The Aurora Grows

is the 49th episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells travel the aurora-filled skies of the Hellcatch Valley, concocting plans and gathering allies as the days tick down to the apogee solstice...

Part I
Orym notices the aurora-like lights in the daytime sky from the Silver Sun and points them out to the rest of the party. Fearne tries to touch them and Chetney feels a mild sense of electricity and is familiar with similar lights, but Bells Hells is otherwise unsure of the properties of the leylines. Ashton's rage might or might not interact; they're also unsure.

Bells Hells discusses allies they might contact and make a list. Ira Wendagoth is one; they consider Percy and Vex but Ashton advises that they focus on people who owe them favors, not those they already owe. Other options are Orlana Seshadri, the Green Seekers, Dorian, Morri, Imahara Joe, and Ashton's old gang, the Nobodies. Laudna points out the danger they are going into, and Orym reminds them that large numbers might not be the best idea since they're considering a stealth mission.

Bells Hells then begins discussing the plan for infiltrating the Tishtan site. FCG suggests obtaining explosives, putting them on himself, and sneaking in as an automaton to destroy the Malleus Key, in the hopes that the others could reassemble them later. Imogen wonders if they could make allies with another dusttra. The party also brings up contacting Liliana Temult to sabotage things from the inside. Imogen considers it, and steps away from the others on the skyship to open her mind and see if anyone might be spying on them, similar to how she and FCG were noticed in her dreams. She senses a new static she's never experienced, but cannot tell if it's related to the ley energies or something else.

FCG and Imogen begin casting their Sendings. Imogen makes an appeal to Ira, telling him they plan on sabotaging the key. After consulting with Xandis regarding how far they are from Bassuras, they plan to meet Ira at the Calloway family's hideout in six days to discuss further; they can also see Hondir there to check in with the Grim Verity.

The party then discusses the bomb plan, with many party members urging FCG not to risk blowing themself up. Fearne and Orym point out that FCG's arcane cores are more likely to do damage than a bomb, and perhaps they can get batteries from Imahara Joe instead and then overclock them. As Chetney peruses the map of the Hellcatch Valley and Laudna confirms the tracker orb is not lit, FCG contacts Imahara Joe and asks for a bomb. Joe tells him he can work on it, possibly with help from Esmer, and FCG tells him the Calloways will pick it up and warns him about the upcoming apogee solstice.

Imogen and FCG continue to send messages. FCG contacts Milo, asking them to come to Bassuras and contact the Nobodies, but Milo initially thinks they're joking and then tells them they can't get there in time. Imogen asks Ebenold Kai where he is, telling him that Ryn is out of commission, and he responds that he is still in Ryn's study in the Elemental Plane of Fire; he knows some allies went to the Shadowfell but does not know if they succeeded in their efforts.

Chetney then suggests a new plan: they could, as a last resort, crash the skyship into the Malleus Key. The party considers it seriously, and discuss how it might be possible given that the brumestone tends to prevent it from falling at terminal velocity. They also would need a team to rescue the statue of Ryn and remove any innocents from the premises first. Laudna asks Imogen if she would be able to attack Liliana; Imogen avoids the question and focuses on the need to rescue Ryn so that no one is trapped on another plane. Ashton suggests Imogen tell Liliana that this is not a request; it's a requirement.

Orym uses his sending stone to contact Dorian. Dorian is still in Tal'Dorei and mentions that Opal is having a difficult time and that he's unable to get to Marquet. Imogen then notes that usually the excavation site in her dreams seems busy, even though it's nighttime; perhaps she should go to sleep early and see if she can contact her mother while they're both sleeping instead. Orym and Fearne join her in the dream this time. In the dream, Ruidus is in the sky, and the storm is there, but not the fields of Gelvaan. Imogen, Orym, and Fearne travel through the dust and come upon the form of Liliana, who looks much like Imogen, but older and harder. Liliana first tells Imogen she shouldn't be there. When Imogen tells her she's going to destroy the world, Liliana tells her she's going to save it and free them, and that she's done this for Imogen's benefit; it would remove her powers. As she says this, she shows Imogen what she means, and Imogen feels the sensations of freedom. She then notices the motes of Orym and Fearne, and pushes all three out of the dream, and they awaken on the ship.

