Tier 2 – The Curse of Scrooge A Festival of Shadows

**Tier 2 play**

In the heart of the bustling city of Eldoria, where the air is thick with the scent of spiced pastries and the sounds of laughter echo through the cobblestone streets, a peculiar event is about to unfold. The annual Festival of Lights is just days away, a time when the citizens celebrate the return of the sun after the long winter nights. However, this year, a shadow looms over the festivities.

Rumors have spread like wildfire through the taverns and marketplaces: the legendary gravestone of Scrooge, a figure of both reverence and fear, has been mysteriously restored. Once a crumbling relic, it now stands proud and ominous in the center of the city square, adorned with intricate carvings that seem to shimmer in the moonlight. Whispers suggest that the gravestone is a gateway to a long-forgotten power, and that something dark has awakened.

As the party gathers in the local tavern, a frantic villager bursts through the door, eyes wide with terror. "You must help us! The gravestone… it’s cursed! People have gone missing since it was restored, and strange lights flicker around it at night. We fear the spirit of Scrooge has returned to reclaim what was lost!"

The party is tasked with investigating the gravestone. They must gather clues from the townsfolk, who share tales of Scrooge's greed and the dark magic that once bound him. As night falls, the party approaches the gravestone, where they encounter eerie whispers and flickering shadows.

**Exploration Component:**

– The gravestone is surrounded by a magical barrier that pulses with energy. To break through, the party must solve a riddle inscribed on the stone, which speaks of redemption and the true meaning of wealth.

– As they explore the area, they find remnants of Scrooge's past: old coins, a tattered ledger, and a spectral figure that appears only to those who seek the truth.

**Enemy Encounter:**

As the party delves deeper into the mystery, they are confronted by the **Spirit of Scrooge**, a vengeful apparition that guards the gravestone.

**Spirit of Scrooge Stats:**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 60

– **Speed:** 0 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)

– **Abilities:**

– **Wisdom Drain:** Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) psychic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws until the end of its next turn.

– **Spectral Grasp (Recharge 5-6):** The spirit targets one creature it can see within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be restrained by ghostly chains until the end of its next turn.

The party must defeat the Spirit of Scrooge to uncover the truth behind the gravestone and restore peace to Eldoria. As they engage in battle, the spirit taunts them with echoes of his past, challenging their resolve and forcing them to confront their own values.

Once the spirit is vanquished, the gravestone cracks open, revealing a hidden chamber filled with treasures and the lost souls of those who fell victim to Scrooge's greed. The party must decide whether to keep the riches for themselves or return them to the townsfolk, ultimately shaping the fate of Eldoria and the legacy of Scrooge.

As dawn breaks, the festival can commence, but the choices made by the party will echo through the ages, reminding the citizens of the true spirit of the season.