Tier 2 – The Corruption of the Celestial Sentinels
**Tier 2 play**
In the heart of the enchanting realm of Eldoria, where vibrant colors shimmer under a sky painted with swirling auroras, whispers of a looming threat echo through the valleys. The once-heroic champions known as the Celestial Sentinels, revered throughout the land for their valor, have succumbed to dark influences. Corrupted by a powerful artifact known as the Shard of Dominion, these once-great guardians now seek to dominate and control the realm, turning the cities into bastions of tyranny.
As your party ventures into Eldoria’s capital, the opulent city of Arcanthia, the atmosphere weighs heavy with tension. Each step you take is accompanied by the distant sounds of conflict—cries of rebellion, the clash of steel, and the crackle of arcane energies. The streets, once filled with laughter, now lay shrouded in a foreboding silence, broken only by the occasional flash of a Sentinel patrolling above with a menacing glare.
Your mission is twofold: uncover the source of this corruption and bring down the Celestial Sentinels before their power expands beyond the realm. Rumors speak of a secret underground resistance, the Luminary Guild, who have been fighting against the Sentinels’ reign. Your journey begins as you seek out their hidden sanctuary nestled deep within the city’s ancient catacombs—a place where even the light of the sun has failed to reach.
As you descend into the catacombs, the atmosphere shifts. The walls are lined with flickering torches casting eerie shadows that dance like spirits in despair. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant sound of dripping water, adding to a sense of impending danger. The deeper you go, the more you sense the remnants of magic that once flowed freely through this place, now tainted and twisted.
Upon reaching the Luminary Guild’s chamber, you find yourself face to face with their leader, a fierce elven sorceress named Selara. She explains that the Shard of Dominion lies in the hands of the corrupted Sentinel known as Arcturus, a figure once celebrated as a hero but now a tyrant with his heart consumed by darkness. Selara pleads for your assistance to reclaim the shard and restore the Sentinels to their former glory.
To confront Arcturus, your party must navigate through the treacherous cityscape, engaging in tactical skirmishes against corrupted Sentinels and gathering intel from frightened citizens. Utilize stealth to avoid detection or rally allies among the resistance to bolster your numbers. As you gather information, you'll uncover clues leading to the location of the Shard’s stronghold—a cloud-shrouded fortress atop the cliffs overlooking Arcanthia.
**Boss Encounter: Arcturus, Corrupted Sentinel**
– **HP:** 150
– **AC:** 18
– **Attack:** Radiant Strike (+7 to hit, 2d10 + 4 radiant damage)
– **Abilities:**
– Aura of Despair: All enemies within 15 feet of Arcturus take 1d4 psychic damage at the start of their turn.
– Shard Blast (Recharge 5–6): Arcturus unleashes a powerful wave of corrupted energy, forcing all players in a 30 ft. line to make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 4d8 necrotic damage, half on a success.
As you prepare for the confrontation, the air crackles with tension. Will your party’s bravery and strategy be enough to defeat Arcturus and sever the grip of corruption? Or will they join the ranks of the fallen champions? The fate of Eldoria hangs in the balance as the epic showdown looms.