Treacherous Toys

is the 54th episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells' Team Wildemount tangles with the pasts of some of their own through enigmatic dreams and illuminating confrontations...

Part I
The people of Uthodurn who had watched the precession as Bells Hells led Umudara peacefully out of the city rush up, many of them congratulating them or offering them sponsorship. Among them is Sir Ludin, page to the Diarchy of Uthodurn, who invites them to the Grandcast Citadel at the behest of the dual monarchs to be recognized. Around this time, the party realizes that Chetney is not with them. Imogen attempts to cast Sending again, but still hears only static.

Chetney, meanwhile, is being patched up by a dwarvish medic, and, after flirting with him and pretending he is more injured than he is, leaves and asks after Umudara, and heads to the entrance. FRIDA notices him and tells Imogen, who is able to telepathically connect and call him over. He explains where he had been, and FCG updates him on Bells Hells' invitation to the palace. They all go to Deanna's cottage, as it is late at night.

Deanna's cottage is cozy and sized more for gnomes, but the ceilings are tall enough for the larger party members. Deanna and FRIDA each have their own rooms, and a complicate discussion ensues regarding sleeping arrangements; when Fearne recommends Deanna and Chetney share a bed, Deanna steps out for a moment. Imogen follows her. Deanna apologizes and says it's just been a stressful and exhausting day, and asks Imogen about being an adventurer. Imogen admits she has only been doing so for a few months, and asks what Chetney was like during their relationship. Deanna tells her that while it was a vacation fling, he was still very driven and focused, which is what she found attractive. Imogen tells her that while she hasn't probed Chetney's mind lately, she can tell he thinks fondly of Deanna.

Meanwhile, FCG asks FRIDA about their dreams and what it's like, and asks if he can cast Shared Dream if it's not too much of an imposition. After some discussion, FRIDA agrees as long as it's just the two aeormatons. Deanna then returns and gives the sleeping arrangement: the women in Deanna's room, the aeormatons in FRIDA's room, and Chetney on the couch. Deanna realizes that FRIDA is a little nervous, mostly because they have not met anyone like them. FCG and FRIDA talk a little in FRIDA's room, and FRIDA shows FCG their sketches them and Deanna. They tell FCG they are not romantically in love with Deanna, but they do love who she is. They also show FCG sketches of their dream, which include an image of Exandria as a globe. FCG is doubtful, and FRIDA briefly leaves to check with Chetney regarding FCG's belief that the world is flat. Chetney tells FRIDA that it's a whole thing, but maybe FCG will eventually realize the truth.

FCG then casts the spell, and the two power down to dream. FRIDA's dream has a misty white and gold sky, with Catha, but not Ruidus. The two aeormatons are flying through the sky above Exandria. FRIDA then looks down and sees their legs, which are humanoid and seemingly flesh, rather than metallic. FCG, meanwhile, sees FRIDA as they usually are, but there is also a humanoid child overlaying them in the same space. FRIDA tells FCG what they see, and that they don't know what it means, and FCG asks if they can see the child. FRIDA says they cannot, but they can feel a presence. They then ask FCG if they can wake up, and FCG ends the spell and they both awaken, embracing. FRIDA says it was a very personal dream, but they are glad that FCG was there. They don't remember the boy clearly, but it seems to ring a faint bell, perhaps someone they were supposed to protect; they remember the child had pure laughter that was something like Deanna's. FCG offers to, at a later time, try to see if FRIDA has any recordings of this boy. FRIDA asks FCG why they're always helpful, as with Umudara, and FCG tells them they like to turn what would be enemies into friends. They, and the others, then all go to sleep.

They are awoken by Deanna preparing breakfast, which is her form of worship of the Dawnfather. They also notice that it is brighter in the city, though mostly due to oil lanterns rather than magic. FRIDA shares some precious metal with FCG as the others eat the pancakes Deanna made. FCG insists they go to Oltgar's Chest, despite Chetney's protestations that there are more pressing tasks, like seeing Jaquoby Macyl. FRIDA asks for more details and Chetney tells him of his past; that he and Oltgar had been close colleagues and business partners crafting wooden toys until Drixlitch Ovana intervened and Oltgar chose to expand into metal toys as well, at which point Chetney stabbed them both before fleeing the city. Deanna and FRIDA realize that Oltgar's Chest no longer goes by that name, but is now D&O Toy Emporium. After Chetney warns the party that he will stab Drixlitch at any opportunity, they head down the Auger Trail towards the shop.

