> [!infobox|wikipedia] > # Recording > [](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2owD_VT2VPw) > # Basic Information > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Session # | 19 | > Play Date | 2024-07-07 | > Players | Deathmouse<br>JC<br>Kiwi<br>Lacer<br>Vael | > Party Level | 5 | > # Session Details > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Date | [[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Calendar/Year - 2507/02 - Water, 2nd.png\|1st Water, 2nd - 2507]]<br>to<br>[[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Calendar/Year - 2507/02 - Water, 2nd.png\|3rd Water, 2nd - 2507]] | > Location | [[Ancient Woods]] > Characters | [[Gemma Finegold]]<br>[[Harland Finegold]]<br>[[The Finegolds]] | ## Summary The party’s investigation into the [[Ancient Woods]] outside [[Farhaven]] culminates in a brutal ambush within the ruined city. Upon discovering the body of [[Harland Finegold]], the group tracks the killers to a central clearing where they find the remaining members of [[The Finegolds]] bound and gagged. The rescue attempt is interrupted by a lethal assassin—the mysterious woman previously seen on the prison ship in [[Darmouth]]—who strikes from the shadows, instantly incapacitating [[Vaeleran]] with a poisoned dagger. A desperate skirmish ensues, with [[Dondar]] raining fire from the sky and [[Ryo]] and [[Eryndor]] landing critical blows. Just as the assassin attempts to vanish beneath a smoke bomb, Vaeleran, revived by [[Kai]], lunges forward and ends her life with a vengeful strike through the back. With the immediate threat neutralised and the captives secured, the party tends to the wounded and gives Harland Finegold a proper burial before joining the merchant convoy on the journey to [[Val Miriel]]. The travel is marked by internal strife and supernatural omens for Kai. He attempts a clandestine healing ritual on Vaeleran's eye using a sleep spell, resulting in a tense confrontation when the fighter awakes. Furthermore, Kai is haunted by vivid dreams pulling him between a celestial entity urging patience and a dark, purple-eyed goddess tempting him with vengeance, leaving physical corruption spreading up his arm. Upon arriving in Val Miriel, the group witnesses a grand procession led by [[Governor Tarlis Evandron]] and his daughter, [[Vallania Miriel]]. The city is a powder keg of mixed loyalties, with some citizens cheering and others jeering the Imperial leadership. After settling into the [[River's Watch]] tavern, the party receives a cryptic message delivered via an arrow through their window. The following morning they were met by [[Gideon Blackthorn]] of [[The Order of Ravens]], who takes custody of [[Lia]]. In a shocking twist before departing, Gideon reveals to Eryndor that his father is not only alive but present in the city, setting the stage for a personal reunion amidst the brewing rebellion. ## Details ### The Ruins of Farhaven * The party investigates the crude grave of [[Harland Finegold]], noting his throat was slashed and he was buried hastily. * [[Ryo]] tracks the killers deeper into the ruins, discovering a camp where [[The Finegolds]] ([[Gemma Finegold|Gemma]], [[Lilliana Featherfoot|Lilliana]], [[Valen Leafwhisper|Valen]], [[Maeve Greycloud|Maeve]], and [[Doran Ironfist|Doran]]) are held captive. * As the party prepares to ambush the camp, a female assassin—recognised from the prison ship in [[Darmouth]]—strikes first, dropping [[Vaeleran]] to zero hit points instantly with a poisoned dagger. * [[Dondar]] casts *Fly* and *Fireball* to control the battlefield, while [[Kai]] heals Vaeleran. * Ryo frees Valen and engages the assassin, while [[Eryndor]] deals massive damage with his bow. * The assassin attempts to flee using a smoke bomb, but Vaeleran secures the kill with an attack of opportunity. * [[Gemma Finegold|Gemma]] reveals the assassin forced Lilliana to send the trap message. * Kai uses magic to create a hot bath for the traumatised survivors, and the group gives Harland a respectful burial. * Vaeleran loots the assassin's red-lined black cloak. ### The Journey to Val Miriel * The party joins [[The Finegolds]]' convoy to travel north. * [[Kai]] experiments with *Moonbeam* and ice mirrors; he notices the starry markings on his arm are turning black. * [[Vaeleran]] asks [[Gemma Finegold]] to use her contacts to search for information on the name "Corvas" and confirms the resistance is gathering at [[Val Noren]]. * In the middle of the night, Kai casts *Sleep* on Vaeleran to attempt *Lesser Restoration* on his blinded eye. The healing fails, and Vaeleran wakes up, leading to an awkward confrontation about consent and boundaries. * Kai experiences a vivid dream sequence where he is pulled into the cosmos. A voice of light warns him against vengeance, while a dark entity with glowing purple eyes offers him power. He rejects the darkness using his holy symbol but wakes up exhausted with the black corruption on his arm having spread. ### Arrival in the Capital * The party arrives at [[Val Miriel]], a massive city bisected by the [[Luminor River]]. * They encounter a military parade featuring [[Governor Tarlis Evandron]], wearing a large red gem amulet, and his daughter [[Vallania Miriel]]. The crowd's reaction is sharply divided between support and hatred. * The group secures lodging at the [[River's Watch]] tavern. * [[Kai]] tips the barmaid, [[Lila Spring]], a staggering one gold piece to learn the location of the main temple, [[The High Sept]]. * A message attached to an arrow is shot into their room, instructing them to meet "a friend" at midnight at [[Miriel's Rest]]. ### The Handover * The next morning, the party is flagged down in the tavern by a man in a black cloak. * The contact is revealed to be [[Gideon Blackthorn]], a member of [[The Order of Ravens]] and an old acquaintance of [[Eryndor]]. * [[Lia]] is successfully handed over to the Order. * Gideon reveals to Eryndor that his father, [[Jerek]] is alive and currently in [[Val Miriel]]. ## Art ### Ancient Forest Ruins ![[Ancient Forest Ruins.jpg]]