Thread by @friede

Howdy new followers! It’s Thursday, & we experience most strikingly the distinction between live performance & prerecorded #ttrpg actual play tonight. #CriticalRoleSpoilers in this thread in an hour — mute as needed.

Shirt is by Coalition of Master's Scholars on Material Culture @_CMSMC_ from their original design -- tons of cool variants now: cmsmc.org/shop (not an ad, just citing to thwart dumb algo bots & because everyone needs a "Girls Just Wanna Have Funding" sweatshirt)

Note: we've restarted a few times, so we're 10 minutes away from start, and a total a 4 hour 15 run tonight, so play time of well under 4 tonight (say, 3.30-45).

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

WHAT THE FUCK SAM. (a new record)

HE'S GONE FULL CATS.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

TheatreProf is not wearing a hoodie tonight, so he can only hold his fist thoughtfully and shake his head.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

NO MORE MOUTH STUFF SAM.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"you're a poop archeologist. And me? I'm a cat."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

GOOD BOUNDARIES LAURA.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

New essay (not really):
early CR = Critmas after game, unboxing fan gifts & squeeing
2021 CR = before game, unboxing new merch & squeeing

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Matt has already claimed the Beau vest as we return from title sequence.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

We start in the middle of the dust storm battle from the end of last session.

Someone asks in chat if they planned between sessions. Apparently not.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

I'm waiting for Liam *and* Sondheim enthusiast TheatreProf (Musical Theatre PhD & trainer of Theatre BFAs) to clock Liam's INTO THE WOODS shirt as the chaos ensues.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Chetney & Launda prep spells, Fearne bamfs Mister, Ashton gets ready to smash, FCG seeks to heal an ally, hesitates, then... doesn't.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

As the Hells prep (and dither), Matt narrates various attacks from both sides: sabres, ladders being shoved over, death & destruction around.

Laudna casts Spider Climb on herself to enter the Mammoth Crawler. Its underbelly isn't armored, but full of junk.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

The others also run towards the crates as the Paragon's Call members yell "GET THEM INSIDE!"

Some of the boxes have shattered. One marked with Treschi was full of tiny vials shrouded in blankets, some have broken with grey liquid on the ground.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

A much larger explosion rocks the top of the mammoth crawler. Laudna holds on underneath.

Pre-set explosives were thrown & detonated on impact -- shattering a crawler leg and making the whole structure begin to collapse.

Fearne sends Mister to Launda.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

A shadow meanwhile begins to rise from the ground towards her.

Laudna tries to scurry up around the edge.

Contested roll vs. the machine: success.

She feels a claw on her shoulder: Mister!

"Mister! Look for the black crates!"

(he heads back to Fearne)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Fearne, of course, has a black crate she's just yoinked.

Meanwhile, DEX saves for Fearne & Ashton, carrying goods "of interest"

Fearne takes 9 damage, Ashton 18 as an explosive hits them. It's impressive how well it hits them.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

FCG keeps an eye out for more explosives in the sky to try to knock them away.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Meanwhile, bloody Chet, Imogen, & Orym rush back in.

They realize there are a LOT more people here than they were told, coming out of the woodwork as they head down to the basement.

The door is opened -- someone got there first.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Checking for traps (9) means Chetney misses the tripwire & goes ass over teakettle down the stairs, gets pulled BACK by Imogen's Telekenetic Shove, only for him to tumble down AGAIN.

Orym & Imogen step OVER the wire.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

They see an unconscious guard on the ground. Chet searches him as Imogen & Orym head forward. He finds a cut leather loop -- yup, too late.

I&O see 2 guards firing on them as they turn the corner. They yell they're here to help -- the guards duck away.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

No response from the P's C -- Imogen says in their head: "has he been compomised?"

No answer, but they shoot at... something around the corner.

One takes a hit to the head, falls.

O parkours around the corner, sword out...

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Treschi is backed to the wall of his cell, away from a scuffle. The cell door is not yet open.

Orym feels a blade slash him as he leaps -- 26 damage. He looks up to see... Artana Voe, looking VERY harried.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Just enough confusion on her face for him to dart away, blade pressed to the small of her back

"Got a bit of a standoff here!"

