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The Beat of the Permaheart | Critical Role | Campaign 2, Episode 82

Critical Role・218 minutes read

Voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons in Critical Role, sponsored by D&D Beyond and Hit Point Press, with the group facing a challenging battle against a terrifying creature with strategic combat tactics leading to a cliffhanger ending as they explore a mysterious location.

Insights

Critical Role features voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons, with sponsors D&D Beyond and Hit Point Press.
D&D Beyond hosts games at Gamehole Con to raise money for Extra Life, thanked in a video by Sam Riegel and Liam O'Brien.
Hit Point Press promotes its Humblewood campaign guide for Fifth Edition, allowing players to be birdfolk and woodland creatures.
UnDeadwood part two premieres, with Mini Primetime following the next week.
The group faces a terrifying creature, discussing tactics, vulnerabilities, and combat strategies.
Combat unfolds with significant damage dealt, spells cast, and tactical decisions made during the battle.
The group explores a mysterious chamber, facing necrotic damage, tentacles, and a pulsating heart.
A challenging battle ensues against the Permaheart, with teamwork, spells, and attacks crucial for victory.
The session ends with the group planning to rest, communicating with Allura, and preparing to explore the Dreadnought for potential clues on Yussa's whereabouts.

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Summary

00:00

"Voice actors play D&D with new sponsors"

The episode of Critical Role features a group of voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons.
D&D Beyond and Hit Point Press are announced as sponsors for the evening.
D&D Beyond is hosting games at Gamehole Con to raise money for Extra Life.
A video is shown to thank D&D Beyond, featuring Sam Riegel and Liam O'Brien.
Hit Point Press is promoting their campaign guide set for Fifth Edition called Humblewood.
The guide allows players to play as birdfolk and woodland creatures.
The guide includes character creation, world building elements, and a full adventure.
UnDeadwood part two premieres the next day, and Mini Primetime with Will Friedle premieres the following week.
New chibi pins featuring Beau and Caduceus are released in the shop.
The group prepares to jump into the next episode of Critical Role after a recap of their previous adventures.

12:28

Players strategize and battle a terrifying creature.

Fjord and Laura discuss positioning in a battle scenario, with Laura moving her character to a specific location.
Willi is mentioned, and his location is confirmed by Matt.
A terrifying creature is introduced, causing shock and concern among the players.
Laura attempts to pick up a character named William, requiring a separate roll for the action.
Initiative is rolled by the players, with some achieving high numbers.
Nott, a character, deals a significant amount of damage in combat, showcasing her abilities.
Beau, another character, follows suit with successful attacks and a stunning strike attempt.
Caleb, a character, casts a spell to enlarge Beau, providing tactical advantage.
Caleb warns the group about the creature's immunities and vulnerabilities, specifically to lightning, poison, and mind-affecting effects.
Fjord attacks the creature, causing visible damage and revealing unsettling aspects of its anatomy.

22:35

Marisha and Liam battle a creature

Marisha and Liam discuss using Sentinel against a creature
Marisha confirms she can use Sentinel if an attack of opportunity is provoked
The creature grapples Fjord, causing him to be restrained
Fjord takes three points of damage from the Star Razor
Marisha lands a critical hit on the creature, dealing 24 damage
The creature's neck snaps back into place, and it climbs up into the chains above
The creature makes six melee attacks, grappling Nott and Fjord
Nott is bitten by the creature, taking 20 points of piercing damage
The creature continues to attack Nott, dealing 39 points of bludgeoning damage
Caduceus weakens the creature with Ray of Enfeeblement, reducing its strength-based attacks

31:54

Struggle to Escape: Grappling and Failed Attacks

Laura and Sam discuss trying to escape a grapple, with Laura mentioning disadvantage on strength checks.
Sam attempts to escape the grapple but fails despite a high roll.
There is confusion about whether the strength check is contested or not.
Sam considers bonus actions like hiding or defending but is limited to dashing, disengaging, or hiding.
Beauregard attempts to attack the creature but slips and falls, missing her attacks.
Beauregard tries to use Flurry of Blows but fails to hit the creature.
Caleb attempts to use Fire Bolt on the creature's head but misses.
Fjord tries to break free from the grapple but fails, unable to move.
The creature tries to climb away but is stopped by Beauregard's reaction.
The creature goes into a fearful rage and attacks Beauregard multiple times, with the damage being halved due to Caduceus' spell.

