"A Haunted Past" (3x63) is the sixty-third episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Team Issylra must battle a strange shadow entity in order to find a way home, but plans stall when a shocking revelation rocks the group to its core...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- Travis, Ashley, and Laura are missing again from the opening table and the episode.
- But Sam is here for Old Spice who've teamed up again this year with The Witcher to release a new scent, this time one that actually smells good! Sam shows off his collection of Roach memorabilia before Marisha displays an actual replica of the actual prop martel of Yarpen Zigrin used in the commercial shown during the break.
- Second sponsor is D&D Beyond, now offering a free 30-day trial subscription.
- Episode 2 of Candela Obscura airs next Thursday, 29 June, at 7:00pm Pacific. Quickstart Guide and more info at darringtonpress.com/candela.
Previously on Critical Role[]
Our troop of scallywags that have found themselves together after finding themselves shunted across the world and lost on the continent of Issylra, have come together as a troop out of survival necessity, have traversed elements of the mysterious land, and recently were guided northward to the Shrine of the Emerald Tree. Upon searching for the individual who has been watching over the shrine, Hevestro, apparently an individual who would give you the option or the ability to return to where you wish to go, where you once came from, you began to delve into the shattered interior of the shrine, finding signs of life at some point, furniture and homey alcoves with decor and signs of hosting, but no people. Upon pushing deeper and deeper within, you found a larger crystalline chamber. Within this space, as the central rock mountain that consumes the far back wall of the interior rises up, you can see the green emerald stone-like pillar that sits up above, glowing with a shadowed interior. As you all began to look about, you could see signs of recently abandoned rituals. You could see remnants of magical incantations that have been abandoned. And within that space, as you're all glancing around, you, Orym, looked up, and amongst the ceiling shadow, saw a face that looked back at you and then smiled.
Part I[]
Orym alerts the others to the face among the crystals in the ceiling, and as the air chills around them it snarls that they are intruders in its domain. Bor'Dor tells it that Abaddina sent them in search of Hevestro, but the response is that Hevestro "is not available". Its name is Evithorir, and both Hevestro and Oma-Dua are "mine" and "in me". The valley belongs to it, from long ago. Prism senses fey energy from the creature and attempts to convince it they only want to utilize whatever magics may be held within the cavern, but Evithorir responds they smell of potential. Whatever is happening outside the valley has freed it and it is home. They offer help, but it responds that the only way they can help is to join Hevestro. Roll initiative!
Ashton begins a Gravity rage and notices two red glowing orbs which can be apparated by the creature, and which each drain the color from the area around them. The party discovers Evithorir is resistant to non-magical attacks and lightning damage, and has legendary resistances and attacks. It casts a Circle of Death, hitting the entire party for significant damage. When he stabs Evithorir, Orym notices a person held deep within the creature's shadowy form which is briefly revealed whenever the creature is damaged. The party is able to begin damaging the shadow entity, although Bor'Dor is seriously damaged and uses his turn to cast Cure Wounds on himself. Prism Counterspells the creature's attempted Cloudkill against the party. Laudna retreats but vines close in and block the exit from the cave. Ashton fails his save against the entity's Frightening Gaze and is frightened.
Fan art of Prism moving the body, by Elaine Tipping.[art 1]
Unable to approach Evithorir, Ashton attacks and shatters one of the red orbs. The entity, however, uses a Shadow Spear to pin Orym to the wall behind him, restraining him there. Orym uses Seedling's distance attack to hit Evithorir from where he's held, hitting for significant damage, then uses the sword's Grasping Vines to pull the shadowy humanoid figure from within the creature where it falls at Orym's feet. Prism Dimension Doors the body, which they assume is Hevestro, away from the creature and near a startled Ashton. The shadow figure pursues and readies a Fireball, but it is Counterspelled by Laudna, who is counter-Counterspelled by Evithorir, who is counter-counter-Counterspelled by Prism. On her turn, Laudna attacks first with Eldritch Blasts and then with Chilled Touch, preventing Evithorir from recovering hit points, but the creature continues to move toward the unconscious Hevestro, trying to wrap him in its shadows and drag him closer.
Ashton picks up Hevestro and runs toward the others. Deni$e meets him and feeds Hevestro a healing potion, bringing him back to consciousness but very confused. Orym moves to him as well, using Bait and Switch to protect the archdruid while the others continuing attacking. Bor'Dor shoots a Lightning Bolt through both one of the orbs and a crystal, seriously wounding Evithorir. When the shadow creature casts another Fireball, however, it knocks Hevestro out once again and severely damages Prism, Orym, and Deni$e. Using a quickened spell, Laudna fires multiple Eldritch Blasts at the creature, finishing him off and causing him to shrink into an evaporating black blob that Laudna picks up with her blackened hand and squishes.
