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"Divisive Portents" (3x89) is the eighty-ninth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells join the Volition rebellion, where they learn about the inner workings of Kreviris and its leaders known as the Weave Mind...

Synopsis[]

Announcements[]

Previously on Critical Role[]

So, last we left off: Upon traveling here on the surface of Ruidus, Bells Hells, you have eventually journeyed across the dusty and storm-covered surface to the central capital city of Kreviris, where the Imperium's heart remains. You've trekked through the surface portion, the very tippy-top of this mostly subterranean city. You've met with a few individuals, barely dodged being found out and attacked by some of the local soldiers, defeating a few of them and others barely getting by with some druidic ingenuity, before getting the information you required, which was the location of the Volition, the resistance troop that has been working against the Imperium for a period of time that you can only assume has been a long while.

After finding where this entrance was, you talked your way into the hidden subterranean tunnels before arriving here at the Volition pass house. Here, amongst a period of tense immediate conversations and convincing the Volition members present that you are not an immediate threat, weapons were put aside and the central figure, the seemingly leader of this, who has been referred to in the past by other members as Rashinna of the Golden Hammer, walked you to the edge of this pass house where a massive opaque crystal wall sat, and there, when she touched it, it became semi-translucent to reveal beneath the incredibly massive cavernous space that contains the expansive, beautiful, alien, but also in some ways oddly familiar landscape of the city of Kreviris.

Part I[]

Myceit - ZioCorvid

Fan art of the myceit, by ZioCorvid.[art 1]

Rashinna causes the window overlooking subterranean Kreviris to become opaque once more, and asks the party what they can do for each other. Apparently satisfied with their response, she invites them to sit as Gaz Tomo, her "right hand", enters with his pet-like myceit. They explain something of the history of the myceit, the reilora, and the Weave Mind, who apparently can inhabit the minds of most reilorans, those who have been "marked" at birth by the insertion of an object into the back of their heads. Members of the Volition have had the object surgically removed and Chetney asks them to retain the next one they acquire, but then realizes they can probably acquire one easily.

Rashinna explains that Ruidus's always-present earthquakes have been occurring more frequently recently. They explain a bit more about the history of Ruidus and the Imperium's governing structure. They know little about the Exandrians who recently started coming across the Bloody Bridge, except that they bring "strange things" with them and have started a large excavation within the Prime Pillar of glass in the center of the subterranean city. They are working closely with the Weave Mind.

Orym shares that they believe the Exandrians and the Weave Mind are planning to release Predathos in order to destroy the Exandrian deities. Rashinna replies that the Weave Mind has been encouraging excitement over the anticipation of a relocation of the populace soon, and speculates they are envious of the easier living conditions on Exandria. Laudna offers to share with them what the party has learned of Ruidian history, but Rashinna puts her off and calls other Volition members to the table.

Rashinna tells them that if they want to prove themselves, there are various potential opportunities. First, the group is planning to blow up part of the recent excavations around the Pillar to slow the Weave Mind and to recover imprisoned allies. The excavation is being overseen by Sorrowlord Zathuda. The only survivor of the previous demolition team, who succeeded in buying them some time, will be helming this attempt. She introduces him: Ira Wendagoth. Second, they are planning an infiltration. One of their spies, Evoroa, a Bormodo scientist doing research on the strange machines being brought in by Ludinus Da'leth's people, has now vanished. They would like to retrieve or at least learn what has become of her. Third, there will be a rescue operation to retrieve members of the Volition and their allies who have been taken prisoner by the Imperium. She introduces a green dragonborn, Vezoden Amerai, a follower and possible champion of the Strife Emperor (a Betrayer God) who was sent by her god to try to stop the effort to release Predathos and wants to rescue her captured allies. She and FCG spar a bit over whose god is more powerful.

As the party is going over their options, Gaz Tomo mentions a fourth possibility. Rashinna tries to hush him but they pick up that it's an assassination tomorrow. Imogen questions her telepathically and learns the target is Liliana Temult, her mother. Rashinna offers to let her helm it if she wants and Imogen asks to think about it until morning. Two of the myceit appear and lead them to a small alcove in the caves, and bring water as well. Ashton tosses the myceit a silver, but it hits the creature in the head and it runs off.

