Tier 2 – The Heartbreaker of Amoria
**Tier 2 play**
In the enchanting realm of Eldoria, where magic flows like the rivers and the air hums with the whispers of ancient spells, a peculiar phenomenon has captured the hearts of adventurers and climbers alike. Nestled in the verdant hills of the Whispering Peaks lies the fabled Climbing Wall of Amoria, a majestic cliff face that glimmers with an ethereal light. It is said that those who conquer its heights not only find strength and skill but also the potential for love, as the wall has a mysterious enchantment that draws souls together.
As your party approaches the Climbing Wall, the sun begins to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape. The air is filled with the scent of blooming wildflowers and the distant sound of laughter from fellow climbers. You can see couples sharing stories, their eyes sparkling with excitement and affection as they prepare for their ascent. However, beneath this picturesque scene lies a darker truth: the wall has been cursed by a jealous spirit, the Heartbreaker, who thrives on the emotional turmoil of those who dare to climb.
Your party's quest begins when a local climbing guild, known as the Heartbound Climbers, approaches you with a plea for help. They have noticed a surge of climbers disappearing after reaching the top of the wall, only to return changed—emotionally drained and unable to form connections. The guild believes that the Heartbreaker is behind this curse, feeding off the love and joy that the wall once inspired.
**Adventure Components:**
1. **Investigation:** The party must gather information from the Heartbound Climbers and the locals. They can interview climbers who have returned from the wall, searching for clues about their experiences. Perhaps they find a journal left behind by a climber who encountered the Heartbreaker, detailing the spirit's appearance and its tragic backstory.
2. **Exploration:** As they explore the base of the wall, the party can discover hidden paths and magical flora that enhance their climbing abilities. They might stumble upon a secret cave that holds ancient artifacts related to the wall's enchantment, providing insight into how to confront the Heartbreaker.
3. **Climbing Challenge:** The party must scale the wall themselves, facing physical challenges and magical obstacles. As they climb, they will encounter illusions that test their emotional bonds and resolve. Each member of the party may face a personal trial that reflects their own fears of love and connection.
4. **Confrontation with the Heartbreaker:** At the summit, the party confronts the Heartbreaker, a spectral figure wreathed in shadows, with the ability to manipulate emotions. The Heartbreaker has the following basic stats:
– **HP:** 80
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Ethereal Touch (Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d8) psychic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until the end of their next turn.)
– **Special Ability:** Heart's Grasp (Recharge 5-6): The Heartbreaker can target one creature it can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or be paralyzed with overwhelming emotions for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
As the party battles the Heartbreaker, they must not only defeat it but also find a way to break the curse by restoring the wall's original purpose: to unite hearts rather than tear them apart. Through teamwork, empathy, and perhaps a little magic of their own, they can reclaim the joy of climbing and love that the wall once offered.
With the Heartbreaker vanquished, the wall's enchantment is restored, and climbers once again find joy and connection at its heights. The party is celebrated as heroes, and they may even witness new romances blossoming before their eyes, a testament to their bravery and compassion.