Tier 2 – The Wraith of Misfortune
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where the skies shimmer with hues of violet and gold, a shadow looms over the peaceful village of Eldenwood. The villagers have been plagued by a series of mysterious ailments, with whispers of a dark force manipulating the very fabric of their health. The local healer, an elderly woman named Elara, has summoned your party to investigate the source of this affliction.
As you arrive in Eldenwood, the air is thick with the scent of blooming lavender, but an undercurrent of fear hangs heavy. The villagers, once lively and joyous, now wear expressions of worry and despair. Elara greets you at the village square, her eyes filled with urgency. "Please, brave adventurers, we need your help. Many of our women have fallen ill after a routine screening conducted by a traveling cleric. They say he was blessed by the goddess of healing, but now they suffer from ailments that no potion can cure."
Your quest begins as you delve into the heart of this mystery. You must gather information from the villagers, each with their own stories and suspicions. Some speak of a cursed artifact, an ancient relic that the cleric may have brought with him. Others mention sightings of a shadowy figure lurking near the village outskirts, believed to be the source of the dark magic.
As you investigate, you learn of a hidden cave deep within the Whispering Woods, said to be the resting place of the cursed artifact. The woods are alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls, but an eerie silence falls as you approach the cave entrance. The air grows colder, and a sense of foreboding washes over you.
Inside the cave, bioluminescent fungi illuminate the damp walls, casting ghostly shadows. As you venture deeper, you encounter the source of the villagers' plight: a malevolent spirit known as the Wraith of Misfortune. This wraith, once a healer betrayed by those she sought to help, now seeks vengeance on the living. She has been siphoning the life force from the women of Eldenwood, twisting their fates.
**Boss Enemy: Wraith of Misfortune**
– **HP:** 80
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Life Drain (Melee Attack, +6 to hit, 2d8 necrotic damage)
– **Special Ability:** Curse of the Betrayed (Once per encounter, the wraith can inflict a curse on a player, imposing disadvantage on saving throws for 1 minute.)
To defeat the Wraith, your party must confront their own fears and regrets, as she feeds on their emotional turmoil. Only by overcoming their inner demons can they weaken her hold on the women of Eldenwood. As the battle rages, the cave trembles with energy, and the fate of the village hangs in the balance.
Once the wraith is defeated, the curse will lift, and the villagers will begin to heal. Elara will reward your party with a powerful healing artifact, a vial of Elara's Essence, which can restore health to those in dire need. The villagers will sing your praises, and the bonds of friendship forged in this adventure will echo through Eldoria for generations to come.
Prepare for an evening of mystery, exploration, and emotional depth as your players uncover the truth behind the Wraith of Misfortune and restore hope to Eldenwood.