"Treacherous Toys" (3x54) is the fifty-fourth episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells' Team Wildemount tangles with the pasts of some of their own through enigmatic dreams and illuminating confrontations...
Synopsis[]
Announcements[]
- Before we jump into tonight's episode, we do have some announcements to get through, beginning with our first sponsor, nobody.
- Midst, the immersive semi-improvised podcast produced by Third Person, launches on Tuesday, 11 April 2023 on your favorite podcast app, and a "lightly animated" version on YouTube.
- Merch Alert! Pop Pop t-shirt in support of the Critical Role Foundation now on sale in the US shop only. Ashton workout leggings in all CR shops.
Previously on Critical Role[]
So, last we left off: In the wake of the strange cataclysmic event that seemed to occur in Marquet at the behest of Ludinus Da'leth, Bells Hells has been divided and suddenly scattered to the four winds of Exandria, with FCG, Chetney, Fearne, and Imogen finding themselves in the Crystalsands Tundra, journeying towards Uthodurn, where they gathered two new friends, Deanna and F.R.I.D.A., some with some history with some of the group they encountered. Upon returning to the town and beginning to figure out that other strange enchantments and magics have been altered about this solstice and still continue to reveal the impact of this event, one of which happened to be some sort of incursion or attack at the depths of Uthodurn itself.
With the gathered soldiers, Glassblades and royal sentinels, at the ready, they closed the massive gates to protect most of those that could escape, including the king and queen, and you all, rightfully, without a second thought, jumped in after your heroic Aeormaton here, trekked into the citadel itself and encountered the terrifying, massive, bull-like beast that had been freed from its long-standing petrified prison. After a brief absorbing of its terrifying attack brunt (mainly you, Fearne), you eschewed combat and instead attempted to contact this entity and ascertain what was agitating it. After managing to calm it down and convince it that you were not enemies, you walked it through the center of the Augur Trail in front of the populace of Uthodurn and set it free once more into the open air of Exandria in search of the forest from where it once came many, many years ago. Most of you, at least. You stayed behind in the throne room and stole a bunch of shit, and then escaped through a tunnel, covered yourself in blood, and then gave yourself to the protectors of the realm within the city to help bind your wounds.
Part I[]
The party (minus Chetney) return to the city and find themselves heroes, and invited to a formal recognition by the King and Queen the following day at noon. They realize Chetney is missing and Imogen suffers psychic damage when she attempts Sending to contact him. He is still below, his fake wounds being lovingly tended to by rescuers, and makes his way upward through the city where he reunites with the others. They go to Deanna's home, a small, cluttered, cozy two-bedroom. When Chetney proposes sharing one of the two beds with Deanna, she is flustered and heads outside, joined shortly by Imogen. Deanna confesses that Chetney has changed -- he used to be driven, focused, and passionate. Imogen assures her that she still has a special place in his mind.
Fan art of FRIDA's dream, by Cha Cha Rae.[art 1]
For the night, the women share Deanna's room, Chetney sleeps on the couch, and FRIDA and FCG share FRIDA's art-work-filled room. FCG casts Shared Dream as FRIDA falls asleep and joins them in their dream, seeing Exandria as a globe and a vision of FRIDA as a humanoid with legs and a child at their feet. FRIDA feels as though the child has a name they should know but cannot remember, but cannot actually see it and when questioned by FCG, wants to wake up. FCG wraps their arms around FRIDA and they wake together, with FRIDA immediately trying to draw the child from FCG's description. This has unlocked FRIDA's memory that at one time they were supposed to protect this boy as part of their duty, and Deanna's laugh reminded them of him. FRIDA feels a faint itch in the back of their head at the thought of the boy.
In the morning, Deanna cooks them all breakfast and they head to Oltgar's store, now renamed "D&O Toy Emporium". Chetney explains that Oltgar was a brilliant master craftsman of fine wooden toys, and Chetney was his second for years before "a son of a bitch elf named Drixlitch came in and fucked everything up". Chetney isn't at all sure he'll be able to restrain himself from attacking when he sees him. They establish a safe word: "parmesan".
When they reach the store, they find that as well as being renamed, it has a second story and its appearance is enhanced with magic as well as metal decorations, and bright turquoise and purple paint. It appears closed and shuttered, and a small crowd of employees is gathered anxiously outside. The door suddenly opens and a singed hired orc guard barrels out, shouting that he quits before stomping off. A portly, white-bearded dwarf in a deep red coat that the invisible Chetney recognizes as Oltgar wonders anxiously what they're going to do now. Fearne asks what's wrong and he explains that they've recently begun doing a lot of business in magical toys, with their best-seller being imported enchanted whizzle-cages, used to hold pymon firebugs as nightlights. When the cages lost their magic in the Apogee Solstice, the firebugs were freed and have now taken over the store.
