Critical Role - The Giant's Belt | Critical Role | Campaign 4, Episode 12 Part 2

Episode Date: February 3, 2026

Part 2 he Seekers arrive in Riesingürtle, where they explore the city and parley with Lord Einfasen, the head of the mighty and intimidating House Einfasen... New Episodes Release Weekly on Thursdays.Learn more about Campaign 4 at https://critrole.com/campaign4/   GET MORE CAMPAIGN 4 WITH BEACONWe're excited to bring you even MORE Campaign 4 with a Beacon membership! Get access to exclusive shows like our behind-the-scenes Critical Role Cooldown and ask the Campaign 4 cast your burning questions directly through our LIVE monthly Fireside Chats.You'll also receive NEW Beacon exclusive series, instant ad-free access to VODs & podcasts, live event pre-sales, merch discounts, & a private Discord.Start your 7-day free trial today at https://beacon.tv/join and get unparalleled access to everything Critical Role! OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN 4 CASTGAME MASTER Brennan Lee MulliganLaura Bailey as ThimbleLuis Carazo as Azune NayarRobbie Daymond as Kattigan ValeAabria Iyengar as Thaisha LloyTaliesin Jaffe as Bolaire LathaliaAshley Johnson as VaelusMatthew Mercer as Sir Julien DavinosWhitney Moore as TyrannyLiam O’Brien as Halandil "Hal" FangMarisha Ray as Murray Mag’NessonSam Riegel as Wicander "Wick" HalovarAlexander Ward as Occtis TachonisTravis Willingham as Teor Pridesire CREDITSProduced by Maxwell James, Steve Failows, & Kyle ShireSet Designed by Shaun EllisProduction Designer: Noxweiler BerfCharacter Art by Loren HontanillaEdited by Taylor Burke and Emily "Stevie" StevensonCritical Role Announcement Playhouse Editor: Vinny CelestiOpening Title Editor: Paul FoyderOpening Title Colorist: Peter KoocheradisWindow Effects by Christian BrownGraphic Design by Aaron Monroy & Jordyn TorrenceDol-Makjar art by Daniel Jiménez VillalbaMiniatures Painted by Payton Keo LacebalOpening Title Theme by Neal AcreeCampaign 4 Key art by Hannah FriederichsAdditional Art & Design by Hannah Friederichs Episode QC by Catherine Zimmerman & Paula FloresAssistant Editor: Gianna GencarellaPost Production Coordinators: M Swing & Bryn HubbardClosed Caption Editing by Margaret Dill, Nikki Kindelberger, Courtney Knewtson, Danielle Lackie, Eleanor Smith-Dufresne & Alice TsoiPost Production Supervisor: Tal Levitas HEALTH & WELL-BEINGDue to the improv nature of Critical Role and other RPG content on our channels, some themes and situations that occur in-game may be difficult for some to handle. If certain episodes or scenes become uncomfortable, we strongly suggest taking a break or skipping that particular episode.Your health and well-being is important to us and Psycom has a great list of international mental health resources, in case it’s useful: http://bit.ly/PsycomResources Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello again. It's Brennan Lee Mulligan, and you're listening to Part 2 of this episode of Critical Role. If you haven't checked out part one yet, pause this now and head over there first. What are you doing? Otherwise, let's jump right back into this adventure and the world of Aroman. We return to Riesengirtle. The day, Risengurdle. My German from high school is flooding back to me. Following your arrival, it is overwhelming. early in the morning.

You see that as you arise, Aranesa awakens, you see, rubs her hands together, looks over at you, Tysha, as wakens in the morning, and goes, ha-ha, blows some sort of flower petals into her hands and opens her dress and rubs them in her armpits. Oh, my, that one. It's been bad. It's been very bad.

Well, you know that, like, anxiety sweat smells different, but you're doing great. I think that means a lot. You do this. You do hard journeys doing difficult things quite a bit. So it means a lot coming from you that I'm doing all right. Octus is looking at the bed. How, um,

Eh. Pulls his dagger out and goes and kind of folds up, if there is a blanket on this bed, I don't know, folds up the blanket and cuts the bottom of the sheet off. Okay. What? Why are you? And takes off.

Takes off his jacket and shirt. I'm just, it's a temporary fix. You can see that he is, now that it being shirtless, you can see the whole cut that runs up his entire chest is not healed, it is kind of stitched together still, but it's open. And it's just there, and then you can see in parts of his, starting in the tips of his fingers,

but also in like his elbows and other places, there's a pinkness where blood is pooling because it doesn't flow anymore. So you just see these kind of pink spots in places. But he takes the bottom of the bed sheet and wraps it around himself and ties it. Can I try something before you? Sure. Do you have that?

What? I want to try mending. Oh. Interesting. Okay. Like at Rule as written, it works on things that are formerly living material. It literally names like a wine skin as someone. something it would work on.

That's cool. And since I'm not worried about healing flesh, just repairing physical damage. Yeah. I just want to see if I can. By all means. It might hurt a little bit. That's fine.

I don't, I actually thought about that yesterday, and then I realized I don't know the spell. I've got you. Give me a medicine check. Natural twins. Yes. Full narrative reins describe what your spell does to Octus's body.

I have a steel spike piercing that goes through two parts of my ear that I'm gonna pull out. This is gonna hurt. Maybe lay down. I just lays on the floor. And that minute of the casting of mending is just me superheating this and making a small puddle of molten metal

that I'm going to run down the scar on your chest. And like it's, It's not quite cauterized, but where the like metal, like where that liquid metal flows and passes. And while you're working on it, there's it. Before you seal the outside, there's a little bit on the inside that needs it too. Oh.

