"The City of Flowing Light" (3x42) is the forty-second episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells depart from their new allies and head to Yios, where they are quickly dazzled by the lake-top metropolis' glamor and gambling...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- Vince McSam is back for Cash App, with the Finger Ladies of Wrestling under an eternal wrestling contract he tricked them into signing last installment. Under duress, Marisha reads the ad copy, but when the Ladies ready an attack, Vince disappears to his hideaway by the fireplace.
- Second sponsor is D&D Beyond, an easy gift for your favorite DM or fellow gamer by purchasing electronic books online.
Previously on Critical Role[]
Last we left off, Bells Hells heading southward on the continent of Marquet via the skyship that they received, bequeathed to them at the death of their dear friend Lord Ariks Eshteross, went across the Hellcatch Valley, encountered a few challenges, delved into the Gloomed Jungles of Aeshanadoor, where they encountered, after seeking them, the Gorgynei, in hopes of helping Chetney not just learn more about his journey as a blood hunter, but to possibly find a way to curb this newfound tethered murderous urge brought on by the flares of Ruidus.
After meeting the troop, and brought to their village of Barinak, you were told the safer route for the time schedule that you're on would be to go to the temple of the savage spirit of the forest, and beseech them for guidance and perhaps a trial. There, you found this long-forgotten temple. You sat there in quiet reverie and meditation, whatever that looks like for Chetney. But while the rest of you watched, the spirit did indeed reach out to you just as the moonlight began to peek through sourcelessly. Upon narrowing its attention on what it thought you were and could become, it possessed you. While the rest of the Gorgynei watched, Chetney in his wolven form swelled to a massive size and attacked you. Unleashed, wolven Chetney, a savage beast, smelling and hungry for blood, went after each and every one of you, as you battled eventually managing to quell the beast within through a series of quick thinking, quick spells, and your friendship reaching beyond the boundaries of this fanatic nature within. And, of course, blocking the moonlight from the top of the chamber, which seemed to be the tether to this ability. His form diminished, and his brain, his mind, was recaptured.
In those moments of consideration of the trial, the Gorgynei congratulated you. The spirit seemed to leave. With this newfound experience, most of you stripped off your clothing and ran streaking into the moonlight. During which, as you were about to leave, you smelled the familiar scent of your late husband, and turned toward the statue that was in the center of this chamber. Through some strange gift of the Wildmother and her connection to his life or yours, you were given the opportunity to give your blade over to her essence, and then retrieved it, changed, improved. Holding this blade in your hand, you rushed out to join the rest of your teammates into the evening chaos.
Part I[]
The party sleeps, waking in the Gloomed Jungles near Zha'Vrollo. Annaline explains that while Chetney isn't now a member of the Gorgynei he (and the party) are allies. The trial was more so Chetney's friends could know what they're dealing with and be cautious. Imogen casts Sending to request Captain Xandis to pick them up. While they wait, Manad brings them a breakfast rabbit, which Fresh Cut Grass learns to cook. Laudna requests its heart, which she tried to add to Pâté's chest but it just falls out.
Fan art of Fearne teaching Laudna Fireball, by Melissa Hahn.[art 1]
Orym begins practicing the Zeph'aeratam with his newly-enhanced sword, revealing that he can shoot grasping vines up to 15 feet with his shield hand to grasp a target before slashing it with the blade from a distance. Uther urges him to name the sword. Fearne apologizes to Laudna for flipping a coin to determine to raise Orym, rather than her, and then teaches Laudna the Fireball spell, singeing Fearne in the process. Annaline spars with Ashton until the skyship arrives, then urges Chetney to rely on his friends for support. She tells him he's welcome back at any time. As the party climbs into the Silver Sun, Manad awkwardly says goodbye to Fearne and invites her back whenever she'd like.
Once aboard the ship, they head southward. FCG learns from Denalia how to cook Lord Eshteross's cookie recipe. Orym gifts Chetney a small wooden wolf he crudely carved, and Chetney gives him a chisel that can also serve as a dagger. Orym shows him his newly-enchanted sword, which he has decided to name "Seedling, the Wayward Pilgrim".