Bor'Dor heals Hevestro to consciousness again with a Mass Cure Wounds on everyone but Laudna, and Hevestro explains that he is the guardian of this shrine of Oma-Dua, an ancient Gau Drashari who became the protector of the area centuries ago by bonding with an eidolon spirit and becoming one with the land. Long ago, Oma-Dua battled Evithorir the Taker and sealed it away beneath the rock of Cofferfall Hill to the west. The magic of the Apogee Solstice somehow allowed Evithorir to escape, and he made his way back to the cavern where he slaughtered the inhabitants and captured Hevestro in eternal shadow.
Ashton catches the reference to the Gau Drashari and questions Hevestro about it, and is assured he did not say "Hishari". Oma-Dua is now known as "The Emerald Tree", the large central green crystal within the cavern. Although he is not familiar with the term "residuum", the crystal is indeed powerful in ritual and enchantment. Laudna follows up about Hevestro's apparent distaste for the Hishari, and is told about the takeover of the humble village of Tumilo 50 years ago by a charismatic cult leader named Efterin, who renamed it "Hishari" as a tribute to both the Gau Drashari and the Ashari (to their apparent displeasure). He preached reverence for the older elemental spirits and the need to restore the Primordial powers. The town was eventually destroyed, likely by their attempt to control powers they did not understand. Joan Abaddina was a member who survived this destruction, saw the error of their teachings, and came to train under Hevestro before returning to Hearthdell.
Orym brings up the reason for their visit: they need to be able to travel across the oceans. Hevestro asks they first tell him what has happened while he was unconscious, and Laudna uses Silent Image to show him the location of the Malleus Key in Marquet and the tethered Ruidus.
Break[]
- Old Spice again teams with The Witcher and singing flowers to reimagine medieval life... only this time with deodorant.
- Treasure hoard digital dice set now at D&D Beyond.
- Cree, Vessel of the Pattern mini available for pre-order at WizKids.com. Use code CRITHIT2023 for 10% off.
- Merch Alert! Essek Thelyss ReAction figure and dice set, EXU Calamity chibi pins, 3 Trinket moon t-shirt, Candela Obscura t-shirt, spinning key chain, lapel pin, and d6 dice set, and The Chronicles of Exandria Volume One: The Tale of Vox Machina in all five shops; 2023 Pride t-shirt in all shops except Australia.
- The cast will be at Rose City Comic Con in Portland September 23-24, and at New York City Comic Con October 12-13. More info at the CR website.
- Trailer for Candela Obscura.
- Trailer for the Midst Podcast.
- Welcome to Tal'Dorei and Welcome to Wildemount Critical Role soundtrack albums available now on all digital music platforms.
- Critical Recap every Wednesday on CritRole.com.
- Submit fan art and cosplay for possible inclusion in the weekly online gallery.
- Ashley and Taliesin play with the minis and their Critical Role Twitch subscriptions.
Part II[]
Hevestro believes that the Apogee Solstice enduring so long indicates that some things have changed permanently. He needs a night's rest before attempting to return them to their homes, and invites them to spend the night. While they watch, he bundles up the remains of three of his compatriots who were apparently killed in the attack, carrying them outside for burial.
Still in the cavern shrine, the party begins settling for the night. Deni$e unexpectedly grabs Bor'Dor's arm, twisting it behind his back, and tells him it feels like he's not telling them everything. Bor'Dor tries and fails to break free, asserting he's told them everything he needs to tell, but Deni$e persists until Bor'Dor admits he doesn't have a dying brother. He was scared and trying to get their sympathy. He didn't recognize the places they Scryed on. He's not a sheep herder; he's a leather worker. He eventually stands and tells them he'll tell them the truth.
He grew up on the Menagerie Coast, not far from Port Damali. His mother's name was Livandra, and she was blessed by the Wildmother, secretly teaching Bor'Dor her ways while posing as leatherworkers. Eventually, Bor'Dor got into a fight with some townsfolk and used his powers to Inflict Wounds on them. His mother took the blame and the punishment, relying on the gods to protect her, but Bor'Dor's father and brother fought unsuccessfully to free her, destroying Livandra's faith in the gods in the process. She gave Bor'Dor her dagger and told him to run before casting a Vitriolic Sphere on herself and the guards surrounding her. He fled to the Cyrios Mountains and used his magic to survive, eventually developing a reputation as a magic user. He was approached by those more powerful and connected, and asked simply if he believed in the gods and if what they did was good, and when he replied he did not, he found a community. When Deni$e asks what community, Bor'Dor's drops a disguise spell, changing his appearance from innocent to worn, experienced, and sad with the experience of great loss. He fires a Vitriolic Sphere into his small crystal he left on the ground, splitting the spell and hitting the entire party. Prism falls unconscious.
