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"Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) is the Critical Role series premiere. Vox Machina arrives at the cavernous underground city of Kraghammer intent on rescuing a missing halfling paladin. They sample the culture of the city and find themselves coming face-to-face with the horrors coming from beneath the city...

Synopsis[]

Pre-show[]

Announcements[]

Recap[]

"The party had completed a large venture in saving the nearby city of Emon, one of the capitals of this human civilization of Tal'Dorei. They managed to halt a demonic insurrection within the throne and as such were greeted to a heroes' celebration and had a keep built in their honor.

"Over the six month period of the keep being constructed, they went on their own ways and then returned to see its final creation. However, they did not have a chance to really enjoy it immediately, as one of their good friends and allies, Arcanist Allura Vysoren of the Tal'Dorei Council, came to them requesting their aid, saying that a long-time friend of hers, Lady Kima of Vord—who is a very well-known and very well-respected halfing paladin of Bahamut, the platinum dragon—had been gone on a pilgrimage for a while, essentially a vision quest as part of her own development as a paladin.

"As part of this, she let the information go to Allura that a dark vision had come to her, saying that some sort of evil root is beginning to breed beneath Kraghammer and the mountains within. Kraghammer of which is the nearby dwarven civilization that [the party] had previously not been allowed entry to, because the dwarves weren't fans of anyone without any political means of entering. However, [Allura] managed to acquire the necessary documentation, offered [the party] a very substantial reward should [they] find the whereabouts of Lady Kima of Vord, and hopefully bring her back safely.

"[The party] left. On the pathway to the dwarven citadel of Kraghammer, [they] were ambushed by a group of roaming barbarian goliaths, of which partway through the battle Grog managed to recognize one of them as a previous ally—and no-longer-ally at this time. The barbarian, for his first and only time so far, managed to avert battle through a social encounter and rolled pretty damn well on a persuasion check. [...] [He] managed to not turn it into complete bloodshed and [the party] continued on [their] way to Kraghammer, presented [their] paperwork, were given entry into the city, and that is where we begin this adventure."[1]

Part I[]

First night[]

Vox Machina have just entered the dwarven city of Kraghammer for the first time on their quest to find Lady Kima of Vord. They know she was headed for the mithral mine owned by Nostoc Greyspine, but they decide to find somewhere to sleep first.

The party notices a group of armored dwarves awkwardly watching them. Tiberius, the only one besides Pike who can speak Dwarvish, asks them where they can find suitable lodgings. One of the dwarves, Thompson, tells them in Common to go to "The Pig Pits". Vex'ahlia guesses that the Pig Pits are actual pits for pigs. Thompson weakly denies this. Scanlan asks for directions to the Pig Pits, and the dwarf points to a distant slop of mud where livestock are kept. Vex'ahlia pays Thompson a gold piece to show them to actual lodgings.

Oh, well it's good ta see that at least one of ya speaks Dwarvish.
– 
Thompson after accepting Vex's offer [2]

The dwarf gladly accepts the bribe and directs the group to the Iron Hearth Tavern, telling them to listen for laughter and people who are very, very drunk. Vex gives him a thank-you and a wink, and the party heads to the tavern.

Music, cheers, and arguments can be heard flowing from the tavern from several buildings away. Vox Machina enters, although Grog has to duck slightly to avoid hitting his head. Several nearby dwarves give strange looks to the very non-dwarven group that just entered.

Grog:  "Wot you lookin' at?"
Dwarf:  "Well it's not very often that we catch someone with that kind of a mug on ya. Lemme buy ya a drink! Come, sit down!"
– 
Grog and a dwarven patron of the Iron Hearth Tavern[3]
[!h]

Grog is delighted by the offer of a free drink. To Vex's horror, Vax'ildan offers everyone in the tavern a round of drinks. The tavern owner, Adra, appreciates his generosity.

Scanlan inquires about some rooms for the night. After they settle their accounts, Adra warns them not to do anything "stupid" near the Carvers. Tiberius asks her to elaborate, saying, "I do things like that all the time."

The group asks Adra if she's seen a halfling come through, and she tells them a halfling woman was staying at another inn a few weeks back, the Firebrook Inn, and that there was talk surrounding her after she was in a few fights. The group also inquires about the tavern's brawling circle and gathers some local knowledge of the city and the Greyspine family. They learn from another tavern patron of "things," goblins and the like, pouring out of the caves near the Greyspine Quarry.

