Tier 2 – The Festival of the Dawn A Quest for Truth in Elarandor
**Tier 2 play**
In the enchanted realm of Elarandor, where shimmering magic blankets the landscape and ancient secrets whisper through the winds, the time has come for a celebration that may very well turn into an epic quest. The towering spires of Eldon Keep, draped in vibrant banners, host the biannual Festival of the Dawn. This event celebrates the renewal of the pact between the people and the Fey spirits, who have gifted the realm with joy, tranquility, and arcane wonders.
As your party arrives, the air is filled with the intoxicating scent of spiced pastries, fresh flowers, and ethereal melodies played by elven musicians. Colorful stalls are infused with magic, offering wares ranging from shimmering potions to enchanted trinkets. Yet, beneath this vibrant facade lies a brewing storm—a petition has emerged, igniting a controversy that threatens to disturb the harmony of the festival.
Days before the event, a shadowy figure known only as the Whispering Shade, a renowned rogue rumored to have ties with darker forces, has publicly challenged the authority of the Prime Minister. They claim that the last election was marred by treachery and manipulation, calling for an election re-run. As tensions mount between factions at the festival—loyalists to the Prime Minister and the growing number of dissenters—the atmosphere grows thick with intrigue.
Your adventurers, drawn by the allure of festivity or possibly summoned by the Prime Minister himself, are tasked with uncovering the truth behind the Whispering Shade's accusations. Will they uncover a conspiracy entwined within the roots of Elarandor, or will they be swept away by the powers manipulating the festival's celebrations?
### Quest Components
1. **Investigation:**
– Your party will explore the festival grounds, interview various NPCs including merchants, nobles, and even the elusive Fey beings who linger at the edges of the celebration. They must gather clues that reveal hidden alliances and potential betrayals. What do the street performers know? What secrets does the Fey council hold?
2. **Exploration:**
– The whispers of the Whispering Shade lead players to discover a hidden grove within the festival grounds, where the barriers between the material and Fey realms thin. This grove holds a long-lost artifact that holds the key to revealing the truth and determining the fate of the election—an ancient tome inscribed with the magic of truth.
3. **Confrontation:**
– As the festival concludes, the Whispering Shade will emerge during a climactic gathering in the town square, attempting to rouse the common folk into a frenzy against the Prime Minister. This is where your party will face off against the Shade, who wields shadowy magic and commands spectral minions to do their bidding.
### Enemy Stats: Whispering Shade
**Whispering Shade**
– **Armor Class:** 15
– **Hit Points:** 60
– **Speed:** 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
– **Strength:** 10 (-1), **Dexterity:** 16 (+3), **Constitution:** 14 (+2), **Intelligence:** 12 (+1), **Wisdom:** 13 (+1), **Charisma:** 18 (+4)
– **Skills:** Stealth +7, Deception +7, Insight +5
– **Damage Resistances:** Necrotic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from non-magical attacks
– **Traits:**
– **Shadow Stealth:** The Whispering Shade can hide in dim light or darkness.
– **Illusory Doubles:** As a bonus action, it can create 1d2 illusory duplicates of itself that distract attackers.
– **Actions:**
– **Multiattack:** The Shade can make two attacks with Shadow Dagger.
– **Shadow Dagger:** Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.
Through exploration, investigation, and confrontation, your players will not only uncover the depths of political corruption but also forge their destinies amidst the magical backdrop of Elarandor. Will they choose to support the established order or aid the rising dissent? Only their choices will determine the fate of the realm!