Tier 2 – The Masquerade of Shadows

**Tier 2 play**

In the heart of the bustling city of Eldoria, where magic flows like water and the air is thick with the scent of spices and enchantments, a peculiar event is about to unfold. The annual Masquerade of Shadows is just days away, a grand celebration where nobles and commoners alike don elaborate masks and costumes to dance under the moonlight. However, this year, an ominous tone hangs in the air, whispered among the townsfolk—something sinister lurks beneath the festivities.

As your party gathers in a quaint tavern, the flickering candlelight casts dancing shadows on the walls. A mysterious figure approaches your table, cloaked in a deep indigo robe, their face obscured by a shimmering veil. They introduce themselves as Elara, a seer who has been plagued by visions of doom surrounding the upcoming masquerade. She reveals that a powerful artifact, the Mask of the Ninth Masquerader, has been stolen from the royal vault. This mask is said to grant its wearer unimaginable power, but in the wrong hands, it could spell disaster for the entire realm.

Elara hands you a gold mask, intricately designed with swirling patterns and embedded with gemstones that glimmer like stars. "This is a replica," she explains, "but it may help you uncover the truth. You must find the real mask before the masquerade begins. I fear the thief plans to use it to summon dark forces during the celebration."

Your quest begins in the shadowy alleys of Eldoria, where you must gather clues and confront those who may know the whereabouts of the thief. As you investigate, you encounter a series of colorful characters: a flamboyant street performer who hints at a secret meeting in the abandoned theater, a grumpy old merchant who claims to have seen strange figures lurking at night, and a group of masked revelers who seem more interested in mischief than merriment.

The investigation leads you to the decrepit theater, where the air is thick with dust and the echoes of laughter from long ago still linger. As you explore the crumbling stage and the hidden passages behind the curtains, you stumble upon a clandestine gathering of cultists, led by a charismatic figure known as The Shadowed One. Clad in dark robes and a mask that seems to absorb the light around it, The Shadowed One plans to use the stolen mask to unleash chaos during the masquerade.

**Boss Enemy: The Shadowed One**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 75

– **Attack:** Shadow Strike (Melee): +7 to hit, 2d8 + 4 necrotic damage

– **Special Ability:** Shadow Veil – Once per encounter, The Shadowed One can become invisible for 1 minute, reappearing within 30 feet.

As the confrontation unfolds, the party must use their wits and skills to thwart The Shadowed One's plans. Will they manage to retrieve the Mask of the Ninth Masquerader and save the city from impending doom, or will the masquerade become a night of terror? The fate of Eldoria hangs in the balance, and the clock is ticking as the bells of the masquerade begin to toll.