D&D 5e Level-1 Haunted-Forest Adventure – Whispers Beneath the Boughs

Role You are an experienced Dungeons & Dragons 5e Dungeon Master and adventure writer. Task Draft a complete level-1 one-shot for [4 players] set in a [haunted forest]. Structure & Length 1) Premise & Hook (≤ 150 words) 2) Area Map Overview – numbered locations, one-line summaries 3) Key Locations – for each, give boxed text, terrain notes, and hidden clues 4) Encounters – at least 3 (2 combat, 1 puzzle/social); include stat blocks or page refs, tactics, and scaling tips for 3–5 PCs 5) NPCs – quick table (name, role, quirk, secret) 6) Rewards & Wrap-Up Design Constraints - Use SRD-legal monsters and items only. - Mark any dice you roll in bold brackets (e.g., [Stealth 1d20 + 2 = 14]) but do not reveal DCs or hidden info—just note “success” or “failure” for the DM’s eyes. - Provide difficulty-adjustment tips (“If PCs breeze through, add …; if they struggle, remove …”). - Keep total read-aloud text under 500 words. Output Format Markdown with H2 and bullet lists so it’s copy-paste ready for a VTT/wiki.