Critical Role Review: Campaign 2 Episode 14
By: I.Am.No.Man
Episode 14: Fleeting Memories
[arve url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seY-M0i78F4&t=323s" /]
Recap
The action picks up with the Mighty Nein investigating a shady bar, The Evening Nip, in search of a man only known as The Gentleman. In an unexpected twist, Mollymauk is stopped by a dark haired female tabaxi who calls him Lucian and Nonagon. The group, including Molly himself, appear taken aback by the tabaxi’s friendliness and recognition. Molly ‘whispers’ a message to Caleb, pleading with him ‘this is my nightmare, just go with it.’ Though everyone is extremely on edge, they give Molly some space to talk with the tabaxi and explain the situation. Molly plays it cool during the interaction, trying to piece together how he knows the tabaxi named Cree. Cree dishes on some of “Lucian’s” adventures with her old group, including Lucian’s last mission to steal a tome. Lucian was killed while on this mission, and buried there by the side of the road. Cree asks how Lucian can possibly be alive. He claims he had a couple tricks up his sleeve but remains vague about the incident. Their conversation is interrupted when the group is introduced to The Gentleman.The Mighty Nein sit across the table from a man with teal skin, seemingly dripping with sweat, though the room is cool. He is intrigued to finally be meeting the mysterious Mighty Nein after hearing about their adventures involving the Knights of Requital. He plays a game of cards with Fjord, making a bet that if Fjord loses, they now belong to the Gentleman, but if Fjord wins, they are free to go. Fjord gains the upper hand, winning 600 gold pieces and the respect of the Gentleman. Nott does her own vetting with the Gentleman, playing a game of chance with three vials of acid, alcohol, and acid. The Gentleman sees through Nott’s bluff and accurately picks the vial of acid out of the group and then gives her a wink as he downs it. Nott, and the rest of the group are thoroughly impressed. The Gentleman asks for the Nein’s help in finishing a job in the city. He asks the group to investigate a house that has scared away a previous group he sent in. Something spooky is going on in the house, dancing lights, cold spots, angry shocking ghost orbs. The Nein agree, also asking the Gentleman for a favor. They need help getting Horace smuggled out of town. The Gentleman agrees to this plan and the adventures go on their way.Finally returning to the inn to recoup, Fjord, Beau, and Nott press Molly for more information on his history and how Cree knew him from before. Jester casts a Zone of Truth around the group, and Molly finally caves and tells his backstory. He has no memories prior to two years ago. His earliest memory is waking up in the dirt, buried in a pit in the side of the road. He didn’t speak or remember anything about his past life. A few days later, the members of the circus took him in and he slowly made a life for himself. Molly claims he wants nothing to do with the life from before. He is happy being who he is now and refuses to look into his past.The next morning, Caleb offers that the group should visit Pumat’s shop again and pick up some essentials. Caleb, Nott, Molly, Fjord and Yasha visit Pumat at the Invulnerable Vagrant. They buy a few healing potions, ink and paper to transcribe spells, and Fjord picks up a pretty sweet cloak for 800 gold pieces.The Nein prepare to get Horace smuggled out of town. Cara, their contact through the Knights of Requital and the Gentleman helps them get Horace to safety. They plan to smuggle Horace across the river and out of the city. Cara and two other henchmen from the Gentleman lead the blindfolded Nein and Horace through the tunnels and towards the river. The group is split into two boats and they begin their float down the river.
Review
I feel like this was a pretty solid episode. Not my favorite, but not the worst either. I loved Molly/Lucien’s backstory and role playing. Seeing him add layers and layers of unknown and mysteriousness got me pretty invested in Molly’s character. The introduction of the Gentleman character was not quite what I was expecting from a shadowy, underbelly crime figurehead but I am positive that more will come from their interactions with him. The promise of more, possibly haunted, adventures has me all excited for next week’s episode. I am ready for some more action and fighting.I was so happy to see Ashley Johnson back at the table for the next little while. I can’t wait to get to know Yasha, the surly Aasimar barbarian even better.Laura Bailey was absent this episode, leaving a huge humor hole in this episode. I do really miss her quirky, unpredictable approach to life. She keeps things light and interesting.I had a hard time picking out highlights this episode. The story felt a bit slow for my taste, not a whole lot happened. The Zone of Truth, girl-talk with Jester session was probably the most memorable highlight this episode. Otherwise, it’s mostly just exposition and setting up the story for next week. Hopefully the smuggling, riverboat escape action to start next episode will bring us some surprises!
