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Ripples

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"Ripples" (3x53) is the fifty-third episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. The Team Wildemount half of Bells Hells arrive in Uthodurn, where they get a wider sense of how magic is responding to the events of the apogee solstice...

Synopsis[]

Announcements[]

Previously on Critical Role[]

So: Bells Hells, after spending numerous weeks seeking the mysteries involving the coming Apogee Solstice, found themselves in the middle of essentially the climax of Ludinus Da'leth's long-term plan. In the middle of this magical detonation of some unknown source, you found your party scattered across Exandria, this half waking up in the Crystalsands Tundra on Wildemount, far away from Marquet where you once were. Along these snowy paths you encountered two companions that have joined you on this journey: one with a similar history as FCG as an Aeormaton, and one with a long history with Chetney Pock O'Pea.

You agreed to journey together — safety in numbers — to pursue the still not quite fully ascertained nature of the aftermath of this solstice and what Ludinus' plan was, heading toward the nearby elf and dwarf city of Uthodurn within the Flotket Alps. On the final evening of this journey, Catha is full, and you, Chetney, gave in to the wolven urges of your lycanthropy, raced out into the night while the rest of your group began to gently try to rest. At the behest of Deanna, F.R.I.D.A., you went to seek this new unbridled wolven compatriot. You stalked him down, drew his ire, and the two of you fought in the middle of the night before this was stopped by the rest of the group catching up, at which you darted back out into the darkness, you wounded from the encounter, but eventually you all managed to return and recover.

Part I[]

As the others settle in for the night, Deanna stays awake, waiting for Chetney to return. Eventually, he appears and apologizes, saying he had tried to tell her about his lycanthropy. He notices F.R.I.D.A.'s coat is torn and is very upset they were injured, but remembers very little of the night. Deanna heals him slightly, and Chetney admits he likes being a wolf a lot, but he doesn't think the people in Uthodurn will be happy to see him. When the others wake and question him, Chetney realizes the power of his curse has been elevated due to the continuing Apogee Solstice. FRIDA assures Chetney they feel fine and had fun during their fight, but Chetney feels guilty and promises it will never happen again. Deanna notices that a few of the half-healed wounds on FRIDA appear to be bites, and puts her Death Ward on the aeormaton before the group sets off.

Towards late afternoon, they reach Uthodurn. Fearne is delighted by the flot goats kept by the local Glassblades law enforcement as mounts. When the Glassblades greet them at the city entrance, FRIDA is recognized and vouches for the party, but Chetney shares privately he may still be wanted there and he'd rather avoid the Deliberation ("Liber") Disk of the city. Deanna leads them toward her home on the Volition Disk, and as they walk they notice the city is darker than usual, with many of the magically ever-burning lanterns non-functioning and an air of general tension among the populace. FCG uses Detect Thoughts to learn the temples are currently closed and everyone is nervous about the dimmed lighting. There is a higher-than-normal Glassblade presence on the streets.

Imogen points out that they don't know what's happened in the past three days while they were traveling. She begins panicking that Laudna may only be kept alive by arcane magic, and if that's disrupted, she may be gone. Fearne hugs her in reassurance, and they decide to head straight to the Vellum Steeple (a for-profit library) to have research done and see what they can learn. They walk down the Augur Trail, eventually reaching and passing through the strong doorway that can be closed to bar the passage between the Volition and the lower and more industrial Deliberation Disk. As they travel, they pass Oltgar's Chest, the shop of Chetney's former partner, and he notices it appears to have been expanded with a second floor. He tells Deanna and FRIDA about his disagreement with his former partner, and the stabbing incidents that drove Chetney to flee the city.

When they reach the Vellum Steeple, the librarian is also tense because of the magical disenchantment that has occurred. At their request, he goes for Ressia Uvesic, the Scribewarden. When he leaves, Chetney casts Invisibility on himself and follows. The Scribewarden meets with the others, and they learn that the city's magical communication and transportation systems are completely down, and that the city hadn't even yet been able to learn if it was limited to Uthodurn or was also elsewhere. The party shares that they saw what they believe to be its origin on Marquet before finding themselves unexpectedly transported to the Greying Wildlands, and Ressia tells them that Divination magic (including Scrying) is deeply diminished, with a number of older permanent magical enchantments also disabled, including teleportation circles and other transportation magic. This is unprecedented.

