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Cages

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"Cages" (3x103) is the one hundred third episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells seek a way to cut Delilah's puppet strings once and for all...

Synopsis[]

Announcements[]

Previously on Critical Role[]

So, last we left off, Bells Hells, after trekking deep into the wilds of Aeor along with their guide, Essek Thelyss, you encountered the strange demonic entity that was keeping the Vanguard at bay, Dominox, defeating it by pushing it through a Gate into the Abyss of its origin, with the aid of Ludinus Da'leth, who then gave you a vision through a relic that he had discovered not too far beyond that of the fall of Aeor, an era of Exandrian history spoken of but largely lost in its details, as it was, it seems, one of the darkest moments for the Pantheon. With the intent of showing this to the world to erode the faith the people of Exandria, and in the hopes of finding a point of understanding with your group, the invitation was given to join the Vanguard and see the world the way he does. After much debate and some heated discussion, he left the offer in your hands and left an offer in Delilah's as well. Tossing a relic of enticing power toward Laudna, the words having hold in her heart, Delilah fought her way to the surface and wrestled control of Laudna.

The rest of you were forced to do battle with your friend in what may be her darkest moment, but you managed to defeat Delilah, sending her back for the time being as but a shard of shadow within Laudna's spirit, likely rapidly growing back. At this moment, satisfied with what you've learned, Essek took your group via Teleport to a place of safety, the abode of his partner, Caleb Widogast, here in this humble abode within the Dwendalian city of Rexxentrum. You had a moment to breathe, a moment to absorb, though still more is likely to come. In the midst of these conversations, debating what you've seen, what you've witnessed, what you've discussed, and what's to be done next, it was considered that this Soul Anchor gem, now empty and bereft of its intended target, might have a secondary use to turn the tides of poor Laudna's fate. After talking to Essek about it and him looking to research its possibilities, he seemed to come to you with a bit of hope that it is indeed possible, though challenging.

Part I[]

Stressing that the ritual to bind Delilah Briarwood to the soul anchor must be done quickly, before she can recover her strength, Essek leads the group to his laboratory and continues preparations while they talk. Laudna is terrified but understands it must be done, even if it risks her death. Essek has Dorian engrave runes onto the soul anchor gem with Braius's help, then has Laudna lie on a table and open her own chest up. As Essek chants an arcane ritual, Chetney is guided by a golden thread to place the soul anchor within her body. As he does, Laudna hears Delilah's voice whisper, "What are you doing?"

Laudna and Imogen - reagomyeggo

Fan art of Laudna and Imogen, by reagomyeggo.[art 1]

Fearne contributes to the ritual by providing multiple Guidances to everyone. Ashton uses his Mark of the Messy End to make successes against Delilah easier to achieve while Orym pulls out Seedling and hexes her Wisdom. As they do so, Orym senses the Wildmother nearby, and inside Laudna, Delilah screams, "I will not be stopped!" while attempting to strangle Laudna. Imogen can sense the struggle and sends her mind into Laudna's, seeing a vision of Whitestone and the figures of Delilah and Laudna fighting there. Imogen sends her strength into Laudna while confronting Delilah and trying to convince her that succumbing to the ritual is better than annihilation. Laudna helps by using Void Puppet to give Imogen advantage on her Charisma roll by summoning the spirits of all those who fell in Whitestone at Delilah's hands. As she does, Essek finishes the incantation and Laudna's body glows with purple light, throwing away shadows and leaving Delilah bound to the soul anchor within Laudna's chest.

Laudna is safe, but unsure of her abilities now. She experimentally summons Pâté, relieved when he appears. Braius, however, has never met the familiar and attacks, disapparating him immediately. The glow of the soul anchor is faintly visible within Laudna's chest, and she seems marginally warmer, but otherwise unchanged. She senses that Delilah could be contacted, but only when Laudna chooses to do so. Imogen and Laudna joyfully embrace and Laudna thanks them all.

Braius' backstory - Rann

Fan art of Braius' backstory, by Rann.[art 2]

Orym proposes they celebrate and Essek produces some Lionett Wine. As they drink, Ashton proposes playing "What the Fuck is Up With You" with their new member, Braius. He agrees, but his answers tend to contradict each other. He claims that he has been to the Hells many times, and that originally his family originated in the Kryn Dynasty, then moved to the Dwendalian Empire. Braius now moves around a lot and considers the Hells his true home. As a young minotaur he served the Platinum Dragon in his temple in Zadash, where Braius was in charge of security. In 835 PD, two vandals, a goblin and a tiefling, broke into the sanctuary by deceit, setting it on fire and desecrating it by drawing dicks everywhere. Braius was blamed for failing in his duty, thrown out of the temple and disowned by his family, and has sworn to find and destroy the two vandals.[1] Braius viewed their shared vision of the gods as showing that the Prime Deities cared only about themselves, while the Lord of the Hells was working to reunite his family.

