Call of the Wild

is the 41st episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells travel deep into the Gloomed Jungles with the Gorgynei to seek a godly trial that may help Chetney's plight...

Pre-show
We get Dorian's response to Orym's sending stone message here! He tells Orym that he wishes he could help, and hopes things get better...and wonders if the sending stone works.

Part I
As they rest for the night in Barinak, Bells Hells discuss the roles they may play Chetney's upcoming trial, as well as what were-creatures they might become. Imogen also tells Xandis that they will be a few days returning. They wake up the next morning to find several of the Gorgynei performing their morning chores or getting ready to leave for Zha'Vrollo, the temple of Sahyaadon. Chetney speaks to Manad and to Yuvelo, who tell him that five of the Gorgynei will accompany the party. After breakfast, they set off, joined also by Annaline, Uther, and Fresceo.

The party travels through the jungle. Fearne notices some brightly colored mushrooms at the base of some of the trees, and offers them to Chetney, who asks that she try them first. She does, and begins to hallucinate. Manad checks in with her afterwards, and she flirts with him. She is also, mechanically, poisoned for the next day. While the jungle is indeed gloomy and chilly in the mist, it is also full of thriving wildlife. As Bells Hells and the Gorgynei travel, Annaline stops them when they encounter a family of twilight tigers. The lycanthropes among the party transform, and they manage to intimidate the group off without having to fight.

When the Gorgynei come to a location they've marked in the past, they set up camp. Imogen inspects the trees but cannot quite discern the nature of their strange bark, though it is not parasitic. Bells Hells then notice Fearne is intoxicated, and ask her about it. She offers a mushroom to FCG, who tries it. It takes quite a long time to feel something, and it is fairly small, but it is something. Laudna and Ashton both express their approval of this course of events and mention the drugs that Justi Pross gave them, but decide to save those for later. FCG then asks Fearne if she can reach out, in her altered state, to the Changebringer for them. Fearne does so, and finds a beetle, who appears to speak to her. She wonders if it is the Changebringer, though FCG is not entirely convinced. Orym checks in with Uther on their estimated arrival at the temple.

As this happens, Annaline pulls Chetney aside for a conversation. She asks him to show her what he knows of hemocraft, and he demonstrates his abilities. She remarks that he does know the basics, and asks him what more he wants - whether he wanted a quick epiphany. Chetney replies that he originally wished to spend more time with the Gorgynei, but found Bells Hells along the way. He picked up most of what he learned on his own after the Claret Orders told him it was his only option, and while he understands the responsibility of controlling his form, it is also something he finds to be an opportunity to help people and enact change, after centuries of being relatively powerless.

Annaline recognizes Chetney's softer side, and warns him that if he chooses to live with his curse, he will always be hunted and he will always need to struggle against it. She tells him about her own history, of being mentored by Ometho, founder of the Gorgynei, and how he eventually chose to give into the beast, but she intends to never do so. Chetney tells her that he is already quite old and believes he can live with this struggle for the rest of his life. They then discuss his trial - which will be tailored to him, so Annaline cannot provide particular insight - and work on his blood hunter abilities together. She also tells him her own history: she was a student at Dayal Hall in her youth, but a mislabeled package, possibly having to do with the Ivory Syndicate, led to a elf lycanthrope by the name of Dorao becoming unleashed. He bit her, leading to her own lycanthropy. She tells Chetney to kill Dorao for her if he ever meets him.

The party rests, and awakens to find the Gorgynei already up and ready to continue. Fearne continues to flirt with Manad, who is embarrassed, but after a mostly uneventful day of travel returns to tells the party about the nature of lycanthropy and the trial of Sahyaadon. The temple was used as an outpost during the Apex War, and was heavily damaged, but still stands after the spirit of Sayhaadon took it back. Manad warns Chetney to ensure his motivations are honest and well-intentioned. The trees near the temple vaguely remind Fearne of the Feywild.

