Collecting Legends
| "Collecting Legends" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Campaign 3 episode | |||
 "Collecting Legends" (3x105) thumbnail featuring Travis Willingham and Matthew Mercer. | |||
| Episode no. | Episode 105 (3x105) | ||
| Airdate | August 22, 2024 19:00 PT | ||
| Running time | 3:54:11 | ||
| Links and related articles | |||
| Episode links | |||
| Associated 4-Sided Dive | "Queries & Quandaries" (4SDx27) | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
| |||
| List of Campaign 3 episodes | |||
"Collecting Legends" (3x105) is the 105th episode of the third campaign of Critical Role. Bells Hells take center stage in the Platinum Sanctuary, where they must prove themselves as worthy potential heroes to the Exandrian Accord...
Synopsis[edit | edit source]
Part I[edit | edit source]
In the vision Imogen is experiencing, Liliana tells her that Ludinus has been keeping her close while sending other Ruidusborn elsewhere. She says that he has send one of his Simulacra to the Feywild with Zathuda to further their dealings within the Unseelie Court, and that the meeting will be in the Amethyst Gulch Sierras, at the Shrine of Guilded Gifts. Liliana also shares that the Weave Mind has been on Exandria, fortifying the area around the Malleus Key, and that Ludinus has asked her to use her Exaltant abilities to broadcast information he found in Aeor along the leylines. She finally tells her that they have not yet breached the Hallowed Cage, but that she worries that when they do, she will be more subject to the pull of Predathos. Imogen, upon hearing this, asks Liliana to attempt to stall Ludinus with regards to the broadcast, but not to put herself in danger as they both believe it's possible Ludinus would simply find another Exaltant to do so if he suspected. They tell each other they love each other, and the vision fades.
Imogen immediately shares this information with the rest of Bells Hells as they walk to the Platinum Sanctuary, and they discuss whether they can act upon it or if they should try to contact Ira Wendagoth. Fearne recalls that the Amethyst Gulch Sierras were once home to Pravenier, an abandoned city that fell to a mass poisoning several hundred years prior. Braius and Fearne discuss the nature of her relationship with Ashton, with Braius advising her not to lead them on and Fearne explaining that she likes to keep her options open. Imogen casts Rary's Telepathic Bond on the party so they can communicate silently during the meeting, and upon arrival, Chetney uses the Monocle of True Essence to cast See Invisibility on himself and notices, in addition to six massive invisible golems, the silver dragon the party had seen outside the prior day, now hanging upside-down from the ceiling. Orym, upon scanning the crowd, notices someone who looks very much like an older version of Dorian, and mentions this to Dorian, but when he tries to point the individual out, they have vanished. When Chetney points out what he is seeing, Dorian casts See Invisibility on himself as well.
The conclave begins, with High Bearer Vord addressing those assembled. Keyleth, Earthbreaker Groon, Allura, Vex, and the Bright Queen share the results of the earlier morning planning meeting at the Trial Forge and advise the simultaneous attack on the Malleus Key, Weave Mind, and Ludinus at the Hallowed Cage. When some attendees ask for assurances, Vord calls upon the silver dragon, Athudashionus, who casts a mass Zone of Truth on those assembled. Braius, Dorian, and Laudna save against it of Bells Hells. Vex takes the stage and volunteers Vox Machina to take out the Malleus Key, invoking the titan that they stopped in Vasselheim as well as their defeat of Vecna, and this suggestion is met with widespread approval. She also mentions that the Council of Tal'Dorei will support mercenary groups such as the Stubborn Stock should they assist in combating the Ruby Vanguard and Kreviris Imperium. Allura then puts forth the Mighty Nein, accompanied by Evoroa, to take out the Weave Mind, given their experience with psychic threats. When a member of the crowd says they have never heard of the Mighty Nein, the Bright Queen vouches for them, quelling any further pushback.
Keyleth then says that Bells Hells, who have been instrumental in gathering information and have previously been to Ruidus and fended off multiple attacks by Ludinus should be the third strike team. When this is also met with misgivings, Orym and Imogen both address the group, and Dorian telepathically urges Ashton to remain calm. However, Holy Curator Curtis Uleas demands to know which gods Bells Hells worships. Braius comes forward and, without actively lying, tells of his upbringing and past service to the Platinum Dragon, though he does lie about the length of time he has spent with the rest of Bells Hells as he enumerates their deeds, and says that several members have ties to the titans, and that Orym has communed with the Wildmother, at which Orym holds up the now-exalted Seedling. Vord seems suspicious, having not heard of Braius, and asks which of the Platinum Dragon's saints he follows. Braius tells of Graham, a fallen saint. Imogen uses Open Mind and senses that Vord is still not fully convinced and plans to continue this conversation privately with Braius.
