> [!infobox|wikipedia] > # Recording > [](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoNSBj932xM) > # Basic Information > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Session # | 40 | > Play Date | 2025-10-25 | > Players | Deathmouse<br>JC<br>Kiwi<br>Lacer<br>Vael | > Party Level | 8 | > # Session Details > Attribute | Details | > ---|---| > Date | [[Campaigns/The Bloody Nails/Calendar/Year - 2507/03 - Water, 3rd.png\|6th Water, 3rd - 2507]] | > Location | [[Val Noren]] > Characters | [[King Marius Noren]]<br>[[Dread General Blackmarsh]]<br>[[Marcelle the Broken]] | ## Summary The session opens with high tension as the party bursts from the crypts beneath [[The Stoneheart]] only to find [[Dread General Blackmarsh]] waiting for them in the main cathedral chamber. Alongside him stands the red cloaked elven mage [[Marcelle the Broken]] and a host of undead hidden within the pews. The battle erupts instantly; [[Ryo]] acts as the primary striker, raining precision arrows upon the enemy, while [[Kai]] summons a Twilight Sanctuary to bolster the party's defences against the General's terrifying aura of dread. The combat is brutal and chaotic. Marcelle attempts to take a strategic position on the high balcony, raining arcane bursts down on the party, but she is swiftly neutralised by a combination of [[Berberis]]'s mobility and Ryo's deadly aim. However, General Blackmarsh proves to be a juggernaut, unleashing a destructive wave of energy that nearly wipes the party, knocking several members unconscious. In a turning point, [[King Marius Noren]] overcomes his trauma to heal Kai, who in turn revives Ryo, keeping the team in the fight. Berberis summons a giant badger which proves surprisingly effective at distracting the General. In the final desperate moments, [[Dondar]] unleashes a volley of Magic Missiles that sever the General's arm, ending his life. With his death, the remaining zombies collapse, their necrotic tether severed. The party loots the bodies—claiming the General's dark blade and discovering mysterious dragon-like scarification on the priestess—before beheading Blackmarsh. However, victory is complicated; a scout reveals twenty-five soldiers waiting outside the main entrance, leaving the heroes trapped inside The Stoneheart with the rescued King, needing a plan of escape. ## Details ### The Ambush at the Altar * The party emerges from the crypts into the main chamber of [[The Stoneheart]]. * [[Dread General Blackmarsh]] mocks their arrival, stating he expected them. * [[Ryo]] opens hostilities immediately, utilising Sharpshooter and Hunter's Mark to deal massive damage to [[Marcelle the Broken]]. * Zombies burst from sarcophagi around the room, attempting to swarm the party. * [[Kai]] activates Twilight Sanctuary to provide temporary hit points to the group, mitigating the necrotic chill radiating from Blackmarsh. ### The Fall of the Sorceress * [[Marcelle the Broken]] uses Misty Step to reach the safety of the upper balcony and attacks [[Eryndor]] with arcane bursts. * [[Berberis]] climbs and Misty Steps to the balcony to engage her in melee. * [[Kai]] utilizes Spirit Guardians, forcing her out of position. * [[Ryo]] lands a critical shot between the pillars, killing Marcelle; she falls back against the railing, defeated. ### The General's Wrath * [[Dread General Blackmarsh|Blackmarsh]] retaliates with devastating power, slamming his sword into the ground to create a shock-wave (Destructive Wave). * The shock-wave knocks [[Kai]], [[Berberis]], and [[Eryndor]] prone and deals massive radiant/necrotic damage. * Kai and [[Ryo]] are knocked unconscious multiple times during the exchange. * [[King Marius Noren]], shaking off his stupor, uses *Healing Word* to revive Kai, who then heals Ryo. * Berberis summons a Giant Badger, which successfully grapples and distracts the General, buying the party crucial time. ### The Final Blow * More zombies emerge from the lower levels; one manages to paralyze [[Eryndor]]. * Despite being battered and bloodied, the party focuses all fire on the General. * [[Dondar]] casts a level 3 *Magic Missile*, aiming for the General's exposed joints. The force severs [[Dread General Blackmarsh|Blackmarsh]]'s arm, killing him instantly. * Blackmarsh dies with a curse: "She will come for you all. Your lands will wither." * Upon his death, all active zombies in the cathedral instantly collapse. ### Aftermath and Looting * [[King Marius Noren|Marius]] thanks the party for their bravery and saving the city. * **Loot Obtained:** * **From Blackmarsh:** A magical Greatsword (radiating evil/undeath), Plate Gauntlets, and Boots. [[Ryo]] cuts off [[Dread General Blackmarsh|Blackmarsh]]'s head and stores it in the Bag of Holding. * **From Marcel:** A pouch containing three magical white feathers. * **Investigation:** [[Kai]] investigates [[The Red Priests|The Red Priest]]'s body and finds scarification tattoos on her back depicting a serpentine, fire-breathing beast (a dragon). Kai uses calligraphy tools to draw a perfect copy of the symbol. * [[Berberis]] uses his owl familiar to scout the exterior. * **Cliffhanger:** The owl reveals 25 soldiers standing guard at the main entrance, unaware the General is dead, leaving the party trapped inside. ## Art ### The Stoneheart ![[The Stoneheart.png]]