Axiom Shaken

is the 43rd episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells seek out answers about the stolen texts from members of the Grim Verity, but the knowledge revealed could change everything they know about the gods of Exandria…

Pre-Show
Taliesin isn't feeling well so will not be at the table; Matt has plans.

Part I
Shithead, having just flown towards FCG, acts true to his name and poops on FCG, dealing poison damage. FCG calls out that the bird knows what they've done and is a punishment. The rest of Bells Hells take defensive actions or cast spells on Shithead. Chetney attempts to use Speak with Small Animals, which does not work. FCG warns the party about the bird, but Fearne's Ice Knife seemingly drops it. FCG does not trust it, and casts both Spare the Dying and then Speak with Animals to find out more. At first it does not respond, but then the broken wings begin to snap back into place. Chetney, realizing it is undead, grapples it. Shithead finally responds, and tells FCG that it doesn't know why it wants to attack FCG, it just does. He is unaware of FCG's past; he just thinks that if he is stuck here, he may as well make it as bad a time as possible for FCG. As FCG tells everyone to kill the bird, it breaks out of Chetney's grapple. Laudna sends Pâté after it, and casts Hex through Pâté.

The party asks FCG about Shithead, and he tells them that Shithead has repeatedly attacked him in this way and it sounds like there is no good reason other than spite, though in the past he thought it was a fluke or a prank. Imogen helps clean off FCG. Bells Hells brainstorms some possible course of action, and in doing so realize that Ashton seems to be missing. Orym looks but is unable to see them, so Imogen casts Sending. Ashton tells her that he's following something and will meet up with them later. As the party further discusses Shithead, they head in to the Aydinlan Seminary.

Bells Hells is able to make it to the information desk, noticing that the student body, like the rest of the city, is primarily orcish. Carolle, the clerk, greets them. She answers their questions about Ebenold Kai and Kadija Sumal: Kai had cancelled all his classes some time ago and hasn't been seen in a few months, and Carolle cannot give his address, but Professor Sumal will be around tomorrow. Fearne then asks if they'd be interested in hiring her as a professor. As they talk, Orym notices the hall in which they're standing fall silent, as a tall person in an eyeless bronze mask walks into the room. FCG's Detect Thoughts reveals that Carolle is nervous and wishes the "thing" would leave. Imogen telepathically asks her who the person is, and Carolle, confused as to the source, responds that they are a representative from Vasselheim. Fearne recognizes the being as a Judicator, a holy warrior and hunter dedicated to the Prime Deities. Carolle tells Imogen mentally the Judicators arrived a little under a week ago. Chetney approaches the Judicator and greets them, and receives no response but does recognize their bracers as being magical. The Judicator then leaves, having not spoken. Fearne tells Bells Hells what she knows. Carolle tells them that this red-haired Judicator has a half-giant partner, and the staff of the seminary have been told to let them go where they need. Imogen asks Carolle if she knows who they're looking for. Carolle seems suspicious, but Imogen convinces her it's just curiosity.

Carolle begins however to become somewhat impatient with the party, telling FCG they can enroll in a class about automata taught by Vitro Isham, but that she cannot give them directions to the office nor to Ebenold's house. FCG then casts Fast Friends on her. It succeeds. She first tells him where Isham's office is, and then, upon being asked, offers to lead them to Ebenold on her lunch break. Imogen suggests to Bells Hells that they treat Carolle kindly and ask her about herself so that when the spell wears off, she will at least feel they were genuinely friendly. They learn about her flower garden, and about how she stole a bronze lion statue from a professor and resold it. As they talk, they reach the Vigil Quarter of the Dominion Ring of Yios, and Carolle leaves them at Ebenold Kai's house, which is made of black wood and appears to be for one of the smaller races. As she goes, Orym gives her a few platinum tied up in a handkerchief and Fearne gives her seeds to grow poppies, in the hopes of keeping her from being too upset at their deception.

Laudna does not see any sign that Ebenold is home so Chetney goes invisible and is helped by Fearne over the fence, where he picks the lock to the gate. He notices the birdbath water appears to have not been changed in some time, and that the front door is both locked and trapped. The windows are also firmly locked, so Imogen suggests he go down the chimney. Chetney first knocks on the door, and upon hearing no response, heads towards the chimney. Imogen casts Invisibility on Orym as well, and he joins Chetney in climbing up to the roof. Chetney notices a silver thread flush with the windows of the second floor and settles on the chimney as the best point of entrance. As the two of them fumble with the invisible rope, the rest of Bells Hells first pretends to be yard workers, then decides to walk around the block in order to not seem suspicious to the guards. As they do, Laudna realizes that Hex will not help her track Shithead, though it will make his life harder for the next several hours.

