"The Promise and the Price" (3x77) is the seventy-seventh episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells' resident witches delve into the hidden horrors of Whitestone Castle and a choice is made regarding the shard of Rau'shan...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- Roll & Play Press presents One-shot Wonders with over 100 5th edition 2-page suggestions for busy GMs... like Sam. SO busy. Sam gives us a sample day from his calendar, involving a crisp orange wine at 6:25 am and 6 ½ hours of gentle crying. Use code FRESHCUTGRASS before Nov 20 for 10% off.
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- New chapter of Candela Obscura starts 30 November 2023. Candela Obscura Core Rulebook releases 14 November 2023.
- Critical Role: Bells Hells - What Doesn't Break, featuring Laudna's backstory and Pâté's origin story, is scheduled to release Summer 2024. Now available to preorder at criicalrolebooks.com.
Previously on Critical Role[]
So last we left off: Bells Hells, after their excursion to the Shattered Teeth, managed to flee by the skin of their teeth by avoiding what appeared to be, towards the end of the conflict, a simulacrum of Ludinus Da'leth, who took a bit of information from that conflict. You fled with with your target, a remaining spark of one of the ancient Primordial Titans, particularly flame. As part of the experience, you also Teleported back to Whitestone, and after a little bit of a bumpy return (because some people just can't seem to roll decent on these Teleports), returned to Whitestone to find that many of the other allies that you've made through this ever-growing, mounting danger in the middle of the Hellcatch Valley have come together to discuss the next plan of events. In this time, you went into the War Room, and made some new friends as well as met some old ones, and altogether began to throw on the table what information you had acquired and what needed to happen next.
It was decided, as the large world of Exandria currently gathers itself, everyone who might be accessible and available and driven to take arms against this threat that Ludinus and the Ruby Vanguard has built in the center, the heart of Marquet, others still throughout the world continue to be drawn to his cause and that division grows ever stronger throughout the world. As they begin to reach out to those they can, the attention is high on them, their history before them and know that there is an expectation of their arrival without a knowledge of what lies beyond the Bloody Bridge above the Malleus Key and Ruidus proper on the other side. You volunteered to be the recon team to go to Ruidus to see what awaits everyone there, and return when you felt the information you gathered was helpful or it was too dangerous. You asked for a couple of things. You met Lady Allura Vysoren, who is looking into acquiring what she can to help you on this journey. Some possible plotting for how you can sneak into the place you previously were witness to the development and release of the Malleus Key itself, and found what wasn't Whitestone Andy but a fine churro salesman here in the middle of Whitestone. But upon taking an evening's rest, contemplating the events of the day and the days to come, the mounting anxiety of what lies before you, in the middle of the night Laudna has woken up Imogen with interest for events as the evening progresses.
Part I[]
In the middle of the night, Laudna wakes Imogen and Fearne for their pre-arranged surreptitious exploration of Whitestone Castle. Gwendolyn de Rolo's reaction to Laudna made Laudna curious to see if walking around will jog her memories and help explain what happened to her. In her childhood she would sometimes seek refuge in the tunnels beneath and throughout Whitestone Castle. She remembers a dusty bedchamber where she was once imprisoned, and they stealth in search of it, eventually locating the kitchen and from there, a back hallway leading upward to locked grand double doors that Laudna recognizes. Her lockpicking fails, so Imogen casts Summon Crimson Shade and has the answering reiloran open the door.
Inside, the dust-covered room appears to be that of Percival's deceased parents, but Laudna remembers being held captive there and finding a secret panel behind a bookcase. When she opens it, however, it has been bricked up with a note, "Clever as you are, there is nothing for you here. Now go find your mother and apologize." They deduce the current Lord and Lady de Rolo blocked it to protect it from their exploring offspring. Fearne Stone Shapes a passage through to reveal a long, dark, descending stairway into a large furniture- and equipment-filled, dusty abandoned laboratory that they deduce was once Delilah Briarwood's. Fearne's flame light suddenly dims as the temperature drops, and behind Laudna a ghostly human form rises up and attacks.
