"Ominous Lectures" (3x45) is the forty-fifth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells return to the Aydinlan Seminary to speak with two professors about the mysteries affecting their friends, but an unexpected guest complicates everything...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- First sponsor is Cash App, with the vanquished Vince McSam admitting defeat at the hands of The Thumb and the Finger Ladies of Wrestling after building his brand on underhanded contracts. They plan to use the proceeds for a charity to study horse immorality... or to boost thumb awareness.
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- Final sponsor is D&D Beyond.
- The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two premieres next Friday, January 20! Watch-along parties the following Tuesdays starting January 24th on Twitch with host Mica Burton.
- No new episode of Critical Role next week, but there will be an episode the final Thursday of the month, 26 January 2023.
- TV's Will Friedle appears, announcing that his podcast with Christy Carlson Romano called "I Hear Voices" (interviewing voice actors around the world) is sponsoring a contest to find the next big voice-over actor, called The Super Awesome Contest to be the Next Big Voice-Over Actor. Now through February 9th, send a 2-minute video to enter.
Previously on Critical Role[]
So, last we left off: Bells Hells had come to the city of Yios, the City of Flowing Light on the southern side of the continent of Marquet, in search of information surrounding the research being done around the Omen Archive and the Grim Verity. While you were here you missed an opportunity at the moment to meet with Professor Kadija Sumal, but she should be in for a meeting the following day. While there, you encountered an entity called a Judicator. These are engineered distributors of justice for the highest temples of Vasselheim. They're essentially holy hunters. In the shadow of that fear and the information that Ebenold Kai of the Grim Verity had not been at the Seminary for some time, apparently essentially abandoning his post as one of the professors, you magically persuaded the clerk of the Seminary to lead you to the house where he lives and decided to sneak in there, doing a reconnaissance mission. Upon going through there, you found that it was seemingly abandoned and slightly trapped. Then upon going into the basement, ran into two members of the Grim Verity. You followed them through a portal, met Planerider Ryn, and discovered quite a bit of information about what might be happening and what the goals are of a group called the Ruby Vanguard that is the Ruidian crew working with Ludinus Da'leth and Otohan.
Upon returning to this basement, you discovered that the house was recently broken into and is being searched through by members of this vanguard. You decided to strip your clothes off and try and convince them that you were filming pornography or something. Instead, a battle ensued within this house, where you managed to defeat this troop, grabbed one and absconded with them, found a safe house and interrogated them. You reached out to Planerider Ryn, one of the members of the Grim Verity that you had recently met, who completed some of this interrogation for you. At this point, you are figuring out which direction to take, as the time of the solstice is looming and there are many paths to be chosen as you decide what your final affairs are here in Yios and what to do.
Part I[]
Ashton responds to Imogen's Sending and they decide they'll meet at the Aydinlan Seminary. Orym suggests Pâté could stay behind to keep an eye on the currently-docile Tuldus but they tie Tuldus up to make sure. Fresh Cut Grass reminds everyone that he's on the edge and they should all be kind to each other so that his stress doesn't increase.
They meet Ashton at the Seminary. Ashton is in the form of a young man wearing chef's whites, covered in marinara and apple pastry filling, and beat up. They drop the glamour and Imogen uses Prestidigitation to clean them up. Ashton disjointedly explains that nothing can be traced to them, but they saw Violet, a person they used to work with for Jiana Hexum, and when they talked, Ashton revealed more than they should so agreed to a quick job that included the robbing of an office, sentries, kidnapped mobsters, the Baneful Brood, artifact theft, kidnapped kenkus wrapped in expensive stolen antique rugs, fed raids, and possibly favors owed, but then realizes they had a glamor up the whole time and won't be recognized. They've also heard rumors of "Dwendalian motherfuckers" called the Ruby Vanguard coming through town and stirring things up.
