Aeor (episode)

is the one hundred thirty-second episode of the second campaign of Critical Role.

Previously on Critical Role
''So, last we left off: The Mighty Nein, after setting your affairs outside of Eiselcross into a comfortable place, you gathered yourselves to make your way northward once more. With a brief goodbye to the Clays in the Blooming Grove, a vision and proving ground for Yasha in the name of the Stormlord in which you have fully embraced your mission currently as an extension of his power, and have taken the Holy Avenger as your blade. You all transitioned yourselves northward through the risky expanse of teleportation magic to a land that seems iffy when it comes to such transportation incantations, and arrived safely at the outpost of the Dynasty, where Essek awaited your arrival.''

After sharing some information about the current circumstances and the timeline that you are on, you all convinced Essek to come with you, as you had discussed previously, and make your way in a northwestern direction, toward the secret entrance that you expect Lucien and the Tombtakers are heading towards, that Caduceus had uncovered through a successful use of his Divine Intervention''. So, as you all have gathered your things, you begin to trek out from the outpost, into the cold snow powder-covered expanse that is Aeor's sunken ruin.''

Part I
Essek suggests changing their clothing in order to blend in, and when they agree, uses Seeming to make them look like the Kryn outpost rangers. Fjord mentions Lucien's brand on his chest. Essek tries and fails to remove it, but Jester succeeds. She attempts to Scry on Lucien, but fails.

Eventually, Caduceus recognizes that they are near the location of the secret entrance to the ruins of Aeor. Essek uses Sending to contact the guards there and the guards send up a flare to mark their location. The party climbs down a cliff on the edge of the crater and meets up with them, including Dagen. They have seen no activity as yet, and Essek gives them a sending stone to keep in contact. The party explores near the small hole leading into the ruins when Caduceus hears a noise behind them. They turn to look just as a massive blue hand thrusts up through the snow revealing three massive undead giants, and one seizes Yasha in an enormous fist.

The giants cause cold damage by proximity with their numbing aura but Yasha is immediately able to break free. Veth runs up one of the giants' arms, shooting it with her crossbow as she flies past its head (just like in the animated opening), seriously wounding it. Jester is paralyzed by a giant's freezing gaze, and another then attacks her with its greataxe, causing massive damage. Fjord uses Thunder Step to transport himself and Jester away, damaging the nearby Caleb and Yasha. Caleb Polymorphs one of the giants into a sloth and Yasha kills another with the Holy Avenger. Beau then polishes off the third.

Essek uses the sending stone to request the rangers to come fetch the polymorphed sloth and carry it away to a ravine. The party takes a short rest to heal and try to disguise the signs of battle before pushing on into the narrow entrance.

The Mighty Nein

 * Beauregard Lionett
 * Caduceus Clay
 * Caleb Widogast
 * Frumpkin
 * Fjord
 * Jester Lavorre
 * Veth Brenatto
 * Yasha Nydoorin

Returning

 * Essek Thelyss
 * Dagen Underthorn
 * Artagan (via Commune)

Mentioned

 * Lucien