Critical Recap: Critical Role C4E27 “Complicated Questions”

Hello and welcome to Critical Recap! I’m Dani Carr, the Critical Role Senior Lore Keeper. Let’s dive into Critical Role Campaign 4 Episode 27 Complicated Questions!

COMPARING NOTES

Murray and Bolaire drive to the Hallowed Round, secreting the Soldiers in their wagon. They search for the Pariah Blades, but they’re currently being used by the troupe to drum up admission. Olgud will make sure Shadia brings the foils home tonight. Olgud also found the box of wigs with lice, so he washed the wigs. Which means the coffin of Olbelad was opened. Thimble learns that the Crow Keepers have been effectively dismantled, and Olgud promises her that he will have a fairy door backstage, despite the Creed’s disapproval. The group then heads to Hal’s.

Slowly, each group arrives at Hal’s home in the Rookery – Schemer, Seeker, and Soldier. Thimble and Occtis reunite, and Thimble warns Tyranny to stay away from him. They update each other on their travels and intrigues. Whatever Thjazi has planned, it will happen at the Hallowed Round at Hal’s play, and opening night is tomorrow. Murray questions if Thjazi was working against or for the Sundered Houses, upsetting Thimble. Bolaire reminds them all that Thjazi was no saint, and Hal agrees that Thjazi left unanswered questions.

Thjazi’s paint was rendered from celestial blood at Knife and Palette Pigments. Wick explains a bit about how Yanessa makes Filament: using the blood of an angel. Sounds like the Tachonis wanted a celestial of their own, via Occtis. Wick’s faith is completely shaken. Thaisha recalls the well of orc blood in Tannesar, where she found a feather and Dol-Makjar treats. She questions if the paint is truly made of celestial blood, and maybe it was orcish instead. So that would mean the blood was commissioned to thwart the Houses.

FANG FRIEND OR FANG FOE

Thjazi saw a falcon before he died, most likely Mara the Wing, a druid stuck in that form. Thimble recalls a line from the letter to Thjazi, which mentions wings leading a charge across the border. Maybe it referred to the borders of the underworld. The letter mentions the damage of their first attempt – did they try this before? Thimble recalls hearing Thjazi yell at Mara about finding anchors the day the doors to Faerie shut to protect from necrotic energy. Primus must be trying to steal or destroy the path.

Hal struggles with keeping the theatre open with these questions. How much can they trust Thjazi? Either the paint will stop a ritual or help a ritual. Would Thjazi risk five thousand lives if more would be saved? Bolaire thinks he would. They discuss the Sea Gate, which they connect to the Sea of Lachris. That’s the door to the underworld, where Primus aims to sail.

Why would the Houses kill Thjazi if he was working for them? Occtis reminds them that the only hinge that connects Thjazi’s plan to the Houses is the Stone of Nightsong. Objects can shift intention depending on what someone wants to do with it. Vaelus will not allow anyone to take the Stone from her. Occtis shows Murray the Kibbenimkedaz and the gems they found. Murray examines them, leveling up as she considers the intention of objects and how the Tachonis used these gems for ill.

WHAT WE BECAME

The Magpie mercenaries are at the ready, so each of them must be read. Today, Murray will meet with King Gus. Hal will meet with the Photarch. Wick will go to the Knife and Palette to meet with the mysterious mistress. Then, they will heal Teor’s brother of his petrification. They all begin to separate to their tasks, but first Julien talks with Thimble, telling her that her brother is okay. Values considers taking the Stone back to the Abbey, but she keeps an eye on Occtis.

Azune pulls Murray and Thimble aside, his lies weighing on him. He panics about his meeting with Einfasen, wanting to bring Demodus against Murray’s advice. He begs Thimble to remember him as the boy he once was, not the liar he became. Murray comforts him, reminding him that he is a good person and his light isn’t dimmed. Values steps up and commiserates with him over their mourning and the act of remembering.

Murray will talk to Demodus, but she has to be there – she won’t let Demodus walk into a lion’s den. Thimble promises Azune that they are living in a new world. At Varen’s encouragement, Azune decides to join Murray, Occtis, Thimble, and Vaelus in meeting with King Gus.