She takes a hit from a guard, returns fire with her heavy crossbow, crits & takes down the guard.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Imogen hits Artana Voe with Psychic Lance. Voe fails the save, takes, 7D6 (!) damage, and incapacitated.

dndbeyond.com/spells/rauloth…

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Orym whips out a rope to tie her legs up (Nat 20) as Chetney heads to the cell & Imogen kicks her crossbow away.

Imogen turns to Treschi and says "we're here to help you" (Treschi buys it)

Imogen grabs the Hole, slips it through the cell: "get in"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Treschi ain't buying it, wants out of the cell, Chetn

Meanwhile, Voe gets up, pulls out a sword, Orym Disarming Attack (hits, Voe fails the save) & tries pierce her in the shoulder (21 -- MISS -- she's got Multiattack Defense)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Voe says they're fucking up a lot right now.

Orym rolls NAT 20 Persuasion to convince Voe to "walk out with them" and then discuss

"You're not one of them. Alright."

Then Chetney rolls a NAT 20 to pick the cell door.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

(which is a 30 on DC 25 lock)

Chetney asks Treschi if he's a prisoner or being defended.

Imogen Commands him "IN" [to the Hole] 18 means he resists.

Chetney goes wolfshit with his chisel to his carotid.

NAT20 Intimidation!

"why burn through them NOW?"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"Fine. She'll kill you just as easily as she'd've killed me."

He hops in the Hole as Orym frees Voe, who arms up & goes invisible.

"Where are you taking him?"

"We're taking him home."

"Maybe our paths aren't quite as different as we think. We gotta go."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Meanwhile up above, they hear a Runecrawler flare to life, heading to the downed mammoth crawler. Firefight.

Laudna Messages to Ashton, who replies, "fuck the ring, we're gettin' out!"

FCG runs Saving Private Ryan style through the chaos.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Matt is doing a very good job depicting chaos -- it's remarkably tricky to keep track of (which works for me, honestly -- at a certain point I'm just moving into vibe brain, because I ain't CritRoleStats)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"I haven't driven one of these but I WAS one once..." thinks FCG as he tries to turn on a Crawler. It's... a little opaque to him, alas.

He slams into the wall, propelled into the wall. Happily his DEX is better as he bounces on his wheel & not his noggin.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Grapple up, try again.

He flips his Changebringer coin -- Tails, "kinda left" -- the legs rotate the crawler in the spot.

24 Perception means he sees Ashton barrelling towards him.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Eyes glowing with a Light spell, FCG yells,
"Get in bitch, we're getting out of here!"

As Ashton yells at him, "This is a shitty plan! What is this?!"

"I dunno there's a lot of death everywhere!"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

FCG does donuts in a sandstorm, looking for Fearne as Ashton points him towards the entrance.

Launda climbs, Fearne stands amidst it all, walking towards the gate, black crate in hand.

Matt notes she'd be "Kind of into the chaos if she does"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

She clocks the donutting crawler as Ashton & FCG vie for control.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Meanwhile, Launda climbs high, trying to plant the ring on Otohan. 11 Slight of Hand means she spins around as Launda does so, taking 3 full attacks (disadvantage) -- 2 hit Mirror Images, the 3rd misses.

"Whoever you are, your timing is... curious."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Launda jumps off the balcony, then Feather Falls near the end -- like a cat twisting in slow motion, landing as...

... the FCG Crawler slams in front of them.

Meanwhile Voe&Co hurry outside.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"We're the Bell's Hells, we're not with you, you're with us!"

"Smash cut to the title..."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

As they exit, Imogen pushes Artana to Rattanish when confronted -- a quick (risky) betrayal of their uneasy deal.

Rattanish praises them, "Good work."

Voe pulls out of the manacles, vanishing again. Oops.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Despite all the explosions, the fortification's walls are still intact. Still gonna be tricky to get out.

Two minutes since they shoved Treschi in the Hole.

They move towards the back, FCG casting Shield of "Help" on the Crawler.

dndbeyond.com/spells/shield-…

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Which, incidentally, makes Crawlers Creatures.

A loaded down, slow creature at the mo as they move 120' to the back gate.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Cranks & chains would open the gate, but it's heavily barred for defense.

