Tier 2 – The Shadow of Victor Blackthorn
**Tier 2 play**
In the bustling town of Eldergrove, a vibrant hub known for its colorful marketplaces and lively taverns, a shadow looms over the festivities. The renowned tavern, The Gilded Griffin, is the heart of the community, where laughter and music fill the air. However, whispers of a sinister plot have begun to circulate among the patrons—rumors of a figure thought long dead, now seen enjoying the company of unsuspecting townsfolk.
Your party arrives at The Gilded Griffin, drawn by the tantalizing aromas of roasted meats and freshly baked bread. As they step inside, the warm glow of lanterns illuminates the room, revealing a diverse crowd of adventurers, merchants, and townsfolk. The atmosphere is lively, but beneath the surface, tension stirs.
The players quickly learn that the bar's owner, a charismatic figure named Victor Blackthorn, was believed to have perished years ago in a tragic accident. Yet, tales of a mysterious man resembling Victor have surfaced, and he’s been spotted in the tavern, laughing and mingling with patrons. Some say he harbors dark secrets, while others claim he’s merely a shadow of his former self.
As the party mingles, they catch snippets of conversation about strange occurrences in Eldergrove: livestock disappearing, odd lights flickering in the woods at night, and a growing sense of unease among the townsfolk. It becomes clear that something sinister is afoot, and the party must investigate the truth behind Victor Blackthorn’s reappearance.
### Investigation Component
The party can gather information through various means:
1. **Eavesdropping:** Players can try to overhear conversations between patrons discussing their suspicions about Victor. This might lead them to clues about his whereabouts or past.
2. **Interrogation:** Engaging with the barmaid, Elara, who seems particularly anxious about Victor. She hints at seeing him meeting with shady figures outside the tavern late at night.
3. **Exploration:** Venturing into the nearby woods where the lights have been reported. They might discover hidden paths leading to an abandoned cabin that holds secrets about Victor’s true identity.
### Encounter
As the players gather clues, they eventually confront Victor in a hidden chamber beneath The Gilded Griffin, where he has been orchestrating a series of nefarious plots.
**Boss Enemy: Victor Blackthorn (Reborn)**
– **Armor Class:** 15
– **Hit Points:** 100
– **Speed:** 30 ft.
– **Attack:** Shadow Dagger (Melee): +7 to hit, 1d8 + 4 piercing damage, and 2d6 necrotic damage.
– **Abilities:**
– **Shadowstep (Recharge 5-6):** Victor can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.
– **Illusory Double:** Once per encounter, Victor can create an illusory duplicate of himself that distracts the party, imposing disadvantage on their attacks for one turn.
Victor reveals that he faked his death to escape a powerful enemy and has been gathering allies for his return. He believes he can harness dark magic to become unstoppable, and the party must defeat him before he can unleash chaos upon Eldergrove.
### Conclusion
Once Victor is defeated, the party uncovers his plans and the true nature of the dark magic he sought to wield. The townsfolk rally together, grateful for the party’s bravery. As the sun sets over Eldergrove, the atmosphere shifts from one of fear to celebration, with the townsfolk throwing a feast in honor of their heroes—a fitting end to an evening filled with intrigue, laughter, and newfound friendships.
This one-shot invites players to immerse themselves in a world where mystery abounds and every corner holds a story waiting to be uncovered.