Tier 2 – The Secrets of the Whispering Woods (1)
**Tier 2 play**
In the bustling town of Eldergrove, where colorful banners flutter against azure skies and the scent of spiced meats fills the air, a strange aura pulses near the outskirts of the Whispering Woods—a forest said to hold ancient magic and untold secrets. Rumors swirl among the locals of a powerful artifact hidden deep within the woodland, one that grants its bearer immense power. However, they also speak in hushed tones about the malevolent creature that has claimed the artifact for itself: the Nightshadow Wyrm, a dragon-like beast that feeds off the magical energies of the forest.
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees, you receive a message from a desperate band of adventurers: they need heroes to delve into the Whispering Woods, retrieve the artifact, and eliminate the Nightshadow Wyrm. Rewarded with gold and glory, alongside a promise of untold wonders, you set off into the dim light of the forest.
### Session Setup:
**Exploration**: The journey begins with a trek along a narrow, winding path, where the party must navigate through thick underbrush, avoiding quicksand and deceptive illusions crafted by the forest itself. At certain points, they’ll encounter restless spirits, remnants of ancient druids who protect the woods. They can choose to engage, learn secrets of the forest, or bypass them at a cost.
**Key Locations**:
1. **The Swirling Glade**: A beautiful clearing with a shimmering pond. Investigating this area reveals clues about the artifact's location and how to defeat the Wyrm. A successful perception check may uncover a hidden cache of magical herbs that can enhance spells or heal wounds.
2. **The Ruined Shrine**: A derelict temple overgrown with vines and whispered knowledge. Here, the adventurers can face a guardian spirit (a ghostly druid) who challenges them to prove their worth through a riddle or endurance test, granting access to hidden lore about the Nightshadow Wyrm.
### The Confrontation:
Upon reaching the heart of the woods, the party comes face to face with the Nightshadow Wyrm in its lair—a cavernous space illuminated by eerie blue flames. The air thickens with tension as the creature, covered in scales that shimmer like starlit night, coils around what appears to be the artifact: a radiant crystal pulsating with magical energy.
**Boss Enemy: Nightshadow Wyrm**
– **HP**: 120
– **AC**: 16
– **Damage**: Bite Attack (2d10+6 piercing damage)
– **Special Ability**: Shadow Breath – A cone of dark energy that deals 4d8 necrotic damage on a failed DC 15 Constitution saving throw, or half on a success (usable once per encounter).
### Conclusion:
After the fiercely fought battle, the adventurers emerge victorious, though perhaps at a hefty price. They gather the treasure and the glowing artifact, feeling its magic seep into their bones, promising strength and power. However, in a sudden twist, the original adventurers who hired you to slay the beast reappear, leering as they snatch the treasure from your grasp, leaving you behind in your weakened state.
As blackness gathers at the edges of your vision, the defeated Wyrm crawls to your side, its voice a gravelly whisper: “Guess we’re both expendable, huh?”
This poignant moment serves as a reminder of the true cost of ambition in a world rich with magic and mystery. Will you find your way back to your feet, or is this the end of your story?