Tier 2 – The Wraith of the Mist
**Tier 2 play**
In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows as freely as the rivers and the skies shimmer with the hues of enchantment, a shadow has begun to creep across the land. The once-bustling village of Eldenwood, nestled at the edge of the Whispering Woods, is now gripped by an unsettling silence. The villagers speak in hushed tones of a mysterious fog that has rolled in, bringing with it whispers of dread and disquiet.
The party finds themselves drawn to Eldenwood, summoned by a desperate plea from the village elder, Elara. As they arrive, the air is thick with tension, and the faint scent of damp earth and moss fills their nostrils. The elder, a wise woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, gathers the party in the village square, her voice trembling as she recounts the tale.
"Three nights ago, a thick fog enveloped our village, and with it came the Wraith of the Mist—a malevolent spirit that preys on our fears and steals away our loved ones into the night. We’ve lost several villagers already, and we fear that if this continues, we will lose our home. Please, brave adventurers, will you help us?"
As the party accepts the quest, they are led to the edge of the Whispering Woods, where the fog looms ominously. The trees, tall and twisted, seem to reach out with gnarled branches, and the ground is covered in a carpet of soft moss. The party must navigate through the eerie forest, where illusions and phantoms play tricks on their minds.
### Exploration Component
To uncover the truth behind the Wraith, the party must gather clues hidden within the forest. They might encounter:
1. **The Lost Traveler:** A ghostly figure who can provide insight into the Wraith's origins if the party can help him find peace.
2. **The Enchanted Pool:** A shimmering body of water that reflects not only the physical world but also the fears of those who gaze into it. Interacting with it can reveal hidden truths but may also unleash their greatest fears.
### Investigation
As they delve deeper, the party discovers remnants of an ancient ritual site, where the villagers once worshiped the spirits of the forest. They find inscriptions hinting that the Wraith was once a guardian spirit, corrupted by a dark artifact hidden within the depths of the woods.
### The Enemy
The final confrontation occurs in a clearing where the fog is thickest. Here, the party faces the Wraith of the Mist, a spectral figure cloaked in swirling fog with glowing eyes that pierce through the darkness.
**Wraith of the Mist Stats:**
– **Armor Class:** 14
– **Hit Points:** 75
– **Speed:** 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
– **Abilities:**
– **Wisdom Drain:** Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d8) psychic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws until the end of its next turn.
– **Fog Cloak:** The Wraith can create a 20-foot radius of magical fog that heavily obscures the area. Creatures within the fog must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of their next turn.
– **Legendary Actions:** The Wraith can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The Wraith regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
– **Move:** The Wraith moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
– **Ethereal Step:** The Wraith shifts into the Ethereal Plane, reappearing at a point within 60 feet.
As the party confronts the Wraith, they must use their wits and teamwork to dispel the fog, confront their fears, and ultimately restore balance to Eldenwood. Will they succeed in freeing the village from the clutches of the Wraith, or will they too become lost in the mists of despair?
The fate of Eldenwood lies in their hands.