Frigid Propositions

is the one hundred ninth episode of the second campaign of Critical Role.

Announcements

 * Sam is here to promote his love of BTS, but Matt points out that tonight’s episode is actually sponsored by HitPointPress, and their latest carnival-based campaign setting for D&D 5E called Heckna. Check them out on Kickstarter at bitly/HecknaCR.
 * This is the last week to pre-order Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden and get the glacial ice digital dice set on D&D Beyond.
 * An unusually hairy Brian Wayne Foster is physically present (only near Ashley!) to share that Critical Role's flagship show Talks Machina is back, baby! Premiering Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 Pacific time, biweekly, pre-recorded, with questions from the crew rather than Critters (because COVID).
 * Brand new Critical Role dice and tabletop vaults that smell like wood are now available at Wyrmwood Gaming.
 * The Mighty Nein puzzle is now available in the U.K. and Australia critrole.com stores as well as U.S.

Previously on Critical Role
So, last we left off, the Mighty Nein had done their preparation for the coming event of TravelerCon.

''With the help of the remaining villagers of Vo that decided to stay behind and keep the island to themselves, you managed to create an entirely inspiring event for the visiting Traveler worshipers that included all manner of things, like the gracious dick hunt, a glorious performance on stage by our wonderful Yasha - and other performers, but mainly just Yasha. There was a fight ring, apparently. The golden dick was found, and permanently affixed to the hand of Celia, and culminated with a climb towards the cusp of Rumblecusp.''

''Looking down into the caldera of the volcano, there it was revealed that the Traveler was “technically” not– but really actually is still the Traveler, but told them he was the Moonweaver and took the form of the Moonweaver, and apparently drew the wrath of the Moonweaver, and in a harsh lesson to bring him down a peg, the people were disillusioned by the Traveler, but nevertheless, seemingly brought somewhat into the graces of Sehanine herself, and it seemed to be a success. After which, you said your goodbyes, you helped take the ships that were within the confines of the Heaven Falls outside, for those who needed to use them to take them to retrieve and go back home with, and you gave the Eden’s Horizon to the remaining crew of the now-sunken Ball-Eater, and renamed it into Nein Heroez. Afterward, you made your way to Nicodranas.''

Part I
There is a brief flashback to Rumblecusp where Yasha gets an emerald and residuum tattoo increasing her dexterity before Orly and the party leave separately for Nicodranas. The tattoo spells "Orphanmaker" in runes interwoven with vines and flowers, and goes down Yasha's neck and left arm.

Back in Nicodranas, Caleb buys fine paper and ink. Caduceus buys saffron and a 5 gp token of the Wildmother. The party buys six diamonds of varying sizes. Veth asks Caleb to get her some incense or phosphorescent material and he gives her some incense from his supplies. Veth also buys toys for Luc and matching yellow coveralls for her family. At Seafloor's Bounty, Sheila Bobsnopper sells Beau ball bearings and a cart full of fireworks of dubious legality. Beau wheels it as surreptitiously as possible back to the Lavish Chateau, but she is followed by suspicious Zhelezo until Carlos Remedi lets her stash them inside the Chateau. Jester goes to surprise her mother, waking Bluud from a nap outside her door, and tells her about the party's adventures.

Fjord and Yasha go to Meandering Treasures at the Restless Wharf, where they are greeted by the tabaxi proprietor Dezima. They buy two regular healing potions and ten flasks of alchemical fire. There is also a Ring of Fire Resistance previously pawned and never reclaimed for which Dezima is asking 5000 gp. Fjord is extremely curious about the name of the prior owner and goes back and forth on whether to buy the ring, eventually leaving without it. He returns later and offers 4500 plus receiving the name of the prior owner. Dezima agrees and tells him: Diedric Sutan.

Veth visits Yeza and Luc at their new home and they have a happy reunion while Veth gives them their yellow overalls and Luc his toys. Luc and Yeza love living in Nicodranas and hearing about Veth's adventures. That evening, the party (except Veth, who stays with her family) are given a concert by the Ruby of the Sea and spend the night at the Chateau.