The stomach is split. Oh, okay. Do you wanna maybe bring that forward? Yeah, and he'll just kind of like. You told me to get your hand out of your stomach before he'll expose the part of him right here. Yeah. Then yeah, she will pick up the little,

and she's like taking burn damage across as she does it, and you see her just not at all flinching about it. And then, yeah, run it over and seal the, like, tear wound on your stomach. Okay. And then, again, pick up that little, like, rivulet, and then begin to run it down the, like, almost autopsy-like scars across your chest and stomach.

It's there now. I'll have to see if it holds. But thank you. That's better than that fucking bed sheet. You can double up if you want. And then as she's finishing, she'll make this spike, but it's a little bit thinner than it was before. And I wanna make like a really thin pin.

And like essentially, it's kind of signing her work, but like in that same way that Druid magic involves blessings and like lingering magic, that she's just going to leave you sealed with a little pin. Okay, thanks. And then resolidifies it and pushes it back through her ear, which has healed in the intervening time, so she repierces her own ear.

Okay. You good? Well, yes, I can't feel it, so I think I'm okay. Starts putting your shirt back on. Well, if you wanna put the, you already cut the bed sheet. I don't care. I'm not gonna mend that too. Did you feel that?

Did I feel warmth or did it actually burn? Didn't burn. You're feeling pain, but it's, because there's a consciousness to everything. And so when your sense of touch is still here, but even that requires a little bit of effort, if that makes sense. And you also would, you'd be destroying yourself

if you couldn't feel pain, but there's no more acute pain. That burning, what it feels like is it's a little bit of tingling and everything is accompanied by soreness or dull ache. It's, it hurt in a different way. It's not the same. It doesn't. It's, it's like it takes time for my body to register anything that happens. So nothing is fast. Everything is slow. I have to remind myself to feel things. Give me an insight check or a medicine check. Your practice. Not great. Um, 12. 12. I think on a 12, examining the time it takes the lack of urgency,

your conscious mind is your own, but a deep part of your mind beyond your conscious control when you wonder why this doesn't hurt, it still hurts but doesn't hurt more, is you realize that the greatest emphasis that pain has is a fear of dying. and you don't have that. So the things that hurt only hurt

because of what they do to damage a belonging of yours, not because you're afraid of dying deep down. This is too much we have to go. Sorry. He does sort of wrap the sheet around himself, just ties it loosely and puts a shirt on over the top. You guys head downstairs. You see Aranesa goes to feed the horse,

and brings them over. They've just been chilling. Yeah. Just literally been chilling all night. You see they've sort of clustered up in a little stack sort of close together and get being warm. And you see that she looks, see some like droppings by the horses and says, that's for whoever lives here.

And then she, and she looks over and says, to discover our best foot forward to determine if to determine if our men at arms are still here. I only know how I would have handled it, which would have been to arrive in a carriage of state at the front gate and ask for an audience with Lord Einfossen. And I don't, we don't have characters.

We're riding up on five horses. I have my signet ring, but I'm also not trying to reveal myself. So doing the version of this dishonestly escapes me a little bit. Julian, you mentioned wishing to go as yourself. I figure at the very least, those of interest that would wish to come after me are likely the ones that I would be looking for anyway.

Best they come from me and then you. Are you specifically known to be Lady Aroness as protector? At times, yes. Right, what I mean is that the only thing you would be doing. Is it common for you to be doing? to go do something else, to go on an errand to pursue you. I do many things beyond. I'm not trying to insult you.

I'm asking if it is strange that you are out of the company of Lady Aronessa. Not at all. Great, that is. My Lord Taconas raises a valid point, Julian. Last you were known, you were one of the Lord Knights of Castle Torch working with the Barrow Guard. Are you on that official business here?

We also passed through this place less than a week ago. Indeed, but it does not whether or not whether they have any information as to why I wouldn't be returning on my own, perhaps on my way as we were to convene with the Barragarde at Castle Torch anyway. Maybe if you're looking for companions, they would believe that you were sort of wandering about. Okay. Okay. Did you think of anybody?

There, yes. there is someone that I know is not present here right now, but would be welcome here. He was venturing north to help establish the Barragard up north, but I don't think it would be unusual for him to have returned. There is a young knight of a Vassal House that I believe you've seen before,

which would be, do you remember Erlich-Kirzingblad? Vassel House of Einfazen, I believe the last time you might have been younger than I remember. You were maybe 12 or 13, but there was a ball that he was present at that you were also present at. Oh, yes, I think I'd remember this man. He had a little too much to drink

and he made a little bit of a fool of himself in front of the hail of ours. He does that. I think, yes. No, I remember. Has any intervening between the time when I was 12, and now, has he lost any limbs, received any scars? No.

Things I should know about, okay. Then when we get close, I can change my parents. All right. You see she begins to ride out and heading towards the castle and looks at Vailas and looks at Vailas Taishan says, should we, if I'm staying hidden, should I? Wonder if it's not too risky.

You, your connection with PIN. Yeah. If there was any information that NASA would need you to know in the moment, if PIN stayed with us. I see, could I use it as an information conduit between the two of our groups. Let me see here, let me think. As long as I'm within a hundred feet,

I can hear anything, but that's as far as that'll go. I'll stay with Penn. She looks at. I'll stay with you. My lady Vailas. You are very noticeable. I know, but I feel like I should accompany you. Keep in mind if

The demons of House Helovar spot you. They might also cause a bit of a scene because they think that you are there, sir. Sister. Tyranny. If Pinn will be with you, if we do need you, the conduit works both ways, I can have PIN rudimentarily inform you.

To be fair, if she is with us and Hilovar wishes to pursue, I doubt they would get far within the walls of the Ayn Fasen Estate, given what we saw the night before. Sure. Okay. Would it be unusual in just in generally speaking for an elf to be traveling with people? No. Not unusual for not to be traveling. Great.

An elf dressed in the religious garb that Valus is traveling in is unusual. But seeing an elf, it is comfortably in the middle ground where it is uncommon and not strange. Okay, great. And if you feel better suited to coming with us, then I don't see. I don't know, but if I don't know, I'm calling the shouts on the shirt, come with us, I don't, I don't know.

