"Pyrrhic Return" (3x35) is the thirty-fifth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells sail the stormy skies as they return to Jrusar and reconnect with allies in a race to keep hope alive...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- Channeling FCG, Sam's a robot: MC Adverbot, who coerces Marisha into beatboxing for him but deems it not good enough and does his "rap" for Shopify a cappella. Now get a free trial of their customizable all-in-one e-commerce platform.
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- Reminder that there will be no programming next week, but they'll return 4 October 2022 with the next episode of 4-Sided Dive. Episode 36 will air Thursday, 6 October.
- Merch Alert! New Libraries of Exandria Notebooks, Soltryce Academy lanyard, Der Katzenprinz journal, and Nott the Brave windbreaker now available in the critrole.com shops. Lots of new t-shirts now at hottopic.com.
- And sadly, Marisha wanders off stage to await Laudna's fate, along with the rest of us on this week's... Critical Role!
Previously on Critical Role[]
So, last we left off: Bells Hells, after chasing down Armand Treshi to Bassuras, finally located him and went into the Seat of Disdain, the fortress where he'd been held. Upon absconding with him and getting caught in a bunch of chaos, you encountered The Legend of the Peaks herself, Otohan Thull, the war hero who seems to be tied up in this odd Ruidus business. Upon an attempted conversation turning into a fray, turning into a bloodbath, three of your party fell dead, two of which were salvaged and one who could not be: Laudna.
Now, having fled, or seemingly banished for the time being the individual that took the lives of your friends, Otohan, scattered somewhere to the four winds, you have Laudna's body. You finished your business in Bassuras. You've called ahead via the Sending spell to Jrusar, and with her body in tow in hopes of possibly bringing her back, should time and resources be with you, you called the skyship The Silver Sun back, jumped upon its rapidly moving ladders up into the sky, climbed up into the air, and said adieu to Bassuras on the south end of the Hellcatch Valley.
Part I[]
Captain Xandis welcomes them aboard and they direct the ship toward Jrusar, quickly. Ashton releases Armand Treshi from the portable hole, and Treshi tells them he was smuggled to Bassuras via skyship to hide out and lay low. He offers them 10,000 gold (later raised to 13,000) if they don't take him to Jrusar. Imogen delves into his mind, learning that he was trying to use Paragon's Call to better his political position in Jrusar. He was also involved in the movement of "certain goods" within the city, meeting with people from overseas coastal towns about the smuggling, and taking particular interest in the shipments to Jiana Hexum. She also learns he is deeply afraid of the people he's been working with and fled to Paragon's Call for protection and on a promise they would help him salvage his reputation, but that he feared their betrayal. He would like to get as far away as possible. The group decides to keep him in the ship's "mold storage" room during the voyage.
Imogen recovers the tracking orb from Laudna's body, hoping to find the location of the ring Laudna had attempted to plant on Otohan Thull, but it is dark. FCG suggests two possible pending tasks: go to Yios and the Grim Verity, and further explore the Gorgynei. Orym points out that Laudna is their current priority, and they list their possibilities to deal with it: Lord Eshteross, Jiana Hexum, Ajit Dayal, Delilah Briarwood, The Voice of the Tempest, and the Lord and Lady of Whitestone. Orym tells the group that Delilah once did terrible things under Whitestone's castle.
Imogen Sends to Keyleth, telling her they've found the assassins and a lead, but there are questions and one of them with strong ties to Whitestone is down. Can they meet? Keyleth responds that she's currently on business in Vasselheim but can meet "shortly". Fresh Cut Grass Sends to Jiana Hexum (although Ashton is uncomfortable about it), saying Ashton has a friend who died and asking if Jiana can help bring her back. Jiana's response: "Sweet little metal boy. What you ask is extremely difficult and against the nature of fate. Maybe." FCG asks the potential cost and she suggests a discussion over tea. The group points out that the cost is likely to be FCG, but FCG thinks maybe that's reasonable. Ashton firmly says it's not, and there will be no more talk of it. With night falling, they go to sleep, but Chetney stays on deck to look at the moons. He finds himself howling instinctually toward them and sees fur push past his fingers before receding.
