> [!infobox|wikipedia] > # Recording > [](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKM7NbdTG1M) > # Basic Information > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Session # | 8 | > Play Date | 2023-10-28 | > Players | JC<br>Kiwi<br>Lacer<br>Vael | > Party Level | 3 | > # Session Details > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Date | [[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Calendar/Year - 2507/01 - Water, 1st.png\|4th Water, 1st - 2507]]<br>to<br>[[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Calendar/Year - 2507/01 - Water, 1st.png\|7th Water, 1st - 2507]] | > Location | Travelling to [[Camaar]] > Characters | [[Vallania Miriel]] (Nia)<br>[[Gemma Finegold]]<br>[[Barak Stormrider]]<br>[[Ari]] | ## Summary The journey from [[Darmouth]] to [[Camaar]] proved to be as perilous as it was revealing. After parting ways with their goblin captives and nursing the rescued prisoner, [[Vallania Miriel|Nia]], back to health, the party navigated the high roads towards the coast. The trek was marked by strange occurrences: a decimated merchant caravan left to rot, a tense standoff with an Imperial patrol led by a Red Cloak, and a baffling encounter with a phantom tower in the highlands that defied the laws of physics, trapping the party in a spatial loop whenever they attempted to approach it. Amidst the travel, [[Gemma Finegold]] privately confronted [[Vaeleran]] with a bounty poster demanding 5,000 gold for his capture, hinting at a forgotten past as a traitor to the Empire, yet offering him a place in her rebellion. Upon arriving in the sprawling, chaotic port city of [[Camaar]], the atmosphere was thick with rumours of war and uprising in the north. The party was ushered to the headquarters of [[The Mawbreakers]], where they met Captain [[Barak Stormrider]] and his lieutenant, [[Ari]]. The stolen package from [[Darmouth]] was revealed to contain the schematics for [[Skyreach]] - a massive, secret Imperial viaduct being built over the [[Aeolian Chasm]]. Barak proposed a daring mission: use the plans to identify the structure's weak points and destroy it. This would sever the Empire's supply lines to the capital and force them to navigate "[[The Maw]]," a treacherous stretch of ocean controlled by the Mawbreakers, effectively crippling their ability to wage war on the rebellious city of [[Val Noren]]. The session concluded with a sharp pivot from political intrigue to street justice. After checking into [[The Lion]] Inn, the party realised they had been pick-pocketed of their gold and magic items during the bustle of the city. A visit to the local chapter of [[The Order of Ravens]] pointed them toward a network of street urchins. Attempting to bait the thieves, [[Ryo]] disguised himself as a wealthy drunkard while [[Kai]] provided magical vision to the group. However, their ambush plans were interrupted when they were cornered in a dark alley by thugs demanding a toll. The tension snapped instantly as [[Dondar]], foregoing diplomacy, launched a *Magic Missile* into the leader’s face, plunging the group into initiative. ## Details ### The Journey South * **Prisoner Release:** The party interrogated the goblin captives one last time before releasing them into the wild, warning them never to return to the road. * **Nia’s Recovery:** The rescued prisoner, [[Vallania Miriel|Nia]], recovered her strength but remained guarded about her past, stating only that she wished to return home to [[Val Miriel]]. * **The Ruined Caravan:** The group discovered a merchant wagon destroyed by goblin arrows about a week prior. It had been stripped of all valuables, serving as a grim reminder of the road's dangers. * **Imperial Patrol:** A [[Hand of The Empire|Red Cloak]] and two soldiers intercepted the caravan. Through quick thinking and deception, [[The Finegolds]] and the party posed as legitimate merchants and mercenaries, avoiding a fight. * **Gemma’s Return:** [[Gemma Finegold|Gemma]] and [[Doran Ironfist|Doran]] caught up with the group, distributing the reward from the goblin contract (820 gold total). ### Campfire Revelations & Anomalies * **The Bounty:** In a private moment, [[Gemma Finegold|Gemma]] showed [[Vaeleran]] a "Wanted" poster featuring a sketch of an older, scarred man resembling him. The bounty is 5,000 gold. Gemma deduced he is an enemy of the [[The Valtorran Empire|Empire]] and suggested he join her cause. * **The Phantom Tower:** On the third day, the party spotted a stone tower in the highlands. * **Spatial Loop:** Attempts to walk toward it resulted in the party inexplicably arriving back at the caravan after minutes of travel. * **Magical Test:** Ropes tied to the caravan went slack instantly, and arrows fired toward the tower behaved normally, but physical travel was impossible. They abandoned the investigation to beat the incoming storm. ### Arrival in Camaar * **The City:** [[Camaar]] was described as a haphazard, ancient city of stone, starkly contrasting the ordered colonial style of [[Darmouth]]. The streets were teeming with sailors, merchants, and rumours of rebellion in the north. * **Rumors:** Town criers and locals spoke of the [[The Valtorran Empire|Empire]] mobilising troops and [[Val Noren]] expelling Imperial forces to declare independence. * **Parting Ways:** [[Vallania Miriel|Nia]] bid the party farewell at the gates, refusing to enter the city and heading north on her own. ### The Mawbreakers & Skyreach * **Meeting Barak:** [[Gemma Finegold|Gemma]] led the party to [[The Mawbreakers]]' guildhall at the docks to meet [[Barak Stormrider]] (a massive man with a red beard) and [[Ari]] (a half-orc female). * **The Schematics:** The package contained blueprints for [[Skyreach]], a secret bridge spanning the [[Aeolian Chasm]]. * **The Strategy:** * [[The Valtorran Empire|The Empire]] has spent a decade building [[Skyreach]] to bypass the treacherous sea routes. * Destroying it will force Imperial supply lines through "[[The Maw]]," where the Mawbreakers hold naval superiority. * The party agreed to the mission. Barak requested two days for his engineers to analyse the plans. * **Ryo’s Reveal:** In the privacy of the office, [[Ryo]] revealed his true Elven heritage to Barak, who noted he hadn't seen a native Elf in nearly a century. ### The Theft and The Trap * **The Robbery:** Upon checking into [[The Lion]] Inn, the party discovered their coin purses and several magic items (including the [[Moonstone]]) had been stolen. * **The Order of Ravens:** [[Eryndor]] led the group to a hidden thieves' guild location. They denied involvement but directed the party toward freelance street urchins near the main gate. * **The Sting Operation:** * **The Plan:** [[Ryo]] used *Disguise Self* to appear as a wealthy, stumbling noble to act as bait. [[Kai]] shared *Eyes of the Night* (Darkvision) with the party to track the thieves in the dark. * **The Confrontation:** While setting up the trap in a dark alley, two thugs intercepted them, demanding a toll. * **Initiative:** [[Dondar]] wasted no words, casting *Magic Missile* at the lead thug. The session ended as combat began.