The culmination of divine schemes and mortal struggles unfolds in Critical Role’s Downfall: Part Three. The deities’ intricate plans reach their zenith in Aeor’s underbelly, where the fate of Exandria hangs in the balance. The gods, having taken mortal forms to bypass Aeor’s magical defenses, are now ready to face the final battle. As they navigate through peril and betrayal, each moment is a step closer to the ultimate confrontation with the Factorum Malleus, the God Hammer.
Divine Infiltration and Mortal Deception
In a desperate move to infiltrate Aeor, the gods have disguised themselves as mortals. The city, protected by its formidable magical defenses, becomes a battleground as divine beings navigate its dangers. Aeor’s last connection to Exandria, the food supplies, serve as the gods’ cover. Within the city’s depths, the divine avatars encounter Archmage Cassida Previn, who is secretly aiding the Prime Deities. Their mission becomes urgent as they discover the Obtenetrator Engine and its safeguard, the Scribe, who could broadcast the Factorum Malleus’ schematics globally if needed. A swift and brutal encounter ensures the gods can proceed, leading them back to the Ars Elysia’s pocket dimension.
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Tensions Rise in the Pocket Dimension
Back in the Ars Elysia, the gods’ avatars, along with allies like Arcadia, Zaharzht, Father Milo Cowst, and Tishar, strategize their next move. The divine sight now piercing Aeor’s veil further enforces the importance of their mission. Cassida, realizing she is amidst gods and Betrayers, becomes distraught. SILAHA’s attempt to maintain control leads to a telepathic alert from the nightclub’s bartender about the city’s turmoil. As Cassida grapples with the revelation of divine cooperation, Zaharzht’s reassurance and Ayden’s slip about the God Hammer’s true target cause tensions to rise even further.
The Crucial Revelation
Cassida reveals that destroying the Factorum Malleus requires dismantling seven divine wards: prowess, vigor, awareness, resistance, vitality, magic, and potency. These wards form the Fulcrum Princeps, the core of the Latimus Princeps. She warns that destroying these wards will trigger a cataclysmic event unless dispelled. Cassida’s son, Hallis, becomes a focal point of her plea for mercy.
Storm and Strategy
As they exit the pocket dimension, Aeor is engulfed in a god-sent storm. The group splits, with some heading towards the scroll batteries containing vital knowledge and others towards the God Hammer itself. The tunnels, guided by Asha’s followers, provide a precarious path as the city teleports, avoiding the chaos above. The Emissary attempts to comfort Cassida.
The Scroll Room and the Genesis Ward
In the scroll room, Trist receives a desperate message from her son Topher, furthering her internal conflict. Arcadia’s advice and Umleta’s support lead Trist to join the battle at the Factorum Malleus. The other team reaches the heavily guarded weapon. SILAHA, in his mortal guise, volunteers to approach the Factorum first.
The Battle for the Factorum Malleus
The final battle begins as the avatars face formidable foes, including Acastriel and dragon transformations. Each destruction of a ward restores aspects of their divine power. Emhira’s spellcasting and the group’s strategic maneuvers gradually dismantle the wards. The battle intensifies as powerful mages and demonic entities join the battle, but the avatars’ regained divine abilities turn the tide in their favor.
The Climactic Confrontation
With only one ward remaining, SILAHA faces a crucial choice: stop Selena or save an imprisoned god. Opting for salvation, he catches the glass amulet but allows Selena’s spell to broadcast the Factorum’s schematics. The final ward falls, restoring the gods’ full power. As the Factorum is destroyed, the explosion’s energy threatens to devastate Aeor.
Sacrifice and Salvation
In the final moments, the Everlight sends a message of love to her family, whose divine light drives away attacking fiends. The avatars race to the scroll banks, finding Cassida dead. Asmodeus reveals a betrayal, but the Everlight destroys the incriminating scroll. The Arch Heart redirects the explosion’s energy, causing the city to crash. The gods’ mortal forms are destroyed, and the Emissary’s soul is sent to its rest.
The Gods’ Farewell
As the gods gather, the Lawbearer explains her absence due to love and sacrifice. They consider sealing the Betrayers to protect mortals. The Wildmother’s understanding and the Everlight’s plea for more time underscore the gods’ enduring bond. The Arch Heart gives a parting gesture to the Dawnfather encapsulating their sorrow and hope for their creations. The final moments depict the gods’ return to their divine forms, leaving a world forever changed by their actions.
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The Downfall: Part Three delivers a powerful conclusion, intricate plot, intense battles, and profound sacrifices – all highlighting the enduring themes of love, loss, and the delicate balance between divine and mortal realms. As the gods depart, the world of Exandria faces a new dawn shaped by their legacy.
