**Twilight Glade: Trials of the Wailing Fae**
Setting the Scene: Twilight Glade
As the players enter the Twilight Glade, they find themselves engulfed in an otherworldly beauty that swirls with mystique. Moonlight filters through the trees, casting an ethereal glow on the glade's vibrant flora. Every step taken resonates with whispers, and the subtle rustling of leaves dances on the line between magic and reality.
But beneath the surface of this serene ambience lies a tangled web of sorrow as the glade is haunted by the Wailing Fae, spirits of forest-dwelling creatures wronged by humankind. The air is thick with tension, fueled by the sad melodies of the lost. Players will soon discover that their goal is not merely to traverse this captivating glade but to confront the sorrowful Wailing Fae and help them achieve peace.
The Encounter Begins
Shortly after entering the glade, the party will be approached by a spritely creature known as Lirael, a small, luminescent fae who serves as the last guardian of the grove. She appears fraught with worry and fears for the fate of the glade. Grasping a small, glowing crystal, she will beckon the players closer.
“Brave adventurers, the harmony of the Twilight Glade is dying! The Wailing Fae have been cursed by a dark power, their whispers turned to wails as they dwell in anguish. They seek to reclaim their lost memories, memories stolen by a malevolent sorcerer who haunts this glade. Only by confronting him and finding the crystal shards scattered throughout can they regain their true selves.”
Players will learn that they must retrieve three crystal shards hidden in elaborate traps and puzzles scattered across the glade. The lure of their magic will draw the attention of the Wailing Fae, who will attempt to wage psychic battles to protect their secrets.
The Trials Await
Trap 1: The Banshee’s Lament
As players venture further into the glade, they will encounter a grove of ethereal trees, their branches bereft of leaves but glowing faintly. If players approach without caution, they will trigger the Banshee’s Lament. A haunting melody emanates from the trees, and each player must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15).
On a failed save, a player becomes temporarily entranced, unable to take action for one round, compelled to step toward the trees. The song also distorts time around them; they may must roll a d10, with a result of 1-5 leading them to lose their turn and be pulled back, taking 2d6 psychic damage, while results of 6-10 allow them to resist the effects. Successfully interacting with the trees (either by dispelling magic, playing their own melody, or simply making an inspired performance) will reward the players with the first shard of crystal hidden within the roots of a tree, glittering faintly.
Puzzle 1: The Fae’s Challenge
Upon retrieving the first shard, a faint shimmer will guide the players to a small glade filled with glowing gemstones. In the center lies an intricate metal mosaic resembling a large sun, surrounded by four diamond nodes. Players must engage in the Fae's Challenge by solving a riddle assigned by a spirit, which is echoed by whispers within the gemstones.
“Reflect and array, light’s pure embrace, In darkness you dwell, seek the sun’s place.”
Players must orient the gemstones according to the correct configuration to create a pattern resembling sunlight streaming through clouds. A player proficient in Arcana, Religion, or History may use their skills to gain insight into the riddle, while others may rely on logic and intuition. Failing to solve the puzzle invokes the wrath of the trapped souls; they will manifest as malevolent spirits that deal 2d4 psychic damage to players who attempt to take the gems without completing the challenge.
Upon completion, a second shard will rise from the ground, sparkling brilliantly — the spirits, now freed, will express their gratitude with visions of the past.
Monster Encounter: Shadows of Regret
Eager but cautious, the players find the next vicinity shrouded in fog and darkness. Here, faces appear in the mist, phantoms of creatures who fell prey to the sorcerer's wickedness. The Shadows of Regret are ethereal monsters that bear the grieved faces of those lost in the glade but now manifest as animated shadows. Engage in combat with these shadows will require players to attack their core made of pure despair.
Each shadow will have a challenge rating of 2 and will attempt to grapple players, attempting to sap their strength by making a Strength saving throw (DC 15). On failure, they will suffer a temporary reduction of their Strength score by 1. Defeating these shadows will allow the players to uncover the remnants of yet another shard they seek.
The Final Confrontation
Once players gather all three crystal shards, Lirael will lead them to the heart of the glade, a shimmering fountain adorned with luminescent flora, its waters glistening with the glow of countless memories. The malevolent sorcerer has been drawn by the players’ actions and will manifest as a shadowy figure, wielding dark magic that seeks to bend the players’ own grief against them.
The players will face Chalanthir, the Dark Weaver, whose spells are derived from the anguish of those who trespassed against the Fae. As a CR 6 opponent, Chalanthir will use his powers to conjure flares of psychic energies dealing 3d8 damage if players fail a Wisdom saving throw (DC 16) and regain health from the shadows they command.
During this encounter, players may choose to use the crystal shards by planting them in the fountain, creating bursts of light that can damage Chalanthir. Each shard can only be used once during the battle and will unleash a wave of light that forces enemies to make a saving throw or deal 4d8 radiant damage.
Defeating Chalanthir will unveil the last remnants of the sorcerer’s curse and unravel the veil poisoning the glade. As he fades away, he will attempt to curse the players one last time, manipulating their memories to turn against them — a plea for redemption even in his defeat.
The Resolution: A New Dawn
Once Chalanthir is vanquished, the shards will dissolve into a brilliant luminescence, restoring the memories of the Wailing Fae. The players will see visions of harmony and joy once held in the glade, and the spirits emerge before them, singing in delight as the moans turn to melodic laughter. Lirael expresses her utmost gratitude, offering a treasure of Fae magic and insights as rewards.
The party will have achieved their goal — not just the vanquishing of darkness but the restoration of peace in Twilight Glade. The aura transforms from a haunted sorrow into a vibrant world, allowing traversers to seek solace in the magic of the fey. Beyond simple riches, players will leave with a deeper sense of camaraderie with each other and a story worthy of the stars.