Fearne uses Stonky's to open a Gate -- it can lift 1000 lbs (bless @quiddie), but it's heavier than that, so more will need to be done.

Ashton Rages to lift the bar.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

@quiddie He COULD smash it, Matt offers: "I don't want to deprive you of the chance to attack a door"

"A time-honored tradition"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Ashton goes translucent in the head (Portal version of his Rage effect) as he tries for a Wormhole Strike.

The brace is knocked off from the highest place.

He hits again (20), another... almost falls.

One last brace.

"Shoot something at it!"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

FCG shoots -- whiffs. Fearne tries Scorching Ray... nope, tries to Mirthful Leap to knock the almost-fallen brace over. It wobbles... roll D6. 1-4: yay! 5-6: boo.

5. *sad trombone* BACK into the brace.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

For those keeping track: 1 hour, 47 min, TheatreProf: "I may have just ordered Liam's shirt"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

As this on-brand Door Battle continues, Orym rolls Perception (24) to keep an eye out. He sees a shape dart from the fortress to the wall.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

The party flees to Joe's -- Imogen, Orym, Fearne, & Laudna on the skirmisher as the others head out by foot.

As they turn, they see a figure -- cloak whipping -- the grey hair, red cloak of Otohan Thule, blades out attacking the crawler. Hits 3x!

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

CRIT countered by Laudna's Silvery Barbs, advantage to Imogen. Front wheel is destroyed. There are... rules for the front wheel, which Tal reads quickly -- 12 DEX save.

(We are minutes from break)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Skirmisher rolls 10 -- BOOM.
Everyone rolls DEX saves (DC 12) to avoid being blown up. Orym, Imogen, & Fearne take 10 pts fire damage, Launda 5 as it detonates & they fall into the dirt.

The others catch up to see Otohan staring them down.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"Let's have a conversation, shall we?"

A flicker underneath her cloak: 3 dark shadowy versions of herself surround her.

And that's where we go to break.

"This table is on fire!" -- Liam.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Apparently there was no planning during break.
This is fine.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

The team does some bonus actions to reup HP, spell slots, SimpBindin', Chetney shit-talking.

"brash can have its merits, over well-plotted"
(the Critical Role Story)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Who is their employer?

The shadows move independently of Otohan.

Orym has seen these assassins before.

"OOOOOH SHIT" -- Travis speaks for us all.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Imogen rips a hole in the ground, red light pouring out as she casts Hungry Torrent.

"What...?"

A reskin of... something (Hunger of Hadar with different damage dndbeyond.com/spells/hunger-…)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Orym continues to try to keep an ear on Voe, but

WIS save -- an icy voice of Otohan: "who sent you?". He's lost all grip on his will -- and then it's gone.

"Eshteross. I'll have to pay him a visit. The old fool meddles beyond..."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

FCG invokes Trusted Companion/Bonded Blessing on Imogen as she tries to deceive, then backs up in pain.

18.

Otohan finds it hard to believe that they didn't know she was there

She takes another round of damage from Imogen's spell. Legendary Resistance.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"You are worthy of only ashes then"

More shadows appear. Rolling initiative AGAIN -- this time, with battle map!

Meanwhile, FCG's flask tonight reads
"I'm WHEELIE sorry... for murdering all your friends."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Otohan's mini is in perpetual run -- all cardio, all the time.

Looks like this is going to be a (comparatively rare) all-combat episode.

Hot Table is done, as the party rolls low -- including 2 NAT1s in the initiative.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Matt confirms that these are Echoes, which makes Otohan stronger than a Lvl 18 Echo Knight.

dndbeyond.com/sources/egtw/c…

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Ashton's down. FUCK.

"I was VERY high."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

We're getting a lot of table talk sotto voce as Orym plans his move -- he jams a potion into Ashton as he turns to slash & push Otohan back into Imogen's spell.

19 misses. 25 hits. -13 triggers Protective Field to halve the damage.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Ashton disengages, backs up to take cover, Rages "just for the fuck of it"

Legendary Action by Otohan to hit Imogen. -11 slashing, Sonic Strike -11, knocked prone, but maintains concentration on her spell.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Chetney rips his face off (Bonus Action go Wolfie, with Chetney face on top TMNT style)

(Top table is in a long-game body horror-off I swear)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

New Blood Curse of Bloated Agony, yikes on trikes.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

As the rest of the table continues to discuss whether to scatter or flee together, Imogen's turn is up.

