Critical Recap: Critical Role C4E39 “The King’s Request”

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 39 The King’s Request!

PETITIONING THE KING

The Seekers (sans Julien) are granted a proper audience with King Gus in Brauwla’s tavern. Bolaire reveals his true self to Gus and Occtis is revealed as undead. Demodus vouches for both of their characters. Bolaire casts Detect Thoughts and discovers a House Halovar spy among the valets specifically listening in. Thimble reveals their landslide plan, which is unfortunately going to have deep repercussions for Timmony’s economy. They decide to convene somewhere more private.

In the Barrowmound, Julien finishes his dalliance with a valet and Thimble confirms the area is perfect for their conversation. She gathers the group and the conversations continue, with Bolaire giving a King’s Hound, Marten, the description of the spy. Marten wants to use this spy to their advantage. Bolaire’s current body is a Lux that burned down Hawthorn’s Glade, so Gus considers this a citizen’s arrest. He requests that Bolaire not use the body of anyone from Timmony, which Bolaire agrees to unless his survival is at stake.

The Seekers explain their desire to rescue Ulbid’s three daughters, who were petrified by House Tachonis, just like Sir Groveland was. They explain what they know of House Tachonis’ plan to cross into the underworld and go to Fora Crucialma (the Hall of Mercy), an island in the Sea of Lachris where beasts once petitioned the gods. Groveland remembers Doset and Univere discussing their deceased grandfather, Lord Nullis, and how he was to be named the Herald of the Hall of Mercy. The Tachonis are seeking the ancient corpses of 47 lords – hence why they desecrated this very Barrow. Kattigan and Occtis notice signs of ritual magic around them.

WIZARD OR LORD?

King Gus listens as Thimble explains that, by rescuing Ulbid’s daughters, they will mess up House Tachonis’ plans regarding the stone paladins. House Tachonis wants to destroy the Old Path. He listens as they each bring up a plan or a reason to fight back, with his own advisors urging Gus to act. Occtis mentions Lisabetta’s plan, that he openly challenge his father as Lord Tachonis, and Vaelus even outright says she herself was on the wrong side of history. But Gus waits for Kattigan, who doesn’t speak until the end, when he offers his service as a ranger to Gus and Timmony. Gus asks him for a service, but does not tell him what.

Instead, Gus speaks to Occtis, who has offered a plan he doesn’t want to enact. It would change his entire life. If Occtis did this, it would have to be an open declaration at court in Timmon’s Rock. Occtis hesitates, and Gus leaves him to talk it over with the other Seekers. Occtis does not want to do this plan. He has no desire to be Lord Tachonis, he desires freedom. He doesn’t even know if he would do a better job, literally lacking both a heart and a soul.

Kattigan and Julien encourage Occtis to do the plan, but Occtis doesn’t think any of the Seekers are even on his side, outside of Thimble. He points out each of their Tachonis vendettas and Vaelus’ destruction of the Stone of Nightsong. They aren’t his friends. Occtis isn’t powerful enough to oppose his father, yet, and Timmony would be unable to help with that magically. If Occtis did this, he’d probably just be killed outright. Again. Occtis decides that it’s better to wait for this option, and only do it if the time becomes right.

STRANGE MAGIC

Occtis is intrigued by the signs of ritual magic in the Barrow and casts his own ritual to learn what his family was up to. He can tell that they cast contact 0ther plane to a demon minister in the Pit to ask an archdemon if a soul – Lord Heylewith Arrovale – was in the Pit. Another plane was also contacted, and Lord Arrovale’s sarcophagus was dragged out. Occtis knows that the soul being in the Pit would mean it was useless to the Tachonis, but he also knows they can find souls in the Tenebral Reaches. So its location wasn’t of interest.

Occtis also senses the residue of numerous castings of detect magic, which was strangely cast at 2nd level – which is antithetical to how sorcerous magic works. While Occtis is casting, Julien’s shadow – Thjazi – gives him a hug. The only reason he can feel it is due to the divination magic he is using. Thimble notices, but is unable to hug Thjazi’s shadow in return. Sir Groveland and Dame Morgaine arrive, requesting Occtis return to tell Gus his decision.

