Tier 2 – The Tempest Warden’s Wrath

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows like the rivers and the skies shimmer with the hues of enchantment, a peculiar phenomenon has gripped the land. The once gentle breezes have turned into violent tempests, and the skies are painted with ominous shades of gray. Whispers of a dark force manipulating the weather have spread through the towns, igniting fear and uncertainty among the populace.

Your party finds themselves in the quaint village of Windhaven, nestled at the foot of the Stormspire Mountains. The villagers, once cheerful and welcoming, now wear expressions of dread as they recount tales of the storms that have ravaged their homes. They speak of a mysterious figure, known only as the Tempest Warden, who is said to be harnessing the power of the storms for a nefarious purpose.

As the party gathers in the village square, the air crackles with tension. The village elder, a frail but wise woman named Elara, approaches you with urgency in her eyes. "Adventurers," she implores, "you must help us! The Tempest Warden has taken residence in the ancient ruins atop Stormspire Mountain. If we do not stop him, our village will be lost to the fury of the storms!"

The journey to the ruins is fraught with challenges. As the party ascends the mountain, they must navigate treacherous paths, battling fierce winds and magical creatures that have been twisted by the Warden's dark influence. Along the way, they may encounter:

1. **Elemental Spirits**: Mischievous beings of wind and lightning that test the party's resolve with riddles and challenges.

2. **Storm Hounds**: Ferocious beasts that have been corrupted by the tempest, their fur crackling with electricity.

Upon reaching the ruins, the party discovers a grand hall filled with ancient murals depicting the balance of nature and the power of storms. However, the murals are marred by dark energy, and at the center stands the Tempest Warden—a tall figure cloaked in swirling clouds, eyes glowing with a fierce blue light.

**Boss Enemy: Tempest Warden**

– **HP**: 120

– **AC**: 15

– **Attack**: Lightning Bolt (Spell Attack +7, 4d10 Lightning Damage)

– **Special Ability**: Storm's Fury (Recharge 5-6): The Warden unleashes a tempest, forcing all players to make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d10 Lightning Damage and be knocked prone.

As the battle ensues, the Warden calls upon the very storms to aid him, summoning lightning strikes and gusts of wind that threaten to throw the party off balance. The players must work together, using their skills and spells to counter the Warden's power and restore harmony to the skies.

Once defeated, the Tempest Warden collapses, and the dark energy dissipates, revealing a once-noble spirit corrupted by despair. With his last breath, he reveals that he was once a guardian of the storms, twisted by grief over the loss of his home to a great calamity. The party can choose to either banish him to the afterlife or offer him redemption, allowing him to restore balance to the storms.

As the skies clear and the sun breaks through the clouds, the villagers of Windhaven rejoice, their gratitude palpable. The party has not only saved the village but also restored a piece of the natural order, earning their place as heroes in the annals of Eldoria.

With the adventure concluded, the party can return to Windhaven for a celebration, where they will be honored and rewarded for their bravery, setting the stage for future adventures in this high magic, high fantasy world.