Critical Recap: Critical Role C4E01 “The Fall of Thjazi Fang”

Hello and welcome to Critical Recap! I’m Dani Carr, the Critical Role Lore Keeper. Let’s dive into Critical Role Campaign 4 Episode 1 The Fall of Thjazi Fang!

THE EXECUTION

On a gloomy day in the city of Dol-Makjar in the land of Kahad in the world of Araman, noted war hero of the Falconer’s Rebellion and mercenary of the Torn Banner Thjazi Fang is set to be executed by the Chamber of the Lords-Advisory. Arcane Marshal Azune Nayar (he/him, played by Luis Carazo), a human paladin/sorcerer, inspects Thjazi for any magical glyphs. He finds one on Thjazi’s back and magically tells Thjazi its location – Azune, as a friend of Thjazi’s and former comrade-in-arms, is part of a small group of people attempting to save Thjazi’s life.

Thjazi is taken to the gallows, where he is declared a traitor, arcanist, and murderer. As his crimes are listed, he magically talks to his brother, Halandil Fang (he/him, played by Liam O’Brien), an orc bard, who is in the gathered crowd of people. The two banter, but Thjazi’s demeanor changes when he sees something in the sky. He tells Hal to help Murray at the Penteveral, that paint is waiting for him with Bolaire, and to tell Thimble not to be scared. For his last words, he cheers the future fall of the false authority that condemns him now.

Thjazi Fang is hanged.

FARRAMH

In his home in the Rookery, Hal readies farramh for his beloved brother. His daughter, Shadia, and members of his theatre troupe assist him. Farramh is an orcish custom, in which the body is placed in a state of viewing for loved ones to pay their respects. Among the first to arrive are Thaisha Lloy (she/her, played by Aabria Iyengar), an orc druid and follower of the Old Path, and her young friend Occtis Tachonis (he/him, played by Alexander Ward), a human necromantic wizard studying at the Penteveral and estranged son of House Tachonis.

Thaisha has long been close to the Fang family, as she is the ex-partner of Hal and mother of their daughter Shadia and son Alogar. Occtis has a familiar named Pincushion, an undead fox made of other foxes. Thaisha and Occtis were part of the group attempting to save Thjazi, but realized something went array when he and his wagon never arrived at their rendezvous point. Azune arrives with Thjazi’s body and the viewing begins.

Soon, Teor Pridesire (he/him, played by Travis Willingham), a nama paladin, and Commander Loza Blade — both of the Torn Banner — arrive to pay their respects. Loza, Teor, Azune, and Thjazi all served together in the Falconer’s Rebellion. Loza reminisces about how Thjazi, a child of the common folk, grew up to marry a noblewoman and then join a rebellion against her house. Thjazi lived a life on his own terms.

THE CANDESCENT CREED

Arriving as emissaries of House Halovar are Wicander Halovar (he/him, played by Sam Riegel), a human cleric and scion of his house and Aspirant Tyranny (she/her, played by Whitney Moore), a demon warlock and assistant to Wick. Wick is devoted to the religion of his house, the Candescent Creed, which worships the Light. Wick has brought Thjazi’s scimitar and apologizes to Hal that he wasn’t able to successfully intercede to save Thjazi’s life.

Wick recalls speaking to his grandmother, Photarch Yanessa Halovar, before the execution. Though he quoted from the Creed itself and begged for forgiveness for Thjazi, Yanessa said that Thjazi had to die and ignored Wick’s wishes. Wick is the future of the Creed and the Halovar family, so these are lessons he must learn. Tyranny is one of several demons working for the Halovar’s, including her sister Enmity, who works for Wick’s father Godard.

Tyranny begins drinking at the funeral, as she is a new soul in the realm and is learning the world every day. She isn’t a big fan of Wick, but likes teasing him. Hal ponders the deed that he was given by House Halovar to the dithyramb of Azgra while Thaisha drunkenly explains to Tyranny that she and Hal fell in love when they were teenagers, but that she felt a call to the world due to the beauty of Hal’s art.

SAVING THIMBLE

Occtis and Azune question where the chain of Thjazi’s rescue fell apart. Azune reveals that Teor’s brother, Tal’cydimir, was part of the chain. They leave to find Thimble (she/her, played by Laura Bailey), a fairy rogue and Thjazi’s best friend. They arrive at Thjazi’s apartment in the Tanners, where they discover that it has been heavily ransacked and Thimble is near death. Thimble’s life flashes before her eyes: she is a fairy from Tír Cruthú, the land of Faerie. She recalls the day ten years ago when the doors to Faerie closed and she began aging.