Fan art of '"`UNIQ--nowiki-0000000C-QINU`"'Ressia Uvesic, by '"`UNIQ--nowiki-0000000D-QINU`"'

Fan art of Ressia Uvesic, by Kiera James.[art 1]

The party decides that if communications are down, sharing what they know is that much safer, and they tell Ressia more, including that Ludinus Da'leth of the Cerberus Assembly is behind many of these events. Ressia explains the Steeple has already sent exploratory parties out via land travel on their way to Rosohna and the Dwendalian Empire, among other places. She is disturbed to hear that Keyleth, the Voice of the Tempest, may have been slain. She also shares that the loss of magic has resulted in the escape of some of the city's magically bound prisoners, and the party realizes that could also mean the release of bound ancient beings, powerful prisoners, or warded artifacts. Rexxentrum, the capital of the Empire and headquarters of the Cerberus Assembly, is a few weeks' journey away.

Suddenly, there is a loud, shaking thump coming from below. Ressia hurries away, and the invisible Chetney observes other library users frantically researching. He is exploring an empty office when Ressia enters with two others that she assigns to research Ludinus before sending away, and Chetney escapes to rejoin the others. They go outside to explore the loud thud they all heard, and as they travel FRIDA suggests going to see Jaquoby Macyl soon since they might be able to use FRIDA's arcane power core as a battery for other arcane uses. They continue to follow the frightened crowd, finding them all gathered at the barrier door to the Grand Disk below. It is firmly sealed and guarded by the Royal Guards, some wounded. To its sides are smaller doors, and refugees from the Disk beyond are pouring through. In a small, well-guarded group to one side are several council members, Queen Simone Fruunast, and King Imathan Talviel.

Another loud thud hits the gate from the other side. FCG senses deep fear from the swarming guards, and FRIDA fires their blunderbuss in the air, shouting for the crowd to run. FCG takes off for one of the small doors, pursued by Chetney. FCG tells the guard he's been sent to fetch the Queen's lady-in-waiting, and with the aid of Fast Friends, he's convincing. The others, except FRIDA who is further away, run in after him. Trying to follow, FRIDA attempts to climb the chains over the gate, but falls. Imogen runs back to the small door and tries to convince the guard to let FRIDA in, but he grabs her instead. FRIDA charges through the now-open door, pulling Imogen with him. The guards slam it behind them.

They find themselves at the entrance to the Grand Disk, the bodies of dead and dying guards all around them. Questioning one of the wounded about what did this, she replies it was "the statue" from the Grandcast Citadel. It came to life and started killing, and she points to it wandering away down the roadway: a quadrupedal, hoofed, faintly glowing purplish-red beast. The guard thinks it is one of the Great Beasts of Veluthil.

Break[]

Part II[]

Fan art of '"`UNIQ--nowiki-00000011-QINU`"', by '"`UNIQ--nowiki-00000012-QINU`"'

Fan art of Umudara, by Savs_Creates.[art 2]

Cautiously, the party stealths after the retreating beast, lower into the Grand Disk toward the Grandcast Citadel, the seat of power of the Uthodurnian Diarchy. Around them, there are hints of movement behind darkened windows, as those who could not flee, hide. The creature seems to be returning to the Citadel, a massive horned bull emitting a soft reddish-purple glow, rippling with strength, but almost ethereal. They cannot tell if it's hunting, or just confused, but it eventually slowly walks inside.

They begin trying to rescue some of the hiding survivors, but their panic makes them noisy and they have to stop after about 20 people are escorted to the gate. Meanwhile, Imogen casts Invisibility on herself and creeps into the Citadel, finding more death and destruction inside. She follows the sound of the bull's hoofs upward to the heart of the building and a throne room holding two thrones, where the creature is pacing around a now-empty pedestal. When she opens her mind to its thoughts, they are completely alien but the emotions are anger, frustration, confusion, fear, and longing. She senses it is lost. There is a plaque on the pedestal but Imogen cannot understand its Elvish.

Imogen mentally contacts the others who stealth inside as well, but Fearne knocks over a rock drawing the creature's attention. FCG casts Tongues on themself while Fearne activates her Gloomscale Breastplate, but the creature hears her hooves on the floor of the throne room and turns toward her. Its form solidifies as it charges forward and gores her for massive damage, knocking her backward and prone. Getting to her feet, Fearne casts Dominate Beast on the gigantic bull and as it calms, she begins petting it. Imogen tries to communicate reassurance to it while FCG (using Tongues) asks where it wants to go and promises they will help get it there. After a moment, the beast admits it doesn't know how it got here, and that it wants to go home, to the forest. Deanna is able to read the plaque: "In memoriam of the fall of Molaesmyr."