Chetney goes down the chimney and is able to smell anxious sweat. He notices the silver thread around the entire room, but crosses it to go downstairs. He sees that the trap is a pot attached to a cable, and tries to disable it, but fails, though he is able to dodge the pot. The contents are a sticky black liquid. He continues through the first floor, seeing no one but noticing the windows are indeed barred. He opens one of the windows and Orym tells Imogen, who had maintained a mental connection, to bring the rest inside. Laudna verifies the tracker orb is still dark. The rest of Bells Hells (minus Ashton) come through the window as Chetney tells Orym that he thinks someone is hiding in the house. Imogen, upon entering, casts Detect Thoughts and is able to sense two people below them. Chetney picks the lock on a rolltop desk, which is entirely empty, but which does hit him with a spray of acid. The party splits to look through the house, and FCG takes a number of cooking supplies from the kitchen and Laudna takes spices. She notices a painting of a boat on the wall and removes it, placing it in the sink, and she and FCG notice a seam in the wall. After some trial and error they are able to lift the section of the wall, revealing a staircase. They call everyone in.

Orym and Chetney lead the way after Chetney notices no traps. Chetney smells the scent of sweat even more strongly here. As the two descend, a skull is thrown at them and flashes a blinding white light, which makes Orym frightened. Chetney sees a halfling man and an elven woman, and the elven woman begins to read a scroll. When she finishes, it creates a large circle through which she and the man flee. Chetney runs towards it along with the rest of the party, with Imogen dragging the scared Orym into it.

Part II
Bells Hells emerge from the circle into a dark cavern made of black volcanic rock. It smells smoky and sulfurous, and is extremely hot. The chamber includes furniture as well as a small river of lava.

The halfling man and elven woman are about 30 feet from Bells Hells, and the woman is holding a crossbow aimed at the party, but the man tells her to hold. Orym holds up the letter from Roe Estani and says that they are friends of Estani's. Imogen drops his invisibility, and he gives the man, who is Ebenold Kai, the letter. Orym also tells him that they are seeking the help of the Grim Verity. Ebenold tells the woman, who he calls Baryn, to lower the crossbow, which she does, accidentally shooting into the air. Ebenold also tells Bells Hells that he is sorry for the caution, but he and Baryn could use some allies if they are in earnest.

Imogen asks the two about the Judicator they had just seen, and Ebenold tells her that he assumes he and Baryn are indeed the targets. Bells Hells introduce themselves as a group, and Fearne says she is the leader. Baryn Vestisho introduces herself as a doctor of Exandrian history with a focus on the ancient history of the Founding and Schism. Orym then asks where they are, and they respond that they are in the home of an ally, and point to a tiefling woman in the corner of the room: Planerider Ryn, who is holding a wand towards Bells Hells. Ryn tells the party that since they are apparently allies of Ebenold and Baryn, she will not burn them, and introduces herself, then asks the party who they are. FCG tells her that they were seeking Ebenold to learn more about Ruidus. Ryn summons a fire elemental, whom she calls Niles, as a precaution, but does not attack, and Laudna introduces everyone individually.

Laudna then tells the assembled that Bells Hells were following the trail of the Lumas twins, which Ebenold says was a tragedy. Orym then introduces Imogen, and her reasons for researching the moon including its connection not just to her but to her mother. Upon him doing so, Ebenold recognizes Imogen as Liliana Temult's daughter. Ebenold tells Ryn to put down the wand, as he believes Bells Hells' motives are truly genuine. When Orym asks about some of the other Grim Verity members that Baryn and Ebenold had mentioned, the researchers begin to explain their history.

Baryn had noticed a number of inconsistencies in historical documentation of Ruidus and the intense culture surrounding knowledge thereof. Imogen informs her that Bells Hells has already tangled with Otohan Thull. Baryn then explains that the Highbearers of Vasselheim had always turned Verity members away when they asked for more information, but they managed to take some texts. Arnold Drot, the researcher who stole the texts, was imprisoned. Janina, another member, is on her way to the ley nexus in the Hellcatch Valley for the apogee solstice. Ebenold explains that Hondir is also on the run, and Ryn serves to help with transport and escape. Ryn, for her part, explains that her area of research is the Planes of Existence and the interconnected ley energies, and became involved because Ruidus flares appear to influence the planes and leylines. Ryn had also noticed that devices were being built in not just the Feywild, but also the Shadowfell, the two planes closest to the Prime Material Plane, and realized they are likely intended to use the energy of the upcoming solstice.

