Tier 2 – The Shadowbinder’s Curse

**Tier 2 play**

In the enchanted realm of Eldoria, magic crackles in the air and mythical creatures roam the wilds. The sun dips lazily toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, as a gentle breeze whispers secrets of an impending quest. Your players find themselves in the bustling town of Valehaven, a realm rich in history and rife with tension. Recently, a shadowy figure known only as the Shadowbinder has emerged, terrorizing the townsfolk and enslaving anyone who dares resist.

The adventurers gather in the town square, where frightened citizens murmur about their missing kin. As the party engages in conversation, a tattered poster on the wall catches their eye:

**"Help Needed! The Shadowbinder has taken our people! 10 gold coins for each rescue! Meet at the Old Mill."**

The weathered mill stands at the edge of the town, its wooden beams creaking in the wind. The air is thick with an unsettling unease, and they can hear muffled cries coming from within. Branching into the woods that surround the area, the party encounters clues leading them deeper into the Shadowbinder’s domain—a tangled thicket pulsating with dark magic.

### Exploration Component:

As the party approaches the Old Mill, they notice strange markings etched into the trees, remnants of the Shadowbinder’s dark enchantments. The players will need to navigate this mystical forest, using their skills to decipher the glyphs or dispel these magical snares to uncover hidden paths. Environmental hazards like animated vine traps and will-o'-wisps that lure them off course will test their resolve.

Encounters with lesser shadow minions—dark, wispy forms—will challenge them. Each shadow carries a minor curse, reducing their abilities temporarily. These skirmishes will give the party a taste of the heightened danger they face.

### Investigation Component:

Upon entering the Old Mill, the party must interact with the surroundings to piece together what happened to the missing villagers. Scattered notes, remnants of magical ritual ingredients, and a hesitant former captive named Rina can provide valuable information about the Shadowbinder’s weaknesses, as well as the location of the hidden lair deep within the enchanted forest.

Players should roll for investigation checks to discern clues from the dilapidated mill and interrogate Rina about her experience. The more information they gather, the better prepared they will be to confront the Shadowbinder.

### The Boss Enemy: Shadowbinder

Once they navigate through the dark forest and locate the Shadowbinder’s lair—a foreboding cave shrouded in eerie mist—the final confrontation awaits.

**Shadowbinder Stats (Basic):**

– **AC:** 15

– **HP:** 72

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Attack:** Shadow Bolt (Ranged Attack, +7 to hit, 2d10 necrotic damage)

– **Abilities:**

– **Shadow Cloak:** As a bonus action, the Shadowbinder can become invisible until it attacks or its concentration is broken.

– **Dark Enchantment:** Each turn, the Shadowbinder can curse a player, imposing disadvantage on their next attack.

### Conclusion:

Once the adventurers face the Shadowbinder, they will learn of a deeper plot involving a long-forgotten prophecy that connects their own fates to the fate of Valehaven. The villagers they rescue will express their profound gratitude, which opens the door for further adventures beyond this one-shot, potentially leading to the unraveling of a far grander narrative involving ancient evils and forgotten magic.

Set the stage and let your players’ choices forge the path to either victory or despair as they plunge into darkness to reclaim the light of Valehaven.