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Broken Roads

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"Broken Roads" (3x92) is the ninety-second episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Rattled and reeling, Bells Hells prepare to leave Ruidus and return to Exandria, where tensions are escalating and pressure is building…

Synopsis[]

Announcements[]

  • The seating arrangement's a little different this week, with a Sam-sized hole at the table.
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  • The finale of Candela Obscura Circle of the Crimson Mirror airs next Thursday, 25 April.
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Previously on Critical Role[]

So, last we left off, Bells Hells after making contact with the Volition, agreed to aid them in a number of their current simultaneous goals against the dark leaders of Kreviris in hopes of gaining information and aiding the revolution against the Ruidian tyrants. On these missions, much information was gained, some dangerous circumstances occurred, and yet you survived and endured and began to flee the city as chaos began to erupt from within. During this time, after calling towards your mother and sending her into a personal crisis about what's right and who to align with, she scattered off into the dark shadows of the caverns. As you fled toward the surface through some of these winding rock tunnels, you were hunted by Otohan Thull, the Legend of the Peaks.

Ashton grieving FCG - Jenny Dolfen

Fan art of Ashton grieving FCG, by Jenny Dolfen.[art 1]

During this fight in which your terrifying foe unleashed her true capabilities, many of you fell and barely scraped back from the edge, but one of you did not. Fresh Cut Grass, the friend and ally who had recently come to truly realize his worth, sacrificed himself to save the rest of you, and to fell for good the foe that had long hunted you. In that fugue numbness of realization, you grabbed what you could, what remained of him, and what you could from what remained of Otohan Thull, and continued to flee to the surface where you emerged. There, amongst the red Ruidian landscape, the distant storms roiling, Liliana descended from above, and seeing the hurt in your face, and all of your faces, realized what had likely transpired. It was here, still not truly grasping or processing what has happened and what is next, you stare upon the alien landscape and partially obscured horizon.

Part I[]

The party has surfaced alone and in the open, just outside Kreviris, the Bloody Bridge visible in the distance. Liliana Temult's tears are visible, but she advises them they need to go. If Liliana accompanies them, "they'll" know, and she thinks she's more useful where she is. When Imogen asks about her previous reference to "The Vessel", Liliana says that in order to wake Predathos, certain boundaries set by the gods must be broken, and the Ruidusborn are what can break the final boundary. In order to get back into their realm, Predathos needs a vessel to carry it past that threshold. However, Liliana isn't the only possible vessel. Otohan Thull was another, and there are about four more, although the Weave Mind is trying to Awaken more through training and turmoil. Liliana's afraid of what would happen if she left and was unable to try to influence Ludinus Da'leth. She has had multiple "communions" with Predathos and doesn't think the Godeater is interested in mortals at all -- it wants to be awake and free, and something just feels right about this to her. Predathos is very angry at those who imprisoned it, and is hungry.

Imogen hugging Liliana - Cole Alexander

Fan art of Imogen hugging Liliana, by Cole Alexander.[art 2]

Chetney reminds everyone they need to get out of there, and Liliana says she can provide them transportation to the Bloody Bridge. She is reluctant to accompany the party but offers to communicate to Imogen any new developments on Ruidus, and shares that Ludinus is currently somewhere on Exandria. Evoroa interrupts to say she helped work on some of the strange devices Ludinus brought to the moon from the excavation sites of Eiselcross with the aid of the Ruby Vanguard and other "Assembly defectors", notably pieces related to the Factorum Malleus or Creator Hammer. He planned to use this technology in breaking through the barriers set by the gods to keep Predathos sealed within Ruidus. Recently, however, something had taken up residence within the location preventing access to its artifacts. Liliana believes Ludinus is simply following a plan laid out for him by Predathos. She also believes that if his plan fails, the religious forces of Exandria will slaughter the Ruidusborn to prevent more attempts. While Imogen doesn't trust her, she wants to keep her on their side so they can learn more. Imogen is also convinced that Ruidus has become Liliana's true home and she can choose to stay, and Liliana promises to help them.

