> [!infobox|wikipedia] > # Recording > [](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vf_yL7rLoY) > # Basic Information > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Session # | 21 | > Play Date | 2024-09-08 | > Players | Deathmouse<br>JC<br>Kiwi<br>Lacer<br>Vael | > Party Level | 6 | > # Session Details > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Date | [[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Calendar/Year - 2507/02 - Water, 2nd.png\|4th Water, 2nd - 2507]]<br>to<br>[[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Calendar/Year - 2507/02 - Water, 2nd.png\|5th Water, 2nd - 2507]] | > Location | [[Val Miriel]] > Characters | [[Jerek]]<br>[[Governor Tarlis Evandron]]<br>[[Vallania Miriel]] | ## Summary Recovering from a hallucinogenic haze in the market, the party returns to the [[River's Watch]] tavern to regroup. The evening takes a sharp turn when an elderly man approaches their table, cheerfully ignoring a botched attempt by [[Kai]] to spike his drink. The stranger reveals himself to be [[Jerek]], the long-lost father of [[Eryndor]] and a veteran of [[The Order of Ravens]]. In a tense but poignant reunion by the river, Jerek reveals he has spent decades searching for Eryndor’s mother, hinting she may be held within the dungeons of [[Val Luminor]]. He warns the party of the "[[Eye of the Empire|Eyes of the Empire]]" before vanishing into the night, leaving Eryndor with a renewed, albeit grim, sense of purpose. At midnight, the group executes a bold plan to enter [[Miriel's Rest]], the royal graveyard. Rather than sneaking, [[Vaeleran]] dons a red cloak and intimidates the guards into opening the gates, citing "classified Imperial business." Inside, they are met by a hooded figure who reveals herself to be [[Vallania Miriel]] (Nia), the governor's daughter and the woman the party previously rescued from the goblin stronghold near [[Darmouth]]. She leads them through a secret passage in her family crypt, descending deep underground to a hidden war room. There, they meet [[Governor Tarlis Evandron|Tarlis]], the Governor of [[Val Miriel]]. Though initially hostile and paranoid, threatening to execute them to keep his secret, Tarlis is swayed by his daughter's testimony and the party's involvement in toppling [[Skyreach]]. He outlines a desperate strategy: the party must act as independent agents to unite the fractured kingdoms of [[Valtorra]] against [[The Valtorran Empire|The Crimson Empire]]. Armed with magical communication stones and a map of potential allies, the party accepts the mission, effectively opening the world before them. ## Details ### The Tavern and the Reunion * The party returns to the [[River's Watch]] after recovering from a drug-induced trip in the market. * [[Gemma Finegold]] informs [[Vaeleran]] that the name "Korvas" is associated with the former head of the Imperial Garrison in [[Val Noren]], who has been missing for months. * An elderly man approaches the party's table, making small talk. [[Kai]] attempts to slip a poisonous mushroom into the man's drink, but fails to hide the action; the man notices but feigns ignorance. * The man throws a puzzle cube at [[Eryndor]], revealing himself to be [[Jerek]], Eryndor's father and a member of [[The Order of Ravens]]. * Jerek and Eryndor speak privately by the river. Jerek reveals he was captured years ago during a heist but escaped. He believes Eryndor's mother, [[Eirieneth]], may be a prisoner in [[Val Luminor]]. * Upon leaving, Jerek warns Kai that trying to poison a Raven is foolish and dangerous. ### Infiltration of Miriel's Rest * The party prepares for the midnight meeting. [[Kai]] casts *Aid* on [[Dondar]], [[Eryndor]], and [[Vaeleran]]. * Vaeleran uses the captured Red Cloak and his commanding presence to bluff past the graveyard guards, claiming secret Imperial business. * Inside [[Miriel's Rest]], the party stealths through the grounds. Kai uses *Eyes of the Night* to spot a hooded figure waiting by a large crypt. * The figure reveals herself as [[Vallania Miriel]] (Nia), the daughter of the Governor. She recognises the party from their previous rescue mission involving goblins. * Nia opens a magical lock on her family crypt and leads the party down a long tunnel to a hidden underground bunker. ### The War Room and the Governor * The party enters a secret planning room filled with maps and books. Kai detects magic coming from a small chest on a shelf. * [[Governor Tarlis Evandron|Tarlis]], the Governor, enters and immediately threatens the party, fearing his seditious plans have been exposed. * [[Vallania Miriel|Vallania]] vouches for the group, and Vaeleran reveals their involvement in the destruction of [[Skyreach]], which convinces Tarlis of their anti-Imperial alignment. * Tarlis explains his position: he cannot openly rebel without being replaced or executed by [[The Valtorran Empire|The Empire]], so he needs independent agents to travel the continent. ### The Grand Alliance * [[Governor Tarlis Evandron|Tarlis]] proposes a plan to unite the old kingdoms and factions. He gives the party six pairs of Sending Stones (encrypted communication devices) to distribute to potential leaders. * The party establishes a codeword for the stones: "**Lenny**". * Tarlis outlines the targets for the mission: * **[[Val Aerie]]:** The High Priest is a cousin of the Governor; likely a diplomatic entry. * **[[Val Noren]]:** Currently in turmoil with an active insurrection; the party needs to find who is in charge. * **[[Val Aran]]:** Rumors suggest the dead are walking in the [[Borealia Forest]]; the Governor may be distracted. * **[[Val Solis]]:** Has been isolated for a century; no agents have ever returned from infiltration attempts. * **[[Glimmerforge]]:** The current Dwarven stewards are Imperial puppets; the party must find a sympathetic faction. * **[[The Valtorran Elves]]:** Missing for a century. The party is tasked with finding any leads on their disappearance or location (suspected to be the [[Isle of Erivin]]). * Tarlis warns them about the "[[Eye of the Empire|Eyes of the Empire]]," elite assassins and spies. * The party leaves the crypt, bluffing their way past the guards again, and returns to the tavern to plan their next move, now with free rein over their destination.