"Reconciliation" (3x102) is the one hundred second episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells contemplate the revelations of the Occultus Thalamus while one of their own is brought low by darkness and desire...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
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- Check out the very special "4-Sided Dive: Oh My Gods" (4SDx26) discussing Downfall, now available.
- Moonward premieres 7 August 2024.
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Previously on Critical Role[]
So, last we left off, Bells Hells, following the path of Ludinus Da'leth and the Ruby Vanguard into the ruins of Aeor, accompanied by Essek Thelyss, somebody who had been there a handful of times, you delved below and discovered the darkness that had taken the Vanguard and Ludinus' interest in the ruins, Dominox, a Grand Demon from lore long ago. You had gone through and suffered terribly visions from this demon in proximity to the engine that he still has clung to, the Soul Anchor holding him present. You ran into and met a new figure, Braius, a minotaur revealed to have been and is a worshiper of the Lord of the Hells. Speaking of Hells, also summoned Teven, a devilish entity that has been bound to Fearne.
After getting into battle with Dominox, and Ludinus coming in at the last minute to essentially help you defeat this entity, and claiming no aggression or animosity towards you, you stopped after defeating Dominox and he invited you to join him in the chamber beyond, one of the goals of his excursion. Here, in this domed, cracked, partially ruined chamber, you see amongst the rising stairs and statues of Aeorian mages of old, a central dome-like dais that Ludinus pulls from it a sphere of light blue arcane ribbons, an information-keeping device of some kind. He tells you this is the Occultus Thalamus, and it is indeed a record-keeping device. What's he's found with it, within the time that he's spent with it is of utmost importance to Exandria. He invited you to look into this, and as he activated it, a white light filled your vision, and you all experienced within this record, viscerally, as if you were there and amongst them, the tale of these gods, pantheon members of Exandria who during the height of the Calamity had called a truce because the last great floating city had developed technology that could abjure the gods themselves.
Scared and uncertain, they reincarnated as mortals and infiltrated the city, seeking information. They discovered the existence of a device, the Factorum Malleus, that could, in theory, destroy the gods themselves. In this information-seeking infiltration mission, they found conflict. They found allyship. They found means to question everything about their presence there and what it is they are doing here on this world. When push came to shove, they all still came to agreement: the city had to die, and the information with it. So you experienced from the beginning of the arrival of these beings stepping into Aeor to the final destruction of the city of Aeor as it crashed into Eiselcross. That is what you are aware of through this vision. The prologue and the epilogue are more for our fun narrative aspect of it as the audience and players. Here, as these fragments of information and moments and people and faces and screams and energy whoosh by, eventually the light fades.
Part I[]
At the conclusion of the playback of the events that took place during the fall of Aeor, Ludinus Da'leth turns to the party, smiling. The party for the most part lets him talk for a while, as he apparently saw the recording as revealing the gods' narcissism and autocratic natures, farming mortals for their god-feeding worship of them, and interfering with the mortal perfection of the Age of Arcanum. Finally Imogen breaks in with her view, which is of beings that were uncertain, changeable, and flawed, but Ludinus' view of them is simply not true. Orym and Laudna agree. When Ludinus says that people sometimes have to do what's necessary for the good of all, Imogen laughs, telling him he's no better than what he's fighting. He claims he doesn't want to be a leader and therefore has no plans for what would follow the gods' destruction, but invites them to commune with Predathos the next time they're on Ruidus, as he believes that would soothe their concerns. Fearne, Imogen, and Chetney aren't sure Predathos would stop with the destruction of the gods, but Ludinus believes mortals have fundamentally different spirits, arising from this world rather than the alien gods.
Imogen points out Ludinus isn't Ruidusborn, and accuses him of envying them, which silences him for a moment although he again denies having further aspirations. He lived "an entire human lifetime in the ashes" of the world the gods burned and left behind after the destruction of the Calamity, and is bitter. Ashton sees all of the gods as betrayers, but Imogen and Braius disagree. Ashton believes they themselves now have information that the gods don't want known and are a threat to them and in danger from all of them. Ludinus tells them he intends to spread this vision as widely as possible. When Orym tells him he sounds just like Father Milo, Braius objects, saying that Milo didn't say anything that wasn't absolutely true, and that his goals were to reunite his family and assume power, not to kill a city. They have a third choice other than either mortals or Prime Deities: The Betrayer Gods. Braius has known for years the Primes were assholes; they betrayed him.
