Call of the Wild

"**Call of the Wild**" (3x41) thumbnail featuring Travis Willingham.

"**Call of the Wild**" (3x41) is the forty-first episode of the third campaign of *Critical Role*. Bells Hells travel deep into the Gloomed Jungles with the Gorgynei to seek a godly trial that may help Chetney's plight...

## **Synopsis**

### **Announcements**

* Ludo McGillicutty (now almost fully a sunflower) is back on behalf of **Quip's** new cordless water floss. Matt tells him the changes his body is going through are nothing to be ashamed of, but Sam's afraid they won't hire a flower as their spokes-crooner, since flowers don't have teeth.
* Second sponsor is **Thorum**, makers of handcrafted unique wedding bands. Use code "criticalrole" for 20% off.
* Sam has to do another ad, for **D&D Beyond**, the digital toolset for D&D, where you can now purchase *Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen*.
* **Merch Alert!** The Beauty of Exandria: In Motion collection presents the Ashton pocketed t-shirt; the Beauty of Exandria: The Archives collection now has a journal sticker set.

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

*So, last we left off, Bells Hells in the wake of the loss of their friend and patron Lord Ariks Eshteross managed to prove they were not responsible for his demise, as well as agree to align the interests of Orlana Seshadri and the other members and/or allies in and around the Quorum of Jrusar to find the one responsible, which you are pretty sure is the same individual that you fear may be hunting you or you might be hunting them. But, regardless, you were left a skyship, as it seemed Eshteross was aware of his rapidly approaching fate.*

*After acquiring the ship, you began to head to the southeastern direction, to Aeshanadoor and the city of Yios, the City of Flowing Light, where you have a few narrative threads to pursue, some figures you have been sent towards, and some mysteries that seem to lead in that direction. In choosing to fly over the Hellcatch Valley, a brief tussle with a chimera that seemed to be hunting a number of cockatrices, and then eventually heading into and over the Gloomed Jungles of Aeshanadoor. There, you found a ruin of some sort of a military tower, and with the information that you had received from Ajit Dayal, you, Chetney, in seeking the Gorgynei, the sect of blood hunters that focus on controlling the beast of lycanthropy within, the group has stopped at your behest. Here, you howled at dusk in hopes that they would hear you. And hear you, they did.*

*Along this journey, you did make a sending stone call to our good friend Dorian, who did reply, retroactively:*

“
Oh, Orym, my heart aches that I cannot be there to help you. Find strength. Stay steadfast. Sending you fairer winds. Is this thing on--
”

–
Dorian's response to Orym's message
[!h]

*Upon being nearly ambushed by the Gorgynei, you proved to not be an antagonistic force to their ventures and life out here, and upon proving yourself to be one who has some training with hemocraft and wrestling this beast within, they agreed to take you to their hidden village they refer to as Barinak. Here, you were introduced to a number of the civilians that also lay under the protection of the Gorgynei, themselves carrying the lycanthropic curse. Upon discussing your interests, the short time frame you have, and the recent unexpected control over your transformation that the ruddy moon Ruidus previously did not have, you are guided to the possibility of undergoing a trial within a specific location not far from where they stay known as Zha'Vrollo, the Temple of the Savage Heart. It is believed that Sahyaadon, which is one of the numerous bestial spirits that claim part of this landscape their home and their domain, resides there. It is a holy site in which the Gorgynei have taken it as part of their own meditations and rituals and various important training activities in dealing with their own challenges.*

### **Part I**

As the party settles into the portable hole for the night, Chetney is stoked and eager for the coming trial. They talk about what were-creature each would be, if they could choose: Ashton a "heavy reptile", Orym a rabbit, Imogen a horse, Fearne a quokka or capybara, Fresh Cut Grass a bass, Laudna a rat (a were-ROUS), and discuss the mechanics of becoming a lycanthrope.

In the morning, joined by the group from Barinak, they set out on their journey to the temple of Zha'Vrollo. Fearne samples one of the mushrooms growing along the path and learns it has psychedelic properties, poisoning her for the next 24 hours. Although they encounter five massive twilight tigers along the way, when the Gorgynei and Chetney take their hybrid forms, the tigers slink away. When evening approaches, they set up camp. Experimentally, they have FCG sample one of the mushrooms but it has no effect. FCG, however, asks the still-high Fearne for her insight into his new relationship with the Changebringer, and she reaches out to the deity on his behalf. Her altered senses hear the voice of a small black beetle with a human face, saying, "Hi," before it flies onto her forehead and she feels a warm hug. The others just see the bug fly onto her face.

After dark, Annaline takes Chetney into the jungle and asks him to show her what he's learned. He transforms and demonstrates his Rite of the Flame, but she is unimpressed. She asks his motives for wanting to learn their secrets and he admits he wants to help make the world a better place. She warns him that the constant battle against their wilder nature can be exhausting, but he is undeterred. She shows him the basics of "glyph work", a more advanced blood hunter ability, which will in time allow him to expand on the basics of hemocraft.

