Tier 2 – Winter’s Heart The Redemption of Malakar
**Tier 2 play**
In the heart of the bustling city of Eldoria, where the streets are lined with twinkling lights and the air is filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts, a peculiar event is unfolding. The townsfolk are preparing for the annual Winter Festival, a celebration of joy, unity, and the spirit of giving. However, this year, whispers of a sinister presence have begun to circulate—a reclusive sorcerer named Malakar, who has been spotted in the shadows, his heart as cold as the winter wind.
As the sun sets, casting a golden hue over the snow-covered rooftops, the party finds themselves drawn to a quaint little cottage on the outskirts of town. The cottage is adorned with festive decorations, but a heavy silence hangs in the air. With a gentle knock, the door creaks open to reveal Malakar, his eyes filled with surprise and a hint of sorrow. He is not the villain the party imagined; instead, he is a man burdened by loneliness, shunned by the townsfolk for his past transgressions.
The party has a choice: will they confront him as the villain he is perceived to be, or will they seek to understand the man behind the magic? As they engage him in conversation, they learn that he once brought joy to the town with his enchanting spells but was cast aside when a miscast spell caused chaos during a previous festival. Now, he spends his days in solitude, nursing a broken heart.
However, the true threat looms closer. Malakar reveals that a dark force, an ancient spirit of winter named Glacius, has taken advantage of his despair. Glacius seeks to plunge Eldoria into eternal winter, using Malakar’s unfulfilled magic as a conduit. The party must decide whether to help Malakar reclaim his magic and confront Glacius or to stand against Malakar, believing him to be the source of the impending doom.
### Encounter: Glacius, the Spirit of Winter
**Boss Stats:**
– **Name:** Glacius
– **Type:** Elemental Spirit
– **Hit Points:** 100
– **Armor Class:** 15
– **Attack:** Frostbite (Melee Attack)
– **Attack Bonus:** +7
– **Damage:** 2d8 cold damage
– **Special Ability:** Winter’s Wrath (Recharge 5-6)
– Glacius unleashes a wave of icy wind, forcing all players within a 30-foot radius to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, they take 4d10 cold damage and are knocked prone; on a successful save, they take half damage and remain standing.
### Adventure Hooks:
1. **Investigate the Festival:** The party can gather information from townsfolk who mention strange occurrences, such as missing decorations and sudden snowstorms, leading them to Malakar's cottage.
2. **Help Malakar:** If the party chooses to understand Malakar, they can assist him in regaining his confidence, leading to a powerful spell that can weaken Glacius.
3. **Confront Glacius:** The party must venture into the Frosted Forest, where Glacius resides, to confront the spirit and stop the eternal winter.
### Conclusion:
The session culminates in a climactic battle against Glacius, where the party must use their skills and newfound knowledge of Malakar’s magic to save Eldoria. If they choose to ally with Malakar, they might find that redemption is possible, not just for him, but for themselves as well. Will they bring warmth back to the cold heart of winter, or will they be the harbingers of eternal frost? The fate of Eldoria hangs in the balance.