Tier 2 – The Foam Wraith of Willowbrook
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with hues of violet and gold, a peculiar disturbance has rippled through the tranquil village of Willowbrook. Once a serene haven, the village now finds itself shrouded in an unsettling aura, as whispers of a mysterious entity known as the "Foam Wraith" have begun to circulate among the townsfolk. This malevolent spirit, born from the remnants of a long-forgotten magical experiment gone awry, has taken residence in the abandoned manor at the edge of the village, where it wreaks havoc on the homes of unsuspecting villagers.
As the party arrives in Willowbrook, they are greeted by anxious faces and tales of homes being rendered uninhabitable by an unexplainable, sticky substance that seems to ooze from the very walls. The villagers, desperate for help, implore the adventurers to investigate the manor and put an end to the Foam Wraith’s reign of chaos.
**Setting the Scene:**
The manor looms ominously at the end of a twisted path, its once-grand façade now marred by creeping vines and a thick layer of foam that glistens unnaturally in the sunlight. As the party approaches, they can hear the faint echoes of laughter and cries for help, distorted by the eerie silence that envelops the area. The air is thick with the scent of damp wood and something sweetly acrid, hinting at the magical residue left behind by the Wraith.
**Exploration Component:**
Inside the manor, the party will encounter rooms filled with remnants of the past—dusty portraits, shattered furniture, and strange, bubbling cauldrons that still emit wisps of colorful smoke. They must navigate through the manor, solving puzzles and uncovering clues about the Foam Wraith’s origins. Each room presents its own challenges, such as animated furniture that attempts to restrain them or illusions that mislead their path.
**Investigation Component:**
As they delve deeper, the adventurers will find journals belonging to the original owner, a reclusive wizard who experimented with magical insulation to protect his home from the elements. However, a catastrophic failure led to the creation of the Foam Wraith, a spirit that now seeks revenge on those who disturb its resting place. The party must piece together the wizard's notes to discover the Wraith's weaknesses and how to banish it.
**The Confrontation:**
When the party finally confronts the Foam Wraith, it manifests as a swirling mass of iridescent foam, its form shifting and changing, reflecting the fears of those who face it. The Wraith will attempt to ensnare the adventurers in its sticky grasp, using its powers to create illusions of their worst nightmares.
**Boss Enemy Stats: Foam Wraith**
– **HP:** 75
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Foam Tendril (Melee Attack): +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the end of its next turn.
– **Special Ability:** Illusory Terror (Recharge 5-6): The Wraith can create an illusion of a creature’s worst fear within a 30-foot radius. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
**Conclusion:**
Once the Foam Wraith is defeated, the party will find a hidden chamber containing the remnants of the wizard’s magical experiments. They can choose to either destroy the remnants, ensuring the Wraith can never return, or attempt to harness the magic for themselves, potentially leading to future adventures. The grateful villagers will reward the adventurers with treasures from the manor, and the party will leave Willowbrook, knowing they have restored peace to the land—at least for now.