Dangerous Dealings

is the fourth episode of the fourth chapter of Critical Role. Vox Machina, having rescued Gilmore and the surviving members of the Tal'Dorei royal family, must decide how to handle the Chroma Conclave's attacks across Exandria—and whether to make a devil's bargain with the Clasp.

Synopsis
Vox Machina discusses which of their allies they can rally to help them defeat Thordak and the Chroma Conclave. Percy wants to make an alliance with the Clasp, but Vax'ildan doesn't think they can be trusted. Scanlan unequivocally disagrees with a plan for him to spy on Thordak.

Pike and Keyleth scry to the following people and places to discover if they've been affected by the Chroma Conclave:
 * Vasselheim
 * Whitestone
 * Syngorn
 * Air Ashari tribe

It appears that all but Syngorn are untouched and unaware. Syngorn, the elven city of Vax and Vex'ahlia's father, is gone—possibly transported to the Feywild for safety until the danger has passed.

Knowing that Whitestone is safe (for the moment), and given the heavy death toll it suffered throughout the Briarwoods' reign and during the Whitestone Rebellion, Vox Machina decides to abandon Greyskull Keep and transport the refugees under their protection to Whitestone. Perhaps the refugees could help rebuild Whitestone while waiting for the dragon threat to be resolved. Percy mentions stealing a skyship for fast travel. Scanlan likes this idea, but it is temporarily abandoned by the rest of the party in favor of Keyleth's transportation spells, Transport via Plants and Wind Walk, and the Gate Stones that Percy and Cassandra hold.

Percy travels to Whitestone with the refugees and talks to his sister about making preparations in case the dragons come. While there, he encounters Realmseer Eskil Ryndarien, who is researching the Ziggurat.

As Vox Machina proceeds to the Clasp's headquarters, they encounter wyverns with lizardfolk riders. After dispatching them, the party heads to the secret entrance that Garthok showed them. They speak to one of the Clasp's spirelings (a leadership rank ) named Shenn, asking him to help the people of Emon and spy for them while they get help to defeat the dragon. The spireling requests entrée into Vasselheim, where they have yet been unable to gain a foothold. Percy and Scanlan are willing to make the deal, but many of the others are not, for various reasons. Through most of the discussion, Vax is quiet, but the group elects him to make the final decision. He decides not to take it, much to the dismay of the Clasp, which now considers Vax and his companions enemies. As they leave, they hear the secret entrance being destroyed. Vax asks Keyleth to burn the Clasp's brand off of his back, which she does.

Vox Machina heads back to Greyskull Keep for the night, which Vax and Keyleth spend together in the druid's bedroom. The next morning, the party takes Gilmore, Empress Salda Tal'Dorei, Salda's children, and the remaining refugees to Whitestone.

The next day, Vox Machina travels to the Slayer's Take guildhall in Vasselheim.

Trivia

 * Matthew Mercer uses his catchphrase, "How do you want to do this?", and isn't referring to a boss kill.