In the morning, they set off again. Fearne's high wears off around midday, and in the afternoon, Manad shares some information about the temple and Chetney's coming trial. When they reach Zha'Vrollo, Annaline warns them to be respectful and ask permission if they take anything. Everyone looks at Fearne.

The party and their escort cautiously enter the partially collapsed, rock-carved interior of the ruined temple and the Gorgynei light the wall-mounted braziers and sconces inside. In the center of the main room is a statue of Seraatani, the Wildmother. Annaline and the other Gorgynei leave offerings at the feet of the statue, telling Chetney to do so as well. He is then to meditate and communicate with the spirit of the temple, Sahyaadon.

As they settle in, they sprinkle ball bearings in the entry hall in case beasts enter from outside. The Gorgynei form a perimeter around the edges of the room as Chetney sits cross-legged in front of the statue and addresses Sahyaadon, asking for any wisdom they could share and saying he'd like to do some good, at times. A few hours pass with no response. Eventually, the sunlight fades, replaced by a moonbeam - although Chetney realizes Catha is not at the proper angle to produce it. He catches sweetness in the air, with an underlying scent of decay and iron, and feels a presence arrive.

### **Break**

* Ad for **Thorum** wedding rings.
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* Critical Role unpainted minis - wave three.
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### **Part II**

There is a faint vibration in the ground, and Fearne notices movement in the falling water. Chetney suddenly begins feeling emotions that aren't his own and his mind fills with images. Without words, he can sense questions piercing to his heart. An eerie voice asks if he is hunter or prey. Chetney responds "Hunter", but is told he is both hunter and prey. When he then answers he seeks freedom rather than indulgence, he is told he is a fool. The final question comes: Does he seed the garden, or spoil the earth? Chetney is at a loss, but chooses spoiling, and is told he is a catalyst. When his eyes close, he can see a red flare beneath his lids, and the entity tells him it will take a part of Chetney, and leave a part of itself within him. Chetney unhesitatingly accepts the trial.

All the Gorgynei stand, close their eyes as one, and a pale blue mist drifts from them. Chetney feels his red tether to Ruidus being tugged, and the urge to give in to his feral side becomes overwhelming. The trickle of water into the chamber becomes a full waterfall gathering around him with mist and water, and his body transforms into wolf form, but much larger and more frightening than ever before.

As initiative begins, the party is unsure what to do. Imogen casts *Fly* on herself and attempts to contact Chetney telepathically, but feels a wave of ancient will that shuts her out. The others hesitate, but on Chetney's turn, he hears a voice saying, "Sunder. Tear. Devour." He obeys, attacking Fresh Cut Grass and Fearne, and reducing Little Mister to zero hit points, causing him to vanish. In his new form, Chetney has massively improved abilities, including legendary actions and resistances, three attacks, and greater speed. The party reluctantly begins attacking him in self-defense.

Orym runs forward, holding out a half-carved wolf he was planning to give to Chetney and trying to persuade him not to attack. When his persuasion roll succeeds, Chetney feels shooting pain in his head and sees a red flare. Red smoke begins trickling from his chest. The rest of the party attacks him while trying to talk to him, and he uses his legendary action Howl of the Hunter to frighten Ashton and Orym. Fearne eventually turns into a sexy wolf and tries using persuasion on Chetney as well, and Chetney permanently loses one of his three legendary actions as his fury slows. Laudna, using *Spider Climb*, skitters across the ceiling and casts *Darkness* over the hole there to block the moonlight streaming through. With that, Chetney shrinks to his normal werewolf form.

With Orym clinging to him, Chetney dashes toward Laudna but Orym asks him what he's doing, and Chetney fails his Wisdom save. For a moment, he regains control of himself before the ancient power takes over again. The others begin trying to use spells or words to convince Chetney to stop his attack, but without success until Ashton tells him to knock it off and succeeds in intimidating him into obeying. Suddenly, Chetney realizes what he's doing and drops his wolf form. Ashton walks up to him, softly saying, "C'mere," and punches him in the face. "Asshole!"

No longer held by the spirit, all the Gorgynei begin laughing. Chetney pulls out the dagger still stuck in his chest, but the blood stays in the air like a red mist as the *Darkness* spell mysteriously drops and moonlight once more streams into the chamber. The voice of the spirit once more fills Chetney's mind: "I eat of the scar of an unworthy predator, and leave my scar in its place. You *are* a hunter, and the wilds wait with you to be unleashed." Red energy drifts out of Chetney's chest, forming into the faint shape of Ruidus before it dissipates.

Manad tells Chetney the test is different for everyone, and Chetney apparently needed to deal with tensions with his allies. Although Chetney can still feel the presence of Sahyaadon, it is no longer within him, and the tension he has felt since Ruidus flared is gone. Laudna *Mends* his ripped clothing with Pâté's help. Relaxed and happy, Chetney suggests they all run naked through the woods, and the others follow him as he dashes out, shedding clothing as they go.

