Into the Frostweald

is the tenth episode of the fourth chapter of Critical Role. Vox Machina continues the quest to collect the Vestiges of the Divergence in order to defeat the Chroma Conclave. Along the way, they are rejoined by Pike Trickfoot and discover some other old friends in dire straits.

Previously on Critical Role
"The adventuring party of Vox Machina, traversing the lands in search of lost artifacts of wars of old, referred to as the Vestiges of the Divergence, in hopes of eventually tearing down and defeating a conclave of chromatic dragons called the Chroma Conclave that have destroyed society all across the continent of Tal'Dorei and beyond. They returned to the outskirts of a city named Westruun that was very important in their early adventures, to find it—from a distance—partially destroyed by the dragon attack but a couple weeks before, and since taken over by what seems to be the remnants—now swelling in power and size—of Grog's old herd of wandering barbarians and various savages.

"Having taken the city by force and ruling it with an iron hand, it was also deemed not the right time to face this foe, and as such the party continued venturing southward in the direction of the Frostweald, where, somewhere at the base of the Stormcrest Mountains, the mate of Osysa—the gynosphinx they had met in Vasselheim—her mate resides somewhere in this vicinity. That's all the information they have to go on as they head down towards the frozen forest."

Part I
As Vox Machina travel from Westruun toward the Frostweald in mist form, they notice a tent city below filled with refugees that have escaped the city since its occupation. While surveying the scene from a distance, Vex and Vax spot Drez Vina, who had assigned the party on a mission when they first came together. The party's history with Elowen Brist and her son Simon gains them entrance to the camp, and Elowen refers them to Cornelius, the camp's de facto leader.

Cornelius tells the party that the camp has been harassed by orcs. The party offers to help transport the refugees to Whitestone, but Cornelius is unwilling to leave before the return of the scouting parties that were sent to deal with the orcs. They are reportedly based out of the Frostweald, so Vox Machina agrees to take care of the situation since they are headed there anyway.

The next morning, Vex flies on her broom and finds a suitable tree for Keyleth's Teleportation via Plants spell about 30 minutes walk from the camp, and then falls off of it while trying to show off for the children in the camp. Before the party leaves camp, Drez Vina and an older gentleman approach them. The older man introduces himself as Master Quall, and he would like the party to retrieve a circlet from his home in Westruun that is vital to his experimental research, in exchange for another item from his collection. During the conversation, Pike joins the party via her teleportation stone. Quall also lends the party an item that detects any nearby magical items, which Scanlan nicknames the Hunk of Quall.

Grog brings Pike up to speed on the occupation of Westruun, and gives her his Gauntlets of Ogre Strength. After equipping them, Pike is now stronger than Grog. After a day of travel, Scanlan creates his Magnificent Mansion and shows Pike to her lavish quarters, which are right next to his. He also tells Pike his concerns about Grog's sword.

Vex takes Vax aside and tells him all the things she's read about the Raven Queen, and that she doesn't seem that bad at all. She wants him to be happy about being the champion of a god. Keyleth helps Percy tinker a metal herb pouch.

At breakfast, Keyleth throws a chicken into the air for Vex to use as target practice. Vex gets the idea to practice from her broom, so Scanlan commands some of the mansion's servants to throw chickens into the air for her. Vex is distracted by the broom and shoots a chicken, but the arrow pierces through it and into Scanlan's neck.

The party travels south for another day into the forest, where the temperature is much colder than outside them and snow has accumulated. They come upon a clearing with a stone obelisk carved with an ancient symbol of Ioun. Scanlan sees several broken statues nearby. Keyleth melts some of the snow and there are several more broken statues. Percy warns everyone to back away.

Vox Machina

 * Keyleth
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Pike Trickfoot
 * Trinket
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia

Returning

 * Simon
 * Tyriok Gadsworth

Quotations

 * Vax'ildan: (talking about the Raven Queen) I don’t know, Vex'ahlia. I don’t know what this means. I know that she’s not a force for evil. Neither are funeral homes. I don’t want to bed down in one.