For The Tempest

For The Tempest
"For The Tempest" (3x68) thumbnail featuring Taliesin Jaffe.
Episode	Campaign Three,​ Episode 68 (C3E68)
Airdate	2023-08-10 19:00 PDT
Running time	3:48:26
Episode link	VOD
Podcast link	Podcast
Transcript	Transcript
Starring
Laura Bailey – Imogen Temult Taliesin Jaffe – Ashton Greymoore Ashley Johnson – Fearne Calloway Liam O'Brien – Orym Marisha Ray – Laudna Sam Riegel – Fresh Cut Grass Travis Willingham – Chetney Pock O'Pea and Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master
Order
Previous	"Bloody Flowers" (3x67)
Next	"Nice" (3x69)
Airdate Order
Previous	"Bloody Flowers" (3x67)
Next	"Nice" (3x69)

"For The Tempest" (3x68) is the sixty-eighth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells race to return to Zephrah with faith that their gains in the Grey Valley will save Keyleth and return hope to their fight..

Synopsis

Announcements

• There's a bear at the table! Surely this has something to do with their first sponsor, Baldur's Gate III. Sam reads a lot of the ad copy straight... but apparently there's a clip out there with a druid getting freaky in bear form. This inspires Sam to write his ideal romantic interaction-- but with a bear. It's a little too real (Sam apparently finds bickering sexy).
• Merch Alert! Imogen oversized denim shirt, Laudna dice set, and Dorian Storm ReAction figure now available. Ashley demonstrates the shirt's quick-opening feature.
• Full release of the Darrington Press LLC game Queen by Midnight August 22nd in CritRole.com and Darrington Press Guild shops.
• Midst Season Two releases August 23rd. Interview with the Third Person Narrators on August 16th. Check it out at Midst.co.
• Final episode of Candela Obscura Chapter One is now available everywhere. Chapter Two starts August 31st, including in theaters.

Previously on Critical Role

Last time: Bells Hells, in prepping themselves for the coming growing threat in the Hellcatch Valley, in the echoes of the solstice and the Exandria-wide changes and damage that it's left in its wake, you went to ask aid of Keyleth after finding out that she had still continued to suffer the wounds that she was given in that moment by Otohan Thull. This specific toxin that she had used, this venom on her blades, prevented the wounds from closing and Keyleth near-incapacitated, unable to use her magic to weave these wounds away. You discovered that there is a particular type of flower that grows in places of severe corruption that, when gathered, could-- at least through previous experience-- possibly reverse this toxin. You followed shortly after a group of volunteers that went to the Grey Valley, and discovered they themselves had befallen some dark scenario upon attempting to recover these flowers, some of which fell and were corrupted in this field, others that were captured.

Fan art of Fearne and Teven, by Cha Cha Rae.

You followed the trail to a bastion, a stronghold of followers of the Platinum Dragon that had fallen recently to a mass demon horde. Much was lost on each side, but victory laid with the demons and they were preparing for some larger ritual, a blood feast of some kind which these captured individuals were to be prepared for. You, using a two-pronged assault on this bastion, managed to slay many of these demons, ally with a devilish figure that seemed to also have a coincided interest against these demon forces, destroyed the local demon general of this region in this assault, and freed the remaining captives, three of which were members of the first Ashari volunteer party, one of which is Baernie, your Ashari sister. After realizing this space was dangerous, Fearne made a tiny, tiny pact with this devilish figure, Teven. Exhausted, hurt, and not immediately able to return back to Zephrah, Baernie carved through the stone magically an alcove in which you could rest for the evening. There, you gathered up, sealed the stone, and within this safe space, prepared yourselves for an evening's rest.

Part I

Fan art of cold Imogen, by Elaine Tipping.

Ashton asks Chetney about the greatsword he found, and Fresh Cut Grass casts Identify on it. As he does, a voice comes into his mind telling him he has a great destiny dispelling darkness in the world, and suggesting they could act together for good. The sword tells FCG it was once a great king who has lost most of his memories, but has knowledge of the darker shadows creeping across the land. FCG gives the sword to a very skeptical Ashton, and it tells Ashton they have great possibilities and they could carry him for justice and good to wash the shadows from Tal'Dorei. Ashton is unimpressed with the sword's account of its past, and gives it back to FCG to cast Legend Lore. FCG learns that its apparent radiance is a curtain hiding its evil, corrosive nature doing the Prince's will, but he hands the sword back to Chetney and says nothing of this, simply saying that the sword is very powerful. Chetney is enthusiastic, and FCG feels guilty and warns him the sword may not be quite what it seems: it might be a Demon Prince. The sword assures Chetney that's just lingering traces from its previous wielder. The others are dubious.