42:14

Battle unfolds as party faces formidable foe.

Taliesin's turn ends, passing to Jester who attempts to cast Polymorph on an enemy, choosing a turtle form with multiple heads.
Unfortunately, the spell fails due to the enemy's Immutable Form, a common ability among golems.
Jester's turn concludes without using Healing Word, passing to Willi.
Nott, in a mouth, stabs the enemy with a dagger, activating the dagger's ability to close the mouth, which fails due to Nott being inside.
Beauregard attacks the enemy, focusing on the one holding Nott, dealing significant damage.
Caleb transforms Nott into a giant green ape, breaking Nott free from the enemy's grasp.
Fjord uses Relentless Hex to teleport behind the enemy, attacking twice with the Star Razor and dealing substantial damage.
The enemy attempts to flee, provoking attacks of opportunity from Beau, Fjord, and the giant ape Nott.
The enemy leaps into the chains, landing near Caduceus and unleashing a series of attacks on him.
Caduceus takes significant damage from the enemy's attacks but manages to resist a debilitating effect, continuing the battle.

52:59

"Battle with Healing Creature Ends in Chaos"

Taliesin takes 13 points of bludgeoning damage from a bite attack.
Jester deals 26 points of radiant damage with a Guiding Bolt, defeating the creature.
Fjord checks a dead body, confirming it's not moving.
Caduceus pokes a healing creature, causing it to revive and attack again.
The creature attacks Caduceus, knocking him unconscious.
Jester uses Hellish Rebuke, dealing 20 points of cold damage to the creature.
The party attacks the creature, trying to prevent it from healing.
Beau attempts to remove the creature's heart but struggles due to its healing abilities.
Caleb summons Frumpkin to investigate other tubes with creatures.
Jester heals Caduceus with Cure Wounds, but the creature revives and attacks again.

01:03:24

"Group battles torso creature, uses fire and acid"

Laura chooses to use Guiding Bolt at 1st level on the creature, which is now mostly just a torso and arms.
Laura deals 16 points of damage to the creature with her spell.
The group recalls that fire and acid are effective against creatures like this one due to a previous encounter with a similar creature.
Fjord uses the Glove of Blasting to deal fire damage to the creature, preventing its regeneration.
Laura attempts to cut the creature's heart out, but struggles due to its state.
The group finds acid and uses it to further damage the creature.
Caduceus is healed by Fjord using Lay on Hands.
Jester attempts to mend Caleb's damaged golem, but the spell doesn't fully repair it.
Sam investigates for bananas but doesn't find any in the area.
The group considers taking a short rest to recover and regroup after the battle.

01:13:59

"The Sea: Acid Jars and Mangled Corpse"

The group encounters a locked door with a purple gem embedded in it, inscribed with the words "The Sea" in Draconic.
The gem is non-magical, but the door is magically locked and can only be opened with a loud knocking sound.
Inside the room, they find large glass jars filled with potent acid, tools for manipulation and dissection, and a mutated heart cluster.
The heart cluster is placed in one of the jars, which doesn't fit in the haversack but can go into the bag of holding.
Jester and Beau search for hidden compartments or doors in the room but find none, eliminating that possibility.
The group decides to open the brass door to the study, which is magically locked until Caleb uses the Knock spell to open it.
They discover a staircase leading downward, which Frumpkin investigates but loses connection once it steps on the stairs.
Despite the unknown danger, Jester and Fjord enter the staircase, followed by the rest of the group.
The staircase spirals downwards, leading them to a dark door at the end, where they all gather, with Caleb taking a moment to stare at a mangled corpse resembling Halas before joining the group.