Balgus - Lap Pun Cheung

Fan art of 'No Touching the Drunk Dwarf!', by Lap Pun Cheung.[art 2]

Grog introduces himself to Balgus, the reigning champion of the tavern fights. Keyleth and Vex try flirting with him. Keyleth tries to stroke his muscled arm and gets her hand slapped away for her awkwardness. "No touching the drunk dwarf." Vex has better luck stroking his ego, and he tells her what he thinks of the Greyspines: They're "ass minds". Tiberius interrupts, and with Percy's help manages to learn that they should take a gift when meeting Nostoc Greyspine. To that end, Balgus offers them, for 500 gold, a barrel of a rare vintage of Thistlebranch Darkblood Wine he brewed using bloodthistle imported from Kamordah. Vex barters with him and he accepts one cup of congealed dragon blood in exchange for the barrel.

Vox Machina split up to explore the citadel, while Pike heads to bed. Percy and Keyleth spend the night at the tavern making comment cards for Balan, the barmaître. Scanlan and Grog find lady companionship for the night at The Stone's Pillow. Grog gets his money's worth with an aggressive elf, and Scanlan gets manhandled by a dwarf.

Vax'ildan, Vex'ahlia, and Trinket do some reconnaissance on Greyspine Manor. They catch the attention of some Carvers and pretend to be sightseeing. The guards become alarmed at the presence of Trinket, so Vex sends him moping back to the tavern. A guard escorts them to the manor and shares his dislike for many of the Greyspines. On their way back to the tavern, Vax and Vex try to ditch the guards escorting them. Vax vanishes, but Vex is caught and flirts to divert attention from her brother.

Tiberius searches for House Thunderbrand, a family specializing in the arcane arts. Not used to seeing dragonborn, the dwarves he asks for directions send him meandering around Kraghammer for two hours. Finally, he reaches the house. Tiberius tries to enter the grounds but sets off a dwarven rune that shoots a bolt of bluish energy at him, knocking him back a bit. Tiberius calls out, but no one answers. He tries to knock on the door with his Mage Hand, but it fizzles as it passes the rune. He casts Glacial Blast towards the door, but it stops at the barrier created by the runes and melts. Tiberius gives up on getting inside just as four Carvers approach and surround him. A frustrated Tiberius yells at them, intimidating them until they step back. Tiberius apologizes, explains his actions, and gets off with a warning and a threat. Tiberius obliviously saunters off back to the tavern.

Meanwhile, Vax sneaks back to Greyspine Manor and watches for a while, then heads back to the tavern.

Bear Fight[]

Once they've all gathered back at the tavern, Vox Machina discuss their evening's adventures. Scanlan and Vex admit they obtained hickies. After Vax suggests they use diplomacy to approach Nostoc Greyspine, there is a knock at their door. Adra is at the door, nervous because some dwarves are prodding Trinket into the fighting ring in the tavern. Worried, Vex rushes downstairs to the tavern's main room and tries to disengage Trinket. An excited Balgus is anticipating a fight with a bear as the others in Vox Machina follow Vex.

Balgus vs Trinket

Fan art of Trinket vs. Balgus, by Lap Pun Cheung.[art 3]

Vex runs into the ring and declares, "I'll take on this bear," but Balgus refuses to give up his chance. Keyleth casts fog over the ring and also runs in. She casts Polymorph on Trinket, turning him into a mouse, throws him to Scanlan, then shifts into a bear herself. Grog says, "I got my money on Ballsack." Scanlan is offended that Grog would bet on the enemy.

Vax somersaults over a random dwarf, pulls out his dagger, turns it in his hand, and whacks Balgus in the back of the head to knock him out, but Balgus barely feels it. He reaches up to grab Vax's wrist, but Vax slips out of his grasp. Balgus is invigorated and ready for a fight.

Adra is heard trying to stop the chaos. Vex tells Bear-Keyleth to perform some tricks, to start clapping and dancing around. Bear-Keyleth complies. Vex starts clapping too and, like a circus ringmaster, invites everyone to see "the Amazing Trinket". Scanlan plays his shawm and sings, "Oh, look over there. It's a bear." Tiberius casts Prestidigitation to create fireworks. Bear-Keyleth does a somersault, causing Balgus to double over with laughter. The jovial air is restored to the tavern, and Vex picks up a cup to collect tips.

Balgus and Bear-Keyleth share a moment, and he is overcome with a melancholy yearning for the outside, even shedding a tear. Vax offers him a drink, and Balgus leaves the ring. Vax offers a toast to the tavern, Adra thanks him for calming the mood, and the party retires to their rooms. Vex arranges for Trinket to stay in one of the store rooms as their lodgings are a bit small for him.

Break[]

Part II[]

To the mine[]

The next morning, Percy insists on everyone eating brunch, and Tiberius insists they go back to House Thunderbrand. Everyone eats a delicious dwarven brunch, which is very alcoholic, then head to Greyspine Manor. Tiberius uses Alter Self to turn into a dwarf.

