The City of Flowing Light

is the 42nd episode of the third campaign of Critical Role.

Part I
After a long rest following Chetney's trial, Bells Hells awaken and discuss their next steps. FCG and Laudna joke with Chetney and wonder if he is a member of the Gorgynei, to which Annaline responds that he is not, but is their ally, and could choose to return in the future and become one. She stresses that the trial was for all of them; that part of maintaining control is having friends around you who are willing to do what it takes if you lose yourself to your lycanthropic form. Chetney agrees, and he and Bells Hells discuss potential hand signals or strategies so that the warning sign is not just him attacking Orym. Manad meanwhile comes by with a rabbit he caught for breakfast. As FCG approaches Manad to learn his cooking techniques, Imogen, after discussing potential landmarks with Annaline, tells Xandis to bring the Silver Sun to meet them by a patch of red trees so they can continue on to Yios.

As they wait for the skyship, Orym tries out his new sword and learns that it can shoot out vines. Uther approaches him and asks about the sword, and Orym tells him that Will gave it to him originally, and Derrig gave him his shield. Uther shows Orym his own weapon, named the Jaw Taker, because he cut the jaw off the person from whom he took it. Orym asks Uther about his past, and Uther replies that he was once a member of the Claret Orders, originally from the Savalirwood in Wildemount, but he likes being in the Gorgynei now and helping the younger generation of lycanthropes.

Laudna meanwhile speaks with Fearne and asks that Fearne teach her some fire magic, as most of Laudna's spells are targeted rather than affecting multiple people in an area. As Fearne teaches her, she also asks Laudna how she feels about Delilah and her resurrection. Laudna responds that she's glad to be back, but still feels somewhat strange and scared of herself, and does not know where she stands regarding Delilah. Fearne apologizes for flipping the coin of the Changebringer to decide who to resurrect, and tells Laudna she missed her. She then shows Laudna how to create fire, and invites Laudna to shoot towards her and Little Mister. Laudna does so - unlike Fearne's more natural fire, hers is purple. She casts Fireball, which excites Mister and scorches Fearne. The rest of the party notices, but Fearne assures them she is okay and asked Laudna to attack, and that she loves teaching. She asks them to call her Professor Calloway.

Ashton then approaches Annaline for some training with the hammer. The two spar, and Annaline advises them on how to knock someone out without dealing permanent damage should they need to knock out Chetney. The Silver Sun then arrives, and Khalil Benes throws down the ladder. Annaline and Chetney have one last conversation, in which he says he may come back when things are quieter and asks about Uther, to which Annaline says she doesn't know the details, only that he did damage in his home and left for someplace new. She reminds him to work on his blood hunter skills. Bells Hells embarks upon the ship, and they sail off towards Yios.

The first day of travel is calm. Laudna and FCG go through the spices they took from Eshteross's home and review his recipe, and FCG works with Denalia to try to bake cookies. The landscape below the ship is mostly agrarian, and Xandis tells them that this part of Aeshanadoor is called Quoreo, and that they are following the Hablon River. The following day, when Orym comes to unchain Chetney, who is still sleeping in manacles as a precaution, he also gives him a roughly carved wolf figurine. Chetney tells Orym he is incredibly brave, and then heavily criticizes the wolf figurine, but tells Orym that he can, with many, many years of practice, improve. He gives Orym one of his carving chisels, and tells Orym to sign his work. Orym then excitedly tells Chetney about his sword, showing him that he can blind people with vines and telling him that the Wildmother seems to be watching them. The name of the sword is Seedling, the Wayward Pilgrim.

That day's travel is calm as well, with Xandis pointing out the elementally magical Shallowlands beyond Yios. They eventually reach Lake Koron, the lake on which Yios is built. They approach at evening, and see that the lake glows blue with some sort of bioluminiscent creatures. The city itself is connected to the mainland by bridges, and the lake has three separate tiers created by dams. The city is also three-tiered. Xandis decides to approach and dock at the Lakecap Skyport and Lounge. The skyport is quiet compared to the more central Jrusar skyport. Bells Hells discusses what to do that evening as they land.

Bells Hells

 * Ashton Greymoore
 * Chetney Pock O'Pea
 * Fearne Calloway
 * Fresh Cut Grass
 * Imogen Temult
 * Laudna
 * Orym
 * Little Mister
 * Pâté de Rolo

Returning
These characters previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work.
 * Annaline
 * Denalia
 * Khalil Benes
 * Liliana Temult, via Sending
 * Manad
 * Uther
 * Xandis

New
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Lyrios, port captain in Yios
 * Freya, innkeeper at the Skyport lounge
 * Landon Kreshawl, tour guide
 * Shithead

Mentioned

 * Balan and Zeyar Lumas
 * Delilah Briarwood
 * Derrig
 * Ebenold Kai
 * Kadija Sumal
 * Mani Drogedon, hero of the Apex War
 * Preston Drodelon
 * Will