"Phantasmal Parley" (3x72) is the seventy-second episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells engage with a cursed pirate ship filled with ghosts, seeking passage across the waters of the Shattered Teeth, but a parley is not easily granted...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- First sponsor is Warner Bros. Games' new Mortal Kombat 1, launching 19 September 2023 on most gaming platforms. Sam hosts a game of "Mortal or Nortal" that features Ashley and Laura as the competitors because neither of them knows anything about the game... and they prove it. Don't forget to check out their upcoming Mortal Kombat one-shot on Tuesday, September 19 at 7pm Pacific.
- "Let’s Play Queen by Midnight!" is now out on YouTube.
- The Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn is now available on D&D Beyond.
- Merch alert! New tankard wraps and "Is it Thursday yet?" t-shirt in all CR shops.
Previously on Critical Role[]
Last we left off, Bells Hells had traversed across Exandria in an instant at the behest of The Voice of the Tempest to one of the many islands that make up the Shattered Teeth from beyond the fog curtain. They landed upon the island of Slival. Upon wandering through the strange dense forests and black rock cliffs and beaches, you encountered strange flying frog-like pixie creatures. You befriended some, and requested a bunch to shit on you. You found out about a guardian upon this island in hopes maybe they could guide you to your individual of interest, The Shore Shrew. You, at the request of these creatures, lit a massive bonfire at one of the hilltops, which called the attention of a dangerous, sightless beast that began to attack Chetney and the rest of the group.
In defending them and trying to gain control of the battlefield, a massive shadow grew in the sky, where an incredibly large blackened toad creature slammed into the ground and revealed itself to be the living abode of Jirana, the Shore Shrew that you were seeking. After managing to knock away the creature of danger, you were invited into her home and answered a number of your questions, presented some possible opportunities to get to your destination, the island of Kalutha. You decided the best route was to take an enchanted compass that belonged to a dread captain who runs a ghost ship. After taking a moment to rest, enjoying some tea and some light conversation, the toad homestead bounded across the island and has just deposited you on the northeastern island shore to find the rest of your journey.
Part I[]
On the beach, Chetney reveals he has carved an exact wooden copy of the compass that will summon the ghost pirates to take them to the island of Kalutha where Evontra'vir is located, southeast of where they are now. FCG suggests they summon the pirates and immediately put the compass in the unlocatable portable hole to use as a bargaining chip. This reminds them of the bodies currently in there and they decide to clear it out by using Speak with Dead on the bodies.
The first target is a druid underling, for practice. They make Imogen look like her mother and under questioning, the druid states that Otohan Thull is still at the Malleus Key. that a "hundred or more" reilora have arrived from Ruidus, and that Ludinus Da'leth's forces are attempting to keep the forces opposing them scattered. FCG then casts on Ratanish's body, and "Liliana" tells him he can be brought back to life if he answers her questions. He tells her the Ruby Vanguard are communicating "the old-fashioned way" because of the solstice-induced communication disruptions. But he becomes suspicious of her and stops answering truthfully. When she asks what happened to Caleb Widogast and Beauregard Lionett, he answers they are probably dead.
Ashton disposes of the bodies. Chetney dips the compass into the water to summon the ghost pirates, and they see the shadowy shape of a massive ghostly ship, the Crimson Abyss, appear just offshore. Ten skeletal figures wearing bits of tattered armor begin approaching through the water as the party discusses their approach to the coming negotiations. A voice echoes from the ship: "Take it from them. Leave them bleeding. Whatever they have is ours." And with that, initiative begins.
