The Cursed Carnival

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Title: The Cursed Carnival

Adventure Hook: Brightwood is known for being vibrant and joyful where minstrels sing proudly in the street while various craftsmen sell their wares at the local market. However last week a traveling carnival arrived and set up shop on the outskirts of the fun loving village. Since its arrival the village has experienced strange occurrences, voices in the alleys and things moving around their houses at night. The carnival has an eerie atmosphere bit the Carnival’s ringmaster, Farren the Fantastical, is so charismatic that people cant help but spend their coin at the carnival as he brings a new type of joy to the village.

However a villager has now disappeared and the circumstances around the disappearance are mysterious. The Mayor of Brightwood has requested adventurers to come and uncover the truth behind the disappearance to reassure the town that everything is indeed bright, in Brightwood.

Notable NPC: Farren the Fantastical – The ringmaster of the Fantastical Carnival, the man himself exudes charm more prolifically than the best bards and minstrels. Clad in a dazzling outfit littered with small glittering gemstones and discs of polished metal he doesn’t just demand attention he commands it.

He is tall and slender with piercing lavender eyes with a smile that reveals his mischievous nature. He has demonstrated his affinity with illusion magic and slight of hands tricks but that is the limit of his spell casting abilities, or so he makes people think. He hides a darker side which he uses to take control over the carnival and its original residents so he can continue with his dark plans.

Location: The Cursed Carnival – It’s still a place of joy and laughter but there is a ominous feeling to the tents, stalls and attractions. A presence that only seem to abate when Farren is near as if he brings the joy to this place. The hall of mirrors is a particularly haunting place where people have reported seeing other faces staring back at them as if but for a moment.

The Big top is Farren’s main place of residence where the sound of laughter, applause and jubilation can be heard nearly day-round. Despite the flashy nature of Farren the shadows dance in the tent without a change to the lighting and people always lose something while in the tent. The other entertainers that perform with Farren include a man that can breathe fire, a man that can lift weight that a normal man could not and a man who’s accuracy with this throwing knives would be legendary in any other setting.

The fortune seer’s tent has been out of order for some time now but it is still set up with a sign saying ‘Be back soon’. A strong feeling of sadness can be felt by people who stand near the tent for too long.

Hidden Plot Twist: The Carnival is powered by an artefact, the Dusk Amulet, which hangs from the top of the big top casting a scattering of colours down on the performance below. Farren uses this amulet to target those particularly weak to his magical ministrations. When they come back, hearing the call of his magic, he feeds their soul to the amulet to bolster the carnivals dak magic which guarantees his ticket to free meals and fame.

The adventures quickly sense something wrong with the Carnvial despite the Mayor dismissing its involvement as he has been influenced by Farren and the amulet too much. As they explore the carnival more their interest does not go unnoticed and soon they realise the hall of mirrors reveals the trapped souls that the carnival has claimed.

Social Encounter: They are led to the Big Top after one of the souls in the Mirrors connects with them, pleading for the adventurers to save her big brother who Farren had trapped in the Big Top. As they rush to the big top they notice the Amulet shining brightly as they enter before it immediately goes dull. The Firebreather, Strongman and Knife-thrower all appear and soon the sound of a single hand clapping builds.

Combat Encounter: Farren and his henchmen attack the party after a brief attempt at bringing them onboard with the corrupting amulets light. The battle is tense as the three work as if guided by a single mind, which is not far from the truth as Farren and the amulets influence guide their attacks acting as a fifth participant in the battle with a eagle-eye view of the battlefield. This revelation happens after too many lucky breaks happen for the opponents at the same time the Amulet emits a beam of light which touches the adventurers.

Conclusion: If the adventurers manage to destroy the Eclipse Amulet and defeat Farren, the curse is lifted, and the carnival’s dark magic dissipates. Farren and his troupe lose their power and are brought to justice. The villagers are freed from the curse and those trapped in the hall of mirrors are released, worse for wear but alive, and Brightwood can finally return to its joyful self. The mayor rewards the adventurers with gold and a rare magical trinket from the village’s treasury.

The Shadows of the Luminescent Isle

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Title: The Shadows of the Luminescent Isle

Adventure Hook: The party doesn’t remember much apart from the towering waves, the ran and the thunder as it echoed the sound of their ships splitting hull. as they pulled themselves out of the sand of the beach crushing reality of their situation comes back.

The ship was torn apart by massive waves, and they were tossed into the ferocious waves of the endless ocean. They somehow managed to reach a remote, uncharted island but soon discover that their supplies and equipment are missing and it appears as though it they aren’t alone on the beach as tiny footprints lead from the short towards the forested parts of the island. Determined to survive and find a way off the island, they first must locate the culprits of their missing equipment and reclaim their belongings.

