The Calm Before the Storm

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

Previously on Critical Role
''So, last we left off: The Mighty Nein, having absconded from Eiselcross to prepare to try to cut off the race against the Tombtakers towards the center of the ruin, head to Nicodranas, then a few other places, where they try to steal some necklaces to keep them hidden from hopefully the divining of Lucien and the other magics that would wish to follow and peer into their goings-on. Upon breaking into the subterranean basement of a portion of the Vergesson Sanatorium, they caused a ruckus and Master Trent Ikithon was summoned.''

''Had a brief, tense exchange. You escaped, and as such, a chase continued, as you seemed to be hunted by this individual and the Cerberus Assembly. Grabbing some family members in Nicodranas, specifically the family of Veth Brenatto and Marion, the Ruby of the Sea, you went to Tidepeak Tower and tried to find a way out as it seemed Yussa was currently on, spiritually, another plane and could not give you aid.'' ''You managed to escape by sending some of you into the Happy Fun Ball, the Folding Halls of Halas, and some of you to an unfamiliar space, what you came to discover to be the Elemental Plane of Fire. While you all managed to converge, not without some temporary losses, one of which happened to be Veth's child, brought back from beyond the pale.''

You all gathered yourselves in Zadash, where you had, at the very last minute, let The Gentleman know you were arriving with some people that needed to stay there, one of which (the Ruby of the Sea) has an old history with the Gentleman.

Part I
As the party descends the stairs into the Evening Nip, the Gentleman greets them and asks for privacy and discretion during their stay. He offers drinks, but they notice he is very flustered and nervous. Marion thanks him for sheltering them, and takes a seat at his usual table. The Gentleman asks for a private word with Jester, and in his room, she explains this is dire and Marion needs him to protect her. She tells him everything that's happened and that very bad people are after them. He agrees to shelter their families temporarily. When he leaves, Jester searches the room and places reminders of Marion prominently, including the ruby Jester created the last time she was there.

Meanwhile, the employees serve the party food and drink and they talk about their next steps. Veth and Jester stay behind while the rest head to the Invulnerable Vagrant in disguise. Pumat Sol immediately recognizes them through their illusions and greets them warmly, but a hooded browsing figure lingers nearby so he reverts to pretending (badly) they are strangers. Caleb requests spell scrolls, but they are too expensive. Beau suggests they are heading to Darktow, and the hooded figure hurriedly leaves.

With some difficulty, at another store they locate a jeweled chalice for casting Heroes' Feast, and several small diamonds worth 150 total for potentially powdering. Meanwhile, Veth spends time with her family, and Jester hangs out with her mother, catching each other up. Marion is concerned that where the Nein are going is dangerous, and although she believes Jester is capable of doing anything, she is worried. Jester admits it's dangerous and she doesn't know if they'll come back. Marion is proud of her and understands what they're doing is necessary, but makes her promise to come home safely, and Jester does so. At the end of their conversation, Marion makes her way upstairs to join the Gentleman in his room.

Veth and Yeza also talk, and Veth says again she hopes this will all be over soon and she can be with him and Luc. She thinks this is the last one, and that afterwards, they can live in Nicodranas. She thinks it will be two more weeks. Jester watches over Luc while Veth and Yeza craft two more fluffernutters, one of which (on a natural 20) has something special about it.

While the rest of the party heads back to the Evening Nip, Trent Ikithon's voice enters Caleb's mind, saying, "You run like you carry a guilty conscience. Absolve yourself, and tell me why I shouldn't continue to pursue." Caleb responds that there are things larger than Trent.

Once everyone gathers again, Jester casts Sending to Yussa, asking if he's all right. The only response is the sound of hundreds of screaming voices, and they realize his use of Astral Projection has put him in Cognouza itself, among the Somnovem.

The Mighty Nein

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

Returning

 * Marion Lavorre
 * The Gentleman
 * Pumat Sol
 * Trent Ikithon (via Sending)
 * Constance Clay
 * Clarabelle Clay
 * Cornelius Clay
 * Calliope Clay
 * Lucien

Mentioned

 * Yussa Errenis

Quotations
The Gentleman: Of course! I just-- Jester: This is important! Do you think I would just willy-nilly bring her here? The Gentleman: Yes! Jester: No! She's very scared of traveling. This is very dire. And you're the only person in the entire world who could keep her safe right now. She needs you as a protector. Don't you want to keep the woman that you love more than anything in the entire universe safe? Jester: I don't want to be a martyr. I want to come home. Marion: Good. Promise me that you will-- if it begins to look very bad, that you come home. Jester: I promise. Caleb: For once in your very little life, consider that there are things larger than your own machinations. Take some time off.
 * Jester: Well, do you want to keep [Marion] safe or not?
 * Marion: Sometimes, fate brings us to places we never expected to be. And there are rare moments where individuals have the chance to really change the future for everyone else, to protect those who may or may not know that they need protecting. And it's... I am challenged to find a word to describe how proud I am of everything that you've done. But-- you are my Sapphire, and and I want you safe. I don't want a martyr for a daughter.
 * Trent Ikithon: (via Sending) You run like you carry a guilty conscience. Absolve yourself, and tell me why I shouldn't continue to pursue.