Night at the Ligament Manor

is the 46th episode of the third campaign of Critical Role.

Part I
In Ligament Manor, Morri offers Bells Hells their cocktails, which she calls Moonlight Glycerin (and which grants the party darkvision, as they introduce themselves to her. When she touches Ashton's head, there are sparkles within the glass, and Ashton asks to talk more to her later. Morri and Fearne catch up, with Fearne telling her the general history of Bells Hells' journey. As she does, Peepers, a rabbit-like creature, approaches. Fearne also introduces Morri to her "child", Little Mister, and both of Morri's faces compliment Fearne on her talents.

The conversation turns to Ira Wendagoth and Morri's knowledge of the Malleus Keys. Morri, who is very interested in the party's experiences with Ira and what he said about her, tells them that she made the Weave Lens as a favor and that she's glad it worked. She is not particularly familiar with the details of the Malleus Keys, but she is an expert in fate, and while she is not a goddess of it like the Raven Queen, she does enjoy causing "tangles" in fate, and supporting others who do the same. Fearne also asks Morri about her knowledge of Ruidus and Ruidusborn. Morri is not an expert in that either, but believes the Malleus Key in the Feywild is what's keeping Ruidus on the plane. She tells Bells Hells that it is located in the Shiver Keep of the Unseelie Court, and hints that she assisted Birdie and Ollie Calloway in their theft of the Moontide Crown.

Imogen brings up the issue of Morri helping them avoid a significant loss of time when crossing back into the Material Plane. Morri tells them that she cannot send them to Exandria herself, but she can direct them to a gate and perhaps assist with the randomness of the flow of time to be more favorable towards them. After Morri makes more allusions to a past flirtation with Ira, Imogen tells her about the Divine Gate-like barrier around Ruidus, and Fearne updates her on Predathos. She introduces Imogen as having a strong connection to Ruidus, and Chetney perhaps having a connection as well, though Chetney denies it and says his is internal. Morri tells him that she can tell he's a werewolf. Laudna compliments Morri on her home, and tells her that she and Chetney are also interested in various crafts. She introduces Pâté. Morri is taken with Pâté, and briefly encases him in a cage her fingers form, but then lets him go. Pâté is shaken by the experience, though Morri does compliment Laudna on her skill. Chetney then shares his woodworking, and talks with Morri about the tree that forms much of Ligament Manor. She offers to find him some fey wood for him to work on, which excites Chetney.

After this, Morri puts a cloth on the face on her head so it can rest, and her stomach face begins to speak to the group instead. Orym asks Morri what Fearne was like when she was young, attempting to learn more about the conditions of Fearne being left with Morri while her parents left, but Morri tells him she can't remember all the details. The party leaves her briefly to go to Fearne's bedroom, which features a very soft bed, curtains made of the painted skin of an unknown creature, and other creatures on the ceiling. It also has a huge circular window looking out onto the Harrowcall Fens and beyond, through which Ruidus is visible.

Fearne then leads them to Nana's collection room, which is full of countless strange and at times nightmarish objects. Morri tells them proudly that she prefers to stay in her Fane, but often receives gifts in exchange for her favors. At this time, the party gives her the bust Fearne successfully persuaded Jiana Hexum to give over. The bust's magic is unable to entirely keep up with Morri's appearance, but Morri seems to enjoy it. She shows Bells Hells one of her most prized possessions, the (still-beating) heart of the champion of the Lion Guard, and then, when asked, says she'll think on what items from her collection might aid them against the Unseelie Court. Ashton then asks her about the sensation they experienced when she touched their head earlier, and she touches it again. A small black and purple cloud briefly appears, which surprises and intrigues Morri, who does not understand what's happening. Ashton exits the room and rages, showing Morri his hyper rage. She tells them the magic seems both extremely new and extremely old, and they thank her and ask her to tell them more if she finds any other information. Chetney shows off his Butcher's Bib, which Morri also enjoys. She tells the party she will remain among her collection for some more time, and Fearne will take them to the garden where they can sleep.

The garden is high up in the manor and gives a few of the fens around them. It is full of flowers and arcane light. There are a number of topiaries, all made to look like creatures in agony, which Fearne says she has created from shrubs. Orym notices a thumping noise. As the party considers whether Fearne is telling the truth, Sweet Pea, a talking sun bear, approaches and enthusiastically hugs Fearne. The two talk, and Sweet Pea tells the party that the thumping means the shrubs need water. FCG casts Detect Thoughts, but Sweet Pea is mostly thinking about food.

Fearne leads the party to a purple vardo in the garden where they will sleep. Inside are three large beds, and some black and white art that appears to be of screaming people. FCG expresses some concern about the ongoing theme of agony in the garden. The party then catches up on what Imogen and Fearne had learned from Kadija Sumal regarding her mother and Reilora. They recount their encounter with Ludinus Da'leth, and Fearne shares that he is not Ruidusborn himself and appears jealous of those who are.

Imogen wonders if the gods are indeed the problem and if the Ruby Vanguard has a point. FCG says that he actually is more interested in learning about the gods now, and Imogen admits that whatever the truth may be, she doesn't think one person can make the decision for everyone. A number of the others weigh in: Laudna wonders if others would simply become gods in their place. Ashton points out that that the people involved with the Vanguard seem to be doing a lot of harm, and Orym points out that his husband and father were both killed by Vanguard members. Chetney reflects on the Calamity.

They all decide to go to sleep after a very full day; FCG repeatedly tells the group that they're very much on edge. Orym Druidcrafts a number of flowers around Imogen, and FCG casts Shared Dream on themself and Laudna so that if Imogen dreams, they will join her. As they all fall asleep, Imogen sees a point of red light.

Main player characters

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

Companions
These characters are familiars or other companions of the player characters.
 * Pâté de Rolo
 * Little Mister

Returning
These characters previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work.
 * Liliana Temult
 * Morrigan

New
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Dr. Nesbitt
 * Sweet Pea

Mentioned

 * Ira Wendagoth
 * Kadija Sumal
 * Ludinus Da'leth
 * Otohan Thull
 * Shithead