Sarsaparilla, Licorice, and Red Hot

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

Previously on Critical Role
So, last we left off: The Mighty Nein, having slipped from the Tombtakers and made their way away from Eiselcross, having bought themselves a bit of time, went to convene with some allies and gather information and gather things to help them, as they hope to return more prepared and more ready for what dangers may await them to the far north.

''After meeting with Yussa, and Kima and Allura, you made your way to Rexxentrum, checked in and spoke with the Cobalt Soul, and after a tense engagement in the middle of a dance hall between Caleb and Astrid, discovered an extension of the tensions here at home, in the Empire, and interest to perhaps utilize that point of distraction as a time to... make some long-running plans viable.''

''After scattering to finish up your shopping for the day as well, you set up for the night, and left the tower to Yasha and Beauregard to finally have their long-delayed date, and we left off at the end of that evening. So, after a night of-- for some, discomfort in a not-so-great chamber, others probably a little more comfortable, the morning comes to.''

Part I
In the morning, the rest of the party wake Beau and Yasha by pounding on the door of the tower, and enter to explore the hot tub, water slides, and lioness masseuses. Joined by Yasha and Beau, they breakfast. Caduceus mentions that he thinks they should head at some point to the Blooming Grove.

Jester uses Sending to contact Astrid, who agrees to meet them at the school, saying a conversation is required. They meet at a bench near the dormitories after Caleb casts Seeming on everyone but Jester to make them look like students. Astrid sits next to Caleb, telling them she has discovered where the bulk of the Volstrucker "veilers" are: in a small vault under the northwest tower on the grounds of the Vergesson Sanatorium. She tells them there is no cost for this information; it is a meager start at an apology. She warns that Trent Ikithon is more likely to be there at night, and that it would be best to get in and out quickly and quietly. When she departs, she casually leaves a small wooden case behind on the bench, which proves to contain several floor plan drawings of the tower at the Sanatorium showing its wards and traps.

Caleb warns that the Sanatorium is full of fully trained agents working for Trent, and tells them when he escaped, he had to murder one of them. Veth and Beau suggest splitting the party into a small break-and-enter team, and a lookout team.

Caleb Teleports them to just outside the Sanatorium, using the amulet as a focus. They can see a few guards patrolling inside the iron fence. They take some time to reconnoiter and try to figure out a plan. Eventually, they decide that Caleb, Veth, and Jester will go inside while Fjord, Yasha, and Caduceus stay outside. Beau decides to climb the tower and keep watch from above.

Fjord proposes using Channel Divinity to cast Marine Layer for "Team Outie" to hide within, while the innies ("Team Firestorm") are inside. They determine their code words: "sarsaparilla" means things are going well, "licorice" means "come save us", and "red hots" is "we're leaving at high speed". Veth casts Intellect Fortress on Caleb and Caduceus gives Team Firestorm Freedom of Movement.

The Mighty Nein

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

Returning

 * Astrid
 * Trent Ikithon

Quotations

 * Trent Ikithon: (upon finding Jester, Veth, and Caleb within the Sanitorium) Well, if this isn't extremely curious.