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The Search For Grog | Critical Role One-Shot

Critical Role・192 minutes read

Critical Role Live in Los Angeles features intense character play, emotional moments, and challenging battles against powerful foes like the Forgotten Empyrean. The group faces dangers in Pandemonium, uses clever tactics, and ultimately emerges victorious, with Grog's memory modified to safeguard against future threats.

Insights

Critical Role Live in Los Angeles is hosted by Marisha and Travis, with Brian joking about his outfit and insurance.
A strict no-spoiler policy is enforced during the show to maintain the surprise for the audience.
The group faces challenges in Pandemonium, with Grog's soul located through a powerful wish spell.
Allura guides the group in Pandemonium, emphasizing caution and cooperation for a successful mission.
Combat against creatures in Pandemonium tests the group's abilities, with intense battles and strategic spellcasting.
The group faces a corrupted giant atop a tower, engaging in a fierce battle with tactical maneuvers and legendary actions.
The battle against the giant results in high damage dealt by the group, culminating in Grog's decisive final blow.
After defeating the Empyrean, the group secures the Deck of Many Things, alters Grog's memory, and prepares to continue their journey.

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Recent questions

What is Critical Role Live?
A live show led by Marisha and Travis.
Who is Scanlan in Critical Role?
A character who helps locate Grog's soul.
What is Pandemonium in Critical Role?
A dangerous realm where Grog's soul is located.
Who is Trinket in Critical Role?
A grizzly bear friend of the group.
What is the Deck of Many Things in Critical Role?
A powerful artifact with unpredictable effects.

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Summary

00:00

Critical Role Live: Vox Machina's Return

The event is Critical Role Live in Los Angeles, with Marisha and Travis leading the show.
Brian, the host, jokes about his outfit and the show's insurance.
A masterclass on character play is about to begin.
A strict no-spoiler policy is in place for the recorded show.
Audience members are warned against filming the show with phones.
The audience is encouraged to express emotions but not shout rules or comments during the show.
The cast of Critical Role is introduced to the audience.
The show features a return of Vox Machina and a search for Grov.
Pike finds Grog unconscious after picking a card from the Deck of Many Things.
The rest of the group gathers to figure out Grog's condition and plan their next steps.

19:05

"Rescue mission to Vasselheim for Grog"

Vex is found by Marisha in the Parchwood.
Chaos erupts at Whitestone Castle as Grog is found unresponsive due to a card he pulled.
The card's text vanishes, leaving confusion about its effects.
The group decides to find help in Vasselheim for Grog.
Attempts to transport Grog fail, leading to him being placed in a necklace.
The group successfully transports to Vasselheim via the Sun Tree.
They arrive in the Abundant Terrace, witnessing the aftermath of a recent battle.
Plans are made to seek advice from Allura and Gilmore about Grog's situation.
The group heads towards the Platinum Sanctuary of Bahamut in Vasselheim.
The city is seen recovering from the recent battle, with bodies being cleared and the community coming together.

31:21

"Platinum Sanctuary: Search for Fallen Soul"

Families in the streets are decorating for a celebration, with people helping clean up and redecorate the space.
Climbing the Heaven's Stair mountain, you reach the Platinum Sanctuary, greeted by Scalebearers who step aside as you enter.
Inside the Platinum Sanctuary, soldiers fill the hall, parting as you approach the central area.
Present in the chamber are the Holy Curator Curtis Uleas, representing the Quad Roads, and a guard and a bodyguard.
A representative of the maidens of the Raven Queen, Trust of Winters, is also present with military-ready bodyguards.
Discussions are ongoing about clearing the vicinity with Highbearer Vord, the elven head of Silver Talon's Reach.
A request is made for consideration due to a fallen member, leading to discussions and surprise at the return.
A deck of cards is displayed, with warnings given about drawing a card and the potential consequences.
Attempts are made to locate the soul of the fallen member, involving rituals, spells, and the consideration of using a Wish.
The decision is made to use a Wish to pinpoint the precise location of the fallen member's soul, with caution advised in wording the wish.

45:31

"Scanlan's Wish Leads to Pandemonium Adventure"

Allura warns of limitations to a spell due to the enchantment of a deck of cards.
Taliesin hesitates to make a wish but is reminded not to be greedy.
Scanlan contemplates who to wish to for Grog's soul's location.
Scanlan wishes for Grog's soul's precise location, leading to a powerful experience.
Scanlan's consciousness is transported through various planes to find Grog's soul in Pandemonium.
Scanlan shares the location of Grog's soul with the group.
Scanlan faces consequences of the wish spell, weakening him for two days.
Allura describes Pandemonium as a dangerous realm with a tower holding secrets.
Sir Bertrand Bell and Lieve'tel volunteer to guide and aid Vox Machina on their journey to Pandemonium.
Vox Machina prepares to rest and gather supplies before embarking on their mission.