Oltgar's partner and the majority owner of the store, Drixlitch Ovana approaches and introduces himself, explaining that along with toys made by Oltgar, they also outsource their production to other talented creators throughout Exandria. He hires them to battle not only the firebugs inside, but also his rare pet craskkalid, a cute-looking glow worm used as the mascot on the store's sign, which has left its larval stage and is now much more dangerous. It is in his room on the second floor. He offers the group a total of 500 gold pieces to clean up both the firebugs and the craskkalid, although he would like at least some of the firebugs left alive but contained. Fearne convinces Oltgar to pay them 500 gold apiece, and Drixlitch gives them the key to the bedroom.
As they enter, Chetney drops invisibility to start a Crimson Rite, while FRIDA accidentally-on-purpose kicks Drixlitch's cane and pickpockets his whole keyring in the ensuing confusion. When Drixlitch leaves, Chetney sneaks next to him and slices his calf slightly with his chisel, using a Brand of Castigation. Imogen reads Oltgar's thoughts and learns he hates Drixlitch, who has crushed the spirits of all the workers in the shop. Deanna offers his some breakfast (kept warm inside FCG), which he gratefully accept. The party enters the shop, Chetney sneaking past Oltgar unseen.
Break[]
- Update on the Critical Role Foundation.
- Trailer for the new Midst Podcast.
- Trailer for Till the Last Gasp, a 2-player storytelling game of duels, now in all Critical Role shops and Darrington Press Guild stores.
- Merch Alert! Pop Pop t-shirt and Bells Hells puzzle in the US shop only; Ashton Greymoore leggings, Calamity woven blanket, Yasha Nydoorin slash-sleeve sweatshirt, Critical Role dice tome rolling tray, and Critical Role pullover hoodie in all five shops.
- Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition Volume 1 is scheduled to release in September 2023.
- Wizkids Critical Role Unpainted Miniatures Wave 4 available now.
- 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 does ASMR to promote Critical Role Twitch subscriptions.
Part II[]
Inside, the shop is slightly singed but brightly decorated with modern toys. Although everyone else thought Oltgar was sympathetic, Chetney is still angry at him. Suddenly, about a hundred glowing coin-sized pymon firebugs swarm into the space and hang near the ceiling, buzzing. Deanna communicates with them using Speak with Small Beasts and attracts them to her, aided with some honey. They find a small wooden box, move the honey into it, and attract about half the swarm there, but Chetney realizes the firebugs like to eat wood plus they grow warm enough when agitated to potentially set wood on fire. Imogen uses Telekinesis to move all the beetles into a compact ball and Fearne attempts to create an Air Bubble around them, but it pops and the now-agitated and flaming firebugs attack.
Imogen is able to contain those in the room they are in with Telekinesis again, but FCG discovers that an adjoining room holds more firebugs. A Shatter from Chetney (using Turmoil) takes out about a third of them but the party learns that the more the insects are attacked, the hotter they get. Deanna tries to calm both swarms by casting Blindness on them, but it only seems to make matters worse, and a third swarm appears from upstairs. FCG uses Compulsion on one swarm, while Imogen uses Telekinesis to move one swarm into a Snare created by Fearne, removing it from the battle and holding it safely. FRIDA gets the final hit on another swarm with Guiding Bolt, but Chetney discovers two more upstairs and turns into a werewolf. Fearne casts another Snare and FCG uses a Spiritual Weapon in the form of a flyswatter to knock the last downstairs swarm into it. Moving upstairs, Imogen uses Telekinesis to move a bench and squash one swarm with it, and FRIDA wipes out the last swarm with their blunderbuss.
Fan art of Deanna and the craskkalid, by Savs Creates.[art 2]
That leaves the craskkalid. There is a locked door upstairs that Chetney suspects may be Drixlitch's. Although Imogen points out they have the keys, Chetney breaks down the door with his scythe. Inside, there is a litter of organic material like an opened cocoon but they see nothing. Experimentally, Deanna casts Dawn, lighting the room up and exposing the giant multi-legged insect on the ceiling, which is damaged by the radiant energy and drops to the floor, attacking.
The creature has multiple attacks that hit hard and can grapple with its claws, but the party is able to quickly damage it significantly. When it begins bleeding, those close to it are also subject to fire damage from the blood. Fearne is grappled, but FRIDA wounds it enough to make it drop her. Fearne then casts Polymorph on the creature, turning it back into its cute, tiny larval stage. Fearne then proposes enticing Drixlitch back into the house to "deal with it". They search the room and the desk, finding receipts tying the shop to child labor sweatshops in Shadycreek Run, and documents forged in Oltgar's name that would bequeath the company to Drixlitch if Oltgar died. Chetney points out if they leave the baby there to kill Drixlitch, it could also kill others, including Oltgar.