FRIDA assures the creature they understand being ripped from their proper place and time, and that they will help. The bull tells them that the people attacked it, so it just retaliated against them, and it's frightened. The party all are reassuring, calm, and friendly, and when the charm spell fades, the bull remains calm as well and asks them to show it how to get out. Its name is Umudara, and it was the Sentinel Beast of the Veluthil Forest.

Official art of the party escorting Umudara through the city, by 

Official art of the party escorting Umudara through the city, by Clara.[art 3]

Imogen and FCG run ahead to cast Calm Emotions and tell the frightened Uthodurnians at the gate that they're coming and that the beast won't hurt them. Imogen convinces the guards to open the gate and stand down, then tells the commander of the guards what they're doing. He agrees to tell his troops to back off, as long as the bull remains peaceful. With Deanna riding on its back, a bow from Fearne around its neck, and the others parading alongside it, they slowly walk upward through the city to the outside. In the early evening, they emerge, and the group points the bull in the direction of the Savalirwood and the ruins of Molaesmyr. It slowly walks off, trusting them.

Meanwhile, Chetney has remained in the throne room, carving his initials into the bottom of the leg of the wooden throne and prying gems out of both thrones. Under a rug, he discovers a lever which when pulled, opens a door behind the thrones and a descending spiral staircase. Just then, he hears the soldiers reclaiming the now-safe palace, and wounds himself to have an alibi ready. Going down the stairs, he finds a long tunnel that emerges near the entry gate of the disk. As he exits, a soldier stops him, but sees his wounds and lets him go as the people around him offer help.

Featured characters[]

New

Mentioned

Quotations[]

  • Chetney: (about his health) I mean, look. It's a perma-condition of half fucked up, half fuckable.
  • FCG: Imogen's mom is sort of wrapped up in a lot of this stuff and might be a bad guy.
    Imogen: She is a bad guy, isn't she?
    FCG: For now, but we can get her back.
  • FCG: If the gods really are severed from us, we are the gods now. We have to be the right and wrong of this world.
  • FCG: (to Fearne) You of all people know the bonds of friendship and how it can affect the world and affect change.
    Fearne: Yeah. You lose people. They just disappear. Or you disappear.
  • Matt: (about the thrones) These are very well adorned.
    Chetney: They're less well-adorned now.

Inventory[]

Adjustment Count Item Source Destination Notes
Acquired 1 Letter opener and quills Vellum Steeple office Chetney Found in a desk drawer.
Crafted
Consumed		 4 Cinnamon raisin bagels FCG Chetney, Deanna, Fearne, Imogen FCG stated they give 5 temporary hit points.
Acquired 3 Emeralds Throne Room Chetney Pried from the thrones, worth 250 gold each.
Acquired 3 Sapphires Throne Room Chetney Pried from the thrones, worth 200 gold each.

Trivia[]

References[]

  1. ↑ See "Ripples" (3x53) from 1:00:10 through 1:00:35.
  2. ↑ See "Ripples" (3x53) from 1:18:25 through 1:18:45.

Art:

  1. ↑ Fan art of Ressia Uvesic, by Kiera James (source). Used with permission.
  2. ↑ Fan art of Umudara, by Savs_Creates (source). Used with permission.
  3. ↑ Official art of the party escorting Umudara through the city, by Clara (source). Used with permission.
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 3 episodes
<< Arc 2: Ruidus Rising Arc 3: Separations and Explorations (Episode 52-75) Arc 4: Ruidus to Aeor >>
"Far From The Others" (3x52) • "Ripples" (3x53) • "Treacherous Toys" (3x54) • "Hope Within History" (3x55) • "By Goat or By Boat" (3x56) • "The Sorrow of Molaesmyr" (3x57) •
"Escape From The Past" (3x58)
"Somewhere Out There" (3x59) • "Faith or Famine" (3x60) • "Crisis of Faith" (3x61) • "A Long Walk of Reflection" (3x62) • "A Haunted Past" (3x63)
"Reunited" (3x64) • "A Path of Vengeance" (3x65) • "Aid of the Tempest" (3x66) • "Bloody Flowers" (3x67) • "For The Tempest" (3x68) • "Nice" (3x69) •
"Embattled in Bassuras" (3x70)
"Mist and Whimsy" (3x71) • "Phantasmal Parley" (3x72) • "Kindling the Spirits" (3x73) • "Roots Between Worlds" (3x74) • "An Ancient Flame" (3x75)
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