Imogen asks Orym and Fearne if they saw what she saw, and they tell her they only could hear the speech, but did not have the vision. Imogen asks if Liliana might be right. Orym tells her that the Ruby Vanguard killed his family, and Imogen quickly apologizes. Fearne asks Imogen to talk through it more, and Imogen tells her about the vision in more detail, but admits she believes Liliana has likely been brainwashed or otherwise misled, and Orym points out that there's no basis for that vision; it's simply what Liliana is telling her. FCG flips their coin to ask the Changebringer if she is good, neutral, or bad, and finds that they get a "yes" on "bad", but that she also approves of what they are doing. Ashton argues that whether or not the gods are good or bad is immaterial - what matters is that the Vanguard is making this choice on their own and killing those who stand in their way. They agree the plan remains as is: they destroy the key.

At night, Chetney can see the leylines in the sky shift. Both Ruidus and Catha are visible.

Ashton goes to have a drink, and Laudna joins them and compliments them on their speech about the gods. Ashton admits to her he is not the person he thought he would be, and Laudna asks him to elaborate. They first say they're a blank slate, and then say they somewhat hate the rest of Bells Hells for knowing where they came from; they have experienced a loneliness others haven't. Laudna points out she lived in the woods on her own for three decades to the point of making a dead rat her friend. Ashton tells her he doesn't trust the rat, and instead asks her how she feels about the party helping her, and what it was like to be resurrected, surrounded by friends. Laudna responds that she is still processing how everyone went to Whitestone to bring her back and that waking up was wonderful, but it wasn't like that the first time she came back to life. Ashton admits that while he kind of hates the group, he also kind of loves them. Laudna then asks about the Hishari mask, and Ashton tells her that they don't remember much before the orphanage; they were found wandering in the desert outside the city. They do remember the word "Hishari", however, and in fact joined the group because Orym said he was from the Ashari and Ashton originally assumed their memory was just faulty until finding the helm at the Twilight Mirror Museum. Laudna emphatically points out that Ashton should ask Orym, given that they have a long journey, but Ashton is reluctant. Laudna helps them to bed.

Meanwhile, Fearne seeks out Orym and asks him what they should do if Imogen decides to assist the Ruby Vanguard instead. Orym admits he has similar concerns. They agree that they will always have each other's backs and stick together, and that if necessary, they will stop Imogen; Orym clarifies to Fearne it should preferably be by putting her to sleep or similar non-lethal means, and that he will distract Imogen so Fearne can do so. Fearne admits she is somewhat afraid of Liliana.

Part II
The following morning, FCG tells the party the coin only tells the truth when they ask about themself, not about the gods, because the gods are mysterious. Imogen then asks if they know of people who derive power from the gods who would be likely to assist them, and they come up with Pike and Weva Vudol. FCG contacts Pike, who seems startled but who tells him she'll look into it. Meanwhile, Chetney and Laudna discuss disguising the Silver Sun, possibly via Spider Climb, though they don't have nearly enough paint yet. Imogen then contacts Jiana Hexum on Ashton's behalf, asking for contacts in Bassuras, and Jiana tells them to go to Yunis in the Salmagunda Strip and drop her name. FCG provides Imahara Joe with more specifications.

Travel continues smoothly, with Ashton and Fearne learning about piloting the skyship from Xandis. Imogen contacts Morri, who tells her she's at home, recovering from her encounter with Gloamglut, but can help from afar. Bells Hells consider how to best bring Ryn to her via the portable hole, and FCG contacts Dancer, telling her she doesn't have to respond but that she should find a safe place during the solstice. Dancer does not respond. FCG also, at Imogen's urging, contacts D, and who tells him that his future is his own, and there are other aeormatons like him coming.

