"Night at the Ligament Manor" (3x46) is the forty-sixth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells travel to the Fey Realm, where they meet Fearne's curious Nana Morri and learn more about Fearne's unconventional upbringing...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- First sponsor tonight is Persona, and Sam plays the Persona Advertisement RPG with Liam and Laura reprising their roles from the actual games.
- This episode is also sponsored by Skillshare, offering hundred of classes for both personal and career focus.
- The first several episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two are now available on Prime Video, with new episodes dropping at midnight UTC Thursday nights/Friday mornings. The watch party for episodes 4-6 will be on Twitch Tuesday, January 31 at 7:00pm Pacific.
- Merch Alert! Bells Hells chibi vinyls and pin, plus adorable Trinket slippers now available. Why have bare feet when you can have bear feet?
- The Mighty Nein Origins: Nott the Brave is now available in bookstores and comic shops.
Previously on Critical Role[]
So, last we left off, Bells Hells, after making it to the city of Yios, the City of Flowing Light, gathering some information, losing Ashton for a bit, regaining Ashton (who had one of their own separate adventures that is continuing to reveal itself), interrogating a member of the Ruby Vanguard that seems to be working alongside or under the strange Ruidus endeavor that Ludinus, Otohan, and Liliana all seem to be tied up in. Going to the Seminary finally, had some conversations with the professor about the origins of FCG, learning a little more about themself, while Fearne and Imogen went to find the professor that you've been searching for for quite some time, and one of the main reasons for coming here at the get-go.
Upon speaking to the professor and learning a bit of information about the Grim Verity and some of the work they're doing and have been doing as well as what seems to be happening underneath Ludinus's interests, Ludinus Da'leth arrived within that office, took the remaining elements of the Omen Archive that had been long hidden, and seemingly robbed the professor of the majority of their awareness and intellect for the time being. After a brief conversation and being left to your devices, Ludinus just left with the pages he needed. You called in the rest of your troop, you gathered the professor, called Planerider Ryn, who you had befriended and allied your various plans with, and decided that your next order of business was to search out one of these three machines, these "keys" you've heard them referred to as, one of which exists in the Fey Realm.
As such, you were transported by Planerider Ryn to the Fey Realm. After wandering through the dark swamps of an area called the Harrowcall Fens, you eventually came to the exterior of the Ligament Manor, the home where Fearne spent most of her life under her Nana, this strange, alien, vine-covered massive treehouse that you walked up within and were greeted by the somewhat nightmarish monstrous form of Nana, both faces and all, as she invited you to have a cocktail at her tiki bar.
Part I[]
Nana welcomes them into her odd and off-putting home, filled with both taxidermied and living creatures. She makes drinks as Fearne introduces the party. When Imogen greets her telepathically, she can hear seven or eight whispering voices within Morri's mind. Morri asks and receives permission to touch Ashton's head, and as she does, a dull blue glow from inside follows her finger and there are vanishingly quick flashes of half-memories. Morri pours their cocktails, which smell like citrus swampwater, but they all drink and realize they have acquired darkvision for the next eight hours.
Fearne and Morrigan both express how happy they are to see each other and how much they've missed each other. The party tells Nana everything. As they chat, an odd rabbit-like creature jumps up and Fearne happily introduces Peepers. She then announces to Morri that she has a child, and brings out Mister to be introduced.
Morri asks about the Weave Lens she made for Ira Wendagoth, and they assure her it worked. FCG asks her what she charged for it and is told it was the return of a favor. Morri spends most of her time watching others. She's not a master of fates but "can add a tangle or two to the skein" if she chooses. She's aware of the Malleus Keys, and when Ira is brought up again, asks if he said anything about her. She invites them to spend the night.
Morrigan doesn't know much about Ruidus beyond that it is a red moon that recently appeared in the Fey Realm, and she knows that the Key that Ira built is somehow connected with it. The Unseelie Court has been building up their defenses around the Shiver Keep where the device is kept. Imogen asks if Morri could help with the issue of time passing when they return from the Feywild, and is told she may be able to help focus the transition to make it less random. She also gives them the location of the Malleus Key within the territory of the Unseelie Court and recommends they ask Ira for more information. She and Laudna bond over their shared interest in crafting and taxidermy, and Laudna introduces Pâté. Morri and Chetney bond over the wooden furniture, and he is in awe that the tree grows the wood into these shapes for her. She tells him passion and enthusiasm like his is one of the things she collects.
When Morrigan grows tired, her second face takes over the conversation. They are told Fearne was gifted to Morri for safekeeping, but Morri will have to check if an exchange of favors was involved. She tells Fearne to show the party around, and Fearne leads them to her bedroom which has painted skin curtains and a cage over the window. Outside, they can see a glowing red orb in the sky drifting in front of the distant mountains. Fearne then goes to ask Nana if it's okay to show the party the Collection, and she agrees. The room contains thousands of objects of all kinds, mostly horrifying and nightmarish. Morri claims the objects come to her; she doesn't like to travel. People come to her asking for things, she takes her price, and places it in the room. Ashton gives her the magical statue from the portable hole[1] that assumes the face of the person looking at it, but when it is confronted with Morri, it struggles, then cracks. Morri promises to repair it and sets it aside.
