Critical Recap: Critical Role C4E25 “Targeted”

Hello and welcome to Critical Recap! I’m Dani Carr, the Critical Role Lore Keeper. Let’s dive into Critical Role Campaign 4 Episode 25 Targeted!

HOLLY AND INK

The Seekers awaken in the Eternal Night and prepare to return to Castle Torch. Occtis and Vaelus read through the documents they stole from the Tachonis tents, learning that soldiers are stationed at the Golden Orchard and Houndsport and that the “Sea Door” is closing. Vaelus finds a sprig of holly that grows in the Mournvale and Thaisha talks to the plant, learning that it was used in a locate object spell.

Occtis finds a letter to his uncle, Segundus, from his sisters Petra and Ryah. The letter refers to the Barrowguard as a last minute improvisation and that they are all heading to Dol-Makjar before going north to board the Moray and join him beyond the Sea Door. The twins mention their confusion about their father’s urgency despite the failed experiments and the needed sacrifices. They sought to bring Occtis to Tanessar, rather than perform the sacrifice in Dol-Makjar. Univere and Docet are nearly done with their harvesting and are being reassigned to retrieve the stolen calcidion, but the twins want to focus on the Old Path rather than the Golden Orchard. They believe that splitting focus on both sides of the reaches is a foolish rush.

The letter also mentions they expect the King of Timmony to be dead, and that the twins want to focus on seizing that political opportunity. “Two-thirds” of the council is on their side, so this is their chance to lay low the Gray Tower. Petra and Ryah do not want to make the mistake of their grandfather and rely on magic at the exclusion of politics. Since Primus will not listen to them, the twins implore Segundus to speak to him, or at least explain the recent recklessness.

CHAOS AT THE GALA

The Seekers are celebrating the Hallowed Round at a masquerade gala held at the Archanade. King Gus of Timmony has confronted Photarch Yanessa about the Candescent Creed’s influence in Timmony, so the two go to the dining room with Gus’ druid attendant Cyrus and Hound Marten, and Yanessa’s Lux attendant, as well as an invisible Murray. Outside the room, Bolaire hears a crossbow bolt cocked, but cannot see the wielder. Hal notices a nama dressed as an Argosian minister step into another private chamber. Hal disguises himself and follows the minister.

Food and drink is passed out and a goblet is handed to Cyrus, who casts a spell before giving the goblet to Gus, claiming that the drink is clear. Gus drinks and begins to choke. Murray realizes that the druid has been dominated and did not actually clear the drink. Assassins begin to attack the Timmonish knights and crossbow bolts loaded with pouches of dust are shot into the room. The dust only affects the Hounds, causing them to froth and panic. Yanessa is hit by a crossbow bolt and knocked unconscious and Murray sneaks a healing potion to King Gus.

Cyrus, still possessed, disarms the poisoned Gus as Hal confronts the nama minister, who is casting a spell. In the hallway, Bolaire (now disguised) and Azune attack the assassins, joined by the Magpie security. The assassins kill the Lux’s attendant before she can heal the Photarch, who has rolled a Nat 1 death save. Murray tries to give a portent to Yanessa, but realizes that Yanessa is not actually dying – the Photarch is faking her death right now.

THE TIDE SHIFTS

Filoneus Halovar is unable to get into the dining hall, as the room is kept locked by an invisible spellcaster, and calls out for help. Azune and Bolaire hear the assassins speak in Argosi as Murray attempts to return Gus his weapons. In the other room, Hal’s attacks against the nama minister break his concentration, allowing Cyrus to throw off the dominate person and remove the poison from Gus. King Gus immediately and angrily enters the fight by slicing off the arm of an assassin. The nama minister dangerously teleports away from Hal.

The assassins focus on Gus, but Murray keeps him defended with a shield glyph and portents before finally having to drop her invisibility as Gus kills an assassin. Azune is nearly dropped, but Bolaire heals him. The doors are opened and the Magpies rush in, with Varen calling out to Azune. This gets the attention of one of the assassins. Another one, an Executioner, rushes Azune, and the assassin leaps in front and takes the hit. The helmet falls, and Azune sees the face of his sister, Mayali.

Cyrus removes poison from the Hounds and Marten kills an assassin. Another assassin disappears and Azune heals his sister. She tells Azune that she remembers, and that she won’t know a moment as happy as this one before breaking a dimension door rune and vanishing. Varin shouts to keep one alive, but the executioner is the only assassin still standing – and they are focused on Filoneus. Murray can tell that Filoneus’ despair over Yanessa is an act. She attempts to cast hold person on him, but Filoneus resists and beheads the executioner.

Suddenly, light fills the chamber and Yanessa’s body rises, light radiating from her chest. Everyone watches the resurrection of Photarch Yanessa Halovar.

That is it for Episode 25 of Critical Role!

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Yanessa is “resurrected” and only Murray knows the truth! Will anyone believe her?
• Azune’s sister Mayali stayed with the Gallows’ mercenary band when Azune was left behind alone – what has she been up to all these years?
• King Gus is saved! Long live King Gus and his adorable dogs!!

Catch Episode 26 of Critical Role Campaign 4 on Thursday, May 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 in two parts on our podcast. Is it Thursday yet?