Tier 2 – Winds of Change The Veilmaster’s Shadow

**Tier 2 play**

In the heart of the vibrant kingdom of Valandor, where magic flows as freely as the rivers, a unique festival known as the "Winds of Change" is about to unfold. The festival celebrates new beginnings and the strength of community, yet this year, a shadow looms over the festivities. A sinister figure known only as the Veilmaster has emerged, whispering dark enchantments that threaten to plunge the kingdom into despair.

Your adventurers find themselves in the bustling town of Eldergrove, where the air is filled with laughter and colorful banners fluttering in the gentle breeze. Yet, amid the joyous chaos, a palpable tension hangs in the air. The townsfolk speak in hushed tones of a disappearance—a beloved local father, Lord Edrin, has gone missing under mysterious circumstances just days before his daughter Jess's wedding. The townspeople fear that the Veilmaster seeks to use Lord Edrin for a dark ritual that could strip the town of its magic.

As they step through the archway adorned with glowing lanterns, the adventurers are approached by Jess herself, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her voice trembles as she recounts the chilling tale of her father's disappearance. She implores the heroes to find him, promising that the wedding will be a beacon of hope for the town if they can bring her father back. With her heart full of determination, she reveals that the last place he was seen was at the old Willow Hollow, a grove infamous for its dark connections to the Veilmaster.

### Objectives

1. **Investigate Willow Hollow**: The party ventures to the grove, a place where ancient trees loom like guardians, their twisting branches creating an eerie labyrinth. Here, the adventurers must navigate through tangled roots and watch for the magical beasts that roam the area, corrupted by the Veilmaster’s magic.

2. **Encounter Magical Creatures**: As they delve deeper into the grove, the party faces off against enchanted creatures, such as mischievous willow wisps and shadowy wolves. Each encounter reveals clues about the Veilmaster’s intentions and the location of Lord Edrin.

3. **Unravel the Veilmaster's Plot**: At the heart of the grove, they will find the Veilmaster’s lair—a dark, swirling vortex of energy and whispers. Here, players must solve a series of riddles or face spectral guardians—phantoms of those who have fallen to the Veilmaster’s influence.

### Boss Encounter: The Veilmaster

– **HP**: 120

– **AC**: 16

– **Attack**: Shadow Blade (melee spell attack; +7 to hit, 2d8 + 4 psychic damage)

– **Ability**: Veil of Shadows (each turn, the Veilmaster can create an area of darkness, making it hard to see; those within must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 2d6 psychic damage and be blinded until the end of their next turn)

– **Lair Action**: On initiative count 20, the Veilmaster can manipulate the shadows to create illusions of the heroes’ greatest fears, causing each character to make a Wisdom saving throw.

### Conclusion

Upon defeating the Veilmaster, the adventurers will find Lord Edrin trapped within a cocoon of dark tendrils, his life force ebbing away. As they free him, the magic in the air crackles with energy, and the spirits of the grove seem to sigh in relief. When they return to Eldergrove with Lord Edrin safe and sound, the town erupts in celebration.

Jess's wedding proceeds with joy, adorned in flowers and laughter, a testament to the heroes' bravery. The festival of "Winds of Change" becomes a story woven into the very fabric of Eldergrove—a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope and community can shine through, and heroes can emerge from the most unexpected places.

As the sun sets, casting a warm golden hue over the festivities, the party members will be honored as the saviors of both a father and a town, their names forever lingering in the hearts of the people of Valandor.