamwork to overcome this formidable foe. Will they restore the Heart of the Glade and bring peace back to Rivermere, or will they become another tale lost in the whispers of the forest? The fate of the Sapphire Glade hangs in the balance, and the choices they make will echo through the ages.