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A Test of Fate

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"A Test of Fate" (3x109) is the one hundred ninth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells make haste to the Raven's Crest temple in Vasselheim by invitation from the Matron of Ravens, but the welcome they receive puts them all on the edge...

Synopsis[]

Announcements[]

  • Fritz and Manfred Kitlzenmelker are back to discuss the history of RPGs, Worlds of Aria (an online and local multiplayer TTRPG narrated by Laura Bailey available now), and existential dread.
  • Season Three of Tales from the Stinky Dragon is now running on Beacon and other podcast platforms.
  • The first 3 episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Three are out! The gang will celebrate with a cocktail party tomorrow night live on Twitch, YouTube, and Beacon, and roundtable discussions on October 15 and 29.
  • Merch Alert! Premium (and sharp) Raven Queen dice now available.

Previously on Critical Role[]

So, last we left off, Bells Hells, after heading back to the Fey Realm to thwart a meeting between Ludinus Da'leth, the Sorrowlord Zathuda, and the Unseelie Court, which had been strangely absent in the goings on of the Ruby Vanguard, managed to take out their guard, assault the entire Unseelie crew, and brought down the abandoned temple of the Arch Heart, after which you were beckoned to a meeting with the Arch Heart, brought into their realm where they expressed an interest in your path and a unique perspective on the current events happening in Exandria. After sharing this with you, they also implored you to speak to what you imagine is the Matron of Ravens of a similar swapping of thoughts. After which, you took your captives, or tried to, as they rapidly attempted to escape, dragged them back, mostly alive, other than the Sorrowlord who was slain in his attempt to get out of your grasp, and rode back with the aid of Gloamglut (which was mourning the loss of its master), Nana Morri in her transformed state, and your summoned mount. There, the Sorrowlord Zathuda, your blood father, with your permission his corpse was taken to The Loom underneath Ligament Manor where it was turned into furniture that keeps his essence within it, which allowed you to have an extended conversation with his stretched fleshy face against a hexagonal frame, gaining some dark closure, or at the very least gathering some more information about some of the behind-the-scenes of the Vanguard, and a bit of a hint to move quicker than the week's window that has been allotted.

You all went to rest for the evening, where Fearne and Ashton clambered to the rooftop garden of the Manor, released Gloamglut from his bindings, and convinced the dragon to allow you to curl up with it for the evening. The three of you fell asleep, a night of rest after a long and arduous day.

Part I[]

Fearne and Ashton awaken in the morning curled up next to Gloamglut. After the dragon stirs, Fearne tells it that it's free but she'd like to see it again and Gloamglut instructs her how to get its attention in the future before taking off into the sky. The rest of Bells Hells slowly stir as well, and Nana Morri seems in a particularly good mood with even her second mouth smiling at Braius. However, she reminds them she is keeping track of the favors they owe her. Laudna asks about the Matron of Ravens, and Morri seems to regard her as somewhat of "a fickle bitch", saying they're not on good terms. Morri cares little about the presence or absence of the gods. Birdie and Ollie come to say goodbye to Fearne and they all promise to get to know one another better once all this is over.

Before they leave, Fearne Identifies the Zathuda's longsword Duskhunger. After discussing briefly the various magical weapons in their possession, they have Dorian use the Quintessence Array to absorb the Harp of Valor. Morri then transports them all to Vasselheim, urging Fearne to follow her impulses.

Vasselheim is crowded and tense. The party heads to the Duskmeadow District and Raven's Crest, the temple of the Matron of Ravens, with Chetney pointing out as they walk that they aren't positive the other god that favors the release of Predathos that was referred to by the Arch Heart actually is the Matron, and that they should be cautious. They arrive and make their way cautiously to the communion chamber, where Laudna knocks with difficulty using the heavy iron ring.

Lieve'tel - Kaitlyn L-NerdyNostalgia

Fan art of Lieve'tel, by Kaitlyn L-NerdyNostalgia.[art 1]

When they enter, three shadowy figures stand near the pool of blood contained within the chamber. One steps forward, introducing herself Lieve'tel Toluse, one of the Coven of the Veil, high priestesses of the Matron and the highest of the Trust of Winter. Imogen explains they have felt a pull toward the Matron. They are shown the pool of blood and invited to sink within it to commune with the goddess. With varying degrees of enthusiasm, they each enter the liquid, Fearne last.

