Tier 2 – The Corruption of Liora’s Temple
**Tier 2 play**
In the enchanted realm of Eldoria, a gloom has settled over the once-vibrant temple of Liora, the goddess of wildlife and the untamed elements. The lush greenery surrounding the temple has turned into a shadowy wilderness, with vines creeping ominously across the ancient stonework, and the normally cheerful chirping of birds now replaced by an eerie silence. Rumors have spread among the nearby villagers of a sinister force plaguing the area, corrupting the very essence of nature itself.
Your party finds itself at the edge of Richmond Park, a sprawling expanse of enchantment where flora and fauna thrive in harmony. However, beneath the canopy of twisted trees, the air is thick with an unsettling energy. A young villager, terrified and shaking, approaches you, clutching a tattered amulet. "Please, you must help us! A deer was found slaughtered—something is wrong! We heard it was a dog, a strange beast not of this world. They've been seen wandering the temple grounds."
The party must investigate the area near the temple, where they’ll encounter signs of corruption—a once-beautiful grove now riddled with thorns and shadows. As they traverse the park, they will face magical beasts distorted by the dark energy, including vine-shrouded wolves and enchanted thorns that lash out at intruders. Lurking deeper within the temple lies the source of this malevolence: a corrupted spirit of the forest, once a guardian of Liora, now twisted into a monstrous entity by dark forces seeking to disrupt the balance of nature.
### Exploration Component:
1. **The Temple Grounds**: A series of riddles must be solved to unlock the main temple, each echoing nature’s beauty and fragility. Clues may be etched into the ancient stones or whispered by the winds.
2. **The Grove of Shadows**: Random encounters with corrupted animal spirits, including a once-gentle fawn who now attacks with ferocity.
### Combat Encounter:
As the adventurers breach the final threshold of the temple, they confront **Fangroot**, the corrupted spirit of the forest. This creature resembles a massive wolf entwined with dark roots and glowing green eyes.
#### **Fangroot Stats**:
– **HP**: 80
– **AC**: 16
– **Attack**: Multiattack (2 Attacks)
– Bite: +7 to hit, 2d6 + 4 piercing damage
– Root Strike: +5 to hit, 1d10 + 3 bludgeoning damage (attack against one target, pulling them 10 feet closer)
#### Abilities:
– **Corruption Aura**: Any enemy that starts their turn within 10 feet must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or take 1d6 necrotic damage.
– **Heal the Forest**: Once per encounter, Fangroot can cause dark vines to sprout, healing 2d8 HP and causing the vines to restrain one random party member (DC 15 Strength save to escape).
The climax of the session occurs as the party battles Fangroot, aiming to restore balance by defeating the creature and purifying the temple. As they fall the dark spirit, they will witness the light of Liora spark back to life, illuminating the temple and providing a sense of hope to the lands. Their victory will be celebrated by the villagers, offering them a reward of enchanted items and promises of a newfound peace in the realm. But whispers of greater dark forces linger on the breeze, hinting that this is merely the beginning of their adventures.