Far From The Others

is the 52nd episode of the third campaign of Critical Role.

Part I
Chetney, FCG, Fearne, and Imogen regroup, having found themselves in the Crystalsands Tundra. Chetney confirms he cannot smell the other members of Bells Hells. Imogen tries to cast Sending to Laudna, but in response she hears only static, and takes psychic damage. FCG does the same to Orym, and avoids taking damage, but similarly hears only static. Fearne and Imogen worriedly test their other magical powers, and confirm they seem to be working, so this is specific to Sending. Fearne worries that the others in their party may have died, but hopes they were also merely scattered.

Chetney assesses the situation and tells the others where they are, and that Uthodurn will be warm, although his departure was complicated. The party also realize that they don't have the portable hole, which was in Ashton's possession, so they'll need to find shelter. As the party attempts to keep warm and begins to head towards the Flotket Alps, Imogen tries to cast Sending to Laudna again. It does not succeed, though she doesn't take damage. FCG decides to try messaging Dorian, in case the other three are in a location interfering with the messages, but again only hears static, though he takes no damage. The party realizes that Sending appears to no longer be an option to them. Chetney guides them along their way, and they avoid most dangers, though Fearne becomes exhausted from the cold.

As the sun sets, Imogen casts Fly on herself and Fearne Wildshapes into a Shoebill so they can scope out the nearby caverns in the mountains. Imogen finds one that is promising, and Chetney leads the way in. He notices a small amount of movement, and Imogen uses Detect Thoughts and realizes something is present. A frost salamander suddenly bursts from under the ice in the cave, and the party enters combat. The salamander's freezing air is extremely damaging, and despite Imogen and Chetney both dealing damage, they realize this creature has been luring travelers in and that they are tired and perhaps outmatched. However, Chetney also notices two other figures, and everyone hears a gunshot. Two more individuals join in the fight. (Aabria Iyengar and Christian Navarro join the table!) One is an aeormaton, of a more humanoid figure than FCG, and with a blunderbuss installed into their right arm. The other is a gnome woman with dark skin and heavy plate armor, bearing the symbol of the Dawnfather. Fearne realizes they are, if not on their side, also not allied with the salamander, and attacks the salamander, as does FCG. They both hit, but anger the salamander. The gnomish woman heals everyone, and the aeormaton shoots the salamander. Eventually, after further hits from Imogen and FCG, Fearne is able to kill the salamander with her Scorching Ray.

When combat ends, the gnome woman introduces herself as Deanna and slaps Chetney immediately. The aeormaton introduces themself as FRIDA. FRIDA immediately asks FCG if they know D, as Deanna explains that she and Chetney were once romantically involved several centuries prior. Fearne and Imogen ask Deanna and FRIDA for the date to verify it's still the apogee solstice, which is confirmed, and Deanna remarks that the Dawnfather's connection does seem to have shifted in the past day, as if he's leaned away. FRIDA, who also has a Dawnfather symbol, which is engraved in their arm, heals FCG, and the party walks deeper into the cave. Deanna lends Imogen and Fearne a knit blanket, and reveals that she knit Chetney's beanie. Imogen telepathically asks Chetney how he's doing, and he responds with a strangled noise. FRIDA and Deanna briefly take a sidebar conversation and agree that while this is a complicated situation, the members of Bells Hells seem to be acceptable traveling companions.

FRIDA finds a place the party can bed down for the night, and the group converses. Deanna admits she and Chetney's relationship was a fling, and afterwards she met her husband. She then reveals that she was killed in the mid-600s PD, and only recently resurrected after her husband, Dustel, who had become an adventurer, found a cleric of the Dawnfather powerful enough to bring her back. She then describes the afterlife using a metaphor of snowflakes on a body of water; they land as individuals, but eventually combine and merge with the whole. She tries to pull back from the seriousness of this conversation, and offers the party stew.

FRIDA tells the party that he woke up only recently as well, at around the same time as FCG. They were delighted by Deanna's laughter, and believe their purpose was always to protect, and to record, so they now record people's laughter. FCG admits their own purpose, as part of the Care and Culling, was very different, but they are now a protector. FRIDA reveals their name stands for Far-Ranging ⁣Integrated Defense Aeormaton based on the inscription in their faceplate, and FCG and Imogen try to remove FCG's faceplate but are unable to do so. FRIDA tells FCG about Jaquoby Macyl, an artisan in Uthodurn who designed their gun and who could perhaps give him legs. FRIDA also realize that Deanna is much more nervous about being around Chetney than she is letting on.

The members of Bells Hells confirm that Ruidus was in the sky last night here in Wildemount as well, but FRIDA cannot remember if it flared. Deanna and FCG talk about their religious beliefs; Deanna is a cleric of the Dawnfather because of how she was brought back, and FCG explains their believe in the Changebringer and shows everyone the Changebringer coin. FRIDA is skeptical of the gods and eats a different coin to show his doubt. They then offer to keep watch, and the party goes to take their rest. Imogen notices that her lightning marks have grown, and that between her fingers, the purple is becoming red.

