Dungeon Mastery

Encounter Level: 7

Background: While traveling through a deep, ancient part of the forest known as the Dreadwood, the party begins to notice that the trees around them seem to be twisting unnaturally, their branches reaching out like claws. The air grows colder, and the sounds of wildlife fade away, replaced by an eerie silence. The party has unknowingly entered the domain of a Dreadwood Guardian, an ancient forest spirit corrupted by dark magic.

The Encounter:

As the adventurers move deeper into the Dreadwood, the ground beneath them suddenly shifts, and roots burst from the earth, attempting to ensnare them. The Dreadwood Guardian emerges from the shadows, a towering figure made of twisted vines, bark, and the skeletal remains of fallen creatures. Its eyes glow with an ominous green light, and it exudes an aura of dread that chills the very air.

• Dreadwood Guardian: The Guardian is a corrupted treant (use the Treant stat block with additional abilities such as necrotic damage and an aura of fear). It was once a protector of the forest but has been twisted by dark forces. The Guardian seeks to drive out any intruders by any means necessary, using its control over the forest to summon swarms of Blighted Creatures (use Needle Blights and Vine Blights) to aid it in combat.
• Blighted Creatures: These corrupted forest beings attack the party with relentless fury, attempting to overwhelm them through sheer numbers. The Blights emerge from the surrounding forest, their twisted forms blending in with the darkened foliage until they strike.

Environmental Hazards: The corrupted forest itself poses dangers to the party. The ground is uneven and covered in thick, grasping roots that count as difficult terrain. The trees themselves seem to move, blocking paths or attempting to entangle the adventurers. Occasionally, the Guardian will cause trees to topple or branches to fall, forcing the party to make Dexterity saving throws to avoid taking damage.

Combat: The Dreadwood Guardian is a formidable foe, using its massive strength to crush enemies while its Blighted minions harass the party. It may use lair actions, such as causing thorny vines to erupt from the ground or summoning a dense fog that obscures vision. The Guardian will fight to the death, believing that it is defending its corrupted domain from further harm.

Aftermath: If the party defeats the Dreadwood Guardian, the dark magic binding it will dissipate, causing the forest to begin returning to its natural state. The Guardian’s body crumbles into dust, leaving behind a Heartwood Amulet (a magical item that provides resistance to necrotic damage and allows the wearer to cast speak with plants once per day).

Treasure: In addition to the Heartwood Amulet, the party may find various natural treasures within the forest, such as rare herbs, magical seeds, or even a hidden grove that contains a powerful druidic artifact.