Tier 2 – Echoes of Chaos in Eldoria
**Tier 2 play**
As the sun sets behind the majestic spires of Eldoria, a sense of unease settles over the kingdom. Whispers of a mysterious incident at the grandeur of the Crystal Palace have spread through the streets, drawing the attention of adventurers eager for intrigue. The once-bustling halls of the palace now exude an eerie silence, broken only by the distant echoes of laughter that linger in the air, remnants of an unofficial Christmas gathering gone awry.
The party finds themselves summoned by Lady Seraphina, the enigmatic head of the palace’s household. Her sapphire eyes glisten with worry as she recounts the bizarre events. “Our staff has been behaving strangely since the incident,” she explains, her voice trembling with urgency. “Rumors suggest that a dark magic was unleashed during the festivities, leading to the arrest of one of our employees. We need you to investigate what truly happened that night.”
As the party steps through the grand entrance of the palace, they are greeted by the opulence of shimmering chandeliers and intricate tapestries. However, the air is thick with tension. The once-vibrant decorations now seem dimmed, and the scent of pine and spice from the holiday season has turned stale. The adventurers are tasked with interviewing various staff members, each revealing a piece of the puzzle—a jester who speaks in riddles, a cook with secrets hidden in his recipe book, and a guard who swears he saw shadowy figures lurking in the halls.
During their investigation, the party uncovers that a magical artifact, the Crystal Chalice of Festivity, was stolen during the party. This ancient relic is said to amplify emotions, and in the wrong hands, it can unleash chaos. They learn that the employee arrested was last seen near the chalice, but their innocence is cast into doubt as bizarre occurrences escalate within the palace—furniture moving on its own, paintings weeping, and laughter echoing from empty rooms.
As the party delves deeper, they discover that a rival faction, the Shadow Revelers, aims to use the chalice to disrupt the kingdom’s peace. The adventurers must confront the group within the palace’s hidden catacombs, where the chalice is being used to summon a powerful creature to wreak havoc—an Echo Wraith, a spirit born from the chaos of the party.
**Boss Encounter: Echo Wraith**
– **HP:** 45
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Shadow Strike (Melee Attack): +6 to hit, 2d8 necrotic damage.
– **Special Ability:** Haunting Laughter – All players must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened until the end of their next turn.
– **Legendary Action:** Lurking Shadows – The Echo Wraith can teleport to an unoccupied space within 30 feet and make one Shadow Strike attack.
As they face the Echo Wraith, the adventurers must use their skills to banish the spirit, retrieve the Crystal Chalice, and unravel the plot of the Shadow Revelers. The fate of the Crystal Palace—and perhaps the kingdom itself—rests in their hands. Will they uncover the truth and restore harmony to Eldoria, or will the echoes of chaos resonate forever?
Prepare for a thrilling session filled with mystery, magical encounters, and the camaraderie of heroes standing united against darkness!