You'll be with him? We'll be together. But if you... He gets into a lot of trouble. I shall stay with these gentle ladies. You keep yourself safe, Arles. Julian, we are here to help our subjects not to fly a tall flag to look for revenge in this moment.

I am aware. I also would like to at least pose the possible question that information of the attack on a plaza in Del Marquiat may have already reached their ears, and if so, questions may arise as to what our reaction is to such. So at the very least, let us be prepared to answer such questions should they find themselves at our feet. Contingency plan if I'm too far away from PIN.

If you see a bird fly directly up from the building into the air. Help. I'll just. As you guys move through the city, I am gonna ask for a group stealth check. If we're trying to be stealthy then, would there be time for me to cast Pass Without Trace?

Absolutely. That's so nice one that's got that. I love that happening now. We'll pass without a trace. That's worth 33. Oh my God. A natural twilight. Natural 20, hell yes.

We got it, 30. 39. 29. Shit. What's good. You move completely unseen. Yeah, we do. Through the city.

It's a hustle and bustle. I'm mirroring you, I'm like, oh, this is good. This is how you do this. This is how she snuck in the city. And arriving in front of the massive castle gates, you see that Aranesa turns to you, Tysha, gesturing towards a very busy marketplace that it will be effortless to hide,

totally in broad daylight and plain sight in this large marketplace. That also looks down, you see massive wooden cranks, the size of ferris wheels as these huge platforms begin to lower down the cliffside to the beginning of a long road, the highway snaking down the rest of the cliffs. You see that Aaron S. S. says,

Well, shall we stop for a minute? Let's grab some, we can find some food here. She says, oh, tiny little coffees. And walks over. She looks over and says, My lady, do you partake in? I would love a cup of coffee. Get sit and says, so from two.

Where from? We're from? Not much anymore. It's the one, it's the one, yeah, it's the main thing. Yeah, you're doing great. That's okay. It's awkward too. I'm actually not awkward.

I'm just, it's very, the Shaper's War was a distant memory to my father. But which I mean he was not even, he was born the year after the end of the Shaper's War. How lucky for him. I'm gonna get us more coffees. They go fast, they should sell them in larger. Yeah. larger vessels. You see the Julian Octus.

The worst brunch ever. Just quiet. Yeah. A lot of swallowing. It's so much swallowing. So much swallowing. It's great. I have to take up the position of Laurel and Bailey here and we gotta cut that out. Julian and Octus. So do you disguise yourself first of all?

I will disguise myself as this amount. Sorry, what was his name? Erlik cursingblad. Erlik cursingblad. Erlick cursing blab. You see that approaching the gate, the gates standing here in the daytime are wide open and there are two knights standing guard

in this beautiful like steel slate blue tavern that has a picture of a like gauntleted hammer holding fist in front of a cloud on this like diamond blue background. You look over and see that the knights look over and say, welcome, traveler, announce yourself. Good afternoon. My name is Erling Erlenik, Kursingblatt. My Lord Kersingblatt. Hello. Welcome, welcome, welcome. It is good to see you once again here in Riesen-Gurtel. Thank you.

What, really, are you expected? No, no, I am not. But I was hoping that maybe there would be, this is a little bit of a surprise visit. I have some questions that I need to answer. Very well. To whom may we direct your questions, my lord? Do I know who would be an appropriate person to ask for?

Give me a history check. Okay. Call it DC5 to know somebody, DC 15 to know the right person. Okay, that's 16. Yes. Let's go. 16. Are you looking for someone that you know is cool,

or someone, are you optimizing for, I know this person is cool, or are you optimizing for I know this person will have answers? I want to optimize for, I know someone, wanting someone who would be most willing to help. Yes. There was a young lady of House Einfossin

who, when you were a little boy, was like only about three years older than you, but always very generous and kind and was someone who, had no fear of the Taconas family, and therefore was a very good playmate at a lot of these balls. And the last time you would have known her before you moved to Dolmachia,

she would have been like 17, and I think would have been like playfully flirtatious with you in a way a 14-year-old would be likely to remember. Okay, great. Her name was the Lady Ingrid. The Lady Ingrid. If it all possible, I would love to speak to the Lady Ingrid. She is disposed at the moment, yes.

Yes, we will announce you at once. Do you wish for a formal announcement in the Great Hall or you wish to speak with her immediately? It does not need to be affordable. I would love to speak to her immediately. Great, go ahead, give me deception with advantage. That is 15. 15.

15. No, sorry. 16. 16, hell yeah. Julian, what are you doing during this time? I'm basically stepping as an accompaniment to the back and to the right. still keeping myself somewhat cloaked,

so I'm not eagerly displaying devenous colors necessarily, but until the moment of being questioned or approached, I will then reveal myself. But for now, I'm just kind of letting Octus take the lead. Great. Sorry, what did you get for that deception? 16. 16. You move through with them through the courtyard.

They go to one of the smaller side. guide keeps and open it up, these vast, broad staircases within this tall keep here. You look around and you see sort of tap, there are penance waving from these two massive columns. And then you realize that the columns are not columns. They are spears planted in the ground, each about 50 feet tall.

They love a vibe here. We said giants. We said giants. You see walking up, there is a massive, this sort of grand staircase goes up to this landing. Massive circular window. The central circular pane of glass is about 25 feet diameter, just whoo, and just looks out over the sky,

dropping over the country of Hellvar. And you see, walking down, sort of blonde, platted hair, a small sort of bonnet tied around the top of her head. Blue gown walking down is the Lady Ingrid, who comes down with a handmaiden at her side, looks out and says, Sir Cosingblad. Lady Ingrid, it is wonderful to see you again. It is wonderful to see you.

