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Under the Arch Heart's Eye

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"Under the Arch Heart's Eye" (3x107) is the one hundred seventh episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells endure rocky combat and fey wiles within a temple of the Arch Heart, but come face to face with a surprising eavesdropper with plans of their own...

Synopsis[]

Announcements[]

  • Tonight's sponsor is Thorum, makers of fine jewelry using unexpected materials. Marisha's face shrank due to an allergic reaction to knock-off jewelry, and Robbie translates her mumblings urging viewers to use code "Critical Role".
  • Fearne Calloway's Fey Fantasy: A Coloring Adventure from Insight Editions, now available for pre-order.
  • Lots of fall programming announcements dropped this week! Catch up on YouTube or critrole.com.
  • Tickets still available for A Daggerheart Critmas Story Live in Camden, NJ on 7 December 2024.

Previously on Critical Role[]

Sorrowlord by Tyler Walpole

Official art of the Sorrowlord wielding his blade, by Tyler Walpole.[art 1]

So, last we left off, Bells Hells, after receiving formal titles from the Voice of the Tempest amongst the many movers and shakers of Exandria who are gathered in the center of Vasselheim to decide how to tackle the threat of Ludinus, the Vanguard, and all that seems to be emerging dangerously from the red moon Ruidus. You all heard word that one of Ludinus' simulacra is traveling with the Sorrowlord Zathuda to connect with the Unseelie Court for some semblance of an additional plot that hadn't been considered. Gathering your things, you all headed out to the Fey Realm, meeting up with Nana Morri. There in the Ligament Manor, you gathered your thoughts, your plans, and set out to the Shrine of Gilded Gifts, and abandoned temple in the center of an abandoned fey city where this meeting was to take place. As you carefully infiltrated the surroundings of this temple, you caught the arrival of both the dark fey Unseelie emissary and its surrounding guard, and Ludinus, the Sorrowlord, and his terrifying dragon, Gloamglut.

After quietly, with the aid of Ira Wendagoth, the Nightmare King who you called from his hiding spot on Ruidus to help you, you quietly wiped out the entirety of the exterior guard without being noticed, and upon surrounding the exterior of the massive temple grounds, immediately brought to life the stone statue of the Arch Heart in the middle of this Arch Heart temple to distract them. In that chaos, Fearne, you rushed in and turned one of the two central pillars of this temple floor into mud, which cracked some of the structural foundation of this temple, and left two of the three emissary figures from the Unseelie held and restrained within the now muck-filled quicksand floor.

Part I[]

Roll initiative!

Laudna's new form of dread - Dim

Fan art of Laudna's new Form of Dread, by Dim.[art 2]

As the battle begins, only Fearne is visible to the party's opponents. Far above on the roof, Laudna casts Mirror Image on herself and assumes her Form of Dread. Chetney puts his Brand of Castigation on Fearne and gives her Ludinus' notes from the Bag of Holding, while Braius gives her a painting of herself to inspire her, and Dorian puts a Forcecage around her. Ludinus's simulacrum attempts to Power Word Stun Fearne, but is Counterspelled by Laudna. On her turn, Fearne very convincingly tells Sorrowlord Zathuda that Ludinus is betraying him and they need to talk, but Gloamglut and he both attack and wound Laudna and Imogen. Imogen Misty Steps into Gloamglut's now-empty saddle and attempts to control him.

Laudna uses her Void Puppet against Zathuda, then casts Blight on him for serious damage. Chetney and Braius each meanwhile move on Ludinus, both also doing serious damage. Ira Wendagoth uses a Legendary Action to attack and wound the Sorrowlord. Ashton starts a Time Rage and attacks the simulacrum, breaking his concentration on a held Dimension Door and getting the How do you want to do this?. However, as it disappears the simulacrum explodes causing serious damage in a 30 foot radius not only to Ashton, Braius, and Chetney, but to the already damaged pillar holding up the ceiling.

Fearne summons Little Mister and uses Fiery Teleportation to reach the Unseelie emissary and tell him very persuasively that Ludinus has been secretly killing fey to extract their power and extend his life... and she has proof. Gloamglut uses his dark fire gaze against those surrounding him, including the emissary, but Zathuda lowers his blade, saying that with Ludinus now gone, they have similar goals and should align their interests. He leaps down to the confused emissary and tells him Ludinus himself has never been worth following, but his plans should be continued and Zathuda's daughter Fearne may be the key. Fearne shows the emissary Ludinus' notebook, and Zathuda claims he's been working with Ludinus partially to keep an eye on him. While he agrees with his goals, Ludinus should be destroyed, and Fearne's destiny awaits as She Who Ate the Gods. Zathuda will return to the Bloody Bridge, continue to cooperate with Ludinus and participate with the Unseelie army in the coming battle, and when the moment is right, slay Ludinus.