01:00:24

Doubt, Flowers, Runes: Pandemonium Journey Begins

Scanlan expresses doubt about Bertram's honesty, with Marisha agreeing based on his demeanor.
Marisha performs an insight check on Bertram, rolling a high 20.
Travis mentions leaving pressed flowers at home from Pandemonium, disappointing Marisha who collects flowers.
Scanlan, in a high-pitched voice, expresses disbelief at Travis' statement.
Allura offers to create a rune circle to send the group to Pandemonium.
Allura mentions needing the group's cooperation for a rune to return from Pandemonium.
Allura acknowledges Keyleth's experience in creating runes.
Allura commends Scanlan for a magical feat he accomplished.
Allura explains the concept of volunteerism to the group.
The group plans to rest in Vasselheim before embarking on their journey to Pandemonium.

01:15:41

"Group faces dangers in Pandemonium journey"

Allura instructs the group to stand in the center, ensuring Grog and Trinket are present.
Trinket, a grizzly bear, is introduced and deemed a friend by the group.
Allura warns about the dangers of Pandemonium, prompting a discussion about bringing Grog along.
Grog is placed on Trinket's back, with the group securing him using armor plates.
Allura counts the group members and urges them to step into a circle for a ritual.
The group is transported to Pandemonium, experiencing intense winds and darkness.
Allura wishes them luck as they embark on their journey through the Divine Gate.
The group is warned to stay together and be cautious in the outer planes.
The episode ends with the group entering Pandemonium, facing the unknown dangers ahead.
A preview of upcoming shows, including MAME Drop and Travis' Yee-Haw Game Ranch, is shared.

01:29:38

"Lost in Pandemonium: Searching for Grog"

Allura's spell transports the group to the plane of Pandemonium, where heavy winds and darkness limit visibility to 10-15 feet.
Grog recognizes the winter winds of Pandemonium and the group struggles to find shelter in the cold and windy environment.
Pike casts Light on her finger to provide some visibility in the darkness.
The group discusses using magic to locate a red gem or Grog's soul, with Keyleth attempting to scry on them.
Keyleth's scrying attempt fails due to the harsh conditions of Pandemonium.
The group decides to push forward to find their missing companion, following Sir Bertrand who charges ahead.
Keyleth uses a gust of wind spell to create a shield against the sandstorm, allowing the group to move forward.
Vex creates a Minor Illusion of the red gem to aid in the scrying attempt on Grog.
Vax successfully scrys on the red gem, revealing a tower-like structure with a glowing red stone and a mysterious, unearthly figure.
Vax locates the direction of the red gem and the figure, suggesting the group follow that path to find their missing friend.

01:51:37

"Group endures harsh storm, meets mysterious Bob"

Taliesin yells to line up behind Keyleth, leading the group.
The group faces intense wind and sandstorm, enduring bludgeoning damage.
Everyone makes a wisdom saving throw due to the constant wind and noise.
Pike and Percival suffer exhaustion from the harsh conditions.
Liam casts Death Ward on Vex'ahlia for protection.
A mysterious figure named Bob appears, lacking memory and seeking presents.
Bob is identified as a githzerai, a race once enslaved by mind flayers.
The group debates helping Bob but decides to press on.
They continue their journey through the storm, guided by Liam's Rod of Alertness.
The group senses a slight elevation, hinting at the approach to a massive cavern.

02:06:52

Perilous journey through gravity-defying caverns

The group continues to navigate through a cavern that defies gravity, with the surface affecting their perception.
After an hour of travel, a wisdom saving throw is required from everyone.
Various members of the group roll for the saving throw, with mixed results.
Bertrand gains a point of exhaustion due to his experiences in the chaotic plane.
A point of exhaustion means disadvantage on ability checks.
The group starts to see small formations ahead, possibly leading to the base of a tower.
They debate whether to go up or into the caves as the wind shifts ominously.
A loud, ominous screeching howl is heard, prompting them to rush into a nearby cavern.
A feral, wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes and spines emerges, leading to combat.
Sir Bertrand and Lieve'tel engage in combat, inflicting damage on the creatures.

