Tier 2 – The Festival of Harmony and the Harbingers of Discord

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows as freely as the rivers and the skies shimmer with the hues of enchantment, a storm brews over the city of Valenwood. The annual Grand Festival of Harmony is set to commence, a celebration that unites the rival factions of the city—the noble Celestials and the fierce Shadowkin. However, whispers of a dark plot have begun to surface, threatening to plunge the festival into chaos.

As the sun sets, casting an orange glow over the bustling streets, your party finds themselves in the heart of Valenwood, where the scent of roasted meats and sweet pastries fills the air. Yet, beneath the festive atmosphere, tension crackles like static. The two factions, once at odds, are now forced to coexist under the watchful eyes of the city’s guards. However, rumors of sabotage and violence swirl like leaves in the wind.

Your party must investigate the source of these rumors. As they navigate the crowded marketplace, they overhear a heated argument between two rival fans of the Celestials and Shadowkin. A sudden scuffle erupts, and the party witnesses a group of masked figures—known as the "Harbingers of Discord"—launching projectiles at one another, igniting chaos in the streets. The guards struggle to maintain order, but the situation escalates rapidly.

The party must choose to either quell the violence or follow the masked figures into the shadows of the festival grounds. If they pursue, they will uncover a hidden plot to sabotage the festival, orchestrated by a malevolent sorceress named Lysandra, who seeks to reignite the ancient feud between the factions.

**Key Locations:**

1. **The Market Square** – A bustling hub filled with merchants and performers. The party can gather information and witness the initial chaos.

2. **The Enchanted Gardens** – A serene area where the party can find clues about Lysandra’s intentions hidden among the flora.

3. **The Abandoned Catacombs** – A dark, labyrinthine network beneath the city where the Harbingers of Discord are gathering.

**Enemy Encounter:**

– **Lysandra, the Sorceress of Discord**

– **HP:** 50

– **AC:** 15

– **Spellcasting:** Can cast spells such as *Fireball* (3rd level) and *Hold Person* (2nd level).

– **Special Ability:** *Discordant Charm* – Once per encounter, she can attempt to charm one party member, forcing them to attack an ally on their next turn (DC 15 Wisdom saving throw).

**Conclusion:**

As the party delves deeper into the mystery, they will face not only the Harbingers but also the moral dilemma of uniting the factions against a common enemy or allowing the chaos to unfold. Will they succeed in restoring harmony, or will the festival become a battlefield? The fate of Valenwood hangs in the balance, and only the bravest can tip the scales towards peace.