To be called on directly is, sir. an honor and a surprise. Well, I just had some questions that I wanted to ask in a very informal manner, that is not necessarily... You see that, by the way, the two herald, the guardians are standing here with you as well. Yes. Not necessarily needing a whole formal to-do. Is there someone we could talk, possibly rudiment, more in private? More in... I mean, with your handmaidens are more than welcome to be there.

I just... You see that she says, yes, we can retire to my chambers, if it is, if you wish. She begins to walk and she pauses for a second and says, I... If you, if I... Am I being called on? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Not at all. No, absolutely not. It would be, I would be deeply flattered for a man of your... your station and accomplishments and your, especially to look at me as one who I must imagine must seem frightfully young to me. Please, I'm so sorry if I gave you a misunderstanding of what I was here for.

I am merely here to ask you questions and it just looks and you're like, I am enjoying. But also kind of steps forward and goes, My lady, my apologies for not introducing myself. I was allowing the Lord to take this as a formal approach, but he's actually here speaking on my behalf, as I was the one who wished to meet you.

She looks over. Now, I'm going to ask, I'm going to leave this up to you, but we can also roll for it if that's more fun for you. Have Julian and the Lady Ingrid met before? You are both, she is a member of a true sundered house. No, I know. I believe we have met. Yeah. But I think previously Julian had positively no interest in her and likely didn't engage as much. I would say, is aware and acknowledged in the past

at least a passing awareness and interest from her? And is now trying his best to lean into that. Great. But like what exactly about her is not your type? We will uncover that as we discussed. Played it by nap. You see that she looks over and says, Sir Julian, my shoulders aren't bony. That's not true.

You see, she looks over. She looks and says, Sir Davinos, I'm going to need insight checks from both of you. It's funny as the whole. It really is. In fact. I'm really close. 14.

14? 15. You see that she looks out and says, Sir Davinos, you, she looks to her hands and to the other guards who look. You see that one of the guards says, Sir Kersenblad, your protector is Sir Julian Davv of the house Davinus? Yes.

These two men at arms you see are, these are the guys These are the guys at the front gate who maybe haven't seen. These are guys that you would have always gone past in a carriage are looking here. And you see that they say, My lord, that much has transpired since the last time you were here. And you see that Lady Ingrid says, very well, Sir Davinos, where have you come from?

I have come from, Dormack. in search of the carriages that were to deliver our supplies to our plaza, not but a few days before. She looks at the guards and says, could you go please fetch my father at once? And you see that the two guards turn around and leave. You see the handmaid and says, My lady, do you wish for me to fetch any other help?

She says, no, Greta, please stay. And you see that she says, but, Perhaps it would be better for me to go get some help. She says, Christa, stay. And you see that they turn off. I'm just thinking. And you see, she says, we can retire to my chambers. As she walks up with you, she says,

my Lord Davinos, your carriages have been impounded. You're many times arrested. Then this is something I would like to hear more about. This is information fresh to my ears. You see she goes up to her quarters, beautifully appointed. These are the massive canopy bed, a small, like, embroidered cushion in front of a large vanity mirror. This is like appointed. in this sort of fairy tale manner,

you see that there is a, there's like a giant tapestry on the wall that has like a massive hand coming out of the clouds to like a young princess who is standing on the fingertip of another massive hand outstretched from it as she's like reaching up to take the second hand. You look at her, she sits down and says,

my understanding is that your carriage, your caravan was stopped here several days ago because we received word from House Royce that there was a traitor, someone, assassins traveling in your caravan, and that we were to arrest, impound the carriages and hold under arrest all members of the caravan until such time as we could be certain that you would have the ability to interview them, to ascertain who amongst them had betrayed your trust. So you still have these travelers of our caravan currently held within your grounds? Some two score of your men at arms, servants, and drivers

are currently being held. We have sent word to the Palazzo da Vinos in Dolmachia for clarification on the instructions which were frightfully vague, which we, with no due offense, meant the Royce occasion lack specificity, especially in their textual conversations. I will take note of that. It is not meant as an insult, merely a criticism. Duly note.

I die. Coming back is an impasse. I love that. Lainty, Ingrid, I greatly appreciate your candor in this. there have been some challenging reports of misinformation being tossed around, and myself and Ehrlich here are seeking to suss out where this misinformation might be stemming from.

Exactly. Do you know whereabouts this missive from Royce was received? You see the handmaid in, and leans and says, my lady, I might run to the central keep and ask if Lord Einfassen has the message for us to actually look and see the handwriting perhaps from where it is. You see that Ingrid looks and says, would you be able to recognize your family's handwriting?

I should very much so, yes. You see that Greta says right away, and you see that she takes off and runs down the staircase. You see that Ingrid looks and says, all right this yes my father has been extremely crossed these last few days

the the instruction was extremely last minute obviously there was only I think a matter of a single day in between your arrival here about a week ago and the caravan

following you into the Dvalmar Pass so it was an extremely Kirt response, we wondered why you were aware of this information, thinking you must have become aware of it, slightly up the road, and then sent word back in a hastily written letter. I can see how this would not make sense and cause him to be cross. Your man had been imprisoned at some small expense. Are we to shoulder this cost? ourselves or?

We will find a way to make this right, but for the time being, you're not wrong to think this is a suspicious timing. You see, you guys hear some footsteps coming up the stairs. I'm sorry for the confusing nature of my entrance and calling on you specifically. It was just trying to make a little, as little to do of this as possible.

Why did you call on me specifically? Because I remember you being very kind and very bright. Oh, that's very kind of you to say. Is that intended as a compliment? Yes. Thank you. You see that she, walking in the door, you guys see the Lord Otto Einfassen, shaved head, absolutely enormous walrus mustache.

