Hope Within History

is the 55th episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells' Team Wildemount meets with the King and Queen of Uthodurn, where insight on Ludinus Da'leth reveals a new focus and destination for the group...

Pre-show
This episode brought to you by The Void: there when Matt is trying to go to sleep. Also, Marisha's going to be at Creator Clash this weekend!

Part I
The party heads towards the Grandcast Citadel for their meeting with King Imathan Talviel and Queen Simone Fruunast. On their way they consider how a dual monarchy works, the potential fate of Planerider Ryn and whether she's become unpetrified, and how they could have done more in Marquet. They run into Jerena again, who is on light duty, and notice that the Grand Disc is being rebuilt. The guards initially do not recognize Chetney as he was not part of the procession when Umudara left the city, but Imogen persuades them to let him in as a member of their group who was separated. The sentinels bring Bells Hells to an antechamber while the king and queen finish another meeting, and the party discusses what they might ask, and Deanna, FRIDA, and Fearne all agree their biggest priority is contacting or transporting themselves to their friends.

Lord Desavon Kamash, the previous audience, exits the throne room. Fearne stops him and tells him a joke, and successfully steals a ring from him without him or his guards noticing; he is taken with her, but does not wait. Bells Hells then enter the throne room. The king and queen recognize the party for what they have done for Uthodurn, both residents and visitors. Chetney offers a carving of Umudara made from some of the wood from Drixlitch Ovana's broken desk, which the king accepts, and explains that the statue was taken as a memory of Molaesmyr and that he hopes the Sentinel Beast will find a new life. He explains the fall of Molaesmyr and the Veluthil Forest's transformation into the modern-day Savalirwood to the party. Deanna then asks about the apogee solstice and the king and queen tell her that this solstice is different. Queen Fruunast informs the party that after the attacks yesterday, they realized resurrection magic was not working. The temples are scared, and the diarchy has sent those with teleportation magic not dependent on circles away to learn more; they are expected to return in a week or two. Chetney asks that they be told once someone with teleportation abilities returns, as they are separated from their allies. He also mentions Ludinus Da'leth's involvement. King Talviel has a visible response, and Imogen uses Detect Thoughts to learn a little more, and Fearne gains some insight. Chetney continues and asks if the Diarchy can expedite the request the party made at the Vellum Steeple. Deanna adds the party would also like some new clothes, and FRIDA and Chetney also provide the monarchs with information about Drixlitch's exploitation, which the king and queen respond to immediately.

Bells Hells asks King Talviel for more information about Molaesmyr, and he explains that Ludinus primarily kept to himself and his research, though he had a strained relationship with the temples which led to him being denied some resources while in the city. After the city fell to a poisonous purple mist, Ludinus went neither to Bysaes Tyl nor Uthodurn, but instead to the nascent Dwendalian Empire. The king realizes, when the party asks, that the fall of Molaesmyr was likely around or on an apogee solstice as well. The party provides more information to the Diarchy about the Malleus Key and Ludinus's plans, and a page remarks that one of the issues is that the apogee solstice is still going on, even though it should have ended a few days ago. The party then asks for more information on travel to Molaesmyr, and the monarchs recommend they take cliffneck goats. King Talviel admits he has not revisited the Savalirwood since its fall. The king and queen tell Bells Hells that if they do go to Molaesmyr, any findings or artifacts they recover will be rewarded. FRIDA suggests to the monarchs they advise the temples to open to the people again, and while Queen Fruunast notes they try to keep out of the business of the temples, she agrees. As they leave, Deanna casts Bless on the king and queen, and the party is rewarded with Mithral armor from one of the guards who fell, whose family asked it be given as thanks. Bells Hells are given a map of the Savalirwood and a document from the monarchs including a blank check to Catlyn's Clothier for new garments.

