Tier 2 – The Wraith of the Woods (10)

**Tier 2 play**

In the vibrant realm of Eldoria, where magic flows like rivers and the air hums with enchantment, a peculiar event has captured the attention of the local populace. The once-bustling town of Eldenwood has fallen quiet, shrouded in an eerie fog that seems to sap the very joy from its inhabitants. Whispers of a malevolent force lurking in the nearby Whispering Woods have spread like wildfire, and the townsfolk are desperate for heroes to investigate the source of their plight.

As the adventurers gather in the town square, they are greeted by a frantic villager named Elara, her eyes wide with fear. "Please, brave ones! Our children have gone missing, lured away by strange lights in the woods. We fear they have been taken by the Wraith of the Woods, a dark spirit that feeds on the essence of the innocent. Will you help us bring them back?"

The party must venture into the Whispering Woods, a place where the trees seem to whisper secrets and the shadows dance with a life of their own. As they tread deeper into the forest, the air grows thick with magic, and the path becomes obscured by an unnatural mist. Glowing orbs of light flit between the trees, leading the party further into the heart of the woods.

### Exploration Component:

The adventurers will encounter various magical phenomena along the way, such as:

– **Illusory Glades:** Areas where the landscape shifts and changes, leading to confusion. A successful Wisdom (Perception) check can reveal the true path.

– **Fey Creatures:** Mischievous sprites and dryads who may provide cryptic clues or riddles that hint at the Wraith’s weakness, but only if the party can charm or outwit them.

### Investigation Component:

As they delve deeper, the party discovers remnants of a ritual site, marked by strange runes and remnants of old magic. Here, they can make Intelligence (Arcana) checks to decipher the runes, revealing that the Wraith is bound to a powerful artifact—the Heart of the Forest, a crystal that pulses with life energy. The party learns that to defeat the Wraith, they must first reclaim this artifact.

### Enemy Encounter:

As the adventurers approach the Wraith’s lair, they are confronted by the Wraith itself—a spectral figure cloaked in shadows, with glowing eyes that pierce the darkness. It emanates an aura of despair, and its voice echoes like a chilling wind.

**Wraith of the Woods**

– **HP:** 75

– **AC:** 15

– **Attack:** Shadow Grasp (Melee Spell Attack): +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have their maximum HP reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken until they finish a long rest.

– **Special Ability:** Ethereal Step: The Wraith can move through trees and shadows, becoming incorporeal for one turn, avoiding all attacks.

### Conclusion:

After a fierce battle, the adventurers can reclaim the Heart of the Forest, using its power to banish the Wraith back to the shadow realm. With the Wraith defeated, the fog lifts, and the children are found safe, their laughter returning to Eldenwood. The grateful townsfolk reward the heroes with enchanted trinkets and a heartfelt celebration, ensuring that the tale of their bravery will be told for generations to come.

As the sun sets over Eldoria, the party reflects on their adventure, knowing that they have not only saved a town but also forged bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime.