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The Eve of the Red Moon

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"The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) is the eighty-first episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells ponder fey bargains and prepare for their dangerous race through Ruby Vanguard territory…

Synopsis[]

Announcements[]

  • This is the last episode this year! Critical Role Campaign Three will be back 11 January 2024.
  • First sponsor is Meta's exclusive Meta Quest game Asgard's Wrath 2, available now for free when you buy Meta Quest 3.
  • Sam presents a retrospective of this year's ads, complete with original song.
  • Second sponsor is Verizon, offering a year of Netflix free with an annual subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
  • Episode 2 of Candela Obscura Circle of Tide and Bone airs January 4 in place of the regular Campaign 3 episode.
  • You can still donate to the Critical Role Foundation Red Nose Day fundraiser.
  • Merch Alert! Percy/Keyleth bust now available to pre-order.
  • CritRoleStats will be sunsetting their site effective 31 December 2023. Everyone offers their thanks for their efforts over the past eight years.

Previously on Critical Role[]

So, last we left off: Bells Hells, after volunteering to be the recon mission to Ruidus, while the rest of Exandria prepared for a possible incursion or an assault upon the red moon, had some inner turmoil. In doing so, had to regather themselves, rebuild some trust, and Fearne, who particularly had been emotionally wounded in this endeavor, wanted to revisit her Nana Morri. The group went to the Fey Realm, back to Ligament Manor, where some reunions with your parents also came with some revelations about your true nature, and a number of group-building exercises were developed via Nana Morri and FCG, in which you all proved yourselves to be on the path to recovery. Some work has been done, with some work still left before you, but, feeling a little more confident about your troupe, you've returned, and Fearne decided to take the Spark of Rau'shan into herself. Through the ritual's completion, you embraced the fiery shred of the ancient primordial fire titan, and upon making contact with Ashton, awoke the shard within him. The two of you now coming into full realization of the power and the spiritual essence that you both carry and have bonded to, you rushed out of the garden at the top of Ligament Manor while the rest of your group were left to ruminate on what they just witnessed.

Part I[]

The group goes over their plan that Nana Morri will handle the time dilation around their trip to the Fey Realm while Allura Vysoren handles their physical transportation back to Exandria and the Malleus Key. FCG asks Laudna how she's doing and learns she believes Delilah won't be drawn to the Spark of Rau'shan any longer now that Fearne has absorbed it. The group also talks about boons they might seek from Nana Morri. Chetney is considering asking to be young again even if it comes with conditions.

Meanwhile, Fearne and Ashton are outside exploring their new powers and abilities. Fearne tries Scorching Ray on Ashton's spell-splitting hammer and they realize they could come up with creative joint attacks. Ashton can will himself to sink into natural, unworked rock or earth as if it were water (although he must surface to breathe), while Fearne is surrounded by flame to the extent her physicality is hard to discern and she ignores the difficulties of the terrain. While he is transformed into his elemental state, Ashton's constant pain is virtually gone but returns when he drops the form. He explains to Fearne that he does better with firm contact, part of why he enjoys the punk culture. His demonstrated firm hug results in minor fire damage, which he happily accepts. The two slowly walk back to Ligament Manor.

Chetney, dreaming of toys - Elaine Tipping

Fan art of Chetney, dreaming of wood, by Elaine Tipping.[art 1]

Meanwhile, Chetney goes to talk to Nana Morri, naming the magical doorway Sir Push-Pull on the way. Initially, he suggests his request is to never die, but after some discussion, he tells her his passion is toys and he wants to be the most famous toy maker the world has ever known, In return, Morrigan requests a piece of the god-eater. The deal is sealed, with Morrigan promising to make Chetney "notorious". When he returns to the others, he refuses to tell them what his deal was and what he promised, but Fearne's enthusiastic about the idea.

Before they sleep, FCG presents the rolls he's baked: a Heroes Yeast for the party, Allura, Pâté, and Little Mister. Imogen suggests they follow her into her dreams, so that she can try giving into the pull of Ruidus, and Orym, Laudna, and Ashton volunteer. Imogen sleeps, and the others follow her dream up the Bloody Bridge to the red storm on the surface of the red moon. Opening her mind, she senses others just out of reach and feels the familiar beckoning. Touching the ground, she thinks, "Bring me home," and stops fighting the beckoning, drifting into darkness. While the others sense dread, Imogen feels comfort as she drifts into caverns, oceans, and life forms beneath the surface. She hears her mother's voice saying, "Imogen, no!" The others lose sight of her and wake up, but in the darkness, Imogen senses an immense, powerful presence like that she felt when Laudna died and she exploded,[1] but also senses she belongs here. She wakes a moment later than the others, and Orym (with a natural 20 insight check) gets a whisper about her feelings. She tells the others it felt good. Chetney uses the Monocle of True Essence but sees nothing suspicious.