Chetney asks Ludinus how he has stayed alive more than 800 years, and Ludinus responds that he is mortal but has stretched his life. When Aeor fell during the Calamity, he was a child who watched the burning city fall and grew up in the smoking ruins of Exandria. Molaesmyr was "the first communion" with Predathos, the first attempt at establishing a breach. Ludinus apologizes to Orym for what happened to his family, saying that Otohan Thull was "overzealous" in her methods. He also denies trying to rebuild the Factorum Malleus and wants only to share the truth. He invites them to join his group, but Teven Klask says that his lord demands vengeance. With that, he attacks Ludinus, but Ludinus Banishes him.
Imogen and Orym point out that he is making a unilateral decision for all of Exandria. Surprisingly, Dorian defends him, saying he just wants to be on equal ground with the gods. Ludinus has been the power behind several Exandrian thrones, and claims to have used that power only towards these ends, not to control or rule. Chetney points out that Ludinus previously made a mistake that doomed Molaesmyr; what's to say he's not making another mistake that will doom Exandria now? Ludinus is sure that won't happen, but Imogen knows how hungry Predathos is.
Ludinus turns to Laudna and studies her, recognizing and greeting her as Delilah Briarwood. Laudna can feel Delilah within her, reaching toward Ludinus' power, and Ludinus tells her he can free her from Delilah if she joins him in the Ruby Vanguard. Chetney asks Ludinus why he hasn't put his plan into motion yet, since it seems like all the pieces are in place, but he avoids answering. Ludinus tells them he understands they are conflicted, but Braius interjects that he has taken a vow to kill Ludinus, and he will.
Fan art of Laudna becoming Delilah, by Pyromeekorai.[art 1]
When they push him to answer what he is still missing, Ludinus removes a glowing gemstone from around his neck that thrums with magical power, resembling Ruidian glass. Fearne casually tries to Mage Hand it from him, but fails. Looking at Laudna, he addresses Delilah, telling her he awaits her answer to his offer, and will give her a means to take what she seeks. With that, he tosses her the gem but Chetney intercepts it. Laudna grabs his arm and, no longer in control of herself, casts Hunger of the Shadow on him, doing necrotic damage. He quickly stuffs the gem in the Bag of Holding and tosses it to Dorian. Laudna attempts to regain control, and during the hubbub Fearne tries and fails to snatch the Occultus Thalamus recording orb from Ludinus. He Misty Steps out of the room and disappears. Laudna hears Delilah's voice saying she's waited too long to have this chance taken away now, Laudna frantically tells Ashton she's going to take her. Ashton tries to reassure her she can resist, but Imogen sees Laudna's identity receding as the shadow of Delilah strengthens. Suddenly, Laudna explodes into black and purple energy as her body extends and transforms into a ghastly amalgam of Laudna and a ghostly Delilah Briarwood.
Break[]
- Trailer for Tales of Fablecraft,
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- Queen by Midnight: Quarter Past coming 13 November 2024.
- Moonward with Marisha Ray, Liam O'Brien, and the creators of Midst premieres August 7th .
- Trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Three, coming October 3rd.
- Clips from "4-Sided Dive: Oh My Gods" (4SDx26).
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- Beacon destroys Suburbia.
