Those Who Walk Away...

is the seventh episode of the fourth chapter of Critical Role. An exhausted Vox Machina spends some time hashing out their pent-up frustrations and examining their spoils of victory. They then journey to Pyrah, home of the Fire Ashari, hoping to find survivors of Thordak's escape from the Elemental Plane of Fire.

Previously on Critical Role
"The party Vox Machina, having to deal with the current terrible danger of the Chroma Conclave—a collection of very dangerous dragons that have torn through the entire Tal'Dorei countryside—have then gone on this quest to collect allies and find these items called the Vestiges of the Divergence, these artifacts of ancient wars that carry great power and seem to be the best way they could prepare themselves for going up against these terrifyingly powerful entities.

"In searching for this, they made their way to Vasselheim, where they reacquired and reestablished friendships with Zahra and Kashaw, two allies from previous installments of our wondrous adventure, as well as getting Lady Kima on loan from the Platinum Sanctuary of Bahamut. They all went to seek the first bit of information they discovered about one of these Vestiges, not too far from Vasselheim: the Champion of the Raven Queen's armor that had been entombed within this temple that had sunken beneath a lake.

"After traveling to this lake, finding their way through this subterranean watery location, they found the location of the tomb, upon which a series of fish creatures called kuo-toa had seemingly been worshiping another denizen of this temple: a rather strange, slime-covered beholder that then surprised the party. The battle hard-fought, they came out victorious, and upon going to retrieve their spoils a trap was set off in the tomb, dodged by one, survived by a bear, and claimed the life of our beloved Vex'ahlia.

"After a resurrection ritual attempted by Kashaw, the party helping, they were successful in bringing her soul back from the other side, restoring her to life. The party then, figuring out what their next step in their journey was, took their new allies via Keyleth's Transport via Plants spell, back to Whitestone, which seems to be building as this kind of defensive bastion, this currently not on the radar of the Conclave location that needs defenses, and a good place to keep their allies at the time."

Part I
The party arrives in Whitestone, where everything seems normal. Kima is upset to learn that Allura went to Westruun, but agrees to wait a few hours before pursuing her there and goes day-drinking instead. The rest head to the castle where Keeper Yennen is meeting with some of the governing council. The party gives him the black crystal and armor from the tomb to identify, and Vex'ahlia mentions that it was a trap Percy set off that killed her, not the armor. Vax'ildan is startled, as he hadn't known that since he was in the chasm when it happened.

Yennen is able to tell them a little about the armor, which Vex takes for now. The black crystal on a chain proves to be a magical amulet capable of holding a living creature -- and there is currently one inside it, although he can tell nothing of what it might be. Scanlan takes it, and Vex remembers that in her 30-gold book on the Raven Queen, it spoke of the Champion in the tomb keeping with him an ally, the dangerous and respected Galdric. They decide to release the creature later in a safe place away from Whitestone to see what it is.

Percy takes Vax aside and admits he set off the trap that killed Vex because he had a careless moment; that he's very glad she's alive because he doesn't think he could have lived with himself if she weren't. Vax in turn apologizes to Percy, because everyone makes mistakes, and punches him in the mouth. Percy takes it, and goes off to tinker and replenish his ammunition supply. He also creates an explosive siege arrow

Keyleth and Vex go find Kima, and Keyleth cast Scry to find Allura and Drake Thunderbrand safe in the ruins of the Cobalt Reserve in Westruun, a black dragon flying overhead toward nearby Gatshadow Mountain. When Kima goes outside after a mention of Thordak, Vex point-blank asks Keyleth what happened in the sunken tomb. Very reluctantly, Keyleth tells her that Vax offered the Raven Queen his life instead of Vex's. Scanlan and Grog are trying to figure out what to do. Grog tells Scanlan he needs to go boom-boom, and they find an outhouse. While Scanlan stands guard outside, Grog takes out Craven Edge, and as he focuses hears a voice saying, "You fed me well." Grog asks the sword what it gets out of this, and the response is: "There is no feeling more terrifying than hunger. And I hunger forever. You help satiate that hunger. That is our arrangement. I give you the strength of those you cut down, and I feed upon them." While a little unsettled by this, Grog likes the way the sword cuts people open, and tells it they'll continue the conversation another time. Scanlan and Grog then head to Jameson the Painter's workshop to check on the progress of the painting Scanlan had commissioned. It is finished: a landscape of rolling hills, tree lines, and a mountainscape in the distance with magnificent lighting. Atop the fantastic green hilltop, there is a fine white and grey steed rising up, hooves in the air, and atop it is Scanlan, shirt open, chest slightly fuzzy and muscular. Behind, clutching him, is Pike wearing long greyish-silver and blue robes flowing behind and a long train. It is everything Scanlan hoped for. Overcome, Scanlan tips Jameson an additional 50 gold and promises to write him an epic poem, and happily takes the painting back to Whitestone Castle.

Vox Machina

 * Keyleth
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Pike Trickfoot (absent)
 * Trinket
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia

New

 * Korren

Returning

 * Zahra Hydris
 * Kashaw Vesh
 * Lady Kima of Vord
 * Keeper Yennen
 * Jameson the Painter
 * Galdric
 * Nastoen
 * Cerkonos

Quotations
Matt: There’s a brief pause before you hear this long, drawn-out, (heavy sigh).
 * Grog: (to Craven Edge) Question: so, when we were fighting that big Earthbreaker Groot-looking guy, he called you a ‘dark weapon’. Does that-- do you have feelings, and did that hurt them?
 * Craven Edge: There is no feeling more terrifying than hunger. And I hunger forever. You help satiate that hunger. That is our arrangement. I give you the strength of those you cut down, and I feed upon them. If this is unsatisfactory, I can and have found others who are more willing to be part of this arrangement.
 * Percy: Vex, by the way, I've got something for you. Vex: What? Yes, dear? What is this? Percy: This is an evening of unbridled guilt. Come here, let me show you. In theory, this is a siege arrow. Vex: Okay. Percy: Shattering stone, shattering glass, breaking things that should not be broken. Vex: Breaking hearts left and right? Percy: If that is what you're after. It should work! Never forget you're my favorite and I'm so sorry.
 * Percy: Your secret is safe with my indifference.
 * Scanlan: (to Vax) And it's all shitty, so it just depends on how you look at it. You can dwell on the shit or you can leave it behind on people's beds and keep going.