Tier 2 – Mystery in Glimmerstone The Shadowed Veil Cult

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows like a river and the air is thick with the scent of adventure, a peculiar event has captured the attention of the local populace. The once-bustling town of Glimmerstone has been shrouded in an unsettling mystery following the tragic death of a well-known holidaymaker, a traveler from a distant land who had come to explore the wonders of Eldoria. Rumors swirl through the taverns and marketplaces, each tale more fantastical than the last.

The party finds themselves in Glimmerstone, drawn by the promise of intrigue and the allure of a reward for solving the mystery surrounding the holidaymaker's demise. As they gather in the town square, the sun sets, casting long shadows that dance across the cobblestones. The townsfolk whisper of strange occurrences leading up to the incident—unexplained lights in the sky, eerie sounds echoing through the night, and a sense of foreboding that has settled over the town.

The party is approached by Elara, the town's anxious mayor, who pleads for their assistance. "Please, brave adventurers," she implores, her voice trembling. "Our beloved holidaymaker was found dead in a lift shaft, but we suspect foul play. We need you to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. He was last seen at the Silver Chalice Inn, where he was drinking with a group of mysterious strangers. They vanished shortly after his fall."

As the party makes their way to the Silver Chalice Inn, the atmosphere grows thick with tension. The inn is a lively establishment, filled with laughter and the clinking of mugs, but a sense of unease lingers in the air. The innkeeper, a burly dwarf named Borin, greets them with a wary eye. "Aye, I remember the holidaymaker well. He was a jolly fellow, but those he was with… they were different. Dark cloaks, strange accents. They left in a hurry, just before the incident."

The party can choose to interrogate the patrons, search the inn for clues, or even use magic to glean information from the spirits of the deceased. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a plot involving a secretive cult known as the Shadowed Veil, who seek to harness the power of a forbidden artifact rumored to be hidden within the town.

**Encounter: The Shadowed Veil Cultists**

As the party gathers evidence, they are ambushed by a group of cultists determined to silence them. The cultists are cloaked figures, their faces obscured, wielding dark magic and daggers.

**Cultist Stats:**

– **HP:** 20

– **AC:** 12

– **Attack:** Dagger (1d6 + 2 piercing damage)

– **Special Ability:** Shadow Step – Once per encounter, a cultist can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space they can see.

The battle is fierce, with the cultists using the shadows to their advantage, darting in and out of sight. As the party fights, they can hear whispers of the artifact and its connection to the holidaymaker's death.

Once the cultists are defeated, the party can discover a hidden passage in the inn that leads to an underground chamber. There, they find the artifact—a shimmering crystal pulsating with dark energy. The party must decide whether to destroy it, keep it, or turn it over to the authorities, knowing that their choice will have lasting consequences for Glimmerstone and its people.

As the session concludes, the adventurers will have unraveled the mystery, faced danger, and perhaps even forged new alliances in the enchanting world of Eldoria. The choices they make will echo throughout the realm, shaping their destinies and the fate of Glimmerstone itself.