Critical Recap: Critical Role C3E55 “Hope Within History”

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 55 Hope Within History!

THE PROTECTORS

The group heads to the Grandcast Citadel to meet with the leaders of the Diarchy of Uthodurn, King Imathan Talviel (an elf from Molaesmyr) and Queen Simone Fruunast (the dwarven daughter of the previous queen). They arrive while the King and Queen are meeting with another guest, Lord Desavon Kamash. Fearne steals a ring from him before the group heads into the throne room. There, they are proclaimed Protectors of the Diarchy. This title comes with access to the city, a reward, and a modest request.

King Imathan explains that Umudara was a spirit of the Veluthil Forest and a guardian of Molaesmyr. When the fleeing elves found the bull magically frozen, they brought him to Uthodurn to protect him. The other protectors may still be in the Veluthil Forest, which is now known as the Savalirwood, and may have awoken as well. King Imathan hopes that Umudara’s return may help relieve the Savalirwood’s corruption.

NEWS AND REQUESTS

Queen Simone and King Imathan explain that this apogee solstice has cut off their communication with the world and that some of their more powerful magic has been undone. They also confirm that resurrection magic is currently inaccessible and the temples are spooked. They’ve sent all who can teleport abroad to gather information and they should return within the next week or two.

Chetney explains that they were in Marquet when everything occurred and mentions Ludinus Da’leth, a name that King Imathan recognizes. The group requests that, as Protectors, they be granted teleportation when available, information on Molaesmyr, new clothing from the famed Catlyn Delafin, and the expedition of their research requests from the Vellum Steeple.

THE MAGE AND MOLAESMYR

King Imathan tells them that Ludinus was one of the powerful mages of Molaesmyr. He avoided politics and preferred to stay in his Gildhollow Tower, where he studied the past. When the city fell, he fled south to Wynandir. Ludinus cared little for the needs of others and how to help them. He studied the nature of the gods and hoarded historical relics and carried a strange animosity that no one trusted. He hotly debated with the heads of temples, causing the priests to demand that his work resources be limited. This led to Ludinus becoming reclusive.

The fall of Molaesmyr itself came without warning and was caused by something beneath the city. Molaesmyr was founded on a fount of magic they were attempting to understand, with researchers discovering ever deepening caverns below. King Imathan believes the cataclysm was unleashed here, in their attempt to discover the essence of this magic. Ruidus was flaring the night that a storm of toxic shadow engulfed the city, warping its people and the forest.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Molaesmyr is about a week’s travel from Uthodurn. Grand-Conservator Aramond Tuestral was the researcher delving into the magic and his writings may still be in the ruins. The Vellum Steeple has sent many people delving, but it is a dangerous endeavor. The group reveals that Ludinus is behind the events of the apogee solstice and that he was trying to bring down the gods. They believe their actions lessened the impact of his work.

Deanna asks if Molaesmyr fell during an apogee solstice. King Imathan believes so. This, plus the knowledge that Ruidus was flaring, leads the group to believe that Ludinus may have been behind the city’s fall, as well. A court noble confirms that the solstice, which should have ended yesterday, is continuous. The leylines are still in the sky. The group wants to go to Molaesmyr to learn more about Ludinus. Imogen questions this diversion, but this is something helpful they can do while they wait for the mages to return.

The rulers give them advice about traveling to Molaesmyr and warn them of threats within the Savalirwood and the lawless town of Shadycreek Run. They receive a map of the Greying Wildlands and a set of mithril armor from the family of a deceased guard. They leave and F.R.I.D.A. reveals to Deanna their burgeoning crush on FCG. Deanna encourages F.R.I.D.A. to follow their heart and F.R.I.D.A. encourages her to do the same, but Deanna thinks Chetney has moved on.

ENCYCLOPEDIA DA’LETH

The group splits up, with Deanna, Imogen, Chetney, and Fearne going to the Vellum Steeple. They meet with Scribewarden Uvesic, who gives them a thin dossier on Ludinus and introduces them to Chief Auditor Keenash Serevoldin, who has headed expeditions to the Savalirwood. He warns them of the cursed nature of the woods and its many corrupted denizens and ghosts.

The dossier on Ludinus is threadbare, as there is little recorded about him and his aloof persona. Most of the information involves the Cerberus Assembly and the Eve of Crimson Midnight, an event where he helped end a deadly skirmish between the mages of the Dwendalian Empire and the Julous Dominion. His heroics that night led to the creation of the Cerberus Assembly, where his title is the Archmage of Domestic Protections.

Ludinus was also key in absorbing the Julous Dominion into the Empire. Recently, Ludinus was praised for his work in helping end the War of Ash and Light between the Empire and the Kryn Dynasty. In Molaesmyr, he was a lower council member who had tension with the temples. He immigrated to Molaesmyr from an elvish community in Issylra called Ivaadel.

