Critical Recap: Critical Role C3E102 “Reconciliation”

Hello! Welcome to Critical Recap! I’m Dani Carr, the Critical Role Lore Keeper. Let’s dive into our recap of Critical Role Campaign 3 Episode 102 Reconciliation!

AFTERMATH

Ludinus praises the Occultus Thalamus for showing the gods as they really are. He calls the gods contradictory narcissists who redirect the natural flow of the soul to their realms in order to feed from them, harvesting faith with reverence and fear; he says that the gods are against the natural order and that they did not account for the strength and drive of mortals to challenge life’s mysteries. In creating mortals, the gods made something more perfect than them that deserves to inherit the future—but the gods refuse to step aside.

Imogen simply laughs at him. What she saw was that the gods are flawed, just like mortals. When Ludinus claims that mortals don’t lord over and destroy others, Orym and Laudna call him out. He claims that there have been unfortunate necessities on this path, and that he did what was necessary for the good of all. The gods have shackled them for too long, killing mortals and wiping it from history. Ludinus knows he isn’t any better than the gods, but feels they still hold too much power and sway. When they are gone, the world will finally belong to mortals.

Orym asks what being a god-eater actually means and what guarantees a lack of hell on earth – Ludinus invites him to speak with Predathos, as communion will clarify his worries. There is a natural order to nature and their souls are not its sustenance. Predathos will only feast on what it naturally devours. Imogen says that if the gods created mortals, then Predathos might still want them. She taunts Ludinus with the fact that she is truly part of Predathos—and that Ludinus never will be.

Fearne asks why Ludinus hates the gods so much. He lived an entire human lifetime in the ashes of the world they burned and then left behind, watched as those who remained told others to stay faithful because of the gods’ love and guidance while holy wars were fought. He was a child when Aeor fell; the presence of the gods has only ever led to ruin. He will show the world what the Occultus Thalamus has revealed so they can make their own choices.

ARGUMENTS

Braius felt a kinship with Cassida, as both were betrayed by the Primes. He thinks Father Milo was right and was just trying to get back with his family. Laudna, too, saw a messed up family in the gods—just like Bells Hells. She would do anything to protect her family, too. Ashton agrees and says the gods are just like them, which is why no one should be on the throne.

The throne itself shouldn’t exist.

Chetney asks Ludinus about Molaesmyr, trying to point out that Ludinus too destroyed a city for his own purposes, but Ludinus dodges the question by simply talking about Predathos. Orym questions that, if no one like mortals should have power like this, then why is Ludinus stopping at the gods? Shouldn’t the world be cleansed of all life in that case? Ludinus calls Orym unfocused and apologizes for what happened to his family, calling Otohan overzealous, and saying that she got what was coming to her. This callous attitude deeply upsets Orym.

Laudna is thankful for the vision, as it showed that the gods were not all in agreement. So too, Bells Hells do not have to agree—they just have to find a solution, an alternative, together. Ludinus has lived a thousand years looking for every possibility and they have little time. He invites them to join the Ruby Vanguard. This causes Teven to attempt to attack Ludinus, who banishes him back to the Hells.

COMPLICATIONS

Bells Hells question what gives Ludinus the right to decide the fate of Exandria. Dorian speaks up, saying that Ludinus just wants the gods to be on equal ground with mortals. Ludinus has pulled the strings behind powerful thrones and has only done so with this goal in mind: he has no desire for power, just for the gods to be gone. He wishes they knew what he knows about Predathos. Total destruction will not occur—they have to take his word for it.

Ludinus tells Imogen she holds the strongest potential, and that he hopes she will rise to meet her destiny. She asks what will happen if Predathos is lying to him. This entity just wants out of its prison and the gods themselves. Imogen knows how hungry Predathos is. She could feel how welcoming it was. She thinks Predathos would want revenge. Ludinus says that when Molaesmyr fell, he got to see Predathos for what it was: a lost, lonely entity hungry in the darkness.

Ludinus looks to Fearne, telling her that he sees her potential and the way she walks among realms like a nexus. He then looks to Laudna, able to sense Delilah—his former colleague—within her. He could free them both, granting them a second chance at life. All they have to do is join him. They could do great things together, but Ludinus has contingencies that don’t require Bells Hells’ assistance. Ludinus tells Delilah to find him when she is free of these disappointments, and tosses a glowing gemstone at Laudna.