As they approach the temple, Annaline warns Bells Hells to ask permission before taking anything; Bells Hells immediately look to Fearne, who promises a skeptical FCG she will behave. The temple is a large stone edifice that has seen considerable damage, and some rooms are collapsed, but the central chamber contains many bones, both humanoid and animal remains, as well as a number of statues. There is a large central statue of Serataani, and vines drape into the interior of the temple. The Gorgynei place offerings of fruit, meat, and coins at the base of the statue, and Chetney joins them, placing several platinum and a wooden carving of a wolf's fang. Annaline then tells him to meditate, as the Gorgynei set up their bedrolls and light incense.

Bells Hells discuss how they will prepare for the trial, though they don't know what will come. FCG returns Laudna's immovable rod to her so she can use it to set a trip wire. FCG also casts Enhance Ability on Chetney for his charisma. As Chetney meditates, a beam of moonlight enters through a hole in the roof of the building, which Chetney realizes is not in line with the actual position of Catha. He smells iron, and a sweet but decaying scent, and feels a presence enter.

Part II
Chetney is in the middle of the chamber, and everyone else surrounds him in a circle, with the Gorgynei at the outer edges of the room. Fearne notices a spectral presence in the trickle of water and moonlight. In his head, Chetney hears the spirit ask him if he is hunter or prey, to which he responds "hunter". It then asks him if he yearns for freedom or indulgence, to which he responds "freedom"; and is then asks if he seeds the garden or spoils the earth, to which he responds the latter. The voice tells Chetney that he is an agent for change, and tells him that if he accepts the trial, it will take something from him and leave something of itself in return. It asks him if he accepts the trial, to which he says yes.

The Gorgynei all simultaneously stand up, a blue mist in their eyes, but stand still. Chetney feels the call from Ruidus, and a strong need to give into its call. As Bells Hells watch, he transforms into a massive wolf, much larger than his typical hybrid form. (Matt provides Travis with a special stats sheet). Combat begins!

Orym waits until Chetney attacks, and Imogen casts Fly on herself to go up to the ceiling and tries to telepathically reach out to Chetney, but is shut out by the spirit of Sahyaadon. Fearne awakens her Staff of the Adder and Ashton rages before Chetney attacks FCG, then destroys Little Mister and attacks Fearne. Laudna wonders if they need to knock out Chetney as the trial, and takes on her Form of Dread, looking like one of the trees of the jungle, and casts Mirror Image. Chetney, in this form, has legendary actions, and attacks Fearne again. FCG binds themself to Fearne and Orym, and attempts to bind to Chetney but cannot. He also casts Spiritual Weapon as a silvered stake. Chetney then goes to Ashton, who attacks him.

Orym tries to get through to Chetney by holding out an unfinished, roughly carved wooden wolf. Some red smoke emits from Chetney's chest. Imogen tries to blind Chetney, but fails. Fearne and Ashton both land attacks, though Chetney does significant damage back to Ashton, then regenerates. Laudna is able to at least counter a critical hit on Ashton with Silvery Barbs. She then Spider Climbs away, and tries to use Chill Touch to negate the regeneration, but cannot hit. Chetney uses Howl of the Hunter to frighten the party, and Orym and Ashton fail their saves. FCG then attacks Chetney and hits, then heals Ashton.

Orym does a Bait and Switch with Fearne, and tries to Goading Attack as well, sinking a dagger into Chetney's chest, but Chetney uses a legendary resistance against it and attacks but misses Fearne. Orym manages to resist the fear effect. Fearne then Wildshapes into a "sexy wolf", and is able to communicate persuasively with Chetney, who loses one of his legendary actions for the remainder of the fight. Imogen successfully attacks with a Psychic Lance, though Chetney uses another legendary action to resist the incapacitation, and Ashton lands an attack, then disengages and retreats, still afraid of Chetney. Chetney does not regenerate on this turn, but does attack Laudna, missing her but destroying all her Mirror Images, and uses Curse of Bloated Agony on her. He then runs towards FCG, who tries to Command him to "fetch", but Chetney saves against it. FCG then successfully hits Chetney with an attack.

