Tier 2 – The Shadow of the Ingrained Woe

**Tier 2 play**

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden hue across the sky, you find yourselves aboard the illustrious Skywhale, an airborne vessel renowned for its luxurious amenities and serene journeys through the clouds. The gentle hum of the engines and the soft rustle of silk curtains create an atmosphere of tranquility. However, the calm is abruptly shattered.

Suddenly, an eerie fog envelops the cabin, swirling around like a living thing. In that moment, a wave of inexplicable sorrow crashes over the passengers—tears flow freely as laughter and conversation dissolve into raw, uncontainable grief. Even the flight attendants, usually so composed, are caught in the grip of this emotional storm. Faces once bright with joy now reflect a profound, unsettling sadness, leaving you and your companions bewildered.

Panic begins to spread, and whispers of despair fill the air. “What’s happening?” “Why are we crying?” The questions echo like a haunting refrain. The once serene atmosphere is now laden with a palpable sense of dread. As you look around, you notice a shimmering figure manifesting in the fog—an ethereal presence with hauntingly beautiful features, its eyes shimmering like liquid silver.

The entity, known as the Ingrained Woe, feeds on the emotions of its victims, drawing strength from their despair. It seeks to plunge the world into hopelessness, and your party is the last line of defense against its dark power.

**Adventure Hooks:**

1. **Investigate the Source:** Your party must delve into the heart of the Skywhale and uncover the secret behind the apparition. Is there a cursed artifact hidden among the passengers, or has someone unknowingly summoned this creature?

2. **Confronting the Woe:** Once you gather enough information, you must confront the Ingrained Woe. The entity can manipulate emotions, making it crucial for your party to maintain their resolve and support one another.

**Key Locations:**

– **The Grand Hall:** A magnificent dining area where the fog thickens, revealing memories of joy that the Woe twists into sorrow.

– **The Captain’s Quarters:** Filled with maps and magical artifacts, here you’ll find hints about the Woe’s past and how to confront it.

– **The Engine Room:** A place of power where the magic that keeps the Skywhale afloat is centered. Disrupting this magic can weaken the Woe.

**Boss Enemy: Ingrained Woe**

– **Type:** Celestial (Emotion Manipulator)

– **Hit Points:** 75

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Speed:** 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

– **Attack:** Emotional Drain (melee): +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3 psychic damage) and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute.

– **Special Ability:** Aura of Despair – Enemies within 30 feet have disadvantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed.

**Conclusion:**

To escape the clutches of the Ingrained Woe, your party must band together, using both their wits and strength. Will they unravel the mystery behind the entity’s sorrow and bring solace back to the passengers? Or will they succumb to the overwhelming tide of despair? The fate of the Skywhale and its travelers lies in their hands, and only through courage and unity can they hope to break the spell of the Ingrained Woe.