I knew he was gonna have one. I don't know why I did it. You see, walks in, he has a sort of ceremonial gleaming breastplate over this beautiful, brocaded. It's that sort of like Henry V style, almost like the, you know, the big sleeves and broad chest and everything he has. There is no fabric on his body that does not look like a heavily embroidered tapestry. There is no fabric that has not have a bunch of different materials in it. Some of this could be ceramics, some of this could be wooden.

Just incredibly noisy, loud, Noble's garment. When looking like a castle wall was hot. Looking like a castle wall was hot. He walks in. You do see that he has a warhammer at his side as well. Walks in and says, Sir Kersingblad.

It was my understanding that you would be in Echoline already at this time you have returned. Things have changed. My situation has changed and I am helping. Indeed. Lord, Aya Fasen. Have you come back here to find this assassin

within your ranks? Sir, I have come back to try and suss out where this miscommunication has come from. This missive that has been called by your daughter. It was not sent by myself. It was not sent by our family.

There is some confusion. I would like to try and understand how this happened. He says, the missive, it was signed by General Raymond. You see, he takes a, sort of, he gestures one of his attendants, they take a missive. He hands it to you. Go ahead and give me an investigation check and please do so with advantage. A tie sounds so pretty whenever it clinks against the thing.

Not amazing, but I will attempt to tactical mind again. Here we go. So add a graph. All right. That's set at a 15. 15. On a 15 investigation, you're looking at being like, okay, my father's handwriting.

And you're realizing that all of the drinking and sleeping around that you've done, and you don't remember the last time you looked at something your dad wrote down. Yeah. But I'll tell you what you do know. And that is a crooked break on the wax seal. This is a forgery. Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. I hope that our family's dealings in the past, the alliances between the sundered houses that currently sit within this chamber hold strong. because this document you put before me, as suspected, is not accurate. And I know this for two reasons. And I point out the broken seal,

and two, I pull the gauntlet that's been clipped on my back. It was my father's gotlet, and I toss it under the ground. Ooh. My father, the general, is no longer alive. The assassins were not in this caravan. They were awaiting us in Dolmachia. And so we are here now, in hopes of finding answers. Go ahead and roll persuasion for me. You may do so with advantage.

19. He looks at you and says, you are claiming that this missive is a forgery. I know it is. He hands it off and says, please collect some of the missives from the general of House Royce's forces to determine if there is indeed a visible difference in the quality of the He turns, looks down at the gauntlet, picks it up. I have seen this gauntlet to do its work. In the War of Axen-Vein-Vein, in the Falchlinus rebellion, House Einvazen and House Royce have never been on different sides of any conflict

in either of their histories. He hands you the gauntlet. It is my sincere hope that if your family has been wronged, that those who wronged are brought to justice. I also sincerely hope that I do not hear any names that are going to make my life harder. You see that he turns to his daughter and says, we need to speak very carefully

and we need to determine what is to be done. Make sure that no one bothers with any of the wagons and make sure that no one reaches any of those men that are yet imprisoned. Is Ingrid's handmaiden back with us? No. Ingrid, your handmaiden went to find this task about this letter, did she not?

Yeah, she did. Oh, yes, where is greater? We should find her. Find her? If no one is to go talk to anybody other than the people who are in this room currently and one of us, who knows, we are here and that Sir Julian is here, has gone? You see that Lord Einfassen says,

your handmaiden came searching this letter. You see, Ingrid says, yeah, she went to the main keep. And you see, he says, she would not have taken an indirect route. Men, find the handmaiden at once. He turns around and says, by the way, you too, come with me. He stands up, takes.

takes off, and you guys walk down with him. I've got to roll. Very important rolls back over here. Cliss and stay. Just one quick flash cut back to us. We're all like four coffees deep. Just blurry at the edges. Just all sweating.

Sweaty, shaking. Everyone's having anxiety attack. Still have nothing to talk about. Hell yes. You see that you guys walk off and go to an actual, not the main throne room necessarily, but a larger council chamber in the main keep. This one has a similarly enormous circular window that looks out over the mountain peaks. And you see that there is sort of an elaborate construction of the sort of moldings that hold the panes of glass. And as you walk to the central table, you see the seat that the Lord sits in. The construction of the panes of glass

becomes a set of hands holding each side of these massive twin summits in the mountain peaks. You see that as he sits down and looks at both of you, he says, very well. This missive was sent to us falsely. Your men should not have been arrested. Who is responsible if indeed your father is dead for his death? You said not but a short time ago that you did not want to hear names that would complicate your life.

My question to you is, how well do you want to keep your house safe, your daughter safe? The safety of my house, there can be no other priority. Then allow me to complicate your life a little bit. And I'll look over to you, Augustus. There are houses currently that should be held at arm's length and beyond. No trust to come to Tacornis, and possibly Halavar as well. But it is at the behest of House Tacornis that Royce has been brought low. Indeed.

And my house, as far as I'm aware, I cannot yet confirm if my mother and sister are still alive. the Belaza de Venus in Dalmatia. He's no more. We're still trying to suss out the depths and specifics of Toconis' plan, but they are the ones responsible, personally. You say this, with first-hand or second-hand knowledge. By the blood that I carved from Prinus' body, as he yanked the life from my father's courts, yes. While you are in my castle, you are under my protection. Sir Kersingblad, how came you to be in Dolmachia while these events unfolded? I encountered Sir Julian on the road.

I understand. But I found that it would be, I also believed the story that was told and figured that it would be improve him to have somebody escort him back here. He's mostly been just an ally and means to assist in myself and myself and my companions and to bring this information to you.

So, yes. He turns to look and says, we have head word that the rebel the Asi Fang is dead. It was you who brought him first to his knees in the Falconer's rebellion. Indeed. The lady Aronessa, therefore, was not successful in her entreaties.

to the Lord's advisory, my nephew, the others. No. It seems even the Ozzy was tied into quite a complicated net that I can only assume has some deeper connection to what has befallen, my family and House Royce as well. What has befallen, House Royce? Where is the Lady Reynessa? She is protected.