The shop, which is made of well-cut stone, painted turquoise and purple, appears closed and shuttered, and two employees in uniform, as well as a tall dwarf in a red leather apron, are outside of it. Chetney goes invisible. As Bells Hells watches, they see a large orc in armor run from the shop, with his hair on fire. He tells the employees he quits before walking off. Chetney tells the others to ask what's going on, as this seems abnormal, and Fearne approaches the tall dwarf, whom Chetney recognizes as Oltgar. Oltgar tells Fearne that due to the broken enchantments, the Whizzle-cages, which held pymon firebugs, no longer can contain the bugs, and they are loose and damaging the shop. Imogen recognizes that Oltgar seems unhappy. Drix, a blonde elvish man, then interrupts and introduces himself. Fearne pretends to be a customer, and Drix pompously tells her that Oltgar only handles the toy making, though some toys are also imported from elsewhere, and he handles the business side. He asks Fearne if she's looking for work to help clear out the shop. Fearne shows him the wolf figurine Chetney had carved for her, and while Drix dismisses it, Oltgar recognizes the skillful craftsmanship.

FCG asks Drix for more information, and Drix explains that not only are the firebugs loose; he also has a pet craskkalid, which in its larval form is wormlike and the mascot of the shop, but the heat from the firebugs may have led it to pupate and become its far more dangerous adult form. He asks them to deal with it, and offers them 500 gold and a sponsorship. Fearne negotiates for 500 gold per person, which Oltgar quickly agrees to, and Imogen asks for the keys to Drix's apartments so they can get to the craskkalid. FRIDA uses this opportunity to kick at the cane Drix has and, with help from Fearne, steal Drix's entire key ring after he removes his room key and gives it to Imogen. Drix then leaves to finish his breakfast. As he does, Chetney invokes his Rite of the Frozen and surreptitiously uses his Brand of Castigation so he can track Drix, who does not realize it was Chetney. Deanna gives Oltgar a pancake that had been stored in FCG's oven, and Imogen uses Detect Thoughts to confirm that Oltgar cannot stand Drix. Bells Hells then enters the shop, which smells strongly of burning.

Part II
Bells Hells prepares for combat inside the shop. Everyone supports Chetney by insulting the quality of the metal toys and destroying several of them. FCG points out, following Imogen's explanation of Oltgar's feelings, that Chetney's perception of him seemed warped, and Oltgar seems to be a good person who was led astray. Chetney tells them that Oltgar should have had more strength in his convictions. FRIDA recommends they use this opportunity so that Chetney can perhaps bring Oltgar back to his love of wood toys and get rid of Drix. They are then interrupted by a swarm of the pymon firebugs entering the room. Deanna uses her ability to speak with small beasts to ask them to land. Some land on the table, and others on Deanna. She notices they are very warm, and seem to be attracted to the syrup on the pancakes that are being kept in FCG. FCG finds a wooden crate, but Imogen notes that it might be wise to not use something wooden to trap the firebugs. Chetney realizes that she is correct, as firebugs eat both sugar and wood. Fearne casts Air Bubble in an attempt to contain them, but the bugs burst out of it, and the party enters initiative.

The various swarms of bugs attack, causing both piercing and fire damage as they do so. Fearne creates a Snare, and Imogen uses Telekinesis, but it takes some time to coordinate. Deanna is able to blind the bugs, but it seems to only agitate. As they become more agitated, they become hotter. Fearne casts multiple Snares, and the party mostly pivots to luring or forcing the bugs into them, though they also continue to fight back and diminish or kill some of the swarms in the process. They clear the first floor, but more swarms on the second floor overwhelm Chetney, who is now in his werewolf form with Turmoil at the ready. They then swarm Deanna. Eventually, the party kills the swarms on the second floor, and the ones on the first floor remain trapped. Fearne steals several small items, and brings out Little Mister

Despite having the key, Chetney scythes the door to Drix's bedroom, revealing a canopy bed, a fine wooden desk, a chest, and what appears to be the remains of a cocoon on the floor, indicating the craskkalid has completed its transformation from the larval state. Chetney checks the chest for traps, and finds none. Deanna meanwhile casts Dawn in preparation on a space within the room, and as she does, notices a massive orange-eyed insect on the ceiling, which drops down. Bells Hells and their companions enter initiative again. Fearne, Imogen, and FCG all immediately do significant damage, but the creature slashes and grabs hold of Fearne, and spears Imogen. Deanna, Chetney, and FRIDA all deal more damage, but the creature does fire damage to those in its vicinity, and maintains its grip on Fearne. Fearne then has the idea to Polymorph the craskkalid back into its larval form for an hour and leave it as a problem for Drix when the spell ends.

