Critical Recap: Critical Role C4E40 “Masks in the Round”

Hello and welcome to Critical Recap! I’m Jared Deiro, the Critical Role Junior Lore Keeper. Let’s dive into Critical Role Campaign 4 Episode 40 Masks in the Round!

HOLLOW IMAGERY

After Captain Azune Nayar publicly saves Wicander Halovar in the Hallowed Round, he hastily sprints up the steps, crackling with electricity. He alters himself to look like Wicander Halovar, attempting to bait Zebani – an arrow from an invisible target hits one of his “Azune Mirror Images.” He casts see invisibility and spots Zebani’s luminous, radiant wings. He attacks, causing her mask to fall off and shatter on the ground. “Azune’s Mirror Images” demand the audience cast see invisibility NOW, but Zebani pulls her hood up, disengages, and flies into the clouds.

In the Halovar Box, Murray tells Harondus Einfasen that she was trying to protect Wick. Hal stumbles out of the curtain, using thaumaturgy to blast his voice out through the theatre, “ENOUGH! Let us have peace within this hallowed place. Let no more blood be spilled […] if the assassins are struck down, truth will be robbed from us all.”

While voices in the crowd call out in defense of Hal, Hal directs his attention to the council, where Agztash is particularly taken by Hal’s words. Agztash orders the assassins be arrested ALIVE “by the order of the council.” Iris scans the crowd, cryong out for Wick; as Murray scoops up the mask.

Azune (disguised as Wick) returns to the Halovar box and casts a message to Harondus – “Zebani Halovar was behind this. Watch her family as I approach.” But Godard sees right through the disguise and casts Dispel Magic on Azune, taking hold of his throat and screaming, “What have you done with my son!?”

A FATHER’S RAGE

In the center of a burning sky, the Palace of Ksha’aravi looms over Tyranny and a singed, searing, exhausted Wicander Halovar. Screaming chained celestials surround them.

Tyranny asks Wick why he followed her, but before he can answer, he feels Hollis Kinnywater’s banishment spell pulling him back to Aramán. Wick decides to continue following Tyranny, resisting the spell’s tug.

The two fly to one of the tower’s balconies and crawl through the jagged marble tunnels where they find the Shadow of Suffering’s throne room. Ksha’aravi speaks from a wall of yawning shadows, yells at Tyranny over the death of the Mercanaud’s. Tyranny tells her father that neither she nor her friend Nick Falcon (Wick) are staying in the Pit, they will be returning topside.

Tyranny threatens Ksha’aravi with Tsul’rekshi’s tongue satchel she had been carrying, but Ksha’aravi has no idea what she’s referring to. Tyranny panics, but Wick tells Ksha’aravi that he is, in fact, Wicander Halovar. Ksha’aravi replies that because Wick withstood the Banishment spell, he is not dead but has died.

COOLER HEADS

Godard Halovar strangles Captain Azune Nayar. Azune gasps, telling Godard that he helped Wick, “I’m on [Filoneus’] side.” Hal steps in and projects his voice, “No man is judge, jury, and executioner – will we have justice in this city? Yes or no? What say you?!” The crowd begins to shout, and Godard squeezes tighter, casting Harm on Azune.

Harondus yells at Lord Halovar, quaking the ground. Godard drops Azune, he tells them he meant to draw the enemy’s attention to protect Wick. Godard wants justice under the light and for the assassins to be dead; Agztash wants everyone to cool down; Hal wants answers for the city; Harondus wants to curry favor with the Council Members and gain access to the assassins.

Murray takes out Zebani’s shattered mask and levitates it, putting the pieces back together – “The leader of the assassins was wearing this mask. Does it look familiar to anyone?” Agztash saw it fall from the sky, and Effie recognizes the mask from the Archanade Gala. Harondus arrests the assassins and takes them to the Brethren Hall to be tried by the Revolutionary Council, feeling uneasy about what Azune told him about Zebani’s involvement.

Hal approaches Councilor Jekara Vodik, someone Hal served under in the War of Axe & Vine. Jekara recognized one of the assassins, Jennot Carper, a 15-year veteran of the Revolutionary Guard and Lieutenant of the Honor Guard of the Grey Tower, who had recently been fired. Hal tells Jekara they’ll need friends in the future. They should talk more. Agztash sidles beside Hal with his Creed nurse (Jayan). Agztash hates the cloak-and-dagger trickery. Hal tells him, “We have to look after this city – Only you and I can.” Agztash agrees and leaves.

Murray asks a weak and wounded Azune if he’s going to the Brethren Hall, telling him she needs him in that room. She puts a magic bug on a glyph and gives it to him before he heads out – something to slip into the interrogation room.

Effie and Murray step to the private bar in the Halovar box and speak plainly. Effie saw that mask in Yanessa’s hands the same night she saw Murray speaking to King Gus. Effie asks why she and Azune came to her office talking about a coup. Murray tells her she is loyal to DOL-MAKJAR and its PEOPLE; she’s looking for people who stand on the right side of history. She’s trying to keep people from dying. Not Houses. Not Councils.

Effie doesn’t understand what Murray’s game is. A couple of days ago, Murray told Effie the Sundered Houses were staging a coup, and then today she threw herself over Lady Iris Halovar. Effie is paranoid. Murray represents mystery, while Effie seeks clarity. Murray asks if Effie wants the burden of Knowledge? Or does she want to continue living in suspended disbelief? Effie thinks about it and asks where she can find Murray, they agree to meet at the Tintazi Wood tomorrow.

DEAD!

“Wick has died but is not dead,” Ksha’aravi tells Tyranny and Wick. Wick is “alive” likely because of his celestial lineage, but he belongs to the Pit because of his teachings. Tyranny casts suggestion on Wick and tells him to believe everything she tells him. Then proceeds to say she never liked him and has hated him more with each passing day. He made her life worse and made everyone who knows him worse. She’s glad to drop the dead weight. They shouldn’t see each other anymore.

With this, Ksha’aravi realizes Tyranny brought Wick here for him, and learns the Halovars have no idea. Ksha’aravi teeters on the edge of a big decision. Wick is basically just a soul who made a bargain and is now native to the Pit. Tyranny tells Ksha’aravi he should “do it.” Ksha’aravi has Tyranny swear to take the blame if Yanessa finds out about Wick’s devouring. Tyranny agrees – bound in a demonic contract.

Suddenly, Wick is lifted aloft as his soul is bound to the tower. Ksha’aravi devours everything of Wick’s. He owns Wick, his Life, his Soul, his Name, his Memories. EVERYTHING of Wick’s is Ksha’aravi’s.

Tyranny’s bag splits open as Tsul’rekshi’s tongue hits the floor, writhing. Lips form and open up – “Your Life. Your Soul. Your Debts!! BITCH, YOU OWE ME A GUIDED TOUR OF YOUR HOUSE!” Tsul’rekshi yells at Ksha’aravi.

That is it for Episode 40 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• LUIS?!?! WHAT ARE WE DOING, MY MAN???? We are really getting a masterclass in how not to fuck with the Sundered Houses.
• These alliances between the Schemers and the councilors/ladies/lords are getting pretty cool. Which ones do we think are gonna stick?
• I mean everything about that final moment. Hell yeah.

Catch Episode 41 of Critical Role Campaign 4 on Thursday, October 29th 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?