Fan art of Bor'Dor's death, by Silesianna.[art 3]
Bor'Dor screams out that he saw them kill his friends in Marquet and they realize he was one of the Ruby Vanguard present at the activation of the Malleus Key at the Tishtan excavation site. Orym grabs Prism and pulls her away while feeding her a healing potion to bring her to consciousness before using Bait and Switch to raise her Armor Class, then shielding her. Ashton tosses her another potion as he attacks Bor'Dor, hitting him twice and knocking him prone. Deni$e grapples him, while Laudna Counterspells his attempt to Polymorph. Prone and grappled, Bor'Dor tells her to just get it over with and end it. She assumes her Form of Dread, but there is a faint purplish light in her eyes that hasn't been present for a while. She walks to Bor'Dor, shaking, and tells him, "I'm really sorry, Bor'Dor. I just can't stand having anyone else betray me," as she takes his throat and casts Hunger of the Shadow, knocking him unconscious. In the back of her mind, Laudna begins hearing a slow heartbeat.
Deni$e urges keeping him alive to question, and Prism listens, but the acid continues burning her and Bor'Dor's betrayal of her belief in his friendship burns even worse and she is furious. She hits him with her fist, inflicting two failed death saves. Laudna's Form of Dread is shifting ever so slightly, with a suggestion of the mourning veil of her original Form poking through. Deni$e continues to urge keeping him alive, and Ashton gently walks Prism away as Orym watches, completely silently. It is now up to Laudna, and she is struggling, but looks up to see Orym, watching, nod slightly.[1] All the deaths she has seen run through her mind, with the sense of how out of her control things have been. In this moment, she has control. She casts Wither and Bloom, giving in to the darkness, using her last necrotic energy to suck the life force from Bor'Dor.
Ashton stands next to her as she instinctively lashes out, then dissolves in tears. He tells her it will be okay, and gently leads her off where he continues to comfort her. Orym lingers by the body, then pulls out the locket he took in respect from one of the slain Ruby Vanguard at the Malleus Key before tossing it onto the body, saying, "We're at war."
In the most respectful way possible, Deni$e begins looting the body. She buries the ashes, and puts a rock on top of the hole, then goes to comfort Prism, who is still feeling horribly betrayed and gullible. Hevestro returns and comforts the group, urging them to rest, and Prism apologizes to Laudna for losing her temper, but urges her not to be too hard on herself. Laudna is deeply afraid her loss of control in exchange for a brief moment of empowerment will allow Delilah Briarwood to return.
In the morning, Prism tells Ashton and Dynios she doesn't want to go back to the Cobalt Soul, and proposes that she and Dynios abscond in search of more books and knowledge. Dynios agrees, and she asks Ashton to egg her on to do it. Ashton tells her it's not a good way to run from herself, but she's a criminal nerd and he thinks it's a good idea. He suggests Whitestone, where the lord is a total dick and stealing from him would be amazing, while Deni$e suggests Kymal.
Deni$e asks Prism to Scry on Dariax, and she finds him in a tavern she recognizes as likely being in Westruun. Orym uses his sending stone, trying to contact Dorian, but the Sending fails. Deni$e suddenly remembers she stole one of the "Wanted" posters for the Crown Keepers in Tal'Dorei and shows it to Orym, who is slightly horrified he's still wanted by the mob there. It shows all of the Crown Keepers, and Orym asks if he can keep it. Deni$e hugs everyone and says goodbye, and they walk to a nearby tree where Hevestro opens a portal and she runs through.
Prism Scrys again, using the ring Imogen gave Laudna, and they see the city of Jrusar, the missing members of their party gathered around a tavern table. They invite Prism to come with them, and they each give her some hair (an amethyst from Ashton) so she'll be able to contact them in the future, but at the last minute, she decides to go with them. Hevestro opens a new portal to Jrusar and they all run through, the portal closing behind them. Hevestro nods, and some leaves tumble into his outstretched hand. "Everything's changing." And he turns and walks away.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
- Ashton Greymoore
Chetney Pock O'Pea(absent)Fearne Calloway(absent)Fresh Cut Grass(absent)Imogen Temult(absent)- Laudna
- Orym
Returning
New
Mentioned
- Delilah Briarwood
- Dorian Storm
- Efterin, charismatic leader of the cult-like Hishari
- Ennorai, a deceased follower of Hevestro
- Joan Abaddina
- Keese, a deceased follower of Hevestro
- Livandra, Bor'Dor's mother
- Bor'Dor's father and brother (both unnamed)
- Ludinus Da'leth
- Oldaan, a deceased follower of Hevestro
- Oma-Dua, the spirit of Hevestro's shrine
- Poska
Quotations[]
- Laudna: (in Shadow Cant, to Evithorir) Game recognizes game!
- Evithorir: (to Laudna, snarling) Game recognizes game!
- Deni$e: Don't try and make me feel bad. I'm immune to the Feeling Bad condition.
