> [!infobox|wikipedia] > # Recording > [](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPXjaNoKyzU) > # Basic Information > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Session # | 33 | > Play Date | 2025-04-26 | > Players | Deathmouse<br>JC<br>Kiwi<br>Lacer<br>Vael | > Party Level | 7 | > # Session Details > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Date | [[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Calendar/Year - 2507/02 - Water, 2nd.png\|25th Water, 2nd - 2507]] | > Location | [[Point Blackrock]] > Characters | [[Lysa]]<br>[[Salla the Brave]]<br>[[Dane]] | ## Summary The party arrives at the windswept, frozen settlement of [[Point Blackrock]], only to find it swallowed by a massive encampment of [[The Valtorran Empire|The Crimson Empire]]. Attempting to pass as simple mercenaries, they are intercepted by Captain Catherine, who attempts to confiscate their gear. A tense standoff is averted when [[Vaeleran]] leans into his forgotten past, invoking the rank of [[General Korvas]] to secure their autonomy. While Vaeleran is escorted to a high-stakes meeting with the local Imperial Commander - who recognises him as a "missing" asset and offers a suspicious deal to cross the ice in a week - the rest of the party detects Abjuration magic nearby and discovers the Empire has imprisoned [[The Frostwardens]], specifically the [[The Frostwarden Crews#Fox Crew|Fox Crew]], who are essential for navigating the shifting ice to [[Val Noren]]. Refusing to wait and walk into a trap, the party hatches a chaotic plan to break out the Wardens and nearly a hundred other conscripted prisoners. [[Dondar]] utilises powerful transmutation magic to fabricate dozens of keys from a set of manacles, while [[Kai]] and [[Eryndor]] coordinate a two-pronged strategy. As night falls, Vaeleran and Eryndor infiltrate the prison tents to distribute keys, while Dondar and Kai - shapeshifted into a white elk - flank the camp to feign a massive rebel attack from the south. The distraction is explosive and effective. Kai calls down searing moonbeams while Dondar unleashes fireballs upon the empty red tents, drawing the Imperial legion away from the prisoners. Amidst the confusion, [[Ryo]] detonates an explosive arrow, sealing the chaos. The prisoners, led by The Frostwardens, stampede north toward the frozen sea. The party regroups on the ice, leaving a burning camp and a confused Commander behind them. As the breathless Fox Crew asks who their saviours are, Vaeleran replies with a grim smile: "The Bloody Nails." ## Details ### Arrival at Point Blackrock * The party arrives at [[Point Blackrock]] during a storm, finding the town surrounded by thousands of red Imperial tents. * They decide to cut their Imperial horses loose to avoid suspicion before entering the town on foot. * They are intercepted by Captain Catherine and a squad of soldiers. The Captain attempts to "press gang" them into service and confiscate their weapons. * [[Vaeleran]] reveals his scarred face and invokes his rank as "[[General Korvas]]." This intimidates Catherine enough to let them keep their gear, though they are placed under loose guard in a holding tent. ### The Commander and the Wardens * [[Vaeleran]] is escorted to the only stone building in town to meet the Imperial Commander. * The Commander recognises Vaeleran as [[General Korvas|Korvas]] and is amused by his memory loss. He reveals that "[[Dread General Blackmarsh|General Gerard]]" is leading the assault on [[Val Noren]] and would be eager to see Korvas. * The Commander offers a deal: Wait one week for reinforcements, and Vaeleran can join the final crossing to the north. Vaeleran bluffs, offering to lead a crossing sooner to aid the war effort. * Meanwhile, [[Ryo]] casts *Detect Magic* and senses Abjuration magic in the adjacent tent. * [[Eryndor]] uses stealth and invisibility to investigate the neighboring tent. He meets the imprisoned [[The Frostwardens|Frostwarden]] (The Fox Crew): * **[[Salla the Brave]] (Ice Listener):** Can sense vibrations and cracks in the ice. * **[[Dane]] (Scout):** Expert at finding paths and avoiding monsters. * **[[Lysa]] (Pathfinder/Leader):** Knows the Frostway intimately. * The Wardens reveal they are being held to guide the army across the ice but plan to escape if a distraction occurs. ### The Heist Preparation * The party decides against leaving the prisoners to die; they plan a mass breakout of all 50-100 captives. * [[Kai]] uses *Shape Water* to freeze water inside a lock, creating an ice mould of the key. * [[Dondar]] uses the *Fabricate* spell on a pile of manacles and chainmail. Using the ice mould as a reference, he transmutes the metal into a rod containing 50 duplicate keys. * The plan is set: A "Chaos Team" will draw the guards south, while the "Stealth Team" unlocks the prisoners in the north. ### Operation Chaos & Escape * [[Kai]] turns into a mouse and hides in [[Dondar]]'s pocket. Dondar casts *Fly* to rush them silently to the southern edge of the camp. * **The Distraction:** * Kai transforms into a white elk to blend in with the snow and casts a 4th-level *Moonbeam*, scouring the Imperial tents. * Dondar launches *Fireballs* into the tent clusters, igniting fires and simulating a large-scale attack. * [[Ryo]] fires an explosive smoke powder arrow into a dense cluster of tents to add to the confusion. * **The Breakout:** * [[Eryndor]], [[Vaeleran]], and Ryo (disguised as an Imperial guard) move through the northern "Press Yards," tossing keys to prisoners and unlocking manacles. * [[The Frostwardens]] take charge of the civilians, leading a stampede north towards the ice. * Imperial soldiers rush south to fight the phantom "rebel attack," taking heavy casualties from the magic, while the prisoners escape with minimal resistance. * Kai (as the elk) and Dondar outrun the retaliatory crossbow fire—though Kai takes a few bolts to the flank—and loop back north. * The party successfully reunites on the edge of [[The Frostway]]. Vaeleran introduces the group to the bewildered Wardens as "The Bloody Nails." ## Art ### Point Blackrock Sketch ![[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Sessions/Session 33/Art/Point Blackrock.png]]