Imogen shares that the Volition is planning to assassinate her mother in the morning. She doesn't know what to do, and she's not sure if by warning her to stay away, Liliana was trying to protect her, or protect Ludinus's forces. The group tries to help with the decision, and when Laudna checks the orb, she learns Otohan Thull is now somewhere in the heart of Kreviris. They realize one of their other options could potentially involve killing Zathuda, Fearne's father, and spend much time discussing the pros and cons of all the possible tasks. FCG flips his Coin of the Changebringer, asking if Imogen's mother is redeemable, but the coin stands on its side, indicating the answer is unknown.

Gaz drops by and they ask for more information about the proposed assassination of Liliana. Gaz tells them they have intelligence that Liliana is in the Woven Music Grand Hall, gathering Ruidusborn together. The Volition has scrambling devices that can temporarily shut down the Thought Eaters and other high end Mystics. When he leaves, Chetney sends an Arcane Eye after him. Imogen is still very undecided what to do, and Laudna suggests she could talk to her mother, now. Eventually, Imogen decides to act tonight, before the Scroll of Mass Nondetection wears off. FCG casts Shared Dream, with Imogen choosing to bring just herself and FCG along to avoid potentially compromising the others. They go to sleep, and Imogen finds herself in the familiar red of her dreams, where the thought of her mother brings her immediately there. Liliana looks up, sees her, and says her name: "Imogen."

Break[]

Part II[]

Imogen's dream of her mother - Zhellers

Fan art of Imogen's conversation with her mother, by @zhellers.[art 2]

Liliana greets Imogen sadly, saying she is sorry that despite her attempts to push Imogen away, this burden has found her anyway. She says once more that she's trying to make a difference from the inside, by influencing Ludinus Da'leth, and believes she has been successful sometimes. Liliana isn't sure if she wants to stop his goals entirely, seeing the issues as too big for her and feeling that she had no choice but to be here by virtue of being Ruidusborn. In addition to influencing Ludinus, she sees her purpose as protecting other Ruidusborn children. She doesn't believe Predathos will harm people or the world and sees the gods as tyrants. She apologizes to Imogen for not being there during her childhood, and they tell each other "I love you", although Imogen tells her mother she's lying to herself if she thinks that there will be a happy end to this.

Imogen wakes up and tells the others that her mother sees herself as doing good, and that nothing is likely to convince her otherwise. They discuss again whether destroying the gods is a wholly bad thing, with Ashton pointing out that Exandria existed before the gods came.

In the morning, Fearne finds Ira Wendagoth building a rune-carved iron cylinder and asks about his plans for his sabotage mission and his feelings about her father. Ira tells her that Zathuda and Ludinus once reneged on a deal, leaving Ira in the lurch and stealing his designs. They were trying to breed more Ruidusborn, and had hoped Fearne might be as special as Imogen is, only to be disappointed. Fearne asks Ira's advice in combating her father, saying she wants his mount. He scurries off and Fearne rejoins the group.

Imogen kissing Laudna - Cole Alexander

Fan art of Imogen kissing Laudna, by Cole Alexander.[art 3]

They discuss which mission to choose, but don't reach any conclusions. As the group leaves to join the Volition leaders, Laudna pulls Imogen aside and tells her she feels very distant. Imogen feels the same. Laudna feels protective of Imogen, and doesn't understand how Liliana could leave her, but Imogen points out Laudna is also pulled by another power (Delilah) which she has now fanned back into a large flame. Laudna admits this, saying she doesn't want to be an added burden on Imogen, and she didn't choose let Delilah back in; she never fully left. Imogen wants to believe her and believe she isn't inviting Delilah back in, and Laudna assures her she is gaining from Delilah, as well as feeding her. When she begins to say it's okay if Imogen wants out, Imogen interrupts by kissing her and assuring her she'll never let her go. Laudna's concern is that Imogen truly is special, and that Laudna will just hold her back.

Inside the meeting room, they meet some of those present and discuss the missions. The infiltration to investigate Evoroa's disappearance will rely on stealth and will take them perilously close to the Weave Mind. They plan to use Ira's sabotage explosion as a distraction. Ira wants people good at illusion, persuasion, and speed. He believes Fearne has a vested interest in the success of his mission, and has prepared five screech plumes to carry along. Gaz Tomo will lead the assassination team, and Imogen warns him that Liliana is strong. It might be a good idea to take her prisoner rather than kill her. Rashinna rejects this idea because of the danger Liliana poses. Laudna suggests it could also escalate the situation, but Rashinna understands the danger and will do what must be done.

