Tier 2 – The Cult of the Shattered Moon

**Tier 2 play**

As the sun sets behind the rolling hills of Eldrim, a golden hue bathes the quaint village of Willowbrook. Nestled along the banks of the shimmering Crystal River, this peaceful hamlet is known for its vibrant festivals and friendly folk. However, a dark shadow looms as rumors of a sinister cult have begun to stir fear among the villagers. Whispers of missing townsfolk and strange rituals echo through the narrow cobblestone streets.

Your party has received a summons from the village’s elder, Elara, a wise woman with deep ties to the mystical energies of the land. Upon entering the elder’s modest wooden cottage adorned with herbs and shimmering crystals, the air is thick with tension. Elara’s eyes glimmer with urgency as she explains the situation.

“Strange occurrences have plagued our village. People are vanishing, and at night, eerie chants seep from the abandoned chapel on the hill. I fear the Cult of the Shattered Moon is behind this. They seek to awaken a slumbering entity, one that could bring ruin upon us all. We need brave souls to investigate.”

The chapel stands ominously atop Moonrise Hill, an ancient structure covered in creeping vines and darkened stone. As the party approaches, the wind howls eerily, and the atmosphere thickens with anticipation. Flickering lights from within reveal shadowy figures moving about, their low chants growing louder, reverberating through the air like a haunting melody.

### Adventure Components:

1. **Investigation of the Chapel:**

– Upon entering, the party can explore various rooms filled with forgotten relics, broken stained glass, and remnants of past worship. They may uncover clues about the cult’s intentions through ancient texts or forgotten scrolls, leading them to understand more about the ritual being performed.

2. **Encounter with Cultists:**

– As the party delves deeper, they will confront the cultists. A tense standoff ensues, where the party must decide whether to stealthily navigate past the cultists or engage in combat.

### Enemy Encounter:

**Cult Leader: Maris the Shattered**

– **Race:** Tiefling

– **Class:** Warlock (Pact of the Tome)

– **HP:** 45

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:**

– Eldritch Blast: +5 to hit, 1d10+3 force damage

– Cultist Minions: (5 cultists with HP 9 each, AC 12)

**Abilities:**

– **Spell Slots:** Can cast spells from the Warlock list, including *Hex* and *Hold Person*.

– **Ritual of the Shattered Moon:** If the cult leader is not interrupted, she can summon a shadowy creature to assist them (use Shadow stats).

3. **Rescue and Escape:**

– If the party confronts the cultists successfully, they may find one of the missing villagers bound in a hidden chamber. This villager provides vital information about the cult's plan and reveals the location of a powerful artifact that can aid in undoing the damage.

4. **Final Confrontation:**

– With the information gathered, the party must decide between stopping the ritual or stealing the artifact to confront the cult leader. The final battle will require teamwork and strategy, as they face Maris and her cultists in a climactic showdown.

### Conclusion:

Depending on the party’s choices during the adventure, they can either thwart the cult’s plans, save the villagers, or find themselves in a dire struggle against the forces of darkness. The fate of Willowbrook hangs in the balance as they fight against the shadows, challenging their morality and courage. The echoes of their actions will be felt throughout the land, as tales of brave adventurers spread like wildfire through taverns and villages alike.