Heredity and Hats

is the fourth episode of the fifth chapter of Critical Role, and the first episode of the series to be performed before a live studio audience. Forced by circumstance to enter the elven city of Syngorn in the Feywild, Vox Machina reluctantly seeks audience with Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia's estranged father, Syldor Vessar, and his new family. After a tense reunion, the party acquires diplomatic papers to pursue their agenda in the city—and complete some unscrupulous tasks for their satyr guide, Garmelie.

Announcements

 * Live show in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the Hilbert Circle Theatre on Saturday, August 6th, 2016, at 8:00pm.  Tickets are available online for General Admission ($60) and VIP ($200, includes poster and meet-and-greet).

Part I
During the tense reunion between Syldor and his twin children, the stoic elf repeatedly expresses disappointment and disinterest in Vax and Vex. Vex had previously revealed her nervousness to Percy about seeing her father again, clearly wanting to impress him, Syldor seems unimpressed. Percy sticks up for his friend in a surprising way, however, when Syldor provides diplomatic papers to allow Vox Machina to conduct business within Syngorn. Upon reading the parchment, Percy thanks Syldor but points out that he'll need to amend one of the names—it's actually "Lady Vex'ahlia". In a moment of surprise, Syldor asks, "Oh?" Percy reveals that Vex is, in fact, "Lady Vex'ahlia, Baroness of the Third House of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt".

New

 * Unnamed Feywild bear spirit
 * Unnamed guards
 * Brom:  Son of Highwarden Tirelda.
 * The Evershifting Grasses
 * High Warden Tirelda

Returning

 * Unnamed guards
 * Devana Vessar:   Current wife of Syldor Vessar in Syngorn.
 * Garmelie:  A satyr from the Feywild, accompanying Vox Machina.
 * Watcher Iova:   An elf from Syngorn (mentioned only).
 * Syldor Vessar:  Father of Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia.
 * Velora Vessar:   Daughter of Syldor and Devana in Syngorn; half-sister of Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia.

Quotations

 * Sam Riegel, after Vox Machina defeated the Evershifting Grasses:  "How do you want to mow this?"