Tier 2 – The Dream Thief

**Tier 2 play**

In the luminous realm of Eldoria, where magic intertwines with the whispers of ancient trees and the shimmering waters of crystalline lakes, a sense of unrest stirs. Night falls over the quaint village of Eldenwood, a once-thriving haven now shrouded in shadows. Villagers murmur of strange occurrences—a malevolent force has emerged, stealing away their dreams and sowing discontent.

As your party arrives, an elder, his eyes glistening with worry, approaches you. “The Dream Thief,” he says, tremors in his voice. “It has been stealing our dreams, leaving us in a state of despair. We must reclaim our stolen hopes before the upcoming Harvest Festival, or the village will fall into despair.”

Beneath the moonlit sky, your investigation leads you to the Forest of Whispers, where the trees sway gently, seemingly alive with magic. In this enchanted wood, you find yourself surrounded by twinkling lights—fae illusions designed to distract and confuse. The deeper you venture, the more intense the ethereal melodies become, tugging at your mind and lulling you into a trance.

Suddenly, you stumble upon a clearing. Here, a sinister figure known as the Dream Thief stands, draped in shadows, gathering the stolen dreams into a swirling vortex. The Dream Thief is a powerful entity, desperate to siphon the hopes from the villagers to increase its own strength.

### Boss Encounter: The Dream Thief

**Type:** Fey

**Armor Class:** 15

**Hit Points:** 80

**Speed:** 30 ft.

**Abilities:**

– **Spellcasting:** The Dream Thief can cast spells at will from the Bard and Wizard spell lists (Common spells include Dream, Phantasmal Force, and Hypnotic Pattern).

– **Dream Drain (Recharge 5-6):** The Dream Thief targets a creature within 30 feet and attempts to drain its dreams. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or take 3d10 psychic damage and be frightened until the end of its next turn.

– **Shadow Meld:** As a bonus action, the Dream Thief can meld into the shadows, becoming invisible until it attacks or is in bright light.

### Adventure Hooks:

– **Rescue the Dreams:** Players are tasked with navigating the forest, overcoming fae traps, and gathering items that the villagers have left behind—tangible representations of their dreams—before confronting the Dream Thief.

– **Bargaining:** In a twist, the party might attempt to bargain with the Dream Thief, discovering its origin and a potential way to redeem its purpose.

### Climactic Battle:

To defeat the Dream Thief, players can utilize both combat prowess and creative thinking by interacting with elements in the environment—perhaps awakening ancient spirits of the forest to assist them or freeing a captive dreamer who knows the Thief’s weaknesses. Ultimately, the party must reclaim the stolen dreams, restoring hope to Eldenwood.

Once victorious, the villagers will celebrate the party's return, and the elder will offer them a choice of rewards: enchanted trinkets, grants of magic, or the heartfelt gratitude of a grateful community, forever marked by your heroic deeds. As the stars twinkle above, the Harvest Festival can commence, filled with joy, laughter, and the rekindled spirits of Eldoria.