**Flickering Spirits: The Haunting of Ashen Hollow**
Setting: Ashen Hollow
Nestled within the misty hills of the Elderspine Mountains lies Ashen Hollow, a small, once-bustling village now left in a state of decay. The idleness that have plagued Ashen Hollow for decades breed whispers of restless spirits and unnatural occurrences. A malevolent energy lingers in the abandoned homes, and the shattered town square, where ash and soot coat every surface. Flickering lights appear in the periphery—ghostly silhouettes beckoning to those who dare to enter.
The village is surrounded by a dense forest known as the Whisperswood, filled with gnarled trees and an eerie peace that amplifies the sense of foreboding that fills the air. The only structure that remains mostly intact is the now derelict tavern, The Sullen Lantern, its sign swinging gently despite there being no breeze.
Characters: The Haunted and Their Guardians
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Eldrin the Haunting Ambassador - Once the village elder, Eldrin died under mysterious circumstances and has since become a spirit who roams the village, desperately yearning for his unfinished business. He possesses knowledge of the events that led to the town’s downfall and aims to share it; however, he will only do so if the players can prove their intentions are honorable.
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The Flickering Spirits - A collection of lost spirits that haunt Ashen Hollow. They were the villagers who fell victim to a dark ritual gone wrong, turning them into manifestations of their fears. They occasionally flicker into view, leaving behind clues about their fate, but they can also lash out at those who intrude upon their territory in a fit of rage.
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Cindergloom - A shadowy creature made of smoke and embers that acts as the guardian of Ashen Hollow’s dark secret. Cindergloom feeds on fear and despair, and serves to draw away the spirits from the village and punish intruders. Its gigantic form glows eerily, creating an unsettling aura that enhances its influence.
Goal: Expose the Ritual and Free the Spirits
The characters must uncover the truth behind the village's tragic past, expose the dark ritual that caused the villagers to become trapped in limbo, and ultimately free their spirits. This involves gathering enchanted remnants of the ritual, uncovering the mystery behind Eldrin's death, and confronting Cindergloom.
The Encounter
The Sullen Lantern's Secrets
As the players step inside The Sullen Lantern, the silence engulfs them. A wide, wooden bar spans the left side of the room, clad in a thick layer of dust. Cobwebs cling to the corners, and a few broken chairs are strewn about. Suddenly, the once-dead fire in the hearth flickers into life, casting a warm glow. Behind the bar, a silver-tipped staff stands against the counter, radiating faint magic.
The players will need to search the tavern for clues about the village's past. As they inspect the area, they encounter spectral impressions left by the bartender and the patrons, swirling memories of laughter interrupted abruptly by terror. Through a successful investigation check (DC 15), players can find an old journal belonging to Eldrin tucked beneath a loose floorboard. The journal details how a group of villagers sought to harness arcane powers, ultimately leading to an unforeseen disaster—the very ritual that trapped them.
Also hidden within the journal is a reference to three enchanted relics scattered across the village that may aid in breaking the curse.
The Ghosts of Ashen Hollow
Now the hunt for the relics begins. As the characters step out of The Sullen Lantern, their first destination could be the old chapel, rumored to house Echo's Tear, a crystal that captures sounds. The trail to the chapel is fraught with danger: eerie whispers fill the air, confusing the players’ sense of direction. A group of Flickering Spirits suddenly appears through the trees, their faces twisted in pain.
Players must choose between combat or negotiation. If they choose to fight, the spirits can create illusions that bring to life the player's worst fear, attempting to mimic the conditions that led to their death. Each player must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 14) or be frightened for one round. If players manage to calm the spirits down through a successful Persuasion check (DC 16), they can learn the spirits were merely wailing because they were trapped, unlocking the next step towards the chapel.
The Chapel's Riddle
Upon reaching the chapel, the players find it bursts with haunting energy, with remnants of holy inscriptions all around, twisted and decayed. The players will need to locate Echo's Tear to proceed. The main altar is covered in dust and scratched with an inscription: “To receive, you must give—whisper your desires and take what you need.”
A special puzzle lies here: players must whisper a request to the shrine while leaving a meaningful item from their past on the altar (a trinket, family heirloom, or socially significant item). If they succeed, the chapel’s magic reacts and grants them Echo's Tear. Upon obtaining the relic, they will face an attack from Cindergloom, who sees the players as a threat to his dark lordship.
This creature uses smoke and fire to create a field of blinding ash, making visibility limited. It can also force the players to confront spectral shapes of their past mistakes, making them roll against their Wisdom or Constitution saves (DC 15) to regain focus.
The Forest Edge Showdown
With Echo's Tear and the other relics now collected, players return to confront Eldrin at the center of the village. They must present all three relics to Eldrin in order to uncover the full truth of what transpired. Eldrin explains that each relic corresponds to a part of the ritual conducted by the villagers, but they need Eldrin's essence, still bound to the town, to free the spirits fully.
To collect his essence and put an end to the curse, the players must create a binding circle using the three relics, which require clever positioning and magical input. The players can interact with Eldrin during this process, discovering his true nature and understanding the burden he carries.
As they place the relics within the circle, the accumulated power draws Cindergloom to retaliate. In the climatic confrontation, Cindergloom’s power exceeds before the players can complete the ritual. Players must work together to protect Eldrin and assist in completing the final incantation.
Cindergloom lashes out, attempting to instill fear and chaos, but as players utilize teamwork (Strategic Battle Mechanics) and effective spellcasting, they can gain the upper hand. Once Cindergloom is weakened, players need to make a Group Skill Check (DC 16) to successfully claim victory, stabilizing the essence circle.
Resolution: A Village at Peace
Upon defeating Cindergloom and completing the ritual, the vibrant light erupts from the relics, filling Ashen Hollow with warmth and color. The spirits of the villagers manifest around Eldrin, thanking the players before ascending to rest. Eldrin, now released, thanks the players, offering a spectral blessing which enables them to carry forth his lessons and memories.
As they leave Ashen Hollow, the forest breathes anew, the once-ominous atmosphere replaced with tranquil silence and hopeful beginnings. The characters collect any loot from defeated enemies and unlock new knowledge from the journal they discovered, potentially hinting at further quests beyond Ashen Hollow.
Equipped with the experiences gained within Ashen Hollow, the players leave transformed—forever changed by the souls they saved and the haunted history they unraveled.
