Tier 2 – Cursed Ink The Tattoo Festival of Eldoria
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant city of Eldoria, where magic weaves through the very fabric of reality, a peculiar event is about to unfold. Every year on the 13th of Harvest, the city’s renowned tattoo festival takes place, drawing artists and adventurers alike. However, this year, an unsettling rumor has spread like wildfire: the tattoos inked on this "unluckiest" day are cursed, binding the bearer to an ancient spirit that brings misfortune.
The party finds themselves in the bustling marketplace, filled with colorful stalls, the scent of exotic spices, and the sound of laughter mingling with the crackle of magical energy. As they navigate through the throngs of eager patrons, they encounter a frantic tattoo artist named Lysandra, her hands trembling with fear. She reveals that her brother, an artist of great renown, has gone missing after attempting to create a tattoo on this fateful day, and she believes something sinister is afoot.
**Adventure Hook:**
The party must investigate the mysterious disappearances of tattoo artists and the rumors surrounding the cursed tattoos. They learn that several artists who tattooed on the 13th have begun to experience strange afflictions, their art twisting into nightmarish designs that seem to come to life.
**Exploration Component:**
The investigation leads them to the Whispering Woods, a mystical forest where the spirits of long-lost artists reside. The party must navigate through illusions and magical traps, encountering enchanted creatures that guard the secrets of the forest. They will need to solve riddles posed by the spirits of artists before they can uncover the truth.
**Enemy Encounter:**
As they delve deeper, the party faces off against the Cursed Ink Wraith, a spectral entity born from the anguish of artists who have succumbed to their own creations. The Wraith is a formidable foe, its form shifting and swirling with dark ink that can ensnare the party in illusions.
**Cursed Ink Wraith Stats:**
– **Hit Points:** 80
– **Armor Class:** 15
– **Attack:** Shadow Strike – +7 to hit, 2d8 necrotic damage.
– **Special Ability:** Inkbound Illusion – Once per encounter, the Wraith can create an illusion of one party member, causing confusion and forcing them to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15) or attack their allies for one round.
**Conclusion:**
Upon defeating the Cursed Ink Wraith, the party discovers a hidden chamber filled with enchanted inks and the artist’s brother, who had been trapped in a canvas of his own making. They must decide whether to destroy the cursed inks or use them to create powerful tattoos that could aid them in their future adventures.
As the sun sets over Eldoria, the party returns to the city, their hearts filled with triumph and the knowledge that the unluckiest day of the year can also be a day of great fortune, depending on the choices they make.