Tier 2 – The Festival of Shadows (2)
**Tier 2 play**
In the heart of the bustling city of Eldoria, the air is thick with the aroma of roasted meats and sweet pastries wafting through the cobblestone streets. The Festival of Lights is approaching, and with it, the promise of joy and feasting. However, beneath the surface of this festive cheer lies a shadowy threat that could spoil the merriment for everyone.
Your party finds themselves in the grand tavern, The Starlit Hearth, where townsfolk are abuzz with rumors of a mysterious disappearance. Several local vendors have vanished without a trace just days before the festival, and the townspeople are growing anxious. It is said that a dark sorceress, known as Elara the Enigmatic, has been hoarding magical ingredients essential for the festival’s grand feast. Without these ingredients, the Festival of Lights will be nothing more than a darkened shadow of its former glory.
As the party gathers around a table, a frantic baker approaches them, flour dusting her cheeks. "Please, noble adventurers! You must help us! My husband was taken by the sorceress! She demands the rarest of spices, the Celestial Spice, or more will suffer his fate. You must venture to her lair in the Whispering Woods!"
The Whispering Woods are notorious for their twisting paths and enchanting illusions. As the party makes their way through the forest, they must navigate a series of challenges that test their wits and teamwork. They encounter mischievous fey creatures who offer riddles, each correct answer revealing a path forward, while incorrect answers lead them into temporary magical traps.
Eventually, the party arrives at a clearing shrouded in mist, where Elara's lair stands—an ancient tree entwined with glowing vines and pulsating with arcane energy. Here, they face Elara, who wields powerful magic and commands minions of animated shadows.
**Boss Enemy: Elara the Enigmatic**
– **HP:** 120
– **AC:** 16
– **Spellcasting:** Can cast spells up to 5th level, using Intelligence as her spellcasting ability.
– **Legendary Actions (3/turn):**
– **Shadow Step:** Move up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space in dim light or darkness.
– **Mystic Bolt:** Ranged spell attack dealing 2d10 necrotic damage.
– **Illusory Duplicate:** Create an illusion of herself that can distract or confuse players.
As the battle unfolds, Elara taunts the party, revealing that she has used the spices to grant herself otherworldly powers. The party must strategize and utilize their abilities wisely to overcome her magical defenses and rescue the baker's husband.
Should they succeed, the grateful townsfolk will celebrate their bravery, and the festival will shine brighter than ever, with the party as honored guests. However, if they fail, the shadows will deepen, and the joy of the Festival of Lights will be extinguished, leaving the city in despair.
As a Dungeon Master, encourage your players to explore the rich sensory details of the environment, from the shimmering lights of the festival to the eerie whispers of the woods, immersing them fully in this high magic, high fantasy world.