The same four guards whom Vax and Vex met the other night are there, except Thompson, Vex's friend, who was given the day off. The guards are impressed with the gift Vox Machina is preparing to give to the Greyspines and they ask for a taste. Since the barrel is sealed, Vex promises to save a bottle for each of them when they open the barrel, and the guards let them continue.

At the Greyspine Manor, Percy pulls a chain outside the door, which causes a sound like a hammer hitting brass to echo and resound throughout the building, announcing their presence. Keyleth, with childlike glee, also pulls it. Scanlan sings a jaunty welcoming song: "Hello! We're here to pay you calling. Hello, hello! I don't know what rhymes with calling."

The servant who answers the door, Magrim, informs them that Nostoc Greyspine is working at the Greyspine Quarry and Gradim Greyspine, the Ironkeeper, is not accepting visitors. Magrim gives them directions to the quarry and indicates the gift they have should get Nostoc's attention. Meanwhile, Scanlan casts Invisibility on himself and sneaks into the house before the door is closed. He nervously lets out a fart, sneaks around through several rooms, then leaves the house using Dimension Door. Back with the group, Scanlan describes his adventure as exciting but ultimately pointless. Vax reminds everyone that these dwarves are not their enemies.

Vox Machina make their way to the mines. Keyleth uses Druidcraft to create flowers and ivy vines over the wine cask. They are granted an audience with Nostoc, though he won't hear them until his first drink of the wine they brought. Percy inquires of Lady Kima. Nostoc informs the party that Lady Kima had gone into the mines earlier. He gives them permission to enter the mines and retrieve her. Keyleth suggests that there's trouble in the mines and that Vox Machina can help, but Nostoc rejects this, claiming everything is under control. A loud bell rings out, and Nostoc shoos them out of his office, claiming their business is done. Vax tries to steal some of the wine from the cask, and when he's caught, he pretends he had intended to refill Nostoc's flask.

The guards lead them outside as more bells ring, and they hear voices shouting in the quarry below. Vex asks a guard what the meaning of the bell is, and the guard says "something" is coming out of the quarry. Vox Machina head down to the quarry as bloodied dwarves begin to emerge from one of the tunnels, followed by goblins.

A goblin attacks one of the dwarves. Percy, Vex, and Vax attack the goblins at distance. Tiberius casts a Fireball at the group of goblins, killing them and some of the dwarves. Vox Machina charge toward the goblins, and Keyleth casts Entangle on the area. Two larger, ogre-like creatures come storming out.

Greyspine-quarry

The map of Greyspine Quarry at the start of Vox Machina's battle.[art 4]

Scanlan, uncharacteristically serious, says, "I don't like goblins. They will all die. Don't spare any of them."[4] Grog agrees. Percy brings out Bad News and fires. There is a large blast and a flash of blue energy, and sparks shoot out of the back of the weapon. The force actually lifts Percy off the ground for a second. A white-hot bullet streaks through the air and plunges into the side of the ogre's shoulder with a smattering of blood. The ogre growls and slams its club into the ground.

Tiberius casts Fireball and he throws the beam out to slam into the center of their enemies where it explodes, hitting five goblins and two ogres. The goblins are destroyed. Tiberius then uses Telekinesis to slam one ogre into the other, and they are both knocked prone. Tiberius turns to Grog and yells, "They're all yours, buddy."

Vex casts Hunter's Mark on one of the ogres and shoots a Lightning Arrow. As she pulls it back, energy courses through her fingers and into the arrow with crackling energy. She lets it loose. The ogre grabs its club and starts to get up as the arrow slams into its chest, the charge pulsing through its torso. It screams out, falling dead, smoke rising from its body.

Grog notices the fear in the goblins' eyes. The goblins aren't charging to attack; they are scared and running from something. He goes into a rage and says, "I would like to give 'em the cleanest shave possible with my greataxe." As he rushes up, he brings his axe into the first goblin, bisecting it cleanly, its head rolling to the side. Inertia brings Grog's axe around to a second goblin, embedding it in its face.

The surviving ogre rushes forward. It has a look in its eyes similar to that of the goblins, one of desperation. Vax rushes up to the ogre, jamming both blades into its rib cage, twisting them and carving out a section of the ogre's abdomen. Vax kicks it to the ground, where it falls dead.

The abomination[]

Keyleth casts Wall of Stone, sealing off the entrance to the tunnel. She turns to the dwarf guards watching nearby and shouts, "What's coming?" The guards don't have a satisfactory answer, they don't seem to know, but they mention "abominations" and "something is making things down there." A banging can be heard against the stone, and it begins to crack. Vax and Vex flank the stone wall. Another bang is heard, and a chunk of stone falls off the wall. Scanlan casts Bardic Inspiration for Vex, Vax, and Grog, singing, "I think you're really handsome and nice. You're going to have inspiration dice."

