*Chasing Shadows: The Haunt of Forgotten Whispers*
Setting: The Ebon Hollow
The players find themselves in the depths of the Ebon Hollow, a long-abandoned village shrouded in mist and darkness. Ancient trees, their gnarled branches twisting like ghostly fingers, shadow the crumbling stone buildings. The air is thick with an unsettling stillness, only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant howl of the wind. Twisted vines and dense undergrowth reclaim what remains of this forgotten place.
Amidst the decay, an aura of melancholy hangs about the streets, whispering secrets to those who dare to listen. Local legends tell of lost souls that wander the remnants of the village, bound by a curse that draws the living into its treacherous clasp. At night, ghostly figures glide through the ruins, their plaintive cries echoing among the structures, luring the unwary into the gloom.
The villagers spoke of a hidden treasure, said to be crafted from the very essence of twilight, lost amongst the shadows. The party seeks to uncover this treasure, rumored to be hidden in the crypt of the town's former lord, a decadent building now reduced to rubble.
Goal: Retrieve the Twilight Amulet and Break the Curse
The players must find the legendary Twilight Amulet claimed to have the power to break the curse binding the spirits of the village. To do so, they must navigate a series of occult traps, solve ancient puzzles, and ultimately confront the vengeful wraith of the village’s former lord, who guards the amulet.
The Journey Begins
As they approach the village, the players can envision faint figures in the mist, hinting at the lost souls that wander the area. The oppressive atmosphere weighs heavy on their hearts, and unseen eyes seem to watch every move. The adventure begins as the party crosses into Ebon Hollow, the anticipation of discovery tinged with dread.
Encounter Components
1. The Village of Shadows
As the players proceed through the village, they experience odd phenomena: shadows flit at the corners of their vision, and the air grows colder with each step. Any player that attempts to interact with a shadowy figure must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15) or become frightened for one round, losing their turn.
Exploration: Traps and Obstacles
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Whispering Vines: As players navigate deeper into the village, they encounter overgrown vegetation. Any character that touches the vines must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 14) or be restrained. These vines drain the player’s strength, dealing 1d6 poison damage on failure.
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Flickering Lights: Ghostly orbs of light flit between the buildings. If players approach, they need to solve a riddle whispered by the orbs to pass unscathed. The riddle could be something like: “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?” (Answer: Echo).
Upon answering correctly, the players gain temporary guidance, allowing them to reroll one failed check in this area. If answered incorrectly, the orbs veil the area in darkness for one turn, providing disadvantage on perception checks.
2. The Crypt of Lord Ashdown
Finally, the players arrive at the crumbling structure that shelters the town’s lord, Lord Ashdown. The entrance is obstructed by a massive stone door adorned with intricate carvings of the past. These carvings showcase the lord's descent into madness after his desire for power led to the village's curse.
Puzzle: The Door of Memories
- To open the crypt, players must place four engraved stones representing different emotions (Joy, Sorrow, Rage, and Fear) into corresponding slots on the door. The players can find these stones scattered throughout the village, each engraved with a memory associated with its emotion.
Returning to the village after finding the stones requires the players to navigate the traps and obstacles again (though less intense, shadows are aware/activated). Once all four stones are inserted, the door rumbles and creaks open, revealing the darkness within.
Within the crypt, the air grows cold and thick with the smell of decay. The interior is dimly lit by the faint glow of phosphorescent fungi, casting an eerie light on broken sarcophagi and tattered remnants of the past.
3. The Lord’s Presence
As the players move deeper into the crypt, they encounter spectral remnants of the villagers trapped in eternal torment. The spirits attempt to communicate and offer cryptic advice, confused and haunted by their own fates. If players listen closely, they learn about the final defense of Lord Ashdown—the Wraith of Agony.
Combat: The Wraith of Agony
- Upon reaching the inner sanctum, a sudden chill envelops them as the imposing form of Lord Ashdown manifests—a fearsome wraith with hollow eyes and a twisted mouth, mourning his lost power. The Wraith embodies both the fury and despair of the villagers.
The Wraith utilizes powerful necrotic attacks and can cause psychic damage through anguished wails, requiring players to make Wisdom saving throws (DC 16) or take 3d8 psychic damage as haunting memories assault their minds.
Combat Strategies and Environment Adjustments
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Darkness Cloak: The Wraith can shroud portions of the battlefield in darkness, forcing players to navigate using their senses. Characters may use their actions to clear the wraith’s darkness by succeeding on an Arcana check (DC 15).
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Regenerate Shadows: For every round he’s in combat, the Wraith can call forth shadow minions (2d4 shadow minions with HP 10 and 2d6 necrotic damage for melee attacks) that emerge from the ground, slowing the player’s progress towards victory.
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Players can defeat the Wraith by using the Twilight Amulet in a moment of desperation for its protective power, which allows players to reclaim their hope. Once the Wraith is defeated, the captivating essence of twilight reveals itself, freeing the spirits trapped within the village.
Resolution: The Twilight Amulet
The Wraith's defeat clears the pent-up energy, allowing the hidden Twilight Amulet to manifest amidst a glimmering swarm of ethereal light. Upon acquiring the amulet, players will feel its warmth, a token of the despair that once held sway over Ebon Hollow.
The spirits, now released from the curse, thank the party profusely; a few of the villagers’ spirits linger to impart tales of their lives, rewarding the players with knowledge and blessings to aid them in their future endeavors.
In a final act of gratitude, the amulet fuses into the hearts of the party, granting them each temporary blessings—a boost in Wisdom for future encounters and liberation from fear.
As the mist and shadows begin to dissipate, the players emerge from the hollow, greeted by the first rays of dawn—Ebon Hollow, finally at peace.