Laudna casts Hunger of the Shadow but the creature is immune to its necrotic damage. She then assumes her Form of Dread, looking much more like Delilah than normal, and the ghost seems to recognize her, hitting her with a Withering Touch. Fearne casts Produce Flame on it, but although it takes damage, it ignores her and concentrates on Laudna as two more spirits emerge and immediately also fixate on the warlock. As Imogen and the reilora (Sivaana) also attack, they too are ignored although both cause damage. Now surrounded, Laudna summons her Hound of Ill Omen and makes her appearance even more like Delilah's before summoning three Mirror Images, two of which are quickly destroyed by the ghosts' attacks. Imogen destroys one ghost with lightning and damages another, and Laudna kills the two remaining with Eldritch Blasts.
Suddenly, they all hear a voice: "Alexander, Tethany, Vincent." It is Delilah, identifying the ghosts as former servants at the castle, and "useful subjects". They have found some of her additions: a place for Sylas to rest and for Delilah to experiment in the name of the Whispered One. She and Laudna are bound to one another, and she invites Laudna's questions.
Fan art of Laudna/Delilah, by Sabira Langevin.[art 2]
Imogen asks her what she wants, and Delilah responds she wishes nothing more than to outlive the world, uncovering its mysteries to keep to herself and her love. Laudna asks her aid against Predathos and Delilah assures her their interests are aligned. That's why she's loaned Laudna her gifts. The one Delilah received her own gifts from has little to gain from the gods' destruction. Delilah gave up everything to a god, and his power is now in Laudna as well. While the Whispered One may be biding his time, his tendrils are still in this realm. And if he goes away, so do Delilah and Laudna. Laudna demands more help in the battle, but in turn, Delilah demands more of Laudna, who remembers the hunger she felt from the shattered gnarlrock[1] and from taking Bor'Dor's soul.[2] Delilah demands Laudna give her more life and power so she may endure. It's possible she could gain her own form and soul again and leave Laudna, but that's a long way away. If it were to happen, Delilah would find a way to bring Sylas back.
Delilah tells Fearne she senses a darkness within her that's intriguing. In time, she could become something terrible and gorgeous, and Delilah urges her to embrace it. Imogen is something beyond terrestrial: a child of the God Eater with power of unpredictable limits. Imogen may choose the future of this world, unless her mother makes the choice for her. Telling them to think about it and that she's always here, Delilah vanishes.
Imogen assures Laudna they'll find a way to free her since Delilah's not more powerful than the gods, but Laudna isn't so sure. Delilah created a god. Laudna will do whatever is necessary, and tries to get Imogen to promise to move on and be happy if Laudna must die in the process. Imogen promises, but will do everything she can to prevent it. Laudna says there's no harm in playing by Delilah's rules for now, because in the end, it's Laudna's game. Both Imogen and Laudna are now firmly sure they need to save the gods.
On their way out, Laudna remembers that an adjoining room held a bed bearing a coffin, but when they investigate the room's contents have been destroyed. Laudna flips over the table and Fearne sets everything flammable on fire. On the stairs, Delilah's voice creeps into Laudna's mind, saying: "We will work together. I need you to flourish so that I might as well. Bound as we are, I do care for you." Laudna's response: "Let's do terrible and beautiful things."
Break[]
- Roll & Play Press presents One-shot Wonders with over 100 2-page session ideas for 5th edition.
- Giant three piece Uk'otoa mini now available.
- Merch Alert! Jrusar joggers, Bells Hells socks, Critical Role pajamas, ugly Critmas sweater, Ligament Manor glow-in-the-dark t-shirt, Laudna hoodie, Caper Cards: Bells Hells, Imogen t-shirt in all five CR shops; Ruidus dice in the UK, EU, and US shops.
- Red Nose Day special airs November 28 at 5pm Pacific. Donate at critrole.com.
- Candela Obscura: Broken Path intro. Trailer for Candela Obscura Chapter 3: Circle of Tide & Bone. Original Soundtrack now on digital music platforms.
- Trailer for Midst Season Two Podcast.
- 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.
- Sam's ASMR promo for Critical Role Twitch subscriptions.
