Night at the Ligament Manor

is the 46th episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells travel to the Fey Realm, where they meet Fearne's curious Nana Morri and learn more about Fearne's unconventional upbringing...

Part I
In Ligament Manor, Morri offers Bells Hells their cocktails, which she calls Moonlight Glycerin (and which grants the party darkvision), as they introduce themselves to her. When she touches Ashton's head, there are sparkles within the glass, and Ashton asks to talk more to her later. Morri and Fearne catch up, with Fearne telling her the general history of Bells Hells' journey. As she does, Peepers, a rabbit-like creature, approaches. Fearne also introduces Morri to her "child", Little Mister, and both of Morri's faces compliment Fearne on her talents.

The conversation turns to Ira Wendagoth and Morri's knowledge of the Malleus Keys. Morri, who is very interested in the party's experiences with Ira and what he said about her, tells them that she made the Weave Lens as a favor and that she's glad it worked. She is not particularly familiar with the details of the Malleus Keys, but she is an expert in fate, and while she is not a goddess of it like the Raven Queen, she does enjoy causing "tangles" in fate, and supporting others who do the same. Fearne also asks Morri about her knowledge of Ruidus and Ruidusborn. Morri is not an expert in that either, but believes the Malleus Key in the Feywild is what's keeping Ruidus on the plane. She tells Bells Hells that it is located in the Shiver Keep of the Unseelie Court, and hints that she assisted Birdie and Ollie Calloway in their theft of the Moontide Crown.

Imogen brings up the issue of Morri helping them avoid a significant loss of time when crossing back into the Material Plane. Morri tells them that she cannot send them to Exandria herself, but she can direct them to a gate and perhaps assist with the randomness of the flow of time to be more favorable towards them. After Morri makes more allusions to a past flirtation with Ira, Imogen tells her about the Divine Gate-like barrier around Ruidus, and Fearne updates her on Predathos. She introduces Imogen as having a strong connection to Ruidus, and Chetney perhaps having a connection as well, though Chetney denies it and says his is internal. Morri tells him that she can tell he's a werewolf. Laudna compliments Morri on her home, and tells her that she and Chetney are also interested in various crafts. She introduces Pâté. Morri is taken with Pâté, and briefly encases him in a cage her fingers form, but then lets him go. Pâté is shaken by the experience, though Morri does compliment Laudna on her skill. Chetney then shares his woodworking, and talks with Morri about the tree that forms much of Ligament Manor. She offers to find him some fey wood for him to work on, which excites Chetney.

After this, Morri puts a cloth on the face on her head so it can rest, and her stomach face begins to speak to the group instead. Orym asks Morri what Fearne was like when she was young, attempting to learn more about the conditions of Fearne being left with Morri while her parents left, but Morri tells him she can't remember all the details. The party leaves her briefly to go to Fearne's bedroom, which features a very soft bed, curtains made of the painted skin of an unknown creature, and other creatures on the ceiling. It also has a huge circular window looking out onto the Harrowcall Fens and beyond, through which Ruidus is visible.

Fearne then leads them to Nana's collection room, which is full of countless strange and at times nightmarish objects. Morri tells them proudly that she prefers to stay in her Fane, but often receives gifts in exchange for her favors. At this time, the party gives her the bust Fearne successfully persuaded Jiana Hexum to give over. The bust's magic is unable to entirely keep up with Morri's appearance, but Morri seems to enjoy it. She shows Bells Hells one of her most prized possessions, the (still-beating) heart of the champion of the Lion Guard, and then, when asked, says she'll think on what items from her collection might aid them against the Unseelie Court. Ashton then asks her about the sensation they experienced when she touched their head earlier, and she touches it again. A small black and purple cloud briefly appears, which surprises and intrigues Morri, who does not understand what's happening. Ashton exits the room and rages, showing Morri his hyper rage. She tells them the magic seems both extremely new and extremely old, and they thank her and ask her to tell them more if she finds any other information. Chetney shows off his Butcher's Bib, which Morri also enjoys. She tells the party she will remain among her collection for some more time, and Fearne will take them to the garden where they can sleep.

The garden is high up in the manor and gives a few of the fens around them. It is full of flowers and arcane light. There are a number of topiaries, all made to look like creatures in agony, which Fearne says she has created from shrubs. Orym notices a thumping noise. As the party considers whether Fearne is telling the truth, Sweet Pea, a talking sun bear, approaches and enthusiastically hugs Fearne. The two talk, and Sweet Pea tells the party that the thumping means the shrubs need water. FCG casts Detect Thoughts, but Sweet Pea is mostly thinking about food.

Fearne leads the party to a purple vardo in the garden where they will sleep. Inside are three large beds, and some black and white art that appears to be of screaming people. FCG expresses some concern about the ongoing theme of agony in the garden. The party then catches up on what Imogen and Fearne had learned from Kadija Sumal regarding her mother and Reilora. They recount their encounter with Ludinus Da'leth, and Fearne shares that he is not Ruidusborn himself and appears jealous of those who are.

Imogen wonders if the gods are indeed the problem and if the Ruby Vanguard has a point. FCG says that he actually is more interested in learning about the gods now, and Imogen admits that whatever the truth may be, she doesn't think one person can make the decision for everyone. A number of the others weigh in: Laudna wonders if others would simply become gods in their place. Ashton points out that that the people involved with the Vanguard seem to be doing a lot of harm, and Orym points out that his husband and father were both killed by Vanguard members. Chetney reflects on the Calamity.

