Tier 2 – The Wraith of Despair A Quest in Eldoria

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows as freely as the rivers and the skies shimmer with enchantment, a dark shadow looms over the quaint village of Willowbrook. This once joyful settlement, nestled between the Whispering Woods and the Crystal Lake, has recently been plagued by a series of strange occurrences. Livestock have been found mysteriously slain, and eerie sounds echo through the night, leaving the villagers in a state of fear and confusion.

As the adventurers arrive in Willowbrook, they are met by Elara, the village elder, whose silver hair and wise demeanor contrast sharply with the panic in her eyes. She gathers the party at the village square, illuminated by soft, flickering lanterns. "Please, brave souls," she implores, "we need your help! A malevolent creature lurks in the forest, and I fear it may be behind the terror that has befallen us."

The party is tasked with investigating the origins of the creature. They must venture into the Whispering Woods, where the trees seem to murmur secrets and the air crackles with magical energy. Along the way, they encounter enchanted animals that offer cryptic hints about the source of the disturbances, perhaps even guiding them to hidden paths or ancient ruins.

As they delve deeper into the woods, they discover the remains of an old, forgotten temple, overgrown with vines and glowing with faintly pulsating runes. Here, they learn that the creature is known as the Wraith of Despair, a once-noble guardian corrupted by dark magic. It feeds on the fears and sorrows of the villagers, growing stronger with each act of despair.

**Boss Encounter: Wraith of Despair**

– **Hit Points:** 70

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Attacks:**

– **Shadow Grasp:** Melee Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d8 + 3 necrotic damage and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.

– **Despair Wave (Recharge 5-6):** The Wraith unleashes a wave of dark energy in a 30-foot radius. Creatures in that area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 4d6 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. Additionally, affected creatures have disadvantage on saving throws against being frightened until the end of their next turn.

**Adventure Flow:**

1. **Investigation Phase**: The party can gather clues from villagers, use spells like *Detect Magic* to unveil hidden truths, or commune with the forest creatures.

2. **Exploration Phase**: Navigating through the Whispering Woods, the party faces various magical creatures and environmental challenges that test their skills and teamwork.

3. **Confrontation**: Once they reach the temple, they must overcome traps and puzzles to access the heart of the temple where the Wraith resides.

4. **Final Battle**: The party must defeat the Wraith of Despair, using their wits and abilities to overcome its fear-inducing powers and bring peace back to Willowbrook.

As the dust settles and the Wraith is vanquished, light returns to the village, and the adventurers are hailed as heroes. The grateful villagers celebrate their bravery, bestowing upon them tokens of gratitude and hints of further adventures waiting in the lands beyond. Will they continue to explore the enchanting world of Eldoria, or will they take a moment to rest and reflect on the bonds forged in battle? The choice is theirs.