Part II[]
Official art of Laudna/Delilah, by Tyler Walpole.[art 2]
Ashton enters a Luck rage and attacks Laudna, but Delilah retaliates with a Legendary Action Wraith Claw. Orym's attacks miss, and he throws his sword and shield on the ground, appealing to her. Dorian casts Invisibility on himself and hides the Bag of Holding in a small cave, then becoming visible and giving Bardic Inspiration to Laudna. Fearne casts Aura of Life giving those within 30 feet resistance to necrotic damage, and appeals to Delilah to work with them, joined by Imogen before she tries and fails to cast Calm Emotions on Laudna, and Essek tries and fails with Hold Monster. Braius Sacred Flames Delilah and inspires Dorian, while Chetney uses the Harp of Valor to send three Magic Missiles at Delilah. Laudna manages to break free for a second and begs Delilah to work with her. She then uses Wrestle from Within, giving all attack rolls against Delilah advantage until the end of her next turn, and Phantasmal Force, which fails to convince Delilah of Sylas Briarwood's presence and infuriates her. Laudna shouts to the others to kill her. Delilah wrests control from her and casts Blade of Disaster, using it to summon a hooked black blade from the dimension in which Vox Machina had sealed it. The blade attacks Orym, knocking him unconscious. Delilah then summons five undead that do minor damage.
Fan art of Essek the goat, by Adrián Ibarra Lugo.[art 3]
Ashton attacks Delilah, doing massive damage, and she Wraith Claws in retaliation. Orym attacks both Delilah and Craven Edge, establishing that the sword seems to be a manifestation rather than a physical object. Delilah Wraith Claws him immediately, sending him unconscious again, but Dorian sprints to him and casts Cure Wounds, bringing him back. Fearne Flame Strikes, killing a specter, while Imogen activates her Robe of the Midnight Rune and twin spells Catapult. Essek Hastes Chetney, but is hit with wild magic that turns him into a floating goat. Braius and Chetney attack Laudna and she Wraith Claws Chetney. Laudna regains control and casts Animate Objects on one of the gigantic statues in the room, which attacks Delilah. Delilah, however, regains control and sends Craven Edge against Ashton with a critical hit for 103 damage, and only his Relentless Rage saves him from unconsciousness. The blade then attacks Fearne, breaking her concentration on Aura of Life. Delilah casts Horrid Wilting hitting everyone for substantial necrotic damage and knocking out Orym again. Ashton's Relentless Rage saves him again. The undead attack but again do only minimal damage.
Ashton invokes the powers of the Shard of Ka'Mort. Orym fails his first death save, and Dorian grabs his hand and Dimension Doors away to the top of an obelisk, leaving him up there and moving back into the fray. Fearne Flame Strikes again, and Imogen follows up with a Lightning Bolt which Delilah Counterspells. Wild magic hits her, however, maximizing the damage of the next spell she casts. Essek has been damaged enough to knock him out of goat form, and offers to Teleport them all out, but they tell him to attack Delilah, so he casts Reality Break. Delilah uses a second Legendary Resistance to save, ending the spell. Braius attacks with his flail Poison Pen and Divine Smite, getting the How do you want to do this? and creating a symbol of the Lord of the Hells on the wall with its poisonous black spray. Laudna collapses, and the shadow withdraws within her. The remaining undead and Craven Edge vanish.
Ashton feeds Orym a healing potion, while Fearne casts Cure Wounds on Laudna and the now-exhausted and near unconscious Ashton. Laudna can still feel Delilah within, but only faintly. Dorian recovers the Bag of Holding, pulls out the gem, and gives it to Fearne to Identify: It is a battery holding 9 spell slots. The armor they found earlier is identified as demonshell armor and given to Chetney, while the Pinion of Service is identified as a now-empty soul anchor powerful enough to have held a demon. Essek reveals that he is powerful enough to bind another entity to the anchor, but it requires a lengthy ritual. Ashton proposes it might be used to deal with Delilah, binding her to the soul anchor, if she can be separated from Laudna long enough. Essek would need to research this, but thinks perhaps the Aeorian soul anchor could be altered to hold Delilah captive, but allow her power to be used. To even try, he would need to return to his laboratory, and Essek could return them to his home in Rexxentrum right now via Teleportation Circle.
Before they leave, Ashton leaves a small piece of Fresh Cut Grass's frame in the room, telling him, "Welcome home, buddy." Braius bids them farewell, but is invited to join the group since everyone's goal is to kill Ludinus even though he believes the Prime Deities are "squabbling children" who don't deserve the power they have. He kneels before Asmodeus's symbol on the wall and prays for guidance, seeing eight drops of its ichor join into one. Before everyone charges through the Teleportation Circle, Imogen and Orym each take a small stone with them.
