Tier 2 – The Winter Wraith of Highspire Cathedral
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant kingdom of Eldoria, the air is thick with enchantment, especially during the winter solstice. Snowflakes swirl like shimmering stars, dancing down from the heavens, blanketing the land in a soft, white carpet. This year, the festivities are shadowed by a series of mysterious occurrences threatening the peace of the kingdom. Whispers of a dark entity have spread like wildfire among the townsfolk, leading to widespread fear and unrest.
At the center of these disturbances is the majestic Highspire Cathedral, adorned with crystal chandeliers that refract the soft glow of candlelight, creating a breathtaking kaleidoscope. The cathedral, known for its grand Christmas carol service hosted by the beloved Princess of Wales, has become a focal point of dread. Each night, the cathedral's bells toll ominously at midnight, echoing through the chilly streets, announcing the arrival of dread. Many claim to see shadowy figures moving in the moonlight, and several attendees of the carol service have gone missing. The party has come to investigate these uncanny events, seeking to restore joy to the land.
As the adventurers approach the cathedral, they notice an eerie quiet settling over the vicinity. The usual sounds of holiday cheer are absent. Frost clings to the windows, obscuring the view within, and as they step inside, an unsettling chill wraps around them like an unwelcome embrace. The sanctuary is now a facade under the weight of a deeper sinister presence, with the magnificent religious symbols twisted and darkened.
The party quickly discovers that the missing townsfolk are trapped in a spectral realm, held captive by a malevolent spirit known as the Winter Wraith. Once a guardian of the cathedral, this spirit has turned into a vengeful specter, angry at the villagers for abandoning their faith. To free the captives and restore the joy of the season, the adventurers must confront this creature in an ethereal encounter through a rift that has opened behind the altar.
### Encounter: The Winter Wraith
**Statistics**:
– **HP**: 80
– **AC**: 15
– **Speed**: 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)
– **Abilities**:
– **Cold Touch**: Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d8 + 4 cold damage.
– **Whispers of the Lost**: The Wraith calls forth haunting voices, causing all players in a 30-foot radius to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 14) or take 3d6 psychic damage and be frightened until the end of their next turn.
– **Spectral Form**: The Wraith can pass through walls and solid objects, using this ability to evade melee attacks and reposition itself in combat.
### Adventure Flow
1. **Investigation**: Players may choose to interact with the villagers outside the cathedral to gather information about the missing townsfolk and learn about legends associated with the Winter Wraith. Creativity is encouraged here; players might use magic to listen to whispers or commune with the spirits.
2. **Confrontation**: Once inside the spectral realm, they’ll face the Winter Wraith in a battle that blends combat with solving the emotional echoes of the villagers’ fears. To weaken the Wraith, the players might need to dispel the manifestations of fear—and each defeat must be followed with a vow to reclaim the joy that has been lost.
3. **Resolution**: Upon defeating the Winter Wraith, the party will restore peace to the cathedral and free the townsfolk. The Princess of Wales herself may appear, thanking the adventurers at the re-glorification of the cathedral and inviting them to a celebration in their honor.
Their actions will echo through the realm, marking this solstice as more than just another Christmas carol service but a celebration of light overcoming darkness. As they join the festivities that rekindle hope, players will remember this heartwarming tale of bravery and compassion long after the snowflakes melt away.