Tier 2 – The Weeping Willow’s Lament
**Tier 2 play**
In the mystical kingdom of Eldoria, nestled between the shimmering Crystal Mountains and the verdant Whispering Woods, a haunting tale unfolds. The village of Willowbrook, known for its vibrant flora and tranquil streams, hides a dark secret, one that echoes the tragic demise of a child—Abiyah Yasharahyalah, a bright-eyed three-year-old who was laid to rest beneath a grand willow tree in his parents' garden.
Abiyah’s parents, devout followers of the ancient faith known as the Verdant Way, believed that by burying their son in the garden, they could cultivate a bond with nature that would allow their child’s spirit to flourish in the afterlife. However, this misguided belief inadvertently awakened a powerful, malevolent spirit—the Weeping Willow, once a guardian of the village, now enraged and sorrowful.
As the sun sets over Willowbrook, a thick fog begins to creep through the village, turning the once vibrant colors into muted shades of grey. The townsfolk whisper of strange occurrences: flowers wilting at an unnatural pace, animals behaving erratically, and eerie cries that echo through the night. The village elder, a wizened woman named Melina, seeks brave adventurers to uncover the truth and restore balance to their home.
Your party arrives just as a panic-stricken villager rushes to the elder, pleading for help. Melina explains the tragedy of Abiyah and the disturbing events that followed. She implores the adventurers to investigate the garden where Abiyah rests and confront the spirit that now looms over the village.
### Quest Outline:
1. **Investigate the Garden**: As the party approaches the garden, they are met with a surreal sight—a once-beautiful landscape now twisted and shadowy. Glowing wisps flit about, revealing hidden paths and clues to the party. They must search for remnants of Abiyah’s belongings and any signs of the Weeping Willow's presence.
2. **Confront the Spirit**: At the heart of the garden, the Weeping Willow stands tall, its branches dripping with ethereal tears. The spirit manifests as a towering, sorrowful figure, adorned with leaves that whisper forgotten lullabies. The adventurers must engage in a dialogue and find a way to soothe the spirit's grief, or else prepare for a battle.
### Boss Enemy: The Weeping Willow Spirit
– **Type**: Undead Spirit
– **Armor Class**: 15 (natural armor)
– **Hit Points**: 80 (10d10 + 20)
– **Speed**: 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
– **Abilities**:
– **Multiattack**: The Weeping Willow can make two attacks with its Tendril Strike.
– **Tendril Strike**: +7 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.
– **Sorrowful Wail (Recharge 5-6)**: The spirit releases a mournful wail. Each creature within 30 feet must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
3. **Resolution**: Depending on the adventurers’ approach—be it empathy, combat, or clever negotiation—they may either pacify the Weeping Willow or engage in a fierce battle. If they manage to calm the spirit, it reveals the truth behind its sorrow and offers a blessing to the village, ensuring Abiyah’s spirit finds peace. The adventurers will return to Willowbrook as heroes, having restored harmony and rekindled hope in a grieving community.
As the night deepens, the air thick with anticipation, the adventurers prepare to step into a tale that intertwines fate, loss, and the enduring power of healing.