Notable NPC: Ellora Bitterleaf – A survivor after being left stranded on the island dozens of years ago she is a resourceful and enigmatic half-elf druid who has managed to survive on the island, living off it since her ship supposedly hit a reef and left her stranded here. She knows the island’s secrets and the creatures that inhabit it. She reluctantly agrees to help the adventurers, but she has her own motives in seeking their assistance.

She has most of her ship, most of it, but she needs help getting it sea worthy with, hopefully, some of the supplies they have as well as their experience being on the vessel. She will help them locate the thieves then request that they take her off the island using the boat that was abandoned here if they can help get it ready to sail.

Location: The Luminescent Forest – A dense, otherworldly forest at the heart of the island where the outer parts of its reaches have slowly encroached on the sandy beach as well. Here bioluminescent plants and fungi create an ethereal glow as they live within the shade of the near-permanently clouded island and are tended to by the islands primary residence.

The air is filled with the soft hum of magical energy, and the forest is home to many strange, wondrous and at times aggressive creatures. The party must make their way carefully across the land if they wish to avoid disturbing the aggressive ones.

Hidden Plot Twist: As the party delves deeper into the island following the small tracks, the scattering of parts of their supplies that the thieves deemed not useful, they discover that the thieves are actually a small tribe of fey. However, the fey did not act out of malice; they were driven to steal by a dark force that has taken control of their queen. The adventurers must choose whether to defeat the pixies and reclaim their belongings by force or find a way to free the pixie queen from the dark influence.

The few fey they talk to act kindly and apologise for not assisting the party but they also are ruled by fear. Fear of what the queen will do to them if they do not bring them the spoils of the storm so that the dark power can be sated.

Social Encounter: If the adventurers decide to negotiate with the fey, they can use diplomacy and persuasion to learn about the dark force controlling the queen. They may seek help from Ellora Bitterleaf, who knows a ritual to cleanse the dark influence from the fey queen but they must first get an audience and convince her that they mean no harm.

This path requires gathering rare ingredients from dangerous parts of the island, and each encounter along the way tests their resolve and cooperation. The end result is the queens favourite dish, something that she craves above all else – a moments distraction from the dark thoughts which will make her significantly more reasonable. The Fey are unable to get the ingredients themselves as a local goblinoid tribe defends several of these spots as holy sites to them.

Combat Encounter: If the adventurers choose to confront the fey, they must navigate through the Luminescent Forest and face waves of fey skirmishers. The battle is challenging, as the fey use their small size, agility, and enchantment magic to evade and slow the party so they can warn the queen of the attack and bring forth a bigger army.

Antagonist: A malevolent spirit from the Shadowfell has found its way to the island through one of Ellora’s failed attempts to tree walk off the island. The spirit has taken control of the fey queen and hordes wealth and junk as it see’s itself as a king of all it see’s.

It seeks to extend its influence not just over the island but beyond its sandy barriers, hoping to eventually capture the half-elf druid to corrupt her to open another portal. To end its reign, the adventurers must enter the spirit’s lair within the roots of an ancient, towering tree in the Luminescent Forest and face the spirit in a climactic battle or perform the cleansing ritual to banish it back to the Shadowfell.

The Lost Temple of Eldara

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Title: The Lost Temple of Eldara

Adventure Hook: The party hear as they are waiting in line to collect a reward for a job that was posted by the local hunters guild of rumours that have surfaced about a long-lost temple hidden deep within the enchanted forest of Eldara. The temple is said to contain the legendary Orb of Eternal Light, a powerful artifact that can bring light to even the darkest corners of the world and it is thought to have brought about the birth of many of the good natured deities.

However, a malevolent cult known as the Shadow Veil seeks to claim the Orb for their evil purposes as their cult leader has proclaimed a time of reformation for the people of the land. These rumours have sparked concern with the authorities, namely the church of Lathander, and they have charged the adventurers with finding the temple and securing the Orb before it falls into the wrong hands.

Notable NPC: Liora Walker – A young halfling that is a skilled ranger and scout for the city the party pick up this job overhears the mission and wants in. She knows the Eldara forest like the back of her hand after being raised by a commune of refugees when she was left homeless at a young age. This is where Liora’s personal vendetta against the Shadow Veil comes into play as they destroyed her village in their pursuit of their dark ambitions.

She offers to guide the adventurers through the forest and provide valuable insights about the temple and its defences and she only asks that they won’t get in her way. Her knowledge and tracking skills are indispensable for navigating the treacherous terrain and as she is one of the only people who knew where the temple was and was willing to take people there.

Location: The Enchanted Glade – A beautiful, yet eerie clearing within the Eldara forest, where ancient trees form a natural barrier around a shimmering pool. The glade is imbued with powerful magic that can both aid and hinder those who enter. It serves as an ideal location for a strategic battle, with plenty of natural cover and hazards.

The Glade has several rumours around it about being a place where those most in need and with pure intentions have received aid, and in some cases, had the incurable cured.