Fan art of Vitro Isham, by donutdraws.[art 1]
The party decides to split up. FCG, Laudna, Fearne, and Imogen go inside and find Professor Vitro Isham, a professor of automaton studies who is most impressed with FCG. Imogen and Fearne go off to seek out Professor Kadija Sumal, who Imogen had been told had information about the Omen Archive project, while Laudna and FCG speak with Professor Isham in his office/workshop/classroom reminiscent of Imahara Joe's shop.
FCG tells Isham their full history, as far as they know it, and Isham asks and receives permission to "poke around" in FCG after FCG disconnects all their weapon attachments. He immediately determines FCG is a "Harmonious Aeormaton", designed as a diplomatic peacekeeper, possibly altered during the event known as "The Care and Culling" to turn on those they had been politically gifted to. His explorations go deeper than Joe's had, discovering FCG's unique and very large arcane power accumulator, which although it may be the source of their magical abilities, may also be unstable and explode if ruptured or overcharged. He warns them not to attach outside arcane terminals to it. He also encourages FCG not to be confined by his creators' expectations of him but to find their own purpose in life. He promises to send word to the Spire by Fire if he hears of any other Aeormatons like FCG. FCG has Isham install a small oven inside his chest to take advantage of the heat source there.
Meanwhile, Imogen and Fearne go to Kadija Sumal's office where she nervously admits them through the multiple locks on the door only when they mention they are there about the Ruidusborn. When Imogen telepathically asks if the Judicators have come looking for her yet, Kadija recognizes her abilities. She is relieved to hear both Ebenold Kai and Roe Estani are alive and well, and confirms the nature of the Omen Archive study and that both Liliana Temult and Otohan Thull are Exaltant Ruidusborn. The Exaltant were the first to speak of the Reilora, a collection of crimson entities they met within their shared dreams of a red storm who spoke wordlessly in riddles, asking for alliance or subversion. Liliana was one of the very few who could communicate with them, but the researchers were unsure of the Reilora's motives or morality and pulled back. Kadija warns Imogen she should leave to stay safe.
Imogen admits she has the dreams as well and asks for any help dealing with them. After a moment, Kadija retrieves a hidden key, opens a hidden trapdoor under her desk, and pulls out a thick leather-wrapped stack of vellum pages that she removed from the Omen Archive records before they were stolen by those working on behalf of Thull and the Cerberus Assembly. She reads through for notes on what helped Liliana deal with her dreams.
Suddenly, all the locks on the door unlatch and the door opens. Fearne stands in the doorway, blocking it, as it reveals there an older-looking elven man with long silver hair and blue robes. He states he's there to speak with the professor, and when Fearne asks him to wait five minutes he replies, simply, "No."
Break[]
- Ad for D&D Beyond featuring Aabria Iyengar.
- Monsters of Exandria, Volume 3 pre-painted minis now available to pre-order from WizKids.
- Official red band trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two.
- Merch Alert! Quilted puffer jacket, Fresh Cut Grass and Ashton Greymoore pocket t-shirts, Caleb blazer, journal sticker set, Libraries of Exandria notebooks 3-pack, and Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn digital edition in all five CritRole shops.
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- Critical Recap every Wednesday on CritRole.com.
- Submit fan art and cosplay for possible inclusion in the weekly online gallery at https://www.critrole.com/submit.
- Marisha unboxes the benefits of a Critical Role Twitch Subscription.
Part II[]
Imogen instantly recognizes Ludinus Da'leth in the doorway. Fearne successfully resists a mind control spell as Imogen telepathically warns Kadija Sumal that this person is dangerous. When Fearne requests his name, he introduces himself, but is losing patience and tells Kadija she has ignored the Cerberus Assembly's requests too long now. The door slams and locks behind him, and he tells Kadija that necessary pieces of the Omen Archive records are missing. As she stammers, he casts a spell that drifts into her forehead, and she immediately hands over the documents, then sits quietly.