The assembled of the conclave express concern about the remaining five members of the party, whose relationships with the gods or as allied Ruidusborn have not been fully discussed. High Hierophant Ophera brings up Laudna's undead status, at which Laudna says that necromancy is among the arcane magics gifted to mortaldom by the Arch Heart, and that death is part of life and is overseen by the Matron of Ravens. The Coven of the Veil, the three representatives of the Matron, concur with Laudna's speech. Vord asks about the titans, as former enemies of the gods, and Ashton mentally apologizes to a protesting Bells Hells before stepping forward. Ashton says that worrying about historic enmity is irrelevant at this time of crisis, and that while he does not follow gods, he does champion the people and earth of Exandria who are under threat. Fearne comes forth to assist them, and says that she, too, possesses a titan's shard, and is not a follower of any specific gods, but she believes they deserve to live. Keyleth motions to them to invoke their abilities, at which they do. Athudashionis in particular seems approving. Galtheid then addresses Dorian and asks what he brings. Dorian tells the conclave that Bells Hells are normal people in an extraordinary situation, which does not satisfy Cerkonos who asks Dorian to stop deflecting. Dorian, having had a childhood song playing in his head due to his nerves, accidentally casts Find Greater Steed and summons Coriolis, an equine dragon and historic mount of the leaders of the Silken Squall. He tells Cerkonos that what he has is the power and will to help those he cares about. Finally, Chetney is asked to explain what he brings, as a maker of chairs, and Chetney says that his age and experience with past crises such as the Icelost Years grants him perspective, and also that he can become a wolf.
With this, Keyleth asks the assembled to approve of Bells Hells, and bestows them with titles:
- Lady Fearne Calloway, Fey Scion of the Ancient Flame
- Laudna, Veil Mistress of the Shadow Tree
- Ashton the Reforged, Hammer of Paradox
- Chetney Pock O'Pea, High Hunter and Lupine Paragon
- Dorian Storm, Master Muse and Son of the Wind
- Imogen Temult, Exaltant Hope of the Red Storm
- Orym of the Air Ashari, Savior Blade of the Tempest
- Braius Doomseed, Nascent Might of the Platinum's Call
Upon this, Vord and the rest of the conclave approve, and Vord tells them that they will attack in a week. The conclave is dismissed. As people begin to leave, a young gnome with a blonde pompadour approaches Chetney and asks for clarification that he is indeed Chetney Pock O'Pea. Simultaneously, Zeru Wyvernwind, Dorian's father, approaches him and addresses him as Brontë.
Part II[edit | edit source]
Dorian and his father speak. Zeru, after admitting he is surprised to see Dorian, tells him he heard of Cyrus's death, and that he had been invited to this conclave by the Air Ashari. Dorian tells him he had wondered if he should have sent word of Cyrus, alluding to an unlikely possibility of resurrection. He then asks if his mother is present, and Zeru tells him he is here alone. Zeru begins to tear up, and embraces Dorian, who after a moment of hesitation begins to cry. Zeru tells him he has been worried about Dorian and hadn't been able to find out any information. Both men then gather themselves, and Dorian asks how things are at the Silken Squall. Zeru responds that they are as well as they can be, and tells Dorian that there is no shame from allowing Bells Hells to take on the mission while returning home himself, particularly as he is now the sole heir. Dorian interrupts him, refusing, and says that he can do this; when Zeru doesn't respond, he emphatically asks him if he believes in him, as he knows his father loves him but is not sure he trusts him. Zeru tells him that he does believe in him, but he is scared, and he's already lost Cyrus. He asks Dorian if he will promise to return safely, and Dorian does. They shake hands. Zeru tells him to stay safe and not take unnecessary risks, and as Dorian goes to leave, Zeru tells him to wait, and offers him Gambolcleft, their family's ceremonial sword. Dorian, in exchange, gives him Bertrand Bell's Gambler's Blade so that he has something with which to defend himself, and the two part.
Meanwhile, the gnome who approached Chetney introduces himself as Scalebearer Waylon Amaredda, and a huge fan of Chetney's woodwork. Chetney is touched and excited to meet a devoted fan, and after considerable conversation, he and Laudna agree to come visit Waylon's home where he keeps his collection of C-Pop works. Also concurrently, High Bearer Vord approaches Braius and asks for more information. As Vord approached, Braius broke a rusted symbol of the Platinum Dragon, and brings it out, explaining that he was trained in the Platinum House in Zadash, but was expelled for failing at his duties and his symbol broken. He apologizes for not having shared this information out of shame. Pike, overhearing, tells Vord that it sounds as though Braius is in search of redemption, and between her input and Braius's speech, Vord is convinced that Braius is worth their support, and after wiping off the quickly painted-on symbol of the Platinum Dragon from Braius's armor, gives him Truthbearer, the armor of the legendary Uther Vendrock, a warrior of the Platinum Dragon in the late 500s PD. Braius accepts.