She says to the others through their heads "Run" and Misty Steps up into a nearby building.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

28 to hit Fearne, who then tries to cast Hold Person 3rd Level (her & an Echo). Legendary Resistance burned, Echo fails & is held.

Throughout, various players have been standing, almost out of frame, and talking audibly about strategies for fleeing.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

She reaches down to Mister "Let's go."

He casts Firey Teleportation to bamf them 15' away & then run off the board, leaving fire in their wake. Otohan takes the damage -- all 4 points.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Launda says "FCG I think we're running" & tries to hit Otohan with a Ray of Frost. 18 misses.

Bonus Action Form of Dread to beef up Temp HP then runs up a ladder.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

FCG runs around the back of a house, Bonus Action 4 Temp HP with Ardent Armor for Laudna, Action Dash.

Otohan has to make a CON save -- the tension mounts as Tal tries to figure out the threshold. She makes it, barely.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Otohan attacks Orym 3 times: 25 to hit, -10, Sonic Strike -14, the Curse damaging her as Orym is knocked prone. Hits again, blade sinking deeper: -8 force damage.

Strike 3: 28 to hit, -12 slashing. Orym's out, eyes to the sky, thinking of husband & dad.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Otohan can see minds, looks to where Imogen has gone.

21 to hit Ashton -- -12, he's down again.

She rushes after Fearne.

"this is a bad, bad bitch"

Orym makes Death Save 1
Ashton fails.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Chetney runs to Otohan, growlin' & howlin'.

"God fucking dammit I had plans" mutters Tal.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

As the table continues to try to figure out escape...

"Who said anything about bringing people back to life?"
-- Travis.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Imogen runs out of the house, dashing away.

Legendary Action Otohan hits Fearne -14 -- she's down, too.

Fearne's turn: Death Save 1: Success.

Can Mister do anything?
RAW, yes: dndbeyond.com/classes/druid#…

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Mister throws a Flameseed -- Dirty 20 hits! -6 damage.

Flaming shit to the shoulder.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Legendary Action to Dash to Chetney.

"She's collecting" whispers Liam.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Laudna, leaps, crouches, and casts Wither and Bloom to get Ashton & Fearne up (they each get a Hit Dice to roll) & hit Otohan (who fails) -8 Necrotic Damage.

Acro check: 17.

dndbeyond.com/spells/wither-…

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Clutch move by Marisha -- which she Quickens to allow her to move back to FCG.

Otohan uses Legendary Action to Initiate Psi Powered Leap...

dndbeyond.com/sources/tcoe/f…

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

FCG moves closer to see his injured friends.

"Who do I care about more? My lifelong friend Liam, or the fun character who makes us all laugh..."

FCG Healing Words Fearne +6, realizing he's seen her heal others.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Otohan is concentrating on Chetney, buzzing, leaping 80' towards... Launda.

Chetney gets an attack of opportunity: 24 hits, -14 she takes.

Otohan is manifesting more Echoes as she stands before Laudna.

"Can't run from this my dear."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Laudna gets -12, Sonic Strike -10, DnDBeyond heightening Marisha's panic. Temp HP keeps her up, though she's prone.

Secondary Strike -10 then -10.

Echo strikes: -13

Laudna's down.

Strength of the Grave roll: nope.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"This is a wave of mutilitation"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

3rd attack...

Laudna's the only one in range. Autocrit. 2 failed death saves.

Bound to FCG, he feels the exhale of dire straits.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

https://twitter.com/wildrosemage/status/1568099753497591808?s=20&t=3sFaJwVh_4M2U8qE280S4w

"You're missing the party. Run all you want, you're just running & leaving them to die!"

Orym fails a death save.

"Dorian comes in riding an airship, the name on the side of it says Ex Machina..."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Ashton Rages on the ground.

"This is fucking interesting."

His head goes translucent. Fucked up, Fuck it -- stands up, tries to pin ShadowFuck & flank.

CRIT (within 60' of FCG gives *him* advantage) disintegrates the Echo, Space Rage gives him Teleport.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

60' & movement off board.