01:24:12

"Magical darkness reveals hidden experiments and secrets"

Jester feels a handle on a door in magical darkness but cannot see anything.
Despite trying to invoke light with a sword, the darkness remains magical.
Jester opens the door to a cramped room with shelves of jars, a roller desk with notes and tools, and a hanging chandelier.
The room's layout resembles a batarang shape with a central hardwood floor and stone walls.
The group enters the room, feeling a faint vibrational pattern.
Notes found on the desk detail the discovery of an extraplanar chamber and a heart with regenerative properties.
Halas experimented with the heart's flesh for soul transference and creating magical clones of himself.
Failed experiments were jettisoned into the Astral Sea, and Halas prepared for soul transference via a magical jar.
The notes mention a ritual chamber within the Dreadnought for soul transference.
Marisha discovers a hidden floorboard under the desk, perpendicular to the rest, prompting further investigation.

01:36:44

Exploring the Chamber: Heart and Magic

Taliesin performs Detect Magic in the chamber
Laura searches for a mechanism or button
Liam rolls an 18 for investigation
Laura rolls a natural 20 for investigation
Detect Magic reveals no specific magical presence except for candles and a faint aura below the floor
Jester finds jars of flesh with pieces of a heart that pulse with a heartbeat rhythm
Jester discovers a lantern that won't move, leading to a hidden staircase under the desk
Discussion on taking pieces of heart tissue with them for experimentation
Extracting Aspects from the heart is discussed, but it requires a connection to the entity
The group descends a staircase into a room with the Laughing Hand's heart under arcane-reinforced glass, pulsing with tendrils of flesh

01:49:03

"Unraveling Mysteries in Dark Chamber"

Fjord and Caduceus missed Wild's Grandeur, the holiday to the Wildmother, due to a syncing issue with their iCalendar.
Mica Burton's appearance on Pub Draw raises questions about the beginning of UnDeadwood and its impact on the host of Talks.
Beau's identity is shaped by her presentation to the world, influenced by past experiences and expectations.
Tina returns as a ghost, revealing her journey to the Gates of Diemore, the holy plane for critters.
The Diemore is where souls go after being released by the Ove, the 12th and final maker.
A spooky game leads to a terrifying encounter in a dark chamber with a floor of blood and runic symbols.
Dwarven Forge's resin restock is promoted for Halloween, with a floor of blood created using their products.
Symbols on a jar in the chamber prompt questions about their significance and potential importance in the situation.
The group navigates the eerie setting, trying to decipher the symbols and understand their role in the unfolding events.
Tension rises as the group faces unknown dangers and mysteries within the dark chamber.

02:16:11

Peril in Chamber: Unraveling Symbols and Stones

The chamber contains chains, stones, symbols, and plaques.
Real chains are present, not gross tendrils.
Caleb is examining the symbols closely.
The stone in the center of the chamber has veins and flesh rooted into it.
Faint glowing glyphs are at each corner of the chamber.
Initiative is rolled, with Jester going first.
Jester attempts Divine Intervention but fails.
Caduceus casts Bless on Fjord, Beau, and Nott.
Nott casts Mage Hand and moves towards a pillar.
Beau investigates a glyph and successfully weakens it, cracking the stone around the heart.
Caleb attempts to dispel a glyph but fails.
The Permaheart pulses with necrotic energy, dealing damage to everyone.
The Permaheart summons tendrils that attack Fjord.
The fleshy tendrils break loose and begin to move independently.

