Tier 2 – The Shadowbinder’s Curse (2)

**Tier 2 play**

In the enchanted realm of Eldoria, where magic weaves through the very fabric of existence, a shadow looms over the bustling town of Duskwood. The townsfolk whisper of a mysterious figure known as the Shadowbinder, a malevolent sorcerer believed to be behind a string of bizarre occurrences: crops wilting overnight, livestock disappearing, and a chilling fog that blankets the town each evening.

The adventure begins in the heart of Duskwood, where the party gathers in the Lantern's Glow tavern, a warm and inviting establishment filled with the aroma of spiced meats and the laughter of locals. Here, they overhear a distraught mother, her voice trembling, recounting the recent tragedy that befell her family. Her eight-year-old daughter, Lila, was struck by an unseen force while playing in the fields, and her husband, a brave farmer, was gravely injured while trying to protect her. The mother pleads for help, her eyes glistening with tears, revealing that the Shadowbinder is rumored to be behind the attack.

Determined to uncover the truth and confront the Shadowbinder, the party must gather clues and prepare for what lies ahead. Their first task is to investigate the fields where Lila was attacked. As they approach, the air grows heavy, and a palpable tension hangs around them. They find strange symbols etched into the earth, glowing faintly with a dark energy. A successful Arcana check reveals that these symbols are a form of binding magic, likely used by the Shadowbinder to channel dark forces.

Suddenly, the ground trembles, and from the shadows emerges a creature known as a Mist Wraith—an embodiment of the fog that has plagued Duskwood. The wraith, a swirling mass of shadow with piercing blue eyes, attacks the party, driven by the dark magic of the Shadowbinder.

**Mist Wraith Stats:**

– HP: 50

– AC: 14

– Attack: Shadow Strike (Melee Attack +6 to hit, 2d8 necrotic damage)

– Special Ability: Fog Cloak (Can become incorporeal for one round, avoiding all damage)

Once the wraith is defeated, the party can uncover a hidden talisman that reveals the Shadowbinder's lair—a decrepit tower shrouded in the same ominous fog. The journey to the tower is fraught with challenges, including eerie echoes of past victims and illusions designed to lead them astray.

As they reach the tower, they must solve a series of magical puzzles, each one more intricate than the last, to unlock the door to the Shadowbinder's inner sanctum. Inside, they confront the Shadowbinder, a tall figure cloaked in darkness, wielding a staff that crackles with malevolent energy.

**Shadowbinder Basic Stats:**

– HP: 75

– AC: 16

– Attack: Arcane Bolt (Ranged Attack +7 to hit, 3d10 force damage)

– Special Ability: Shadow Manipulation (Can create a wall of darkness, obscuring vision for one round)

The final showdown will test the party's resolve and teamwork as they face the Shadowbinder and the dark forces he commands. Will they be able to save Lila and her father and bring peace back to Duskwood? Only their courage and cunning will determine the outcome of this thrilling adventure!