Tier 2 – The Night Stalker of Silvervale

**Tier 2 play**

In the mystical realm of Eldoria, where magic flows through the air like the gentle breeze and the stars twinkle with ancient secrets, a peculiar event has shaken the tranquil town of Silvervale. The townsfolk speak in hushed tones of a shadow that looms over the forest at night—a creature that strikes fear into the hearts of even the bravest adventurers. They call it the "Night Stalker," a being rumored to be a guardian turned malevolent due to a curse long forgotten.

Your party finds themselves in Silvervale, drawn by tales of this dark entity and the promise of adventure. The town square is bustling with activity, but the atmosphere is heavy with trepidation. As the sun sets, the villagers gather around the flickering torches, sharing stories of the Night Stalker’s attacks on livestock and the mysterious disappearances of those who wander too close to the woods after dusk.

The mayor, a stout dwarf named Balin Stonefist, approaches your party, desperation etched on his face. “Please, brave adventurers,” he implores. “We need your help! The Night Stalker has taken my daughter, Elara! She was last seen near the old ruins in the Whispering Woods. If you can rescue her and rid us of this beast, I promise you gold and the gratitude of the entire town!”

As you prepare for your journey, the air grows thick with an eerie silence, the kind that sends shivers down your spine. You gather your supplies and head toward the Whispering Woods, where the trees loom tall and twisted, their branches reaching out like skeletal hands.

Upon entering the woods, the atmosphere shifts. The sounds of nature fade, replaced by an unsettling stillness. The path ahead is shrouded in mist, and the faint whispers of the forest seem to beckon you deeper into the darkness.

**Exploration Component:**

As you navigate through the woods, you’ll encounter various challenges. The ground is uneven, and hidden traps lay in wait. Players must make perception checks to spot snares and stealth checks to avoid setting them off. The deeper you go, the more you feel the presence of the Night Stalker, an entity that seems to toy with your senses.

**Investigation Component:**

Scattered throughout the woods are remnants of past encounters—torn garments, claw marks on trees, and strange symbols carved into stone. Players can investigate these clues to piece together the nature of the Night Stalker. A successful investigation reveals that the creature was once a protector of the forest, twisted by a dark curse that binds it to the moon’s cycle.

**Enemy Encounter:**

As night falls, the party reaches the old ruins, where the air crackles with energy. Here, they confront the Night Stalker—a fearsome figure shrouded in shadows, with glowing eyes that pierce the darkness. The creature is a werewolf-like entity, both tragic and terrifying.

**Night Stalker Stats:**

– **HP:** 70

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Bite (Melee Attack: +7 to hit, 2d8 + 4 piercing damage)

– **Special Ability:** Shadow Leap (The Night Stalker can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see, causing fear in a 10-foot radius. Targets must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.)

**Conclusion:**

Defeating the Night Stalker will not only save Elara but also offer a chance to break the curse that binds it. Players can choose to confront the creature with weapons drawn or seek a way to lift the curse, revealing the tragic story of the guardian turned beast.

With the fate of Silvervale hanging in the balance, your party must decide: will they vanquish the Night Stalker, or will they seek to understand the pain that has driven it to darkness? The choice is theirs, and the adventure awaits.