Tier 2 – The Haunting of Valaris 120
**Tier 2 play**
In the heart of the North Sea, where the waves crash against the rocky shores and the mist clings to the air, a once-bustling oil rig stands eerily silent. The Valaris 120 installation, now evacuated, looms like a forgotten giant, its metal skeleton rusting under the relentless assault of salt and wind. The sea churns with a restless energy, and whispers of dark forces have begun to circulate among the coastal towns.
Your party finds themselves drawn to the rig, summoned by a mysterious letter that speaks of strange occurrences and a hidden treasure. Local fishermen have reported sightings of ghostly figures wandering the installation at night, and a series of shipwrecks have plagued the waters surrounding the rig. It is said that the spirits of those lost at sea are seeking vengeance, and the rig itself holds the key to their unrest.
As the adventurers approach the rig, the wind howls, carrying the scent of brine and something more sinister. The platform creaks underfoot, and the distant sound of metal clanging echoes through the air. Flickering lights dance in the windows, casting long shadows that seem to move of their own accord.
**Exploration Component:**
The party must navigate through the abandoned corridors of the rig, solving puzzles and avoiding traps set to deter intruders. They will encounter various rooms, each with remnants of the lives once lived there—an engineer's workshop filled with half-finished projects, a break room with faded photographs, and a control room that still hums with residual magic.
**Investigation Component:**
As they explore, the adventurers will uncover clues about the rig's last days of operation. They will find logs detailing strange readings from the ocean floor and reports of crew members disappearing without a trace. A journal belonging to the last foreman reveals a desperate attempt to harness a powerful artifact hidden deep within the rig, believed to control the very tides themselves.
**Enemy Encounter:**
The party soon realizes they are not alone. A malevolent spirit, the Wraith of the Lost Mariner, haunts the rig, seeking to reclaim the artifact that was taken from him. He manifests as a swirling mass of shadows, his hollow eyes glowing with a ghostly light.
**Wraith of the Lost Mariner Stats:**
– **HP:** 75
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Ethereal Touch (Melee Attack, +6 to hit, 2d8 necrotic damage)
– **Special Ability:** Haunting Lament (All players within 30 feet must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute)
As the adventurers confront the Wraith, they must decide whether to fight, negotiate, or uncover the truth behind his tragic fate. Will they be able to calm the restless spirit and claim the treasure hidden within the rig, or will they become another tale lost to the depths of the North Sea?
Prepare for a session filled with mystery, exploration, and the thrill of combat, as your players delve into the haunted depths of the Valaris 120 installation.