Toward sunset of the following day, the terrain becomes hillier and they pass over the large, faintly blue-glowing Lake Koron as darkness falls. A miles-long lantern-lit bridge heads south over the lake to the city of Yios, the City of Flowing Light, built on three tiers over the blue-glowing lake and pierced by numerous canals on which boats are traveling. The Silver Sun docks at the Lakecap Skyport and Lounge and the party disembarks.
Break[]
- "Clash of Thorns" digital dice set now on D&D Beyond.
- Vox Machina pre-painted minis box set now available to pre-order from WizKids.
- Official red band trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two, and Season Two clip.
- Merch Alert! Ashton Greymoore pocketed t-shirt, journal sticker set, Caleb blazer, Chetney winter hat, Limited Edition Vox Machina Origins Series III and The Tales of Exandria: The Bright Queen in all five CritRole shops; Mighty Nein action figures in the US shop. Uk'otoa, the Game available in local game shops and the Critical Role shops.
- 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 at https://www.critrole.com/submit.
- Laura and Travis star in a holiday romcom demonstrating how romantic a gift subscription to Critical Role on Twitch is.
Part II[]
The ship is greeted by Port Captain Lyrios, to whom they pay 50 gold for a week's stay at the skyport. Xandis leads them down into the building below, the Lakecap Lounge, a combination casino and inn. Ashton buys each of the party a drink and Imogen shares her nervousness that her mother may be in the city or nearby. Laudna chooses a table well away from the others to save Imogen being near crowds. With Orym's now-incredibly high passive perception, he notices that several guards are keeping a wary eye on the crowd, and on the party, as newcomers to town. FCG wanders through the casino, picking up random thoughts from other players about a monster in the Winepebble Shores scaring fish, a viewing party for the upcoming Apogee solstice, and Stratos Throne spies caught outside Doan. Fearne chats with a half-giant guard about things a newcomer to town might want to know, including the Aydinlan Seminary.
Fan art of Bells Hells in the casino, by Lap Pun Cheung.[art 2]
Laudna proposes to Chetney they could cheat at gambling by sending Pâté to invisibly look at other people's cards, but when Imogen telepathically warns them that Orym's noticed the guards are watching, they decide to hold off. Instead, they decide to gamble. The two available games are Griffon's Wall, a dice-based game resembling Blackjack, and Fork of the Storm, a variant of Gambit of Ord. Chetney, Fearne, and FCG play first, and the inexperienced FCG casts Divination asking the Changebringer for advice on what to do. She advises him to fold, but he calls instead, folding soon after when Fearne raises. She and Chetney repeatedly raise the stakes, and she is able to use Sleight of Hand to change her hidden first roll to an eight, but Chetney still beats her with maximum rolls on all his dice and wins 508 gold.
Most of the party then play a round of Griffon's Wall, with everyone except Laudna hitting 21 and winning 12 gold each. Meanwhile, FCG unsuccessfully tries to score a complimentary room for the party with Freya, the desk clerk, even casting Fast Friends, but does succeed in renting a suite large enough for all of them for 12 gold and asking the clerk not to tell Chetney it wasn't free.
Upstairs, Chetney, Laudna, Ashton, and Imogen play a last round of Fork of the Storm. This time, Imogen uses her telekinetic mage hand to nudge her dice but fails to improve her hand and the dealer ends up winning. To cheer them up, FCG tells them their room was free. Just then, one of the people who has been keeping an eye on them walks over and introduces himself: Mr. Landon Kreshawl. He has noticed they're from out-of-town, and he is a host who can guide them around town, show them the sights, and make business introductions. When he asks what they do, Laudna tells him they're a performance troupe. He offers to guide them the next day and they tell him to meet them there around breakfast time.
Downstairs in their room, there are five very nice beds. They decide to order shrimp and a charcuterie board, and FCG Sends to Freya asking her to send the shrimp and pretend it's free. Imogen opens a window so she can hear the lake. Ashton tells Pâté about seeing his birth while in Laudna's shadow realm and that they need to keep her safe. But, he says, if that's actually Delilah in there, he'll murder Pâté.