They all agree their goals are to kill Ludinus Da'leth and save the gods (although Ashton wavers on the second point). They agree that despite their differences they can work together. Orym shares that he saw the Wildmother during the ritual to bind Delilah to the soul anchor. Ashton believes the gods need to justify themselves, and Dorian agrees they care little about others. But Ludinus' plan to unleash Predathos is dangerous, and Chetney says in his experience, resetting the power structure usually means people die, while Orym suspects Ludinus' plan has an unrevealed second phase to kill Predathos and seize power himself. Laudna points out the reilorans are also seeking a new home on Exandria, and the Weave Mind could become the new power structure. Ashton thinks everything will just go back like it was, before the gods arrived. Essek adds that dunamancy and the Luxon, if it exists, are separate from the other divines.

Ashton has another proposal for a party game, and suggests using the Pipe of Remembrance. Braius is randomly selected to smoke it and describes the creation of his drinking cup from the skin of Stanley, a traitor whom he killed and flayed. In the smoke, Braius draws an image of Asmodeus in blood on the wall and prays to it, but receives no response. He eventually admits he has never received a message from the Lord of the Hells, although he is sure that he is his Herald and Voice. Fearne asks how he knows he is a Herald and this boggles Braius momentarily, but eventually he admits as well that his "visions" of his god are actually more like imaginings, or fantasies. He is, however, sure he's the Herald. Essek follows up on his claim to come from the Dynasty, and Braius evades that answer. Eventually he admits he's actually never been to the Hells. Imogen presses him on how he knew about Ludinus if he's never spoken to Asmodeus, and Braius cannot think of an answer.

When the conversation turns to art, Essek subtly hides the portrait of Jester hanging on the wall. Dorian suggests Braius paint a portrait of Bells Hells, and it comes out surprisingly good, though goth. On that note, they all head off to bed.

Break[]

Part II[]

Chetney's new armor - DDerby

Fan art of Chetney modeling the Demonshell armor, by DDerby.[art 3]

During their long rest, Chetney attunes to the Demonshell armor which molds to his body. Essek Identifies the amulet Laudna stole from a dead body in Aeor as an Amulet of Cursed Life, which once per day swallows up to 5th-level spells cast within five feet of the wearer. Also, all dead bodies within 200 feet become undead who attack the wearer.

They discuss what to do next. Essek offers to Teleport them to the encampment in the Hellcatch Valley where they first met. Orym uses his sending stone to contact Caleb Widogast, who is recovering from a long day. Ashton offers to let Essek inspect his head, telling him briefly how the injury happened and how the patch was made by a Potion of Possibility. Essek is fascinated, telling Ashton a portion of him is living dunamis and he is unique. When this is over, if they're still alive, Essek would like to study Ashton, and gives them a small black marble which he says Ashton can use to focus his dunamancy when he feels out of control.

Essek then assumes his disguise as Seth and Teleports them to the Hellcatch Valley military encampment, but to their horror the camp has been destroyed and is aflame. There are patrolling soldiers, both Ruby Vanguard and Reiloran, and two vidulches from Ruidus. Imogen instantly Sends to Keyleth and learns many of the forces escaped and fell back to Vasselheim. They see Gloamglut flying in the distance, and a slither emerges from the ground practically underneath them, so Essek casts Teleport again, avoiding an apparent attempt by someone unseen to Counterspell him. They arrive in a cold forested location beneath a tangle of multiple ley lines, just outside a tall stone wall with a nearby gate. Braius quickly paints over the symbol of Asmodeus on his chest, while Imogen Sends again to Keyleth who tells them to come to the Platinum Sanctuary.

The group makes their way to the gate among groups of refugees, where they can smell an odd scent of burning undead. The guard admits them and directs them to the Sanctuary, telling them that the smell is from the recent Dark Bloom. The party passes by an immense, frozen ancient primordial earth titan, in which the citizens of Vasselheim have now built shops, homes, and gardens.[2] They also notice hanging gibbets holding dead Ruby Vanguard soldiers. As they walk, Imogen thanks Essek for freeing Laudna from Delilah.

Eventually they reach the area of the city known as the Duskmeadow, darker and dominated by a gothic cathedral dedicated to the Matron of Ravens. Numerous pits hold the remains of burned undead, and a Bastion explains that the Dark Bloom was an uprising of the multitudes of dead buried within the city, apparently caused by the Apogee Solstice and the tangle of ley lines above. Raven's Crest, the temple, has been busy performing funeral rites for the reburials. Although the uprising seems to be over for now, the city is still tense.

Passing through the Quadroads, they reach Silver Talon's Reach, the district dedicated to the Platinum Dragon. They see soldiers in the street from all over the world, the refugees of the Hellcatch and possibly other areas, some still bearing the wounds of battle. There is a sense of fear pervading everywhere. Eventually, through a gate, they reach the base of a seemingly endless stair. Imogen uses her new ability Embrace of Havoc to be able to hover in order to painlessly climb the stairs. Several bastions note their approach and stop them at the gate, but the party tells them they're expected by the Voice of the Tempest and are admitted. They climb upward and reach the Sanctuary itself, surrounded by more soldiers and the banners of many nations of Exandria.

