Tier 2 – The Shadow Wraith of Eldenwood (3)
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with magical auroras and the forests hum with the whispers of ancient spirits, a new adventure awaits. The town of Eldenwood, nestled between the Whispering Woods and the Crystal Lake, is in turmoil. A series of mysterious disappearances has left its citizens in fear, with rumors swirling of a dark force lurking in the shadows.
As the sun sets, casting a golden hue over the cobblestone streets, the party arrives in Eldenwood. The air is thick with tension, and the townsfolk cast wary glances towards the dense trees that border the town. The local tavern, The Gilded Griffin, buzzes with anxious chatter. A desperate villager approaches the party, his eyes wide with dread.
"Please, you must help us! Our children have gone missing! They were last seen playing near the Whispering Woods. Some say it's the work of the Shadow Wraith, a creature said to steal the souls of the innocent. We need brave souls to venture into the woods and bring them back!"
### Adventure Hook
The party must investigate the disappearances, exploring the Whispering Woods, unraveling the mystery of the Shadow Wraith, and confronting the dark entity that has taken the children.
### Exploration Component
As the party journeys into the Whispering Woods, they encounter:
1. **Mysterious Glades**: Lush, vibrant clearings filled with bioluminescent flora. Here, the party can gather rare herbs or encounter mischievous faeries who may provide clues or riddles about the Shadow Wraith.
2. **Ancient Ruins**: Crumbling stone structures covered in vines, remnants of an old civilization. Inside, they may find scrolls detailing the history of the Wraith and its connection to the children.
3. **Echoing Caves**: Dark caverns that resonate with eerie sounds. The party must navigate through, avoiding traps and illusions that could lead them astray.
### Enemy Encounter
As the party delves deeper into the woods, they finally confront the Shadow Wraith, a spectral figure cloaked in darkness, its eyes glowing like embers.
**Shadow Wraith Stats:**
– **Armor Class**: 15
– **Hit Points**: 60
– **Speed**: 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
– **Abilities**:
– **Shadow Strike**: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.
– **Soul Drain**: The Wraith can drain life energy from a creature within 10 ft. The target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 15 (3d10) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
### Climax
The party must defeat the Shadow Wraith to rescue the children, who are trapped in a state of eternal sleep, their souls tethered to the creature. The battle will test their teamwork and resourcefulness, as the Wraith uses its ability to manipulate shadows to create illusions and disorient the party.
### Resolution
Upon defeating the Shadow Wraith, the party can free the children, who awaken with no memory of their ordeal. The grateful townsfolk reward the heroes with treasures from the town's hidden vault, and the party leaves Eldenwood as local legends, having restored peace to the realm.
This one-shot offers a mix of exploration, combat, and problem-solving, perfect for a thrilling session in a high magic, high fantasy world.