Tier 2 – The Shattered Star
Tier 2 play
**Party Details:**
– Party Size: 6
– A: 7
– B: 42
– Party Level: 6 (42 divided by 7)
**One-Shot Adventure: "The Shattered Star"**
**Setting:**
In the high fantasy world of Eldoria, magic flows through the very fabric of reality. The air shimmers with arcane energy, and every corner of the land is steeped in history and myth. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sprawling city of Eldurath, where whispers of an ancient artifact, the Shattered Star, have sparked intrigue and danger.
**Hook:**
The adventurers find themselves in Eldurath during the annual Festival of Stars, celebrating the celestial wonders. Amidst the festivities, a mysterious figure cloaked in shadows approaches them with a sense of urgency. This individual, a nervous scholar named Elara, reveals that the Shattered Star, a powerful relic said to grant immense magical abilities, has been stolen from the Grand Arcane Library. Rumors swirl that a cult known as the Order of the Eclipse intends to use its power to plunge the world into eternal darkness.
**Objective:**
The adventurers must track down the cult, retrieve the Shattered Star, and prevent them from completing their dark ritual.
**Exploration Component:**
The party begins their investigation at the Grand Arcane Library, a towering structure filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. As they navigate the library, they encounter enchanted guardians and magical traps. They can gather clues from the texts and scrolls about the cult's hideout, a long-abandoned temple deep in the Mistwood Forest.
**Encounters:**
1. **Library Guardians:** Animated books and scrolls that defend the library. (Use stats for Animated Armor, AC 18, HP 33)
2. **Cult Thugs:** Encounter the thugs of the Order of the Eclipse while searching for information. (Use stats for Bandits, AC 12, HP 11)
**Final Showdown:**
The party tracks the cult to the ancient temple, where they find the cultists preparing the ritual. The Shattered Star hovers above an altar, pulsating with dark energy. The cult leader, a formidable sorceress named Lady Nyx, stands ready to unleash chaos.
**Boss Enemy: Lady Nyx**
– **AC:** 15
– **HP:** 84
– **Spellcasting:** Can cast spells up to 3rd level, including *Fireball* and *Darkness*.
– **Special Ability:** *Eclipse Shield* – As a reaction, she can create a barrier that grants her +2 AC until the start of her next turn.
**Conclusion:**
If the adventurers succeed in defeating Lady Nyx and reclaiming the Shattered Star, they will be celebrated as heroes during the Festival of Stars. However, if they fail, darkness will creep into Eldoria, forever altering its magical landscape.
**DM Tips:**
– Emphasize the magical ambiance of the festival and the library with vivid descriptions.
– Encourage creative problem-solving during encounters; perhaps the party can use distraction or stealth to avoid unnecessary fights.
– Allow for player-driven exploration in the library and Mistwood Forest, giving them the freedom to uncover additional lore and side quests.
With this adventurous framework, your Tier 2 party is set to embark on a thrilling journey filled with magic, danger, and the possibility of glory!