Critical Recap: Critical Role C3E108 “Looming”

Written by on October 2, 2024

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 108 Looming!

THE PLAY’S THE THING

Bells Hells are back in the reconstructed Arch Heart temple within the Fey Realm, their heads spinning from their conversation with the Arch Heart themself. Unfortunately, they have little time to process, as they still need to deal with the Unseelie guards and Sorrowlord Zathuda. Ira hypnotizes the guards and, at the group’s insistence, casts several rounds of modify memory to make them believe that Ludinus attacked them.

However, these attempts mostly fail, resulting in the death of one guard and leaving the second guard and Emissary Cashadoor deeply distrustful of Bells Hells. The two attack, attempting to flee, but Bells Hells knocks them out and decides to bring them to Nana Morri. Imogen calls Nana, who is happy to come pick them up but warns that she might not have enough room. With an hour until Nana arrives, Bells Hells take a short rest. Laudna casts spirit of death, manifesting an image of Bor’dor to haunt Zathuda.

At Braius’ suggestion, the group decides to put on a play for Cashadoor and the guard. Braius disguises himself as Ludinus, performing with Imogen and Orym to give Cashadoor a memory of Ludinus turning against them. Dorian knocks Cashadoor back out and it is only then that the group realizes Zathuda has fled. Luckily, Laudna knows his location thanks to Spirit’dor and he’s just outside the temple. They follow, with Chetney knocking Zathuda out again thanks to a chisel-delivered Brand of Castigation.

BLOOD BOND

Gloamglut then arrives, having been hidden in the forest this whole time. He scoops up Zathuda while the others try to ensnare him. Orym decides to attack the unconscious Zathuda, which leads to Zathuda’s death. Orym feels instantly guilty for killing Fearne’s father. Gloamglut is the more injured party, though, and screeches his fury and pain to the forest. Fearne cuts her hand so he can smell her blood and tells Gloamglut that she is family.

This bonding of blood and pets slowly calms Gloamglut down and he allows Fearne and Imogen to saddle up. Nana arrives and between Gloamglut, Nana, and Dorian’s equine horse Coriolus, they are able to get the entire group into the air to make the return trip to Nana’s house. When they arrive, Nana restrains Gloamglut outside and takes Zathuda’s body. With Fearne’s blessing, Nana decides to put Zathuda ‘through the Loom,’ since this will allow conversation.

The Loom turns out to be a chair with chains that magically flays Zathuda, horrifically weaving his skin and spiritual essence into a hexagonal frame. Sorrowlord Zathuda is displayed above the tiki bar, a stretched skin with a flat face all that remains of the once fearsome fey general. Fearne has a long overdue conversation with the man who sired her for his own nefarious purposes.

FATHER DAUGHTER

Fearne patiently informs Zathuda that he doesn’t know her at all, and now he won’t have the chance. That he was someone looking for power and stepped on his family to get it. Zathuda is not a father to Fearne, just someone who used her as a pawn. Zathuda claims that he never knew how to show love. The fey are not empathic. He has given her his curse, he says. The curse of ambition.

Fearne probes him about Predathos, but Zathuda doesn’t have many answers. He doesn’t know if more than one person can become the vessel, as only a few Exaltants are even strong enough. Zathuda just wants Fearne to take Ludinus’ dream away and make it her own. He would have opened every door for Fearne, but now he is furniture. Nana’s furniture, specifically, and she has plans.

Gloamglut is blood bound to Zathuda via a hemocraft ritual. Fearne is delighted to inform him that one of her real family members is really good at hemocraft, referring to Chetney. Pressed by Imogen, Zathuda reveals that Ludinus has the Malleus Key protected by the entire Ruidian army. The army utilizes enormous vidulches, the terrifying Ruidian insectoid monsters, and are led by Ozo Kruth, a dangerous warrior with his own genetically enhanced vidulch. It’s an invasion and Zathuda questions who will strike first and why the Exaltants are disappearing.