Orym hangs back, watched by Fearne. He catches a faint, familiar scent: Will, his husband. He turns, and it seems for a moment to be coming from the statue of the Wildmother. He thanks her, and notices small vines growing from the top of the sheath that the statue clutches to her chest. Leaping up, he sees a small opening in the top of the sheath. Taking out his heirloom shortsword from Zephrah, he slides it into the sheath and the vines begin growing around and surrounding it. There is a faint green light that slowly fades. His hand also wrapped in the vines and ivy, Orym pulls the blade out. Ivy now grows from its hilt, wrapping around the blade like a hand guard. Emerald magical energy drifts from it. Orym bows his head, saying, "I don't know why but I'm grateful all the same. Thank you, Serataani." With that, he runs out following the others. Fearne goes to the statue, and taking out a platinum coin, flicks it toward the statue saying, "Hey, thanks. That was fun. Bye!" before also running out.

## **Featured characters**

### **Bells Hells**

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

### **Returning**

* Annaline (Divaasheela)
* Dorian Storm (via *Sending*)
* Fresceo, dwarven werewolf
* Manad
* Uther
* Xandis (via *Sending*)
* Yuvelo

### **Mentioned**

* Ajit Dayal
* Ariks Eshteross
* The Changebringer
* Dorao
* Justi Pross
* Ometho
* Otohan Thull (unnamed)
* Seraatani

## **Quotations**

* **FCG**: *(to Chetney, who is staring heroically into the distance)* What are you looking at, Chetney?
Ashton: Your destiny?
Chetney: That-- Fuck it! Don't take it out of my mouth! Shit! Now I got to think of some other killer one-liner. I could be here for hours.
* **FCG**: It seems like most of the weres here are a little bit... younger? More... you know--
Chetney: Wet behind the ears? Amateurish? I was thinking the same thing. Have to show them how it's done. Show me the fucking leaderboard! Time for a new name to go up top. *(winks suggestively to the side)*
FCG: Who were you winking at?
Chetney: My destiny!
* **Annaline**: Why do you want to harness this? What is the purpose? Is it fun? Is it the rush of power, the killing instinct within?
Chetney: Yeah. No. I don't mean to be insincere, but it is a great allure. I'm not going to lie. I've spent hundreds of years really not being much of a threat to anyone, and it's okay, I don't mind being overlooked, but this is an incredible gift. I don't view it as a curse. I know some might, but I view it as an opportunity to make change, to help, or to... affect other areas. *(shamedly)* You know. Help make the world a better place.
Annaline: You know, for as much as a small, ragged, prickly persona you maintain for an exterior, there's a soft inside.
* **Chetney**: Sahyaadon? Chetney Pock O'Pea here. C-Pop Industries. I know it's taken me four centuries to get to this point, but I'm here to make a difference. I look at your influence as a blessing, and I want to be straight with you: I'm going to use this for personal gain. But only a little bit. I've seen a lot of shitty things in the world and some of that stuff needs a force to push it back. I'd like to do that at times. And also, I have a personal beef I'd like to squash, on the side, after I've done some good. I am willing and open to any wisdom that you could share.
* **Matt**: *(at the conclusion of the fight against the transformed Chetney)* Please describe to me how you regain yourself.
Sam: How do you want to subdue this?

## **Trivia**

* The party leveled up to 8th at the end of this episode, but didn't roll for hit points so they'd have time to think about their class choices.
* Unlike his practice with most magic items in his campaigns, Matt told Liam he could choose the name for his newly magical sword.
* The in-game date at the end of this episode was 5 Fessuran 843. The apogee solstice will take place in 16 to 18 days.
* Sam's jerrycan has a fish with a dodgy red wig and a speech bubble saying "AWOOOOO! GLUB GLUB" with a caption saying "BEHOLD! the wrath of the werebass!"
* According to Robbie Daymond, Dorian's retroactive response that Orym got was one of the multiple recordings he sent to Matthew Mercer letting the latter choose which one will be used.

## **References**

1. ↑ See "Promise and Potential" (3x22), "A Taste of Tal'Dorei" (3x25), "A Race for the Prize" (3x27), and "A Desperate Call" (3x36) for the evolution of the sunflower.
2. ↑ See "Compulsions" (3x40) at 0:41:17.
3. ↑ See "Pyrrhic Return" (3x35) at 2:55:10.
4. ↑ See "**Call of the Wild**" (3x41) from 18:00 through 18:30.
5. ↑ See "Critical Role: Sick Day" (Sx82) at 0:22:00.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Fan art of Dorian's *Sending* to Orym, by Melissa Hahn (source). Used with permission.
2. ↑ Fan art of Fearne on mushrooms, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
3. ↑ Fan art of Seraatani blessing Orym's sword, by Lap Pun Cheung (source). Used with permission.