Fan art of the Changebringer and FCG, by Lady Rossë.

The group goes to sleep, and Imogen dreams of floating above the familiar red storm, seeing a city carved into the rocks with hundreds of humanoids within it. She feels a yearning pull and hears her mother's voice: "Imogen, please, run! I won't let it have you." Imogen chooses to fight the pull, asking how she can trust her mother, and sees below her the surface of the red moon, cracked and dry but holding its own ecology. An ethereal Liliana approaches, saying she just wants to protect Imogen. When Imogen questions if she is really going to release Predathos to destroy the gods, Liliana tells her, "You deserve to be free." Imogen is pulled from the dream. Meanwhile, FCG casts Commune, asking The Changebringer if the gods can help his friends: "Yes." Are you worth saving: "Of course." Are you scared? "Yes."

In the morning, Chetney has attuned to the greatsword and Baernie opens the cave doorway. Imogen shares her vision of Ruidus with the others, telling them she is now convinced she wants to aid the gods and sever any connection to Predathos. Her mother is supporting Ludinus Da'leth, who wants the gods dead. FCG shares his Commune with the others, saying that the road he was on in his vision seemed to lead upward. Imogen agrees it seems they need to go to the moon. Chetney checks with Graz'tchar, learning the greatsword has never heard of Predathos but vaguely remembers Ludinus from when he was a king as being powerful and smart, but untrustworthy. Chetney takes this as confirming the sword is not evil.

The area holds several flying demons picking through the remains of the battle. The party stealths through to the nearest tree, but then realize if they load FCG, Fearne, Laudna, and Chetney into the portable hole, Imogen can Teleport them all back to Zephrah. They arrive and immediately open the hole to safely release the others, then go to Keyleth's home where they are greeted by Leeta. Multiple herbalists converge on them, taking the satchels of blue perennem flowers off to create a healing paste from them. Among them is Nel, Orym's mother-in-law, who greets him affectionately before getting to work.

Fan art of Orym in the balcony, by Cha Cha Rae.

The herbalists take the paste to Keyleth, where they apply it to her wounds, and when she adds dried leaves and colored dust, and activates it with her magic, her wounds slowly heal and she gains strength enough to sit up and put on her antlered crown. Looking at Orym, she thanks him before excusing herself for a few minutes to address the gathering villagers. Thollo returns to ask Orym to join the Voice on the balcony, and the others push him forward. Keyleth thanks him, Baernie, and the Tempest Blades who were with them, and Orym briefly addresses the crowd on their behalf: "Hearts and minds, always Ashari, home and abroad, morning and night. Kaitiakè."

A celebration begins, as Keyleth invites the party to join her to ask any questions or give any news they may have. FCG asks Orym if he plans to include "bad news" in the discussion, as well. As the party enters Keyleth's chambers to find the Tempest leaning heavily on her bed, Keyleth remarks that her recovery is not "as quick as [she] had hoped."

Break

• Trailer for Baldur's Gate III.
• Cree, Vessel of the Pattern mini now available for pre-order at WizKids.com. Use code CRITHIT2023 to save 10%.
• Merch Alert! Imogen Temult denim shirt, Laudna dice set, Dorian Storm and Nott the Brave ReAction figures, Critical Role backpack and watercolor journal in all five shops; Air Ashari dice set in the US shop.
• Cast at Rose City Comic Con in Portland September 23-24, New York City Comic Con October 12-13, London MCM Comic Com October 28-29. More info at the CR website.
• Trailer for Candela Obscura Chapter One.
• Trailer for Candela Obscura Chapter Two.
• Trailer for the Midst Season Two Podcast.
• Welcome to Tal'Dorei and Welcome to Wildemount Critical Role soundtrack albums available now on all digital music platforms.
• Critical Recap every Wednesday on CritRole.com.
• Submit fan art and cosplay for possible inclusion in the weekly online gallery.
• Laura and Travis fall in love with their Critical Role Twitch subscriptions.

Part II

Keyleth offers them any help she can give. She has sensed a shift in the magical weave across Exandria, and has heard that Ruidus is tethered above Marquet, temples have mobilized and armies have gone there, and there has been unrest including attacks on temples. Although Team Issylra looks uneasy, they do not admit their part in one such attack. Ludinus Da'leth has been seen in the Dwendalian Empire meeting with King Dwendal, who has been bedridden and reclusive for many years, and Keyleth believes the Empire is on the brink of chaos. Similarly, Vasselheim is pulling in its forces behind its walls, which buys Ludinus more time for what he's planning. Many forces that had been previously kept in balance are seizing this opportune moment.

