Tier 2 – The Ruins of Eldergrove A Divine Dilemma

**Tier 2 play**

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the enchanted forest of Eldergrove, a sense of urgency fills the air. The once-vibrant trees now whisper tales of dread, their leaves rustling like the hushed voices of the lost. The party finds themselves drawn to the heart of the forest, where an ancient temple lies shrouded in mystery and magic.

The temple, once a sanctuary for the divine, now stands in ruin, its stone walls covered in creeping vines and luminescent fungi that pulse with a faint, eerie glow. As the adventurers approach, they notice a strange phenomenon: the air shimmers, and a low, mournful hum resonates from within the temple's depths.

Upon entering, the party is greeted by the sight of a colossal figure, suspended in the air. It is the decaying form of a once-mighty god, its features twisted and grotesque, as if caught between realms. The god's essence seeps into the temple, warping the very fabric of reality around it. Shadows dance along the walls, and the air grows thick with the scent of decay and magic.

Suddenly, the stillness is shattered as a group of corrupted guardians, twisted remnants of the temple's protectors, emerge from the shadows. These once-noble beings are now grotesque abominations, their forms warped by the god's decay. The guardians, driven by a primal instinct to protect their fallen deity, attack the party with ferocity.

**Corrupted Guardian Stats:**

– **Armor Class:** 14

– **Hit Points:** 45 (6d10 + 12)

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Attack:** Multiattack: 2 melee attacks

– **Melee Attack:** +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.

As the party battles these guardians, they must also uncover the truth behind the god's decay. Ancient inscriptions on the temple walls hint at a ritual gone awry, a desperate attempt by the god to maintain its power in a world that has forgotten it. The adventurers must gather clues, decipher the inscriptions, and confront the dark forces that seek to exploit the god's weakened state.

The climax of the one-shot culminates in a confrontation with a powerful entity known as the Shadowbinder, a dark sorcerer who seeks to harness the god's decaying essence for his own nefarious purposes.

**Shadowbinder Stats:**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 70 (10d8 + 20)

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Spellcasting:** The Shadowbinder is a 7th-level spellcaster. He has the following spells prepared:

– Cantrips: *Chill Touch, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion*

– 1st level (4 slots): *Magic Missile, Shield*

– 2nd level (3 slots): *Misty Step, Darkness*

– 3rd level (3 slots): *Counterspell, Fear*

– 4th level (3 slots): *Greater Invisibility, Blight*

As the party navigates the temple's treacherous halls, they must balance combat with investigation, piecing together the fate of the god and ultimately deciding whether to save its essence or destroy it to prevent the Shadowbinder from achieving his dark ambitions.

With each choice they make, the adventurers will shape the fate of Eldergrove and the legacy of the fallen deity, leading to a thrilling conclusion that echoes through the ages. Will they restore the god to its former glory, or will they let it fade into oblivion, forever altering the balance of magic in their world? The choice is theirs.