Tier 2 – The Shadows of Eldenwood (9)
**Tier 2 play**
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the bustling town of Eldenwood, the air is thick with the scent of spiced meats and the distant sound of laughter from the tavern. However, beneath this facade of merriment lies a shadowy threat that has begun to seep into the hearts of the townsfolk. Whispers of a sinister figure known as Commander Varek have reached your ears, a mercenary leader rumored to be rallying a band of brigands to seize control of Eldenwood.
Your adventure begins in the tavern, "The Gilded Griffin," where you overhear a frantic conversation between the innkeeper and a cloaked figure. The innkeeper, a stout dwarf with worry etched across his brow, speaks of strange disappearances in the nearby Whispering Woods and the increasing boldness of Varek's men. The townsfolk are terrified, and the local militia is stretched thin. It is here, amidst the clinking of tankards and the crackling of the hearth, that you decide to take action.
**The Objective:**
Investigate the disappearances and confront Commander Varek before he can launch his full-scale assault on the town.
**Exploration Component:**
As you leave the tavern, the night air is cool and crisp. The path to the Whispering Woods is illuminated by the soft glow of bioluminescent fungi that dot the landscape. You must navigate through the woods, facing various challenges along the way. The forest is alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant howls, but be wary—Varek has set traps to deter any would-be heroes.
**Encounters:**
1. **Forest Ambush:** As you venture deeper, you are ambushed by a group of Varek's scouts (use stats for Bandits from the Monster Manual). They are skilled in stealth and ambush tactics, using the dense foliage to their advantage. Defeating them will provide clues to Varek's whereabouts.
2. **Mystical Guardian:** Deeper in the woods, you encounter a spectral guardian, a spirit bound to protect the forest. It tests your intentions through a riddle. Solve it to gain its favor, and it may reveal hidden paths or grant you a boon for your upcoming confrontation.
**The Confrontation:**
After gathering information and possibly gaining an ally in the guardian, you track Commander Varek to his makeshift camp. The camp is a chaotic scene of armed brigands, but at the center stands Varek himself—a towering figure clad in dark armor, wielding a fearsome greatsword.
**Commander Varek:**
– **HP:** 75
– **AC:** 16
– **Attack:** Greatsword (+7 to hit, 2d6+4 slashing damage)
– **Special Ability:** Rallying Cry (Once per encounter, Varek can grant all allies within 30 feet advantage on their next attack roll)
As you prepare for battle, the fate of Eldenwood hangs in the balance. Will you defeat Commander Varek and restore peace to the town, or will darkness claim the Whispering Woods? The choice is yours, brave adventurers.