Tier 2 – Tier 2 play

**Tier 2 play**

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets of Eldoria, the air crackles with the promise of adventure. The vibrant marketplace, usually abuzz with laughter and the sounds of haggling, falls eerily silent. Vendors hastily pack their wares, eyes darting nervously towards the old clock tower that looms over the town square. Its hands have stopped, frozen at the witching hour, and a palpable tension hangs in the air.

Rumors swirl among the townsfolk of a dark presence lurking in the nearby Whispering Woods. Livestock have gone missing, and strange lights flicker in the depths of the forest at night. The town council, desperate to restore peace, has offered a handsome reward for anyone brave enough to investigate and put an end to the menace.

Your party finds themselves gathered in the cozy yet dimly lit tavern known as The Gilded Griffin. The scent of roasted meats and spiced ale wafts through the air as a local bard strums a haunting melody, setting the mood for your quest. A weathered map lies sprawled across the table, its inked lines leading to the heart of the Whispering Woods. You hear whispers of a coven of mischievous fey that has grown restless, their magic intertwining with dark forces, causing chaos in the realm.

As you prepare to set out, an urgent message arrives via a frantic villager—a group of enchanted beasts has been spotted prowling the outskirts of the woods, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. The townsfolk believe these creatures may be the fey’s doing, and the party must confront them to uncover the truth.

**Exploration Component:**

The journey into the Whispering Woods is fraught with enigmatic beauty and hidden dangers. Towering trees with bark like ancient runes stretch skyward, their leaves glowing faintly with arcane energy. You must navigate through twisting paths, avoiding traps set by the fey to deter intruders. Players can interact with the environment: a sparkling brook may hold healing properties, while a grove filled with silvery mushrooms could grant visions or insights into the coven’s intentions.

**Enemy Encounter:**

As twilight deepens, the party stumbles upon a clearing where the enchanted beasts reveal themselves—three Fey Hounds, their forms shifting between canine and ethereal. These creatures are swift and cunning, with the following basic stats:

– **Fey Hound**

– **Armor Class:** 14

– **Hit Points:** 45 (6d10 + 12)

– **Speed:** 50 ft.

– **Abilities:**

– **Multiattack:** The Fey Hound can make two attacks: one with its bite and one with its magical howl.

– **Bite:** Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.

– **Magical Howl (Recharge 5-6):** The Fey Hound emits a haunting howl. Each creature within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns.

**Boss Encounter:**

After defeating the Fey Hounds, the party uncovers a hidden glade where the leader of the coven, an enigmatic fey known as Lady Vespera, awaits. She is a master of illusion and enchantment, her visage shifting with the ambient light.

– **Lady Vespera**

– **Armor Class:** 16

– **Hit Points:** 85 (10d8 + 40)

– **Speed:** 30 ft.

– **Abilities:**

– **Illusory Duplicate:** As a bonus action, Lady Vespera creates an illusory duplicate of herself. The duplicate distracts enemies and can absorb one attack.

– **Spellcasting:** She can cast spells like *Charm Person*, *Invisibility*, and *Hold Person*.

– **Fey Step (Recharge 4-6):** Teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space she can see.

As the confrontation unfolds, players must decide whether to fight, negotiate, or seek a clever solution to dispel the dark magic entwining the fey with the forest. The resolution of this encounter will determine the fate of Eldoria and unravel the mystery behind the sinister happenings.

The adventure concludes as the party returns to the town, either hailed as heroes or bearing the weight of unfinished business, setting the stage for future quests in this high-magic, high-fantasy world. The choices they make will resonate beyond the Whispering Woods, echoing into the annals of Eldoria's storied history.