Orym's bargain with Nana Morri - Ofteasandherbs

Fan art of Orym's bargain, by Ofteasandherbs.[art 2]

After the others are asleep, Orym visits Nana Morri alone. He feels the least ready of the group, and wants them all back safe. He requests Morri make him more capable of protecting them—his passion is to protect his friends. He offers to serve her if they see their mission through, and all return alive and as they are. Morri accepts, and the deal is made. She tells him to call upon her when they need some help. Rejoining the others, Orym curls up against the sleeping Fearne.

Break[]

Part II[]

In the morning, they breakfast with the Calloway family and Nana Morri, with FCG unwittingly consuming a silver egg holding multiple souls. Ollie Calloway admits the Squint has left him since the Apogee Solstice. Farewells are said, and with Morri's aid to deal with the time aspects of their travel, Allura transports them across planes back to Exandria and the Hellcatch Valley, within sight of a bustling fort, the Bloody Bridge, and the looming red orb of Ruidus.

The tethered moon - Eye of the Newt

Fan art of the Bloody Bridge, by EyeOfTheNewt.[art 3]

The group enters the encampment. Allura is greeted by Mythtaker Qi Mandozi, an orcish spellcaster from Aeshanadoor, Tofor Brotoras, a one-armed silver dragonborn paladin and fellow member with Allura on the Tal'Dorei Council, and Earthbreaker Groon, an elderly human from Vasselheim in Issylra with a connection to Kord the Stormlord. They welcome the party, who are expected, and introductions are made. Groon gives Fearne a long, measured look with his pupil-less white eyes as they are ushered into the War Tent, where Lord Percival and Keyleth are working.

The council begins. Keyleth welcomes Bells Hells, telling them their anonymity is valuable, but those present recognize their abilities. Mythtaker Qi reports on the rise of several doomsday cults around the world, while Bratoras discusses the rise of the Ruby Vanguard. Percival has designed what they call "butcher wagons", which Allura and Mandozi will use in a feint assault on the northwestern side of the Malleus Key, hoping to draw attention there where the butcher wagons can be detonated, giving Bells Hells 10-30 minutes to infiltrate from the southeast. "The smartest" of the defending Ruby Vanguard forces are currently on Ruidus, and Bells Hells' previous attack disabled the site's magic dispelling pulses. However, the Reilora can sense nearby minds. Groon urges them to do their best not to be discovered, but if they are, leave no witnesses, however they can accomplish that. They will need to cover their tracks upon arrival, as well. Allura tells them to learn as much as they can about the Reilora, Ludinus Da'leth's location and plans, and the potential dangers of an assault on the red moon.

Fearne approaches Groon and asks why he looked at her. He responds she, and Imogen, are Ruidusborn. Qi and Tofor react with shocked surprise, but Keyleth assures them that these two are not bound by the draw that caused previous Ruidusborn operatives to forget their purpose and join the opposing forces. Groon trusts they are capable, "for if they turn, the storm will find them." Orym assures The Tempest that they're ready, and choosing them wasn't a mistake. They agree to meet in an hour to start the operation.

When Bells Hells are alone, Imogen admits the pull of Ruidus is very strong, and stronger since her dream. Laudna goes to talk privately to Keyleth, noting she seems distracted. Keyleth admits she is focused on setting Vax'ildan free, although her primary motivation is saving the world from this new threat. Vax is being used to power the Bloody Bridge, the only way to connect to the otherwise magically-shielded Ruidus, and it needs to stay in place until this conflict is resolved. Keyleth apologizes, for everything, and walks away.

Imogen's encounter with Groon - David Garcia

Fan art of Imogen's encounter with Earthbreaker Groon, by David Garcia.[art 4]

FCG casts Telepathic Bond on all of them, while Imogen casts Mage Armor. She suddenly feels the hand of Earthbreaker Groon on her shoulder, but when she telepathically asks if she can help, the reply is a different, sourceless, growling voice, telling her: "You have my eye. There is greatness in you. Do not let us down." She hears the sound of thunder in the cloudless sky.

Slightly later, Keyleth joins them and Percival activates the distraction wagons. Imogen uses one of the two Scrolls of Mass Nondetection on the party, while Keyleth casts Wind Walk and they all fly upward, seeing the base of the Malleus Key and the feint illusionary assault on it. Keyleth tells them they have a few minutes to gather their thoughts, as a violent storm begins to brew over the Hellcatch around them. The party puts on their Ruby Vanguard uniforms as Fearne casts Pass Without Trace on them. FCG casts Death Ward on Imogen. Keyleth warns them that their cloud form provides some protection, but they are sitting ducks during their transformation back.