The first way she can help is by providing an escape route. They join hands, along with Evoroa, and Liliana transports them all to the base of the Bloody Bridge, also slowing time so that the soldiers surrounding it see nothing. The party leaps into the red beam and they emerge in the Exandrian evening on the top of the Malleus Key in the center of the Tishtan excavation site, surrounded by almost 100 soldiers at the Exandrian terminus. The party is still in their Ruby Vanguard gear and eventually decide to try to pass themselves off as soldiers escorting Imogen (pretending to be Liliana), but they do a terrible job of it and two Reiloran mystics take an interest in them. Laudna twin spells Phantasmal Force on them, making them believe Imogen is indeed Liliana, and Imogen successfully sends them off.

They move through the encampment, which shows many signs and trophies of recent battles, including multiple religious imagery. Imogen casts Sending to Keyleth, telling her they're back and trying to find a way out. Keyleth responds she'll be at the encampment just outside the Malleus Key soon. The party stealths through the enemy camp. Midway, both Ashton and Fearne's transformations wear off and they return to their normal forms, exhausted and slow, but they eventually reach the perimeter safely and keep moving across the desert toward the alliance encampment.

Orym with Ishta - Elaine Tipping

Fan art of Orym with Ishta, by Elaine Tipping.[art 3]

With their first moment to breathe, Imogen brings up Fresh Cut Grass's death. All of them are devastated, with Ashton saying they knew FCG would sacrifice himself one day. They all speak of their fallen comrade with love. Imogen is second-guessing herself about her mother, feeling as though if she truly trusted her, she could have convinced her to leave Ludinus and join them. Imogen believes that Liliana has in a way become a part of Predathos, as all Ruidusborn are to some extent. Orym has Chetney lay out the items they recovered from Otohan's body, then picks up the sword Ishta the Summit Blade and jams it into the soil. He tells them that it is the blade that killed his father and his husband, and walks away to be by himself. Tearfully, Laudna and Imogen say they love each other, because they need to say it to everyone more often.

Imogen ask Evoroa where Ludinus is right now, and she tells them Aeor. That is where the artifacts used to create mining tools to burrow through the glass holding Predathos prisoner have been coming from. Ludinus has gone to deal with some force that is currently preventing their recovery, the Dominox. Orym is still off by himself, and Chetney examines Ishta, Otohan's recovered saber, a beautiful magical weapon. Ashton notes that they are going to need Orym's permission to do anything with it, as it's not their sword. Laudna asks Ashton if they're going to be all right, but they respond this is something to consider in the morning.

Orym sending to Dorian - Melissa Hahn

Fan art of Orym Sending to Dorian, by Melissa Hahn.[art 4]

Imogen goes over to Orym and puts her hand on his shoulder, checking in. He's not doing well, saying it's not even about revenge. He's just trying to honor what his father and husband signed up to do. Imogen tells him that although he may have worried about their goals not aligning in the past, he needn't worry about that anymore. Her mother has made her choice and at least they have a little inside knowledge now. At Orym's request, she leaves him by himself, and he pulls out the sending stone, messaging Dorian: "We're home. Can you hear me? I'm northeast of Bassuras. Can you get there? I'm... struggling. Sorry. Can you get here? Fuck, I miss you."

Matt then asks everyone to leave the room. Once everyone is gone, he leaves as well. Aabria Iyengar enters, sitting in the DM's chair, and says, "I think it's time to see the other half of the story."

Break[]

Part II[]

The Crown Keepers[]

Crown Keepers - Stefania Cerqueira

Fan art of the Crown Keepers, by Stefania Cerqueira.[art 5]

After the events of Exandria Unlimited: Kymal, the remaining Crown Keepers plus Cyrus Wyvernwind moved north to the Wildwood Valley, on the run from Poska and Fy'ra Kai, but with a small cache of brumestone scavenged from their previous adventure. Even in hiding, about two weeks ago rumors reached them of the Apogee Solstice and Ruidus trapped over Marquet, affecting Sending, teleportation, and resurrection magic; during that time they could feel the concern of the gods they followed, as well as the curiosity of the Observer. Then Dorian Storm received a message from Orym asking him to find Keyleth,[1] so they set off toward Zephrah in the Summit Peaks.

