Tier 2 – The Curse of Willowbrook

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where the sun-kissed hills meet the shimmering shores of the Azure Sea, a shadow has begun to creep across the land. The once-peaceful village of Willowbrook has been plagued by mysterious occurrences: livestock disappearing under the cover of night, eerie lights flickering in the nearby forest, and whispers of an ancient curse that has awakened. The villagers, desperate for help, have sent out a call to brave adventurers to investigate the source of this menace.

As the party arrives in Willowbrook, they are greeted by the anxious faces of the townsfolk, their eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming wildflowers, but an undercurrent of dread lingers. The village elder, a frail woman named Elara, approaches the party, her voice trembling as she recounts the legends of the Whispering Woods—a place said to be home to ancient spirits and dark creatures.

The adventurers learn that the disturbances began shortly after a group of treasure hunters ventured into the woods, seeking the fabled Crystal of Eternity, a powerful artifact said to grant its wielder unimaginable power. However, the treasure hunters never returned, and now the forest seems alive with malevolence.

**Exploration Component: The Whispering Woods**

The party must journey into the Whispering Woods, where the trees twist and turn, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. As they delve deeper, they encounter strange phenomena: the whispers of lost souls echoing through the air, illusions that lead them astray, and magical flora that can either aid or hinder their progress.

To navigate the woods, the party may need to solve riddles posed by the spirits of the forest, who guard the secrets of the Crystal. These riddles can range in difficulty, allowing for creative problem-solving.

**Enemy Encounter: The Shadow Wraith**

As the party approaches the heart of the woods, they encounter the Shadow Wraith, a spectral being that feeds on fear and despair. This creature is the manifestation of the treasure hunters' failed quest, and it seeks to drain the life force of any who dare to challenge it.

**Basic Stats: Shadow Wraith**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 45

– **Speed:** 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

– **Abilities:**

– **Dark Touch:** Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or have disadvantage on attack rolls until the end of its next turn.

– **Fear Aura:** Any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the Shadow Wraith must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.

– **Incorporeal Movement:** The Shadow Wraith can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

**Climactic Showdown:**

In the depths of the woods, the party will confront the Shadow Wraith in a clearing illuminated by the ghostly glow of the Crystal of Eternity. To defeat the wraith, they must not only rely on their combat skills but also confront their own fears, as the wraith will attempt to exploit their weaknesses.

Once the wraith is vanquished, the Crystal of Eternity can be retrieved. However, the party must decide its fate: will they return it to the villagers to restore peace, or will they keep it for themselves, risking the wrath of the spirits?

As the adventurers return to Willowbrook, the villagers celebrate their bravery, but the true cost of their choices may linger in the air, a reminder of the thin line between power and peril in the world of Eldoria.