Tier 2 – The Grievous Wraith of Willowbend
**Tier 2 play**
In the heart of the lush and vibrant kingdom of Eldoria, where magic flows like the rivers and the skies shimmer with hues unknown to the mundane eye, a shadow stirs beneath the surface. A weight hangs over the village of Willowbend, a quaint settlement nestled between deep emerald forests and cascading waterfalls. The villagers whisper tales of a creature called the Grievous Wraith, a being that feeds on the suffering and despair of the living. It has been said that this creature has grown gluttonous, overwhelmed by the incessant sorrow that seeps through the realm, and now seeks to bring an end to its own hunger.
As the party arrives in Willowbend, they are greeted by despondent faces and weeping elders. The air is heavy with an aura of despair; the villagers have recently lost several beloved figures to a mysterious plague of grief sweeping through their homes. The local tavern, The Weeping Willow, serves as a makeshift gathering place for those who mourn, its walls adorned with portraits of lost loved ones. Here, the party learns that the Grievous Wraith has been sighted in the nearby Forest of Sorrows, a place where the very trees seem to weep for those lost.
The party is tasked with confronting the Wraith, but first, they must investigate the source of the sorrow. To do so, they must explore the village and interact with its inhabitants. Each villager shares their story of loss, providing clues about the creature’s origins and its connection to an ancient artifact known as the Heart of Despair, which has been hidden in the forest for centuries.
**Exploration Component:**
The party must navigate the Forest of Sorrows, where each step feels heavy, and the air crackles with latent magic. The forest is enchanted, with pathways that twist and turn, leading to unexpected places. Players may encounter magical flora, such as sorrow blooms that release spores causing temporary visions of grief, or creatures that have been corrupted by the Wraith’s influence. To traverse the forest, they must solve puzzles posed by the ancient spirits that guard the Heart of Despair.
**Enemy Encounter:**
As the players delve deeper, they come face-to-face with the Grievous Wraith. This formidable foe appears as a swirling mass of dark mist, with ghostly faces writhing in its depths, each one representing a soul consumed by sorrow.
**Grievous Wraith Stats:**
– **Hit Points:** 70
– **Armor Class:** 14
– **Speed:** 0 (hovering)
– **Attack:**
– **Soul Drain:** +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened until the end of their next turn.
– **Grief Pulse (Recharge 5-6):** The Wraith emits a wave of sorrowful energy. Each creature within a 30-foot radius must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) psychic damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
The players must devise a strategy to confront the Wraith and its tragic essence. Perhaps they can find a way to cleanse the Heart of Despair, turning it from a source of sorrow into one of hope. If they succeed in their mission, the Wraith will transform, no longer a creature of grief but a guardian of healing and understanding.
With victory, the party returns to Willowbend, where the village slowly begins to heal, and the tales of their bravery will be sung for generations to come. This adventure not only tests their combat skills but also challenges their ability to inspire hope in a world burdened by sorrow.