But she was present when the Palazzo was attacked as well. and was another target to be destroyed had we not escaped. So the Taconnis have made a move to strike at House Royce directly. And I can only assume that were one of many to come. Hence why I wish to give you this warning as well. The doors open behind you and you see two guards walk in holding Greta by her elbows. They walk in. You see that the Lord looks over and says,

Handmaiden, tell me everything that occurred since the last time you left my daughter's side. She looks up, sort of weeping. You see that one of the guards says, we found her, my lord, in the aviary, sending a message. We were not able to catch the bird

before she sent it to a flight. You see, he says, were you instructed to send a message in the aviary by your charge, my daughter, the Lady Ingrid. She looks up and says, My lord, no, but I, faster than you can think there is a movement and the Warhammer is off the Lord's belt

and he dashes her brains across the floor. He says, this room is no longer suitable for conversation. And stands up and walks. How married is this man? As a point of, I'm assuming I'm far more than 100 feet away from where they are, correct? Yes, you are. Did we see a bird? What direction is that bird, guys?

Give me a perception check. Can I do it with an advantage because I've had 96 coffees? Jesus. That's not bad. Well, can I keep that? You went over there. 19 plus, sorry. Perception?

Plus seven. 26. Yes. 26. A bird does take off flying west from the castle. I did say straight up. Yeah. It is not flying straight up. What do you think? It's not straight up.

No, that's kind of flying sideways. Yeah, yeah. We want to straight up. I'm here. Should we just get close? I think we should get closer. Who's got pin right now? I have pin. I have pin. Talk to Pan.

Uh, Pan. Uh, Pin. Can you hear me? Did you just try to talk it to his mouth? Sorry, not you. I absolutely cannot. Are there windows that are open in this room? Not open, no.

Last, truly a Hail Mary. Is there any way for me to ascertain even at this distance if that is a like natural bird or something? Faye or illusory. No nature check necessary. It is a carrier pigeon. You see it is a messenger bird and a natural one. I sealed

his chest, so I don't know where a bird's flying. Like an actual bird's flying out of. I think that's just a bird. Stop that. I just can't do it without giving myself away and it's darn me nuts. You begin to exit the room following Lord Einfausen. He looks at you and says, it's a deeply unsettling feeling.

to know that there are worms crawling around within your body. And indeed, this castle, this kingdom, it is my body, that handmaiden, has proven that we have become lax. It is my intention to release your men and servants at once. Your carriages as well. I would ask that you remain here with them in my castle for some time

until we can straighten all of this out. The difficulty in this, my lord, is that we ourselves are traveling for answers to try and head off this plot by the Tacornices. And the more time that it's lost in our journey, the more dangerous their plot becomes in its unknown and continued expense. I understand what it is you ask, and I would only request that you allow us the capability

of keeping us all safe by continuing to follow this thread before it goes thin. Yes, this request makes a great deal of sense to me. You wish for safety in traveling. Safety can be provided, but I think at the outset,

I have just had it proven to me that there are those close to me that I cannot trust. and moreover, I have your knowledge that this is a forgery, I have your father's gauntlet on the ground, and other than that I have your word. I cannot act swiftly and accurately. So, I would ask that you remain here under my protection

in which you would be much safer than you would on the road, and if the Taconas are to be called up to face judgment, let us act as one to bring that judgment to them, yeah? There is wisdom behind what you recommend, indeed. I would have to convene with my lady of House Royce. That is under my protection as well, as she has to pursue her interests as well in her survival of her house.

So if I might go meet with her, treat with her, discuss what you now have expressed to us and return with what is the best means of moving forward, as well as releasing Mr. Ehrlich, Lord Oreck, onto his endeavors as well, as he's already seen through his responsibilities. Why did you return? In order to make sure that Sir Julian made it yourself safely. Give me a deception, Jack.

Indeed, he has been very kind and quick, and I wish not to keep them. Natural 20. Oh, who! Yeah, yeah. You see that the Lord says, Curzing glad. This guy. You see, he...

That's the title 20 kids. Big dog. That is the big dog. He says, that he he says, yeah, they will do this. Where your companions are here in the city

or up the pass? They are within the city in a safe space. Very well. I will send an escort with you to keep you safe. Very well. Great. You guys get together. The lady Ingrid, comes out, you see that she's in a nearby chamber,

she comes out and says, Father, they have not been able to, they said that they found Greta in the aviary. You see that the Lord puts a hand on her shoulder and says, we will commence a search for a new handmaiden at our nearest convenience, my daughter. And you see that she, her eyes just sort of go matte and unfocused, and she says,

is the one closest to her, I must offer a heartfelt desire. to make repropriation to our house for having missed that there was someone untrustworthy in our midst. And you see, he goes, an honorable request to make. I will think of a way for you to ministrate your apologies to the family.

You see that he, Ingrid turns and says, Sir Cursing Glad, I am so sorry for the insults that allowing a member of a house. Lady Ingrid, and I lean forward and take her hand and mine, kind of bow closely to her. Do not hold yourself responsible.

There are walls in everyone's midst, and it is nothing but your kind heart that has seen to our arrival and our protection as an extension of your fathers in keeping them safe. So do not hold blame upon yourself. Just know that we are grateful. You see, as you kiss her hand, she blushes and says, a single question, were you, you mentioned that you were here to see me.

Was that to see me about the business of your family, or was it unrelated? The business was to? That business will have to wait for another time. But for now, let's just say it, business at the utmost importance. But I hope another time arrives so we can have a more extended conversation, my lady.

Give me persuasion with advantage. It's quite. This guy's charming. He's charmer. He's a charmer. He's a charmer. 16. You see, she looks and goes, two birds, one bow.

Aoulter. Oh. Another time then, so Julie. I don't want to seek anything. We need to stay in this. We should probably stay here. We all of them here now. Whatever this is, I'm here for it.