Fan art of the Silver Sun, by Wesley Griffith.[art 1]
The next day, a massive sandstorm quickly approaches and overtakes the skyship. As the party tries to help the crew, one of the sails is torn and partially lost, but they pull in the opposite sail to match. FCG enhances Xandis's ability to steer the ship lower down to miss the worst of the storm. Imogen calms the crew, but Fearne's attempt to help Xandis with Guidance fails, and as a strong gust hits, another sail tears away and FCG is blown overboard. They impact hard as they hit the ground. The ship angles upward to get above the storm but all of the remaining party members except Ashton also fall off and take significant damage. Ashton frantically tells the captain to turn around, but they must wait out the storm first.
On the ground, the party is scattered. Fearne shouts for the others, then begins playing on her pan flute as the others head toward the sound. She notices vibrations around her and realizes she is sinking into the sand, but is able to use a Mirthful Leap to escape the large, claw-like pincers rising around her. However, as FCG approaches they both find themselves sinking. Imogen Misty Steps and then casts Fly on FCG, lifting them both into the air. Orym runs to Fearne and uses Bait and Switch to get between her and the sandkheg, then pushes her away up the slope. Orym wedges his shield inside its mouth. When Imogen flies back down to Orym, Fearne uses Stonky's Ring to pull the shield free and Imogen and he fly upward to safety. FCG uses his propeller arm to fly to and rescue Chetney, while Ashton descends a rope ladder from the hovering ship and helps push Fearne aboard.
With everyone back safely on the ship, Chetney volunteers to help fix the wood damage to the Silver Sun as they fly onward toward Jrusar.
Break[]
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Part II[]
The next day, another sandstorm approaches but this one blows toward Jrusar, shaving a day off their journey. After two more uneventful days, they reach the city at sunset. Ashton puts Armand Treshi back into the portable hole, while Orym leaves the ornate spyglass Fearne had stolen from Captain Xandis on their last voyage[1] in an easily noticeable spot in the cargo hold. They bid farewell to Xandis and head toward Lord Eshteross's home.
On the way, Fresh Cut Grass again asks Fearne for the return of his Changebringer coin. At first she denies knowing what he's talking about, then denies taking it, then denies knowing where it is. Finally, FCG casts Detect Object and takes it from her. She wants to melt it because she doesn't like its association with Laudna's death. FCG helps her understand where the motivation for her constant pickpocketing might be coming from.
When they reach Eshteross's home, it is dark and the windows are boarded, but Orym sees movement at a second-story window. They knock, and after a long moment it unlocks but no one appears. When Imogen Sends to Eshteross, he responds he wasn't certain it was them and comes down to escort them through the heavily booby-trapped manor to a safe room. Ashton spreads out the portable hole and shows Eshteross they have Treshi. Eshteross suggests two possible next steps: deliver him anonymously to the wardens, or take him directly to Orlana Sheshadri and get credit (and the bounty) for his capture. He asks that if they make that choice, they tell Sheshadri that Eshteross is a friend of her cause and that the group is acting as his emissaries. Eshteross, however, has no leads on resurrection magic for Laudna, although he has a friend named Manaia Turei in the Parlor of the Collective of Bodhan (city infrastructure department) who could transport them if that's necessary. He also pays them for returning Treshi to the city.
Imogen Sends to Keyleth again asking her help. Keyleth is nearly finished with her business and will see what she can do. Orym shares with the group that both his husband Will and his father-in-law Derrig were killed in the attack on Zephrah by the shadow assassins and unable to be resurrected, for unknown reasons. Imogen tells Eshteross about the cage around Ruidus and the city on its surface, and Orym adds that Otohan Thull and the Cerberus Assembly seem to be connected. Eshteross reacts to that with both interest and fear. Ashton adds that the Assembly has been smuggling residuum and shows him a Potion of Possibility, mentioning that Jiana Hexum is also involved.
They leave Laudna's body with Eshteross (after taking her magical items) and go immediately to Sheshadri to deliver Treshi. She is very pleased and Treshi is resigned. They tell her Lord Eshteross sends his regards, and she pays them the bounty of 12,000 gold. They also tell her about Ira Wendagoth's role in recent events in Jrusar and that he's partnered with Otohan and the Cerberus Assembly, but with no proof of the Assembly's involvement she remains dubious.