Legendary Action for Otohan to Dash.

Chetney runs to meet her.

"I don't want to be the only one not-dead"
🎶"Sometimes you gotta cut a bitch..."🎶

21 hits, nat 1 miss, -17 damage. Little wear visible.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Legendary Action to retort -- but misses Chetney.

Imogen message Launda "where are you?"

No response.

She steps out, casts Fly 60' up. The Storm falls. Screams to Otohan's mind "ENOUGH. Let's end this."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Legendary Action hits Chetney, damaged halved -6, then -13 psychic. Stays up.

Otohan looks to Imogen. "Seems to be doing a presentation."

Chetney notices that the Echoes are flaring from the back of her cloak.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Fearne gets up & wants to get a visual on Otohan.

Enhanced Bond with Mister means she can have him touch Orym -- since she only has touch healing spells left.

dndbeyond.com/sources/tcoe/d…

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Mister throws some shit on her. Misses.

BUT Orym is back up...

...Launda is still down. Final Death Save:

🎶"Delilah Take the Wheel"🎶

NAT20

"Hey you get knocked down but you get up again!"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Before the darkness comes to take her, she hears Delilah "Not yet, my child, we have much to do..."

Her eyes shoot open, full black.

She's up, & has a turn. She crawls around a corner & blasts an Echo with Eldritch Blast. 18 just hits, -24 evaporates it.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

She rasps, "Imogen?"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Matt recaps what FCG sees -- everyone up, but very shaky.

FCG Sacred Flames an Echo in line of sight -- no dice -- and scoots.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Chat is thirsty for a TPK and ... oof.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Otohan

"Your friends are extremely, obnoxiously resilient"

Slashes Chetney, including a Crit & a miss.

She Echo-Swap to Orym & Mister, Action Surges... hits -9. He's down. His hand, reaching for a Sending Stone, clatters to the ground.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Strike 2: AutoCrit
Strike 3: Autocrit.

"Orym, please describe to me your final moment."

"There's a ... really heavy sense of failure. But I know I'm going to see Will & Derrig again."

"We've met before."
"...Yeah."
She stabs down.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Liam is whispering to Laura. Unlike Tal, he hasn't left the table.

Chat is freaking out.

*I* am freaking out.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

The music has moved from urgency to quiet, then drums return as Ashton takes a Reckless swing. He misses.

Her eyes dart, deftly sidestepping by an inch.

Ashton continues to run.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Otohan uses Legendary Action to Dash after Fearne.

Chetney tries to give chase.

Legendary Action to attack Fearne. -13. She's down, too far from FCG.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

The last thing she hears is, "you carry the seed, just not as strong as others."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Imogen flies down, arms outstretched, towards Otohan to get in 60'. She screams "LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE"

Level 3 Dissonant Whispers. 5D6 Psychic Damage & must flee from her.

Otohan moves 40' from Imogen.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"Good. Good. Gooood." she says.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

(a reminder that FCG *does* in theory have Revivify)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Fearne fails Death Save #1.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

(now, whether Orym will come BACK willingly....)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Mister can Teleport with willing creature -- which Orym isn't at the moment. He's a body.

So he hurls Flame Seed -- and misses.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Last Legendary Action to Dash back.

"It occurs to me that Treschi's gonna die" -- Tal

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

This is literally an episode that will take place in narrative time of less than 15 minutes.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Laudna Messages Otohan:

"The Moontide Crown. Ira. We know where he is. Do you want it? You have to stop."

Persuasion 22.

Otohan dashes, about to strike Fearne -- turns her head.

"Huh."

"We can help you."

She looks to Imogen. "Is this true?"

WIS save

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

WIS save 13 -- she feels the icy will push in, pull out the truth.

Otohan looks to Laudna. "You speak some truth. Then tell me, or..."

She raises the blade to Fearne...

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"You've seen the ley lines. We know where they're converging."

"So do I."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

FCG's turn

"All the women in my life, staring at each other."

He moves behind the crawler to Hide. Advantage, 19.

Sam's insistence on nerfing himself is thwarted by the rest of the table.

Otohan looks back to Imogen.

"You're so close."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

She stabs Fearne. She's dead.
In her final moments...
"Boy. That was a hell of a run."

