Tier 2 – Chronicles of the Time Holes
**Tier 2 play**
In the bustling skies above the High Kingdom of Arathor, your party of intrepid adventurers has been summoned to explore the mysterious phenomenon known as the "Time Holes" that have recently manifested across the realm. Whispers in the taverns speak of travelers who have unexpectedly slipped through time, only to emerge bewildered and confused in a world far different from their own.
Your journey begins at the ancient Denver International Airport, a place where reality and magic converge, shrouded in subtle enchantments and guarded by strange, ancient forces. The sprawling terminal feels alive, a labyrinthine structure that echoes with the murmur of countless souls, some familiar and some from ages long past.
As your party approaches the heart of the airport, a sudden chill envelops the air. An unnerving stillness precedes a strange shimmer—a portal, a rip in the fabric of reality, swirls into existence before you. The flickering colors remind you of the Northern Lights, illuminating the faces of the bewildered passengers who have stepped through. Among them is a grizzled man, disoriented, clutching an outdated map and talking about the “glory days” of his time in 1994.
### Adventure Hook:
The man, introducing himself as Geralt of 1994, reveals that he was attending the grand unveiling of a legendary artifact known as the “Chrono Compass,” said to possess the power to control time itself. However, it was stolen by a rogue sorceress, Cythara, just as the portal opened. Geralt believes that if the compass is not retrieved soon, the Time Holes will begin to merge realities, causing chaos in both his time and yours.
### Investigation Component:
Your party must gather clues from the bewildered passengers and examine the remnants of magical disturbances scattered throughout the airport. These clues lead to various locations: an old luggage carousel, a neglected maintenance room filled with strange gadgets, and even the concealed art installations depicting the history of the airport, which hint at secret passages.
### Exploration Component:
As you traverse the airport, encounters will abound. You may find yourself caught up in a battle with time-warped creatures—phantoms of travelers from different eras, twisted by the magic leaking from the Time Holes. They resemble distorted shadowy versions of their former selves, attacking with echoes of their past experiences.
### Boss Encounter:
Eventually, your investigation leads you to a hidden chamber beneath the airport, accessible only through a series of arcane riddles. Here, you confront the rogue sorceress Cythara, who wields the stolen Chrono Compass. Adorned in time-worn garments that flicker like a mirage, she commands the very essence of time itself.
**Cythara, Sorceress of Time**
– **HP:** 70
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Arcane Blast (ranged spell attack, +7 to hit, 2d10 force damage)
– **Special Ability:** Time Wreck (Once per encounter, Cythara can cause a rupture in time, forcing all players to succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned until the end of their next turn.)
As the battle ensues, the very environment shifts around you—a flickering between 1994 and 2024, altering your surroundings with each of Cythara's spells. Defeating her will not only reclaim the Chrono Compass but also restore the natural order to both timelines.
### Conclusion:
With the Chrono Compass returned, the Time Holes begin to stabilize, and Geralt expresses his gratitude. He offers the party a glimpse into his time, a rewarding experience that provides unique insight and perhaps allies from a bygone era. The adventure culminates with choices that may alter the very fabric of time, leaving the party to ponder the ramifications of their actions long after they leave the enchanted airport behind.
With high magic and high stakes, your party is set to embark on a thrilling adventure filled with intrigue, combat, and the mysteries of time itself!