Tier 2 – The Harvest Moon Heist
Tier 2 play
For this session, you have a Party of 5 adventurers at level 8.
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**Title: The Harvest Moon Heist**
**Setting:**
In the enchanting realm of Eldoria, the autumn season paints the landscape in hues of amber and gold. The air is scented with the rich aroma of spices and baked goods, as townsfolk prepare for the annual Harvest Moon Festival. Beneath the glowing moonlight, lanterns flicker with a magical shimmer, and laughter fills the streets. However, shadows lurk beneath the festive surface; strange occurrences hint that something sinister is afoot.
**Adventure Hook:**
The party finds themselves in the quaint village of Verdant Hollow, where they are approached by a frantic innkeeper named Elira. She explains that the village’s most prized possession, the Harvest Moon Gem, a vibrant blue crystal said to bless the land with fertility, has gone missing. It was stolen from the town square just as the festival preparations were beginning. Without the gem, the festival — and the village’s prosperity — are in jeopardy. Elira begs the party to retrieve it before the Harvest Moon rises in three nights.
**Exploration Component:**
As the adventurers investigate, they can explore Verdant Hollow, interacting with colorful NPCs including gossipy villagers, a reclusive herbalist, and a charming bard whose songs hint at local legends. Clues may include:
– A trail of glittering glass shards leading into the Whispering Woods.
– A suspicious merchant seen lurking around the festival grounds with an uneasy demeanor.
– Whispers of a band of mischievous sprites that have been seen stealing trinkets from the villagers.
**Enemy Encounter:**
Upon tracing the clues to the mouth of the Whispering Woods, the party encounters a group of enchanted scarecrows, animated by the malevolent spirit of the forest. These scarecrows, with tattered clothing and hollow eyes, wield rusty farming tools, their movements jerky yet menacing.
**Scarecrow Stats (use as a basic framework):**
– **Armor Class:** 12
– **Hit Points:** 25 each
– **Speed:** 30 ft.
– **Attacks:**
– **Harvest Slice:** Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage.
– **Terrifying Presence:** Each creature within 10 ft. must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.
**Confrontation:**
After defeating the scarecrows, the party discovers a hidden glade where the Harvest Moon Gem is kept safe by the mischievous sprites. The sprites, wayward guardians of the gem, confess that they stole it to protect it from an impending threat — a malevolent entity seeking to drain the life essence from the forest. The adventurers now face a choice: reclaim the gem for the festival or join forces with the sprites to defeat this looming threat.
**Climactic Battle:**
If the party chooses to ally with the sprites, they will confront the entity—a shadowy figure known as the Wraith of Withering, who seeks to absorb the gem's power.
**Wraith of Withering Stats:**
– **Armor Class:** 15
– **Hit Points:** 60
– **Speed:** 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
– **Attacks:**
– **Life Drain:** Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) necrotic damage, and the wraith regains hit points equal to half the necrotic damage dealt.
– **Withering Touch (Recharge 5-6):** Each creature within 20 ft. must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
**Conclusion:**
Should the party reclaim the gem and restore it before the festival, a grand celebration ensues, leading to rewards, magical items, and the village’s eternal gratitude. If they defeat the Wraith, they will not only save the Harvest Moon Gem but also restore balance to the forest, earning an even greater boon from the sprites, alongside the villagers’ praises.
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Encouraging sensory details and a rich atmosphere will help immerse players in the enchanting yet perilous world of Eldoria. Happy adventuring!