The Final Ascent

is the fourteenth episode of the eighth chapter of Critical Role. Vox Machina, having made their final preparations, make their way to the top of the tower of Entropis. With special guest Joe Manganiello!

Announcements

 * Ashley is here in the flesh!
 * There is a new Matthew Mercer shirt in the store.
 * The Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins comic book is available on Comixology, from Dark Horse. Currently the second highest-rated book on Comixology! There will be information next month about the second comic.
 * Talks Machina, Tuesdays at 7 PM Pacific.
 * Twitch subscriptions are half off for the month of September.
 * Laura and Travis are going to be at Anime Weekend Atlanta. They will also be in Australia in November.
 * Ashley hasn't been busy; she's just been looking at Cute Emergency and didn't want to come.

Previously on Critical Role
"Vox Machina [have] made their way through the innards of the undead, risen, primordial earth titan. On its shoulders was held the long-abandoned, until recently, city of Thar Amphala, from the Shadowfell, a city that once held the armies of Vecna, the Undying King, who has since risen once more and achieved godhood in recent days.

"[They] traversed to this titan, through its innards, up into the city of Thar Amphala. The outer wall currently manages to maintain an arcane dome that holds at bay any of the outward assailing forces of the wyvern riders or Devo'ssa, the brass dragon. The inside of it contains, in wait, a cloud of various gloomstalkers and apparently a skeletal dragon that peruse the city in safety as [they] make [their] way through the streets in search of the now recently reassembled and standing tower of Entropis.

"Now, upon seeking a sword that [had] historical binds of hatred of Vecna, and hopefully his downfall, the Sword of Kas, [they] went seeking this weapon, apparently long ago discarded and bound within a buried catacomb of some kind, within a pit of acid, along with many various corpses left over from an ancient war. In doing so, [they] unfortunately notified Vecna of [their] arrival. As Vex passed through into the ethereal plane, the ring that kept any sort of scrying at bay was lost, and both Vax and Keyleth came to his attention.

"All of [them] managed to flee back to Scanlan's mansion, where the rest were in wait. However, with a notification fresh at hand, the skeletal dragon swooped into the chamber where the mansion was set. On its back [were] riding Lady Delilah Briarwood and apparently the recent, re-risen, Sylas Briarwood.

"The mansion was dispelled, [Vox Machina] were exited from the pocket plane and, barely maneuvering due to do a very lucky roll, having [their] Plane Shift dispelled, [they] made [their] way into the Feywild as a hail-mary. Through a dick-drawing, [they] made contact with the one archfey that [they] have encountered in [their] previous journeys.

"Upon being summoned, and [their] knowledge of the strange time-altering nature of exiting the Feywild, [Vox Machina] asked if it was within his power to ensure the condensing of the time passage when [they] were to return. He agreed, under two conditions. One, when this was all said and done, [they] would help him assemble a doorway in the Prime Material plane, in which he could visit [their] space. Two, upon realizing that Vax was of some undying or re-rising nature, wished to strangle him until dead. [They] agreed, and shortly thereafter Vax expired into ashes and [they] all spent time awaiting his return."

Vox Machina

 * Taryon Darrington (absent; not mentioned)
 * Doty 2.0 (absent; not mentioned)
 * Keyleth
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Pike Trickfoot
 * Trinket
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia

New

 * Arkhan
 * Scanlan 2
 * Vander

Returning

 * Aldor (zombified)
 * Artagan
 * Delilah Briarwood
 * Sylas Briarwood
 * Scalebearer Desona (corpse)
 * Shaun Gilmore
 * Kaylie
 * J'mon Sa Ord
 * Cassandra de Rolo
 * Sarenrae (voice only)
 * The Sword of Kas

Mentioned

 * Elaina
 * Ioun
 * Kevdak
 * Nahla
 * Pelor
 * Tiamat
 * Wilhand Trickfoot
 * Vecna
 * Syldor Vessar