Opal cast Rary's Telepathic Bond at the start of the day, so they are connected. Each of the players briefly describes how their character is currently feeling. Opal, still wearing the Circlet of Barbed Vision, a Vestige of Divergence of the Spider Queen, is faring the worst, not sleeping well, and finding Ted exhausted. After two weeks, it becomes too much and she suddenly stops in the middle of the road. The others are concerned, seeing Opal seem to grow larger. Opal hears the voice of the Spider Queen in her ear, telling Opal she needs her since her life is in danger. She requires Opal to become her champion completely, so the ties with the Crown Keepers must be severed. The others see spiderwebs and sparkling gems appear suddenly on the ground around Opal before she rises into the air and attacks them, her actions fully under the control of the Spider Queen although her telepathic thoughts are explaining to the others that this is not of her will.

In the surprise round, Opal uses her Hexblade's Curse, then Eldritch Blasts Fy'ra Rai for significant damage. Morrighan Hastes herself, utters her Vow of Enmity, and attacks, ripping her rapier down Opal's thigh, but Opal takes no damage because Ted interposes herself, stepping out of her sister's body and using Shield to avoid the strike. Dorian is totally freaked out by the sudden events, but activates his Winged Boots and gives inspiration to Fy'ra Rai. His attempted grapple on Opal fails. Fy'ra Rai realizes that the only way to get Opal away from the Spider Queen's influence is to remove the crown, and that the Wildmother, her own god, has no desire to intervene in this matter. Fy'ra then uses her lava whip for minor damage.

The skittering sounds get louder and seven spiders appear. The party hears the Spider Queen's voice, stating: "You won't stop me from making her mine without killing her." She declares she won't die to "that", showing flashes of red light in their minds. One of the spiders crushes a few of the gems, and Opal remembers her mother telling her and Ted when they were three years old that they were Aevilux: long ago, a group of people found a Luxon beacon and learned of the god it was part of, including how to split their own souls apart, in order to learn through observation. Opal, Ted, and their mother are all Aevilux. However, as quickly as the memory comes, it is gone, and although the rest of the group saw it through the Telepathic Bond, it is lost forever for Opal with the crushed gems. Ted hits Morrighan, still trying to protect Opal. Dariax casts Bless on the party and inspires Dorian. Opal casts Darkness, effectively blinding most of the party, then has her spider familiar move toward Fy'ra Rai. Cyrus is clueless.

Opal in the Spider Queen's web - Pyromeekorai

Fan art of Opal in the Spider Queen's web, by Pyromeekorai.[art 6]

Morrighan realizes each gem holds Opal's memories and emotional connections. She tries to Rabbit Hop away, landing hard but healing Fy'ra Rai who suggests she gather the gems. This triggers a memory of a conversation between the lagomore and Opal and how they bonded. The rest of the team once more witness it telepathically. Morrighan tells the others to grab and protect as many of the gems as they can. Dorian flies upward, trying but failing to Dispel the darkness with his mandolin, and landing near Dariax, inspiring him. Fy'ra Rai begins scooping up gems, seeing a vision of herself holding the tiger's eye that was shattered in "Exandria Unlimited: Kymal, Part 2" (E2x02), talking to Opal about being sisters. She whispers to the Spider Queen, telling her that she won't have her friend for much longer. On her turn, Opal Eldritch Blasts Dariax, adding Baleful Scion to the damage. Ted slashes Dorian, then Dariax grabs Dorian and Dimension Doors away despite the Aevilux's Mage Slayer skills. Dariax touches the gems and experiences a recent memory with Opal, but the Spider Queen corrupts it, speaking using Opal's appearance and trying to convince him that they need to let her go before attacking and ending the vision. The goddess then tells Opal that if she doesn't convince them to go peacefully, she will make Opal kill them, but Opal still hesitates.

The spiders take their attacks, one going after the gems and the other biting Cyrus, poisoning him. Opal senses the Spider Queen panicking, fearing that this is taking too long and deciding that she will now do this the hard way. Ted sprints toward Opal and back into her body. Dariax and Dorian see brief visions of dreadful scenarios, such as Opal transforming into a drider or the adventuring party getting corrupted by the dark reflection of Fearne. Meanwhile, the actual Opal gets taller and sprouts more arms, displaying three pairs total, as Ted, the Spider Queen, and the warlock herself are all acting in unison now.