Fan art of Ashton's potential, by Cha Cha Rae.[art 3]
They head to the Spire by Fire Inn for the night. At Ashton's request, Imogen and FCG jointly cast Detect Thoughts on Ashton in an attempt to recover more memories of the night the Nobodies broke into Jiana Hexum's home and Ashton was left gravely injured or possibly dead. Ashton's memories are familiar, the story of his injury and repair, and the use of a Potion of Possibility sealed into his head. They push further but Imogen is blocked by a glass-like wall similar to the glass in Ashton's head as FCG continues. Gradually, it fills with swirling star-filled grey mist. She gets flashes of disconnected images of Ashton, an infinite number of potential Ashtons, none of them the one they know, some injured as he is, some not, some with normal skin rather than his rocky form. Ashton's nose begins to bleed, and Chetney touches FCG and Imogen, trying to alert them to the danger.
Imogen experiences fear similar to the first time she ran from the red storm of her dreams. FCG is seeing Ashton's memories of that night through Ashton's eyes, and suddenly realizes Imogen is not there. He calls out to her with no answer, and when he retraces his steps he hits the wall of glass and cannot pass. He finds himself trapped in a series of crystal chambers. Ashton, meanwhile, is trapped in the moment he saw the white flash of the trap exploding. Imogen is able to push through the barrier and hears FCG calling, finding him on the other side of the glass wall, but when FCG looks down, his body looks like Ashton's. He realizes that Ashton is in almost constant pain when he moves. Imogen tells him to concentrate on pushing through. FCG casts Command on himself/Ashton, saying, "Awake," but it fails. Imogen casts Sending on Ashton, telling them this isn't real and they need to calm down and relax, but it also fails. When Fearne looks into the glass in Ashton's head, she sees two tiny figures floating there.
Ashton begins to become aware of the invasion within his mind and tries to hit himself, but is too woozy and fails. Imogen once more Commands "Wake up!" The glass around them shatters and they all find themselves back in the tavern room, realizing the Potion of Possibility is what gave Ashton his powers, and that they definitely don't want to try that again. Privately, Imogen tries Sending to Delilah Briarwood, asking again how to bring Laudna back, and Delilah responds faintly: "Whatever it takes. It won't be long now. I'm fading. And I'll take her with me." Exhausted, the party goes to sleep with Chetney keeping watch.
In the morning, they go pick up Laudna's body from Eshteross and then to the beautiful Aerie Spire where they seek out Manaia Turei. Within a small forest surrounded by the offices of the Collective of Bodhan, she greets them and they explain they're from Lord Eshteross seeking transportation. Imogen decides to try Sending to Keyleth one more time asking where she is, but Keyleth asks where they are. In a few moments, there is a flash of green light, a tree pushes apart, and Keyleth steps out.
Fan art of Keyleth meeting Bells Hells, by Lap Pun Cheung.[art 4]
Orym hails her, thanks her, and apologizes for pulling her away. He explains the situation, mentioning Keyleth crossed paths with Laudna once, in Whitestone. FCG explains they are Bells Hells, an adventuring party trying to do good, which Keyleth notes sounds familiar. She looks down at the body of Laudna and goes still, after a moment saying, "We need to speak with someone. Someone who can help you." She re-opens the rift in the tree and through it they glimpse the town of Whitestone and its castle. They all rush through.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
- Ashton Greymoore
- Chetney Pock O'Pea
- Fearne Calloway
- Fresh Cut Grass
- Imogen Temult
- Laudna (body)
- Orym
Returning
- Ariks Eshteross
- Armand Treshi
- Delilah Briarwood (voice only)
- Gordi
- Ishir
- Jiana Hexum (voice only)
- Keyleth
- Milo Krook (in a memory)
- Orlana Seshadri
- Terana
- Xandis
New
Mentioned
- Ajit Dayal
- Artana Voe
- Bertrand Bell
- Dorian Storm
- Evelyn Wress
- Liliana Temult (unnamed)
- Ludinus Da'leth
- Otohan Thull
- Shithead, a bird Fresh Cut Grass dreads
- Sylas Briarwood (unnamed)
- Zeeland, a member of the Nobodies
Quotations[]
- FCG: Who are we? What are we? What's our purpose?
Armand Treshi: Do you work for gold?
FCG: Sometimes.
Ashton: Who doesn't?
Treshi: I can get you gold.
Imogen: Fuck your gold.
FCG: Well, wait. How much? - FCG: You said that we are perpetually confused, or something like that.
Ashton: Professionally, at this point.
