Tier 2 – The Shadows of Willowbrook (3)

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with hues of violet and gold, a peculiar event has drawn the attention of adventurers far and wide. The once-peaceful village of Willowbrook has been beset by a series of mysterious disappearances. Villagers whisper of a shadowy figure seen lurking near the ancient ruins at the edge of the forest, and the air is thick with an unsettling tension.

As the party arrives in Willowbrook, they are greeted by the anxious faces of the townsfolk. An elder, her voice trembling, implores them for help. “Our children have gone missing! They were last seen playing near the old ruins. Please, you must find them!” The party learns that the ruins are said to be haunted, remnants of a long-lost civilization that dabbled in dark magic.

The adventure begins as the party makes their way to the ruins, the path winding through a dense forest filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls. The air grows cooler, and an eerie silence envelops them as they approach the crumbling stone structures, overgrown with vines and moss.

Upon entering the ruins, the party discovers a series of ancient murals depicting a ritual that once summoned powerful spirits. However, something has gone awry, and the spirits have become restless. As they explore deeper, they encounter spectral guardians, remnants of the civilization that once thrived here. These ethereal beings, bound to protect the ruins, will not take kindly to intruders.

**Enemy Encounter: Spectral Guardian**

– **Armor Class:** 12

– **Hit Points:** 45

– **Attack:** Ethereal Touch (Melee Spell Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) necrotic damage.)

– **Special Ability:** Ethereal Grasp – On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on their next attack roll as they are momentarily overwhelmed by visions of the past.

As the party battles the spectral guardians, they can uncover clues about the missing children. A successful investigation check reveals a hidden passage leading to a chamber where the children are trapped in a magical slumber, surrounded by swirling shadows.

To free them, the party must confront the source of the dark magic—a malevolent spirit known as the Shadow Wraith, a twisted remnant of the ancient civilization’s failed ritual.

**Boss Enemy: Shadow Wraith**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 80

– **Attack:** Shadow Strike (Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d6 + 3) necrotic damage.)

– **Special Ability:** Shadow Cloak – The Shadow Wraith can become incorporeal, gaining resistance to all damage except radiant damage until the start of its next turn.

As the party engages the Shadow Wraith, they must use their wits and teamwork to overcome its dark powers. The battle rages, with shadows flickering and the air crackling with magic.

Once defeated, the Shadow Wraith dissipates into a swirl of darkness, and the children awaken, dazed but unharmed. The grateful villagers celebrate the party’s bravery, offering them treasures and tales of their heroism.

As the sun sets over Willowbrook, the adventurers leave with not only the satisfaction of having saved the day but also a newfound bond forged in the fires of battle and the thrill of adventure. The world of Eldoria awaits their next journey, filled with magic, mystery, and endless possibilities.