Promise and Potential

is the twenty-second episode of the third campaign of Critical Role.

Previously on Critical Role
''Last we left off: Bells Hells had made their journey northward here in the Oderan Wilds to Heartmoor Hamlet in search of answers about the murder of the Lumas twins and the thread of the assassins that you, Orym, have been following, as well as it seems discovering some connections with the nightmare that's been haunting Imogen for a good portion of her young-to-current adult life. You were also here to break into the Twilight Mirror Museum at the behest of Ms. Jiana Hexum, to both embarrass, if possible, the proprietor of it, as well as win a wager that she had made with Evon Hytroga.''

''You managed to break in against a competitive burglary team known as The Verdict. You got caught in a lot of traps, and they got caught in some traps too, and you gave traps to each other, and then you fought some weird clay golem things. Then you repeatedly hit a button and burned the fuck out of the other team. And you won the wager. You retrieved the specific object that was notified to be waiting for you at the end of the museum safely, more or less, and in doing so won the arrangement for Hexum. On your way out, you delved into seemingly some sort of a shared or uniquely parallel history with one of the local carvers in the space, other crafters of fine wooden and other materials, as well as running into Roe Estani on the way out, who had been contemplating the conversations you had had and trusted you with a little more information about some sort of a troop, or a group, that referred to themselves as the Grim Verity that seemed to be heading up some of the similar research into these same astral oddities that the Lumas twins had been looking into, themselves seemingly, possibly members.''

''Upon leaving, you mounted your horses and headed southward on a relatively safe journey back, having knowing the roads a little better, managed to avoid any serious conflict or issues. We finished the last session with you stepping towards the base of the city just as the sun had begun to set and the flame of the Prakash Pyre guided you to Jrusar.''

Part I
During their journey to Jrusar, Fresh Cut Grass paid careful attention to Imogen while she was sleeping, observing that she keeps her hand near the pouch containing the gnarlrock shard and seems to take comfort from it. The party spends the night at the Spire by Fire Inn. During the night, Ashton has fragmented dreams of their past, the failed burglary at the manor of Jiana Hexum and its aftermath.

In the morning, they travel to Jiana's home. Once inside, they follow the sound of a violin to find Jiana with her music teacher Dinah Veshur. They give Jiana the papers stolen from Evon Hytroga and receive their payment, and she confirms Ashton's debt to her is paid. Fearne asks for and receives permission to take one of the magical busts from the entryway.

Jiana asks to speak to FCG alone and Ashton remains as well. She asks FCG who was his creator, and he tells her about Dancer while she inspects him closely, to which he eventually objects. Jiana is very interested in automatons and finds that FCG's level of awareness is unique. Ashton, meanwhile, finds that being back in this room is causing more fragmented memories to return, and once downstairs they see a half-hidden wooden container of about the same size as the crate Ashton remembers removing something from just before all their memories go blank. On the way out, Ashton helps Fearne remove the heavy magical bust and takes it with them.

On the way to Lord Eshteross's home, FCG tells the party again about his past and the evisceration of Dancer and the rest of FCG's party, the Division of Public Benefit. They reach Eshteross's house and find him training, but he receives them warmly.

Featured characters
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Bells Hells

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

Returning

 * Anni Aughta
 * Ariks Eshteross
 * Dorian Storm (via sending stone)
 * Evelyn Wress
 * Ishir
 * Jiana Hexum
 * Kalliyan
 * Marwa Endalia
 * Milo Krook
 * Zhudanna

New

 * Ajit Dayal
 * Dinah Veshur, a violinist
 * Jay, Marwa's pet rat

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Mentioned
}}
 * Armand Treshi
 * Cyrus Wyvernwind
 * Divaasheela, a leader of the Gorgynei
 * Ebenold Kai
 * Emoth Kade
 * Gurge Kisgregg
 * Gryz Alakritos
 * Isha Sabanis
 * Janey, cook at the Spire by Fire Inn
 * Kadija Sumal
 * The Nobodies
 * Jeto
 * Sally
 * Orlana Seshadri
 * The Rayia Family, owners of a silver mine near Evishi, hired FCG and Ashton
 * Spireling Shenn
 * Tairan, professor at the Aydinlan Seminary
 * Tuyen Otwana, shopkeeper at the Prism Emporium
 * The Verdict
 * Vex'ahlia de Rolo
 * Xandis, captain of the Silver Sun

Quotations
Orym: How many things have you brought back? Fearne: Oh. I haven't brought anything back just yet, but I will.
 * Fearne: I don't really [steal]... I just borrow for a long time.
 * Ashton: Anything you survive is kind of a win.
 * FCG: (to Jiana) I guess I'm starting to learn that just 'cause you have a soul doesn't mean you know how to use it too good.
 * Lord Eshteross: (about Bassuras) Just watch your coin purse, and if someone looks shifty, it's because they are. It's a dangerous place.
 * Lord Eshteross: Evelyn, go to the market. Get me my supplies. Tonight, I bake.
 * Chetney: (about his lycanthropy) I do want to meet these people because I... enjoy the rush. Sorry. I'm just going to say it. It's fucking exciting. But I know it comes with responsibility. This kind of raw magnetism has consequences, so I have to make sure I don't attract asteroids that would then kill the planet of me.
 * Ajit Dayal: Good is in all of us. Not everyone is given the chance to let it shine.

Trivia

 * Ashley Johnson, still recovering from her bout with COVID-19 when the episode was recorded, appeared remotely.