DELAUDNA

Chetney catches the gem and Delilah puppets Laudna to attack him. Chetney puts the gem in the bag of holding and tosses the bag to Dorian while Laudna fights Delilah’s influence. Ludinus vanishes into mist, leaving the group behind. Laudna is falling into shadow as Delilah tells her that she has waited too long. Ashton tells her to fight this and Imogen sees Delilah’s eyes as Laudna bursts into swirling purple energy, a puppet for Delilah as the necromancer takes over.

Bells Hells beg Laudna to see them and Laudna attempts to stop Delilah with a visage of her husband Sylas, but this only enrages her. Laudna tells her friends to kill Delilah, but this means they must attack Laudna herself. Delilah summons undead, as well as a black, hooked blade: a spectral Craven Edge, Sylas’ former blade, one which has haunted Vox Machina. Orym is knocked unconscious by Craven Edge, but Fearne’s aura keeps him up at one hit point.

Bells Hells go on the offensive, with Imogen loving and trusting her girlfriend enough to attack. Essek accidentally triggers the area’s wild magic, turning himself into a floating goat (Goatsek + Sheepleb, together forever). Delilah casts a massive necrotic spell and Ashton stays conscious thanks to his dunamancy. They take a diamond form, making Emma Frost proud. With Orym unconscious again, Dorian casts dimension door, taking Orym to safety.

AN OPEN DOOR

Finally, it is Braius whose Poison Pen and Divine Smite take down Delilah. He paints the symbol of Asmodeus with the ichor of his twin mace as the shadow of Delilah returns within Laudna. Fearne heals her and Laudna comes back to herself.

It’s time to get rid of Delilah for good and Laudna is ready.

The gem that Ludinus tossed is just more juice for Delilah, an arcane battery to regain spell slots. Fearne takes a moment to Identify the soul anchor, realizing that dark entities can be bound into it—entities like Delilah. They explain the nature of Delilah and Laudna’s relationship to Essek, who is no longer a goat. Essek thinks he could prepare a ritual and alter the anchor’s runes to work on Delilah, but they would need to return to his laboratory in Rexxentrum. Essek draws a teleportation circle as Ashton places a piece of FCG’s metal in the room, welcoming his friend home.

Bells Hells invite Braius to join them in taking down Ludinus. Braius goes to the symbol he painted and prays for guidance from the Lord of Hells as the others jump into Essek’s teleportation circle. Should he trust these people? The dripping ichor forms into 8 drips that become 1. Braius accepts this sign and jumps into the circle as well, joining the group in Rexxentrum.

A POSSIBLE PATH

Bells Hells arrive in the home of Essek Thelyss and Caleb Widogast. It is small and simple, with a dedicated corner to Caleb’s Tower. There is a plethora of books and the walls are covered in artifacts and mementos and Jester paintings. One such painting is of Essek and Caleb together, which makes Orym realize that they’ve met Essek’s partner before. The Mighty Nein are on their own mission, but they’re keeping in contact.

Essek sits with Laudna, talking with her about trauma and the advantages people take. He tells her to try not to blame herself. Essek will do his best to help her find the beginning of a path of recovery. That’s exactly what Laudna wants. She isn’t sure if she needs Delilah to survive, but she is scared of what she might lose. Maybe Delilah can be her puppet, instead. Essek will hurry. With Caleb’s scarf around his neck, he goes into the laboratory to study.

Imogen makes Laudna tea while the group sits with her. Orym holds her hand and apologizes for the world moving so fast that they couldn’t take the time earlier to help her. Laudna confesses that, when she thought she was lost, she hoped it would be Seedling and Orym who took her down. Neither of them want that, but she thinks it’s because she trusts him to do what is right. Laudna worries Dorian will never trust her, but he tells her she isn’t as bad as she thinks. He’d rather kill a god than her.

Braius heals Fearne, confessing that he was frightened by what he saw and how much of him agreed with Ludinus. No matter what, someone will become much more powerful and they have to find the right people to give that power to. Essek returns, having found the ritual he needed. He requests aid from Chetney and Imogen, due to their knowledge of blood and magic, and the group begins work on the ritual that could potentially free Laudna.

That is it for Episode 102 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Ludinus. Dude. Quit it.
• Laudna finally wants to live her life. That’s the most important thing: she’s finally ready to fight Delilah. I’m so proud of her.
• It is always, always love that saves us. From Vox Machina to the Mighty Nein to Bells Hells.

Catch Episode 103 on Thursday, August 8th 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 a week later on our podcast. Is it Thursday yet?