MODIFICATIONS

Fearne’s final question is to ask Zathuda if he loved her mother, Birdie. He might have, but he doesn’t know what love is. Birdie on her way down, so the conversation ends when Nana turns the tapestry invisible. They head to the garden, with Laudna taking a moment to check in with Orym. He’s feeling guilty over killing Zathuda, but he made a choice. He supported Laudna when she made her own choice and he doesn’t doubt that he did the right thing. Laudna assures him that Fearne understands that.

Ashton talks with Fearne, opening up about their own parental issues and asking if he can keep her company when she bonds with Gloamglut. Fearne is happy for Ashton to join her later. Meanwhile, Dorian and Imogen freak out about witnessing the loom in action. Imogen reassures him that they have actually done a pretty good job on their mission to the Fey Realm, as they are close to ensuring that the Unseelie don’t join Ludinus at the Malleus Key.

Nana Morri works on mending the minds of Emissary Cashadoor and the guard. The guard’s mind is successfully modified with a terrifying memory of Ludinus turning against them, but Cashadoor’s mind proves too strong to manipulate. Nana plants Cashadoor in her topiary garden, confirming that these terrifying topiaries are people. Dorian casts gaes on the second guard, named Kamal, telling him that Ludinus is setting them up to fall as fodder for the fight and to not join with him. Kamal must convince the Unseelie not to fight and not to join Ludinus.

COINS AND CAGES

Kamal runs off to return to the Unseelie and Bells Hells finally take a night of rest to decompress and discuss the Arch Heart’s desires. They are divided on what to do, with Laudna wanting to talk to the Matron and Orym still firmly on the side that no one can confirm that Predathos will leave the people of Exandria alone if released. Orym will stand by their side, but he doesn’t want this to be a coin toss. Ashton retorts that it’s lucky they no longer have someone whose faith is placed in a coin toss, referring to their loss of FCG.

Ashton walks away, not wanting to start a fight. Chetney asks Imogen and Fearne how they feel about potentially being a vessel. Imogen hasn’t let herself think about it, yet. She was on board with the plan to not let Predathos free, but now they’ve been told the exact opposite from a god. So many people depend on the gods and throwing that away seems careless. But if there is no stopping it, she would be willing to step up and at least try.

Fearne believes that if it must be done, it must be done. What if caging Predathos is the same thing as trying to cage Gloamglut? Dorian isn’t sure everything deserves a second chance, but he hopes she’s right. Do they have the power to wield a weapon like Predathos? Chetney wonders if the Arch Heart is leading them on the entire time. They resolve to speak with the Matron, if they can. For now, it’s fey forest bath time!

PRAYERS IN THE DARK

Braius goes off to pray to whichever deity will respond, his mind open to both the Platinum Dragon and the Lord of the Hells. He asks if it is his mission to destroy Ludinus and let the gods be chased away or keep them here. The ink of his painting expands, becoming an inky void where flames erupt and horns rise. The Lord of the Hells is listening and informs Braius that if this is inevitable, then chase away the rest so he can remain. Nana Morri finds Braius and the two head off to have sex.

Everyone else heads for bed, so Fearne and Ashton go outside to sleep with Gloamglut. Fearne is planning to let Gloamglut go, but wants to rest with him tonight. She tends to him, cleaning him up and unchaining him from Nana’s ivy shackles. She gives him the choice to leave or rest – Gloamglut cuddles up with Fearne, allowing Ashton to come, too. Ashton reiterates that everyone deserves to choose everything in their lives. The two recognize how wild it is to cuddle with a fey dragon and they all fall asleep together.

That is it for Episode 108 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

  • Sounds like Asmodeus is still keeping an eye on Braius. Creepy plan, to stay behind while Predathos chases his siblings! Also… hells yeah Nana and Braius.
  • Who knew modify memory would be so difficult to cast on fey beings? What with their advantages against magic, especially charm… oh well.
  • The Loom is SO GNARLY. What an incredibly unsettling concept, good job Matt!
  • Who else got Doctor Who’s Cassandra vibes from Zathuda? Definitely me.

Catch Episode 109 on Thursday, October 3rd 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?


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