Critical Recap: Critical Role C3E114 “Fight for the Bloody Bridge”

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 114: Fight for the Bloody Bridge!

EARTH SHAKING

Vox Machina, having pushed through the Malleus Fortress, find themselves on the cusp of the Malleus Key. They take their final forms for this final push – bows blazing, wings out, lightning at their fingertips (and… other places), and continue the fight as they move in. It’s time to save Vax’ildan from the Malleus Key. Ruidian soldiers continue to arrive through the Bloody Bridge, providing an unending flow of reinforcements.

Sunder King Ozo Cruth, the leader of the Ruidian army, arrives on his massive vidulch named Scrag. He brings with him a bane worm named Vorak that Grog focuses on, though the giant goliath teddy bear of a man is consumed at one point. Vox Machina keep their attention on the tower, with Percy locating the likely places for the Luxon Beacon that they must remove before the tower falls.

Keyleth, who is in her earth elemental form, casts earthquake to make the tower unsteady. Lieve’tel uses divine intervention, allowing the Matron to expose the Beacon. Scanlan and his magical hand grab the beacon – he sees different possibilities of his life as the Bloody Bridge finally shuts down. The storm vanishes and the leylines relax as Ruidus begins to return to its original rotation around Exandria, its tether broken at last.

LIFE AND DEATH

Scanlan delivers the beacon to Lieve’tel and casts dominate monster on Scrag, successfully charming the vidulch to his bidding. Ozo Cruth attacks Vex over and over again, using a skill that allows him to attack her until he misses. His relentless assault kills Vex. She thinks of her children, knowing Whitestone is safe with Vesper to lead. She looks at her husband and begs him to save her brother as she dies.

Luckily, Pike Trickfoot is here. She calls out to the Everlight for divine intervention, returning Vex’ahlia to life. As the tower begins to fall, Keyleth shifts into her air elemental form. She rescues the orb that holds Vax’ildan as the Malleus Key collapses. The orb breaks and Vax returns. He recognizes Keyleth even in this form. Lieve’tel casts mass heal on everyone, reinvigorating Vox Machina even as Reiloran soldiers dampen her healing with their distaste for divinity.

Grog squares up with Ozo Kruth. The Sunder King is a mighty foe, but no one outpowers Grog Strongjaw. Grog kills Cruth, enraging Scrag and Vorak. The latter swallows Pike, who casts inflict wounds from inside the worm and gets spat back into Grog’s arms. The Weave Mind cast their spells from the remaining orb towers, but Scanlan counterspells their interference. Vax, daggers at hand, attacks the surrounding Reiloran soldiers.

WHAT NOW

Vex’ahlia, back on her feet, fires an arrow at Vorak the bane worm, killing it. A tree, like antlers, grows out of its head and Cerkonos casts lightning through the tree, lighting up the worm as it falls. Scanlan, still controlling Scrag, sends the vidulch into the desert of the Hellcatch Valley to be free. As the battle stills, Vox Machina officially reunites with Vax’ildan. Reinforcements begin to arrive – devils, leaders, planetars, and celestial warriors that circle the fallen Key.

Vax is still on borrowed time. He is not truly back, even though he wants to stay. Vex wants him to stay, saying that the Matron is distracted. Vax is not sure what would happen to him if the Matron was gone. He wouldn’t have her go, believing that she does a kindness for mortals. But he longs for his life with Keyleth. She wonders when his time will be served and his debt will be paid. She does not believe it will happen even in her long lifetime.

CHOOSE

A planetar flies in, informing Vax that the deed is done and they must travel to Issylra. They must finish this and bring the fight to the enemy. Vax hesitates. He feels a hand touch his shoulder, the Matron whispering into his ear. He can choose what is important to him in this fleeting moment – so Vax chooses to stay. The Matron gives him one night. He will serve her in this mortal world and to its end.

The battle fades and Vox Machina decides to return home to Whitestone. They can recuperate, even if just for a day. Vax got the feeling that this one night is a gift on the precipice of the end of everything. Keyleth is bereft, but Vex comforts her. They will pretend it is all fine for this one night. Keyleth takes Vax’s hand as Percy and Vex tell him about his nieces and nephews. Vox Machina returns to Whitestone for one more night with Vax.

That is it for Episode 114 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• One night?! ONE NIGHT?! THAT’S IT?! I am not okay.
• Vox Machina back in action feels so good. Vax is saved!
• ONE NIGHT?!

Catch Episode 115 on Thursday, November 21st 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?