Thar Amphala (episode)

is the second episode of the eighth chapter of Critical Role. Vox Machina journey through the Ziggurat into the Shadowfell, hot on the trail of Delilah Briarwood.

Previously on Critical Role
"Vox Machina had recently been visited by an old ally, Scanlan Shorthalt, who had spent the past year or so building a reputation and a criminal ring in Ank'Harel as a forging master in various types of furniture and accoutrement. Upon realizing through the aid of one of his hired help, Lionel, discovered that there was a second Sphere apparently on some sort of pyramid-like ziggurat structure not far from Ank'Harel.

"Upon Scanlan returning to notify the party, [they] all made [their] way to Ank'Harel, briefly met with Kaylie and saw a little bit of the setup that they've been building for the past year or so, and then made [their] way towards the Smoldercrown Mountains to the southeast of Ank'Harel, where apparently this structure resides, and apparently this cult has been sacrificing objects of magical power towards this black Sphere.

"[They] made [their] way to the outskirts of this mountain, discovered that the entrance that was previously there had been collapsed, and discovered a new carved entrance into the mountain. [They] were beset by a few traps, made [their] way into a far corner, set up a Mansion, and [dealt] rather briskly with a cluster of undead that had kind of built up on the outside of the entryway to [Scanlan's] Magnificent Mansion .

"[They] made [their] way to the final chamber where this structure was residing. A number of cultists there were in the process of quickly, hastily throwing these objects to the top, then noticed that [Vox Machina] had come as interlopers into this space. At which point [they] realized that the head of this cult, or at least this group here at the top of the pyramid, was none other than Lady Delilah Briarwood, who then protected herself and two of her cult members beneath the veil of a Prismatic Wall in the shape of a sphere.

"[Vox Machina] did battle with a number of undead and other cultists and followers of the Whispered One, that involved largely just throwing a bunch of them into the ceiling, including [Vox Machina themselves], thanks to a well-placed Reverse Gravity. Scanlan had darted past the Prismatic Wall with a clever use of Dimension Door, but [Delilah and two of the cultists] escaped into the Sphere after turning it from a glowing white back into its black, magic-absorbing form, leaving [Vox Machina] there.

" [ Keyleth ] managed to cleanse Pike of her Feeblemind spell, and after acquiring a few of these magical artifacts that were left unbroken, and some cult robes, and apparently symbols of this cult of the Whispered One, [they] now stand in the middle of this cavern on the outside of where this second Ziggurat exists, deciding what to do next and what the next step of this journey means for [them]."

Vox Machina

 * Taryon Darrington
 * Doty 2.0 (nonfunctional)
 * Keyleth
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Pike Trickfoot
 * Trinket (within Raven's Slumber; not mentioned)
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia

New

 * Larry
 * Chef Varon

Returning

 * Cassandra de Rolo
 * Lionel Gayheart (DM-controlled)
 * Kynan Leore
 * Raven Queen (voice only)
 * Eskil Ryndarien
 * Sun Tree (used as transportation; did not speak)
 * Jekt Wince

Mentioned

 * Delilah Briarwood
 * Clarota
 * Desmond
 * Bertrand Dwendell
 * Shaun Gilmore
 * Ioun
 * Korrin
 * Orthax
 * Osysa
 * Pelor
 * Raishan
 * Sarenrae
 * Sovereign Uriel Tal'Dorei III
 * Tharizdun
 * JB Trickfoot
 * Vecna
 * Allura Vysoren