You see, she smiles and says, maybe a different handmaid and could get me some gowns that don't expose these shoulders. Such a shoulder complex. You guys take off. You guys take off. You walk out. There is an escort of eight mounted knights

that accompany you guys. Heavily armored. Two of them look like of House Einfoss, like noble knights. And you see there's a few others of sub, vassal houses as well, ride out with you. Ride out with you. Lord Einfausen says, please see that you return well before the noon hour.

I wish to know that you are safe and not, if I cannot even guarantee the safety of the staff of my castle, I can hardly speak to who in the bustling city of Reasongirtle may wish you ill. So please see that you return swiftly. Of course. My lord, if you have this sundor in hand, then I may return to my duties and go back to my business.

I will. President, you'll save the day yet again. Thank you. He brings you in close. He brings real close and says, you do great honor to a house. And leans back. I walk around the corner.

Just leave. So it's just, okay, so you just leave. Julian leaves alone with the knights, and Octus, you vanish somewhere else. I go around the corner. Now, the bird left so long ago. So long. There's no way.

Hello. Octus, you get a ping on the far distance of pin. I just like pick one of the little hairs. Sorry. I let my consciousness kind of drift into pin and I nod my head. Oh, oh. He's here. Octus, you on the line?

Okay. You good? Did you send a bird in the wrong direction? Okay, great. And then consciousness drift out. Fuck. On a Hail Mary, can I make a perception check to see if I could see what might be the trajectory of that bird? It flew to the west.

You can even, they saw it, so they saw it flying west. Pretend that we said, did you think that up was west? I just need to make sure of a distance. Yeah, we're gonna try this. It might fall apart and it might not. But out of his coat, inside of his coat, in the lining, he has pockets. And these are holding spell components.

And he pulls out from inside of a pocket, a gilded skeleton. It is sort of like it's an amalgamation of what looks like a cat that has wings, but it's not any specific animal, it's an amalgamation of bones in order to be used as a spell component. You sets it on the ground,

around a corner trying to find a secluded area, places it on the ground and this lights up this green sigil around it and reaches out. And from the gilded, bones pulls out the corpse of a vulture. It is alive and is a full. I'm casting summon undead critter. Yeah.

And looks at this completely skeletal undead vulture that sells enough flesh in order to fly and says, a bird has flown to the west carrying a message, find that bird and take it down. And sends the vulture into the air. As vulture takes off, in incredible. I am going to... What is the fly speed? The fly speed of that is...

D-da-da-da-da... Where you see? Ah, wait, I have the thing. I know how to do this. I set this up. Okay. Fly speed is 30 feet. Fly speed is 30 feet. Okay. The most rapid flyers of the avian realm, the vulture. I know. I know.

Avian realm, the vulture. But this thing is undead, correct? Yes, it is undead. It is undead. Hold on one second. It is immune to exhaustion so it can continue to fly. That's good. Okay.

We are gonna, this is going to. This is a Hail Mary. I know this probably will. This is a Hail Mary. We're gonna resolve this with a Google search. Which is faster. And the Google search is not which is faster. It's how far can a carrier pigeon fly in one day?

Oh. Because, because it is about a hundred mile, a little over a hundred. miles to Dolmachyar. So if it has to rest before it gets to Dolmachiar, then we're in a different situation. Okay, but what if we see an undead Volta and we're like, that's clearly evil?

We should kill it. Yeah, we should kill it. We'll be shooting it out the sky. So that is. Natural wine, we're both just skeet shooting. Yeah. Boo. It's like that scene in favorite.

Just a pile of. seven the birds that you've both taken out just in case. Just in case. We're just carrying them when you get back. Damn, that's so fast. That is fucking crazy. When they are cruising,

these dudes do a cool 60 miles an hour. Then they can fly hundreds of miles in a day. I mean, that's why pigeons are, that's why you hire pigeons. That's why you hire a pigeon. It's worth a shot. Hoosh, the vulture takes off. flying after the bird, and heads towards the west.

Start making my way towards, I saw through Pins' eyes, saw where you were in the market, and I'm coming back to where you are. Hell yeah. You move out. Julian arrives a moment, because you're on horseback, you read a little bit before. So, Octus, you're on the way.

There's the three of you along with these eight nights. And you find in the marketplace the Lady Royce, Tysha and Vailas. Is Sir Julian under arrest? You would like to think that was the case. I would. No, we have established allyship, re-established with House Einfazen, given the circumstances. So we have protection and a request for conversation.

Do you want to have this conversation with all of us, or is this something between? Primarily the Lady Aranesa, but we travel together and circumventure. and circumstances being as they are, I think it would be best if we keep as much as our hand open as we feel comfortable. Okay. But not all the cards in the table. Understood it.

Okay. Where's Octus? You should, I imagine, show up some point soon. I hope. Octus, I think you arrive. Are the armed... Yes, the knights are here. Two of them have dismounted, the rest are mounted. I look so much like a member of my family.

Okay. Disguise self again, but this time I disguise myself as a human man who is just very, very sort of just like mid-20s, very kind of, just looks like he works at a stable, just is like a regular-looking guy with like Sandy Blonde hair and like a little bit of peach fuzz beard and walks up and is like he has a backpack that's carrying a bunch of stuff.

Looks like he's the guy who's carrying your equipment. Okay. And just kind of comes up. Have you ever used this disguise around Tysha? Absolutely not. Great. I've made it up. Who the fuck is, go away.

What? I'm sorry, there's a cover. Sorry, you ordered me? When did you do that? Can I make it inside? You see Lady Aranesa says, Sorry, I ordered a hireling, and I didn't tell you, because it's your birthday, and I wanted it to be a surprise.

Hello. Hi. Thank you for coming on such short notice. Of course. I'm here in the background. You just let me know what you need, and I'll take care of it. Great. Lovely. Lady Ernessa, I've notified Lord Einfossen the base details of what is transpired in Dolmachyard between Cald-Dakonis and our families.