They all decide to go to sleep after a very full day; FCG repeatedly tells the group that they're very much on edge. Orym Druidcrafts a number of flowers around Imogen, and FCG casts Shared Dream on themself and Laudna so that if Imogen dreams, they will join her. As they all fall asleep, Imogen sees a point of red light.

Part II
Imogen finds herself in a dark space, looking at a distant red light. She is also accompanied by Laudna and FCG in orb form. She realizes they seem to be in a forest, though she can't tell where, and the red light at first appears to be Ruidus, but Imogen soon realizes it is a gate. She floats towards it, and as she does, looks below to see if she can see the Malleus Key as Morri had guided her, though she's not sure if the dream is in the Feywild. She sees the mountains below her, but can't see the machine. Laudna and FCG's vision is very limited, as it's not their dream. Imogen thinks about Liliana, and, with some Guidance from FCG, goes through the hole.

The landscape becomes a dusty desert, and Imogen comes to a pit surrounded by cranes and scaffolding. She feels a pull towards the bottom of the pit, which her companions also feel. Inside that pit are the ruins of a city, featuring a number of towers, one of which forks into three prongs. At the base of that tower is a device similar to the Veilscatter Scope. There are a number of faint shapes that look like people, and one who appears more solid and who Imogen recognizes as her mother. She calls out to her, but Liliana tells her she shouldn't be here and tells her to go. Imogen and FCG are both pulled out of the dream, but Laudna's tether to Imogen does not carry her away, and she remains and cannot contact the others. She can see the faint lavender of Liliana's hair and forces herself to wake up, though she does take a point of exhaustion. They all wake up, and Laudna gets Imogen a glass of water as usual, while Imogen excitedly remarks that she can travel even to waking people in her dreams, though this also means other Ruidusborn may be able to do the same to her. She asks FCG if they can take more people, and they say they can take one more person. They consider who might be the best. Before the rest of the party awakens, FCG does some baking.

FCG gives Chetney, Laudna, and Imogen his "boon biscuits", an attempt at Eshteross's cookie recipe, which grant them additional temp HP. Orym asks Imogen about her dream, and she tells the group how it went and about the Malleus Key on the Material Plane. They all then go to Morri, running into Sweet Pea again along the way, who is sad that Fearne is leaving so soon.

Morri gives them gifts to help them in their travels. The first are Harrowcall Veils, which can hide people if they stay still and can be used once per day. She also gives Fearne the Gloomscale Breastplate, telling her she's old enough for it. Morri then offers them advice: The gate back to Exandria is past the Sablecast Grounds and is in a thick patch of brambles. The party should follow Ruidus to find the Malleus Key, be careful with the Festertree Blights, and pay the "iron tithe" to the ground. She does not explain her warnings in further detail.

Fearne asks Morri again about her parents, and Morri tells her that they put Fearne in her safekeeping because they knew the Unseelie Court would not follow them there. Fearne tells her that she hopes to one day retire back at the manor, but has to leave with her friends now, and kisses both of Morri's faces. Morri tells the party to insult Ira on her behalf, and gives Imogen a jar of a green paste for when they go through the gate, to help with the time change. Orym asks for advice on dealing with the Unseelie, and Morri tells him that it's a large court with many different people, so it's very situational, but to be respectful and be willing to accommodate or use diplomacy, not just fight. The party then leaves.

As they travel through the swamp, a bird catches up with them. FCG and the bird both scream, but Fearne reassures them that it's Dr. Nesbitt. Dr. Nesbitt, an owl-like creature, greets Fearne and asks her if he can help cause trouble at the Unseelie Court. The party asks Dr. Nesbitt what his skills are, and he tells them they primarily lie in conversation and other social skills. Dr. Nesbitt also feels very threatened by Little Mister, and the two creatures snap at each other. He continues talking constantly as the party travels, until Fearne eventually persuades him to return to Morri, telling him that where they're going is very dangerous.

Bells Hells exits the fens, and when they reach the bottom of a hill, hear hoofbeats. They try to hide but do not use the Veils, and are seen by a group of tattooed centaurs speaking a language they do not understand. FCG is the first one captured and casts Tongues on himself to communicate, but unwittingly gives up the rest of the party's position. The centaur's tell the party that they are on their territory and begin to try to tie them up. They throw something towards a tree, seemingly to awaken it. Imogen is unable to stop them from doing so, but Commands them such that Bells Hells gets a round of attack before they can respond. A fight breaks out. Ashton is able to destroy the tree, already badly damaged from Chetney's Shatter from Turmoil. Initially the party knocked the centaurs unconscious, but Imogen, Laudna, and Fearne decide to kill one to ensure they don't go back to their court, if they have one. Ashton then determines that they were loosely affiliated with the Unseelie Court.

Imogen's Feywild Shard, having been activated during the fight, causes her to emit fog from her mouth. Bells Hells leave the centaurs and continue on towards the Unseelie Court, where the Malleus Key in the Fey Realm is located.

Main player characters

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

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

Returning
These characters previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work.
 * Liliana Temult
 * Morrigan

New
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Dr. Nesbitt
 * Peepers
 * Sweet Pea

Mentioned

 * Bompers
 * Birdie Calloway
 * Ira Wendagoth
 * Kadija Sumal
 * Ludinus Da'leth
 * Ollie Calloway
 * Otohan Thull
 * Shithead