Ashton asks her about the sensation he experienced when she touched his head, and when she does it again, there is a burst as they see, an inch outside Ashton's head, a small disc of dark clouds that immediately shuts. Morri pulls her finger back, saying she doesn't know what it is and doesn't like it: it holds magic both very old and very new. To show Morri something "weird", Ashton takes her outside, rages, then goes into hyper rage and moves 180 feet in six seconds.
Morri goes back to sleep and Fearne takes them to the garden at the top of the tree, holding incredibly detailed, dense topiaries that Fearne claims she made, from plants, but when Orym gets close to one he can hear a very faint, very slow heartbeat. Suddenly, a massive talking sun bear named Sweet Pea approaches and greets Fearne and the party joyously, and is disappointed she's not staying permanently. Fearne leads them to a vardo, where they'll sleep.
Fan art of Imogen and Laudna falling asleep holding hands, by cvleart.[art 2]
Now alone, Imogen fills in the party about what they learned at the Seminary, including the Reilora. She notes the resemblance between their description and the creature she summoned when casting Summon Crimson Shade.[2] They decide to try sending FCG and Laudna into one of Imogen's dreams with her. Imogen and Fearne also tell the others about Ludinus Da'leth and his theories. Imogen isn't sure the gods really are that great, but one person shouldn't be controlling the fate of so many, and there's no guarantee Predathos would stop with destroying the gods. The consensus is that they need to stop Ludinus's plan. They decide to sleep, and FCG casts Shared Dream on Imogen and Laudna as they go to sleep holding hands. In the darkness of her sleep, Imogen sees a tiny speck of red that beckons.
Break[]
- Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden now available for all modern platforms.
- Vox Machina box set pre-painted minis now available to pre-order from WizKids.
- Official red band trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two.
- Mighty Nein animated series teaser trailer.
- Merch Alert! Bells Hells decal set, crest decal, and crest enamel pin, Critical Role quilted puffer jacket, Fresh Cut Grass and Ashton Greymoore pocket t-shirts, Caleb blazer, and journal sticker set now available in all five shops; Trinket slippers in all shops except Australia.
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- Critical Recap every Wednesday on CritRole.com.
- Submit fan art and cosplay for possible inclusion in the weekly online gallery.
- President Gale explains the benefits of a Critical Role Twitch Subscription.
Part II[]
Imogen moves closer to the red glow and discovers it is a portal elsewhere. Two orbs flank her as Fresh Cut Grass and Laudna accompany her. Through the gateway is a strange forest bathed in deep red light, with scattered mountains, glowing red from beneath. When Imogen turns back, a portal-sized semi-ethereal Ruidus is right there, as if she had just stepped out of it. When she approaches the gate thinking of her mother, she goes through into the familiar dust storm landscape of her dreams. As she focuses on her mother, she feels a pull and follows it, eventually reaching a wide, deep pit with evidence of construction all about. Descending, she sees the building is taking place among ancient ruins. In the center is a massive tower like a three-pronged fork curling into itself at its apex, and at its base is the Malleus Key surrounded by hurrying shades, some with a faint red glow. One of them is clear: a woman with deep lavender hair, Liliana. Imogen approaches and touches her, and Liliana stops and says, "You shouldn't be here. You have to go." Imogen feels everything stretch and pull away. FCG reaches out to her and is pulled away with her, and Laudna is able to wake herself. Imogen realizes this means they could have been being spied upon this entire time, but alternatively, she could possibly spy on others. Eventually they go back to sleep, although Laudna wakes still exhausted.
The next morning, FCG bakes scones (which grant temporary hit points) and gives them to Chetney, Laudna, and Imogen. They bid farewell to Sweet Pea and descend the tree to find Morrigan, who gives Fearne three Harrowcall Veils which will help them remain unseen, if not moving, in shaded spaces of the Fey Realm, and a Gloomscale Breastplate that once belonged to a princess. Morri makes them another round of the darkvision-granting cocktails and tells them the closest gate to their world is where the brambles knot to the left of the location they seek. She warns them to beware of the Festertree Blights, who have a "rusted" sense of humor, and "if the ground grows wanting, be sure to pay it the iron tithe."
Fearne remembers to ask Morri whether Fearne was given to her as the repayment of a favor, and is assured she was left with Morri by her parents to keep her safe because the Unseelie know better than to approach Morrigan's domain. The few who have tried now adorn her garden. Morrigan tells Fearne she is welcome to stay with her, if she wants, and let her friends handle the situation. Fearne is tempted, but decides to go with Bells Hells, promising Morri to return later. Morri asks Fearne, if she sees Ira again, to tell him he's an ass. Asked about the Unseelie, Morri describes wild nomads who just hunt, fight, and deal; cruel, regimented court soldiers; and eternal, ominous politicians and generals. She advises them to consider using methods other than fighting when dealing with them.
