Recap / Critical Role 001 The Draw Of Destiny

The Draw of Destiny

The Draw of Destiny is the first episode of Chapter 1 of Campaign 3, as well as the first episode of Campaign 3 overall.

Starring:

• Travis Willingham as Sir Bertrand Bell ^note Human Fighter
• Marisha Ray as Laudna ^note Sorcerer/Warlock (The Undead) of unknown race
• Taliesin Jaffe as Ashton Greymoore ^note Earth Genasi Barbarian (Path of Fundamental Chaos)
• Ashley Johnson as Fearne Caloway^note Faun Druid (Circle of Wildfire)
• Sam Riegel as Fresh Cut Grass (F.C.G.) ^note Automaton Cleric
• Liam O'Brien as Orym^note Stout Halfling Fighter (Battle Master)
• Laura Bailey as Imogen Temult^note Human Sorcerer
• And Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master

Guest Starring:

• Robbie Daymond as Dorian Storm^note Air Genasi Bard (College of Swords)

It's been almost a decade since the events of the Mighty Nein. We're on the continent of Marquet, in the city of Jrusar, carved on the side of five mountains that tower over the jungle of the Oderan Wilds. We first meet Imogen, Laura's Human Sorcerer, and Laudna, Marisha's Sorcerer/Warlock. The two travelling companions have been trying for weeks to gain access to the libraries of Ascension's Rise University and Starpoint Conservatory in order to conduct some research. They are advised to curry favor with the Chandei Quorum, the city's governing body.

We are then introduced to Ashton, Taliesin's Earth Genasi Barbarian, and his recently acquainted companion Fresh Cut Grass, Sam's Automaton Cleric. The pair have been staying in a slum at the city centre, from where they set off in search of mercenary work. At the same time, a a small group of adventurers, consisting of Fearne, Ashley's Faun Druid, Orym, Liam's Halfling Fighter, and Dorian, an Air Genasi Bard played by Robbie, arrives in the city via skyship. The trio are on a mission from Keyleth, looking for a man called Oshad "The Anger" Breshio.

Everyone's paths converge outside the Spire by Fire inn, where an orb of arcane energy causes a cart to crash and enchants several of its items, turning them animate and hostile. Everyone springs into action to protect the bystanders and are soon joined by Sir Bertrand Bell, a Human Fighter played by Travis. Ashton gets the first "How Do You Want To Do This" of the campaign, snapping a broom in half with their hammer. Orym outmaneuvers and shatters a sword using his own blade, Imogen destroys a knife with lightning, Laudna dissolves a rug using her gooey Eldritch Blast, and Ashton bookends the kills by pulverizing a table.

After the fight, an impressed Bertrand buys everyone food and offers them work for the reclusive Lord Ariks Eshteross. The group gets to know each other a little more over dinner: Laudna hails from Whitestone, which she seems to detest. Imogen is interested in studying the origins of magic. Fresh Cut Grass was created by a woman called Dancer, along with several other automatons. They are the sole survivor of a mysterious attack that decimated their group two months back. Ashton has been living in Jrusar for the past few years. They were sent to check up on F.C.G.'s team, and the two have been companions ever since. Fearne, Orym and Dorian offer a cover story of them being sightseers.

The following morning, everyone gathers at Eshteross Manor. Imogen and Laudna are motivated by the potential clout they can gain with the Chandei Quorum, Ashton is in it for the money, F.C.G. is tagging along for the ride, and Fearne, Orym and Dorian decide they might as well join in, as they have no leads on their mission so far. Lord Eshteross, an older but imposing orc, meets them in his study. Wishing to test the group's skill, he charges at them...

---

Tropes in this episode:

• Animate Inanimate Object: A strange magical effect animates a couple of weapons and pieces of furniture on the streets of Jrusar, leading to the campaign's first battle.
• Comically Missing the Point: Dorian cautions Fearne about pickpockets in Jrusar, sharing a story about him getting robbed the last time he was in the city. Fearne pickpockets an earring herself about thirty seconds later. Her reasoning?
  Fearne: All I know is that it's pretty easy to do here. That's all I took from what you said.
• Epic Fail: A natural one on Robbie's Performance check means Dorian snaps a string of his lute right at the beginning of his song, drawing the ridicule of the inn's patrons.
• I'm Standing Right Here: After Fearne pickpockets a Pachydan on the skyship, a concerned Orym and Dorian mutter among themselves about how they might have to let her get in trouble to teach her a lesson. Fearne saunters over and eventually has to point out that they've been talking in front of her. Liam then lampshades it:
  Orym: Ok, we're done talking in front of you, let's go.
• Incoming Ham: Bertrand's entrance.
  Bertrand: Yes, for the good of Jrusar, I will enter the fray with you!
• Pre-Mortem One-Liner: Laudna delivers one to the rug she defeats, looking straight at its tassel "eyes":
  Laudna: I wanted you to know it was me.
• Stealing from Thieves: Ashton steals the earring that Fearne stole earlier in the episode.
• Strength Equals Worthiness: When the group meets Lord Eshteross, he rushes them in an attempt to ascertain their skills.
• That Came Out Wrong: Laudna unintentionally scares away a couple of children she wanted to get information from. Undeterred, she states "I will find more children". A woman near her is creeped out and quickly takes her leave.