To The Skies

is the twenty-third episode of the third campaign of Critical Role.

Previously on Critical Role
''So, last we left off: Our intrepid heroes, after returning to Jrusar, finished the contract with Jiana Hexum, completing [Ashton's] long-scheduled debt with her and her business, as well as shaking loose some odd memories within yourself, things you haven't thought of or considered in quite some time. Along with Milo's aid, you seemed to ascertain some mysterious nature of the night in which you did fall from Jiana's manor, and took the crack on your head that has led to this strange new influx of abilities that you're still discovering and developing as you go.''

''You also began to go about the town and gather materials. You spoke with Eshteross and let him know what had been going on. He let you know that in the interim, while you were up in the Heartmoor on the north side of the Oderan Wilds, he was keeping tabs on Treshi, specifically Armand Treshi with the ring that you had placed upon his hand during the ball. It seemed that Armand had skipped town not but four days or so before you arrived. He fled to the southeastern direction and upon touching base with some of his connections in the more seedy parts of the city, got word that he seemed to be fleeing with most of his belongings - the important belongings at least - after clearing out much of his home, to the southeast into the Hellcatch Valley to the city of Bassuras.''

''You were then asked by Eshteross, with no necessary obligation to do so, if you'd be interested in seeing this through. You agreed to, and he gave you both the device that allows you, within a certain couple-mile radius, to track the direction of Armand Treshi from where you currently stand, and offered for quicker and safer travel to the city of Bassuras in the middle of the Hellcatch Valley, which the journey itself being somewhat dangerous on ground, access to his skyship, which is a little under a month away from its next required shipment. Also, you made him promise to give you some cookies before you left in the morning.''

After gathering some supplies, getting your things in order, going and talking to Marwa and making some purchases including one very chaotic portable hole which I am both excited and frightened as to what it will lead to down the road, but that's how you roll in D&D, you all went to spend your last evening in the city of Jrusar for the time being in the Spire by Fire in the Core Spire, the familiar space where you all sort of began this venture and met each other, getting a couple rooms and bedding down for the night.

Part I
In the middle of the night, Chetney sneaks out of the Spire by Fire Inn and makes his way to the Prism Emporium where he breaks in by sliding down the chimney. He accosts and terrifies Tuyen Otwana, the owner, about the prices of her wares, eventually transforming into his werewolf form to warn her to charge fairly from now on. He slashes at her with his claws, seriously wounding her, then cauterizes the wound with his flaming claws before going back to the inn to sleep.

In the morning, the party assigns Fearne to track the items put into their new portable hole. They experiment with the hole, discovering its properties. Orym gives Chetney the Horn of Silent Alarm, since Chetney frequently goes off alone to scout and otherwise. In return, Chetney gives Orym a gift: a wooden box carved with images of flowers and of the moons. They do a little shopping for general supplies and then go to the Eshteross estate, where they pick up their promised cookies and the enchanted bust. Eshteross requests that when they bring back Armand Treshi from Bassuras, hopefully he will be in one piece. Orym and Imogen thank Lord Eshteross for his help, telling him he is a good person.

The party makes their way to the Aerie Spire and the Silver Sun anchored there. The first mate, Khalil Benes, takes them to Captain Xandis when they tell him they were sent by Lord Eshteross. Xandis is initially blunt: the party should do what they tell them to do and they won't throw them overboard. Overall, though, Xandis is affable and friendly, accepting one of Laudna's ginger cookies happily. When Xandis asks who is the group's leader, FCG tells them Ashton is. Xandis tells them they can go anywhere on the ship except the Captain's quarters. They'll leave as soon as Xandis finishes their sandwich.

Khalil gives the party the basics of running the ship and its weaponry, and they meet the other members of the crew and find their rooms. As the ship pulls out of the skyport, Laudna and Imogen use Prestidigitation to create fireworks to either side, and the city of Jrusar shrinks below them as the ship rises and the sails fill.

Bells Hells

 * Ashton Greymoore
 * Chetney Pock O'Pea
 * Fearne Calloway
 * Little Mister
 * Fresh Cut Grass
 * Imogen Temult
 * Laudna
 * Orym

Returning

 * Ariks Eshteross
 * Delilah Briarwood
 * Tuyen Otwana, proprietor of the Prism Emporium

New - the crew of the Silver Sun:

 * Denalia, bugbear ship's cook
 * Gordi, goliath crewmate
 * Khalil Benes, human first mate
 * Terana, dwarven crewmate
 * Xandis, tiefling captain

Mentioned

 * Armand Treshi
 * Bertrand Bell