Hidden Plot Twist: As the adventurers enter the temple, they discover that the Orb of Eternal Light is not merely a source of power, but a sentient entity known as Lumina, a Guardian of Balance. Lumina reveals that the true threat is not the Shadow Veil, but a much older and more dangerous force that has been awakened by the meddling of their leader and their hunger for power. This ancient force, known as The Dread, seeks to plunge the world into eternal darkness and chaos, as many of them do.

Lumina explains that the Shadow Veil was unknowingly manipulated by The Dread into seeking the Orb, believing it to be a tool for their own power. But she can not guarantee how long they have been manipulated and if their actions regarding Liora were the action of the cult or the influence of the Dread.

In reality, Lumina is the only thing that can seal away The Dread once more. Now, the adventurers must find a way to convince the remaining Shadow Veil members that they have been manipulated without revealing Lumina. If they are successful these members would surely realise their grave mistake and will assist in the ritual that will imprison The Dread. However not all will be easily swayed.

Social Encounter: The adventurers must negotiate a tense alliance with the surviving Shadow Veil cultists. Trust is scarce, and old animosities threaten to undermine their efforts. The party must use all their diplomatic skills to broker peace and cooperation, ensuring both sides work together to stop The Dread while making good on their promise to Lioara.

Combat Encounter: As the ritual to seal away The Dread begins, the temple is besieged by its minions, nightmarish creatures that manifest from shadow, cinder, ash and smoke. The adventurers must protect Lumina and the cultists performing the ritual, fending off waves of these dark entities. The final showdown sees The Dread partially manifest after taking the deceased form of the once cult leader, and the party must use all their strength and wits to keep it at bay until the ritual is complete.

The Shattering of Elmyr

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Title: The Shattering of Anorak

Adventure Hook: The kingdom of Elmyr is on the brink of ruin as its lifeblood, the mystical artifact known as the Heart of Anorak, has been stolen. Whispers of a dark sorcerer and his band of shadowy minions spread through the land, instilling fear in every soul. The King, desperate to save his kingdom, calls upon the bravest of adventurers to retrieve the Heart and restore peace.

The party are tasked with returning the Heart of Anorak to the kingdom by any means necessary and they will have what ever support required to do so.

The artfeact, the Heart of Anorak, is comprised of wood, other organic material and a crystal substance at its core. The dark sorcerer is tapping into the power stored within its core to create its army of shadows and to harvest precious resources from a cave system to the east.

Notable NPC: Tiana Moonshadow – A reclusive and enigmatic elf druid who has guarded the secrets of the Heart of Anorak for centuries while working for and with the royal family. She is known for her wisdom and mastery over nature’s magic. Her knowledge is crucial to finding the artifact, but she harbors a deep secret about its true power.

In the last few years she was gradually removed from her position before no longer being able to study or be near the artefact. Despite this, ordered by the prince-come-king she has remained loyal and willing to assist the kingdom in any way they require her to do so.

Fantastical Location: The Crystal Caverns of Lythara – Far to the east of Elmyr a breathtaking underground labyrinth lays under the mountains of Lythara. The caverns are lined with glittering crystals that illuminate the darkness and react to traces of magic by glowing in a colour associated to the school of magic it comes from.

The caverns are said to house ancient guardians and hidden traps, making the journey perilous but all signs, including the advice from Tiana, point towards the cavern and local reports indicate that there is something suspicious going on within the caverns.

The beauty of the crystals is mesmerizing, but they also hold the potential for deadly encounters as many creatures covert their potential power, or, covert the food source that greed of man bring them when those foolish enough to seek the crystals.

Hidden Twist: The Heart of Anorak is not just a powerful artifact; it is the vessel for an ancient and malevolent spirit that seeks revenge against the family that trapped it within the crystal at the core of it. Tiana Moonshadow, while appearing to assist the adventurers, secretly plans to use the Heart for her own purposes to enact revenge against those who threw her, and her loyalty to the side. The adventurers must uncover her true intentions and decide whether to trust her or find another way to safeguard the artifact.

Encounter: Social Encounter – Glimmer: The adventurers discover a large crystal golem named Glimmer that appears to be trapped within the walls and other crystal structures within one of the chambers in the cave. However despite being trapped it appears to have a lot of control over the natural crystals in the walls and will use them to stop or injure those it deeps unfit.

The party must negotiate with the Guardian of the Crystal Caverns, a massive crystal golem named Glimmer. Glimmer tests the worthiness of those who seek passage through the caverns, demanding they prove their intentions are pure. The adventurers must use their wit and diplomacy to gain Glimmer’s trust or find themselves facing its formidable strength.

Combat Encounter: Deeper within the caverns, the adventurers are ambushed by a horde of shadowy minions led by the dark sorcerer Nalakar. The minions are twisted creatures formed from the shadows themselves, making them difficult to defeat, but not impossible. The adventurers must use their skills and teamwork to overcome the threat and push closer to reclaiming the Heart of Anorak after they wrestle it from Nalakar’s grasp.