There is a dust storm the following day, and they lose the top of the mast, which slows travel. Ashton apologizes to Laudna for the drunken conversation, and Laudna tells them to talk to Orym. Orym meanwhile sees the leylines growing brighter and more colorful as they approach the solstice, and contacts Dorian to ask if he can see them as well. Dorian tells him he can. Imogen updates Ira, and FCG tells Birdie Calloway to pick the bomb up from Imahara Joe's on their behalf.

With six days until the solstice, the ship approaches Bassuras. They consider whether it's safe to enter the city, and when a harpoon is fired towards the ship, decide to land closer to the Calloway's hideout instead. Birdie and Ollie Calloway greet Fearne warmly. Ira is there, working on the Veilscatter Scope. The party then speaks with Ira. Ira tells them that Ludinus contracted him originally to work on the first Malleus Key, but disliked Ira's curiosity and once the device was proven to work, kicked him from the project. Ira has held a grudge ever since. He tells Bells Hells that the original design was to focus energy and serve as an anchor, and that it was the key located in the Feywild. They tell him they destroyed the key; he briefly appears disappointed his work was destroyed but then thrilled that they caused trouble for the Vanguard. He tells them that the betrayal from Ludinus is why he helped the Calloways steal the Moontide Crown originally.

Ira then brings FCG to the lens of the device as he tells the party that he made adaptations after the Weave Lens was broken. FCG can see the excavation, and notes that members of the Paragon's Call are present. As it had appeared in Imogen's dreams, the Malleus Key is heavily reinforced and sits at the base of the forked tower. Ira admits he doesn't know the details of their goal, only that it relates to freeing something and Ruidus, and tells the party that the Moontide Crown and a power surge to the Malleus Key would be "interesting"; he admits his motivation is spite, and tells them that the device emits antimagic waves once per minute. Ira is not familiar with Ryn and didn't see her get taken, but this worries Hondir, who murmurs a brief acknowledgement of the sacrifices others have made. Everyone puts in money for a shopping trip in town with Chetney putting in a significant quantity, and Imogen, Orym, and Ashton plan to go in while the rest stay. Fearne mentions Predathos to Ira, who seems unfamiliar but intrigued, and quickly backpedals.

The three going to town take the crawler in, and are noticed by but not stopped by the Gajakhandas. They make their way to Yunis's shop. Yunis is an older dwarf who initially tells them he doesn't know Jiana, but then locks the door and shows the party his goods. He offers suude or poisons, but Ashton asks for items more suited for a burglary or sabotage, and Yunis instead shows them an Amulet of Health, a Circlet of the Hidden Eye, a Belt of Momentum and some Potions of healing. After some discussion, they buy all three items and the two potions for nearly all their money. Yunis then opens the door and apologizes for being unable to help them. They leave, successfully avoiding notice on the way out.

Back at the Calloway's, FCG tries to provide family therapy to Fearne and her parents. Hondir tells the others he is not worried for Ebenold or Baryn Vestisho provided someone can eventually retrieve them, but is worried about the Judicators; while Vasselheim has no love for the Ruby Vanguard, they also dislike the Grim Verity as both groups seek out dangerous knowledge. Once the Bassuras team returns, the skyship takes off again, although Xandis is at first terrified by Ira. Khalil Benes shows Ira his quarters. Laudna uses Spiderclimb to paint the symbol of the Cerberus Assembly on the bottom of the ship, both before and after they take off. Bells Hells also distributes their items: Laudna gets the amulet, Imogen the circlet, and Ashton the belt. Imogen also gives Laudna her Feywild shard. Orym messages Dorian again on the sending stone and tells him to get somewhere safe with the rest of the Crown Keepers and that he misses him. Dorian tells him he'll try, and urges him to be careful.

