"The Assembling of Legends" (3x112) is the one hundred twelfth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells introduce the Mighty Nein to the moon before flashing backwards to the reunion of Exandria's most legendary heroes...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- It's the Halloween episode, and everyone has dressed as Nicolas Cage movie characters. No one can look at Sam, the stuff of nightmares, for the entire first half of the show.
- First sponsor is Dragon Age: The Veilguard, a new single player fantasy RPG who weren't informed Sam would look like a cross between Frankenstein and Jason Voorhees, so to make sure the check would clear Sam pre-recorded the ad read. Unfortunately they have a bit of trouble locating the proper clip.
- The last three episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Three are now out, and so is the VOD for the mid-season roundtable discussion of the first three episodes. They'll cover the next three episodes Tuesday, 29 October 2024. Plus, Season Four, baby! Prime Video has officially renewed the show for a fourth season.
- Merch Alert! Hope Blooms t-shirt benefiting Earthjustice is now available.
- Critical Role Supporter Pack for Wayfinder starring some of Vox Machina now available on Steam and Playstation
Previously on Critical Role[]
So, last we left off, Bells Hells and the Mighty Nein had teamed up to be the "away squad" to head to Ruidus through the portal that was discovered in Issylra, while the rest of Exandria planned an assault on the Malleus Key, both as a distraction to allow these two groups to go unnoticed to and inside the moon itself before dividing to two different tasks: one, the Mighty Nein to head into the Arx Creonum and destroy the Weave Mind, while Bells Hells were to clamber into the depths of the core of Ruidus itself to stop the Ruby Vanguard and Ludinus from releasing Predathos. So as you prepped for this journey, you traversed to Ruidus and then Teleported into the basement of the Jagged Edge Glassworks where Caleb had set up his Nein-Sided Tower for an evening's rest before the final push towards their collaborative missions.
There, the groups got to know each other a little better, prepared for the evening with some spells and enchantments that would last them for the coming day, and then eventually divided amongst their various chambers to rest for the night, while also discussing what may very well be the last night on Exandria for all of them.
Part I[]
In the morning, the two groups rejoin over breakfast to discuss strategy and geography. Chetney reveals that the Staff of Dark Odyssey regained enough charges overnight that they will be able to use it to Teleport. Imogen Sends to Rashinna (head of the Volition) telling her they're back to help take out the Weave Mind, and Rashinna replies they're preparing a mass detonation. She is hiding in the Villums, and they should look for Gaz Tomo. After much discussion, they decide to move through the city together, but in disguise. Laudna returns Sprinkle to Jester, but when she asks for the return of Pâté, Jester and Fjord at first prevaricate but eventually admit Fjord killed him last night. Laudna forgives them and re-summons the familiar. Veth confesses to Caleb her regret at not seizing her chance to make it with a minotaur.
Ashton uses the Quintessence Array to absorb Dusk Hunger, gaining a permanent +2 to Dexterity and an additional 3d6 fire damage on one melee attack per short rest. Orym then absorbs Ishta, also gaining a permanent +2 to Dexterity and an additional 1d6 force damage in melee against prone enemies.
The group leaves Widogast's Nascent Nein-Sided Tower in the basement of the glass shop. Caleb uses Seeming to disguise all of them as Reilorans or bormodos, while Jester casts Pass Without Trace. When they cautiously go upstairs, the shop appears to have been cleaned out, and Zhesh (who has been awaiting their arrival) is surprised they were in the basement all night. She explains that anyone who is not preparing for imminent "transference" is considered dubious. The group heads out cautiously, noticing a gathering dust storm and that most people are packing up for travel watched over by Reiloran soldiers. The atmosphere is tense. Orym notices a shrine-like garden filled with items from Exandria and for some reason it makes him think of Planerider Ryn, so he and Caduceus move closer, seeing in the back a one-armed, horned statue of a woman: Ryn.
Fjord casts Major Illusion to create a red tornado above them and a Marine Layer to hide them beneath it. The group pretends to be terrified and starts running, aided by more spells to help the illusion along, while Caduceus heads for Ryn and casts Greater Restoration on her. Ryn regains her tiefling form and begins screaming from the unchecked rush of blood from her missing arm, and Caduceus casts Cure Wounds to stop the bleeding. However, Ryn is terrified and has no idea what's happening, and immediately casts Dimension Door, disappearing. Imogen Sends to her, briefly explaining what's happened and that she's on Ruidus right now. The group sees a massive vidulch approaching and decides to push onward, but Jester Sends again to Ryn, asking if she wants to join them. Ryn says she'll let them know.