In the morning, Jester uses Sending to contact Vess DeRogna, who asks them to come see her in Rexxentrum regarding potential work. Beau has Caleb put a large selection of fireworks into the Vault of Amber and distributes some to the rest of the party. Jester asks her mother if she's heard from The Gentleman. She hasn't, but asks Jester to pass on to him that he's welcome to drop by the Chateau... but make sure he knows she was only casually curious about him. And Jester should also mention how pretty her mother looked.

Before they leave, Caleb gets a small turtle statue from Jester, and a monogrammed thong belonging to Yeza from Veth, to use for potentialTeleports to their homes. Veth decides to stay one more day in Nicodranas while the rest of the party goes on to Rexxentrum via Teleportation Circle, remembering to forewarn Archivist Kathedoc of their impending arrival.

Beau asks to see High Curator Yudala Fon and tells them about Vokodo and the Eyes of Nine, and Yudala promises to put their best researchers on it. Caleb uses Seeming to make the party all appear to be wearing the more severe and dull Rexxentrum styles, and they step out into the Court of Colors. Caleb suggests passing by the Soltryce Academy, and on the way they drop into Thaydeen's Endless Emporium of Enchanted Eccentricities, where they are greeted by the owner, Dimble Thaydeen.

Break

 * D&D Beyond. Play with advantage.
 * Talks Machina returns Tuesday, 15 September 2020 at 7:00 PDT, in pre-recorded biweekly format on Twitch.
 * Merch Alert! Critical Role dice vaults and tabletop vaults now available at Wyrmwood. Mighty Nein puzzle is now available in the U.S., U.K., and Australia critrole.com stores and wherever fine puzzles are sold; Chibi Veth pin and Nott the Brave flasks in the U.S., U.K., and Australia critrole.com stores; Tal'Dorei Republic tank top available in the U.S. only.
 * Like a symphony playing to an empty theater, Critical Role dines alone without its audience. In the Twitch subscription zone this thirst can be quenched.
 * Critters' art montage.

Part II
Thaydeen is a smiling female goliath whose family-owned business is a combination of novelty store and antique thrift shop. Her stock is low because of the war, but she has celebones, oopstones, chuckledust, and a Ring of Spell Splitting that can make a targeted spell hit two targets rather than one. The party buys out her inventory, and Jester buys the ring. Fjord buys a small chipped porcelain unicorn statue.

Resuming their walk towards the Candles, they pass the Chantry of the Dawn, the still-damaged site of their battle against Obann and his allies, in the process of being repaired. They have a moment of introspection about the events that took place there, and Yasha tells the party she feels as though she's being rebuilt, like the temple.

Using the papers they received from Ludinus Da'leth on their last visit to the city, Caleb leads the way to the Soltryce Academy. He points out his old dorm room, and another dorm room where he spent a lot of time. Fjord notes that despite what happened to him, Caleb still has a reverence for the institution, and Caleb agrees. He also points out another tower with obviously darker memories, and then leads the way to a dance hall he, Astrid, and Eodwulf used to visit. He buys large steins of beer for the others, before leading Beau onto the dance floor while nudging Jester toward Fjord. Jester drops an oopstone while dancing with Fjord creating an uninhabitable area. Fjord gives her the tiny unicorn, thrilling her, and she kisses his cheek. A little later, she excitedly tells Beau about it, while encouraging Beau to put herself in a position where she and Yasha could get closer. Yasha and Caduceus talk about her wings, and he tells her that her chains are broken now -- what's still holding her back? He notices her hair has started turning white at the roots, as well as the tips, and in surprise, she says that's how it used to be. He urges her not to wait too long, but admits he himself doesn't want to go home yet, not until everyone in the group is safe or at least heading in the direction they need to be.

They head to the Candles and the home of Lady Vess DeRogna, the Two-Faceted Tower. It is simple and elegant both inside and out, forking into two towers of unequal heights. The party knock and enter when the door swings open, closing behind them. A voice bids them welcome, and to come upstairs to join her. Fjord's See Invisibility sees four Unseen Servants standing at the ready in the foyer.

