Vox Machina Origins II 4

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #4 is the tenth issue of Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins and the fourth issue of Vox Machina Origins Series II. It was written by Jody Houser, illustrated by Olivia Samson, lettered by Ariana Maher, and the cover illustrated by Sam Hogg. The issue was published by Dark Horse Comics on December 18, 2019.

Plot summary
Vox Machina is still in Eskil Ryndarien's library, waiting while he looks through several books. Grog asks if there is a way to remove the phylactery magically, but Ryndarien tells him that if there is no protection ritual, removing the phylactery will likely be fatal - though Ryndarien does muse that he could attempt a tricky resurrection. Keyleth requests they not do that. Ryndarien soon finds the ritual, but tells the party he needs two more components: the heart of a nymph, and the skull of a nightmare.

Scanlan asks where these might be obtained, and Ryndarien tells them that he had heard rumors of a cult near Jorenn Village where members dance with a fiery horse, which may be the nightmare in question. The nymph is more difficult; he only knows of one, believed to be living in the Frostweald. Because Grog's situation is urgent, Ryndarien suggests the party split. Grog is concerned, but Vox Machina does so.

"Team Nymph Heart", made up of Grog, Vax, Vex, and Trinket, travels to the Frostweald. They decide to rest, exhausted from the eternal winter storm, and Vex clears off some snow from a pillar only to find that it looks like a very life-like statue. As the group becomes concerned, Grog begins to become controlled by some form of magic, but Vex slaps him to break him out of it. Vax then notices two large basilisks emerging from the woods, and tells everyone to avert their eyes to avoid being petrified. Vex and Vax manage to kill one basilisk with their respective arrows and daggers, but Grog bumps into Vex, and when she falls, she accidentally looks at the other basilisk. She calls for Grog and begins to run away, and Grog lands the killing blow on the second basilisk as Vex becomes petrified, calling out "you need to…" as she turns to stone.

Vax paces briefly, trying to figure out what Vex might have meant, before remembering her words when she was curing him of the spider's poison - that the problem and solution are often contained in the same creature. He asks Grog to bring him some basilisk blood and pour it on Vex, which they do. Vex slowly reverts to her normal form. They discuss restoring the other petrified people, but decide to wait until after they've found the nymph heart.

As they continue on, the wintry landscape subsides and Team Nymph Heart finds themselves in a green glade with a small pool in the center. Trinket uncovers some skulls, which gives the group some pause, and the twins discuss how they might capture or attack the nymph. Meanwhile, a bored Grog sees a woman bathing in the pool, and startles her by telling her that she's very beautiful. As the twins continue to talk, Grog calls to them, telling them that Nahla told him to come with her to see a "really great fey place.'" He and Nahla then walk into a portal, which disappears. Vex shoots an arrow, but it is too late. An exasperated and worried Vex and Vax then decide to wait in the glade, but Grog and Nalha almost immediately return to the Material Plane. Nahla kisses Grog on the cheek before leaving again.

Vex and Vax ask Grog if he's okay and what happens, and he tells them that he doesn't exactly remember what happened, but holds a blue stone that Nahla gave him: a nymph heart.

Returning

 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Keyleth
 * Pike Trickfoot
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia
 * Trinket
 * Eskil Ryndarien

New

 * Nahla

Creative team

 * Story — Matthew Mercer
 * Script — Jody Houser
 * Art — Olivia Samson
 * Colors — MSASSYK
 * Lettering — Ariana Maher
 * Cover art — Sam Hogg

Collections

 * Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins: Series I & II Collection