As they move forward, Fearne guides them toward the base of the Bridge. The thunder grows in intensity, and they hear horns coming from around them in the site, but they stealthily avoid detection as the feint attack begins, opposed by Reiloran warriors, juggernauts, and hulking automaton Warders.

Featured characters[]

Quotations[]

  • Fearne: (after Ashton's unexpected hug results in fire damage) It's just life now. It's just what we have to accept, that we're— we have to accept our greatness, basically.
    Ashton: I will accept your greatness.
    Fearne: Okay, well, I'll accept both of ours.
    Ashton: You can have greatness for two. I'm just going to do my best to keep everybody okay.
    Fearne: Me, too.
    Ashton: You look really cool.
    Fearne: Thanks. You look pretty cool, too.
  • Orym: (to Morrigan) Well, if I see them all through, and we get it done, I'll serve you.[…] That's if we see it through. Every one of Bells Hells makes it back, and we see it through.
    Morrigan: Every one of you makes it back, and you see this through.
    Orym: Back alive. Happy, safe, and healthy.
    Morrigan: Well, you have to start happy to return happy, and I think health is in varying states. Return, at least, as you are.
    Orym: Return alive.
    Morrigan: Very well.
  • Groon: I trust they are capable. For they know that if they turn, the storm will find them. (to Imogen) But you are of the storm, are you not?
    Imogen: I am the storm, baby.
  • FCG: That's all we have to rely on these days, is our faith, and I have the utmost faith in them [Fearne and Imogen]. Maybe you could spare a little.
    Groon: It seems your friends may have more faith in you than perhaps you carry for yourself.
  • FCG: It'll be Qi, Kiki, we, going to the Malleus Key to see what we can see.

Inventory[]

Adjustment Count Item Source Destination Notes
Acquired some Bones Morri's topiary garden Laudna Laudna collected them from the burned topiaries.
Tranferred 1 Ring of Volcanic Flesh Fearne Ashton Fearne returned it since she no longer needed it.
Expended 1 Scroll of Mass Nondetection Imogen the party Imogen used 1 of the 2 in their possession just before their scouting mission.

Trivia[]

  • Sam's jerrycan has a series of notes revealing his New Year's resolutions:
  1. File Down Teeth[2]
  2. Quit (Being So) Smoking (Hot)[3]
  3. Find a decent bottle of >$150 wine[4]
  4. Make more time for TikTok Time!!![5]
  5. Run a half-half-half-half marathon[6]

References[]

  1. ↑ See "Blood and Dust" (3x33) at 3:53:03.
  2. ↑ See "The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) from 42:20 through 42:35.  He rips it off to reveal…
  3. ↑ See "The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) from 42:35 through 42:42.  He rips this one off as well…
  4. ↑ See "The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) from 42:42 through 42:45.  Only a brief flash, but we get a better view from 1:31:13 through 1:31:20 after which he rips this one off and we get a flash of the next one.
  5. ↑ See "The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) from 2:37:04 through 2:37:11.  He rips it off…
  6. ↑ See "The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) from 2:37:11 through 2:37:17.

Art:

  1. ↑ Fan art of Chetney, dreaming of wood, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
  2. ↑ Fan art of Orym's bargain, by Ofteasandherbs (source). Used with permission.
  3. ↑ Fan art of the Bloody Bridge, by EyeOfTheNewt (source). Used with permission.
  4. ↑ Fan art of Imogen's encounter with Earthbreaker Groon, by David Garcia (source). Used with permission.
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 4 episodes
<< Arc 3: Separations and Explorations Arc 4: Ruidus to Aeor (Episode 76-98) Arc 5: Downfall >>
"A Gathering of Heroes" (3x76) • "The Promise and the Price" (3x77) • "Fractures" (3x78) • "To Hurt Is to Heal" (3x79) • "A Test of Trust" (3x80) • "The Eve of the Red Moon" (3x81) • "Rush for the Bloody Bridge" (3x82)
"Ruidus" (3x83) • "Red Rural Revelations" (3x84) • "Intense Interrogations" (3x85) • "Doorways to Darker Depths" (3x86) • "Arrival at Kreviris" (3x87) • "Seeking Sedition" (3x88) • "Divisive Portents" (3x89) • "Mission Improbable" (3x90) • "True Heroism" (3x91)
"Broken Roads" (3x92) • "Bittersweet Reunions" (3x93) • "Where The Red Fearne Glows" (3x94) • "Gathering of Needs" (3x95) • "Shadows New and Old" (3x96) • "Ancient Sins" (3x97) • "The Nox Engine" (3x98)
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 4
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