"Looming" (3x108) is the one hundred eighth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells learn just how resilient the Fey can be when it comes to matters of the mind and seek answers from Fearne's estranged, strange father...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- First sponsor is SINK!, a new pirate-themed 5e-compatible adventure now on Kickstarter. Sam wears a suit and tie and comes prepared with a Powerpoint presentation and more pseudo-business-speak than one would think possible.
- Critical Role will be presenting a SINK! EverythingIsContent on Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at 7:00pm Pacific, with Marisha, Taliesin, and game creators Sam Rusk, Johnny Stanton, and Game Master Ricky Esquivias.
- Matt loses his way doing a Daggerheart pre-order promo and the crew seizes the opportunity to insert an awesome Blooper Reel.
Previously on Critical Role[]
So, last we left off, Bells Hells, after being granted one of the highest responsibilities in the days to come, had intercepted via your mother psychically telling you of a meeting between Ludinus Da'leth (or his simulacrum), the Sorrowlord Zathuda, and the Unseelie Court in the Fey Realm, to shore up and discuss the coming conflicts. You then traveled to the Fey Realm to intercept this communication. You slowly destroyed all the guardians on the outside of the abandoned Arch Heart temple where they were having this meeting and then stepped in to talk, and then ambushed them. A massive conflict ensued in which the structure of the temple was heavily fractured, and then eventually set to collapse. With the Sorrowlord brought to near death, the emissary left unconscious as well, Ludinus' simulacrum destroyed, and Gloamglut, the fey dragon, escaped through the temple roof as it collapsed, you all rushed to the exterior, with only most of you making it out. However, Imogen and Braius, who were left in the rubble, found themselves protected by some unseen force, and the crumbled temple reassembled itself and called you all into its sanctum.
There, the now-restored statue of the Arch Heart spoke to you as you were plucked from your current awareness and brought to the Arch Heart's realm, into communion with one of the gods of Exandria, one that you saw in your vision of the fall of Aeor. Here, you conversed. Here, you were asking questions of each other, debating, and then eventually given a surprising message of intent from the Arch Heart: that the god of beauty, art, arcana, and the fey seems to believe the time of the gods is done, and wishes you all to be the harbinger of Predathos' release, to chase the Pantheon away and begin a new age where mortals reign over their future. As that vision came to a close you all found yourselves set back into the sanctum of this temple, the Shrine of Gilded Gifts.
Part I[]
Now back within the rebuilt temple, the party takes stock of their situation. Imogen is nearly unconscious, but as Dorian casts Mass Cure Wounds, Orym notices the Unseelie guards peeking in at the temple door, and Ashton, investigating with him, sees Ira Wendagoth perched outside as well. Ira (with Chetney's help via Bane) gives one of the guards a false memory that Ludinus betrayed them and killed everyone, but without knowing which is which, Imogen casts Psychic Lance on him, killing him. The other cuts free the ropes tying the emissary, who regains consciousness. The two begin trying to escape and after a brief battle, Ashton knocks the guard out, Dorian grapples the emissary, and Orym knocks him out. Chetney and Laudna tie up the still-unconscious Sorrowlord Zathuda.
The party discusses how to return to Nana Morri's house. Imogen Sends to her, asking for help, but the number of people that need transportation is more than Morri can handle. She agrees to come, however, although it will take her about an hour. While the party takes a short rest, Zathuda stirs and Braius quickly knocks him out again. Laudna summons her Spirit of Death in the form of Bor'Dor Dog'Son, commanding it to haunt Zathuda. Braius suggests they playact a scenario to convince the emissary that Ludinus attacked them all, and when the emissary stirs again, they disguise themselves and in a series of vignettes pretend that Ludinus betrayed everyone and plans to kill the emissary. While they're distracted, however, Zathuda quietly regains consciousness and disappears. Laudna realizes he's just outside the temple.