KOTHER’AI: REVISED

Hal, Thaisha, and Kattigan go to the Villa Aurora. Thaisha gives Kattigan her snake familiar and encourages Hal, telling him she loves him and everything will be fine at his request. When they arrive, Cruelty recognizes Thaisha. The two exchange snide comments until Filoneus arrives with his dogs, Wrath and Judgement. They are brought to a small throne room to meet with Yanessa. She welcomes them, recognizing Thaisha and honoring the Lloy family. Hal introduces Kattigan as a friend of his brother’s and Yanessa welcomes him, saying the Light does not judge his sin.

Yanessa speaks of Wick, believing that he has been captured by Teor Pridesire. Hal is able to keep a straight face, but Kattigan’s reaction to this idea makes her suspicious. Hal reminds her that Wick longed for adventure, and she brings up the play. She has read Wick’s copy of the script and would like some changes. She lists out numerous changes, like the hero Vokjan dying and being reborn, and feeling a spirit move within him that has him yearn for redemption

Thaisha balks at this, but Hal keeps the conversation moving. He is given a stack of notes to be implemented. Yanessa is willing to push back opening night until the play is ready, but Hal promises that he can get everything in shape by the dress rehearsal tonight. Yanessa agrees to send Lady Iris to watch the dress rehearsal to approve the changes.

As they leave, Kattigan hears Yanessa telepathically say that she is here if he needs to talk. He feels like prey beneath her gaze. Thaisha sends her snake to find the angel basement, while Hal vows to put on a sham tonight and perform the real show tomorrow. Yanessa can choke.

THE OLD LAWS

Teor, Julien, Bolaire, Wick, and Tyranny go to the Knife and Palette Pigments. Hollis leads them down to the workshop, delighted to meet Wick and his Aspirant. The workers gawk at Tyranny in particular, with one woman weeping at her presence. Hollis introduces his mistress, Tsul’rekshi, a 12 foot tall figure with a body of mis-matched animal parts – a tiger jaw, wasp eyes, ram’s horns, tiger claws, cloven hooves, a tail, and bat wings. She welcomes Bolaire, whose reputation precedes him. She gives him a massive coin as a token of her favor.

Tsul’rekshi turns her attention to Tyranny, recognizing her as an Aspirant. Her name is not a name of the Pit, but one given to her by her father, Ksha’aravi. The weeping worker, Araq, takes on her demon form. Wick can tell that Araq is a true believer in the Creed. She believes that Tyranny has truly been saved by the Light. Tyranny asks why Tsul’rekshi wants Wick. He is a crack in a perfect prism. She wants a conversation. Bolaire makes her agree to let them leave unharmed. They will exchange one question for another.

Q&A

Tsul’rekshi asks where the Halovar family gets their sorcerous abilities, and Wick answers honestly that it comes from the blood of a tortured celestial. Tyranny asks about the paint, but her question is too broad. Tsul’rekshi requests a drop of blood to redo the question, which Wick gives. She tells him that his power doesn’t come from filament, but from his bloodline. He is an Aasimar, and only partially mortal.

They rephrase their question about the paint, and Tsul’rekshi answers that a client brought blood from the River Gavzidra to her, the blood of Azgra and the river that passes through the Tenebral Reaches to the Dying Fields of Zgratu’uluk (the Rungjani afterlife). This river brought their souls to their afterlife. Azgra condemned the blood of the Rungjani to flow through the river. Tsul’rekshi took the blood and transmuted it, to unmake the evil into something new.

Tsul’rekshi asks how the luxes of the Creed cast spells. Wick genuinely believes it’s the Filament, but Tsul’rekshi thinks their magic comes from somewhere else. Bolaire asks about the blood, and she explains that her clients, Thjazi & Mara, represented The Cloak, a group interested in the arcane and the burgeoning underworld. They swooped in on the Tachonis dig site in Tannesar and found the river font. Mara used her druid magic to hallow the font to draw the blood. She then asks where the angel is, and Wick tells her in the Villa Aurora basement.

