Glimmers in the Dark: The Secrets of the Gloomwood
Setting: The Gloomwood Forest
The Gloomwood Forest lies on the outskirts of a small village known as Eldershade. Towering trees with dark, gnarled branches twist their way towards the sky, blocking most of the sunlight and creating an eerie twilight glow throughout the forest floor. A faint mist lingers in the air, giving the setting an otherworldly feel.
Whispers of strange occurrences have spread through Eldershade—glimmers of light in the woods seen at night, unsettling sounds of laughter, and creatures that don’t belong in this realm. The villagers speak of an ancient shrine hidden deep within the forest, rumored to hold great secrets and treasures, though none have ventured far enough to find it without disappearing.
The party is tasked with investigating the source of the glimmers, which locals believe may be connected to the shrine. They must navigate the dangers of the Gloomwood and uncover its secrets before more villagers are lost.
Characters
Sylvara, the Forest Nymph
Sylvara is a mystical being who serves as the guardian of the Gloomwood. She appears as a beautiful woman with flowing, leafy attire and eyes that sparkle like dew drops. Though she means no harm, she is fiercely protective of her home and its secrets. Sylvara can offer the players valuable knowledge and guidance but expects them to prove their worthiness through trials.
Mordekai, the Aberrant Stalker
Mordekai is a creature born of the forest’s darker side, a warped being created through an ancient curse. He resembles a humanoid shadow that flickers and distorts in the light, with piercing, glowing eyes. He can manipulate shadows to cloak himself, making him a stealthy predator.
The Will-o'-Wisps
These are small, glowing orbs that float through the Gloomwood. Though they appear innocent, they have a mischievous nature and can lead travelers astray. They are drawn to the players’ life force and will attempt to lure them deeper into the forest, where more formidable threats await.
The Encounter Begins
As the party enters the Gloomwood, they feel a chill in the air and hear the rustling of leaves, as if the forest itself is alive. The glimmers beckon them deeper. Shortly after entering, players spot a flickering light through the fog. It is a Will-o'-Wisp, dancing rhythmically in the air.
Engage with the Will-o'-Wisps
The first challenge arises as the players must decide whether to follow the Wisp or attempt to ignore it. If they choose to follow, the Wisp leads them deeper into the forest, resulting in the party encountering three additional Will-o'-Wisps.
Mechanics:
- The Wisps use the Lure ability to attempt to pull players away from the party. Each time a player is affected, they must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15) or be charmed and begin moving towards the nearest Wisp.
- If a player attempts to attack a Wisp, it disperses and reappears up to 30 feet away, taunting them.
Regardless of the party’s actions, the Will-o'-Wisps suddenly vanish after a few rounds and the forest returns to its eerie silence.
The Tests of Sylvara
Suddenly, the surrounding trees shimmer, and Sylvara appears before the party, her expression both curious and worried. She instructs the players that they have entered a sacred land, and to uncover the truth about the glimmers, they must endure tests to prove their intentions.
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Trial of Wisdom: The Riddle of Gloom Sylvara poses a riddle: “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?”
If they answer “an echo” correctly, they gain her favor. If they fail, they must solve a puzzle where they must arrange stones to spell “echo” in the correct order, triggering a minor magical consequence if they fail thrice.
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Trial of Courage: Shadows of the Past Sylvara summons shadows of their past failures as monstrous forms that attack the party. This shadow battle should mimic their greatest fears (or previous encounters) in various forms, forcing them to confront their weaknesses.
The monster shadows are equivalent to Shadow Stalkers (CR 3), requiring players to strategize by working together to overcome their own manifestations, reflecting internal growth.
Confrontation with Mordekai
Upon successfully completing Sylvara's trials, she grants the players a blessing and leads them to an ancient clearing where the shrine lies. Although beautiful, the aura is tainted. As they draw closer, a dark figure emerges from the shadows—Mordekai, the Aberrant Stalker. Realizing they are intruders, he attacks with a flurry of shadow manipulation.
Boss Mechanics:
- Shadow Manipulation: Mordekai can shift form, becoming incorporeal, making it difficult to land melee attacks. He can also envelop a player in shadows, causing psychic damage each turn until they escape.
- Shadow Minions: At half health, Mordekai summons two Shadows to assist him, making it vital for players to balance targeting between Mordekai and the Shadows.
To weaken his form, players could use light-based spells or abilities. If successful, players can exploit this vulnerability to turn the tide in combat.
Resolution: Secrets Unveiled
Upon defeating Mordekai, the shadows dissipate, and Sylvara returns to guide the players in understanding the shrine’s significance. The shrine reveals a tome that contains the lore of the Gloomwood—a journal of the forest's guardians and hidden gateways that can lead to other realms. Players may also find magical items tied to the forest's essence.
As the winds shift, the glimmers around them evolve into a soft luminescence that dances in harmony with the forest's life force. Sylvara, thankful for their efforts, offers them a choice—take a fragment of this power back to Eldershade or restore balance to the Gloomwood, ensuring its protection for future generations.
The players leave the Gloomwood either empowered with knowledge and magic or as guardians of its ancient secrets, returning to Eldershade forever changed by their encounters within the mystical forest. As they step out from the Gloomwood, the forest’s whispers echo behind them, offering subtle hints of adventures yet to come.