Part II[]
Fan art of Orym giving Fearne the spyglass, by Shara Maestache.[art 3]
In the morning, Orym tells Fearne how much he loves watching her embrace Bells Hells and he's gotten her something: the spyglass he stole aboard the Crimson Abyss as a replacement for the one she stole from Captain Xandis and Orym returned. In return, she confesses that one time she actually didn't give him Guidance when she said she did because she was annoyed.[3] When they join the others, it is snowing in Whitestone and Chetney quickly crafts a sled. The women share their experiences during the night and suddenly realize they left very obvious signs of their presence in the secret room. Ashton proposes taking some time to have fun before all the serious stuff starts later that day. FCG asks Chetney why he's part of this dangerous mission, and the answer is to create a legacy: to make a difference and do something he'll be remembered for. Orym tells FCG he's a really great guy, and after a pause, FCG responds simply, "Thanks". Ashton points out they just accepted a compliment, and FCG says they've learned it's easier than deflecting. He's starting to feel like part of the team. Laudna gives him the wok they stole last night, and although FCG is a little hesitant, he accepts it.
The group heads outside and finds a snow-covered slope. Orym and Chetney team up on the sled while Ashton and FCG are on the wok. Team Sled does a masterful job, ending up well into the city, but Team Wok goes right into a snow pile. Back at the castle, they learn there will be a meeting later that afternoon, when both Allura Vysoren and Cassandra de Rolo have arrived. Imogen hangs back in the town and finds the Temple to the Dawnfather. Inside, she is approached by Brazilda, an older priestess, who gives her advice on prayer and faith. Imogen tells the Dawnfather that they're trying to help the gods and if they succeed, hopefully the gods can help Laudna. She asks for his help in the coming struggle. As she leaves, she sees the statue of the Matron of Ravens, goddess of death.
Meanwhile, Orym drops by the Whitestone branch of Gilmore's Glorious Goods and buys three potions of healing. Although the goods have been bought out in preparation for potential coming battles, Orym notices a Potion of Heroism that was missed, and buys it. He also drops by the Slayer's Cake and orders pastries and one pie (for him) to be delivered later to the Castle.
Fan art of Ashton's conversation with Fearne, by Melissa Hahn.[art 5]
Meanwhile, Ashton asks Fearne on a walk to the Heart of Whitestone, the clock tower built by Percival de Rolo. There, he tells her he believes that if they die on this mission, no one would miss him because the only people who care would be right there with him. Fearne brings up the shard of Rau'shan, reminding Ashton he's said he always wanted a sister. Ashton corrects her: He has always wanted family. When he says "sister", "You're still hot and otherwise and definitely, wow, you got it going on." Fearne thinks the shard should go to him, but Ashton thinks the group won't let him do what needs to be done with it. He needs her to promise they'll find a way to make it happen, together, without the others knowing, and if it goes bad, try to save his life. If he dies, steal his shit before they know because he doesn't want the others to have anything. Fearne doesn't fully understand but agrees, tells him she thinks he's pretty hot, too, and runs away.
Back at the Castle, Cassandra de Rolo has arrived. Allura is already there and they all gather in the War Room, where Percival suggests potential distractions at the Bloody Bridge site. One is to get close to a major mechanical device with one of the two objects he has crafted, which scramble the larger mechanisms when activated and can be set off with a one-minute timer. Allura has volunteered to go with them to create illusions en masse for them, bolstered by meat to leave a real mess behind when there is an illusion of a creature being killed. She also gives them two Scrolls of Mass Nondetection, a Scroll of Greater Restoration, a Scroll of Dimension Door, three healing potions, a potion of speed, two potions of gaseous form, and a jeweled baking tin worth 1000 gold for casting Heroes' Feast. Allura also confirms the reilorans suppress or reduce the effectiveness of healing magic. Cassandra will provide them all goggles and Allura can Teleport them all to near the Malleus Key site. The group plans to leave later that afternoon.
Chetney suggests they might want to also utilize the Quintessence Array before leaving, by testing it on a magical creature from the Parchwood Timberlands around Whitestone, but they decide that would take too long. Fearne and Ashton admit they're proposing to utilize the shard, Ashton pointing out there are facilities and experienced magic users in Whitestone to deal with any consequences. Ashton requests privacy while they absorb the shard, and Percy suggests the Ziggurat for both privacy and safety. He leads them far downward beneath the castle directly under the Sun Tree to an area filled with other researchers.
The group ascends the stairs of the pyramidal structure to the top, now a simple open platform with a memorial plaque inset in the floor. Ashton asks that all of them but he and Fearne descend again and Chetney gives them the Quintessence Array. Fearne starts to put it on Ashton and the others question this, but Ashton assures them Fearne is taking the shard and she hesitantly goes along. The others move away, down the sides, giving Ashton and Fearne the requested privacy.
