Critical Recap: Critical Role C3E103 “Cages”

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 103 Cages!

THE RITUAL

Imogen checks in with Laudna as Essek prepares the ritual to seal Delilah’s essence into the soul anchor. Laudna is terrified of and thrilled about this potential solution, but worries who she will be without Delilah and what will happen if this ritual goes wrong. The goal of the ritual is to tether Delilah to the anchor so that Laudna can use her as a source of power, but will no longer be controlled by her. Should the ritual fail, Delilah could return… or both Delilah and Laudna could be lost.

No matter the price, Laudna is ready. This needs to be done. Essek prepares the soul anchor, which must be embedded within Laudna’s chest. Dorian is tasked to assist with the runic transcription upon the anchor itself – his work is beautifully successful. Chetney, being well-versed in blood magic, leads the surgery while Fearne casts guidance throughout the ritual. Laudna, placing her trust fully in her friends, opens her chest and the soul anchor is placed behind her sternum.

Essek begins the binding ritual as arcane stitching guided by Chetney’s blood maledict attaches the anchor to Laudna. Delilah begins to threaten Laudna, taking a shadow form, and Ashton burns a rage to protect their friend, their sparks ripping through Delilah’s shadow. Laudna requests Seedling, but Orym swears it won’t come to that. She is surrounded by love and has more love within her than Delilah has ever known. Orym casts hex on Delilah and his vines cage Delilah’s shadow as the Wildmother’s wind blows and Essek’s incantation completes.

PUPPET STRINGS

Now, the anchor itself must be activated. As Essek begins this process, Laudna withdraws into shadow. Delilah launches forward and begins to strangle her. Imogen enters Laudna’s mind, returning to the shadowy Whitestone where Bells Hells faced Delilah before. Imogen grabs Delilah, reminding her that the anchor will give her a chance to fight another day. Laudna tells Delilah she is done being her puppet. Now, it is Delilah’s turn.

Laudna casts void puppet, manifesting the spirits of all who died on the Sun Tree, as well as hundreds of souls of Whitestone. They attach to Delilah like puppet strings and pull her away. Laudna can feel Delilah’s presence – but she now belongs to Laudna, her hatred trapped within the soul anchor. It will hold Delilah for as long as Laudna lives. She conjures Pâté: her magic, once a request from her patron, is now siphoned easily from the crystal.

Imogen holds Laudna’s hands: they are not as clammy as they once were. The anchor rests inside Laudna’s chest, faintly glowing. Delilah’s eyes can no longer watch without Laudna’s permission. Imogen kisses Laudna and the two reconcile their relationship (rejoice! rejoice!). Laudna is still Laudna, but there is a new sense of clarity and control. Essek is relieved that it worked and is happy to have helped – he feels he has a lot of help still to give the world. Orym wants to celebrate Laudna and the group and allow themselves this win.

WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH BRAIUS

Ashton suggests playing a game of What the Fuck is Up With That with Braius so the group can get to know him. Braius is originally from the Kryn Dynasty in Xhorhas before coming to the Dwendalian Empire. The Lord of Hells reached out to Braius in a low moment and he received a vision of his greater purpose. Braius previously worked for a temple of the Platinum Dragon in Zadash. The temple was attacked by a goblin and a tiefling, two individuals he let in after their deception. They desecrated the temple and he was blamed and disowned by his family. He has vowed to find these two and destroy them (look out Jester and Veth!).

They discuss the gods and Aeor, with Braius still firmly on Team Asmodeus. Ashton believes this will come down to people and their decisions. What matters is their focus on Ludinus – the gods are ancillary. Ludinus may unleash potential destruction and he does not have the right to decide what’s best for everyone. So many people would die and Exandria would be entirely reset for power structures. Where would Predathos even go?

Ashton offers the pipe of heroism for someone to smoke. They spin a bottle and it lands on Braius. The smoke reveals him killing a secret Dawnfather worshiper named Stanley, who stabbed Braius in the back. Braius uses Stanley’s blood to paint a portrait of the Lord of Hells’ own betrayal by the Dawnfather, then skins Stanley to be used as a drinking goblet. He prays to this portrait, but receives no reply. Braius explains that he has never actually spoken to his Lord, but serves him dutifully. At Dorian’s request, Braius paints a beautiful portrait of Bells Hells before they all retire to bed.

ORGANIZED CHAOS

The group gets their long rest. Chetney attunes to the demonic cloak they found while Imogen and Laudna take a private room for themselves (get it, ladies). Their next step is to inform Keyleth and the Exandrian Accord that Ludinus has the Occultus Thalamus. Essek can take them back to Keyleth. Orym calls Caleb to let him know they met Essek and are at his house. Caleb responds, recovering from a long day. He calls Essek a good man and tells them not to touch his stuff.

Ashton invites Essek to experiment on his head again before they leave. Essek examines Ashton and concludes that they are entirely new – a being of living dunamis. Ashton is a conundrum, havoc with a pattern. Essek gives Ashton a black marble, telling them to focus on it whenever they feel out of control. Ashton will know when he needs to center himself with it.

Essek teleports them all to the Exandrian Accord’s encampment in the Hellcatch Valley, but they arrive to find the area razed and Gloamglut the fey dragon circling overhead. Imogen contacts Keyleth, who informs her they are safe in Vasselheim at the Platinum Dragon Sancturary. Essek teleports the group to the outskirts of Vasselheim. This is the Dawn City, the Cradle of Civilization, and the most gods-centric place in Exandria.

ENTERING THE GAME

They approach the gates and Laudna recognizes the smell of death. The guard points them to the Platinum Dragon Sanctuary and explains that the smell is due to an issue with the Dark Bloom. They spot a massive (and I mean massive) Earth Titan standing in the middle of the city – a remnant of Vox Machina’s fight against the Whispered One. Chetney spots an acolyte of the Matron of Ravens and asks about the Dark Bloom – the undead rose from their catacombs during the solstice. It was a whole thing.

Bells Hells move deeper into Vasselheim, seeing refugees everywhere. They are escorted into the Sanctuary by soldiers and ushered up an enormous flight of stairs. Essek spots a banner of the Kryn Dynasty and realizes it is time for him to leave. They’ll see him again, though. Essek leaves, but not before calling Dorian a heartbreaker and telling him to be careful (hot boi recognize hot boi).

They enter the crowded council room, where numerous people mill. A large hand stops Fearne and asks them their business. Orym explains they know Keyleth – this is her bodyguard, the goliath barbarian Grog Strongjaw. His best buddy Pike Trickfoot vouches for Bells Hells, so he leads them through the chamber. They see numerous seats, filled with the leaders of Exandria who now all acknowledge that Bells Hells has entered the conversation.

That is it for Episode 103 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Every step of the group ritual to lock Delilah away was a success. We love a family coming together to save their own!!!
• This episode had EVERYTHING. Imogen & Laudna back together! Flirtatious drinking games! Grog Strongjaw!
• So far, we’ve got three representatives of the Matron (including Lieve’tel), J’mon Sa Ord, the Bright Queen, the King & Queen of Uthodurn, Allura and Kima, Keyleth, Pike, and Grog. What a group!

Catch Episode 104 on Thursday, August 15th 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?