The party then splits up. FCG suggests he and FRIDA go together to Jaquoby Macyl's while the others go to the tailor. Imogen worries about going to Molaesmyr, but Deanna reassures her, telling her it will help to have something to do. FRIDA meanwhile pulls Deanna aside and asks if she's okay. She tells them that it's a lot, but she'll manage. FRIDA then admits they have a crush on FCG, which Deanna supports. The two hug. FRIDA also tells Deanna that she should act on her lingering feelings for Chetney.

At the Vellum Steeple, Ressia Uvesic gives the party the prepared dossier on Ludinus. When the party asks her for information on Molaesmyr, she directs them to Chief Auditor Keenash Serevoldin, an expert in the Savalirwood. He is initially skeptical, but when Deanna tells him she's been to Eiselcross he becomes more helpful and warns them that there are many undead. He is not sure if Molaesmyr is on any ley lines, but does confirm that the fall occurred on an apogee solstice and is seen as further proof of Ruidus's curse. The party then looks at the dossier and learn that Ludinus was a not terribly popular counselor in Molaesmyr before the fall, but was then seen as a hero on the Eve of Crimson Midnight in the Empire which he leveraged to convince the king at the time to allow him to form the Cerberus Assembly. He is credited with helping end the recent War of Ash and Light between the Empire and the Kryn Dynasty. He is also said to have come to Molaesmyr from Ivaadel, an elven settlement in Issylra.

Meanwhile, FCG and FRIDA head towards Jaquoby Macyl's. They have a somewhat awkward conversation before reaching a small home with painted-over burn marks. Outside the house, the two have a conversation: FCG thanks FRIDA for showing them around, as they've been so focused on learning more about themself it's been hard to connect with others sometimes. FRIDA meanwhile tells him that they've been angry about being awoken for a long time, but between Deanna and FCG, they've been feeling more at ease. FCG asks FRIDA about their feelings for Deanna, and FRIDA clarifies that Deanna is incredibly important to them, but their relationship is not a romantic one. They ask FCG if they've had someone like that, and FCG says he once did, but he nearly killed her and did kill one of her automata. FRIDA asks if that's a frequent occurrence, and FCG says it is not. FRIDA leans into kiss FCG, and the two kiss on where the lips would be before knocking on Jaquoby's door.

Jaquoby, an enthusiastic gnome man, invites FRIDA and FCG in. His home is cluttered, and he offers the aeormatons some metal as FCG explains he would like legs and to integrate the armor they had just been gifted. Jaquoby tells him legs may take some time, but he can probably integrate the armor right away. As Jaquoby detaches FCG's faceplate in order to begin his work, he notices the letters on the inside, similar to FRIDA's, reading "Faithful Care Giver."

Part II
On their way to Catlyn's, Chetney pulls Imogen aside and asks her how she's feeling about Liliana. Imogen admits she's conflicted, as her mother was always a comforting voice in her dreams, but was also clearly on the side of the Ruby Vanguard during the ritual, and she wonders if she should have done more. Chetney asks her what she'd like Bells Hells to do if they encounter Liliana again, and Imogen tells him that if they have to take her down, they should, especially if the other party members have suffered as a result of her actions.

Meanwhile at Jaquoby's, he finishes the armor upgrade to FCG. FRIDA asks if their arcane cores could power magic such as Sending, but Jaquoby suspects they cannot, though he's not sure. He provides them with an extra cable. For payment, they promise to put in a good word with the monarchs and the Glassblades, with whom Jaquoby works, as well as relevant spoils from Molaesmyr. He gives them an assortment of unwanted scrap metal.

Deanna stops at the Light Above Sanctum, a temple to the Dawnfather, and finds Keeper Evodon Leeds telling people that the temple is only open to Keepers at the moment. She makes herself known and pulls Evodon aside. He asks her if her connection to the Dawnfather has changed at all and admits he feels scared and adrift with his own connection seemingly severed; the gods are still there, but they seem to have turned away. Evodon wonders if it's punishment for the sins of the people, and Deanna immediately reassures him it's not, and that the gods seem to be afraid of something. She confirms the rumor that resurrection is not working, and tells Evodon that regardless, the temples should still provide guidance to the people, who are also scared. She gives Evodon the money she received from Oltgar and tells him that even if he feels alone, there are people around him, and that she'll help when she returns. Evodon thanks her.