Outside of the sanctuary, Orym finds Zeru. He tells him that he has reason to be proud of Dorian, and reassures him that Bells Hells will keep him safe during the dangerous mission. Ashton, meanwhile, finds Dorian, and apologizes for their initial perception of him: while they initially thought Dorian was a "spoiled, soft clown"[1] they now believe he is not spoiled nor a clown, and that softness is not a bad thing. Dorian accepts that he once was these things, and Ashton tells him that he is trying to figure out who he needs to be, and is glad to see other people can change as well. Keyleth finds Imogen, and asks if she is okay. Imogen says she is ready to defeat Ludinus, and lets Keyleth know about her recent interactions with Liliana both on Ruidus and just now, and tells Keyleth about Ludinus's plans in the Feywild and that he had tasked Liliana to spread the information from the Occultus Thalamus. She also admits she hopes she can get Liliana out safely if possible. Keyleth asks if she can trust Liliana's information, and when Imogen says she can, though it might be difficult for all Ruidusborn as Predathos comes closer to being freed. She asks Keyleth if she trusts her, and Keyleth says that she trusts Orym, who trusts Imogen, and so she does. She also says she sees elements of herself in Imogen, as a young woman who has taken on a considerable burden of leadership and responsibility. Imogen is flattered, and Keyleth wonders who can address the Feywild issue as she and Vex need to convince the rest of Vox Machina of their plan regarding the Malleus Key. She also offers aid, and agrees to help restore Ashton and Fearne following the activation of their shards.
Chetney approaches the Bright Queen, and asks for aid. She is somewhat taken aback by his boldness, but says that she is particularly interested in Ashton, and asks Chetney to return from the mission with more information or ideally, Ashton themself, and that he will be rewarded if he does so. Chetney agrees. Ashton, after kissing Fearne, then approaches the Bright Queen to apologize for surprising her during the war meeting earlier that day. She tells them to return after the mission, and after a discussion of the nature of the gods, in which Ashton expresses interest in the Arch Heart and the Bright Queen speaks of the Luxon, they part.
Bells Hells then all follow Waylon to his home, which is full of Chetney's furniture and other woodworking pieces. Chetney is taken aback and thrilled, and talks about his process, to Waylon's delight; he explains that the "C-Poppers" have been speculating and discussing Chetney's artistic eras. Waylon's first and favorite piece by Chetney is an Oblivion Egg, which he keeps in a safe and which itself serves to hide a small pearl, but he owns a number of beds, chairs, and other pieces. He is an avid collector and becomes excited about Orym's mention of old toys; he also tells Chetney he was wasted working for Oltgar. Waylon mentions that Pop Con, a gathering of fans of Chetney's woodwork, is in about two months, and Chetney, overcome with emotion, asks to stay in the apartment that night. All of Bells Hells stay with Waylon.
Featured characters[edit | edit source]
Main player characters[edit | edit source]
Guest player characters[edit | edit source]
Companions[edit | edit source]
These characters are familiars or other companions of the player characters.
- Coriolis, Dorian's Greater Steed
Returning[edit | edit source]
These characters previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work.
- Allura Vysoren
- Athudashionus
- Cerkonos
- Curtis Uleas
- Evoroa
- Galtheid
- Groon
- Keyleth [DM]
- Leylas Kryn
- Lieve'tel Toluse [DM] (unnamed)
- Liliana Temult (in a vision)
- Ophera
- Pike Trickfoot [DM]
- Vex'ahlia [DM]
- Vord
- Zhafe Uludan
New[edit | edit source]
These characters have not previously appeared in Campaign 3 or any other Critical Role work, though they may have been previously mentioned.
- Scalebearer Waylon Amaredda, super-fan of Chetney
- Zeru Wyvernwind, Dorian's father
Mentioned[edit | edit source]
Inventory[edit | edit source]
| Adjustment | Count | Item | Source | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gifted | 1 | Gambolcleft, the Vortex Blade | Zeru Wyvernwind | Dorian Storm | Ancestral sword of the Silken Squall |
| Gifted | 1 | Typhonus, the Gambler's Blade | Dorian | Zeru | |
| Loaned | 1 | Truthbearer platemail | Vord | Braius | |
| Gifted | 1 | Wooden C-POP coin | Chetney | Waylon |
References[edit | edit source]
| |||||||||||