Chetney, Orym, Imogen, and Laudna join the infiltration mission to investigate Evoroa's disappearance. FCG, Ashton, and Fearne join the detonation mission with Ira. An elderly reiloran mystic, Ivanas, steps forward and casts Invisibility for an hour on all of Team Infiltration, and See Invisibility on all but Chetney, who refuses it suspiciously. Imogen casts Mage Armor and FCG casts Greater Restoration on Ashton to remove his final point of exhaustion. The two groups say goodbye to each other, although they know they will remain in telepathic communication with one another. Orym reminds all of them they need to survive in order to report back to Exandria what they've found out. Ira casts Seeming on Team Detonation, disguising Fearne as a bormodo (with Mister as a cytaa), Ashton as a quanikka, and FCG as a myceit. He himself now appears to be a thought eater.

The two parties descend the stone stairs and bridges leading downward into the lantern-lit cavern holding the bustling city of Vaterra Kreviris. They notice a heavy military presence and what appears to be training for a move to the surface as the two teams move out of sight of one another.

Featured characters[]

Quotations[]

  • FCG: We made our peace with giving our lives long ago. We know that not all of us will come back from this.
  • Rashinna: The only reason we know that our life is so hard here is because we compare it to what we see of yours in our dreams. We see verdant fields, beautiful curling rivers, seasons. We see feasts and holidays. We see miracles, and-- Here, there is dust and survival. And there is joy to be found here. It's one thing to not know otherwise, except that most nights the basis of comparison is put in our face. There are many here who would hate you for what you have. I would not be surprised if the Weave Mind are five of them.
  • Liliana: I'm doing this because I didn't have a choice. Neither of us do. We're here. I tried to keep this from pulling you here, but you came anyway, and now we're both here in the center of it all and it's going to happen. But I want you to be free of it. And once this is over, all of us will be, all of us who were not given a choice but be born into this red light and changed. Do you know how much I miss just taking care of those horses? Do you know how much I dream of just walking the fields and making breakfast at sunrise? All that was taken from me, and all I could think about was making sure I didn't take it from you. I failed at that, too, it seems.
  • Liliana: Please see it in yourself to understand why I've done and given up all of this.
    Imogen: Maybe it's your turn to run.
  • FCG: They're being told they can go down to Exandria and live the life that they literally can only dream of, but that life won't exist if the gods are gone.
    Ashton: Well... there was a version of that before them. There really was a version of this before them.
    Laudna: It was chaos.
    Ashton: It was nature. Just nature.[...]
    FCG: The gods maintain nature and laws and hope and redemption.
    Ashton: I think there were nature, laws, hope, and redemption beforehand.[...]
    Laudna: Nature is chaos.
    Ashton: Yes. And there is a goddess of nature. Is she chaos? Is she violence? Because nature is violence.
    FCG: Your titan is showing.
  • Imogen: I thought we lost Delilah. We fought her. I thought she was gone, and the minute we split up, you fanned that ember back into existence. I feel like that flame is bigger than it ever was before. Does that mean you don't love me?
    Laudna: Of course not. But I guess getting rid of the pull, just like the gravity of the moon--
    Imogen: It's complicated.
    Laudna: It's harder to break free. [...] You already have to deal with so much. I don't want to be an added burden.
    Imogen: You're never a burden, Laudna. And I can hate Delilah, and love you, which I do. I don't know how to let you let her go. I don't know if you can. [...] Are you telling me the truth? You wouldn't lie to me again, right, Laudna?

Inventory[]

Adjustment Count Item Source Destination Notes
Expended 100 gold worth Diamond dust FCG Ashton To cast Greater Restoration.

Trivia[]

  • Sam's jerrycan has a "Dune sandworm" popcorn bucket attached to it, with the caption "Discover The Secrets Of Dunamussy": Laura cannot resist reaching inside and pulls out an action figure of Essek.[1] Later Sam offers tissues from the bucket but nobody takes him up on it.[2]

References[]

  1. See "Divisive Portents" (3x89) from 2:31:35 through 2:32:05.
  2. See "Divisive Portents" (3x89) from 3:00:24 through 3:00:38.

Art:

  1. Fan art of the myceit, by ZioCorvid (source). Used with permission.
  2. Fan art of Imogen's conversation with her mother, by @zhellers (source). Used with permission.
  3. Fan art of Imogen kissing Laudna, by Cole Alexander (source). Used with permission.
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