FCG: Professionally confused. But maybe a more positive way of saying that, if we're trying to think about what we are and what we mean, maybe we're truth seekers in this moment. Maybe we're trying to figure out the truth of things for all of us as individuals. - FCG: (Sending to Jiana) Hey, lady! Fresh Cut Grass here.
Laura: Wow, that was a big waste.
Travis: Okay, Jester. - Ashton: (to FCG) I have one thing, since I'm now caught in these fucking crazy people. Do not leave people the fuck behind. Not you. Not Laudna. Not fucking anybody. That shit is done. No more offering yourself fucking up because that's just going to make me not happy, and I know you like people being happy. I want to be happy because you're making me happy, and you make me so happy when you're not offering yourself up like a piece of fucking meat. A piece of metal meat.
FCG: That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.
Ashton: God, I hate you all. - Matt: (about Ashton's constant pain) There is strength there. But with the strength comes pain, continuous pain. There is strength, but there is pain. There is pain, but there is strength.
- FCG: It felt good to be strong for a second, but--
Ashton: What do you mean?
FCG: To be you, to have muscles and stuff. It was good to be in your head and to feel that power that you have, but also real shitty.
Ashton: So you got all of it?
FCG: I don't know if it's all of it, but... it was a lot.
Ashton: Yeah. It's a lot all the time. It's a lot.
FCG: I'm sorry.
Ashton: It is what it is. - Imogen: (via Sending to Delilah) How do I bring her back? Tell me what to do. I'll do anything.
Delilah: (faint and thin) Whatever it takes. It won't be long now. I'm fading. And I'll take her with me. - Imogen: (about Keyleth) She's not answering any better than I'm sending!
FCG: God, she sounds so dumb! - FCG: We're Bells Hells. We're like an adventuring party. Sometimes people hire us for jobs or pay us to do things, but we're trying to do good in the world.
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transferred | 1 | Tracking orb | Laudna's body | Imogen | The orb was linked to the tracking ring Laudna had attempted to plant on Otohan Thull. |
| Relinquished | 1 | Spyglass | Orym | The Silver Sun's hold | Fearne had pickpocketed it from Xandis, which Orym noticed, and he stole it from her soon after.[2] He left it in an easily-noticed location in the ship's hold. |
| Transferred | 1 | Changebringer medallion | Fearne | FCG | With some difficulty, FCG finally got Fearne to return the loaned medallion. |
| Transferred | 700-800 | platinum pieces | Lord Eshteross | The party | Payment for recovering Treshi. |
| Transferred | 1 | Pearl of Power | Laudna's body | FCG | |
| Transferred | 1 | Bloodwell Vial | Laudna's body | Imogen | |
| Transferred | 1 | Immovable rod | Laudna's body | Ashton | |
| Transferred | 1 | Potion of Healing | Lord Eshteross | Chetney | Chetney asked for and received a Potion of Greater Healing. |
| Transferred | 1 | Lead box holding residuum | portable hole | FCG | |
| Transferred | 2 | Potions of Possibility | portable hole | Imogen FCG |
Imogen took Laudna's potion to hold for her. |
| Transferred | 12,000 | gold pieces | Orlana Sheshadri | The party | Payment for recovering Treshi. |
Trivia[]
- This marks only the third episode of a main campaign in which Marisha Ray does not appear as a player. Prior to this, she appeared in 113 episodes of Campaign One (missing only "Trial of the Take: Part 1" (1x18) and "Trial of the Take: Part 2" (1x19)), all 141 episodes of Campaign Two, and 34 episodes of Campaign Three.
- To date, Keyleth is the only player character to appear in all three campaigns.
- The in-game date at the end of this episode was 24 Sydenstar 843. The apogee solstice will take place in 29 to 31 days.
- Sam's jerrycan features a large gravestone that says "The Dead Will Rise We Hope", the latter written in "blood" (red paint).[3]
References[]
- ↑ See "The Hellcatch Valley" (3x24) at 1:07:48.
- ↑ See "Hidden Truths" (3x26) at 0:46:07.
- ↑ See "Pyrrhic Return" (3x35) from 54:40 through 55:10.
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of the Silver Sun, by Wesley Griffith (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Jrusar at sunset, by Ulfvae (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Ashton's potential, by Cha Cha Rae (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Keyleth meeting Bells Hells, by Lap Pun Cheung (source). Used with permission.
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