Orym leaps onto Chetney's chest and holds on. Imogen hits with Dissonant Whispers, and Chetney uses his last legendary resistance to save against it. Imogen then flies to the opposite side of the room, as Chetney attacks and hits Orym, who still holds on. Fearne casts Daylight on the dagger in Chetney's chest, blinding both him and Orym. Ashton is still frightened and cannot approach, so merely dodges. Chetney misses his attacks on Orym due to the disadvantage, and nearly crashes into the statue of Serataani, but something prevents him from doing so. Laudna casts Darkness on the hole through which the moonlight is appearing, which causes Chetney to return to his normal hybrid form, though he is still not in control of himself. Laudna falls to the ground, slowed by her own Feather Fall. Chetney rushes towards him, and Orym tries to get through to him, which briefly causes him to regain control before losing it immediately. FCG casts Calm Emotions, which Chetney saves against, but the appeals to him are beginning to wear him down.

Orym attacks Chetney with his shield, hitting once, and shakes off the blindness. Chetney tries to attack Laudna, but misses. Imogen casts Calm Emotions as FCG had, but Chetney saves again. Fearne's Charm Person similarly fails, though again, Chetney is starting to slow. Ashton then yells across the room for Chetney to stop, which gets through to him. The fear effect drops, and Ashton walks over to Chetney, arms outstretched, then punches him in the face. Bells Hells give it a moment to confirm Chetney is back in control of himself before dropping their various spells. Darkness dissipates seemingly on its own. Chetney pulls the dagger from his chest, and a crimson mist hangs in the air for a moment, appearing almost like Ruidus before disappearing, as the spirit tells Chetney that it has taken the unworthy predator from him, leaving a worthy hunter. FCG cautiously goes over to heal Chetney. The Gorgynei, now unfrozen, tell Chetney the spirit must have seen some hesitation or tension regarding Chetney's allies. Chetney asks Bells Hells if they are all okay, and returns Orym's dagger to him on request.

While Chetney thinks he may still want to be chained up at night, Annaline tells him she suspects it's no longer necessary. Chetney cannot sense anything around him other than the presence, which is no longer tied to him, simply in the temple. Chetney thanks the statue of Serataani as Laudna Mends his clothing, then invites the rest of the party to go running, nude, through the jungle. Most of them quickly agree, and are joined by the Gorgynei as well. Orym and Fearne hang back in the temple. Orym senses the faint smell of Will coming from the statue, and sees a small vine in the empty carved scabbard. He places his sword within it, and the vines clasp his hand, a green light coming from the sheath. He pulls out the sword, and sees the hilt now has a decoration of ivy on it. It seems magical. Orym thanks Serataani, though he is not sure why she provided him with this boon, before getting ready to join the others. Fearne approaches the statue and leaves a platinum coin, thanking her for the fun time. They then both run out to streak through the jungle with the rest.

Bells Hells

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

Returning
These characters previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work.
 * Annaline
 * Dorian Storm, via sending stone, retroactively inserted into a scene from
 * Fresceo, member of the Gorgynei
 * Manad
 * Uther, member of the Gorgynei
 * Xandis, via Sending
 * Yuvelo, member of the Gorgynei

New
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Sahyaadon, in a vision

Mentioned

 * Ajit Dayal
 * Avandra
 * Dorao, elf weretiger who attacked Annaline and gave her lycnathropy
 * Justi Pross
 * Melora
 * Ometho, Annaline's mentor and a founder of the Gorgynei
 * Will

Quotations

 * Annaline: "We do our best to maintain an idea of this curse as a blessing. For us, it has allowed us to do many great things, but it doesn't mean we've conquered it. This is a struggle we will live with for the rest of our lives. And not everyone has the mental fortitude to fight that long." Chetney: "Yeah. Life can be long. It can be short, but boy, it can really be long sometimes."
 * Chetney: "Fortune favors the sexy. And the prepared."

Trivia

 * This episode has the same title as the novel The Call of the Wild, in which a domestic dog that is kidnapped from home becomes progressively more wild.