Tier 2 – The Haunting of Rivermist

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant kingdom of Eldoria, a shadow looms over the quaint village of Rivermist. Not long ago, the village enjoyed peace and prosperity, cradled by lush forests and sparkling rivers. However, whispers of an ancient evil have begun to spread like wildfire.

The source of this unease? The local cemetery, where strange occurrences have been reported. Grave markers have been disturbed, and spectral visions of a man in tattered clothing roam the grounds at night, crying out for help. Villagers claim that he resembles Joe Lynskey, a man who mysteriously vanished in 1972, and they fear he might be trapped between the realms of the living and the dead.

Your adventurers find themselves summoned to Rivermist by a desperate council of elders, who plead for assistance in unraveling this mystery and putting an end to the hauntings. As they gather in the flickering light of the council chamber, the aroma of candles and pine fills the air. The elders describe Joe as a kind-hearted villager who was last seen near the cemetery. His disappearance has haunted the community for decades, and they believe that his spirit may be tied to a darker force stirring within the graveyard.

The party is tasked with investigating the cemetery at twilight, when the veil between worlds is thinnest. They prepare themselves for an exploration filled with hidden secrets and potential dangers. As they approach the cemetery, mist curls around ancient headstones, and the wind whispers eerie melodies through the trees.

Upon entering the graveyard, the adventurers will need to make perception checks to notice the freshly disturbed earth and strange, flickering lights that seem to dance among the graves. As they investigate, they will stumble upon an unsettling sight: a circle formed by the graves of forgotten souls, pulsating with shadowy energy. It appears that a dark ritual is in play, summoning the spirits of those who were wrongfully taken.

To their dismay, a figure emerges from the ground—a corrupted version of Joe Lynskey, now a harbinger of despair, with twisted features and hollow eyes. His voice echoes a tragic combination of sorrow and rage, as he reveals that he is bound to this world by a dark entity that seeks to siphon the life essence from grieving souls.

**Boss Enemy: Joe's Vengeful Shade**

– **HP**: 75

– **Armor Class**: 15

– **Attack**: Shadow Grasp (Melee): +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d8 + 3) necrotic damage.

– **Special Ability**: Wail of Despair (Recharge 5-6): A wave of despair emanates from the Shade. All creatures within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. They can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns.

As the battle ensues, the adventurers will discover that the Shade can be weakened by dispelling the lingering magic of the dark ritual. Each successful skill check, whether through Arcana to disrupt the energy or Religion to offer solace to the lost souls, will shift the tide of battle in their favor.

Defeating Joe's Vengeful Shade will release his spirit, allowing him to reveal the truth of his disappearance and guide the party to the dark entity responsible for the curse—the necromancer who sought to gain power through fear and sorrow. The adventurers must decide whether to pursue this villain to end the cycle of despair or return to Rivermist as heroes, having freed Joe and the souls trapped by the malevolent magic.

As the mist lifts with the dawn, sunlight spills over the cemetery, illuminating the paths ahead. The villagers will celebrate the restoration of peace, but lingering questions remain, beckoning the party toward future adventures in the realm of Eldoria.