The Sundered Mists: Trials of the Forgotten Oracle
Setting: The Enigmatic Glade
Nestled within an ancient forest, the Enigmatic Glade lies shrouded in thick, swirling mists that hold the remnants of forgotten magic. Legends speak of an Oracle who once thrived here, offering wisdom to lost travelers and foretelling fortunes, but it vanished long ago, leaving only fragments of its power behind.
As the party steps into the glade, they feel the weight of the air pressing against them, a palpable tension among the trees and stones. The glade is a circular space, about 100 feet in diameter, where luminescent flowers bloom with ethereal light. However, the soothing glow is betrayed by shifting shadows lurking in the edges of the mist. Ancient stone monoliths covered in runes stand at each cardinal direction, serving as remnants of rituals performed long ago.
To fulfill their quest, the adventurers must uncover the Oracle's location and dispel the mists that block their path. They have a lead to find three lost shards of the Oracle's essence, each hidden in a different part of the glade, and protected by the trials that linger in the air.
Characters
The Players
A party of 4-6 players, ideally composed of varied classes to tackle puzzles, traps, and daunting foes. They might include:
- A rugged ranger skilled in tracking and survival.
- A wise cleric attuned to the divine past of the forest.
- A stealthy rogue adept in the art of perception and disarming traps.
- A powerful sorcerer to manipulate the arcane energies that animate the mists.
The Guardians of the Glade
The glade is inhabited by strange and unearthly beings due to the lingering magic:
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Mist Wraiths (x3): Ethereal creatures formed from the residual energies of the Oracle, they are wispy figures that can confuse and manipulate location and perception. They are insubstantial and attack by melding with the mist to strike at the players.
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The Shardkeeper: A corrupted, twisted version of the Oracle, this creature guards the final shard like a vicious sentinel. Its form resembles a nightmarish amalgamation of twisting tendrils and glowing eyes, emanating an aura of fear.
The Trials
First Trial: The Test of Perception
To locate the first shard, the party must navigate through a maze-like area within the mist marked by twisted roots and illusionary duplicates.
Objective: The players need to decipher which paths lead to the shard and which lead to traps or dead ends.
Puzzles and Challenges:
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The Fog of Illusions: The mists constantly shift, causing the players to see illusions of themselves wandering the pathways. Regular Wisdom (Perception) checks are needed to discern which visions and paths are real.
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The Riddle of Roots: In the center of the maze lies a tangle of roots. A voice emanates from the roots, posing a riddle:
- “I flow without a river, I retreat without a shore; I wander yet never roam. What am I?” If players answer incorrectly, a root will lash out, dealing piercing damage.
- Answer: “Time”
Successfully answering reveals a concealed path to the first shard, guarded by two Mist Wraiths that attack the moment the path is opened.
Second Trial: The Trial of Trust
In search of the second shard, the players stumble upon a shimmering pool where lies a reflection of their truest desires.
Objective: To obtain the shard shimmering at the pool's center, players must confront a version of themselves, showcasing their deepest fears and temptations.
Puzzles and Challenges:
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Reflected Foes: Each player must face their shadow-self, an echo of their abilities and skills, appearing as dark doppelgängers. These foes possess the players' skills but deal psychic damage and can cast spells they know.
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Bond of Trust: As the conflict progresses, the pool reacts to the emotions of the party. To defeat their doppelgängers, players must declare their true intentions to each other, forming a bond that reinforces their strength. For every unified declaration, players gain a bonus to their attack rolls against their doppelgängers.
Once defeated, the second shard is revealed, buoyed on the surface of the pool. As it surfaces, the players must also deal with the remnants of the drowned fighters—the unquiet spirits of those who sought the Oracle in the past, rising as vengeful foes.
Final Trial: The Guardian's Wrath
With two shards in their possession, the adventurers ascend to enter the heart of the glade: a crumbling altar entwined in ivy, enshrining the third shard.
Objective: To retrieve it without falling prey to the Shardkeeper.
Encounter: As the players approach the altar, the Shardkeeper awakens, twisting in agony, manifesting terrifying spells of darkness and fear. The players must engage it in combat to secure the shard.
Combat Mechanics:
- Insidious Shadows: The Shardkeeper uses fear aura within a 30 ft radius, forcing players to succeed on Wisdom saving throws or become frightened.
- Mists of Confusion: At will, it can cast spells that create zones of disorientation. Each round, players must make Wisdom saving throws to not roll against their fellow adventurers.
- Aura of Death: The ground around the altar is littered with remnants of plants and spirits. The Shardkeeper restores its HP whenever a player falls unconscious.
Resolution
Upon defeating the Shardkeeper, the mists begin to dissipate. The Oracle’s essence, represented through the three shards, congregates and swirls beautifully above the altar, illuminating the glade.
The blessed light allows players to commune briefly with the Oracle, who can convey a singular secret—a pertinent piece of lore, a glimpse of one future event, or a boon of temporary power that might assist players in future endeavors.
As the glade resumes its natural beauty, gratitude swells in the hearts of the party, knowing they have freed the Oracle’s spirit from torment. This newfound power and wisdom will not only aid them in the trials ahead but leave an indelible mark on the world as the story of the Sundered Mists spreads forth.