Fan art of Ludinus and Imogen, by nolagranola.[art 2]
Ludinus turns to Imogen, telling her she looks just like her mother. He's heard of her skills. He studies Fearne and comments that although she's not an Exaltant, she is Ruidusborn. He asks their business there, and Imogen says she's trying to find her mother. Ludinus responds that he has worked with her personally for some time, and Imogen is welcome to ask about her. Liliana is integral to their plans, and Imogen should be proud. When Imogen asks how they could join their group, Ludinus asks if she's felt the pull northward, and Imogen realizes she has. But when Fearne continues pushing for more information, Ludinus replies that he knows they've talked to those working against his group and they're not just seeking entry. This is his life's work. If they want to help, stop resisting.
Ludinus dodges the question of whether he is Ruidusborn, saying he has his connections with the red moon. Imogen asks if it speaks to him directly, and he replies it has. Her mother would like to see her, as she is sad her destiny has taken her on a different path and she hopes it will not entangle Imogen in danger. Imogen tells him her mother has been pulling her towards her and she's resisted, but maybe it's time to give in. The power is pretty enticing. If they succeed, will it go away? Ludinus admits parts of it will, implying divine magic will be no more. Maybe he'll see them, to the north. As he leaves, he questions Imogen about her belief in the gods, commenting that he has seen the destruction they rained down on mortals to stunt their potential, and that The Divergence was not to protect mortals from the gods, but to protect the gods from mortals.
Imogen turns to the professor who is still sitting quietly, a tear rolling down her cheek. Her mind is gone. Imogen and Fearne note that Ludinus sounded like he had witnessed The Calamity, and wonder how old he is. They need to stop Ludinus, and find Imogen's mother.
At the entrance to the Aydinlan Seminary, Orym and Chetney are waiting and listening to more of Ashton's adventures, when Orym spots Ludinus descending the stairs and exiting, joined by two figures in the familiar dark red and silver robes of the Ruby Vanguard. The party heads upstairs, worried, but are stopped by Carolle who is unimpressed by Orym's suggestions of exposing her malfeasance but is intimidated by Ashton's pulling out a marinara-covered spoon and lets them pass. Meanwhile, Professor Isham has installed Fresh Cut Grass's oven and directs them to Kadija's office. The two groups meet and Orym hurriedly tells the others they've seen Da'leth, as they head straight to the office and reunite the party.
Fan art of Ryn casting Plane Shift, by Cristina Anaya.[art 3]
Imogen Sends to Planerider Ryn, telling her to come to Kadija's office. She quickly arrives and promises to get help for Kadija. Laudna checks through Pâté's eyes and he's still watching Tuldus. They tell Ryn that Ludinus was there and recovered the Archive, which increases the urgency since the papers included the names of all known living Exaltants, the rotations of Ruidus, and its patterns during each flare. Laudna summons Pâté and Ryn promises to look after Tuldus. Excitedly, Fearne tells Ryn they're going to the Harrowcall Fens in the Feywild, as near to Grandma Morri's house called Ligament Manor as can be managed. Ryn casts the spell and pushes the party through the portal.
They arrive, disoriented, within a lush marshland filled with large twisted trees and occasional glimpses of a pinkish-purple sky. Fearne knows where they are and guides them through the mysterious, magical forest with the apparent aid of the flowers, but they notice her appearance is ever-so-slightly different: a little sharper features, bigger eyes, longer ears, exaggerated limbs. They ask Fearne's advice on dealing with Morri and are told it's rude to refuse refreshments if offered. Fearne advises making friends with the flowers surrounding them. Laudna sings to one and it leans into her hand, but is offended when she tickles it. The other flowers lean in when she sings, but don't like being high-fived. Suddenly, they all withdraw at once and one of the trees' trunks massively lifts out of the ground and blocks their way, caging them in with its branches. Eventually, they realize that if they continue singing and playing the pan flute, the tree allows them out.
