Will new battery-powered trains replace diesel, and are they safe?

### One-Shot Adventure: “The Whispering Tracks”

#### Adventure Overview
In the high magic, high fantasy world of Eldoria, the once-thriving city of Eldenvale is in turmoil. A series of mysterious accidents involving the new battery-powered trains has left the townsfolk in fear. These trains, powered by cutting-edge lithium technology, were meant to revolutionize travel, but instead, they have become harbingers of chaos. The party must investigate the source of the disturbances, confront a powerful enemy, and restore peace to Eldenvale.

#### Setting the Scene
As the players gather in Eldenvale, the air is thick with tension. The scent of burnt metal and the acrid tang of ozone fill the streets. The once-bustling train station now stands eerily silent, save for the occasional flicker of blue sparks that dance around the tracks. The townsfolk whisper of a ghostly figure seen near the trains, and rumors of sabotage swirl like autumn leaves in the wind.

#### Hook
The party is approached by Mayor Elara, a determined half-elf with worry etched on her face. She pleads for their help, explaining that the new trains have been derailing mysteriously, and a shadowy figure has been seen tampering with the tracks at night. She offers a reward of 500 gold pieces and the gratitude of Eldenvale.

#### Exploration Component
1. **The Train Station**: The players can investigate the station, where they find:
– **Clues**: A broken piece of machinery that seems to have been tampered with, and a strange, glowing crystal shard.
– **NPCs**: A nervous engineer named Thorne who saw the ghostly figure and a wise old gnome named Fizzwick who knows about the trains’ magical properties.

2. **The Tracks**: As the players follow the tracks, they encounter:
– **Environmental Challenges**: A section of the track that has been warped by magic, requiring a successful Arcana check to stabilize.
– **Creatures**: A pack of mechanical constructs, remnants of the train’s original design, that have gone haywire and attack the party.

#### Investigation Component
The players can gather information from townsfolk and examine the train’s magical components. They discover that the glowing crystal shard is a fragment of a powerful artifact known as the “Heart of the Rails,” which was stolen from the city’s archives. This artifact is essential for the safe operation of the trains.

#### The Boss Encounter: The Phantom Engineer
As the players piece together the mystery, they learn that the ghostly figure is the spirit of a long-dead engineer named Garrick, who was wronged in life and seeks revenge against the city that betrayed him. He has been using the Heart of the Rails to manipulate the trains and cause chaos.

**Boss Stats: Phantom Engineer (Garrick)**
– **Type**: Undead
– **Armor Class**: 15
– **Hit Points**: 120
– **Speed**: 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
– **Abilities**:
– **Strength**: 10
– **Dexterity**: 14
– **Constitution**: 16
– **Intelligence**: 18
– **Wisdom**: 12
– **Charisma**: 20
– **Actions**:
– **Multiattack**: Garrick makes two spectral touch attacks.
– **Spectral Touch**: Melee Spell Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d10) necrotic damage.
– **Haunting Wail (Recharge 5-6)**: All creatures within 30 ft. must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or take 36 (8d8) psychic damage and be frightened until the end of their next turn.

#### Conclusion
Once the players defeat Garrick, they can choose to either lay his spirit to rest by returning the Heart of the Rails to its rightful place or negotiate with him for peace. If they succeed, the trains will run smoothly once more, and the grateful townsfolk will celebrate their heroes with a grand feast.

#### Rewards
– **Experience Points**: Award experience for defeating the Phantom Engineer and for solving the mystery.
– **Magic Items**: The players may find a magical train conductor’s hat that grants advantage on checks related to transportation and navigation.

This one-shot adventure combines investigation, exploration, and a thrilling boss encounter, providing a rich and immersive experience for your players in the enchanting world of Eldoria.