The party determined they would continue south along the coast road towards the capital. They reached the port city of Thimlorond, where they made inquiries about taking passage across the bay to the capital. In the inn, Luna was recognized by a shady group of three of the inn's patrons. One left in a hurry - he was pursued by Mordecai, Bumble, and Aedan, but they lost him in a warehouse in the city. Meanwhile, at the inn, Luna was cornered by the remaining two, who wondered what she was doing such a long way from home, addressing her as "Selene." Their intentions are uncertain, but they seem determined to draw her away from the rest of the group, and so far, Luna herself does not seem to want the rest of the party to intervene.
After chasing rumors of trouble brewing in the capital, the party departed from Siriande and traveled south towards Briathelond. Along the way, they were ambushed along the road by goblin raiders. Dispatching the goblins and their bugbear chiefs, the party found the body of a dead courier and has discovered that the Manastone Emeralds - the symbol of power of the Emerald Throne - are missing. This could have catastrophic consequences for the whole kingdom if it becomes widely known. On the courier's body, the party found and deciphered a letter from Duke Virneiros Vasalor along with a promissory note of 300 platinum pieces, authorizing the Thane to credit any who can recover the Emeralds successfully while maintaining secrecy. With this knowledge, the party now faces a choice: continue to the capital and hope to gain an audience with the king, or return to Siriande and deliver the courier's message to its intended recipient.