Julien nervously asks what would happen if the River Gavzidra came into contact with the Old Path. That already happened, when Mara and Thjazi drew from the river. Tsul’rekshi explains that demons are not anathema to the Old Path. To know life is to know destruction. She considered the curse on the river to be a jailer’s cell, one she was happy to break. She does not know what comes next.

DEMON TO DEMON

Tyranny asks one final question in demonic: she wants advice, explaining that she is tasked with protecting an angel and that she is caught between her nature and her lot in life. Tsul’rekshi tells her that Tyranny is here to hurt people, but there are people who are worth hurting. Her knife is an artifact, both new and old, and it will give her insight into people’s hearts. It was created to punish those who have harmed those who loved them. Tyranny levels up.

As they head out, Tsul’rekshi asks her to tell Ksha’aravi that she said hi. Bolaire promises his friendship to the Knife and Palette, and Tsul’rekshi offers her own in return. She’s so bored, and loves when things go awry. Tyranny is stopped again by Araq, who begs to have the beam reach her. Tyranny tells her that the beam comes from within.

WORDS WITH A KING

Murray, Occtis, Thimble, Azune, and Vaelus are welcomed into Bowsprit Manor. They meet with King Gus, who is pleased to know that Thimble met some of his other Hounds in Timmony. Gus is planning to leave Dol-Makjar immediately, but is grateful that Murray saved his life. Murray tells him of their 350 soldiers and their goal to incite a new revolution. They want an alliance with Timmony. Gus is cautious, having aided in rebellions in the past and already under the eye of the Houses. But he believes in destiny.

Murray knows that Yanessa is lying about her resurrection, but she has no proof. Gus is willing to believe her gut. Gus explains his lineage, how he was the bastard son of the previous king and spent his life in the kennels. When his father and his uncles were hanged in the uprising, the throne was given to him. He did not expect this life. His nephew is his heir – Gus is not one for a wife, and nephews were traditional heirs in ancient Timmony.

Azune asks if Gus came here to confront the Creed. Gus came to ask the Revolutionary Council who is at the wheel. Gus introduces Sir Zavisi Hewn, Carbrady’s partner, who made sure to explain to Gus that Azune was the one who confronted the assassins head on. Gus never wanted to be king, he just wanted independence. Now people try to kill him for his dreams. Azune offers information about the assassins, giving him the letter from Petra and Ryah, confirming that Gus was the main target due to a landmark in Timmony.

SEED OF REBELLION

Azune rips the letter, giving part of it to Gus. In turn, Gus gives them a seed of the Miller’s Road, which Thimble traveled with the Hounds. This is the seed of a cherry tree that grows beside the Old Mill. Plant it and the Miller’s Road will run to those who are true of heart. Not all can travel that road, just the Hounds and fair folk. Normal folks can’t see it without being guided, but some druids can walk it. If the fae need homes, they can find them in Timmony.

Murray asks if that offer extends to Dol-Makjar refugees, as soon this city might swarm with demons and the undead. Gus agrees that Timmony is open to refugees. The Houses are flexing their power, trying to make the common folk believe they are nothing. Gus has tried to empower the peasants in Timmony to elect alcaldes to speak at Timmon’s Rock.

Murray uses a portent as she asks him about destiny. “What is destiny but hope realized?” She taps into her divination power, seeing Gus’ past self embracing another knight in a moonlit grove. That man tells him “to realize this hope is your destiny” and Murray realizes that Gus lost his own love in the war for Timmony’s independence. Murray’s words strike true, as Gus still holds onto that hope. The rebellion can count on Timmony. If they tell anyone, he’ll kill them.

That is it for Episode 27 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Happy Pride, y’all, the King of Timmony is gay!
• Murray and Tyranny both hit Level 5! That definitely means there will be zero big scary things they have to fight, right?
• Tsul’rekshi is my new favorite, what a queen. We love a fiend who plays by the old laws.
• How is Hal’s troupe going to handle a dress rehearsal for an adjusted show??

Catch Episode 28 of Critical Role Campaign 4 on Thursday, June 4th 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?