Fearne leads them on into the marsh and to a hidden glade among the heavy trees and branches. In its center is an enormous tree (comparable in size to the Sun Tree of Whitestone) shrouded in dangling teal vines, with about a dozen massive branches, filled with hundreds of nests, empty wooden cages, flickering lanterns, and wreaths. This is Fearne's home, and she runs toward it. As she does, the vines separate, revealing the interior and warm firelight within. About thirty feet up, the tree splits into two trunks that spiral around each other, and each branch bears a small room connected by wooden bridges and staircases to each other and upward.
Fan art of Morri, by seasalt_fam.[art 5]
Suddenly, the voice of an elderly woman greets them from above. Fearne sprints toward it, and the party follows, finding a room decorated with skeletons in dancing poses, knitted dolls, and alien potted plants. The woman's voice greets Fearne, saying, "Oh, Fearne, how we have missed you," and Fearne delightedly leaps into the long, thin arms of a wide, tall, barrel-shaped figure swathed in a blue-green robe-like dress. Emerging from a mantle around the figure's shoulders is a head on a giraffe-like neck, with long tangled white hair above a wrinkled old woman's face, nose-less nostrils, a wide smile of jagged teeth, and eyeless sockets holding a golden glow. With an eerie smile, Morri asks, "Fearne, would your friends like a cocktail?" A second, low-pitched and gravelly voice from the center of her torso also greets them, and Morri opens her dress to reveal two eyes and a wide mouth there that smiles at the party.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
Returning
New
Mentioned
- Ariks Eshteross
- Dr. Nesbitt, Fearne's former pet
- Ebenold Kai
- Imahara Joe
- Jiana Hexum
- Liliana Temult
- The Matron of Ravens
- Orgreo, a mobster of Yios
- Otohan Thull
- Roe Estani
- Shithead
- Violet
- Zhudanna
Quotations[]
- Marisha: (after rolling low on the first roll of the game) You all should have let Laudna die.
- Vitro Isham: (to FCG) You are both a relic of history and a very unique, special person.
Laudna: You're a person!
FCG: That's what they keep saying. - Isham: (to FCG) You are not defined by what you are told your purpose was. You carve your own path. Besides, if you don't really have memories of anything before that, then that's really not who you are.
FCG: I suppose so. That's scary, though.
Isham: Yeah. Being alive is very scary. Being conscious. Free will. Frightening. But also, worth everything. - Ludinus Da'leth: Power is just a tool. All power is just a tool. Only the fools through history use it for personal gain and useless, eventually forgotten means. [...] This society is borne on those who have gained their power through transactions, unearned except for one, granting their succor and obsession to these gods. We've never needed them. They've always needed us. [...] I watched the world burn at their behest. I saw the ruin their games left of our people, the destruction they brought down to stunt the potential of mortal minds and hearts. They act only to preserve themselves. So. If there is even an ounce of you that finds faith in them, there is no place for you amongst us. [...] We are the seeds they plant, and till, and water. We struggle in the maze they shaped. Then when we expire, we return to their private gardens to be harvested and feed their power and dominance because they told us there is no alternative. This is how it is and we must thank them for it. We may be their creations, but all children outgrow their parents. And they came to fear our development, our potential. The Matron, the Age of Arcanum, the growing will of the mortal mind. The Divergence, it wasn't to protect us. It was to protect them from us.
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expended | 25 feet | Rope | FCG | Tuldus | Used to tie up Tuldus. |
Trivia[]
- Without considering any time-funkiness that may result from the party travelling to the Feywild, the in-game date at the end of this episode was still 8 Fessuran 843. The apogee solstice will take place in 13 to 15 days.
- Sam's jerrycan says "Chetney and Fearne make a p💋rno" with Fearne's head and a wolf head pasted over the movie poster (with the subtitle "How far would you go to fool an air elemental?").[1]
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Vitro Isham, by donutdraws (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Ludinus and Imogen, by nolagranola (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Ryn casting Plane Shift, by Cristina Anaya (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Feywild Fearne, by LornArt (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Morri, by seasalt_fam (source). Used with permission.
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