Fan art of Ashton kissing Fearne, by Sech Bravo.[art 6]
Ashton tells Fearne that if things go badly, she should scream for the others. Ashton quickly dons the harness, telling Fearne this is what he needs: to save everybody. Fearne is still very hesitant and frightened, but Ashton keeps talking, telling her it will be fine and if it isn't, shit happens. Plus, she promised. At the last moment, Ashton hugs her and gives her a big kiss, causing her to say, "Well, now I don't know if I want to put this in there." Ashton responds: "Fucking do it! It's never happening again anyway! That's the one you get."
Fan art of Ashton transforming, by TheBlackRibbon.[art 7]
Just holding the shard, Fearne begins taking fire damage. She holds it near the funnel on the harness and as the runes light up, it begins hovering there and she releases it. As the pain blooms within Ashton, he rages, the golden lines holding his body together starting to glow. He succeeds on his first Constitution save, but a chunk of his shoulder cracks off and shatters. Other parts of his body also crack off and burn, and as Fearne panics Ashton tells her repeatedly not to interfere despite the pain and horrific injuries. Imogen hears some of their conversation and telepathically asks Ashton if Fearne is all right, but hears only repeatedly: "From the earth, of the earth, to the earth..." Ashton's eyes are now just burning coals and his entire right arm has fallen off. Imogen runs up the ziggurat followed by the others, and sees what is happening. Ashton is growing brighter and hotter and Imogen uses Telekinesis trying to hold his body together. Healing potions evaporate before reaching his mouth. FCG casts Death Ward while Fearne casts Aura of Life.
Continuing to take damage, Ashton goes unconscious for the first time but the Death Ward brings him back. Those near Ashton are also taking damage. FCG and Fearne cast healing spells but they are almost immediately wiped out, and Fearne's Aura of Life is the only thing keeping Ashton alive as he regains one hit point each time he drops to zero. Imogen frantically unbuckles the harness and Orym's Grasping Vines knock it off Ashton, then Gust blows it away. It has no effect as the Shard has already transferred into Ashton's body. FCG casts Aura of Vitality to continue pumping a few hit points each turn. On a failed Con save, however, Ashton's body explodes. The Ring of Temporal Salvation changes time to a moment earlier, bringing him back to life, but itself is destroyed, and there are five more rounds to go. Laudna, Imogen, and Chetney back up, trying to get away from damage if Ashton explodes again. FCG and Fearne continue to pump in healing and Ashton continues making Con saves. He goes unconscious virtually every round but the Aura of Vitality brings him back each time. FCG's Divine Intervention fails. The DC rises to 15 for the final two saves, and Ashton succeeds on both.
The heat begins to subside as Ashton falls unconscious, then erupts in steam before cooling. His arm is restored, appearing to be heavy, muscular molten rock. The golden veins are gone, replaced by glowing orange. Ashton thanks Fearne for trusting and saving him, and she kicks his face, shouting, "I am never listening to you again!"
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
Returning
New
- Alexander, Tethany, and Vincent, ghosts of former servants of Delilah
- Jeanine, a servant in the kitchen of Whitestone Castle
- Mother Brazilda, cleric of the Dawnfather
- Roger, an elderly customer at the Slayer's Cake
- Simon, an employee at the Slayer's Cake
- Sivaana, a Reiloran summoned by Imogen
Quotations[]
- Laudna: So I'm your last material thread to this world.
Delilah: As I am yours. [...] Dear, you've been dead for quite some time. I'm all that keeps you here. [...] We are bound, you and I, so let us put aside these strange and unnecessary quabbles, and instead, maybe, do some great things together. [...] The one I received my gifts from has little to gain from the destruction of the gods. I gave up everything to create one. - Delilah: Fate's a fickle mistress, isn't she?
Fearne: For the record, I don't think fate's that fickle. - Laudna: I'm prepared to do whatever is necessary.
Imogen: I don't accept it, Laudna. Not from you.
Laudna: She said so herself. I've been dead. Imogen, listen to me. I need you to make me a promise right now, with Fearne as our witness. If anything happens to me, the biggest honor that you can serve to me is to move on, and to be happy. To live. To live! I am quite literally a dead end. Just promise me. And if anything happens, and I become her little puppet, I trust you to make the right choice. - Fearne: Listen, we can fix this. We can fix this, okay? We can fix fate and time and it's going to be fine.
