Tier 2 – The Dark Brew Crisis in Eldoria

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant city of Eldoria, where the streets are lined with colorful banners and the air is thick with the aroma of roasted meats and sweet pastries, a peculiar crisis has unfolded. The famed pubs of Eldoria, known for their rich, dark Guinness, have begun to run dry. As the festive season approaches, panic spreads among the townsfolk, and whispers of a sinister plot echo through the cobblestone alleys.

Your party finds themselves in the heart of the city, gathered at The Gilded Tankard, a popular tavern adorned with shimmering gold accents and filled with the laughter of patrons. However, the mood is somber as the barkeep, a stout dwarf named Brannor, wipes down the bar with a frown. “We’ve run out of Guinness, and it’s not just us. The whole city is affected! Something foul is afoot, and I fear it’s more than just a supply issue.”

Brannor leans in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I overheard some shady characters talking about a hidden cellar beneath the old brewery on the outskirts of town. They mentioned something about a ‘dark brew’ that could be the cause of our troubles. If you’re brave enough, I implore you to investigate. The city’s festive spirit depends on it!”

As your party sets out, the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the cobblestones. The journey to the old brewery takes you through winding streets and past bustling markets, where merchants hawk their wares. The air is electric with anticipation, and the distant sound of laughter and music fills your ears.

Upon arriving at the brewery, you find the entrance shrouded in shadows, the wooden door creaking ominously as you push it open. Inside, the air is thick with the scent of hops and malt, but something else lingers—a hint of something dark and foreboding. As you descend into the cellar, the flickering torchlight reveals barrels stacked high, but they are not filled with the beloved stout. Instead, you find strange, bubbling cauldrons filled with a murky liquid that seems to pulse with a life of its own.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifts. From the shadows emerges a figure cloaked in tattered robes, their face obscured by a hood. This is Malakar, the Alchemist of Dread, a rogue wizard who has been siphoning the city’s supply of Guinness to fuel his dark experiments. With a wave of his hand, he conjures a swirling mass of shadowy energy, ready to defend his lair.

**Boss Enemy: Malakar, the Alchemist of Dread**

– **HP:** 80

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Shadow Bolt (Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, 2d10 necrotic damage)

– **Special Ability:** Dark Brew (Once per encounter, Malakar can create a wave of dark energy that forces all players to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 3d6 necrotic damage and be blinded until the end of their next turn.)

As the battle ensues, the party must navigate the bubbling cauldrons and avoid the hazardous spills of dark brew while trying to subdue Malakar. Will they succeed in restoring the city’s beloved stout and uncovering the truth behind the alchemist’s sinister plot? The fate of Eldoria hangs in the balance, and the festive spirit awaits its champions!