Tier 2 – The Shadow Broker’s Lair

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant city of Eldoria, where magic crackles in the air and the streets are alive with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, a sense of unease has settled like a thick fog. The once-bustling marketplace is now shadowed by whispers of a mysterious figure known only as the Shadow Broker, who has been stealing precious artifacts from the citizens, leaving behind only chaos and despair.

Your adventurers find themselves drawn to the heart of this turmoil when a desperate plea reaches their ears. A local noble, Lady Seraphina, approaches them with a trembling voice and tear-filled eyes. She explains that her father, a renowned collector of magical relics, recently passed away during a grand tournament in the city. Among his possessions was a priceless Rolex, imbued with ancient magic, which he wore every day for twenty years. It is said to grant its wearer a glimpse into the future, but now it lies in the hands of the Shadow Broker.

Lady Seraphina implores the party to retrieve the watch, promising a handsome reward and her eternal gratitude. She provides them with a lead: the Shadow Broker is rumored to be hiding in the abandoned catacombs beneath the city, a labyrinthine network filled with traps, illusions, and dark creatures that thrive in the shadows.

As the party descends into the catacombs, they are greeted by the damp, musty air and the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the walls. The echoes of their footsteps bounce off the stone, creating an eerie symphony that heightens their senses. They must navigate through twisting passages, solve ancient riddles inscribed on the walls, and avoid cunning traps set to deter intruders.

Along the way, they encounter various creatures, including mischievous shadow sprites and spectral guardians, each guarding secrets of the catacombs. The party must use their wits and skills to either negotiate with or defeat these beings to progress deeper into the darkness.

Finally, they reach the lair of the Shadow Broker, a cloaked figure shrouded in mystery, surrounded by an array of stolen treasures. The air crackles with tension as the Broker reveals their true nature: a cunning rogue with a penchant for illusion magic.

**Boss Enemy: The Shadow Broker**

– **HP:** 75

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Shadow Dagger (Melee Attack: +7 to hit, 1d8+4 piercing damage)

– **Special Ability:** Illusionary Decoy (Once per encounter, the Broker can create an illusory duplicate of themselves that lasts for 1 minute. The duplicate cannot attack but can confuse the party, forcing them to make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw to discern the real Broker from the illusion.)

The battle is fierce, with the Broker using illusions to mislead the party and strike from the shadows. As the adventurers fight to reclaim the Rolex, they must also contend with the Broker's cunning tactics and the dark magic that permeates the catacombs.

Once the Broker is defeated, the party can reclaim the Rolex and return it to Lady Seraphina, who awaits their return with bated breath. The watch, now glowing with a soft, ethereal light, holds the promise of future adventures and the gratitude of a noble family, setting the stage for new quests in the high magic world of Eldoria.