Tier 2 – The Festival of Lights A Battle Against the Harbinger
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant and mystical realm of Eldoria, the air crackles with the energy of magic and adventure. Your stories intertwine with the fate of a place where whispers of ancient prophecies echo through enchanted forests and bustling towns. The party finds themselves in the lively market square of Briarwood, where townsfolk bustle with anticipation for the annual Festival of Lights.
However, a dark overshadowing looms over the festivities. Recently, several townspeople have reported strange occurrences: vivid nightmares, fleeting shadows in the corners of their vision, and an air of dread that seems to seep into the heart of the celebration. As the daylight fades, a mysterious figure cloaked in shadow, known as the Harbinger, has begun to plant seeds of chaos, stirring up fear and distrust among the residents.
The festival’s organizers, desperate for assistance, seek out brave adventurers to uncover the source of the disturbances, promising gold and magical trinkets in exchange for their help. Each player character is approached by a frantic villager, imploring them to attend a town meeting that will lay out the details of the harrowing occurrences.
### Adventure Hooks:
– **Investigation**: Players can choose to interview townsfolk about any peculiar sightings or experiences. Details will reveal that shadows have been seen stealing flowers from the festival decorations — a peculiar act, as flowers are blessed and should not wilt in the presence of the festival’s magic.
– **Exploration**: Venturing into the nearby Whispering Woods, players will navigate through trails that shift and sway like living beings. Here, they will uncover hidden glens and encounter ethereal beings, perhaps a fey spirit that hints at the imbalance in the magic of the land.
### Enemy Encounter:
The party will eventually confront the Harbinger, an enigmatic entity that thrives on fear and despair. Using illusions and shadowy minions, the Harbinger seeks to undermine the festival and plunge the town into chaos.
**Boss Stats**:
– **Name**: The Harbinger
– **Type**: Shadow creature
– **Hit Points**: 75
– **Armor Class**: 15
– **Speed**: 30 ft.
– **Abilities**:
– **Shadowy Form**: Can blend into darkness, gaining advantage on stealth checks.
– **Nightmare Touch**: Melee attack, +6 to hit, 2d8 psychic damage.
– **Illusory Dread (Recharge 5-6)**: Creates fear in all creatures within a 30 ft. radius. Targets must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute.
### Final Confrontation:
As the festival reaches its peak with bright lights and joyous music, the Harbinger makes their move to unleash panic among the crowd. The players must rally to protect the townsfolk, using their wits and strength to vanquish the dark entity. As the Harbinger falls, light floods the square, returning vibrancy to Briarwood and fulfilling the prophecy of balance.
### Conclusion:
With the defeat of the Harbinger, the townspeople erupt in cheers, and the festival resumes with renewed vigor. Magical items and awards await the heroes, who have not only protected the town but also unraveled the mystery that threatened to strip away their joy. As the festivities carry on under the stars, tales of their bravery will be etched into Eldoria’s lore for generations to come.