Critical Role Review: C2 Episode 90
By: I.Am.No.Man
Episode 90: Bathhouses and Bastions
Critical Role is finally back! After three desperately long weeks, the gang dust off their dice and dive back into Wildemount.
The session goes...about as smoothly as you can expect after a long break. Thanks to Crit Role Stats, we now know that Mercer face-palmed a record breaking 20 times in one episode. You know that the story is off the rails when even class clown Sam Reigel is doing his best to get the story back on track. That all being said, this session was a hilarious delight. Between the Snea Snakes, the hot debate over Sprinkle's mortality, and the Death Whistle, Bone Harp concert to finish the show, it's a great time start to finish.
For a more in depth story recap you can find Dani Carr's Critical Recap here! The big plot point this week happened when the Nein finally made it back to Xhorhas and successfully convinced the Bright Queen to hold the cease fire and consider a meeting to retrieve the Beacon. Fjord has a shining star moment when he disguises himself as Vence to talk to the Dynasty's accused betrayer Taskhand Adeen. He managed to discover that Adeen has no clear understanding of why he traded the Beacon. It seems he was mind controlled, memory wiped, or magically coerced into something he would never had done. This information, along with the Queen's General (and partner/soulmate according to Matt in this week's Talks Machina) who begs for emotions to be set aside and peace to continue.
Some of my favorite little moments from the session include Fjord's solo spa adventure immediately followed by The Nein inviting Fjord's epic nemesis Darrow along for spa day part 2. Darrow at the spa is probably as close as we'll ever get to Darrow actually joining the Nein for an adventure. I can dream though. Jester shared a special moment with Molly's Tarot cards she inherited from Beau. She promises to continue Molly's work and finish the set of cards. And my personal favorite moment, Liam and Travis keeping their prank war alive when Caleb seemings Fjord's clothes back into his spa robes as they walk through the streets of Rosohna.
This is one of those sessions that feels like we get to peek in at one of the pre-stream home games. No cameras, no audience, just a group of friends having a good time around a table. As much as I love the action packed, story driven, fast paced thrillers, sessions like this make Critical Role all the more special to watch.
Don't Miss It!
Critical Role Land had some exciting news this week. Matt Mercer has once again teamed up with Wizards of the Coast to bring us a new Wildemount Campaign guide! A massive congratulations to all of Critical Role and the Critter artists that put countless hours of work into this book. (shout out to @GalacticJonah, @DevenRue, @Nikkidawesdraws, @iDrawBagman, @ArtofNickRobles and @BlackSalander!). The campaign guide has already topped Amazon's pre-order charts and excitement is buzzing in nerd circles everywhere. Have you pre-ordered your copy yet? If not, you can find it here, or pre-order from your favorite local game store.