Imogen asks about the city she saw on the moon, and Baryn and Ebenold tell her that the texts did not mention that specifically. Ryn, impressed, mentions the Cerberus Assembly's involvement, which Bells Hells confirm they have seen. She also asks them, when Laudna mentions it, about Ira Wendagoth, which Laudna explains in more detail, including the Divine Gate-like lattice. Ryn then tells them more about the contents of the texts:

The texts concern several ancient gods or god-like beings: Ethedok, god of darkness and winter, and Vordo, god of fate and order. The texts also indicated that Ruidus did not yet exist at this time, and that it was created after the initial creation of Exandria, prior to the Schism, at a time when the gods were afraid. A being from beyond came and consumed Ethedok and then Vordo. This being was named Predathos, and in addition to devouring these gods, created its own version of life. The remaining gods worked with the primordials to seal away Predathos in a prison, made from part of Exandria, which they used to create Ruidus. They then encased it in the lattice and sent it into space, but it remained as a satellite. The Grim Verity's theory is that the rumors of Ruidus as an ill omen were to prevent interest in it, but flares do seem to influence people and events back on Exandria nonetheless. Discussion of Ruidus in this context is met with extreme suspicion and resistance by the religious leaders of Vasselheim. At this, Ryn informs Bells Hells that they now have the information that has caused the Grim Verity to be hunted.

The party asks about Otohan Thull, and are told that she used to be a very powerful and pious soldier who seems to have, either through the Apex War or the fact that she is an Exaltant, one of the Ruidusborn with a particularly strong connection to Ruidus or Predathos, lost her faith in the Raven Queen. She appears to be building an army of Ruidusborn and heading to that ley nexus. The Grim Verity believes that Predathos is building anchors to Exandria. Imogen asks if Liliana is likely among them, and Ebenold says it's possible; Liliana was their star test subject when they were building the Omen Archive, but as the Verity researchers were unable to give her answers, she began to look elsewhere.

Chetney, who has been invisible the whole time, appears, and Ryn reveals she's been able to see him the entire time. Imogen asks more about controlling her powers, and Baryn mentions she may be able to provide some exercises. Ryn notes that the dangerous part is that Imogen took out a city block without intending to; it's the accidents that are the problems. However, in the discussion, the Verity members indicate that powers like Imogen, Liliana, or Otohan have are rare among Ruidusborn; though the numbers have increased as of late, there are still only about 200 people. Chetney asks about the devoured gods and whether they were Prime Deities or Betrayer Gods, and is told that since this all happened prior to the Schism, it is unclear. FCG asks what part of Exandria was used to create Ruidus, and that is also unknown, though the researchers believe it may have been a lost continent. Laudna and Ryn discuss the machines like the one Ira had worked on, and theorize that perhaps Otohan's Gray Assassins are jumping between planes.

The Cerberus Assembly connection also becomes more clear: they had claimed an archaeological site around the nexus, and Ryn had also hoped to perform some experiments at that site. The site is tied to an ancient culture, the Tishtan. It was initially an Aydinlan Seminary site, but was somehow taken over by the Assembly. Janina is still there, as her connections to the Grim Verity are less public.

Ryn, Baryn, and Ebenold suggest that Bells Hells can best help because they are a small group capable of misdirection and sabotage; meeting an army with an army will be less effective. Fearne then suggests that they go to the Feywild to visit Morrigan, who can likely help. While Ryn suggests sabotaging the Exandrian machine first as the other two appear to be auxiliary, the Feywild connection can be fruitful. She also agrees that Ira is primarily serving as a chaos agent, and Bells Hells may be able to work with him to destabilize the project. Imogen contacts Morrigan with advice from Fearne, and Morrigan invites Fearne to visit should she so choose. Imogen also tells Orym, telepathically, that Morrigan sounds terrifying.

Bells Hells then prepares to go back to Yios to pick up Ashton and plan their next steps, while Baryn and Ebenold intend to stay with Ryn for a short while longer. Ryn cautions Bells Hells one last time about the dangers they are likely to encounter. She then sends them back to the basement of Ebenold's house. Chetney goes to check and see if the house is empty, and hears breaking wood, so he shuts the secret door. The party can hear footsteps overhead, and an unfamilar voice asking someone if they are sure they heard and smelled "them" here, then asks that unknown person to "find them."

Bells Hells

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

New
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Dr. Baryn Vestisho
 * Carolle, clerk at the Aydinlan Seminary
 * Ebenold Kai
 * Morrigan, via Sending
 * Ryn

Mentioned

 * Arnold Drot
 * Curtis Uleas (indirectly, assuming still the Holy Curator)
 * Dinon, professor at the Aydinlan Seminary
 * Ethedok the Endless Shadow
 * Ira Wendagoth
 * Janina, member of the Grim Verity
 * Kadija Sumal
 * Predathos
 * Roe Estani
 * Vitro Isham, professor of artifice at the Aydinlan Seminary
 * Vordo the Fateshaper
 * Vord (indirectly, assuming still the Highbearer)