Tier 2 – The Storm Wraith of Windhaven
**Tier 2 play**
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the land of Eldoria, your party of adventurers finds themselves in the bustling coastal town of Windhaven. The salty breeze carries tales of the latest storm, Storm Darragh, that has swept through the region, leaving behind not just debris but whispers of dark forces at work.
The townsfolk are anxious, recounting how the storm unearthed a hidden cave along the cliffs, revealing ancient ruins that have long been forgotten. Rumor has it that something sinister stirs within those depths—a malevolent spirit awakened by the chaos of the storm. The local innkeeper, a portly man with a bushy beard, beckons you closer as he shares the tale of the Storm Wraith, a spectral entity said to guard the treasure of the ancients, now threatening the town with fierce winds and torrential rains.
Your quest begins with gathering information. Speak to the fishermen who braved the waters during the storm; they may have seen strange lights flickering from the cave. Seek out the town’s sage, who claims to have knowledge of the ruins but warns you of the dangers that lie within. As you gather clues, the air crackles with magic, and you feel the winds grow restless, as if urging you toward your fate.
Once you gather enough information, you make your way to the cliffside where the cave mouth gapes like a hungry maw, its entrance slick with rain and filled with the howling winds. Inside, the cavern is dimly lit by phosphorescent fungi clinging to the damp walls, casting eerie shadows that dance around you.
As you delve deeper, you encounter various challenges—a series of magical traps that test your wits and perception, and enchanted creatures that guard the secrets of the cave. These could include spectral wolves that phase in and out of existence or mischievous wind sprites that play tricks on the unwary.
Finally, you reach the heart of the cave, where the Storm Wraith awaits. Standing tall and ethereal, it is a swirling mass of storm clouds and lightning, its eyes glowing with a fierce intensity. The air crackles around it, and the winds howl in anger.
**Boss Enemy: Storm Wraith**
– **HP:** 110
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:**
– Lightning Bolt: Ranged spell attack, +7 to hit, range 60 ft., hits for 3d10 lightning damage.
– Gale Force: All creatures within a 15-foot radius must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away and knocked prone.
As battle ensues, the Wraith uses its control over the winds to create difficult terrain, while players must strategize to avoid its devastating electrical attacks. Defeating the Storm Wraith could result in the release of magical energies that calm the storm, allowing the townsfolk to reclaim their peace and revealing hidden treasures within the cave.
Upon vanquishing the Wraith, the storm begins to dissipate, and the winds settle. As you exit the cave, the townsfolk cheer, grateful for your bravery. You are rewarded not just with treasures but with the town's everlasting gratitude, perhaps even a permanent ally in the form of a wind elemental willing to aid you in future quests.
In this high magic, high fantasy world, the echoes of your adventure will resonate long after your party has moved on, leaving a mark on the land of Eldoria and its people.