Screenshot of the battle from "Phantasmal Parley" (3x72) at 0:56:53.[art 2]
At the outset, Ashton starts a Space rage. He and Orym are both able to severely wound the attackers, killing one. The water around them, however, swirls into a massive whirlpool and the attackers radiate cold. The ghost pirate captain Urlu Novos sneers at Chetney's offer of the wooden fake compass before Laudna casts a fireball that takes out eight of the nine remaining skeletons. In Shadow Cant, she asks Novos if he's sure he doesn't want to make a deal and he now accepts, but only as to her. He shouts to his crew to kill the others and a sniper in the crow's nest hits FCG with two heavy crossbow bolts for massive piercing and cold damage. The crewmembers who were "killed" by the Fireball rise and heal, then attack, surrounding much of the party. FCG uses Turn Undead against them, but hits Laudna as well, compelling her to do nothing but move away as fast as she can.
Orym is able to reach the ship and attack the first mate, while Ashton slaps Laudna and shakes her out of her compulsion. Chetney and Laudna also get aboard the ship but the sniper hits FCG again, knocking him unconscious. All of the skeletons that the party "killed" in the past turn rise once more, although those affected by Turn Undead continue to run away. Fearne casts Cure Wounds on FCG bringing him back to consciousness while the others continue to battle pirates. Ashton is able to knock the sniper from her perch to the deck, but another pirate hits FCG and knocks him out again, forcing Fearne to use Cure Wounds a second time on him.
Fan art of Laudna and the captain, by Cha Cha Rae.[art 3]
Meanwhile, Laudna reaches the captain and puts his hand inside her chest to demonstrate her undead status. She tells him they are alike, both cursed, and they can end it together, but he responds that he chose this curse: the Strife Emperor gave him renewed fury. He asks what else she offers, and she uses Silent Image to make an image first of the compass, then of Graz'tchar, telling him the sword gives the strength of 100 holy men and radiant abilities. Around them, although the party can kill the pirates fairly easily, they almost immediately revive, and Bells Hells are taking serious damage. Chetney holds up Graz'tchar, telling the captain they want only passage in return and the captain is intrigued, demanding both the compass and sword in trade. Chetney is reluctant (as is the sword) but hands it to Captain Novos. The crew stop fighting and begin making their way back to the ship.
Break[]
- Mortal Kombat 1 releases September 19.
- Giant three part Uk'otoa mini now available at WizKids.com.
- Available Now: Queen by Midnight trailer.
- Merch Alert! "Is it Thursday yet?" t-shirt, tankard wraps, Laudna shirt dress, Imogen denim shirt, Caduceus Clay kitchen line, Fearne and Ashton dice sets, and Queen by Midnight game in all five shops.
- Cast at Rose City Comic Con in Portland Sept. 23-24, NYC Comic Con Oct. 12-13, London MCM Comic Com Oct. 28-29. Info at the CR website.
- Intro of Candela Obscura: Eye for an Eye. Original Soundtrack now on digital music platforms.
- 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.
- Marisha unboxes Critical Role Twitch subscriptions.
Part II[]
Fan art of Laudna's failed intimidation, by Elaine Tipping.[art 4]
Laudna calls to the others to come aboard; they're all friends now. The party joins the now-healthy skeletal pirate crew on the Crimson Abyss and Laudna introduces Bells Hells as sort of pirates themselves. Captain Novos introduces Woedders, the first mate, who introduces the crew. Chetney explains they need passage to Kalutha, and the captain demands the compass in payment in advance as well. After Laudna fails to intimidate him, Chetney hands it over. The captain explains that the ship is in relentless pursuit of the belongings stolen from him when he and the crew were killed by their enemies, although they aren't sure what will happen when they recover all of them.
The ship sets sail, and the captain tells them it will take three days to reach Kalutha. He invites them to relax and make friends with the crew, but his quarters are off limits. This immediately catches Fearne's interest. Ashton discovers the Captain is completely unaware of what's going on with Ruidus and the gods. Laudna asks about Novos' devotion to the Strife Emperor, and the party shares that all the gods are currently under threat. Chetney and FCG suggest the party might be able to help the captain find more of the missing objects, but he excuses himself, saying they've talked enough.