Bells Hells lead the groups to the Delta Dust Pit where they entered the lower city previously. The tunnels have been sealed with rock, but Jester Polymorphs into a dire-mole and digs through it to the former Volition safe house, now deserted. They look out over the lower city, seeing the population packing up and moving out here as well. Bells Hells point out the Prime Pillar, the location of the Weave Mind that the Mighty Nein are here to combat. Imogen Sends to Gaz, asking where they can meet, and is told the Ceramic Tower which they can see from their location high above the city. Fjord creates an Arcane Gate to a deserted alley below them and they all move through it to the lower level of Kreviris and to the Ceramic Tower where Gaz admits them.
Gaz tells them that in his encounter with Liliana Temult, he was seriously psychically damaged and has not healed completely, forcing him to speak aloud rather than telepathically and causing him issues with memory and processing. When he leaves briefly, Fearne follows him through the city to Rashinna's hiding place and listens as he tells them that Bells Hells is here and has asked if it would be possible for them to move up their attack if it would synch better with the Exandrian Accord plans. Rashinna is in basic agreement and says she'll come as soon as she can to speak to them herself.
Gaz returns and tells them Rashinna is coming in an hour or two. Jester and Veth ply him with cookies and booze, making him very happy indeed. The party decides to tell the Accord to get ready to begin the attack on the Malleus Key, which is planned to give them cover for their own assault on Ludinus and Predathos. Imogen and Jester Send to Allura, and they end up agreeing to have the Exandrian assault begin as soon as possible.
Break[]
- Pre-order Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
- Shade Mother mini available for pre-order at WizKids.
- Trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Three.
- Critical Role's 10-Year Anniversary Live Show Lineup on the Critical Role YouTube channel
- Tickets for the Daggerheart Live Show 7 December 2024 in Camden, NJ still available.
- Unend podcast now available.
- The Re-Slayer's Take Season 2 podcast now running.
- Merch Alert! Hope Blooms and "It has begin" t-shirts everywhere but AU; CR hoodie and jogger, Pike Trickfoot hoodie, Keyleth cropped hoodie, Percy cardigan, Fjord long-sleeve shirt, Critical Role knit beanie in all CR shops; Matron of Ravens dice in the US and EU.
- 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.
- Beacon can't help you in an escape room.
Part II[]
Meanwhile, back in Vasselheim, after Bells Hells left to begin their mission with the Mighty Nein on Ruidus, Keyleth begins the task of getting the members of Vox Machina back together for their proposed simultaneous assault on the Malleus Key where Vax'ildan has been imprisoned in the form of a black orb. That evening, Keyleth goes to Vex'ahlia's guest chambers and admits her emotions about Vax'ildan being trapped and tortured within Ludinus' construction. They decide to go drinking before trying to track down the missing Scanlan in the morning. In the tavern they find Pike and Grog drinking and tell them they need to get the old gang back together. Pike isn't happy about this, since she and Scanlan have a complicated relationship with multiple divorces and remarriages. Keyleth tries Scrying on him but the spell is resisted.
Keyleth suggests that Cerkonos, the leader of the Fire Ashari, might be willing to help them as well, and they head to his encampment near the Birth Heart. Keyleth explains their mission and he agrees to join them. They go through the portal Keyleth opens through the Birth Heart to the Sun Tree in Whitestone (where it is early in the morning), and while making their way to Whitestone Castle are greeted by Vex's daughter Vesper, going out for a hunt. She flirts a bit with Cerkonos before they separate. The party enters the castle, encountering Gwendolyn de Rolo on the way, and find a nightshirted and bearded Percival in his office. When Percy learns they're looking for Scanlan, he tells them he knows that Scanlan got back together with a lot of Dr. Dranzel's troupe and was heading toward Wildemount when Percy lost track of him. Keyleth tries Scrying on Kaylie but only sees her sleeping alone somewhere.
The group finally convinces a very reluctant Pike to Send to Scanlan, telling him she wants to have sex with him. He responds, panting as if he's been exerting himself, and tells her he's in Wildemount. She follows up asking where, specifically, and the reply sounds like he's riding a horse with several others, and he's between Asarius and Bazzoxan somewhere. Keyleth then Scrys on Dr. Dranzel and finds him in darkness with a group of what look like horses around. Percival hands Gwendolyn a note, takes down his mask from where it hangs on the wall, and runs off to prepare quickly to leave. Grog tries to break into the safe the mask hid while Percy's out of the room but sets off a trap. All of Percy and Vex's children gather at the Sun Tree to see them off, and their parents explain they're leaving to try to fix what happened to their Uncle Vax.