Lady DeRogna greets them with tea and treats, which Jester eagerly pounces on. The tea grants 3d6 temporary hit points. DeRogna tells them the peace is holding, for now, and troops are being withdrawn, but she feels it is temporary. She warns them not to trust Ludinus. Caleb offers the Nein's collaboration in her project, and she warns them to keep the details to themselves. Outwardly, they are to be her bodyguards for her journey to Eiselcross to find and explore the ruins of the city of Aeor.

Aeor is an ancient pre-Calamity floating city destroyed by the gods when it developed powerful enough arcane weapons to eradicate divinity. Recently, relics and weapons of that age have been found on the island of Foren in Eiselcross, and all sides and countries have been exploring to find the actual crash site of the city. Vess DeRogna's interest is not only the weapons, but the history of what actually happened to bring Aeor down. She warns them that Ludinus seeks to protect his own position as the power behind the throne, and that they shouldn't trust her any more than they do Ludinus. But she asks for them to align their interests with hers. Whatever they find that is not of historical relevance is theirs to keep, her findings and research when completed will be shared with the Cobalt Soul, and she will pay them 75,000 gp in addition. They will leave within the next week for Palebank Village. From there they will travel to the village of Balenpost via ship, since teleportation is sometimes disrupted by the magical disturbances created by the presence of Aeor. Fjord is thrilled to learn there is a river of lava that divides the island of Foren to which they are headed.

As they exit the tower, a young student of about sixteen or seventeen years, in the robes of the Soltryce Academy, approaches and asks Caleb if he is Bren. He hands Caleb a letter and runs off.

The Mighty Nein

 * Beauregard Lionett
 * Caduceus Clay
 * Caleb Widogast
 * Frumpkin (not mentioned)
 * Fjord
 * Jester Lavorre
 * Veth Brenatto
 * Yasha Nydoorin

New

 * Dimble Thaydeen

Returning

 * Orly Skiffback
 * Sheila Bobsnopper
 * Carlos Remedi
 * Bluud
 * Marion Lavorre
 * Dezima (at Meandering Treasures)
 * Yeza Brenatto
 * Luc Brenatto
 * Vess DeRogna
 * Kathedoc
 * Yudala Fon

Mentioned

 * Diedric Sutan
 * Yussa Errenis
 * Dairon
 * Obann
 * Ludinus Da'leth
 * Astrid
 * Eodwulf
 * Dagon Underthorn (Cerberus Assembly contact and guide in Balenpost)
 * Trent Ikithon

Quotations
Marion: It's funny. I had an experience just like that. Jester: You did? Marion: Many years ago. When I had you. Jester: Yeah, but you're so adventurous. It would suck to be stuck behind books all day. (to Caleb) Not that there's anything wrong with books, Caleb! Books are great. Caleb: You are on thin ice, Lavorre. Yasha: Yeah. I think so. And I'm also glad that I did not kill you. Beau: Me too. Yasha: Or any of you. Beau: I'm glad we didn't kill you. Caleb: You came out stronger than when you went in. Yasha: Yeah, that's for sure. I think I am being rebuilt, just like the temple. Jester: I think she's so into you. I'm going to assume from you asking that you have not kissed her yet. Beau: No. I feel like the ball's in her court, 'cause she's the one with the dead wife. Vess DeRogna: There is plenty of tension between all of us. Caleb: And why should we trust you? DeRogna: Oh, you shouldn't.
 * Jester: (talking about her Rumblecusp experience) It was really hard, but at the end of all of it, it kind of made me realize what's important, and how important everyone around me is.
 * Caleb: (to Beau, about becoming High Curator someday) I think your intelligence is wasted on being a footsoldier. One day, maybe.
 * Beau: (at the Chantry) You did good work here. You know, retrospectively.
 * Beau: (about Yasha, to Jester) Do you think she's into me?
 * Caduceus: (to Yasha) Don't think that you have more time, necessarily, than you might have. Patience is fine, but it can curdle into apathy.
 * Caleb: (about Ludinus Da'leth) I sensed a bit of tension between the two of you.