The party bids her farewell and pushes into the fens and swamps surrounding Ligament Manor once more, guided by Fearne and Imogen feeling the pull of Ruidus. Suddenly, Orym hears wings fluttering and a tiny voice calling, "Fearne!" FCG screams as the sound of wings flapping grows closer but Fearne and Ashton hold him back as Fearne happily greets Dr. Nesbitt, another friend from her past, an owl-like bird who sets off mutual jealousy with Mister but decides to join them to help. Eventually the landscape shifts to become muddier and Fearne asks Dr. Nesbitt to go home so he stays safe.
After a few hours, they reach a valley and break out of the trees. The red Ruidus-orb is visible, smaller than normal and lower on the horizon, sitting above the far end of the valley. The valley itself is filled with twists of brambles dotted with small lights, and the sky is more shadowy in a continuous twilight.
Fan art of Imogen casting Command, by Elaine Tipping.[art 3]
Moving on, they hear galloping hooves approaching and try to hide, but FCG disturbs a steam-releasing plant and their yelp of pain draws the creatures' attention. FCG is immediately confronted by three longbow-armed centaurs, who begin speaking in Elvish. FCG casts Tongues and is shot at and missed by one of them, but now understands they've been saying, "Do not move," and responds, "We mean you no harm." The centaurs realize there are others present and search them out. FCG claims they are Morrigan's friends, but the centaurs only laugh and waken one of the trees. Imogen Commands them, "Don't!" Chetney pulls out a small carved version of Ligament Manor and FCG translates Chetney saying Morrigan will love having new statues for her garden, but it fails to intimidate the centaurs.
Fan art of the Fog Cloud resulting from a wild magic surge, by @cpprcoyote.[art 4]
The party gathers that the centaurs are trying to capture them and sell them to the Unseelie Court, and they attack, hitting fairly easily. Ashton manages to knock one centaur unconscious immediately. When the centaurs attack, they hit only Imogen for minimal damage. Ashton destroys the animated tree before it can attack, then knocks out a second centaur. The three women then team up for a combo move on the only remaining centaur, giving them advantage on their spell attacks. Had one missed, they all would have, but since all succeed, they gain extra damage and the How do you want to do this?
They search the centaurs, discovering they are hunters loosely affiliated with the Unseelie Court and occasionally working for them under contract for profit. Imogen realizes her wild magic triggered when she cast, creating a Fog Cloud around her. They walk on, leaving the unconscious centaurs behind with their arrows broken, and reach the end of the swamp and beginning of the bramble forest at the edge of the Sablecast Grounds, the location of the Malleus Key.
Featured characters[]
Quotations[]
- Fearne: (in Morri's collection room) Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat?
- Imogen: (while dreaming, to orb-Laudna) I wish I could hold your hand right now. I'm glad you're here, though.
- Morrigan: (to Fearne) I can still keep you, if you'd like.
Fearne: I do like it here.
Morrigan: You don't have to go.
Fearne: I don't?
Morrigan: No. Your friends are extremely capable.
Fearne: But it's kind of fun. I feel like there's so much to explore. I've only been under this dome. I've gotten into some shit. I think I'm going to go with them, but I'll come back because this is where I'd like to retire. - Morrigan: (about the Unseelie) Just like many other fey, they are driven by whim, though the darker wiles of the heart. Sometimes it's safer to dance than it is to fight. Sometimes it's easier to talk and flee than it is to bite and chew.
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transferred | 1 | Magical bust | Portable hole | Morri Calloway | Fearne had received the bust from Jiana Hexum.[3] |
| Crafted | 1 | Pale pink flower | Orym | Imogen | Orym Druidcrafted it to help Imogen sleep. |
|
Crafted Consumed |
3 | "Boon biscuits" | FCG | Imogen, Laudna, Chetney | Grant temporary hit points. |
| Acquired | 3 | Harrowcall Veils | Morrigan | Fearne | In part of the Fey Realm, allow those covered by it to remain unseen. |
| Acquired | 1 | Gloomscale Breastplate | Morrigan | Fearne | Formerly belonged to a princess. |
| Acquired | 1 | Green-yellow paste | Morrigan | The party | Smeared on the forehead and cheeks before passing through a gate between planes, will help with the time distortion. |
Trivia[]
- The apogee solstice will take place in 13 to 15 days.
- Sam's jerrycan has a poster for "Bell's Hells Kitchen" with Ashton's face on Gordon Ramsay's body.[4]
References[]
- ↑ See "Promise and Potential" (3x22) at 1:00:48. Fearne had asked for and received the statue from Jiana Hexum back in Jrusar.
- ↑ See "Compulsions" (3x40) at 1:40:18.
- ↑ See "Promise and Potential" (3x22) at 1:00:48.
- ↑ See "Night at the Ligament Manor" (3x46) from 1:20:20 through 1:20:30.
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Peepers, by ZioCorvid (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Imogen and Laudna falling asleep holding hands, by cvleart (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Imogen casting Command, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of the Fog Cloud resulting from a wild magic surge, by @cpprcoyote (source). Used with permission.
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