Tier 2 – The Veilwalker of Willowbend

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant kingdom of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with hues of violet and gold, a peculiar disturbance has unsettled the townsfolk of Willowbend. The once-bustling market square, filled with laughter and the aroma of spiced pastries, now lies shrouded in an eerie silence. Whispers of a shadowy figure haunting the nearby Whispering Woods have spread like wildfire, igniting fear in the hearts of the villagers.

Your party finds themselves in the heart of Willowbend, where the townspeople plead for help. They speak of a mysterious entity known as the Veilwalker, a creature said to emerge from the depths of the woods during the twilight hours, stealing away the dreams of those who dare to sleep. As night falls, the villagers grow restless, their eyes hollow from sleepless nights, and their spirits dimmed.

The mayor, a stout dwarf named Thrain, approaches your party with urgency. "You must venture into the Whispering Woods," he implores. "Find the source of this darkness and put an end to the Veilwalker’s reign of terror. We can offer you a reward of gold and the gratitude of our people."

As your adventurers prepare, they gather information from the townsfolk. An old elf, Elowen, shares a legend: "The Veilwalker was once a guardian spirit of dreams, corrupted by a dark artifact hidden deep within the woods. If you can find this artifact and destroy it, you may free the spirit and restore peace to our village."

With this knowledge, your party sets off toward the Whispering Woods, where the trees loom tall and twisted, their branches whispering secrets in the wind. The air is thick with magic, and the path ahead is fraught with challenges. As they delve deeper, they encounter enchanted creatures, such as mischievous pixies and a wise old treant who offers cryptic advice.

**Exploration Component:**

The party must navigate through the woods, solving puzzles left by the ancient guardians. They may find hidden glades filled with luminescent flowers that reveal the way forward or encounter illusions that test their resolve. Each challenge they overcome brings them closer to the heart of the woods, where the Veilwalker awaits.

**Enemy Encounter:**

As the party approaches the clearing, they come face to face with the Veilwalker, a spectral figure cloaked in shadows, its eyes glowing with a haunting light. The Veilwalker is not merely a foe but a tragic figure, tormented by the dark artifact that binds it.

**Veilwalker Stats:**

– **Armor Class:** 15

– **Hit Points:** 70

– **Speed:** 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

– **Abilities:**

– **Shadow Strike:** +6 to hit, 2d8 + 4 necrotic damage.

– **Dream Drain (Recharge 5-6):** Target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or take 3d10 psychic damage and be incapacitated until the end of its next turn.

– **Legendary Actions:** The Veilwalker can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below:

– **Shadow Step:** Move up to half its flying speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

– **Whispers of the Lost:** Target one creature within 60 feet; it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.

As the battle unfolds, the party must decide whether to destroy the Veilwalker or find a way to free it from its torment. If they succeed in overcoming the creature and locating the dark artifact, they can choose to destroy it, restoring the Veilwalker to its former self and lifting the curse over Willowbend.

With the dawn breaking, the villagers await your party’s return, hopeful for a resolution to their plight. Will your adventurers bring peace to the Whispering Woods, or will they succumb to the shadows? The fate of Willowbend lies in their hands.