Orym shares with Keyleth the vision that several of them had in the Temple of the Matron of Ravens of the screaming orb in the Malleus Key. Keyleth's eyes dart to an empty perch on the balcony, and when Fearne and Laudna question her about her relationship with the gods, she tells them that she keeps them at arm's length but understands their importance in keeping balance in the world. Ashton admits they formed a temporary alliance with a Champion of Asmodeus, which takes Keyleth aback. She warns them not to get too close to the enemy, even if they are temporarily on the same side.

Fan art of the Bell Flower reilora, by Natasha Harris.

Imogen tells Keyleth there is a city on Ruidus, which comes as something of a shock to her, and Imogen Summons a Crimson Shade, noticing that it is slightly more "physically present" than in the past. She tries to question it, but it is evasive, saying that it wants only to serve her until her binding is done. When she asks its name, she receives a vision of a pale grey flower bearing a cut sapphire in its center that tinkles like a bell in the wind. Imogen asks if the reilora are happy about the recent events, and sees images of a verdant land filled with joy as it says, "We know your dreams." It says that Predathos is "The Progenitor", the heart of their world, and it is stirring. Imogen then dismisses it, telling the others she suspects the reilora are jealous of life on Exandria. Laudna tells Keyleth that based on what they know, they suspect the reilorans were once humanoids living on Exandria, removed from it when the gods created Ruidus.

Orym asks for Keyleth's advice on what they should do, and she is frank that she doesn't know, but they should do something. They should seek out help from everyone and anyone they can and bring them together when it's time. Ashton asks her about the Hishari, and admits he was born to them. Keyleth takes his hand and focuses, and tells him he carries both rare powers she recognizes, and others she does not. He carries a fragment of Primordial elemental capability, which she describes as a "titan of blood". Ashton shows her the symbol on the back of his jacket, and Keyleth confirms it to be the symbol of the Hishari. Their leader, Efterin, claimed to have journeyed far and acquired the blessing of Evontra'vir. Keyleth is uncertain how Ashton is coping with containing the power of both dunamancy and the Primordials. She thinks for him to exist, the Hishari must have had something of power holding the essence of the ancient Primordials, and the only place they could have gotten it would be Evontra'vir, the Great Tree of Atrophy, a powerful ancient tree spirit whose roots wind between life and death to watch over the cycle of renewal. It is on the island of Kalutha in the Shattered Teeth. Evontra'vir was once a Gau Drashari who then became a part of the land by becoming a tree.

The party discusses potential allies, but most are busy elsewhere. They talk about where they might tap into elemental power. Keyleth has been to the Shattered Teeth once, to the island of Slival grieving the loss of the love of her life. She met with Jirana, an expert in mourning and loss, who helped her deal with her pain. She offers to send Bells Hells there via magic, if they choose. There are no maps, because the islands seem to shift over time, and there is a huge volume of residual elemental magic left from the annihilation of two Primordial Titans there.

They show Keyleth Ludinus' harness, and she confirms he used it to draw energy from fey creatures, who are tightly linked to the nature spirits, mimicking the druidic means of extending life. The harness is broken, but could potentially be repaired. She also assures them that the means of ascending is probably impossible to acquire these days, because of Vox Machina's defeat of the Whispered One, leaving a massive Primordial Earth Titan looming over Vasselheim. When Laudna hears the name of the Whispered One, a cold jolt shoots down her spine. The only people who would now retain knowledge of the Ritual of Seeding would be the Champion of the Matron of Ravens, and the Matron herself, but so far Ludinus hasn't seemed interested in Ascension, only in freeing mortals from the gods forever.

Orym points out that they know very little for certain about either the reilorans or Predathos, and Imogen suggests she could give in to the pull she feels when she connects to Ruidus to learn more of Predathos. They try to think who might be able to repair the harness, and Imogen suggests D, the aeormaton who sold FCG to Dancer, although they know only that it extends life, not that it grants more power. FCG Scrys on D and locates them somewhere on the Menagerie Coast, but FCG points out that Dancer reactivated them, not D. Their Scry on Dancer reveals her sleeping, with no way to tell where. FCG cast Divination and asks where to go to get the harness repaired, but the answer is: "The path with one from your past you are most bound to." This could be either, so FCG casts again, asking if he's more bound to Dancer or D. The answer is, "The path to the mind of that which gave you life renewed," which is still enigmatic. Ashton tries to convince FCG that meeting D would let them make a new friend. On the third try, the answer is "The one whose name begins with a D." FCG gives in to the urging of the others and decides to visit D.

They decide to spend the rest of the day running errands and Teleport in the morning. Before they leave, Keyleth thanks them once more, and addresses Orym directly, reminding him that he is not alone and that the strength of his people will rally behind them. She urges him to find the strength to take the first step forward, and gives him the title "Savior Blade of the Tempest". Orym says he'll try to do her, and Derrig, proud.

