A Race for the Prize

is the 27th episode of the third campaign of Critical Role.

Part I
Bells Hells arrives at the Undercarriage and rents three rooms for the nights. They briefly recount the plan, which they hope will let them walk into the Seat of Disdain legitimately to look for Armand Treshi instead of sneaking in. They worry that Treshi will learn that they are searching for him, but many in the group doubt this will happen. Chetney Pock O'Pea proposes that those who were not openly involved in swapping his ring (himself, Dusk, Laudna, and Ashton Greymoore) go to the Seat of Disdain to pretend to be looking for contract work with Paragon's Call while the others wait outside. Orym cautions that they should prepare to brute force their way into capturing Treshi, and Dusk suggests they improvise. Ashton and Chetney clarify that they are simply gathering intelligence on Treshi's location and gaining the ability to walk in and out of the Seat of Disdain. If Treshi does not attempt to escape, it is not their intention to capture him immediately. The Death Wish Run will serve as an emergency plan or as a distraction, depending on what happens. Laudna points out that Orym looks anxious, but he insists everything is fine.

The group looks for clues in the postcards Fearne received from her parents, Birdie and Oleander. Fearne clarifies that she received them at unpredictable times, ranging from birthdays to "out of the blue". Chetney notices that the postcards are in mint condition despite their alleged age and Fearne's regular handling. When Fearne says that she would often receive the cards shortly after she thought or reminisced about them to her grandmother Morri Calloway, Laudna points out how strange that is. Chetney further points out that the postcards are hand painted. Imogen Temult wonders if it truly has been 90 years since Fearne last saw her parents because of how time moves in the Feywild compared to Exandria, but Fearne remembers her parents leaving when she was small. When Imogen suggests that her grandmother made the cards, Fearne denies it, despite the similar handwriting. She also realizes that she forgot that Morri was specifically her mother's mother. Orym suggests that Morri was protecting Fearne from what her parents are doing and points out that their upcoming rendezvous with her parents will provide answers. Laudna reassures the uncertain Fearne that Bells Hells supports her, regardless of what happens with her parents.

Bells Hells

 * Ashton Greymoore
 * Chetney Pock O'Pea
 * Fearne
 * Fresh Cut Grass
 * Imogen Temult
 * Laudna
 * Orym

Returning

 * Esmer
 * Little Mister
 * Tanvir
 * Ratanish
 * Justi Pross
 * Imahara Joe

New

 * Otohan Thull, leader of Paragon's Call

Mentioned

 * Armand Treshi
 * Cyrus Wyvernwind
 * Delilah Briarwood
 * Dancer
 * Ira Wendagoth

Trivia

 * While talking about the couriers in the Feywild who deliver letters, Matt mentioned quicklings often perform this service and briefly referenced an instance in Campaign 2, in, where Jester Lavorre cast Planar Ally to summon the quickling Tevas to deliver cupcakes to Isharnai.