The party uses their time to go through the shop and Drix's room and investigate D&O's business documents. Imogen finds that some of the imported toys are coming from child labor in Shadycreek Run. Chetney meanwhile finds that many of the ledgers reveal debts as well as forged documents in Oltgar's name that leave the shop to Drix. He tells Fearne that he doesn't want the craskkalid here to cause further damage to the shop, Oltgar, or the people of the city, though Fearne still wants to make it Drix's problem. FRIDA collects some of the broken wood, recognizing it as high quality. As Deanna and FCG heal the party, Chetney finds an enchanting kit and steals a pair of fingerless gloves that seem magical. He is able to sense that Drix is about a mile and a half away, and tells Bells Hells they will have a conversation with Oltgar. Imogen warns him that she is not interested in hurting Oltgar.

Fearne, after the party convinces her not to bring the craskkalid to Drix, runs towards the city gates in able to make it out before Polymorph ends. She is able to do so, and somewhat awkwardly evades the Glassblades outside before gently "plinkoing" it down a cliff, out of sight. Upon taking damage it immediately zeroes in on her and comes after her. She begins to run, screaming for help from the Glassblades as it begins to catch up. They quickly shoot it and kill it with their ballistae, and as they wonder how this creature came to the tundra, Fearne disappears back through the gates, avoiding their questions. Back at the shop, Deanna steals Drix's hair products and the others manage to get the firebugs into metal boxes, which heat up, but seem to hold.

Bells Hells exits the shop, victorious. Oltgar thanks them, but Chetney steps forward, accusingly, and invites him to talk inside the shop. Oltgar is worried by how torn up the shop seems, and Deanna begins Mending it as Chetney half-heartedly apologizes for some of his past actions, notably stabbing Oltgar in the hand. He then tells Oltgar that Drix is taking advantage of him and that he should sell the shop and use the profits to build a better shop with more integrity to the craft. Imogen tries to use Detect Thoughts to see if Oltgar was aware of the child labor, but his mind is too closed off, and FCG and Chetney cannot discern whether he was or was not either. Oltgar admits he has been very unhappy for some time and wishes to return to his true love of woodcarving. Chetney tries, unsuccessfully, to forgive him, but Oltgar waves him off and tells him he hasn't earned it yet. Chetney tells Oltgar this will be his only warning; he has two days to settle his affairs and leave the city. Oltgar agrees, as Fearne returns and tells them the craskkalid has been dealt with.

Oltgar pays the party 400 platinum from the store's coffers, 100 more than was promised. Chetney suggests that Oltgar purchase a sleigh and eight or nine cliffneck goats, and Oltgar considers making toys for children across the world. FCG suggests he head north towards Eiselcross. Fearne, at Chetney's suggestion, sets Drix's desk on fire to cover up the stolen documents, though Chetney puts it out before the entire shop catches ablaze. They then head towards the Grandcast Citadel for their audience with the Diarchy.

Main player characters

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

Guest player characters

 * Deanna Leimert
 * FRIDA

Companions
These characters are familiars or other companions of the player characters.
 * Little Mister

New
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Drixlitch Ovana
 * Sir Ludin, royal page to the Diarchy of Uthodurn
 * Oltgar Dradegon

Mentioned

 * Catlyn, seamstress in Uthodurn
 * King Imathan Talviel
 * Jaquoby Macyl
 * Marney, Deanna's daughter
 * Queen Simone Fruunast

Quotations

 * Deanna: "Why are we observing physics in the game with our pretend brains?"

Trivia

 * When Aabria rolls a critical hit on Inflict Wounds, Laura says that she wanted a critical hit on the spell for the entirety of Campaign 2. Notably, Laura rolled a critical hit on a 6th-level Inflict Wounds in, ultimately causing the highest amount of damage in a turn using only single-target spells and the second highest damage in a single attack roll.