They arrive in the cluttered but cozy shared home of Essek and Caleb Widogast in Rexxentrum, filled with mementos of their adventures with the Mighty Nein and dicks drawn on the wall. Laudna tells Orym that during the battle, she remembers thinking that if she had to be killed, she hoped it was by Seedling, his sword. Fearne tells Braius that what she noticed about what they viewed in the Occultus Thalamus was that all of the gods were family. Braius then heals her with Lay on Hands. Orym notices portraits on the walls connecting Essek with Caleb Widogast, whom they met along with Beauregard Lionett at the Malleus Key. In a scene reminiscent of Taryon Darrington's early relationship with Vox Machina,[1] Braius reveals what he believes is each of Bells Hells' names and officially introduces himself, revealing that it was a name bestowed upon him by his oath. When he insults Essek by asking if he is a "mage of some sort", Essek locks his armor in place.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
Returning
Quotations[]
- Ludinus: (about the gods) What they did not account for was the strength of our spirit, the drive of our ambition, the desire to learn and grow, make and unmake and make again, to challenge the mysteries of the universe with the brief time we have. In their arrogance, they made something more perfect than them: Us. In the Age of Arcanum, our enlightenment was a revolution, an age where philosophy, art, and the promise of understanding were our purpose. It was their presence, their thrones, their meddling that brought ruin upon our potential. We deserve to inherit the future, and they would not dare step aside and let us be greater than they.
Imogen: Were we watching the same orb? - Ashton: (to Ludinus) Careful, I'm one of the people sitting here who probably agrees with you the most.
- Orym: (to Ludinus) I'm probably one of the people who agrees with you the least in this room.
- Orym: (to Ludinus) You called a hit on my family, a successful one. Fuck you. Fuck you.
- Ashton: (to Ludinus) It's not about who's on the fucking throne, it's about the throne. It shouldn't exist. It should be broken.
- Ludinus: (to Delilah) I await your answer to my offer, for you always were a crafty one. Here, a means to take what you seek with clarity of mind. Find me when you're free of these disappointments. (tosses the Ruidian glass gem)
- Marisha: Craven Edge got a cameo before Grog did!
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquired | 1 | Ruidus glass gem | Ludinus | Bag of Holding | Acts as an arcane battery for nine spell slots before it breaks. |
| Expended | 1 | Healing potion | Ashton | Orym | |
| Identified | 1 | Demon shell armor | Aeor | Chetney | Fearne identified the rust-colored scale cloak as this armor. |
| Acquired | 2 | Small stones | Aeorian room | Imogen Orym |
Both of them took a small rock from the Occultus Thalamus chamber. |
Trivia[]
- Sam Riegel unveiled his new drinking vessel in this episode, a Stanley cup hideously modified by Noxweiler Ignatius[2] with a compartment that can be opened to reveal writing, in this case, "Will heal 4 Satan!"[3] He later reveals that the eye can light up[4].
- With Sam back at the table, the seating position is the same as it was in the beginnning of Campaign Three except that Robbie Daymond and Marisha Ray swapped places. Marisha is next to Travis Willingham and Robbie is next to Sam.
References[]
- ↑ See "Curious Tides" (1x89) at 2:22:16.
- ↑
Noxweiler Ignatius (@eatenbypotchky) on Twitter: "I’m not sorry. Contact the goblin legal team at @CriticalRole with complaints and tears, they only make me stronger. #necronomicup" (2024-08-02).
- ↑ See "Reconciliation" (3x102) from 2:38:35 through 2:39:15.
- ↑ See "Reconciliation" (3x102) from 2:42:15 through 2:42:25.
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Laudna becoming Delilah, by Pyromeekorai (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Official art of Laudna/Delilah, by Tyler Walpole (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Essek the goat, by Adrián Ibarra Lugo (source). Used with permission.
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