A Test of Trust

"**A Test of Trust**" (3x80) thumbnail featuring the cast.

"**A Test of Trust**" (3x80) is the eightieth episode of the third campaign of *Critical Role*. Bells Hells put their trust in each other to the test as they tackle Nana Morri's final task for them among tangled and lost ruins within the Fey Realm...

## **Synopsis**

### **Announcements**

* Since you may not know which websites to trust with your credit card info, Sam's brought in famed lie detector specialist Dr. Uta Middlebrecht to demonstrate his trustworthiness about **Nord VPN's** ability to keep you safe online. Along the way, we also learn how often he showers, how much time he put into creating this ad, how much his wife, kids, and dog love him, and the fact that he is frequently yelled at by doctors.
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* Critical Role Foundation charity drive for **Red Nose Day** continues.

### **Previously on *Critical Role***

*So, last we left off: Bells Hells, as they were finishing preparations to head on their recon mission to the red moon of ill omen, Ruidus, had a bit of a fractured social moment that sent them to the four corners of Whitestone to figure out how best they can repair broken trust or concerns about each other's motivations, or whatever dark passengers they carry from their past. As part of this conversation, Fearne wanted to recenter herself by visiting her Nana Morri, and it was decided amongst the troop that perhaps a visit to the Fey Realm to try to reconnect before heading into a very dangerous unknown was a good idea. Upon asking Allura's help, she transported you all and escorted you to the Ligament Manor.*

*After a brief conversation, FCG and Nana Morri got excited about the prospect of a team building exercise amongst you all. After a conversations she wiped your memory of, she sent you on the first of three: the first one was an honesty-based expedition in which you all were in a ravine and had to reveal truths about yourselves and about your experiences in the world which allowed you to escape from this dangerous chasm. Completing that, you were sent to a test of communication, in which three volunteers had their sight robbed from them and were sent to walk without vision across very narrow and ever-winding land bridges with the possibility of falling into oblivion, which Ashton did, knocked off the edge by wasps. It was Orym that volunteered for the final round with real stakes this time as the bridge collapsed behind him. But you all succeeded at this second venture.*

*With the second success behind you, you were brought to the third and final part of your team building therapy session. You were transported by Nana Morri to the middle of a massive fey ruin, overgrown with vines and thorny brambles, faintly glowing remnants of whatever fey society fell here long ago, and you were introduced to two new creatures you hadn't seen before, these doppelganger-like fey creatures that apparently can not just take your form, but have been paying attention to your personalities, memories, and diving into your minds and thoughts since these whole number of therapy sessions began.*

### **Part I**

Nana Morri reiterates the rules: hidden somewhere in the area are three sections of ivory branch, each in a basin altar. Their task is to find all three and deposit them in the central pool. However, two of the party will be replaced by doppelgangers and attempt to sabotage this effort along with the "denizens" of the area. Matt passes out a card to each player, telling them whether they are a doppelganger or a player. A mist swirls around them and they are transported to a fey ruin with a central pool, surrounded by jungle. The hunt begins.

Orym leaps to a high point for a better vantage point but sees nothing obvious. As Fearne moves to search, she is wrapped in stabbing brambles and restrained, but Ashton frees her, then suggests they all stick together until they find the first branch so they know what they're looking for. FCG casts *Cure Wounds* on Fearne, while Chetney, still in werewolf form, moves away while avoiding vine attacks but is wounded by acid-spraying flowers. Laudna sends Pâté on the search, then uses *Wither and Bloom* on some foliage, exposing the first altar and branch. Fearne casts *Scorching Ray* at another area of brambles in a doorway, burning them away but creating a fiery barrier there.

Meanwhile, Ashton uses his Hyper Rage to increase his speed, reach the branch Laudna exposed, pick it up, and reach the pool, but when he tries to throw it in, it bounces off an invisible barrier. Ashton picks it up again, and when he subsequently takes damage, so does the branch, losing one of its three hit points. Imogen discovers static blocks her *Detect Thoughts*, and when party members do Insight checks on each other, Matt has the target privately text him whether they are a doppelganger or not so he knows whether to use persuasion or deception to determine success. FCG uses *Speak with Animals* to ask a squirrel-like fey creature (named Kenny) which plants are dangerous, and is told the big walls are scary and some of the trees are dubious. Chetney's Grim Psychometry picks up a memory of fey elves frantically hiding objects as the area is under attack.

Suddenly, a small fey quickling-like creature drops down from a tree, runs to Ashton, grabs the branch from his hands and runs off. Laudna sends Pâté after it, then clears more brush with another *Wither and Bloom*. Orym is then able to catch up to the creature and regain the branch with Seedling's *Grasping Vines*. Fearne clears some of the ruins with *Stone Shape*, but a fey owl-like creature with a tentacle tongue restrains FCG and drags him along after it as it flies off. Ashton uses another Hyper Rage to catch up and bash the tongue, freeing FCG. Imogen then attacks the "owl" while *Flying*, destroying it. Meanwhile, Chetney claws and kills the quickling, and Orym picks up the branch, tucking it away.