Fan art of Fearne and the craskkalid, by Elaine Tipping.[art 3]
Fearne swaddles the worm like a baby and holds it. The others search the room, finding prototypes for mechanical toys, an enchanting kit, and some fingerless gloves. Chetney realizes through his Brand of Castigation that Drixlitch is over a mile away. He asks Imogen to help him talk to Oltgar and she agrees, but won't help him kill him. They all suddenly realize Fearne is still there with the worm and tell her to run to the entrance as the Polymorph is approaching its time limit. Once outside, she throws the worm down a small cliff but it transforms back into adult form and pursues her. The city guards see her frantically running toward them and shoot the creature, killing it. Meanwhile, the rest of the party safely stores the snared firebugs in secure metal boxes.
Fan art of Oltgar with Chetney, by Jenny Dolfen.[art 4]
Outside, Chetney confronts Oltgar, who still bears the scar of Chetney's attack. Chetney half-heartedly apologizes for stabbing him, but is still angry that Oltgar forgot the value of their craftsmanship. He tells Oltgar that Drixlitch is screwing him over and shows him the documents they found. Chetney suggests Oltgar sell everything to Drixlitch and go elsewhere to start fresh, creating classic toys. Oltgar denies knowing anything about the child labor and admits he has lost his way. Maybe he and his employees would be better off starting over somewhere else. He has messed up. Chetney tries to bring himself to forgive him, but Oltgar cuts him off, saying he doesn't deserve it yet. Chetney suggest he go buy eight or nine goats and a used sleigh, and Oltgar replies that he thinks maybe he should make toys for all the kids of Exandria. Fearne suggests heading north, and it sounds good to Oltgar. At Chetney's request, she burns Oltgar's desk. FRIDA gives Chetney some scraps of fine wood they scavenged earlier from the wrecked furniture.
They all travel down the Auger Trail toward their noontime appointment with the King and Queen of the Diarchy of Uthodurn.
Featured characters[]
Bells Hells
Returning
New
Mentioned
- Catlyn Delafin
- Imathan Talviel
- Jaquoby Macyl
- Marney, Deanna's daughter
- Ressia Uvesic
- Simone Fruunast
Quotations[]
- Imogen: I feel like this is the first time anyone's ever looked at us and liked it.
- FCG: (to FRIDA) You're so interesting and so confident. And you've got legs and you know how to use them. In battle, you didn't seem afraid. I'm just so interested-- I'm intrigued, that's all. I really like you.
FRIDA: I really like you. - FCG: Enemy and friend both feature the letter E. So there's a lot of commonality there.... I think N also. E N.
- FRIDA: Maybe children want to play with something more quality rather than quantity.
Fearne: Yeah, they want to play with something that doesn't have magic, that just kind of sits there. [...]
Imogen: No, no, Chet made me a horse that moves. Sort of, kind of, not really. - Chetney: (to Oltgar) Do me a favor. Go up to the Gruffside Livery at the top of the disc. Maybe get like seven or eight goats and a used sleigh and make sure you get your ass out of town. Maybe a ninth, but make sure it knows its way.
- Oltgar: I wish you all well, and to all--
Aabria: Don't you do it.
Oltgar: A good day! - FCG: Well, come on Imogen. On FRIDA. On Mister and Fearne. On Chetney, on Deanna. On myself. We'll watch it burn. To the bottom of the citadel, to the top of the wall--
Deanna and Fearne: 'Til the sweat drops down!
Inventory[]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crafted | 1 | Fake beard | Deanna | Chetney | |
| Pickpocketed | 1 | Drixlitch's keyring | Drixlitch | FRIDA | |
| Acquired | some | Prototype mechanical toys |
Drixlitch's room FCG |
FCG Oltgar |
|
| Acquired | 1 | Enchanting kit | Drixlitch's room | Chetney | Designed for small-scale enchantments. |
| Acquired | 1 pair | Fine fingerless leather and scale gloves | Drixlitch's room | Chetney | |
| Acquired | 1 | Emerald green chair | Drixlitch's room | FRIDA | |
| Acquired | 400 | Platinum pieces | Oltgar | The party | FCG gave their 666 gold share to Chetney and FRIDA gave theirs to Deanna. |
Trivia[]
- Sam's jerrycan has a picture of a young Matt reading a menu at Chuck E. Cheese.[1]
- There are many, many references in this episode to the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas") by Clement Clarke Moore.
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of FRIDA's dream, by Cha Cha Rae (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Deanna and the craskkalid, by Savs Creates (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Fearne and the craskkalid, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Oltgar with Chetney, by Jenny Dolfen (source). Used with permission.
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