Critical Recap: Critical Role C4E14 “A Bridge Too Far”

Hello and welcome to Critical Recap! I’m Jared Deiro, the Critical Role Junior Lore Keeper. Let’s take a quick dip into Critical Role Campaign 4 Episode 14 A Bridge too Far!

TO WHAT END?

As the Soldiers ride back to Dol-Makjar from Tybry’s Lea, Teor and Thimble look towards the long road ahead as they sit side-by-side. They discuss the possible routes of getting the heavy statue of Cyd back into the city walls; Teor realizes he still holds the Bracers of Oak and Birch taken from the Knight of Seremai (once belonging to Callowyn Royce). Thimble remembers the bracers giving Aranessa’s younger brother enormous strength.

Thimble decides she will go to the Archanade and talk to Bolaire, knowing he has the right infrastructure to get magical items in and out of the city. Teor watches Thimble as she speaks with fervor – seeing an urgent, and excited desperation to find the next quest, the next distraction. He then notices motes of gold fall from her wings like those that fall from the leaves in the Golden Orchard, similar light to the radiance that comes from the eyes of the lion-headed emblem at his hip.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT OCCTIS

In Schongarten, the druidic sanctuary of Riesingürtle, Thaisha is confronted by three druids: Amadah, a bearfolk druidess, Mozor, a dwarven druid of the Stone, and Hannan, an elven druid of the Hunt.

Thaisha is deeply insulted by the druid’s declaration on Occtis, but Thaisha trusts the strength and wisdom of her people. She tells them the truth about how Occtis became undead, explaining how he is different from the others she’s encountered. She still considers him a friend and believes that Occtis is closer to life than death.

The druids continue to interrogate her, still unsure of the relic that participated in the ritual, along with Tachonis’ part in it. But unfortunately to all parties, there continue to be more questions than answers, and though Amadah vouches for Thaisha, Hannan wants to speak to the rest of her party.

In the Long House, everyone else rests and relishes the fresh bread and stew. Aranessa fiddles with a small finger piano as Julian decides the next steps to get everyone to Gerwyn, then the Golden Orchard. While discussing these steps, Hala invites them to join Thaisha.

RECKLESS STRIDES

Julien and Vaelus scan for an exit while they join the druids, when suddenly Hannan crouches, battle-ready, calling Vaelus “a cruel, careless, and mindless follower of the dead tyrants.” He wants her dead. Occtis intervenes, reminding Hannan that the meeting is about him and not her, his eyes flare green as he becomes deeply intimidating. Amadah calms everyone down, but Thaisha becomes unsettled by Occtis’ deadly reaction.

Occtis tells the druids that his time as a living thing has passed, and he is not attempting to find “a new life” – instead, Occtis sought to hold fast to his name and body. He further explains his upbringing and the traumatic situation he went through. Amadah weeps and thanks Occtis for everything; she does not believe what Thaisha did is heresy.

Hannan interrupts, accusing Vaelus of having the relic on her. She explains that it was stolen from her by Thjazi Fang, to which Hannan pushes harder, “Did Thjazi come there? Did Mara the Wing?” He demands she withdraw the stone.

Vaelus produces the stone, but does not let go. Mozor studies it as his eyes flash with ancient runes of giants. He tells everyone the stone was carved from the bones of El-Naumri, a celestial of Sylandri and the warrior of autumn. The stone is sacred to those of Vaelus’ faith. That faith once bore no kindness to the Old Path.

With this newfound information and this walking miracle, Amadah thanks Thaisha for being reckless, apologizing for the tension. The druids offer the Seekers their eagles to travel east to Gerwyn. Amadah will gather supplies and meet them at the Eagles Eyrie. Mozor offers to lead them across the Hachvallen Brücke to the Eyrie.

As they follow Mozor out of the gates of Schongarten, Vaelus notices Mozor sweeping on the sanctuary steps ACROSS the grotto…but…Mozor is leading them?

Vaelus tells the group’s Mozor to stop, as she points out the other Mozor below. Suddenly, the gates creak, and a shout rings “Stand down!” – The Seekers see a squadron of Tachonis guards in front of them on the Hachvallen Brücke. “Mozor” screams and turns into Enmity.

BATTLE ON THE HACHVALLEN BRÜCKE

House Tachonis march toward the Seekers, demanding they stand down for arrest. Occtis instead tells the guards to stand down, claiming to be his brother, Frons Tachonis. But unfortunately, the front man of the company raises his visor, revealing himself to be Frons.

A fight breaks out between the Seekers, the Tachonis guard, and the three Halovar demon sisters (who still believe that Tyranny and Wick are disguised as Occtis and Vaelus). MASSIVE ballistae appear at the top of the gates as Thaisha creates a massive cloud of fog on the bridge, isolating Frons from his soldiers.

Aranessa hastens Julien as he moves in on Frons. Occtis casts chill touch (a necromantic spell) on Enmity, who now realizes that this CANNOT be Wick. The Seekers watch as plumes of black smoke fly toward them in the distance from the Klippenblicke – the Tachonis twins are on their way.

With the bounty of fae magic at his disposal, Julien swipes at Frons multiple times before kicking him over the side of the 200 ft. bridge, and Vaelus fires a Guiding Bolt toward the guards, frightening them. Occtis, being the highest-ranking Tachonis in their vicinity, demands that the guards stand down. But Julien continues his fight, leaving one alive to warn the family.

As the party rushes through the open gate. Occtis uses a spell to scratch ‘Here lies Frons’ on the side of the bridge before he runs and closes the portcullis gate behind him.

Lady Petra Tachonis and Lady Ryah Tachonis land on the bridge. They see the written message just as the Seekers rush to the Eyrie, escaping in the nick of time.

AAAAAnd that is IT for Episode 14 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• The indecisive perspective and beliefs combatting each other alongside such heavy lore drops was very cool. Thaisha v druids. Hannan v. Vaelus. All with everyone coming to the defense of our boy Occtis.
• Very cool to see the switch-up in Occtis’ personality, how is this going to affect the relationship with Thaisha? We all saw that.
• OOOOH man whatta fun and dynamic combat. I love a multi-level fight with multiple adversaries at each other’s throats. Also HUGE SHOUT OUT TO KEO ON THAT MAP!! WHAT. A. FIGHT.

Catch Episode 15 of Critical Role Campaign 4 on Thursday, February 12th 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 in two parts on our podcast. Is it Thursday yet?