The party is horrified and discusses this proposal telepathically, worried that the fey army is still coming to the battle even if Zathuda can remove Ludinus. Braius tells Zathuda that this won't work for them. Fearne doesn't think the gods should be killed, and doesn't know what to do, but she knows she doesn't want to be a queen, or a vessel for Predathos. The emissary says that the Unseelie wish to unshackle themselves from the nature that was thrust upon them, and they have invested much time and energy into her. Is it true she has no interest in their plans and goals? Zathuda assures him she's close, and she'll learn. Chetney telepathically suggests possibly playing this from the inside, but Braius feels this may be the time to get these guys. The group is torn as both plans have merit but both are dangerous.

Zathuda summons Gloamglut, and he and the emissary climb onto the dragon's back. Fearne starts scritching Gloamglut, and whispers privately to Zathuda that she would like to learn-- please show her. Imogen suddenly casts Psychic Lance on the Sorrowlord, incapacitating him. Orym immediately uses Grasping Vines to grasp the emissary and pull him to Orym, with Laudna's Silvery Barbs help.

Ira's nightmare form - Ed Palhares

Fan art of Ira's nightmare form, by Ed Palhares.[art 3]

With a new initiative order, battle recommences. Orym uses Seedling to do non-lethal damage on the emissary, knocking him out. Imogen casts Psychic Lance on Zathuda incapacitating him again, and Gloamglut grabs the emissary, tail attacking Orym and striking the damaged pillar, causing further cracking and the temple to begin to collapse. Fearne tries and fails to climb onto Gloamglut, while Chetney uses his Boots of Speed to dash out of the collapsing temple. Braius Thunderwaves Fearne up onto Gloamglut's back with her father. Ashton rages and dashes to the doorway, and Dorian picks up the unconscious emissary and Dimension Doors them both outside the temple. Ira takes his nightmare form, leaping onto Gloamglut and attacking Zathuda. Laudna uses her Void Puppet on the Sorrowlord, then casts Disintegrate on him using Silvery Barbs to succeed and do massive damage, following up with Eldritch Blast.

Gloamglut uses his Legendary Actions for a wing attack on Imogen, Fearne, and Ira, knocking them off his back and causing damage. Orym is unhit by the wing, and Gloamglut uses a Legendary Resistance to evade his Grasping Vines so Orym slashes him. Imogen uses Telekinesis to pull Zathuda off Gloamglut's back, dropping him for fall damage that knocks him out, and she Misty Steps toward the door. Gloamglut flies out through the hole in the ceiling as the temple starts collapsing, Ira Dimension Doors, and Laudna runs outside. Imogen uses the Telekinesis on Zathuda to pull him towards her as Fearne dashes and uses Fiery Teleportation to move down the hallway toward the door. Braius (smashing an image of the Arch Heart on the temple floor as he goes) runs for the door, pulling the Sorrowlord with him, and Orym dashes and uses Grasping Vines to get as far into the hallway as he can as well.

Outside, Ashton hits Chetney to use his Singularity Assault ability, creating a gravity well that pulls everyone in the hall 30 feet toward it. This gets everyone out except Braius, Imogen, and the unconscious Zathuda, who are trapped in the hallway as the temple collapses on top of them.

Break[]

Part II[]

The party begins pulling rocks out of what used to be the temple hallway. Dorian, standing over the unconscious but stable emissary, casts Hypnotic Pattern on the two guards to convince them the emissary is fine as he ties him up. Inside, Braius and Imogen are lying, covered in stone but within a force field-like bubble keeping them safe. In total darkness, they feel the stone around them shift and pull back as the temple of the Arch Heart slowly reconstructs itself. The others watch in awe, and Laudna runs into the hallway to find and hold Imogen. The air around them all seems to fill with force as they sense a presence nearby and see a small golden light from the rebuilt tabernacle within. They realize Zathuda is bleeding out, so with a prayer to the Platinum Dragon, Braius stabilizes him with a medicine check. Dorian then carries the emissary with him as they all walk within the temple, toward the glimmering light.