They sink beneath the surface, eventually realizing they cannot swim upward and must give in to drowning. Dorian is the most reluctant but eventually overcomes his panic to consciously release his breath. As each of them surrenders to the blood filling their lungs, the pool grows warmer and the floating sensation dissipates as all eight arrive together at its base. They notice the distant glittering of light on a web of golden threads, and a descending darkness that joins them on the pedestal on which they stand. They realize the darkness is a dark-robed, hooded person wearing a white porcelain mask who raises her head and regards them saying, "Thrice have you sought me. Why?"

Break[]

Part II[]

The Matron of Ravens - @Zhellers

Fan art of the Matron and Imogen, by @zhellers.[art 2]

Laudna tells the Raven Queen that they had heard from the Arch Heart she might be interesting in talking to them. They are not god-fearing people, which may make them perfect for whatever mission she may need, as there are two Ruidusborn among them. The Arch Heart has told them the gods are frightened and divided; The Wildmother has urged them to fight, but the Arch Heart seemed to disagree. They reveal they have seen the history of the gods in Aeor. The Matron is cold, haughty, and seemingly taken aback by their effrontery. Braius attempts a slight backtrack, explaining they know nothing and are trying to figure things out. Orym agrees they have been pulled in by fate and simply want to understand so they can best help. The Matron, however, simply urges them to go home. They refuse to accept this, Orym reminding her that one of her mortal champions badly needs her help.

Saying the saga of the gods has claimed many mortal lives already, the goddess summons the figures of Liliana Temult, who was forced to abandon her life to play her part, then Opal, who was manipulated into violence as a pawn of the dark gods, then Vespin Chloras, who attempted to emulate the Matron's ascension to godhood. The party must prove to her why they feel they are worthy to be among them. Imogen goes through each of the party's strengths, but that is not enough. At a word from the Matron, the summoned figures animate. Fearne tries to go to Opal, but Opal attacks, wounding her and initiating combat.

Braius attacks Liliana while Dorian goes for Opal. Launda casts Mirror Image on herself and Bane on Liliana and Vespin. Liliana casts Reverse Gravity on everyone, pulling them into the air while Opal uses her daggers on Chetney, who transforms into his wolf form and counterattacks her. Orym then disarms Opal, wounding her severely and causing her to assume her half-spider drider form. Fearne bamfs out Little Mister and casts Aura of Life. She loses concentration on it almost immediately when Vespin uses Time Stop to cast three spells, including Crown of Stars and Horrid Wilting, but her aura saves everyone hit by Wilting half of the fairly massive damage it causes. Imogen uses Embrace of Havoc to gain the ability to fly, then hits Vespin with her Investiture of Lightning, while Ashton uses Wormhole Strike to send his hammer through a portal at Liliana, breaking her concentration on Reverse Gravity. Dorian grabs her and hangs on.

The Raven Queen's battlemap

Screenshot of the Raven Queen's temple from "A Test of Fate" (3x109).[art 3]

Braius attacks Opal, using Poison Pen to restrain, poison, and Slow her. Dorian then Thunderwaves her, and Laudna sends her Hound of Ill Omen at Vespin while Fireballing him. Liliana attacks Dorian and Imogen with Twin Spelled Psychic Lances, incapacitating Dorian. Opal goes after Chetney, but then blinks confusedly, seeming to not know what's happening. Chetney uses Inflict Wounds on her anyway, and trusting that this cannot be the real Opal, Orym finishes her off, then Misty Steps to Vespin and attacks him as well while Fearne hits him with a Flame Strike. Vespin then hits four of the party with serious lightning damage, and flings one of the embers from his Crown of Stars at Orym, inflicting more damage. Ashton switches to a Gravity rage. Imogen apologizes to her mother but uses her Investiture to hit her with more lightning damage. Like Opal, Liliana seems to be shaking out of whatever spell she is under. Shaken, Imogen sends a Lightning Bolt at Vespin for serious damage, and he responds, "We're more similar than you think."

Braius succeeds in hitting Vespin but Dorian is incapacitated and chooses to fly into one of the threads of fate hanging in the air of the room. He is immediately flooded with random memories from Opal's life, ending in seeing her currently alive and in the Hellcatch Valley waiting for the coming assault. He tells the others, "It's not real." Laudna assumes her Form of Dread, then tells the Matron that they know a few things about her many forms. She casts Spirit of Death, taking the form of Emhira. The threads and the blood around them both shake, and the spirit attacks Vespin. Liliana looks at her daughter and asks, "Do you trust me?" Imogen hesitates for a long, long time before responding, "Yeah." Liliana's voice then echoes through the chamber, casting Power Word Stun on Imogen. Chetney finishes off Vespin with a claw attack and Orym takes out Liliana.