Most of the party (except Ashton) runs outside after him and Chetney throws his chisel, hitting him and giving him a Brand of Castigation, knocking him out. Suddenly, however, Gloamglut drops from the trees and clutches Zathuda's unconscious body in its claws. Braius tries to restrain Gloamglut using Nature's Wrath but fails. Orym attacks the unconscious Zathuda, causing him two failed death saves, and Zathuda then fails his third and final death save on his turn. Gloamglut is distraught, and Imogen leaps into its saddle, trying vainly to control it. When Fearne approaches the creature, however, cutting herself to let it smell her blood, it calms slightly, keening sadly to itself. The party withholds more attacks, maintaining watchfulness as Fearne continues to pet Gloamglut soothingly. Eventually she asks the dragon's permission to mount it, sitting behind Imogen in its saddle and seeming to have achieved some kind of control over the creature.
Fearne asks Gloamglut to pick up several of the others, while Imogen Sends to Nana Morri asking if she's on her way. She's almost there, and Gloamglut takes to the sky, carrying four of the party with it toward Ligament Manor. Dorian summons Coriolis and takes the emissary with him atop the draconic mount just as Nana Morri, in a warped human-faced bird form, drops from the sky and picks up the remaining party members. All three flying creatures wing their way toward safety.
Break[]
- SINK!, a new pirate-themed 5e-compatible adventure, now on Kickstarter.
- Bells Hells minis available now at WizKids.
- Promo for Daggerheart pre-order, now available.
- Trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Three, coming October 3rd.
- Tickets for the Daggerheart Live Show 7 December 2024 in Camden, NJ now available.
- The Re-Slayer's Take Season 2 now running.
- Trailer for Moonward.
- Merch Alert! "It has begin" t-shirt in all shops except UK and AU; Percival de Rolo cardigan, Critical Role rib knit beanie, Candela Obscura journal, Vox Machina weapons button-down shirt, and half-crew socks in all shops; healing party and Dreaded Bloom t-shirts not in Australia.
- Candela Obscura Original Soundtrack, Welcome to Tal'Dorei and Welcome to Wildemount albums available now on all digital music platforms.
- Submit fan art and cosplay for possible inclusion in the weekly online gallery.
- Beacon is the escape room clue.
Part II[]
Fan art of Fearne with Zathuda's tapestry, by Pyromeekorai.[art 4]}
During the flight, Braius asks if Fearne wants her father alive, but she either doesn't hear him or ignores him. All three flying creatures reach Ligament Manor without incident and land. Fearne asks Nana Morri for advice in dealing with Gloamglut, and Morri causes vines to reach out and entangle the fey dragon, pinioning it. Fearne also asks Morri what they should do with Zathuda, and she suggests "the Loom". Eventually Fearne decides to give Zathuda over to Morri and they watch as she places the body within the mechanism of the Loom, flaying it and stretching the flesh, weaving and stretching it into a hexagonal frame like a tapestry, with Zathuda's still-conscious face in its center. Morri proudly hangs it on the wall as artwork.
While acting mostly unconcerned, Fearne studies the face, looking for similarities with her own. She has a quiet conversation with her father, telling him he doesn't know her and was just looking for power. She realizes she was just a pawn for him. Zathuda admits he has not been her father as she needs it, but he is her father and has given her his curse as well: ambition. Fearne asks what their plans were, and what it means to be a "vessel". He responds that the final barrier around Predathos is built of material similar to that of the Divine Gate and the Ruidusborn are the key to opening it. Zathuda still wants revenge against Ludinus Da'leth, and will take joy from Fearne killing him. When they ask about Gloamglut, Zathuda tells them that perhaps the dragon needs to be bound to a new master through blood magic.
The party questions Zathuda about the defenses of the Tishtan excavation site and the Malleus Key, learning about the strength of the forces and leaders there. Zathuda suggests telling the Unseelie Court that Ludinus will fail, since the Unseelie only believe in backing the winning side. He mentions that Ludinus has been sending the Exaltants off to some unknown location, and they haven't been returning.
When Birdie and Oleander Calloway arrive, Morri makes Zathuda invisible just before they enter. Later, Laudna checks in with Orym, asking how he's doing after killing Fearne's father, and he's not okay but sees it doesn't matter since they're doing what they came here to do. Meanwhile, Ashton checks in with Fearne and suggests she sleep outside with Gloamglut. He asks if she wants company and she agrees. Nana Morri helps the group by using her somewhat horrifying fey magic to convince the Unseelie guard that Ludinus treated them with disdain, but fails after repeated attempts to modify the Emissary's memory. With no alternative, Morri adds him to her topiary garden. Dorian casts Geas on the guard Kamal, compelling him to go back to the Unseelie Court with word of Ludinus' treachery and telling them not to join his forces there. He then sets the guard on Coriolis' back and tells him to take him to the Unseelie Court.