As they enter the main room, the bits and pieces of the shattered statue of the Arch Heart gather themselves and re-form, its head slowly turning to look down on them, and specifically at Braius, who realizes that he smashed the Arch Heart's face with his hoof as they ran. The Arch Heart clicks their fingers and the roof opens, and all of them seem to experience the frightening moment of their births. They find themselves in a beautiful field under the stars, with a naked figure painted with constellations standing before them, beckoning Braius forward. The god asks who is Braius' family, and he responds he has none but is seeking one. The Arch Heart tells him if he swears fealty to him, he'll let him live, and Braius refuses, saying he is sworn to another. The god only laughs and welcomes them to his home.

The Arch Heart - @vertigospirit

Fan art of the Arch Heart, by @vertigospirit.[art 4]

The party shares that they saw the fall of Aeor and all of the gods' participation in it. Orym tells him that another mortal, Ludinus Da'leth, also saw this and plans to share it with all mortals, and to free Predathos once more. Orym fears disturbing the current balance, and the Arch Heart admits he fears it too, but something inside tells him the balance must be broken. Laudna reminds him that in Aeor he had admitted being curious about oblivion, but the god says he no longer wants to die. He has, however, noticed that mortals continue to rebel, even with the gods in voluntary exile behind the Divine Gate. Suddenly, the Arch Heart notices the primordial shard within Ashton and Fearne, and draws back, saying this changes a lot of things. He is fascinated.

Ashton angrily demands to know what the gods want, telling the Arch Heart they rebel because the gods won't let go, but the god responds that's exactly what he wants: to let go. He's bored, and tired, and wants his whole family to let go. The question is, how? The Divine Gate isn't working, and death is off the table. The Arch Heart, however, sees an opportunity here. He asks what they know of being a vessel, and Laudna says she knows quite a bit. The god points out she is now in control of this other entity. He says there is one other besides him who wants to let go of Exandria, but refuses to say who. The rest of the gods, however, are trying to decide whether or not to intervene, and they are now very close to another Calamity because the gods are afraid for their lives. The Arch Heart sees this as incredibly selfish, and sees the solution as being what Ludinus desires. Either Fearne or Imogen could become the vessel, control Predathos, and chase the gods away. Predathos is hungry, but all it wishes is the Arch Heart's family, the gods. The only way mortals can flourish is if the gods aren't constantly available to be called upon in emergencies, and the only way the gods will leave is if they have something to fear.

The Arch Heart doesn't know what would happen to the vessel, but proposes that if they care about family, sacrifices must be made. If they move too slowly, the Calamity will be repeated. Dorian asks how it feels to be in fear of death, because it seems like he's asking them to find the courage to fight for the gods while the gods cut and run. The deity denies looking down on them, saying he finds their power fascinating. Ashton asks what happens to the gods' powers if they leave, whether it will be claimed by the next mortal powerful enough to ascend, but the Arch Heart doesn't really seem to know. Chetney asks if it is true two of the gods were eaten by Predathos before it was encapsulated, and is told yes, and then asks if the Arch Heart has talked about this with Ludinus. The god denies it, saying Ludinus is power hungry, but he has a feeling things will balance themselves out because they always have.

Currently, the gods are waiting for the big battle, planning to step in at a climactic moment. Braius suggests the gods feed Predathos one of themselves instead, but the others, particularly Imogen, thinks the god-eater is too hungry to be satisfied with one. The Arch Heart is absolutely sure Predathos will not turn on mortals, finding them too small to notice. But if they do nothing, the fight will happen on Exandria. Braius wants to know if all the gods would leave, worried about Asmodeus. Intrigued, the Arch Heart asks if he would do this for his god, and Braius would, if asked. Suddenly, behind the Arch Heart, the stars form into a horned being who speaks to Braius, asking if he would do this for him. Braius is suspicious, and the Arch Heart drops the image. Laudna asks how they can be sure a new Calamity will not happen even if they follow the god's plan. How can he be sure the gods will run rather than fight? The Arch Heart is sure, but Orym tells him others of the gods seem very ready to fight.

Eventually, the Arch Heart admits their questions are valid and he doesn't have the answers. That's what's so exciting. He is simply suggesting that they act before the gods expect, and he has a feeling it will work. And they must decide (and act) quickly. Dorian is willing to do this if they can unleash Predathos but control it, and also get rid of the gods. He will never care for the gods, but he'll make a deal with them. Ashton is also in, and Laudna wants to know how the gods would help them, but the Arch Heart admits he can't. When Laudna points out Orym got a fancy sword from his god, Orym denies having a god. The Arch Heart reaches into the sky, pulling down a star and as they approach they can feel its power, and see a gaunt female human face with eyes burning with intensity, whispering to itself like a mantra, or a wish. When Imogen approaches, she hears repeated over and over: "I wish the knowledge... the weapon...I want everyone to see it..." and she recognizes the face as Selena Erenves. At the Arch Heart's direction, Imogen plucks a strand of the star's hair, which spools around her finger as the star unthreads with a sigh of relief, and the hair forms into a ring. As the star explodes into light and nothingness, Laudna sees the mask of the Matron of Ravens and hears her voice whisper, "Come find me."