AEORMATON FEELS

Meanwhile, FCG and F.R.I.D.A. go to Jaquoby Macyl’s tinkering shop. They talk about how grateful they are to know each other. FCG was guarded with their emotions, but F.R.I.D.A. knew them from the start. F.R.I.D.A. had struggled with their anger about being brought back to life, but now they consider it another shot at living. They get to discover more about themself by meeting FCG. Now, however, F.R.I.D.A. is afraid of something happening to Deanna or FCG.

F.R.I.D.A. loves Deanna, but she’s not their person. FCG had a person once, referring to Dancer, but he tried to kill her. F.R.I.D.A. asks if they, for example, were FCG’s special person, would he try and kill them? FCG assures them that he would not. F.R.I.D.A. kisses FCG on the cheek, but they turn their head and meet F.R.I.D.A. for a more intimate kiss.

The two meet Jaquoby, who eagerly outfits FCG in the mythril armor and gives them some upgrades. FCG asks about possibly receiving legs, which Jaquoby promises to work on while they’re gone. Jaquoby also reveals that FCG’s faceplate can open – inside is written ‘Faithful Care-giver’. Thus, FCG. Jaquoby also gives F.R.I.D.A. some cables, so they can experiment with using their arcane core to power prepared enchantments.

THE STORM AND THE DAWN

Chetney talks to Imogen while they walk, asking how she’s feeling about her mother’s role in the apogee solstice. Imogen thinks it’s strange that Liliana fought for the storm. Imogen doesn’t know if her mother is even there anymore. Chetney asks if she wants them to fight Liliana next time. If their friends are gone because of her, then Imogen wants to take her down.

Deanna goes to the Dawnfather temple. She speaks to Keeper Evodon Leeds and asks why he’s curtailing prayer and closing the temple. The temples are circling the wagons as they try to figure out what’s going on. The high priests’ ability to communicate with the gods has been severed. They’re still there, but turned away. Is this because of the sins of mortals?

Deanna tells him that the gods are afraid of something that is coming for them. But they, the clerics, can still serve the people and be a light. He agrees to try and keep the temples open. She gives him 500 gold and tells him that even if he feels alone, he doesn’t have to be. Even if the Dawnfather isn’t there, the people are. She leaves as he encourages people to return to the temple for prayer and community.

RETAIL THERAPY

Everyone meets at Catlyn Delafin’s clothing store. Chetney requests a purple, stretchy tracksuit. Imogen requests a long, flowing sheer dress with a cropped leather coat. FCG and F.R.I.D.A. officially announce themselves as an item and FCG requests a long blue duster to complement F.R.I.D.A.’s while F.R.I.D.A. requests their coat be mended, with ‘FCG’ sewn into the lining.

Deanna is eager to show off her curves with a stretchy green bodysuit beneath her plate armor. Fearne requests everything: silks, organza, tulle, etc. She wants an elaborate Rococo-inspired dress with a corset and a shawl knitted by Deanna. Inspired, Chetney requests that Deanna knit him some wristbands and a headband as well. Deanna and Imogen also request corsets, as well as a black corset for when they reunite with Laudna.

After a few hours, the outfits are presented and the group returns to Deanna’s home. Deanna explains that she and F.R.I.D.A. had gone to Eiselcross to look for Aeor because of F.R.I.D.A.’s dreams. Unfortunately, Aeor was crawling monsters and Xhorhasian soldiers, so they had to leave. Deanna and F.R.I.D.A. will definitely be joining for Molaesmyr, though.

REACHING OUT

Fearne leaves and finds the Wildmother temple outside the city. She talks to a statue of the goddess and asks her to reach out to Orym so that he knows they’re okay. She hears only the cold night wind, so returns to Deanna’s. She wakes up Chetney and tells him to pursue Deanna, otherwise she will. He feels like he’s made his interest clear and invites Fearne to join in the pursuit, as all is fair in love and war.

Fearne joins Deanna and Imogen and they discuss the gods and how much Imogen hates not knowing what’s happening in the world. They spy on FCG and F.R.I.D.A., who discuss how much they like each other. F.R.I.D.A. sketches FCG and they power off together, holding hands.

In the morning, they go to the temple of the Matron of Ravens, which is closed. A priest tells Chetney that the Matron remains, but her thoughts are distant and they trust in her plan. Afterwards, they acquire six Flotket goats (Jerry, Musky, Fabio, Belle, Patchwork, and Donnie Boy) and begin their journey to the Savalirwood.

That is it for Episode 55 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• FIRST KISS OF THE CAMPAAAIGN!!!
• Faithful! Care! Giver!!!
• The group speculated on whether or not the King and Queen are romantically involved, but this Lore Keeper can tell you that the two have more of a mentor/mentee situation.
• Oh! Cool! Resurrection magic isn’t working! That’s fine! That’s great! That’s cool! There are no problems here! HELP.

Catch Episode 56 on Thursday, April 20th at 7pm Pacific on twitch.tv/criticalrole and on youtube.com/criticalrole or a week later on our podcast. Is it Thursday yet?