Tier 2 – The Enigmatic Healer of Eldoria
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant city of Eldoria, where magic flows as freely as the rivers, a peculiar rumor has begun to circulate among the townsfolk. Whispers of a mysterious healer known only as Dr. Vex, who operates from a quaint, ivy-covered clinic at the edge of the bustling marketplace, have piqued the interest of many. Patients speak of miraculous recoveries and cures for ailments thought to be incurable. However, a growing number of citizens have begun to question the true nature of this enigmatic figure.
Your party finds themselves drawn into this mystery when a distraught villager approaches them in the town square. Her brother, once a vibrant and jovial bard, has fallen ill after a visit to Dr. Vex. She describes a strange, unsettling sensation that enveloped her brother after receiving treatment, as if something unnatural has taken root within him. Desperate for help, she implores the adventurers to investigate the clinic and uncover the truth behind the healer's methods.
As the party approaches Dr. Vex's clinic, they are greeted by the sweet scent of herbs and the sound of soft, melodic chimes that hang from the door. The interior is dimly lit, filled with shelves of peculiar potions and jars containing strange, luminescent substances. The air is thick with an otherworldly energy, and the walls seem to pulse with a life of their own.
Dr. Vex, a tall figure cloaked in flowing robes, greets the party with an unsettling smile. Their eyes glimmer with an unnatural light, and their voice is smooth yet disconcerting. "Welcome, brave souls. How may I assist you today?" The doctor’s demeanor is charming, but an underlying tension fills the room, as if something sinister lurks just beneath the surface.
As the party engages with Dr. Vex, they may notice oddities: the way the doctor avoids direct questions about their background, or how patients seem to leave in a trance-like state. The adventurers can choose to investigate further, searching the clinic for hidden secrets or confronting Dr. Vex directly.
**Investigation Components:**
– **Search the Clinic:** Players can roll Investigation checks to uncover hidden compartments containing strange notes or vials of unmarked potions.
– **Patient Interrogation:** Speaking with other patients may reveal conflicting stories about their experiences, hinting at Dr. Vex's true nature.
**Enemy Encounter:**
If the party presses too hard or attempts to expose Dr. Vex, the healer reveals their true form: a powerful, shape-shifting entity that feeds on the life force of others.
**Boss Enemy: Dr. Vex**
– **Type:** Shape-shifting Entity
– **HP:** 75
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:**
– **Life Drain:** +7 to hit, 2d8 + 4 necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have their maximum hit points reduced by the amount taken until they finish a long rest.
– **Special Ability:**
– **Illusory Form:** Once per encounter, Dr. Vex can create illusory duplicates of themselves, forcing players to make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw to discern the real one from the illusions.
As the battle unfolds, the party must use their wits and skills to overcome Dr. Vex's deceptive tactics and save the afflicted villagers from a fate worse than death. Will they uncover the truth behind the healer's facade and restore peace to Eldoria, or will they fall victim to the very magic they sought to understand? The fate of the city rests in their hands.