Tier 2 – The Tempest Warden of Windhaven
**Tier 2 play**
In the enchanting realm of Eldoria, where magic flows like the rivers and the skies shimmer with the hues of the arcane, a peculiar disturbance has caught the attention of the local townsfolk. The once-bustling village of Windhaven, nestled at the edge of the Whispering Woods, has fallen silent, its vibrant markets and lively taverns now shrouded in an eerie stillness. Whispers of a malevolent force have spread like wildfire, and the villagers are desperate for heroes to uncover the truth behind the ominous happenings.
As the adventurers arrive in Windhaven, they are greeted by anxious faces and hushed conversations. The air is thick with tension, and the scent of damp earth mingles with the faint aroma of wildflowers. A local elder, her voice trembling with fear, approaches the party. "Please, brave souls, we need your help. Our homes have been ravaged by storms, yet our insurers refuse to pay for the damages, claiming it was 'not windy enough.' But we know the truth! Something dark stirs in the Whispering Woods, and it is manipulating the very winds themselves."
The party must investigate the source of this unnatural weather. Their journey leads them through the Whispering Woods, where the trees seem to murmur secrets and the shadows dance with an unsettling life of their own. As they delve deeper, they encounter strange phenomena: swirling gusts of wind that carry whispers of lost souls, and patches of ground where flowers bloom in defiance of the storm's wrath.
Eventually, the adventurers stumble upon an ancient ruin, overgrown with vines and pulsating with a faint, eerie glow. Here, they discover the heart of the disturbance—a powerful elemental known as Zephyros, the Tempest Warden. Once a guardian of balance, Zephyros has been corrupted by a dark force, twisting his purpose and unleashing chaotic storms upon the land.
**Boss Encounter: Zephyros, the Tempest Warden**
– **Type:** Elemental
– **HP:** 120
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Wind Slash (Melee Attack, +7 to hit, 2d10 slashing damage)
– **Special Ability:** Storm's Fury (Recharge 5-6): Zephyros unleashes a blast of wind in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw, taking 4d10 thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.
To defeat Zephyros, the party must not only engage in combat but also find a way to restore his true nature. Clues scattered throughout the ruins hint at a forgotten ritual that can cleanse the elemental of his corruption. The adventurers must gather the necessary components—sacred wind crystals, a vial of pure water from the Crystal Lake, and a feather from a celestial bird—to perform the ritual while fending off Zephyros's relentless attacks.
As the battle rages on, the party will need to strategize, using their skills and spells to weaken the elemental while protecting themselves from the storm's fury. If they succeed in restoring Zephyros, the winds will calm, the storms will cease, and the villagers of Windhaven will be saved from their plight.
Upon returning to the village, the grateful townsfolk will reward the heroes with treasures and tales of their bravery, ensuring that the legend of their deeds will echo through the ages in Eldoria.