Featured characters[]

Quotations[]

  • Liliana: Do you think, should we stop all this from happening and re-seal or maintain Predathos' endless slumber, that those of us who know this, those of us who are designed to be part of its freedom, are just going to be allowed to walk free? You think the great temples of your world aren't going to hunt us down one-by-one till there's no possibility of this plan ever coming to fruition? You don't think every great politician of our world that isn't tied into this truth isn't going to try and bury each and every one of us for what we're part of?
    Orym: Cold comfort for my family in the ground.
  • Ashton: (about Liliana) I hope she's right. I really do. I hope her ends are fucking great because these means are just not forgivable.
  • Ashton: I think I need to break something, and then, in the morning, start having some thoughts about who we're going to be next. (to Evoroa) You seem very lovely. I hope that you do great work. You were very expensive.
  • Orym: I'm going to miss Letters.
    Imogen: They were... they were alive.
    Orym: Out of any of us. He just wanted to help.
    Imogen: I want you to know that for a while it may have felt that you and I were not seeing eye to eye, or maybe you felt that I didn't have same goal in mind that you did. But don't worry about that anymore, all right?
    Orym: I understand family.
  • Opal: Sometimes in death or in absentia, I think we tend to glorify people, their memories, at least. It's supposed to be like that if we're never going to see them again. But then, you see them again, and then it's just a choice to love them, even if they're assholes.

Inventory[]

Adjustment Count Item Source Destination Notes
Transfer revealed 1 Half a tiger's eye gem Fy'ra Rai Opal Fy'ra Rai remembered when she gave Opal half of her shattered gem.

Trivia[]

References[]

  1. ↑ See "Doorways to Darker Depths" (3x86) at 1:36:01.
  2. ↑ Twitter logo Critical Role (@CriticalRole) on Twitter: "Thanks for joining us for Episode 92 of Campaign 3! Bells Hells will return in two weeks for Episode 93 after the finale of Candela Obscura: Circle of the Crimson Mirror and the conclusion of the Crown Keepers adventure! #CriticalRoleSpoilers #ExUSpoilers ✨" (2024-04-19).
  3. ↑ See "Broken Roads" (3x92) from 1:03:15 through 1:05:30.
  4. ↑ See "4-Sided Dive: Still Blessed" (4SDx23) at 0:26:14.

Art:

  1. ↑ Fan art of Ashton grieving FCG, by Jenny Dolfen (source). Used with permission.
  2. ↑ Fan art of Imogen hugging Liliana, by Cole Alexander (source). Used with permission.
  3. ↑ Fan art of Orym with Ishta, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
  4. ↑ Fan art of Orym Sending to Dorian, by Melissa Hahn (source). Used with permission.
  5. ↑ Fan art of the Crown Keepers, by Stefania Cerqueira (source). Used with permission.
  6. ↑ Fan art of Opal in the Spider Queen's web, by Pyromeekorai (source). Used with permission.
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 4 episodes
<< Arc 3: Separations and Explorations Arc 4: Ruidus to Aeor (Episode 76-98) Arc 5: Downfall >>
"A Gathering of Heroes" (3x76) • "The Promise and the Price" (3x77) • "Fractures" (3x78) • "To Hurt Is to Heal" (3x79) • "A Test of Trust" (3x80) • "The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) • "Rush for the Bloody Bridge" (3x82)
"Ruidus" (3x83) • "Red Rural Revelations" (3x84) • "Intense Interrogations" (3x85) • "Doorways to Darker Depths" (3x86) • "Arrival at Kreviris" (3x87) • "Seeking Sedition" (3x88) • "Divisive Portents" (3x89) • "Mission Improbable" (3x90) • "True Heroism" (3x91)
"Broken Roads" (3x92) • "Bittersweet Reunions" (3x93) • "Where The Red Fearne Glows" (3x94) • "Gathering of Needs" (3x95) • "Shadows New and Old" (3x96) • "Ancient Sins" (3x97) • "The Nox Engine" (3x98)
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 4
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