Desperately in need of rest, they decide to spend the night at Ligament Manor. The discussion turns to their conversation with the Arch Heart. Ashton, Laudna, and Dorian liked the plan to release Predathos, but the others are not at all convinced. Laudna shares her vision of the Raven Queen. Orym is adamant that none of them know what will happen if Predathos is released, and Chetney points out that the Ruidusborn Imogen and Fearne have the most at stake here. Imogen doesn't like the idea of chasing the gods away, but if that becomes inevitable, is willing to step up to try to control Predathos. Dorian thinks Predathos is a weapon and they need to consider if they want to be the ones to wield it. The group tentatively plans to visit the temple of the Raven Queen when they reach Vasselheim. As the discussion winds down, Orym leans against Dorian's hip.
Fan art of Fearne and Gloamglut, by Elaine Tipping.[art 5]
Laudna goes to find Ashton, who had left the room in apparent annoyance earlier, telling him there's a hot spring they're all going to go enjoy. Ashton and Fearne spend the night with Gloamglut, while Laudna brings back Pâté while they all soak in the hot spring. Braius goes to pray, creating an image of his god on the wall and asking if killing Ludinus is still his mission if it will chase the gods away, not directing the prayer at any specific god, but seeing who may answer. He sees flames and darkness, and horns rise as the answer comes from the Lord of the Hells: "If what is to come is inevitable, then chase the rest away, and we remain." Nana Morri interrupts his thoughts and he apologizes for painting on her walls, but she likes it: it's passionate. Braius confesses to her that the others all seem to be paired off and he doesn't want to be alone tonight. She slaps him on the ass before walking slowly upstairs, and he follows her.
Meanwhile, Fearne is outside with Gloamglut. She loosens the vines binding his head and neck, speaking gently to him and telling him she's going to free him. After petting and grooming him for an hour, she releases the balance of the vines holding the dragon and tells him that he can leave if he wishes, but she'd like it if he stayed. The dragon considers this and eventually curls into a circle on the ground, placing Fearne in the middle of its coiled body. She and Ashton fall asleep surrounded by the fey dragon.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
Mentioned
Returning
- Ademadon, an Unseelie guard
- Athion Zathuda
- Birdie Calloway
- Bompers
- Bor'Dor Dog'Son (as a spirit)
- Cashadoor
- Coriolis
- Dorian Storm
- Gloamglut
- Ira Wendagoth
- Kamal, an Unseelie guard
- Nana Morri
- Ollie Calloway
Quotations[]
- Fearne: You don't know me very well, but I'm Fearne.
Zathuda: I know.
Fearne: You don't, though. You don't know me at all. And now you're not going to get a chance to.
Zathuda: I know what you are.
Fearne: You were just another person looking for power, even if you had to step on your family to get there. I don't like that very much. - Zathuda: Our people are not the most... empathetic.
Fearne: (mock horror) What?! No.
Zathuda: I'm not your father. Not in the way that you need it. But I am your father. And I've given you my curse as well.
Fearne: What does that mean?
Zathuda: You'll know in time. Burn what thou wilt, and take what thy wish is from the ash. What you bear is the curse of ambition.
Fearne: Well, that doesn't sound that bad. - The Lord of the Hells: If what is to come is inevitable, then chase the rest away, and we remain.
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transferred | Staff of Dark Odyssey | Imogen | Chetney |
Trivia[]
- Sam's Stanley cup shows a picture of Matt, screaming, with his arms elongated by Photoshop[1]; his T-shirt shows a picture of Matt cosplaying as a wizard, complete with floppy hat, which takes a while for Matt to notice[2]
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Orym, Dorian, and the Emissary, by TO (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Gloamglut and Fearne, by @zhellers (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Dorian and Imogen, by Kaw (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Fearne with Zathuda's tapestry, by Pyromeekorai (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Fearne and Gloamglut, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
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