Critical Role Review: Campaign 2 Episode 31
By: I.Am.No.Man
Episode 31: Commerce & Chaos
[arve url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA4RmhVkKBY" /]
Recap
The Mighty Nein spend two weeks relaxing and recharging in Zadash. After the harrowing journey and the loss of Molly, the group are ready for some down time. Caleb spends his two weeks, and all of his gold, investing in expanding his wizard repertoire. After cleaning Pumat Sol’s shop of fancy wizard paper and ink, he hunkers down in the Cobalt Soul Library for research and scroll transcription. He learns several useful spells and some history of the Crick warriors of Xhorhas.
Beau spends her time learning from a master teacher at the Cobalt Soul academy there in Zadash. Her skills greatly improve and delve into a more mysterious, ethereal nature. She now feels pretty sure she could ‘punch ghosts.’
Caduceus enjoys his first foray into the civilized world and explores the vast city. Although, being so far removed from his peaceful forest leaves him feeling a bit cut off and unsure of his mission. The Nein take him to meet Pumat Sol and the most delightful Firbolg appreciation circle begins. While at Pumat’s he and his companions pick up some pretty awesome new gear including armored bracers, a cloak of elvenkind, an enchanted hand axe, and a fancy new straw hat. The companions also find a delightful, gothic dragonborn shopkeeper selling… unique knickknacks. Caduceus also manages to find supplies to make healing potions and spends the rest of his time making each companion a healing potion.
Fjord decides to spend his time alone and takes a solo journey down to the coast to see what information he can glean on the Cloven Crystal and his Falchion. His endeavor doesn’t turn up much on the crystal as he doesn’t make it far enough south to find anyone familiar with its history. He does notice his Falchion has some interesting new properties. The Cloven Crystal seems to have manifested as a cat’s eye gem that shifts its focus to whatever he casts magic towards. Fjord can feel his powers growing and now realizes that the Soltrace academy would not be enough to help him. He asks the group to travel to the Menagerie Coast to delve deeper into the enigmatic Cloven Crystal and seek out the author of the letter recovered at the Sour Nest that spoke of a reward for the recovery of the crystal. The group agrees to go with him and begin making preparations to leave.
Jester is apprehensive, but excited to return to her hometown and see her mother again. The events of the past week still weigh heavy on her, though she tries not to show it. She feels like she must have disappointed the Traveler in some way because she didn’t feel his presence or help at all while she was captured by the Iron Shepherds. In a desperate plea to get back in the Traveler’s good graces she enlists Nott’s help to infiltrate the Platinum Temple and have a little fun to help promote the Traveler’s name. After a couple days of staking out the temple, Nott and Jester return at night with her paint set, a fake mustache and a straw hat. Disguised as an elderly Halfling and the dragonborne high elder of the temple, Nott and Jester try to clear the temple to ‘decorate’ the platinum dragon statue. Things get off to a rocky start, but Jester uses a moment of confused distraction to jump up on the statue and begin painting. She gets most of the way finished with her masterpiece when they hear footsteps of approaching crownsguard led by a concerned temple worker. The two try and make an escape and a wild, spell slinging, high octane chase through the temple ensues. Nott is captured by guards, but the ever wily Jester manages to elude capture, free Nott and they two make a hasty escape from the temple. Later that evening, Jester is visited by the familiar presence of the Traveler. He tells her he never left her and was always proud of her. She takes comfort in his presence and promises to keep bringing joy and the unexpected to everyone around her. He wants her to meet his other followers and tell tales of all their adventures to each other. Jester takes pride in this and promises they will meet again soon.
Review
Wow what an episode. Usually I side with Travis during these shopping episodes. I would rather be anywhere else! As interesting as it might be for some people to watch the ‘restock and resupply’ episodes, they’re just not for me. I will say that this episode does have some really amazing moments and the humor and role play is incredible. The second half is a must watch if you enjoyed the ‘hospital break-in’ episode from this campaign or ‘Scanbo’s triceratops tirade’ from last campaign. It’s an unbelievable series of poor decisions that end up with the entire cast in side splitting laughter and poor Laura in panic mode.
Some of the more enjoyable moments in the first half were Caduceus’ first trip to visit Pumat. The firbolg love was real. I am really interested to see what our new friend has in store in his future. I’d love to learn more about his missing family and the curse that plagues his home forest the Sevelier Wood. Beau’s trist with the trainer at the Cobalt Soul was another great role playing moment that I enjoyed. And, she can totally punch ghosts with her fists. Can’t wait to see that fight.
I think I am most excited for the potential Fjord story arc coming up. I have been really wanting some more backstory and a deeper dive into everyone’s favorite half orc warlock. The Menagerie Coast promises to be an exciting new adventure with new cities, culture, and seedy underbellies that needs to be explored. The Ruby of the Sea awaits! I can’t wait to meet the mysterious woman that is Jester’s mother.
Next week promises some exciting on-the-road-again action montages and maybe another appearance of Caleb’s tiny hut. Hopefully no one gets kidnapped or killed this time!
Side Note
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the special announcement concerning the Bonus One Shot happening on August 30th!