02:27:21

"Characters face grapples and glyph mysteries"

Character takes 15 points of bludgeoning damage and makes a strength saving throw
Character successfully saves with a 15, avoiding being grappled
Another character is attacked, taking 13 points of bludgeoning damage and making a strength saving throw
Character attempts to use Uncanny Dodge to reduce damage
Character fails strength saving throw and is grappled
Third character is attacked, taking 7 points of bludgeoning damage and making a strength saving throw
Character successfully saves with a 17, avoiding being grappled
Character successfully destroys a tendril with two attacks
Character moves to see a glyph on the far wall
Character casts Bless on themselves and two others, then investigates a glyph but fails to affect it

02:37:36

Perilous Battle Unfolds in Chamber

Laura expresses excitement.
Matt retracts a statement.
Liam positions himself behind Beauregard and Caleb.
The Permaheart's turn begins.
Everyone in the chamber takes four points of necrotic damage.
Tendrils are summoned and attack various characters.
The tendril attacks involve strength saving throws.
Caduceus successfully repels an attack with Shield of Retribution.
Fjord's Eldritch Blast hits a tendril but misses the heart case.
Jester's spiritual weapon and Guiding Bolt target tendrils.
Caduceus attempts Sacred Flame against a tendril.
Nott investigates a glyph but finds it confusing.
Nott drinks alcohol for a possible boost.
Beauregard tries to assist Caleb with the glyph.

02:47:16

"Strategic teamwork and combat tactics in RPG"

Using your action to help a teammate grants them advantage on their next roll if you are close by.
Spending your action to assist a teammate can be beneficial during their turn.
Bonus actions are available for use during combat.
A golem can be effective in combat, aiding in defeating enemies.
Making successful attacks can lead to enemies being defeated and players being released from grapples.
Making skill checks with advantage can be beneficial when receiving help from a teammate.
The overall equation of a situation can be discerned to find solutions.
The Permaheart inflicts necrotic damage on all players in the chamber.
Tentacles have a range of 10 feet and can grapple players.
Players can strategically use spells and attacks to damage enemies and free themselves from grapples.

02:57:39

"Choosing Mass Healing Word over Mass Cure Wounds"

Taliesin considers using Mass Healing Word or Mass Cure Wounds.
Laura suggests Mass Cure Wounds over Mass Healing Word.
Taliesin opts for Mass Healing Word and moves to get a view of everyone.
He casts Mass Healing Word at third level, healing everyone for nine points.
Nott is just out of range for the healing.
Nott successfully disables a glyph with her Dagger of Denial.
Nott's action frees Caleb from a tentacle's grasp.
Caleb struggles to decipher a glyph with Jester's help.
Fjord damages the heart's cage with his Star Razor.
Jester attacks a tentacle with her Spiritual Weapon.

03:07:48

Battle Against Permaheart: A Summary

Travis strikes the tentacle ensnaring Caduceus, freeing him.
Caduceus attacks a tendril with Sacred Flame, successfully hitting it.
Caduceus then heals everyone with Mass Healing Word, providing nine points of healing.
Nott investigates a glyph with a magnifying glass but is unable to do so due to proximity.
Nott attacks a tendril twice, dealing damage to it.
Beau attempts to help Caleb with a glyph puzzle, but they struggle to find the correct one.
Caleb inspects a glyph with a magnifying glass, but fails to decipher it correctly.
The Permaheart deals six points of necrotic damage to everyone and summons an additional tentacle.
Fjord attacks and destroys the tentacle ensnaring Caduceus, then damages another tentacle.
Jester attacks the glass case around the heart with a spiritual weapon, cracking it.
Jester casts Dawn, creating a radiant column that damages the heart and surrounding glyphs.
Caduceus uses Sacred Flame to eliminate the last remaining tentacle on the battlefield.

03:17:56

"Spell, Healing, and Battle: D&D Adventures"

The spell is fifth level and can hurt anyone who walks into it.
Creatures within the spell's area must make a save when their turn ends.
A Mass Healing Word spell is cast, providing nine points of healing to everyone.
Nott shoots a crossbow at a glass object, damaging it.
Beau attacks the glass object, cracking it with her fists and a Flurry of Blows.
Caleb tries to interact with the glass object but fails due to its complexity.
Willi, Caleb's companion, attacks the glass object, dealing damage.
The glass object shatters, revealing a beating heart that is then attacked by Jester's Guiding Bolt spell.
The heart takes damage but continues to beat.
Caduceus casts Holy Weapon on Beau, adding 2d8 radiant damage to her attacks.