Laudna continues to clear brush with *Wither and Bloom*. Fearne tries to question the plants with *Speak with Plants*, but learns nothing and is wounded and restrained by a vine. Ashton manages to free her with an attack on the vines. Imogen's *Inflict Wounds* burns away more bushes and reveals another ivory branch, which she flies down and retrieves. FCG asks her to drop the branch down to him if she trusts him, and after Sam's Insight 23 check, FCG trusts she really is Imogen. His *Misty Step*, however, puts him too close to more brambles, which attack and restrain him. Meanwhile, Chetney tries to climb a tree and realizes part of it is illusory. After searching, he finds the final ivory branch, jumps down and runs to the central pool, placing the branch in the Bag of Holding. Orym, with another branch, dashes to join him, while Imogen flies overhead with the third to the pool.

Laudna positions herself where she can watch everyone, while Fearne readies *Hold Person* if Chetney does anything suspicious. Ashton joins her at the pool and holds a shove attack against her. FCG is still restrained and taking damage from a vine, but casts *Divination*, asking if Orym is the bad guy. After The Changebringer secretly responds, FCG shouts he thinks the Doppelganger is Chetney. Laudna summons her Hound of Ill Omen between Orym and Imogen, and readies *Infestation* against Orym.

The three branch-bearers stand ready, but Orym pulls out the Monocle of True Essence and studies Fearne first. Ashton moves to FCG and frees him from the brambles, and FCG joins the others at the pool. Orym counts down from three and he, Chetney, and Imogen all simultaneously drop their ivory branches into the pool, where they join together into a larger glowing ivory branch. Two doppelgangers walk up, joined by Nana Morri, who applauds their performance learning to trust each other despite what they were told. Imogen accepts the ivory branch and the fog that originally transported the party to this space returns. When they can see again, they are sitting in Ligament Manor with the tea still on the table. Allura greets them, asking if they enjoyed their naps.

### **Break**

* ***Asgard's Wrath 2*** available starting 15 December 2023.
* **Wizkids Darrington Brigade** box set minis now available for pre-order.
* **Merch Alert!** *Candela Obscura Core Rulebook*, Ashton jacket and patches, Imogen and Orym dice sets, ugly Critmas sweater, Jrusar joggers, Bells Hells socks, Critical Role pajamas, Caper Cards: Bells Hells, Imogen t-shirt in all five CR shops.
* Check out **Critical Role Books** including *Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role*, *The Nine Eyes of Lucien*, *The World of Critical Role: The History Behind the Epic Fantasy*, and *Kith & Kin*.
* Intro to "Candela Obscura: The Antiquarian" (CO3x01). **Original Soundtrack** now on digital music platforms.
* Promo for **Midst** Season Two Podcast.
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* Definitely not Sam's ASMR promo for **Critical Role Twitch** subscriptions. Much more meta.

### **Part II**

The party thanks Nana Morri for the experience, and FCG says they learned a lot, although they're not sure which parts of the challenges came from Morri and which from them. Even though it was all a dream, the wounds the group suffered are real, as are the three objects they acquired.

When asked if they're all right, Ashton replies that any one of them could still do something stupid at the wrong time, but they can tolerate and forgive each other. Orym points out they can't wait: the world needs saving now. Laudna shares Fearne's concern that they're not up to saving the world by themselves, and thinks they should concentrate on smaller tasks they can succeed at, but Allura responds that their lower profile may help them succeed where the more well-known and powerful people they've encountered would fail. She hopes they can discover something to give them an edge when the time comes to assault Ruidus. Others will be taking part in that effort, and the party need not even come if they don't want to.

Imogen asks the others if it would be okay for her to give in to the pull of Ruidus to connect with it. The others support this, as long as she tells them first. Laudna brings up the Spark of Rau'shan, and Fearne has been thinking about it too. She now thinks maybe she was scared of something that was inevitable. She now kind of wants it, or at least wants to try it. Ashton can't think of anyone who should benefit from it as much as her. They decide right now is a good time, since Morri's around if something horrible happens.

During a short rest, the party heals as much as possible, and divides the items they got. FCG takes the ivory branch (unattuning the grappling cannon), Chetney the Monocle of True Essence, and for now, Imogen takes the Scarf of Intrusive Intent. Ashton loans the Ring of Volcanic Flesh to Fearne. Morri is excited and proud that Fearne has decided to take the Shard, and suggests they all go up to the rooftop garden to do it. Once there, FCG casts *Bear's Endurance* on Fearne to give her temporary hit points, and uses Sympathetic Binding as well on Fearne, Ashton, and Laudna. Fearne summons Little Mister and casts *Aura of Life* on herself. Orym gives her his Potion of Heroism, increasing her temporary hit points to 10 and giving an additional d4 to saving throws. During the preparations, Imogen tells Ashton she's sorry they felt they had to hide their motivations and feelings. Laudna buries her head in Imogen's shoulder so she won't have to see and be tempted by the Spark of Rau'shan. With advantage from a *Calm Emotions* by Imogen, she resists Delilah's temptations.

