The Fear of Isolation

is the sixth episode of the eighth chapter of Critical Role. Vox Machina travel to the pools of Wittebak, where they meet a lonely stranger residing in a strange old house.

Previously on Critical Role
"Vox Machina, having finally encountered the Undying King returned in physical form on the Shadowfell, did battle and fled, quite unprepared for that venture, and gathered some tidbits of information about what Vecna's plans may be.

"Upon returning and discovering that Vax has returned through some deal he made with his patron, the Raven Queen, after disintegrating, they decided to go ahead and try and gather more information about this and beseech some of the higher powers within Exandria.

"Pike talked to Sarenrae and was given the invitation to come visit her in Elysium on the Island of Renewal, and upon gathering their materials and causing a mess in Vasselheim, they got together and went to meet this fantastic Everlight.

"On her island, they spoke with her. She gathered some information from them, as Vecna seemed to be blocking the influence and vision from a lot of the deities, and then gave her blessing onto Pike. She transferred Vox Machina over to one of the other gods that lives along the Blessed Fields of Elysium, Pelor the Dawnfather.

"They walked through the orchards that led to the Fortress of the Sun where he resides, spoke with some of the guardians there, and were led into the center of the citadel where they met, in the central throne room under the zenith tower, Pelor himself.

"Upon exchanging information, Vox Machina spoke of their need to gather the favor of certain gods in the battles to come and were given a challenge. To step up to plate, Vex'ahlia. She accepted the challenge and, racing to the top of the tower before the fires could be extinguished in the brazier that awaited her, she threw herself into the fire. And upon the party speaking on what it was that made Vex'ahlia such an important member not just of their team, but their family and gave them strength, she was imbued with a blessing of the Dawnfather himself.

"After which, the party exited the front of the Fortress of the Sun and stepped into the central glade that marks the center of the seemingly endless orchards that surround this region."

Vox Machina

 * Taryon Darrington (absent, not mentioned)
 * Doty 2.0 (absent, not mentioned)
 * Keyleth
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Pike Trickfoot (DM-controlled)
 * Trinket
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia

New

 * Demistrik
 * Ioun
 * Sprigg

Returning

 * Pa'tice
 * Vecna (voice only)

Mentioned

 * Vesper de Rolo
 * Pelor
 * Raven Queen
 * Sarenrae
 * Sun Tree
 * Tharizdun

Quotations

 * Demistrik: "Get out!" Sprigg: "And show yourself out, Demistrik, I don't need you here. Nineteen years of you is more than enough." Matt: "You hear muffling argument through the door as the voice goes..." Demistrik: "...I'll stay where I damn please! You gave me permission to stay; if anyone's going to leave, you're going to leave!" Sprigg: "I think you should go to Kraghammer and become a little circus performer with a little tin cup and a little hat and say 'Oh dear, I'm Demistrik, the magical imp' that's where you belong I tell you." Demistrik: "That sounds like a lot more fun than having to deal with you on a daily basis, you son of a---" Sprigg: "OH, LANGUAGE, IMP!!" Matt: "The door creaks open once more." Demistrik: "Sorry." Darin: "The door creeps open again." Sprigg: "I'm sorry as well...for HIM!! He's awful." Liam: "I stick my foot in!" Vax'ildan: "Um...I'm REALLY very sorry to bother you, although I am DELIGHTED to make your acquaintance...." Liam: "...I'm having a VERY hard time not just smiling like an idiot...." Vax: "...Could we trouble you just for a few moments?"
 * Percy: "I get the sense that your...compatriot, I hate to call him friend here, er...." Sprigg: "I hate to call him friend and yet I do. Isn't that right, friend?!" Demistrik: (begrudingly) "Fortunately." Percy: (to Demistrik) "What are you doing here?" Sprigg: "You can tell him." Demistrik: "None of your--NO!!" Sprigg: "YES!!" Demistrik: "NO!!" Sprigg: "YES!!" Demistrik: "Why does he ask me?" Sprigg: "These people are guests in our home!" Demistrik: "Oh, it's not our home!" Sprigg: "Nineteen years you've been here! Ever since your master died trying to enter and got tricked into one of my traps, and now you're here...does that answer your question? Now why don't you tell him what I just said?!"
 * Sprigg: "If you'll allow me...you've been very quiet." Keyleth: "Yes I'm...I'm a little freaked out right now. You're like my worst fear incarnate. I'm sorry that seemed very rude...my worst NIGHTMARE incarnate." Sprigg: "That doesn't make it any better dear child." Demistrik: "HEHEHEHEHE!!" Sprigg: "OH, TUTUTUT!!!! Go ahead, why am I your worst fear 'in-a-carnation'?"
 * Sam: "Are Vex and Percy walking together?" Matt: "Yes they are." Sam: "I whip out my flute and I just start going--" (begins humming bridal march) Percy: "Oh...he may have heard." Vex'ahlia: "He heard?" Percy: "I thought you were going to die, I may have panicked." Vex: "Wait, wait, wait..." Percy: "We were asked to plead for your life and...I may have panicked." Vex: "Who did you tell? PERCIVAL, WHO DID YOU TELL?!" Percy: "Some deity...." Sam: "Look at your shirt." Laura: "What?" (looks down, sees the word: 'Everybody' and gasps) "No!!" Percy: "I panicked!" Vex: Percy! Percy: "I panicked! There was a giant glowing sun, and I may have...I didn't tell...well, I was a bit vague but I was--" Vex: "A bit vague?" Percy: "I...." Vex: "Scanlan, what did he say?" Taliesin: "Oh no." Scanlan: "Well, you know: first comes love...then comes marriage...." Percy: "I may have hinted...." Scanlan/Sam: "Wait, you're married? No, you said you were betrothed, TO BE MARRIED. Wait, YOU'RE MARRIED?! Oh wow, YOU JUST SPILLED IT!!" Vex: "SHH!!" Percy: "Silence, CONE OF SILENCE." Scanlan: "You're married!! They're married!! THEY'RE MARRIED!!" Matt: "All of a sudden--No, you try and it's making no sound. It is just absolute quiet." Scanlan: "So you're going to ruin everyone else's joy...one of those couples." Liam: "Thank you vacation Scanlan." Matt: "Vacation Scanlan's the best." Marisha: "Worst double date sangria partners ever." Taliesin: "He's back ladies and gentlemen and he's back and taking no prisoners." Sam: "Oh, are you guys going on vacation...we got a divorce!"