The Raven Queen - Margaret Church

Fan art of the Raven Queen, by MargaretChurchA.[art 4]

In the sudden silence, they realize the watching mask of the Matron of Ravens has disappeared, but a woman stands on the other side of the platform, dressed in the attire of the Matron. She apologizes, saying she had to test them, before sharing that she and the Arch Heart have "parallel opinions". She believes the gods are stagnating while mortals are the true creators. When she removes her mask, it reveals the face of a pale, sad woman they do not recognize, who asks what they want to know.

Imogen immediately asks if she knew what would happen to her champion, and she says she did not, as she could no longer see his thread after he assumed that role. The Champion is impetuous, impulsive, and passionate, which makes him perfect for his role but prone to manipulation. The other gods wish to remove the Divine Gate to deal directly with Predathos, but that would require unanimous agreement from its creators which they do not have. The Matron does not wish to die or flee, even if Predathos is released, but to let mortals decide what they want. She assumes that if she were destroyed, Exandria would return to its original natural cycle from before the gods arrived. She chose to become the god of death not solely for ambition, but with the aid of her predecessor, whom she sought out. Between them grew first friendship, and then love. He eventually asked her to take his place and helped her craft the Rite of Ascension.

The Matron's feelings by Kaitlyn L-NerdyNostalgia

Fan art of the Matron's feelings, by Kaitlyn L-NerdyNostalgia.[art 5]

Imogen asks how they can contain Predathos' power while acting as its vessel, and she responds the same way she survived her ascension: love. She acknowledges the risk that if her own and the Arch Heart's beliefs are discovered, they may become thought of as the new Betrayer Gods. Chetney asks if she can provide any help, but her abilities against Predathos are limited. Instead, she offers her mask, telling them to wear it and call her in a moment of need - she will send what help she can. She does not know what will happen to her Champion if the gods leave, and she likes not knowing, but she knows that in order to save him, the "beacon" must first be removed and then the key destroyed. When asked about this beacon, she describes it as "a fracture of something even beyond our sight, a relic that changes the nature of the universe in ways almost as terrifying as Predathos." Ashton asks if Laudna will be all right, as she is not fully mortal, and the Matron responds that her fate used to lie between realms but her thread is now connected to Imogen and the others. Laudna was a victim and is not anathema.

With that, a mask appears once more over the Matron's face and her figure recedes as the blood around them billows up. They fight their ways back up and out of the pool and lie gasping on its edge, with none of their spells expended or hit points gone.

Featured characters[]

Quotations[]

  • Ashton: Not to be dark, but I didn't actually think I'd live this long. People who come from Greymoore, that's not a beginning that promises a very good ending. Had a good time, seen a lot more than I expected, and met better people than I thought I would.
    Fearne: And now you're going to save the world.
  • The Matron of Ravens: The cycle of our existence, divinity, mortal, life and death, growth and destruction, it will ever continue, and with every passing cycle, we, the gods, just pull further and further away, but it does not stop us from manipulating and imposing under the guise of guidance and protection. Many would not admit it, but we grow docile, unchanging, stagnant, while our mortal children are the bastions of change, evolution, and true creation. [...] I grow tired. So, welcome to the conundrum. What is it you wish to know?

Inventory[]

Adjustment Count Item Source Destination Notes
Destroyed Harp of Valor Dorian Dorian permanently gained 5 maximum hit points and advantage on performance checks, and temporary advantage on all attacks, saves, and checks.
Transferred Mask of the Raven Queen Matron of Ravens Braius

Trivia[]

References[]

  1. ↑ See "A Test of Fate" (3x109) from 1:34:15 through 1:35:25.

Art:

  1. ↑ Fan art of Lieve'tel, by Kaitlyn L-NerdyNostalgia (source). Used with permission.
  2. ↑ Fan art of the Matron and Imogen, by @zhellers (source). Used with permission.
  3. ↑ Screenshot of the Raven Queen's temple from "A Test of Fate" (3x109). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
  4. ↑ Fan art of the Raven Queen, by MargaretChurchA (source). Used with permission.
  5. ↑ Fan art of the Matron's feelings, by Kaitlyn L-NerdyNostalgia (source). Used with permission.
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 6 episodes
<< Arc 5: Downfall Campaign Three Arc 6
"Reconciliation" (3x102) • "Cages" (3x103) • "The Cradle's Convocation" (3x104) • "Collecting Legends" (3x105) • "Unseelie Interrupted" (3x106)
"Under the Arch Heart's Eye" (3x107) • "Looming" (3x108) • "A Test of Fate" (3x109) • "In the Shadow of War" (3x110)
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 6
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