Critical Recap: Critical Role C3E117 “Race to the Ruidian Core”

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 117: Race to the Ruidian Core!

FUNGAL FRIENDS

Imogen panics after seeing the vision of her mother Liliana being slowly absorbed by Ludinus’ improved Quintessence Array as punishment for her betrayal. They have only an hour to save Liliana at most and must race against an unknown clock to try and find her in the tunnels below. As Bells Hells are still disguised as Ruidians, they have Fearne pretend to be their captive and make it underground as the detonations from the Volition and the Mighty Nein go off.

As they venture below, they capture several avadons in the portable hole to avoid a fight. They are surrounded by numerous myceit, the fungal creatures, who the Hells befriend. At Imogen’s request, the myceit lead the Hells down the tunnels and a fungal waterslide to the center of the fungal network. Fearne casts speak with plants and Ashton offers the seed from the All-Minds-Burn, which is accepted by the main fungal entity after they explain that the seed belongs to a lonely friend who wanted to explore.

Imogen leads the Hells through the other tunnels, directed by the myceit to go straight down. After another slide, they find the burrowed tunnel used by the Ruby Vanguard. Braius is able to use his Labyrinthean knowledge to lead them to the cavern where Ludinus is absorbing Liliana. A shell encases Ludinus and Liliana, who is floating above him and weeping. Multiple Exaltants surround them, channeling their energy into the shell as Liliana’s hair turns white. (Above table, Matt warns the group that they have only three rounds to save her.)

RESCUE PARTY

Bells Hells rush forward to save Liliana, focusing their attention on the Exaltants in order to break the magical shell around the two former allies. Ludinus does not want Liliana’s ‘judgment’ interrupted, as her Exaltant abilities are still key to freeing Predathos. Imogen casts whirlwind and Braius brutally kills two Exaltants outright. Laudna brings out her hound of ill-omen and takes her form of dread in her own feral hound posture. Ludinus is able to use a power taken from Liliana, showing how much he has already taken from her as her very toes crumble away.

Ludinus and Imogen exchange verbal barbs, with Ludinus telling her how useful she could have been. Imogen tells Ludinus he will die here – Ludinus knows that, but first he will finish everything he’s wanted. Chetney, in wolf form, leaps into the whirlwind, killing an Exaltant. Liliana’s shield shrinks with each death, but it still holds. Fearne reassures Imogen, promising her that they are going to save Liliana, and kills two Exaltants with a flame tornado.

CAGED

Laudna casts disintegrate, killing the final Exaltant and removing the shell shield. Braius faces Ludinus, finally able to act on his great mission, but both his attacks miss as purple lightning marks appear on Ludinus’ neck – he has successfully absorbed Liliana’s power. Dorian, in a last ditch move, casts forcecage on Ludinus and traps the ancient mage in a magical cage that Ludinus is now trapped inside.

Imogen takes her mother’s frail body and feeds her the supreme healing potion. Liliana is weak, but alive, and she tells her daughter how grateful she is that Imogen is here. Imogen realizes that Liliana’s Exaltant abilities are fully gone for now, as she is unable to offer her any power. Ludinus in his cage will have all of Liliana’s abilities for at least a day. He wants to take this time to chat with them all… before the end comes.

That is it for Episode 117 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• What will the All-Minds-Burn seed do with the fungi? Or vice versa?
• They saved Liliana! But Ludinus is now an Exaltant and thus, able to become a vessel for Predathos. So… that’s no good.
• Dorian! What an incredible forcecage move!
• Happy New Year, Critters! Let’s see what happens to Bells Hells and Exandria as we ring the new year in!

Catch Episode 118 on Thursday, January 2nd 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?