Tier 2 – The Tragic Mystery of Willowbrook
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with hues of violet and gold, a dark cloud looms over the quaint village of Willowbrook. Once a place of laughter and joy, it now whispers tales of sorrow and loss. The villagers speak in hushed tones of a tragedy that struck the heart of their community—a young boy named Abiyah Yasharahyalah, only three years old, was found lifeless in the woods, buried beneath a blanket of autumn leaves. The circumstances surrounding his death are shrouded in mystery, and the villagers are desperate for answers.
As the party arrives in Willowbrook, they are greeted by the somber faces of the townsfolk. The air is thick with grief, and the scent of damp earth mingles with the faint aroma of burning incense, used to ward off the lingering spirits of sorrow. The village elder, a frail woman with silver hair and wise eyes, approaches the adventurers. She implores them to investigate the boy's death, for she believes it is tied to a malevolent force that has cursed the land.
The party learns that Abiyah's parents, once respected members of the community, have been jailed under suspicion of foul play. The elder reveals that they had a "catalogue of injury and disease" when the boy died, hinting at a deeper, darker secret. The villagers fear that the parents may have been involved in dark magic, perhaps even sacrificing their child to gain power.
The investigation leads the party to the parents' home, a dilapidated cottage on the outskirts of the village. The air grows colder as they approach, and a sense of foreboding fills their hearts. Inside, they find remnants of a chaotic life—scattered books on forbidden magic, strange symbols etched into the walls, and a hidden cellar that seems to pulse with an unnatural energy.
As they descend into the cellar, the party discovers a ritual chamber, where the parents attempted to harness dark forces to cure their ailments. The walls are adorned with grotesque murals depicting twisted creatures and anguished faces. In the center of the chamber lies a dark altar, stained with the remnants of past rituals.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifts, and a shadowy figure emerges from the darkness—a manifestation of the boy's spirit, twisted by the pain of his untimely death. The spirit, now a vengeful wraith, seeks to protect itself from the very parents who failed him. The party must confront this spectral foe to uncover the truth and bring peace to the restless spirit.
**Boss Enemy: Abiyah's Wraith**
– **HP:** 60
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Ethereal Touch (Melee Attack, +6 to hit, 2d8 necrotic damage)
– **Special Ability:** Wail of the Damned (Recharge 5-6, all creatures within 30 feet must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or take 3d10 psychic damage and be frightened until the end of their next turn.)
As the party battles the wraith, they must also piece together the tragic story of Abiyah's life and the desperate actions of his parents. Will they find a way to free the spirit and uncover the truth behind the dark magic that has plagued Willowbrook? The fate of the village hangs in the balance, and only the bravest adventurers can restore hope to this grieving community.