GOOD MEN

The Seekers return to Gus and Occtis tells him that, for now, he is still the Wizard Occtis. Now is a bad time for this sort of push, but it could be useful in the future. Right now, he would just lose. Gus understands. Occtis is worried he is a disappointment, but Gus disavows that notion. The land doesn’t need good rulers – it needs good men. Gus then asks to speak to Kattigan alone.

Gus has one request of Kattigan: Stop Speaking Last. He is a good man and Gus can see that. His words rattle Kattigan, who knows he has been many things – scoundrel, fool, drunk. But also a good man, a good soldier, a good father. He can be that again. Gus believes the ones they lose remain with them. Living in the shadow of that loss doesn’t honor them. What Kattigan has is worthy enough, despite the mistakes of his past. Gus leaves and for the first time in over a decade, Kattigan feels like he could be more just by making a new choice.

A BIT OF AID

Marten speaks with the other Seekers, explaining that the crown is limited and that Gus will be continuing to Timmon’s Rock. They cannot openly stand against House Tachonis. Marten points out, though, that the Bridge of Gainesly across the river Viannan needs to be repaired. They should definitely repair it now, since travel has slowed due to the landslide. Which means travel across the river will require a ferry. A slow ferry.

Marten also makes it clear that the Hounds are willing to help, since the Tachonis openly captured Sir Groveland before. The Seekers could choose two Hounds to assist them. They could also possibly switch out the statues with decoys. If only they had access to stonemasons… like the dwarves currently sitting inside the tavern. Marten urges them that this is all, of course, theoretical, and that they should obey Timmony’s laws. Then he leaves.

Pimley talks with Demodus and Bolaire. He wants to help save his cousins, but can’t do that from jail. However, Bolaire is a pretty great mobile jail. Both Bolaire and Demodus agree to this plan. As for the Hounds – Cavalier is the swiftest, Morgaine is the wisest and the best tracker, Hawkins is the best warrior, Felltower is the most knowledgeable of the land and its people, and Groveland is the stalwart. They decide on Dame Morgaine and Groveland – he’ll want revenge.

PLANTING SEEDS

They decide to strike the Tachonis at the river and replace the stone statues with fakes, as Ulbid can enchant them. Pimley has robbed a boat before, but he needs time with the ferry. Demodus, Ulbid, and Occtis talk to the dwarves, who are on their Hucklewend and building a bridge. One of them, Jasper, is related to Murray, and Occtis mentions her as his teacher. He claims to be representing House Halovar and commissions them for the statues.

Bolaire talks to the Black Rabbits, asking them a riddle where the answer is “a confession”. If they want one, wait outside the door. Bolaire’s mask is placed on Pimley and he casts Suggestion on the Lux, telling him to inform the agent outside all the details of the past few days. The Lux does, telling the Black Rabbits all about how he burned down the fairy glade. The Black Rabbits switch to their Grig heads – their bad heads. Let the Wild Hunt begin!

Thimble and Vaelus go out to Sloak’s terrible crops. Thimble spends the night casting Plant Growth, with Vaelus helping her decide what to plant. In the morning, the land has healed and there are growing crops everywhere. It is a massive victory for the people of Timmony. Occtis and Demodus exchange spells in the tavern, with Demodus teaching Occtis major image and Occtis teaching Demodus shadow blade. Demodus confesses that he is glad that Occtis didn’t agree to become Lord Tachonis. He believes that the world needs the Wizard Occtis more.

That is it for Episode 39 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• So, cool thing! Brennan had a whole side possibility for Alex if Occtis chose to challenge Primus. It would have lowered Gus’ DC by 10 AND it would have permanently altered the campaign, as well as add a new table! WILD.
• There was a lovely moment where Thimble and Kattigan reminded Ulbid that his daughters were Falconers and that they don’t leave soldiers behind. Super sweet.
• Occtis’ spellbook is an anatomy book! That’s so cool.
• “Victories of green and growing things take a lifetime in their telling” – excuse me while I weep openly.

Catch Episode 40 of Critical Role Campaign 4 on Thursday, October 22nd 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?