The spray of her blood turns black in the dust.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Otohan goes for Chet. He's down too.

3rd strike on him. Autocrit. 2 Death Saves.

Looks up to Imogen "The more you run from it, the more you lose. You have power within you. Embrace it, or become like the rest."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Chet Death Save #3: Pass.

Imogen's turn, since everyone else ahead of her is dead.

Storm rages in her belly.

Do you fight it?

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"I'm not losing them to just surrender to you."

"You're not surrendering to me, but to your nature."

She flies down to Otohan, as Mister vanishes, his mistress gone.

Imogen reaches her hand out -- and Witch Bolts, Lvl 3, eyes flashing white.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

With everything she has left -- 23 hits.

-21 lightning damage strikes, spreads through her torso. She drops a blade, grabs the tether.

Imogen holds on.

"Come on. You're so close."

WIS save. 16.

(Liam is HOPPING)

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Every fiber of her being says "NOW, NOW"

Otohan smiles, like a teacher waiting for a student to make a breakthrough.

(and we know how few good teachers there are in Exandria)

She sends to FCG: "You have to save them."

"I know"

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

She flies down.

"You let them go."

"You give in, or you all die. We only need the strongest of us."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Matt tells her Otohan looks a little ragged.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

The Tether, burning, is still clutched in Otohan's grasp, embracing the pain.

Laudna's turn.

"I hate everything." -- Taliesin.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

We are creeping close to the end of the stream, btw.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Laudna, shaking (or is it Marisha?) casts Wither and Bloom on Chetney & Otohan.

Otohan fails. -5.
Chetney gets up with a hit dice. 3 HP.

"I think I speak for all of Critterdom when I say, if one of us had to live, thank God it was Chetney" -- Sam

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Laudna, unable to control rage or Delilah's force, casts Form of Dread for more Temp HP. "I'm spooky now, in the corner."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Otohan looks to Imogen.

"Is she your favorite?"

"I'll go with you. I give in."

"You don't choose to give in, you let go when the moment is right."

She dashes towards Laudna.

Chetney goes for the ankle. Miss.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

FCG continues to hide.

SO MUCH CROSSTALK means it's impossible to hear Sam's answer about whether he has Revivify today.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

He *does* have it, but doesn't want to cast it when Otohan is right there. Which, understandable.

He gives Imogen Temp HP while hiding.

Otohan runs to Laudna, breaking the tether. She's now top of the round, hitting Launda. -10 (halved by FCG), -14. Down.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

3rd strike -- AutoCrit -- 2 death saves gone. Her blade goes through her back, held aloft.

Otohan looks to Imogen.

It's her turn.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

The feeling in her stomach bellows, burns.

Bonus Action gets Lvl2 spell back...

"I don't know how to make it stop."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Do you continue to resist?

"I'll go with you!"

"Let. Go. And give in to your nature."

She drops Laudna's body, moves her blade...

Imogen screams out Lvl2 Dissonant Whispers. Last Legendary Resistance to make the save.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

-5 Psychic damage.

WIS save for Imogen. Nat 1.

"I rolled a fuckin' Ruidus dice for it!"

A tidal surge, red, warm, crackling fury drowns her. The dust storm, the wind, freezes.

Those alive see all around them turn red.

"YES. YES. THIS IS IT."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Imogen's hair flies, her skin red, alit with shining light, the space around her shifts, shakes.

Her pain, fury, unleashes -- the buildings crackle, shake...

White.

And that's where we'll end tonight's episode.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"WHAT?!?!?!"
"Am I dead or alive?"
"We'll find out next time."

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

"That was a great game, Matt."

2 dead, 1 down, 1 almost dead...

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

When we are all coherent it will be interesting to think about how this compares to Molly's (unplanned, unintended) death. In some ways, the coup de grace moves felt very similar, but everything else about it was very different.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

Narratively speaking, this was unprecedented long before the bodies started dropping. A hell of a cliffhanger.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers

One last thought: TheatreProf, who both admires and basically IS a Southern variant of Mr. Liam O’Brien, went to bed at the half because he has, y’know, work.

Think good thoughts into the universe, cos he’s a crier, y’all.

#CriticalRoleSpoilers