When Essek notes the banner of the Kryn Dynasty, he falls back and bids them farewell, descending back down the stairs. From inside, they can faintly hear the sounds of argument. As they push through the crowd, suddenly a heavy hand falls on Fearne's shoulder and she is stopped by a tall, incredibly muscular, tattooed and bearded older half-giant. She introduces herself but the half-giant is unconvinced by the argument that Keyleth invited them there. Suddenly, Pike Trickfoot runs up and tells Grog she knows them and it's all right. Pike escorts them through the chamber to where the meeting is taking place among representatives from all over the world, including an elven figure in long silver and blue robes, Earthbreaker Groon, a half-elven woman representing the priests of the Wildmother, the three Maidens of the Raven Queen (including Lieve'tel Toluse), a very tall, genderfluid dark-skinned figure, a crowned dark elf woman, Allura Vysoren, Kima of Vord, and Queen Simone Fruunast and King Imathan Talviel of the Diarchy of Uthodurn. As Grog pushes through the crowd making a path for the party, all of Exandria looks at them.

Featured characters[]

Quotations[]

  • Laudna: Thank you, Essek.
    Essek: Happy to have been of service. I still have a lot of service to make up for in this lifetime.
  • Braius: [Asmodeus] showed me, as he will show all of you, that there is no such thing as objective truth. There is only power and victory. [...] There are those who matter and those who don't, and he matters. Through his guidance and his power, we can find purpose.
  • Chetney: (about the gods) Let's say you wipe the slate; they're gone. And let's say Predathos doesn't eat everything else. He consumes the gods; he moves on to some other place and leaves all of us mortals down here to our lonesome. You're talking about resetting the power structure of Exandria from zero. So, governments, power dynamics, nations, continents, all of those things are going to turned upside down. [...] It'll be a mad scramble, and at least in my 400 years, that usually means people die. Lots of people.
    Ashton: People are dying anyway.
  • Imogen: (about the sleeping arrangements) I'm going to need a private room with Laudna for a little bit.
  • Essek: (describing Ashton) What you have it is something-- it is havoc with pattern. It's the only way I can describe it. It shouldn't work. You are a conundrum.
  • Imogen: I didn't get a chance to say it earlier, but what you've done for us is immeasurable.
    Essek: I wish I could say it was purely altruistic, but I'm still working to burn the rest of the guilt off my soul.

Inventory[]

Adjustment Count Item Source Destination Notes
Crafted Portrait of Bells Hells Braius the party The portrait was surprisingly good, although goth.
Identified Amulet of Cursed Life Laudna Laudna Essek identified the amulet Laudna found on a dead body in Aeor.
Transferred 1 Focal point of dunamantic magic Essek Ashton Looks like a small dark marble.

Trivia[]

  • Bells Hells reached level 14 just before this episode began and rolled for hit points.[3]
    • Ashton rolled a 2 and continued taking Barbarian levels, gaining a new feature on the Path of Fundamental Chaos.
    • Fearne rolled a 7 and took her 4th level in Rogue, giving her a new feat and gaining access to another rogue spell and another spell slot.
    • Laudna withheld her decision on which class to level in pending the outcome of tonight's episode, but rolled for both without revealing the results.
    • Imogen rolled a 2 and took the level in Sorcerer, gaining the Revelation in Flesh feature.
    • Orym rolled a 5 and took another Fighter level, giving him a new feat.
    • Chetney rolled a 10 and took his 13th level in Blood hunter, gaining Brand of Tethering and another use of Blood Maledict.
    • Dorian rolled an 8 and took the level in bard, learning two additional spells from any class and gaining access to Master's Flourish.
    • Braius didn't roll since the character came in at level 14.
  • Sam's Stanley cup opened to reveal the words, "Could this be you???"[4].

References[]

  1. ↑ See "Commerce & Chaos" (2x31) from 1:57:03 through 2:30:43.
  2. ↑ See Campaign One: Vox Machina, "Yug'Voril Uncovered" (1x09) through "Vecna, the Ascended" (1x114) for the history of the Titan.
  3. ↑ Twitter logo Critical Role (@CriticalRole) on Twitter: "LEVEL UP WITH BELLS HELLS! 🔔 🔥 Join the cast of Campaign 3 as they select spells, choose abilities, and level their characters up before tonight's tabletop adventure in Exandria begins! 🎲 ✨" (2024-08-08).
  4. ↑ See "Cages" (3x103) from 1:27:00 through 1:27:20.

Art:

  1. ↑ Fan art of Laudna and Imogen, by reagomyeggo (source). Used with permission.
  2. ↑ Fan art of Braius' backstory, by Rann (source). Used with permission.
  3. ↑ Fan art of Chetney modeling the Demonshell armor, by DDerby (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) • "Campaign 3 Episode 106" (3x106)
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Campaign Three Arc 6
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