03:29:01

Group defeats heart, plans to rest

Caduceus turns invisible
Nott shoots a regular bolt at the heart
Nott deals 27 damage with the bolt
Beau attacks the heart, dealing 32 damage
Beau finishes off the heart with a final strike
Caleb inspects the runes and detects no magic in the chamber
The group heads back to the Permaheart study
The pieces of the heart in jars turn black and unmoving
The group plans to rest in the golem workshop
Allura is informed of the group's progress, including the defeat of the heart

03:40:19

Allura's Updates on City and Laughing Hand

The mirror is used to communicate with Allura, who provides updates on the cityscape and temperature where she is located.
Allura mentions it has been about a day and a half since their last conversation.
Allura offers to scry on the Laughing Hand, describing its poor condition and possible involvement of Obann.
The scry ritual takes 10 minutes to prepare, and Allura requests to be contacted afterward for results.
Allura reports the Laughing Hand's deteriorating state and mentions an upcoming event causing frustration.
Allura did not see a woman or another creature besides the Laughing Hand and Obann during the scry.
The group discusses finding Yussa and potential locations to explore, including the Dreadnought and other areas.
They decide to take a long rest in the workshop, with the option of two-hour watches within the dome.
Caleb attempts to repair the golem but lacks sufficient materials, only managing to heal it slightly.
Before heading to the Dreadnought, Caduceus casts Divination to inquire about Yussa's presence and status, learning he is not in the Dreadnought or Crystal Mines.

03:51:31

"Divine Intervention Fails, Yussa's Location Revealed"

Attempting Divine Intervention for a specific location using percentile dice fails.
Laura tries Divine Intervention as well but also fails.
Speculation on potential locations like the bedroom and the Fleshmend Facility.
Discussion on various chamber names like the Circle-bound chamber and the Deadnought.
Consideration of Halas potentially being in the Dreadnought or on the mainland.
Contemplation on Halas' knowledge and potential whereabouts of Yussa.
Deliberation on the difficulty of reaching the Prison of Soot and potential routes.
Inspection of a doorway with a fuzzy purple color and discussion on potential dangers.
Concerns about time passing and missing Traveler Con.
Casting of Commune to inquire about Yussa's location, confirming he is on the mapped area and potentially in the Prison of Soot.

04:01:43

Exploring the Dreadnought: Group's Dilemma

Taliesin acknowledges the unexplored rooms and suggests checking them out.
Travis proposes checking out the Dreadnought.
The group stands at the purple doorway, contemplating their next move.
Taliesin mentions the Circlebound Chamber and the door auto-locking behind someone.
The group debates the route to take, considering the Dreadnought's distance.
Marisha and Laura disagree on whether to proceed to the Dreadnought.
The group discusses the different paths and the number of unknown rooms.
They consider splitting up to explore different paths.
The group decides to peek into the Dreadnought but emphasizes caution.
The group leaps through the purple door and finds themselves drifting in a strange, gravity-defying space.

04:13:38

Astral dreadnought discovery and daring entrance.

Liam and Matt discuss structures and perception checks.
Travis attempts to propel the group towards a door using astronaut-like movements.
Movement speed in the astral sea is three times the intelligence score.
The group notices an astral dreadnought bound to an island.
The dreadnought is dormant and bound by numerous chains.
Laura and Sam investigate levers connected to the dreadnought's chains.
The left lever releases all chains, while the right lever opens the dreadnought's jaw.
The group debates entering the dreadnought through its mouth.
Frumpkin, Caleb's cat, enters the dreadnought's mouth and disappears.
The group, holding hands, decides to enter the dreadnought's mouth, with Nott reluctantly joining them.

04:24:29

Mysterious chamber sparks confusion and anticipation

The group finds themselves in a dark, cavernous chamber with no visible walls, only stone floors, and distant burning torches. They notice a set of tables in the center of the chamber, off the map they were following.
Despite the lack of light to see the chamber's perimeters, they realize there is no doorway behind them, leading to confusion and anticipation for the next week's Halloween episode.

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