FCG asks Chetney if he's okay giving up Graz'tchar, and although Chetney's unhappy, he felt it was his duty. They go through some of the things they've acquired, and FCG Identifies Ratanish's boots[1] as Boots of Speed. Both Chetney and Ashton want them, but in a two-out-of-three Rollies match Ashton wins them. Ashton offers to trade them for Chetney's Ring of Temporal Salvation, and Chetney accepts.
Fan art of a ghost pirate learning Rollies, by TheFakeNerdGirl.[art 5]
The group explores the ship a bit. Ashton climbs the crow's nest to talk to Cyrillia, the one-eyed navigator, and draws her out, discovering that she may feel some resentment toward the captain about her situation. He tells her he recently got a god to notice him and it didn't like him, so he's considering not liking them right back. Things are changing, and even the god who cursed this ship may not be long for this world. Cyrillia has noticed Ruidus has been missing from the sky lately, and listens to him intently.
The rest of the group goes below and meets the rest of the crew. It is noticeably colder there, and the crew is reluctant to discuss the captain or reveal any dissatisfaction with their situation. Orym requests the violinist play Beads of Love by Scanlan Shorthalt, and he does so, while Fearne explores and finds the captain's quarters. They learn there are no cannons, but the ship has recently found some pistols. Imogen teaches the crew Rollies with traded secrets as the wagers, but the crewmember's secret is only that he was allergic to cats. The crew, however, is enchanted with this game.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
New
- Crew of the Crimson Abyss:
- The Dread Captain Urlu Novos, dwarven skeleton captain
- Cyrillia, fire genasi skeleton navigator
- Woedders, skeleton first mate
- Bruda, human skeleton
- Carmilla
- Jamal
- Kyle, little skeleton
- Odo, tall, thin skeleton pilferer
- Peters
- Sanjay, skeleton violinist
- Vendallo, half-orc skeleton tattoo artist
- The Whitts Twins, halfling skeletons
Quotations[]
- FCG: You saved my life twice. Thank you.
Fearne: Well... you're welcome. You have this thing here in this realm called "guilt" and I really felt it. Sorry.
Laudna: They don't have that in the Fey Realm?
Fearne: Maybe. I've just never really felt it before, but I feel it really strongly here for some reason.
Imogen: Sorry.
Fearne: Yeah, it sucks. Because you make a decision to do something, and then you feel bad in here. (indicating her heart) - Cyrillia: You make do with what you're given.
Ashton: Yeah, I used to think that. And then one day pretty recently, I realized that I hadn't been given really very much, and I thought about that, and I got real angry. And I just don't know how to stop feeling that.
Cyrillia: Anger's good. It makes things happen. - Ashton: I used to think [the gods] just don't notice and there's just a layer of us that drop below the radar. Maybe that's true, but I got one to notice, and it didn't like me. So, I'm considering not liking them right back.
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crafted | 1 | Wooden compass | Chetney | Carved to look identical to the real compass. | |
| Transferred | a few | General Ratanish's teeth | Ratanish | Fearne | |
| Transferred | 1 | Graz'tchar | Chetney | Urlu Novos | |
| Transferred | 1 | Compass | Chetney | Urlu Novos | |
| Identified | 1 pair | Boots of Speed | Ratanish | Chetney | |
| Transferred | 1 | Ring of Temporal Salvation | Chetney | Ashton |
Trivia[]
- Sam's jerrycan says "ME POOP" with some damp turquoise "poop" on it.[2]
- It was revealed in this episode that Sam's jerrycan also acts as a functioning dice tower.
References[]
- ↑ See "Embattled in Bassuras" (3x70) at 3:11:05.
- ↑ See "Phantasmal Parley" (3x72) from 56:10 through 56:45.
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Imogen and Ratanish, by Dadrielle (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Screenshot of the battle from "Phantasmal Parley" (3x72) at 0:56:53. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Fan art of Laudna and the captain, by Cha Cha Rae (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Laudna's failed intimidation, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of a ghost pirate learning Rollies, by TheFakeNerdGirl (source). Used with permission.
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