Tier 2 – Whispers of Eldoria The Guardian’s Lament
**Tier 2 play**
Welcome to the realm of Eldoria, a land steeped in magic and mystery, where the vibrant colors of the enchanted forest meet the crystalline waters of the Celestial Lake. The air is thick with the sweet scent of blooming nightshade and the melodious songs of mystical creatures echo through the trees. Your party finds themselves in the serene village of Willowdale, nestled at the edge of the Whispering Woods, where tales of wonder and peril intertwine.
Recently, the villagers have reported strange occurrences at the ancient ruins of Eldervine, located deep within the Whispering Woods. Glowing orbs of light have been seen floating above the ruins at night, and a haunting melody has begun to echo through the trees, luring villagers to the site, never to return. The village elder, a wise old sage named Elara, has summoned your party, beseeching you to investigate the source of this mystery and protect the village from the encroaching darkness.
As you gather around the flickering fire in the elder's modest cottage, she reveals a map leading to the ruins. "Beware," she warns, her voice trembling slightly. "The spirits of the forest are restless, and an ancient guardian has awoken."
With the map in hand, you set out at dawn, the golden rays of sunlight filtering through the trees. The path winds deeper into the woods, the beauty of the landscape contrasting sharply with an undercurrent of dread. As you approach the ruins, the air grows cooler, and a thick mist begins to envelop your party, whispering secrets of the past.
Upon reaching the Eldervine ruins, you find towering stone pillars entwined with vibrant vines, their surfaces glistening with a phosphorescent glow. The melody grows stronger, a haunting tune that seems to resonate with the very fabric of the world around you. Suddenly, from the shadows emerges the guardian of the ruins—an ancient forest spirit known as Sylvathor, a majestic being with bark-like skin, shimmering leaves for hair, and eyes that flicker like flames.
**Sylvathor**
– **HP:** 80
– **AC:** 15
– **Attack:** Whirlwind Slash (Melee, +7 to hit, 2d8+4 slashing damage)
– **Special Ability:** Spirit's Lament (Area of Effect, 30 ft radius, Wisdom save DC 15 or take 3d6 psychic damage and become frightened for 1 minute)
As you engage with Sylvathor, it becomes clear that the spirit is not inherently malevolent but rather a guardian driven mad by a dark force that threatens to consume the forest. Your party must decide whether to defeat the guardian or find a way to soothe its anguished spirit.
The session can unfold in various ways: through combat against the guardian, skill checks to calm its rage, or an investigation into the source of the dark force that has awakened it. Will your party restore balance to the Whispering Woods, or will they succumb to the haunting melody that beckons from the depths of the ruins? The fate of Willowdale rests in your hands.