Chetney finds the washroom and runs a hot bath for Imogen, telling her to relax and enjoy it. When she's alone, she casts Invisibility on herself, jumps out the window, and then casts Fly. Orym notices her leave, and Imogen tells him telepathically that she'll be back. She flies out over the city, enjoying the silence within her mind, and casts Sending to her mother:
Liliana: If you're there, then you need to stay there. Stay safe. I understand the need for answers, but it's a real dangerous journey. I've given up so much to keep you safe. At the end of it all, that's all I want. Please.
Imogen: Mother, the storm is coming. If you keep running from me, I'm afraid I'm going to get swept up in it. I know I'll find you in the end.
Liliana: If you keep running towards me you'll definitely end up swept up in it. Imogen. Run.
Fan art of Imogen on the windowsill, by Jake Wennik.[art 3]
Imogen stays aloft for a few minutes, then returns to the windowsill and telepathically asks Orym to turn off the running bathwater before it overflows. She casts Invisibility on herself again before returning to the room.
In the morning, FCG gives them the list of possible things to pursue: Lord Preston Drodelon lives here; the Aydinlan Seminary has ancient texts they need to investigate; someone here may know more about FCG; Ebenold Kai of the Grim Verity is at the Seminary, and Orym has Roe Estani's letter of introduction to him; Professor Kadija Sumal, who wrote the essay about Liliana Temult, is also at the Seminary. They decide to go to the Seminary first, hiring Landon to guide them there. Along the way, he tells them of the geography of the area and about some of the shops along the way.
When they reach the Aydinlan Seminary, they hire Landon for the rest of the day and ask him to wait. As they approach the stairs leading inward, they hear a sound from above and see an avian creature coming out of the shadow, with a long hooked beak, a cloudy eye, and patches of missing feathers. As FCG franticly urges them to get inside, it swoops down.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
New
- Freya, the desk clerk at the Lakecap Lounge
- Landon Kreshawl, an uniya city guide in Yios
- Port Captain Lyrios, of the Yios Skyport
- Shithead
Returning
Mentioned
- Ariks Eshteross
- Balan and Zeyar Lumas
- Ebenold Kai
- Kadija Sumal
- Exemplar Mani Drogidon, orcish warrior hero of the Apex War
- Otohan Thull
- Preston Drodelon
- Roe Estani
- Sarah Bundin, former head of the Ferry Guild in Yios
Quotations[]
- Fearne: How's it feel being alive again? [...]
Laudna: It feels incredible, and I'm still, of course, grappling with the extreme lengths you all went to to get me back, but I'm still not entirely sure if there's still a piece of Delilah lingering in there. There's certain things I'm still unsure of. I'm not easily afraid of things, but I'm still kind of afraid of myself. - Chetney: (to Orym) I don't know much about the gods or if they're listening, but if they are paying attention to someone, I'm glad it's you.
- Ashton: Hey, Imogen? If it wasn't for your deeply intense personal issues, I would never have gotten to see this, so thank you for being a bit of a mess.
- Ashton: (to Pâté) Since you appeared at a rather interesting moment in our reality, if that's you in there, Delilah, I swear to fuck that I will murder you if anything happens to her, and I'm watching. Are we clear?
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transferred | 1 | Crudely carved wooden wolf | Orym | Chetney | Orym attempted to carve it as a gift. |
| Transferred | 1 | Wood-carving chisel | Chetney | Orym | In return for the wooden wolf. |
| Transferred | 50 | Gold | The party | Port Captain Lyrios | For one week's docking at the skyport. |
| Transferred | 10 | Gold | Ashton | Landon | For his guide services. |
Trivia[]
- The in-game date at the end of this episode was 8 Fessuran 843. The apogee solstice will take place in 13 to 15 days.
- Sam's jerrycan has a wishlist attached labelled "Sam's Hanukkah Wish List":[2]
- Mirror (that only reflects me)
- Personal Sommelier
- New fake Sam (less sexy)
- Teeth enlargers
- New friend (less famous than me)
- Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1988
- Duet w/ Dolly Parton
- World Peace
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Fearne teaching Laudna Fireball, by Melissa Hahn (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Bells Hells in the casino, by Lap Pun Cheung (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Imogen on the windowsill, by Jake Wennik (source). Used with permission.
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