In episode 103 of Critical Role’s campaign 3, “Cages,” Bells Hells face the daunting task of freeing Laudna from Delilah Briarwood’s influence once and for all and find themselves grappling with the implications of recent revelations and new alliances.
Binding the Briarwood: A Ritual of Liberation
The air crackles with tension as Essek leads Bells Hells to his laboratory, stressing the urgency of binding Delilah to the soul anchor before she regains her strength. Laudna, though terrified, steels herself for the procedure.
As Essek begins an arcane chant, each member of Bells Hells contributes their unique abilities. Chetney, guided by a golden thread, places the soul anchor within Laudna’s opened chest. Fearne provides multiple Guidances, while Ashton invokes their Mark of the Messy End.
The battle for Laudna’s soul reaches its climax as Imogen projects her mind into the struggle, witnessing a vision of Whitestone where Delilah and Laudna clash. In a brilliant moment, Laudna summons the spirits of Delilah’s victims, tipping the scales.
“I will not be stopped!” Delilah screams, her fury palpable as Essek’s incantation reaches its height. Purple light engulfs Laudna’s form, banishing the shadows and leaving Delilah bound within the soul anchor.
Unraveling Braius: Truth and Deception
With Laudna safe, the group turns their attention to their enigmatic new ally, Braius. A game of “What the F*ck is Up With You” reveals a tapestry of contradictions in his backstory.
Braius claims to have visited the Hells numerous times, yet his answers become increasingly convoluted. He claims to have served the Platinum Dragon in Zadash, only to then be cast out after an act of vandalism by a goblin and tiefling duo.
As the night progresses and the Pipe of Remembrance comes into play, Braius’s facade begins to crumble. His claims of being the Herald of Asmodeus are met with skepticism, and he reluctantly admits to never having received a divine message.
“How do you know you’re a Herald?” Fearne asks innocently, her question striking at the heart of Braius’s delusions.
From Ashes to Sanctuary: Vasselheim’s Call
The mood shifts as Essek Teleports the group to the Hellcatch Valley, only to find the encampment in ruins. Flames lick the sky as Ruby Vanguard and Reiloran forces patrol the devastation.
A hasty retreat brings them to the outskirts of Vasselheim, where the air carries the acrid scent of burned undead. The group learns of the recent Dark Bloom, an uprising of the city’s buried dead triggered by the Apogee Solstice.
As they navigate the tense streets, signs of recent conflict are everywhere. Gibbets holding Ruby Vanguard soldiers swing ominously, while pits of charred undead remains dot the landscape.
Gathering of Legends: Vasselheim’s Summit
Their journey leads them to the Platinum Sanctuary, where a congress of world leaders has gathered. The familiar faces of Pike Trickfoot and Grog Strongjaw greet them, ushering Bells Hells into a chamber thick with tension and expectation.
As they stand before representatives from across Exandria—including Allura Vysoren, Kima of Vord, and the rulers of Uthodurn—the weight of their recent experiences settles heavily upon them. The fate of the world hangs in the balance, and Bells Hells find themselves at the center of a storm that threatens to reshape Exandria itself.
What role will they play in the coming conflict? How will the binding of Delilah affect Laudna’s powers? And what of Braius’s true motivations? As all eyes turn to them, Bells Hells must navigate a landscape of political intrigue, divine machinations, and personal growth, with the future of Exandria hanging in the balance.
TLDR: Bells Hells successfully bind Delilah to a soul anchor within Laudna. They learn more about their new ally Braius, uncovering inconsistencies in his backstory. Teleporting to the Hellcatch Valley, they find it destroyed and flee to Vasselheim. There, they witness the aftermath of a Dark Bloom and are escorted to a tense gathering of world leaders at the Platinum Sanctuary.
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