As the party awakens, back on the cold stone floor of the temple, Imogen realizes the golden ring is still around her finger.

Featured characters[]

Returning

Mentioned

Quotations[]

  • Zathuda: Ludinus deserves nothing. He's a brilliant mind without true vision, brilliance locked within a damaged soul who's been trantruming for a thousand years. But your destiny awaits, as she who ate the gods, inferno embrace and caster of the deepest shadows. You are the future, Fearne Calloway, Lady Fearne Zathuda.
  • Zathuda: (about Fearne) She knows there's something in her that wants out. Something that takes what it wants. Something that wants to grab and feel unbridled. True freedom. A wild power within. A hunger for something. She'll learn.
  • Dorian: Fearme, when you think of the word "father", who do you think of?
    Fearne: (long pause) Nana Morri.
  • Braius: I feel that there are more important things than life. Who you swear your allegiance to, who you consider your family, who takes care of you in your worst times: those matter more than the fleeting life of a mortal. So no, I will not pledge myself to you, for I am already pledged to another, and he would not be happy with me nor you were he to be betrayed. Again.
    The Arch Heart: (laughing) So close. So close. I thought I had you, but I didn't.
  • The Arch Heart: He will not turn on humanity.
    Fearne: How do you know?
    The Arch Heart: Because you are nothing to Predathos. You are simply specks of dust to Predathos.
    Orym: I step on ants every day because I don't know they're there. I'm a little worried about the same thing. Lord.

Inventory[]

Adjustment Count Item Source Destination Notes
Transferred Ludinus' notes Bag of Holding Fearne Chetney handed them to her and told her to use them.
Transferred Painting of Fearne Braius Fearne The painting gave Fearne bardic inspiration.
Acquired Dusk Hunger Sorrowlord Zathuda Ashton
Crafted
Transferred		 Ring of Remembrance The Arch Heart Imogen Created from a strand of the Arch Heart's hair caught by Selena Erenves in her star form.

Trivia[]

  • Sam's Stanley cup reads: "NANA, U UP?"[1]
  • Marisha's fan is back, saying "Shadow Daddy ???"[2]; it comes in very handy.
  • The hair from which the Ring of Remembrance was created relates to the Arch Heart's final scene in "Downfall: Part Three" (3x101), where he twirls a strand of his hair around his finger and then throws it, just before departing.[3]

References[]

  1. ↑ See "Under the Arch Heart's Eye" (3x107) at 1:37:10.
  2. ↑ See "Under the Arch Heart's Eye" (3x107) from 2:11:50 through 2:12:50.
  3. ↑ See "Downfall: Part Three" (3x101) at 6:02:19.  The full scene reads:
    THE ARCH HEART: I mean, they're our children after all. Got to go out there, do their own thing. It's what we did.
    THE DAWNFATHER: Not to see them. Not to stand by their side. Not to be there day after day.
    THE ARCH HEART: Yeah. Yeah. But that's what makes it so great. It makes those moments really last. Besides, we'll always be there in some way, shape, or form, the same way that they will always be with us. Like a scar. With that, I'm going to take a strand of my hair, twirl it in my finger, and throw it. We'll always be here.

Art:

  1. ↑ Official art of the Sorrowlord wielding his blade, by Tyler Walpole (source). Used with permission.
  2. ↑ Fan art of Laudna's new Form of Dread, by Dim (source). Used with permission.
  3. ↑ Fan art of Ira's nightmare form, by Ed Palhares (source). Used with permission.
  4. ↑ Fan art of the Arch Heart, by @vertigospirit (source). Used with permission.
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 6 episodes
<< Arc 5: Downfall Campaign Three Arc 6
"Reconciliation" (3x102) • "Cages" (3x103) • "The Cradle's Convocation" (3x104) • "Collecting Legends" (3x105) • "Unseelie Interrupted" (3x106) • "Under the Arch Heart's Eye" (3x107)
"Looming" (3x108) • "A Test of Fate" (3x109)
v • d • e
Campaign Three Arc 6
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