He wishes to speak with you to confirm these things and has offered to release all of our held. They are not dead. They're not dead. They were being held on a forged missive, letting them assume there was an assassin amongst their midst and they were to be held until further instruction. But we have proven such a mischiefs of forgery,

and they have agreed to return them to us, though there is a discussion about how to pay for the intermediary holding costs. They want to charge us for arresting our men? It is, it is how sign, awesome. But nevertheless, I let them know that you are safe and under my protection. And at this point, we need more friends than anything.

But I follow you. your lead as to what you think is the best way to handle this? I... Do you trust them? Einfassen? Mm-hmm. Well, it explains why, I mean, it explains why the goods were left on the carriages,

and it explains. If they were against us, would they have kept them alive? No. No. No. No. No. No, exactly. You see that Erinessa says, if you think it's safest, then we need safety, and you're right, we need friends. At least for now.

But you are hesitating. I just know that... You're doing great. She says, I just know that my friend Tysha that I have not seen in many years has business of her own. I think my hesitation is in. You see, Terenson says, are my companions welcome to be shielded

under this hospitality as well? It is my birthday. Now, I'm not saying we stay. We have business elsewhere, but you are far better at convincing a lord of his estate, have that intent than but a vassal house, soldieress myself. Mm-hmm.

You see that one of the knights says, your attendance are more than welcome. And you see that the lady, Roy says, companions. The, you see, she says, I think it would do well for me to speak to Lord Einfoil. but I also, I can't compel you to stay if you have business elsewhere.

I would like to make it through the path as quickly as possible, but I do think if I would have a chance to send a message back to Dolmokyar. That might be worth a night at least. She smiles and says, all right, then we stay a night with Lord Hinfosson. I don't think that's a bad idea at all.

at all. I know I just hired you, but would you, do you, we'll figure you out. Let me see that she points to, you and says, Yes, my lady. No, you were hired for me. I'm ready. Your lady.

Mm-hmm. You see that she turns to you and says, is a night's stay here? Welcome, is that all right? Yes. She smiles and says, All right, then let us away with our escort here. You guys head with the Knights back towards the Einfossens Castle.

How long can you keep this up? No, or. Okay. Do you want to do you want to? attend us or maybe spend a night at the ship. You could do better than the shipwarns. Should we? It's fine.

Should we stay out? Be easier. I can't be in there. They, not only am I Taconas, but they know now what Taconas did. To be fair to Julian, it was the only way to really get them across. You see, you see Aranesa sees this conversation and turns to the knights and says, I'm so sorry, I hired a hireling, think, that we were headed east, but we're staying, so I'm going to, I'm going to pay him out, and then you can go.

Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. You see one of the mountain knights says, he is invited. You see that Lady Royce says, sorry? He says, your hailing is invited. All of your companions are welcome to the castle. Erinessa turns and says, oh, he's, no, he's not part of our party. He's not part of our party. He's welcome to go. You see one of the nights goes, with respect, Lady Royce, he is not welcome to go.

Please. We are excited to extend the hospitality of House Einfassen. Okay. Great. Well. This date has became more interesting. I can do those two more times.

You walk. Three hours total. You walk into the Einfosson Castle. The gates close behind you. And when does your spell fade after an hour? An hour? Have you ever considered maybe dropping dead? Yeah, maybe you get sick.

Did that. I'm saying in, while like this. Maybe drop dead. I don't know, just die? I don't know. I don't know. Do people do that? You did?

Someone killed, maybe. Do you want me to pretend to slay your throat? I think that's gonna raise a lot of questions. Well, just, I pretend to slid us, oh, we could have fun with this, actually. I'm gonna just not make a scene, please. Okay, we're just having a friendly conversation in the back. We're talking about killing me again.

I mean, I'm a little sensitive. All right, fair. The gates of the castle close. You guys walk into the close. courtyard, the Lord Einfassen walks out and says, My lady Royce, welcome to Riesenggurl and Helver. My hospitality and protection is yours. I hope that your stay is comfortable.

Before you leave, we will resolve this matter and discover the truth of what has performed, your house. If by my life or death I can offer you any service, I will. I will, and I hope only that we discover the truth of this matter." He nods currently. Give me an insight check, Taichu. Thank you. That's all I want.

Eighteen. A raid on the parapets. All throughout are the loyal soldiers of House Einfhazen. The Lord stands here before Lady Aranessa. They were enthusiastic to extend the hospitality of their house. And you see, the lady Ingrid looking out through one of those massive sets of windows, gazing at Lady Royce, and I think on that insight check,

you see that she has been weeping. There's much to weave about in this world. Something is at work here, and you can't quite put your finger on it. It is a long night that awaits you, and perhaps you will discover how to name, this strange feeling of vertigo that you have felt ever since crossing the crest of Reese and Gertl. That's all for this episode. Oh!

Oh! No! I feel like I played exactly the same amount as during the overture. Yes! I want to find more. More, more. We could do more. They're like just getting warmed up too.

Oh, boy. But they wouldn't have let us say no. And finally, of course, of yeah who knows how you guys use is it feels it feel good is it feeling we made it all the good all the right oh yeah we made every right we made all the right we made all the right choice definitely definitely there's only there's only there's only question i've got is is it Thursday oh there's up on the prompter for me um thanks for listening to this episode of critical role if you're enjoying this story consider leaving a review on your podcast platform of

choice. We're always looking for new critters to share our adventures with, and your review may help a new batch of wayward souls find their way to Aramon, Exandria, and beyond. Or if you want to hear what the cast discussed after the episode, head to beacon.tv and check out our exclusive show Critical Roll Cooldown. You'll be right there at the table immediately after we say, is it Thursday yet, and experience our cast's post-show reactions. We'll see you next time.