Chetney opens the Bag of Holding and removes the Shard with tongs, placing it near the funnel on Fearne's back. The crystal brightens as it approaches and Fearne begins feeling heat... and taking fire damage that increases each round. After several pulses of damage, FCG uses their Scatter Vigor ability to take health from Ashton and transfer it to Fearne. However, she fails a concentration check, loses her *Aura of Life*, and begins using Ashton's Ring of Volcanic Flesh for all three of its charges to reduce the burn damage somewhat, while FCG begins casting healing spells on her. Chetney uses the Monocle to notice three strange, invisible fey creatures watching from the trees.

Fearne's skin is glowing and her eyes are flaming bright orange, and she begins lifting off the ground. As her ordeal continues, FCG takes more health from Ashton to pump into her, but she is brought perilously close to unconsciousness. FCG gives her a 5th-level *Cure Wounds* (taking fire damage themself in the process), but if they do another Scatter Vigor, it will send them into a rage. The party urges them to go ahead, and as FCG goes berserk, Chetney uses his Blood Curse of Binding on them, amplified, keeping them in place and unable to move while Imogen uses her telekinesis to pull FCG slightly away from Fearne. Meanwhile, the pain is almost euphoric for Fearne, who sees a vision of a flaming realm in a lost earlier time. As FCG hurls abuse at her, Nana Morri *Silences* them. Laudna casts *Wither and Bloom* twice, allowing Fearne to heal slightly as the topiaries curl and die, revealing bones beneath the leaves. Fearne also casts several healing spells on herself as she transforms into a being of flame. In her vision, she sees an immense flaming creature, unknown to her, and feels a sense of sadness and legacy.

The final fire damage leaves Fearne barely standing, but alive. She sees the flaming figure of her vision embrace her, transforming her into an incandescent being of pure fire, burning everyone around her. She slowly returns to herself, still flaming, still slightly floating, permanently transformed and with new abilities. Just then, FCG breaks free of Chetney's hold, but Orym immediately attacks with the flat of his blade, hitting him and pushing him back several times, but not causing enough damage to snap him out of his rage. FCG counterattacks, wounding Orym, but then succeeded in a saving throw and recovers himself, apologizing for losing control of himself.

Chetney tries to touch the flaming Fearne, and is not hurt when she permits the touch, but it causes damage to Imogen when she touches her unaware. Imogen remembers that Fearne's shard was suppose to awaken Ashton's, and the party suggests they should touch. Hesitantly, Fearne clasps his transformed hand, and as they touch, the golden veins alight once again and he feels the sense of belonging to the ground, sensing its history as he has a vision of burrowing through the rock of Exandria to see a growing mountain range as the land forms in creation. Ashton suddenly grows a foot or two, his rocky arm swells, and shards and spikes of rock emerge from his body as he feels a new strength and sturdiness. As he emerges from his vision, he realizes he has new abilities, and can swim through the ground as though it were liquid.

Ashton and Fearne, hand in hand, run down the stairs of Ligament Manor and outside to explore their new abilities together as the surrounding, watching creatures begin to cheer and scatter in the gathering darkness of evening.

## **Featured characters**

### **Bells Hells**

* Ashton Greymoore
* Chetney Pock O'Pea
* Fearne Calloway
	+ Little Mister
* Fresh Cut Grass
* Imogen Temult
* Laudna
	+ Pâté de Rolo
* Orym

### **New**

* Bompers
* Kenny, a marsupial squirrel of the Feywild (possibly only in a dream)
* Rau'shan (spectrally)

### **Returning**

* Allura Vysoren
* The Changebringer (in a vision)
* Delilah Briarwood
* Dr. Nesbitt
* Morrigan the Fatestitcher
* Peepers
* Sweet Pea

### **Mentioned**

* Ariks Eshteross
* Cinna Brightbow
* Ka'Mort
* Keyleth

## **Quotations**

* **Ashton**: I know this is weird. Are we cool?
Fearne: **Now**!?
Ashton: Are we cool?
Fearne: *Now* we're having this conversation? Are you for real?
Ashton: Okay, it might be you.
* **FCG**: This was a good lesson for all of us to trust each other, and know that none of us will ever... *(looks suspiciously at Chetney)* ... will ever... will ever be... All right, just do it.
* **Matt**: *(to Ashton)* As a being that's spent their life feeling broken and un-whole, for the first time in a long time, not just because of what power you found in yourself, but the people who surround you, you feel complete.

## **Trivia**

* The "Ashley M" who played Dr. Uta Middlebrecht in Sam's Nord VPN ad was Ashley Middlebrook, a producer at Critical Role Productions LLC.
* When first posted to YouTube, this episode's title was "The Eve of the Red Moon". It was later changed to "A Test of Trust".
* Sam's jerrycan says "TRUST ME" with one of the "Sam" masks from the London Show (Sx79) on it.

## **References**

1. ↑ See "**A Test of Trust**" (3x80) from 3:47:52 through 3:48:07.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Fan art of Kenny, by Pyromeekorai (source). Used with permission.
2. ↑ Fan art of Fearne, transformed, by shalizeh7 (source). Used with permission.
3. ↑ Fan art of Fearne and Ashton, by @zhellers (source). Used with permission.