Teor heals Thimble and she reveals that thieves barged into the room when she was finishing up the glyph. The plan was that Thimble would bring Thjazi the escape glyph, Azune was to throw the magic scan, former member of the Torn Banner Casimir was to provide a trick wagon driven by Cyd to Thaisha and Occtis, who would spirit Thjazi out of Dol-Makjar. But Thimble was attacked and couldn’t deliver her glyph. Whatever Azune detected wasn’t the right glyph.

To the entire group’s surprise, a new individual enters the apartment — Kattigan Vale (he/him, played by Robbie Daymond), a human ranger with a wolf named Wulferic. He is drunk, but has followed Teor and Azune since the execution, having recognized them from their time together in the Torn Banner. Kattigan casts clue and learns that 7 masked people entered, 3 were killed by Thimble, crow feathers were left behind, and something was stolen. Thimble realizes that the stolen item was the Stone of Nightsong, an elven relic that she and Thjazi stole recently. Someone with connections to the Crow Keeper thieves guild betrayed Thjazi.

ENEMIES & LOVERS

Back at the Rookery, Bolaire Lathalia (he/him, played by Taliesin Jaffe), a warlock and museum curator, arrives, mainly here to see his best friend Hal. Hal’s second daughter, Hero, arrives with her mother Elodie. Wick admonishes Tyranny for her drunken ruckus, endearing her a little more to him, and gives Thjazi’s scimitar to Hal.

Next to arrive are Thjazi’s grieving widow, Aranessa Royce, and her friend Sir Julien Davinos (he/him, played by Matthew Mercer), a human fighter with a deep hatred for Thjazi. Julien is known as the man who brought Thjazi to heel. Aranessa regrets not standing by Thjazi during the Falconer’s Rebellion, having always deeply loved him. Inside, Loza tells Wick that she is retiring and wants Teor to become his bodyguard. Wick and Tyranny depart when Aranessa and Julien enter, as Arenessa is upset with House Halovar, who refused to see her. House Tachonis and House Halovar are allies and their power grows while House Royce’s power wanes.

Murray Mag’Nesson (she/her, played by Marisha Ray), a dwarven wizard at the Penteveral, arrives late. Her chaotic entrance distracts the others, allowing Julien to privately admonish Thjazi and spit on his corpse. Thaisha demands to talk with Julien and Bolaire notices a shadow follow Julien: a superstition of protection has been breached and now something dark has latched onto him. Thaisha calls Julien a traitor, who taunts her by mentioning his training of her son Alogar.

NIGHTFALL

As night falls in Dol-Makjar, a severe and intimidating elf in mourning arrives, seeking Thjazi. This is Vaelus (she/her, played by Ashley Johnson), an 800 year old elven paladin of the deceased goddess of life, Sylandri. She demands a return of her property, something that Thjazi stole — the Stone of Nightsong. Bolaire (who secretly let Vaelus into the city) knows this stone was created by Sylandri for her children, the elves. They are immortal, but to those who did die of injury or by accident, to assist their spirits in traveling through the Tenebral Reaches (the underworld) on their way to their afterlife with her in the Garden of the Spirit. The stone was crafted after the original guardian, a nightingale, was killed in the Shapers’ War.

No one knows where the stone is, but Thaisha recalls a silver box that Thjazi had her and Occtis bring him on their last trip. She and Hal go upstairs to find it. Downstairs, Vaelus asks where Thimble is. At the mention of her name, the silver box flies open. Broken ceramic tiles within form a mask that looks very similar to Bolaire’s.

That is it for Episode 1 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Welcome to Araman! The Shapers (the gods) were killed 70 years ago. This is a world with haywire magic that is now figuring itself out in the wake of dead gods.
• The Sundered Houses are the 5 Houses in the Chamber of the Lords-Advisory: Royce, Tachonis, Halovar, Einfasen, and Cormoray.
• Thjazi Fang – brother of Hal Fang, husband of Aranessa, best friend to Thimble, fellow soldier to Thimble, Teor, Azune, and Kattigan, enemy of Julien and Vaelus, newer friend of Murray, former brother-in-law to Thaisha, youthful mentor to Occtis, and thorn of House Halovar as represented by Wick and Tyranny.
• Thaisha referred to Occtis as her son, despite him definitely not being her son. Interesting.
• Whatever else you do, just give! The stone! Back! To Vaelus!

Anyway, catch Episode 2 of Critical Role: Campaign 4 on Thursday, October 9th at 7pm Pacific on beacon.tv, where Beacon members get access to the entire episode, podcast included! The episode will also release on twitch.tv/criticalrole and on youtube.com/criticalrole and in two parts on our podcast. Is it Thursday yet?