Tier 2 – The Annual Gala of Unwanted Awards
**Tier 2 play**
As the sun sets behind the towering spires of Eldoria, the air is thick with the scent of blooming nightshade and the distant sound of laughter echoes through the grand halls of the Crystal Palace. Tonight, the kingdom hosts the Annual Gala of Unwanted Awards—a lavish event where accolades are given for the most absurd and trivial achievements. The opulent ballroom, adorned with shimmering chandeliers and draped in silks of every hue, is filled with nobles and dignitaries, all wearing forced smiles as they await the evening's festivities.
Your party finds themselves in attendance, not by choice, but by the decree of the Crown. Each member is dressed in their finest attire, yet the weight of the evening hangs heavy in the air. As the first award is announced—a prize for the "Most Unremarkable Adventurer"—a sense of unease creeps into the atmosphere. Whispers of discontent ripple through the crowd, and you notice a group of shadowy figures lurking near the edge of the ballroom, their eyes glinting with malice.
Suddenly, the lights flicker, and a loud crash echoes from the far side of the room. The crowd gasps as a figure cloaked in dark robes steps forward, brandishing a staff that crackles with ominous energy. "Enough of this farce!" the figure bellows, their voice booming like thunder. "I am Zalthar the Unseen, and I have come to claim what is rightfully mine—the Crown of Eldoria!"
As panic ensues, the nobles scatter, leaving your party at the forefront of the chaos. The time for idle chatter is over; it is up to you to confront Zalthar and protect the kingdom from his nefarious plans.
### Encounter: Zalthar the Unseen
**Boss Stats:**
– **Name:** Zalthar the Unseen
– **Type:** Spellcaster (Human)
– **Armor Class:** 15
– **Hit Points:** 60
– **Speed:** 30 ft.
– **Abilities:**
– **Spellcasting:** Zalthar can cast spells from the following list (spell save DC 14):
– *Fireball* (3rd level)
– *Invisibility* (2nd level)
– *Hold Person* (2nd level)
– **Shadowy Escape:** Once per encounter, Zalthar can become invisible as a bonus action.
### Adventure Hooks:
1. **Investigate the Shadows:** As the party confronts Zalthar, they may notice that the shadowy figures are actually minions of his, tasked with sowing chaos. Defeating them could provide clues about Zalthar's true intentions and the location of the Crown.
2. **The Gala's Secrets:** Amidst the chaos, the party can explore the ballroom to uncover hidden passages and secret rooms that may hold valuable artifacts or information about Zalthar's past and his connection to the Crown.
3. **Allies in Disguise:** Some of the nobles may have their own agendas. The party can choose to ally with certain characters who have their own reasons for wanting to stop Zalthar, leading to unexpected twists in the story.
### Conclusion:
As the final confrontation unfolds, the party must work together to thwart Zalthar's plans and restore peace to the gala. Will they succeed in protecting the Crown of Eldoria, or will they become part of the evening's unwanted legacy? The fate of the kingdom rests in their hands as they navigate the treacherous waters of high society and dark magic.