02:18:39

"Horrible howl affects characters in combat"

A creature emits a horrible, screaming howl, affecting all present.
All individuals are required to make a wisdom saving throw.
Beacon of Hope remains active, granting advantage on saving throws.
Exhaustion results in disadvantage on ability checks, not saving throws.
Various characters roll for their wisdom saving throws, with different outcomes.
Some characters are frightened and incapacitated due to the howl's effect.
Combat ensues with creatures attacking characters, causing damage.
Vex successfully eliminates a creature with precise arrow shots.
Percival attempts to use Silence spell but is incapacitated.
Keyleth prepares to engage in combat with a creature.

02:30:05

"Magical battles and healing in action"

Keyleth channels a spell through her staff, grabs a howler by the throat, and casts Chain Lightning through her Spire of Conflux.
Chain Lightning hits three howlers, two fail their dexterity saving throws.
The damage dealt by Chain Lightning is 29, then 53 after rerolling ones.
Keyleth transforms into an earth elemental while still holding the howler.
Scanlan uses Thunderwave at level three on two howlers, dealing 19 points of damage each.
Scanlan then casts Healing Word on Bertrand Bell, healing him for seven points.
Pike is afraid and incapacitated, moves half her movement and casts Lesser Restoration on herself.
Bertrand crawls 15 feet into the cave for protection.
Lieve'tel casts Toll the Dead on the most hurt howler, dealing 4d12 damage but the howler succeeds its wisdom saving throw.
The howler takes no damage from Toll the Dead due to a successful saving throw.

02:41:04

Battle: Healing, Attacks, and Victory

Healing Word spell cast on Master Bell for 8 hit points of healing
Howler's turn begins, with the creatures identified as dogs
Howler attacks Percival, aiming for the weakest targets
First attack hits Percival, dealing 15 points of piercing damage and 22 points of psychic damage
Second attack also hits Percival, causing additional damage
Cutting Words used to reduce the second attack's effectiveness
Vex shoots arrows at the howlers, targeting the least injured one first
First arrow deals 33 points of damage, severely injuring the howler
Second arrow kills the howler by piercing through its eye
Percy finishes off the remaining howlers, using a sword and gun to defeat them

02:52:32

"Feast of Heroes: Spells, Gems, and Battles"

Wind creates a discordant sound in the tunnels, providing respite but with a haunting effect.
Heroes' Feast spell cast, granting immunity to poison and fear.
Main course of Gofibepo, a combination of goat, fish, beef, and pork.
Feast provides advantage on wisdom saving throws, immunity to poison and fear, and temporary hit points.
Hit points increase by 10, and a short rest is considered.
Temporary Vox Machina credit requested by Bertrand Bell.
Inspiring Leader spell cast, granting 22 temporary hit points to all.
Find The Path spell used to locate the red gem.
Pass Without Trace spell cast for stealth.
Bugbears unexpectedly attack, tearing off Percy's arm, leading to a chase or decision to let them go.

03:04:48

"Regenerate Spell Restores Percy's Missing Arm"

A 7th-level spell, Regenerate, is cast on Percy to restore his missing arm.
Percy contemplates doing 1d8 damage for the rest of the game due to his missing arm.
There is a discussion about reloading a gun multiple times and the complexity involved.
Keyleth contemplates casting the Regenerate spell on Percy's missing arm.
The spell is cast, and Percy's arm slowly regenerates over two minutes.
Sir Bertrand Bell returns with Percy's missing arm, covered in bugbear blood.
Percy's arm is placed in a bag of holding for safekeeping.
The group continues their journey up a tower, facing challenges and making stealth checks.
A red glow is spotted in a chamber, and preparations are made for potential danger.
The group turns a corner to face the red glow, discovering runes and unfamiliar languages carved into the walls.

03:17:43

"Fiendish Balor Guards Forgotten Chamber Secrets"

In a chamber, there are forgotten languages or gibberish written on the walls, with a glowing source catching attention.
A fiendish creature, a balor of the Abyss, sits in the center of the chamber with red wings, black horns, and burning eyes, holding a whip and sword.
The group notices a corpse of a howler with a smiley face drawn by the balor, and debates whether to strike or sneak by.
The group looks for a red gem, but it's not visible, and they sense there's more to explore.
They consider sneaking past the balor, noticing an exit that curves around it, and discuss turning into clouds for stealth.
The balor hums to itself, drawing childlike scrawlings on the walls, as the group plans to move past it quietly.
As they move behind the balor, the intense heat burns their skin, causing 49 points of fire damage each.
They successfully pass the balor and continue climbing a tunnel, with the wind getting stronger as they approach a cliff.
The group casts Mass Heal to restore everyone's hit points, and they hear a familiar voice calling out "Father" below.
Climbing the mountain, they stealthily move up, with most members succeeding except for one, and Trinket climbs with Grog on his back despite a debate on leaving him behind.

