Arrival at Kraghammer

"Arrival at Kraghammer" is the first episode of the first season of Critical Role.

Synopsis
"Our story begins as Vox Machina, the heroes of Emon, arrive at the cavernous underground city of Kraghammer. After wiping out a grave threat to Emon’s emperor, Sovereign Uriel Tal'Dorei II, the band of adventurers has been sent on a journey by Arcanist, Allura Vysoren to find Lady Kima of Vord, a Halfling Paladin of Bahamut, who was drawn to Kraghammer upon learning of a great evil resting beneath it. The party get their bearings in the sprawling, Dwarven city, meet a few of its more colorful denizens, and learn that the Dwarves have been dealing with unnatural creatures spilling out of the mines in recent months. The mine’s overseer, Nostoc Greyspine, barely finishes explaining their troubles, when a pack of goblins and ogres come spilling out of the mine’s entrance, pursued by something far worse."

First Night
Upon arriving in Kraghammer, Vox Machina try to find an inn to sleep. Some members of the Carvers direct the group to the Pig Pits, a slop of mud where livestock are being kept. With a bribe and a wink from Vex'ahlia, the guards send them to the Iron Hearth Tavern instead, where Grog immediately meets some drinking buddies and, to Vex's horror, Vax'ildan offers everyone in the tavern a round of drinks. The tavern owner, Adra, appreciates his generosity.

Scanlan inquires about some rooms for the night. After they settle their accounts, Adra warns them not to do any thing "stupid" near the Carvers. Tiberius asks for clarification saying, "I do things like that all the time."

The group ask Adra about some local knowledge and they learn from a tavern patron of "things", goblins and the like, pouring out of the caves near the Greyspine Quarry.

Grog introduces himself to Balgus, the reigning tavern fighter champion. Keyleth and Vex try flirting with him. Keyleth tries to stroke his muscled arm and gets her hand slapped away for her awkwardness. "No touching the drunk dwarf." Vex has better luck stroking his ego and he tells her what he thinks of the Greyspines, they're "ass minds". Tiberius interrupts and with Percy's help manages to learn that they should take a gift when meeting them and he offers them a barrel of a rare vintage of Thistle Branch Dark Blood Wine from his own brewery for 500 gold. Vex haggles him down to one cup of congealed dragon blood.

Vox Machina split up to explore the citadel. Pike heads to bed. Percy and Keyleth spend the night making and filling out comment cards for the barmaîtres.

Scanlan and Grog find lady companionship for the night at The Stone's Pillow. Grog gets his money's worth with an aggressive elf and Scanlan gets manhandled by a dwarf.

Vax'ildan, Vex'ahlia, and Trinket do some reconnaissance on Greyspine Manor. They catch the attention of some Carvers and pretend to be sightseeing. The guards become scared of Trinket so Vex sends him mopishly back to the tavern. A guard escorts them to the Manor. The guard doesn't seem to have a great opinion of them. On their way back to the tavern, Vax and Vex try to ditch the guards escorting them. Vax vanishes but Vex is caught and talks her way out of it.

Tiberius searches for House Thunderbrand. Not used to seeing dragonborns, the dwarves he asks for directions send him meandering around Kraghammer for two hours. Tiberius tries to enter the grounds but sets off a dwarven rune that shoots a bolt of bluish energy at him. Tiberius shouts out but no one answers. He tries to knock on the door with his mage hand but it fizzles as it crosses the rune. He casts glacial blast towards the door but it stops at the barrier created by the runes and melts. Tiberius gives up on getting inside just as four Carvers surround him. A frustrated Tiberius yells at them, intimidating them until they step back. Tiberius apologizes and gets off with a warning and a threat. Tiberius obliviously saunters off.

Meanwhile, Vax sneaks back to Greyspine Manor and watches for a while and then heads back to the tavern.

Trivia

 * The pre-stream adventures of Dork the Ox and the troll dick were mentioned.
 * Matt says "How do you want to do this?" for the first time on-stream in this episode.
 * The Naga was the first boss Scanlan had ever killed.