Part II
Before Chetney wakes up the next morning, Deanna casts Death Ward on Chetney. FRIDA notices, but Chetney does not. As everyone wakes up, Deanna, after Chetney creates a Minor Illusion of Orym, tries to contact him, but the static interferes with her Sending as well. Imogen, meanwhile, briefly takes off her Circlet of the Hidden Eye and opens her mind, and senses not just the thoughts of her companions as usual, but an underlying static. FRIDA notices her lightning marks and asks about them, and Imogen communicates with them mentally, and confirms her connection with Ruidus to FRIDA and Deanna, though she reassures them that she is not listening to their thoughts. FCG gives everyone except FRIDA a mango bundt cake, which are delicious.

FRIDA travels at the front of the pack to keep watch, and FCG speaks with him about his recordings of laughter and whether he remembers anything of Aeor. FRIDA says they do not, but that they do have dreams, which intrigues FCG. FCG expresses interest in using Shared Dream to access FRIDA's dreams, and FRIDA is open to it. The travel through the Flotket Alps is difficult, and FCG and Deanna become exhausted, but the party finds an alcove in which to stay for the night, as they still have another day to get to Uthodurn.

Chetney approaches Deanna and tells her it is genuinely good to see her, and he's sorry for what happened to her. He asks her for more, and Deanna tells him that she was still fairly young when she was killed, and she has a second chance, but feels unsure. She asks Chetney about his time in Uthodurn, and he tells her that he had become a woodworker specializing in toys and had worked closely in partnership with Oltgar, but a third party had become involved and ruined it, so Chetney stabbed that person in the knee, and Oltgar through the hand before being chased out by the Glassblades. He then lived in the Savalirwood, and is not sure how he will be received in Uthodurn. He begins to tell her about his lycanthropy, but she cuts him off and hugs him before he does. At that point, Chetney feels the pull of said lycanthropy, as Catha is full, and abruptly runs off. FRIDA realizes that Chetney is a werewolf, and the rest of Bells Hells confirm it.

Deanna and FRIDA, realizing the many strange connections Bells Hells have, ask for more information and reassurance. Bells Hells tell them that they are deeply involved with the apogee solstice and Ruidus, and FCG tells Deanna and FRIDA that they may leave, but FRIDA is intrigued by FCG as the only other aeormaton they've met, and Deanna enjoys the party's company. In the distance, Chetney howls.

Imogen and Fearne reflect on the ritual the Ruby Vanguard set in motion, and that, as Ruidusborn, it felt fateful. She tells Deanna about it, and asks about Deanna's relationship to the Dawnfather, given that the Vanguard is trying to kill the gods. A theological discussion ensues; FRIDA thinks the gods are tired and wish to sleep; Deanna believes that the gods have their purposes but nowhere near as much as people believe; and FCG is firm in their belief in the Changebringer but admits the coin is often strange. Deanna wonders if Pelor leaned away out of fear. Imogen wonders if Predathos has truly been released; she can still see the leylines of the solstice but cannot see Ruidus. The party decides that when they reach Uthodurn, they'll speak with the clerics there, and in the meantime, Imogen can try using her dreams to contact the others since she cannot otherwise communicate. FRIDA casts Bless, and Imogen, Fearne, and FCG go to sleep with Shared Dream cast. FRIDA then leaves to go after Chetney.

Imogen tries to reach out to Laudna, but instead is pulled to the Hellcatch Valley in her dream, through the leylines. She finds that Ruidus is locked above the Malleus Key, with a flow of magic between the moon and the key. There is a red storm at the base of the key, and Reilora in the storm. The static in the dream grows, and Fearne tries to pull Imogen out, but instead she is ejected from the dream and wakes up. Imogen continues to feel pulled towards this storm, both physically and emotionally drawn to it. FCG, still with Imogen in the dream, fires their grappling hook and grabs Imogen, anchoring her. Fearne casts Earthbind on Imogen, and then, realizing that Imogen's physical and dream body are probably not the same, slaps Imogen awake. Imogen and FCG both wake up, and Deanna is confused and shocked. Imogen thanks Fearne; FCG wonders if Imogen should have been allowed to go to the storm, and Fearne yells that she shouldn't have. Deanna casts Greater Restoration on Imogen, which soothes her briefly, though Imogen admits she's not okay.

Meanwhile, FRIDA is able to find Chetney by a trail of slaughtered animals. Chetney is overtaken by bloodlust, and is confused but not deterred by FRIDA playing the sounds of Fearne and Deanna's voices. He attacks. When FRIDA shoots their gun in the air, the rest of the party hears it and begins running towards the sound. Chetney deals considerable damage to FRIDA before the party arrives, and is able to bite them, though FRIDA is able to get in a few shots. FRIDA playing Deanna's laugh finally gets through to Chetney, and Chetney feels deep shame and runs off into the woods, away from everyone. Deanna heals FRIDA, who tells her that they know Chetney is still in there, even though Deanna is extremely angry, even after FCG and Imogen use Calm Emotions on her. The rest of the party goes back to the campsite to sleep, and plans to find Chetney in the morning.

Because they were bitten, FRIDA must resist contracting lycanthropy, but it is unclear if they were successful.

Main player characters

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

Guest player characters

 * Deanna
 * FRIDA

Mentioned

 * D
 * Dorian Storm
 * Dustel, Deanna's husband
 * Jaquoby Macyl, mechanist and scholar of Aeor in Uthodurn
 * Frudell, Chetney's ex