The thing behind the wall breaks through, scattering stone across the ground. A bulbous, oversized, naga-like creature with six different-colored naga heads stitched to its body emerges from the tunnel. Tiberius fires one beam of Scorching Ray which slams into the side of one of the naga heads. Bringing his hand back for the second beam, Tiberius releases the surge of scorching energy, and it blasts into the side of the naga.

Vex shoots the naga twice, Legolas-style, using her Blazing Bowstring, one arrow bursting into flames as it flies through the air. One of the heads rears back from the pain. Spit flying from his mouth, Grog throws his axe at the naga, embedding the blade in its chest before he pulls it back with the Chain of Returning.

The naga moves in a burst of lightning energy, attacking Keyleth and Tiberius. Keyleth feels a burning poison pulse into her bloodstream as her body doubles over in pain, but Tiberius manages to physically resist the poison from the naga's fangs. Tiberius blows fire out of his nostrils.

Vax sneakily throws his daggers. One hits the naga's main head through both eyes, and it begins to thrash. Its stitches begin to come apart, and an ichor-like liquid oozes out around the sutures. Keyleth slams her staff into the ground, casting Thunderwave, which pushes both the naga and Percy 15 feet. Keyleth then turns into an eagle and flies away from the naga.

Utilizing his robust self-regard, Scanlan casts Bardic Inspiration on himself, singing, "It would help me to acquire some dice to inspire," then casts Lightning Bolt at the naga. The bolt strikes the naga at its tail, then works its way up the abomination's spine, slowly and painfully torturing it as it courses through the creature's body, burning an "S" into its torso as it falls limp to the ground. One of the dwarf guards congratulates Scanlan for killing the strange naga beast. Scanlan responds, "Just promise me that you'll tell Pike about this, because it was really cool."

Featured Characters[]

Vox Machina[]

New[]

Mentioned[]

Inventory[]

Adjustment Count Item Source Destination Notes
Relenquished 1 Gold Vex'ahlia Thompson
Relenquished 1 Sack of Gold Vax'ildan Adra Vax buys a round of drinks for everyone in the Iron Hearth Tavern
Relenquished 100 Gold Vex'ahlia Adra Price for rooms for a week.
Transferred 1 Cup of dragon blood Bag of Holding Balgus Traded for a barrel of Thistlebranch Darkblood wine.
Transferred 1 Barrel of Thislebranch Darkblood Wine Balgus Grog Traded for a cup of dragon blood.
Relenquished 30 Gold Grog The Stone's Pillow Paid for brothel services.
Relenquished 30 Gold Scanlan The Stone's Pillow Paid for brothel services.
Relenquished 1 Barrel of Thislebranch Darkblood wine Grog Nostoc

Quotations[]

  • Grog: "I have an intelligence of six -- I know what I'm doing."[5]
  • Anonymous Carver: [yelling] "You hear that, Thompson? They're lookin' fer a place ta stay!"
    Thompson: "Aye, I heard that right. It's about time we had some new folk in town. Well, if you're lookin' fer a place ta stay, I'd say yer best best would be the Pig Pits."
    Scanlan: "Is that the name of a place?"
    Thompson: "Yes! Certainly! The Pig Pits."
    Scanlan: "All right…"
    Thompson: "Ask for the Pig Pits, you'll be shown around."
    Vex'ahlia: "Those are actually pig pits, isn't it?"
    Thompson: [aside to Vex] "Maybe…"
    Keyleth: "I know, I feel like…I feel like we're being hazed."
    Thompson: [melodramatic incredulity] "What?!? No, no! Not at all!"[6]
  • Travis: "Give him–give him some shiny."
    Laura: "I bring out a piece of—[aside to Travis] gold? [groans]—gold." [holds out imaginary coin]
    Vex'ahlia: "Please, sir, we're looking for a place to stay that isn't covered in mud."
    Thompson: "Well, it's good ta see that at least one of ya speaks Dwarvish." [smiles and takes coin][7]

Trivia[]

References[]

  1. The recap.  See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) from 17:53 through 20:02.
  2. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 0:23:56.
  3. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 0:26:07.
  4. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 2:25:45.
  5. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 0:41:22.
  6. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 0:22:53.
  7. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 0:23:45.
  8. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 0:41:52.
  9. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 0:50:27.
  10. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 1:46:09.
  11. See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 2:19:09.
  12. See "The Kill Box" (1x52) at 2:48:47.

Art:

  1. Cropped from official Critical Role art of the party and DM, by Kit Buss.
  2. Fan art of 'No Touching the Drunk Dwarf!', by Lap Pun Cheung (source). Used with permission.
  3. Fan art of Trinket vs. Balgus, by Lap Pun Cheung (source). Used with permission.
  4. The map of Greyspine Quarry at the start of Vox Machina's battle.See "Arrival at Kraghammer" (1x01) at 2:27:16


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