At Catlyn's they are greeted by the proprietor, Catlyn Delafin, a half-elf clothing maker who uses her arcane abilities to enhance the process. She and her staff are initially skeptical that the party's expenses will be covered by the dual monarchs until Chetney provides the documentation, at which point they become very accommodating. The party all update their outfits: Chetney gets a velvet tracksuit that can accommodate his hybrid transformations; Imogen gets a sheer and flowy dress that is better insulated, with detachable sleeves and a leather corset-like bodice as well as a hooded jacket; FCG gets a blue duster similar to FRIDA's green duster; Deanna gets a green bodysuit; FRIDA has their coat repaired and FCG's name stitched into it; and Fearne also gets a corset with many luxe fabrics, some jewelry, and an outfit that shows off her legs. Both Fearne and Chetney ask Deanna to knit them some accessories. FRIDA asks Imogen if she'd like to get something for her friends, and she, Deanna, and Fearne decide to get matching corsets and an additional one for Laudna. FRIDA and FCG hold hands, and the party leaves with two bottles of champagne.

Back at Deanna's house, Chetney, Imogen, Fearne, and FCG tell FRIDA and Deanna they don't need to come to Molaesmyr if they don't want to, but FRIDA and Deanna insist. Chetney also asks Deanna about Eiselcross. She and FRIDA tell the party they went there to learn more about FRIDA, but found it incredibly dangerous and full of Kryn soldiers, so they did not make it into Aeor and decided to leave and wait until they were more prepared. The party plans to go to a temple of the Raven Queen in the morning. Fearne then leaves as the others get ready for bed, telling them she's running an errand. She goes to the temple of the Wildmother, which, as she was told by the monarchs, is up a staircase outside the city. It is a garden untouched by the surrounding snow. There, she asks the Wildmother to tell Orym that the rest of the party are alive, and they hope to see him soon. She listens for a response, but cannot tell if there is one, and returns to Deanna's house. There, she wakes Chetney up and tells him that if he doesn't talk to Deanna about their lingering feelings, she will romance Deanna herself. Chetney tells her he's waiting for a clearer signal from Deanna, and will wait for a night when she's not drunk.

In Deanna's room, Deanna tells Imogen and Fearne about Evedon's experience with the gods. Imogen agrees it's strange to not know what's going on; when Deanna points out Imogen often uses psychic powers, Imogen tells her this is her first time in a city in ten years when she hasn't been overwhelmed. They then all listen through the walls to FCG and FRIDA in their room; FCG and FRIDA are talking and decide to hold hands as they take their rest. FRIDA asks to sketch FCG before they go to bed, and FCG agrees.

The next morning, Deanna makes biscuits and gravy, and FCG Identifies the gloves they took from D&O Toy Emporium as Weavepiercer Gloves. Imogen takes them for the time being. They then all go to hire flot goats for their journey.

Main player characters

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

Guest player characters

 * Deanna Leimert
 * FRIDA

Returning
These characters previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work.
 * Jerena
 * Queen Simone Fruunast
 * King Imathan Talviel
 * Ressia Uvesic

New
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Catlyn Delafin, tailor and owner of Catlyn's Clothier
 * Lord Desavon Kamash, noble in Uthodurn
 * Evodon Leeds, priest at the Light Above Sanctum
 * Jaquoby Macyl
 * Keenash Serevoldin, head of the Woodset Auditors

Mentioned

 * Aramond Tuestral, Grand-Conservator of Molaesmyr
 * Dancer (unnamed)
 * The Dawnfather
 * Drixlitch Ovana
 * Ludinus Da'leth
 * Oltgar Dradegon
 * Predathos
 * Pretty
 * Pussy, one of Dancer's automatons
 * The Raven Queen
 * Triya, keeper at the Light Above Sanctum
 * Umudara