- Prism: (as she falls unconscious) I finally found my purpose...
- Laudna: I'm really sorry, Bor'Dor. I just can't stand having anyone else betray me.
- Marisha: It's barely even Laudna there anymore. It is whatever part of her that she was hoping was dormant this whole time, but the world has just broken her here recently. [...] The darkness in her... she just gives in to the darkness. She can't control it anymore.
- Liam: Orym lingers by the body and after half a minute of just staring at it, reaches into his belt and pulls out the locket that he took from someone he killed by the Malleus Key. He took it as a reminder because he felt bad for it. "We're at war." He tosses the medallion out onto the body.
- Laudna: What have I done?
Ashton: Nothing that I haven't. Nothing that... I think we're all going to have some nightmares before this is over.
Laudna: I'm weak.
Ashton: No, you're just hurt. - Laudna: I lost control of myself in exchange for the briefest of moments of feeling empowered. I'm just confused.
Prism: Well, confusion is kind of like acknowledging you don't have control. So maybe surrendering to the confusion will be healing medicine for that.
Laudna: You're very smart, Prism. Very capable.
Prism: Thank you. You're an incredible magic user. I also think that someday you'll probably be strong enough to just beat this bitch back to where she came from.
Laudna: I hope so. (sighs) Poor Bor'Dor.
Prism: Yeah. I'm honestly still really fucking bad pissed at him.
Laudna: Angry and pity don't have to be mutually exclusive. - Orym: Sitting here on the stone I know that we are going to try to kill the people who took from me, who didn't care who died, to get what they wanted and I'll just fucking die trying if I have to.
- Dynios: Are you suggesting that we abscond from our duties at the Cobalt Soul and go missing for the larger interests of our entire organization?
Prism: I'm asking, Dynios, if you want to be outstanding. An outstanding loan from the library of the Cobalt Soul.
Dynios: Sometimes, books that are checked out just don't get returned to the repository. A shame.
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transferred | 1 | Light crossbow | Bor'Dor | the party | Slightly magical from Prism's modification. |
| Transferred | 1 | Dagger of Venom | Bor'Dor | Bor'Dor's grave | Bor'Dor's mother gave it to him, and Deni$e buried it with him. |
| Transferred | 1 | Cloak of Protection | Bor'Dor | the party | |
| Transferred | 1 | Hat of Disguise | Bor'Dor | Prism | |
| Transferred | 1 | Immovable rod | Bor'Dor | Ashton | |
| Acquired | some | Green crystal | the cavern | Ashton | Probably residuum. |
| Transferred | 1 | "Wanted" poster for the Crown Keepers | Deni$e | Orym | |
| Transferred | 1 | Slingshot | Bor'Dor | Laudna | |
| Transferred | 1 | Lock of hair |
Deni$e Orym Laudna |
Prism | For spellcasting purposes. |
| Transferred | 1 | Amethyst | Ashton | Prism | Pulled from his head and given for spellcasting purposes. |
Trivia[]
- The party leveled up to 10th after the end of this episode.[2]
- Marisha Ray brought back her fan (white this time), with two phrases that were shown in different moments during the episode: the first one was "WTF is up with him?!", with an arrow pointing to her left, where Utkarsh Ambudkar was sitting; the second one was "White fan of surrender".
- This is the first (and so far only) episode in which a player character in a main campaign has been murdered by another player character. Although technically Zerxus Ilerez was finished off by his friend Nydas Okiro in an attempt to escape his deal with Asmodeus in Exandria Unlimited: Calamity, in the end Zerxus accepted his fate and Nydas was trying to help his friend, so technically it does not count as a murder.
- During the episode when Laudna used her Form of Dread, Marisha pronounced it in a way that sounded like "For Madrid!" (the capital of Spain), which amused the rest of the cast, who repeated it several times as a war cry.
- When Deni$e showed Orym the flyer with his face, Aimee Carrero used this as an excuse to show Liam O'Brien an actual sticker of his character with the joke about his name being "Nancy".
- The last time there was a triple Counterspell was when Cree attempted to slow the Mighty Nein's escape from the Tombtakers, and was Counterspelled by Fjord, Otis Brunkel, and Caleb in turn.[3]
References[]
- ↑ Liam later clarified in a Discord conversation, "Orym's nod to Laudna was more simply an endorsement of taking out their attacker. Then when she grew 30% scarier than usual as she ended Bor'Dor, Orym vaguely suspected Big Delilah was back." A screen snip of the Discord statement was posted on Twitter.
- ↑ See "Level Up: Bells Hells Roll Hit Points For Level 10!".
- ↑ See "Fair-weather Faith" (2x123) at 4:54:03.
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Prism moving the body, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Bor'Dor's revelation, by ElesirArt (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Bor'Dor's death, by Silesianna (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Bor'Dor, by Odd (source). Used with permission.
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