Imogen gives FCG the Staff of Dark Odyssey to attune to so he can Teleport them in the morning, and they step out into the celebrating populace of Zephrah.

Featured characters

Bells Hells

• Ashton Greymoore
• Chetney Pock O'Pea
• Fearne Calloway
• Fresh Cut Grass
• Imogen Temult
• Laudna
  • Pâté de Rolo
• Orym

Returning

• Baernie
• The Changebringer (via Commune and Divination)
• D (via Scry)
• Dancer (via Scry)
• Diedrich and Uwon (unnamed), guards of the Iridon Bastion
• Erana and Jennis (unnamed), Tempest blades
• Graz'tchar
• Keyleth
• Leeta
• Liliana Temult (in a dream)
• Scuffy, an acquaintance of Orym's in Zephrah
• Shendunei, half-orc guardian of Keyleth
• Thollo

New

• The Bell Flower reilora
• Nel

Mentioned

• Asmodeus
• Baryn Vestisho
• Bertrand Dwendal
• Deanna Leimert
• Derrig
• Dorian Storm
• The Earth Titan
• Efterin
• Esmer Balenta (unnamed)
• Evontra'vir
• Extovass (unnamed)
• F.R.I.D.A.
• Grog Strongjaw (unnamed)
• Imahara Joe
• Ira Wendagoth
• Jirana
• Ludinus Da'leth
• The Matron of Ravens
• Milo Krook
• Oma-Dua
• Percy de Rolo
• Planerider Ryn
• Predathos
• The Demon Prince of Indulgence
• Rau'shan and Ka'Mort (unnamed)
• Teven Klask
• Vax'ildan
• Vrudauliun
• Warren Drassig
• The Whispered One
• Will
• Zan Tal'Dorei

Quotations

• Graz'tchar: (to Chetney) Elder child, who has walked these lands near long as I have, you carry within you a will to do great things. Your grasp around my hilt, all those who seek to bring shadow upon these lands shall fall beneath my blade, and we shall rise triumphant for a great fate before us.
  Chetney: Beneath your blade and beneath my claws, we shall cleanse this land of shadow!
  Graz'tchar: Glory be our union!
• Liliana Temult: I just want to protect you, more than anything.
  Imogen: Then why didn't you?
  Liliana I am. [...]
  Imogen: Are you setting him free? Predathos? Is it going to really destroy the gods?
  Liliana: You deserve to be free.
  Imogen: At what cost, Mama?
• Keyleth: There are many heroes among us, but in the history of the Ashari, there are those who truly give everything for the future of our people, for the future of our realm. I'm but one of many. And today, we welcome a few more. Faced with terrifying odds, and long, ancient, corrupting evils, some of our brethren gave their lives that we might live, so that I might live, to ensure that we will be safe and there is a future for the Ashari people. I ask you all to celebrate this evening our surviving heroes, and remember those who did not return but will be forever remembered.
• Orym: Hearts and minds, always Ashari, home and abroad, morning and night. Kaitiakè.
• Keyleth: I've been blessed or cursed in my lifetime so far to have faced a handful of cataclysms, and met others who've done the same, all across this world. The thing we all have in common is we don't know what to do, but we do something. We trust in each other. We follow our hearts. And we look for friends. And we do everything we can and whatever it takes to make sure those who try and put us down or try to control us, try to hurt us and those we care about, ensure that they fail.
• Keyleth: I'll tell you a story about a goldfish one day.
  Marisha: Really?
• Keyleth: Orym of the Air Ashari, you are a paragon in the memory of dear Derrig and his son, your partner, Will. You are a heart buffeted by the winds of change and the cold of reality, yet you continue to move forward. You are hope. You are Orym, my friend. You are Orym, Saviour Blade of the Tempest. And you are never alone.
  Orym: It all feels real heavy, 'cause I'm real small. But, like vines we grow together. I'll try to do you and Derrig proud.

Inventory

Adjustment	Count	Item	Source	Destination	Notes
Transferred	1	Staff of Dark Odyssey	Imogen	FCG

Trivia

• Sam's jerrycan has a novel titled "The Devil's In-Fearne-o" by "Matilda Merceria", a reference to the flirtations exchanged between Fearne and Teven the previous episode. As a response Dani Carr decided to write some pages of the aforementioned book.
• During the episode Chetney, who owns a Bag of Holding, went inside the portable hole. According to 5th Edition rules, if an extradimensional space connected to an object enters another magical space of a similar nature, that would create a gate to the Astral Plane that would swallow whoever was near it. This, however, didn't happen, although it is unclear if it was because no one thought about it, if Matt deliberately chose to ignore that rule, or if Chetney, knowing the risk of putting those two objects together, left his bag outside.

References

Art: