Tier 2 – The Lure of the Night Stalker

**Tier 2 play**

In the heart of Eldoria lies the vibrant town of Mistwood, shrouded in the ethereal glow of magical lights that twinkle like stars even in daylight. The townsfolk bustle about, their laughter mingling with the gentle chime of wind chimes that hang from every window. Yet, beneath this façade of peace, an unsettling mystery brews. Recently, several children have gone missing, drawn into the dark thicket of the Whispering Woods, a place rumored to be haunted by the spirits of those who lost their way.

As the sun sets, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets, the party gathers at The Gilded Griffin, a cozy tavern filled with the aroma of spiced meats and ale. Here, they overhear hushed conversations among the patrons, speaking of a sinister figure seen at the edge of the woods—a shadowy entity known as the Night Stalker. Occasionally, it leaves behind a haunting melody, luring children into its grasp.

### Adventure Hook

A frantic mother approaches the party, eyes wide with fear, and pleads for their help. Her son, a curious lad named Finn, has wandered into the woods, enchanted by the eerie song. She offers a small, ornate locket, a family heirloom, as a reward. The locket glows faintly, hinting at hidden magic that may aid the party.

### Exploration Component

The party must navigate the Whispering Woods, a maze of towering trees and thick underbrush. As they delve deeper, they encounter:

– **Whispering Spirits:** Ghostly apparitions that float through the trees, offering riddles or warnings. If the party can solve their riddles, they might gain valuable information about the Night Stalker.

– **Illusions of the Past:** Echoes of the party’s former lives manifest as illusions, challenging their resolve and testing their memories. Each illusion can either hinder or assist them based on how the players react.

### The Enemy

Deeper within the woods, the party finally confronts the Night Stalker. This dark figure, cloaked in shadows and woven from the nightmares of lost children, radiates an aura of despair. Its haunting song resonates through the air, inducing feelings of dread and nostalgia.

**Night Stalker Stats:**

– **AC:** 15

– **HP:** 85

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Abilities:**

– **Melodic Lure (Recharge 5-6):** The Night Stalker sings a haunting melody. Each creature within 60 feet that hears it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until the end of their next turn.

– **Shadow Strike:** Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) necrotic damage.

– **Invisibility (Recharge 6):** The Night Stalker can turn invisible for up to 1 minute or until it attacks.

### Conclusion

As the party battles the Night Stalker, they discover that it is, in fact, a guardian of the forest, corrupted by dark magic. The children are trapped in a dream state, lost to the whispers of the woods. The party must decide whether to destroy the Night Stalker or find a way to break the curse binding it to darkness, ultimately rescuing the children and restoring harmony to Mistwood.

Will they triumph over the shadows and save the missing children, or will they fall prey to the haunting lure of the Night Stalker? The fate of Mistwood hangs in the balance as the adventure unfolds.