- Laudna: It's ironic. I'm not even a religious person and yet somehow I'm entangled in some whispery fuck's destiny.
- Orym: (to Fearne) I look at you and I see love and laughter and magic and mayhem and I see so much love in you. Watching you embrace [Bells Hells] gives me more hope than just about anything does.
- Ashton: Before a big job, back when the Nobodies were running, we would always get a little trashed, have a good time, remind ourselves that we all like each other, or at least love each other if we don't like each other. 'Cause, you know, it's going to be rough and people are going to do stupid shit and you're going to have to remember not to murder them.
- Ashton: (to Fearne, at the clock tower) Can you imagine being so passionate about your life that you decided to do something this fucking ridiculous?
Fearne: Yes.
Ashton: I would have said no until pretty recently. - Fearne: Well, I mean, I think you're pretty hot, too. And I'm going to run away.
Ashton: Still fucking got it. Still fucking got it. - Ashton: (during the transformation) I don't care what I'm going to become, but I have to become something that is... I am not going to lose anybody.
- Taliesin: (to Matt) I love that you know that I was going to do this.
Matt: I didn't.
Taliesin: Really? God, you just put a big red button in front of me.
Matt: Yeah, and a lot of warnings. - Ashley: I'm going to fucking kill him if he survives.
Liam: I'm going to kill him if he dies. - Taliesin: (throwing the dice without looking) Never look if you want to win. Never fucking look when you want to win.
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquired | 1 | copper wok | Whitestone Castle kitchen | Laudna FCG |
Laudna took it and gifted it to FCG, who used it to sled with. |
| Acquired | 1 | fragment of wood from Sylas' coffin | Whitestone Castle secret room | Laudna | |
| Transferred | 1 | spyglass | Orym | Fearne | Orym stole it aboard the Crimson Abyss to replace the one he returned to Xandis. |
| Crafted | 1 | toboggan | Chetney | ||
| Relinquished | 1 | "Whitestone is for Lovers" t-shirt | Imogen | The Zenith | Imogen left it as an offering to the Dawnfather. |
| Purchased | 1 | Potion of Heroism | Gilmore's Glorious Goods, Whitestone | Orym | The price was discounted to 200 gold. |
| Purchased | 3 | Potions of healing | Gilmore's Glorious Goods, Whitestone | Orym | |
| Transferred | 2 | Clockwork devices | Percival de Rolo | FCG | When activated, scramble or destroy larger mechanical or arcane mechanisms. |
| Transferred | 2 | Scroll of Mass Nondetection | Lady Allura | Imogen | |
| Transferred | 1 | Scroll of Greater Restoration | Lady Allura | Imogen | Matt clarified later they were also given sufficient diamond dust for FCG to cast the spell 5 times.[4] |
| Transferred | 1 | Scroll of Dimension Door | Lady Allura | Imogen | |
| Transferred | 2 | Greater healing potions | Lady Allura | the party | |
| Transferred | 1 | Superior healing potion | Lady Allura | Laudna | |
| Transferred | 1 | Potion of speed | Lady Allura | the party | |
| Transferred | 2 | Potion of gaseous form | Lady Allura | the party | |
| Transferred | 1 | Jeweled baking tin | Percival | FCG | For casting Heroes' Feast. |
Trivia[]
References[]
- ↑ See "To The Skies" (3x23) from 4:05:59 through 4:10:32.
- ↑ See "A Haunted Past" (3x63) at 2:53:11.
- ↑ See "Bloody Flowers" (3x67) from 47:45 through 50:45.
- ↑ See "Rush for the Bloody Bridge" (3x82) at 2:37:01.
- ↑ See "The Promise and the Price" (3x77) from 49:20 through 49:35.
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of opening the door, by UsikuNox (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Laudna/Delilah, by Sabira Langevin (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Orym giving Fearne the spyglass, by Shara Maestache (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Imogen at the Temple, by cvleart (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Ashton's conversation with Fearne, by Melissa Hahn (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Ashton kissing Fearne, by Sech Bravo (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Ashton transforming, by TheBlackRibbon (source). Used with permission.
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