The group arrives on the Hallowed Path, a dirt road between Asarius and Rosohna leading through the Barbed Fields of Xhorhas. They can just barely make out a group of horses and riders charging away from them. Pike uses her Earring of Whisper to contact Scanlan and ask him to slow down. He calls to the other Silver Saddles and turns around to see the group standing on the road, and approaches them. As he does, they can see it is Scanlan, but transformed by True Polymorph into a long-haired and bearded purple centaur. He is accompanied by his friends, also now centaurs: Dr. Dranzel, Kent Plucker, Lionel Gayheart, Jameson the Painter, and Keg. Scanlan explains they're on a road trip and figured this was the best way to travel, and they're having an absolutely fabulous time. Scanlan's been totally unaware of world events, and is shocked to learn Vax is trapped in a sphere in the Malleus Key. He explains that he didn't know what to do after he and Pike broke up, so this trip is an effort to find his purpose so that he can inspire her again. Finding Vax sounds like a pretty good purpose. But he asks the group, and especially Pike: Do they really want him to come, or do they just want his magic? Grog assures him they want him, and Pike tries to say they just want his magic, but that's good enough for Scanlan. He and Grog hug excitedly.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
Mighty Nein
Vox Machina
New
- Janine, a Vasselheim bartender
- Vax'ildan de Rolo
Returning
- Allura Vysoren (via Sending)
- Amido
- Cerkonos
- Dorian Storm
- Gaz Tomo
- Gwendolyn de Rolo
- Kaylie (via Scry)
- Leona de Rolo
- Planerider Ryn
- Rashinna
- The Silver Saddles, a traveling performing troupe of True Polymorphed centaurs
- Sun Tree
- Vesper de Rolo
- Wolfe Kristoff de Rolo
- Zhesh
Mentioned
Quotations[]
- Veth: Caleb, you had to make a difficult choice once to go back and do it all again or not. You don't regret it, do you?
Caleb: Well, if you are talking strictly romance, my relationship is a little bit different than yours. Things are slightly more fluid, but I don't know. Every person's deal is a little bit different. - Keyleth: It's not even that I want him [Vax] back, I just don't want him...
Vex'ahlia: There?
Keyleth: There. It's not fair. Not after everything.[...] I've accepted for thirty years that he's somewhere else and not coming back. It's like twisting a dagger right in my ribs. - Robbie: (entering as Cerkonos) Let me just open the Wiki real quick.
- Pike: (after the party suggests telling Scanlan she wants to sleep with him) Yeah, but then it's going to hurt so bad if he says no.
Vex: Who would say no to you? Nobody, Pike. You lay it on, anybody would say yes. (to Cerkonos) Would you say yes?
Cerkonos: No. - Pike: What do you want to do?
Scanlan: Well, I wanted to be vital and want things again, and inspire you again. I just thought if I went on this trip I could rediscover what the purpose was. But I guess this is a purpose, right? Finding Vax or saving him or whatever?
Pike: It's a pretty good purpose.
Inventory[]
Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acquired | 1 | Ruidian glass | Kreviris | Veth | Veth planned to try to shape it into crossbow bolts. |
Trivia[]
- This was the 2024 Halloween episode, and the cast all dressed as Nicolas Cage characters: Taliesin is from 1983's Valley Girl, Liam is from 2018's Mandy, Laura is from 1998's City of Angels, Ashley is Dr. Stanley Goodspeed from 1996's The Rock, Sam is the stuff of nightmares from 1997's Face/Off, Robbie is from 1992's Honeymoon in Vegas, Marisha is from 2006's The Wicker Man, Travis is from 1997's Con Air, and Matt is from 1987's Raising Arizona.
- This is the thirteenth episode in which at least one player plays multiple characters (with the players reprising their Mighty Nein and Vox Machina characters on top of playing Bells Hells, as well as Robbie playing Dorian and Cerkonos), following "A Bard's Lament" (1x85), "Masquerade" (1x99), "Unfinished Business" (1x100), "Thar Amphala" (1x101), "Race to the Tower" (1x102), "The Search For Grog" (Sx42), "The Search For Bob" (Sx45), "Dalen's Closet" (Sx47), "Long May He Reign" (2x140), "Fond Farewells" (2x141), "In the Shadow of War" (3x110) and "The Nein Hells" (3x111).
- The seating arrangement for the players in the second half of this episode was the same arrangement used for Campaign One: Vox Machina. Liam O'Brien was not at the table for the second half of the episode.
- Sam's Stanley cup has pictures of Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal looking at each other from the movie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (Cage on the back of the door, Pascal on the inside)[1].
- This episode marks the return of the cast playing their respective Vox Machina characters in a canon setting since August 2019 for the one shot "Dalen's Closet" (Sx47). Ashley Johnson, Sam Riegel, Liam, and Taliesin Jaffe played respectively Pike Trickfoot, Scanlan Shorthalt, Vax'ildan, and briefly Percival de Rolo in the one shot "Vox Machina vs. Mighty Nein" (Sx57) in June 2021 but the events of this one shot are not canon to the timeline.
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Orym and Dorian, by @zhellers (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Planerider Ryn, rescued, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Percival and Vex'ahlia, by Rodrg.Gal (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Cerkonos, being truthful, by Rann (source). Used with permission.
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