With five days left until the solstice, the Silver Sun encounters an arcane storm and the ship crashes into the Hellcatch party. They are able to repair the ship, but lose a day of travel. The aurora of ley energies is now constant and beautiful. FCG flips his coin again; the Changebringer tells him she is responsible for the storm, and that he should keep worshiping her. Once the party is aloft again, they encounter another dust storm and an ember roc, but Imogen is able to Command it to stay away, after which Fearne Polymorphs it into a goldfish. The tiny fish is buffeted away by the storm winds, and they continue on.

The next day is clear. The seed Orym received in Niirdal-Poc begins to pulse noticeably, so after some discussion, he plants it. FCG Identifies it as a Message Bloom, and the message turns out to be from Keyleth, who tells him that the Cult of the Dark Heart beneath Terrah was challenging, but they were able to, at some cost, defeat them and stabilize the rift. However, the leader, Vureeo, indicated an alliance or shared interest with the Ruby Vanguard. Keyleth tells him she can bring some people to the Tishtan site to help. Imogen casts Sending to Keyleth and tells her where to go. Chetney and Orym are hopeful and Orym looks forward to perhaps seeing Lita, his sister-in-law and Keyleth's main guard. Imogen spends the night reading the locket Relvin gave her over and over.

The following day, two days before the solstice, Imogen opens her mind again and the static is even louder and gives her a headache. Ashton works on a project in their room; Orym meditates on the deck with Seedling. Imogen asks him telepathically if, because Ruidus is associated with such dark things, he feels strange about the "big moon, little moon" symbolism of him and Will. He tells her it's strange and feels fated, but he doesn't regret it. Orym tells her to get some rest and that he's not worried about her. Imogen wonders if he's telling the truth, and he tells her he always does.

Imogen then seeks out Laudna in her room. She admits she's been scared to talk to Laudna ever since her resurrection, and wonders if stopping the Vanguard is the right thing to do. Laudna tells her that while she understands why Imogen feels this way about the Vanguard, she is hesitant to embrace that change given the unknowns and implications. She also tells Imogen that nothing is stopping her from living the life she wishes to lead, and that the two of them share a deep, wordless bond and that she will always be there for Imogen, regardless of her choices. The two embrace and tell each other they love each other. Laudna then tells Imogen about her conversation with Ashton, and about how Ashton sees her as being more grounded, and that she thinks it's because Imogen is her foundation. They tell each other they are the other's tether, and fall asleep cuddling together. Chetney meanwhile sleeps in the Butcher's Bib; Fearne plays her dulcimer; Ashton drinks; and FCG bakes Critical Profiteroles.

Main player characters

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

Guest player characters

 * Dorian Storm (via Sending)

Returning
These characters previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work.
 * Birdie Calloway
 * Hondir
 * Ira Wendagoth
 * Keyleth (via the Message Bloom)
 * Khalil Benes
 * Liliana Temult (in Imogen's dream)
 * Oleander Calloway
 * Xandis

via Sending

 * D
 * Ebenold Kai
 * Imahara Joe
 * Jiana Hexum
 * Milo Krook
 * Morrigan
 * Pike Trickfoot

New
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Yunis, general goods and black market dealer in Bassuras

Mentioned

 * Ariks Eshteross
 * Arnold Drodt, of the Grim Verity
 * Avandra
 * Baryn Vestisho
 * Bennet, of the Nobodies
 * Dancer (contacted by Sending but did not respond)
 * Esmer Balenta
 * Gus (as "The Green Seekers")
 * Justi Pross
 * Lita, Will's sister
 * Ludinus Da'leth
 * Olly (as "The Green Seekers")
 * Oltgar
 * Opal
 * Orlana Seshadri
 * Otohan Thull
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Pocket, member of All-Minds-Burn
 * Predathos
 * Ryn
 * Shady Sally, of the Nobodies
 * Verna, works with Imahara Joe
 * Vex'ahlia
 * Vureeo, member of the Ruby Vanguard and the leader of the Cult of the Dark Heart
 * Weva Vudol
 * Zeeland, of the Nobodies

Trivia

 * Sam's gas can this week featured a mounted GoPro. Footage taken during the episode was posted to Critical Role's official Twitter and TikTok.