03:31:13

Tower Climbing Encounter with Corrupted Creature

Trinket climbs the cliffside with ease due to his hunting experience and wilderness survival skills.
The group ascends the tower stealthily, with Travis and Ashley rolling high stealth scores.
The tower shows signs of erosion from the winds, with loose stones and howling winds masking their movements.
A massive, corrupted humanoid figure with spider-like appendages and a glowing hammer is seen at the top of the tower.
The creature seems bound to the tower, unable to leave, intensifying its anger and frustration.
Material components for spells with a gold cost are missing, hindering their ability to cast certain spells.
The group prepares for battle as Percy activates his boots and casts Hex on the creature, giving it disadvantage on strength checks.
Percy cannot see the creature yet due to the wall blocking his view.
Pike rolls a low initiative of four, placing her at the bottom of the initiative order.
Percy is at the top of the initiative order, ready to face the massive creature at the top of the tower.

03:43:54

"Battle Against Giant: Spells, Attacks, Tactics"

Taliesin climbs up to see the giant and casts Hex before running down the wall away from the group.
Bertrand decides to engage the giant, taking three swipes and using an action surge for a total of six strikes.
Bertrand's attacks result in four hits, with one critical hit dealing significant damage to the giant.
Keyleth transforms into a goristro using a 9th-level Shapechange spell and climbs up the wall with ease.
Keyleth's goristro form faces off against the giant, exchanging emotional screams with it.
Lieve'tel climbs to the top of the wall and uses the Rod of Alertness to grant a bonus to AC and saving throws to the group.
Lieve'tel summons a Planar Ally in the form of a massive black raven to aid in the battle.
Vex and Scanlan climb up onto the wall, with Vex casting Hunter's Mark on the giant before jumping down to shoot an arrow from underneath its legs.
Vex successfully slides through the giant's legs and lands a shot with her arrow, dealing damage while engaged in combat.
The group continues their battle against the giant, utilizing various spells, attacks, and tactics to overcome the formidable foe.

03:55:24

Epic Battle: Laura, Scanlan, Pike vs Enemy

Laura deals 35 points of damage with her first attack.
Laura hits again with her blazing bowstring, dealing 23 points of damage.
Scanlan casts Otto's Irresistible Dance, making the enemy dance and granting advantage on attacks against it.
Scanlan inspires Keyleth with a song, granting her a d12 inspiration die.
The enemy uses legendary actions to attack, dealing 34 points of bludgeoning damage to three characters.
The enemy attacks again, dealing 36 points of bludgeoning damage to three characters.
The enemy's attacks cause the tower to crumble, requiring dexterity saves from Pike and Scanlan.
Pike climbs up to cast Guiding Bolt, hitting the enemy for damage.
The enemy continues to attack, dealing 28 points of bludgeoning damage to three characters.
Pike successfully hits the enemy with Guiding Bolt, dealing damage.

04:06:34

"Divine entity battles heroes, madness ensues"

19 points of damage dealt to a large entity with a divine presence, clouded by madness.
Uncertainty about the source of the entity's power, appearing both divine and ancient, yet corrupted by evil.
Pike summons a Spiritual Weapon in the form of Grog's axe as a bonus action.
Pike's Guiding Bolt was cast at 3rd level, but actually used as a 2nd-level spell.
Pike's Spiritual Weapon attack misses, unable to penetrate the entity's divine armor.
Pike moves slightly to the left after her failed attack.
Legendary action taken by the entity, dealing 37 points of bludgeoning damage to Bertrand, Lieve, and Scanlan.
Percy uses Bad News to deal massive damage, utilizing disarming shot and dazing action.
Percy's attacks result in a total of 104 points of damage, setting a new record for single attack damage.
Keyleth attempts a multiattack on the entity, but misses with her first strike.

04:18:43

Intense battle with high damage rolls

Marisha rolls a 29 for an attack, dealing 11 points of damage with 3d8.
Marisha rolls a 27 for another attack, dealing 18 damage with 3d10.
Grog uses his last action surge to strike the creature's toes six times, hitting three times and dealing 12, 19, and 13 damage.
Grog uses a bonus action to Second Wind, regaining 27 hit points.
Trinket moves towards a stone, causing it to shatter and revive Grog.
Vex shoots two arrows, dealing 49 and 29 points of damage to the creature.
Scanlan heals Bertrand Bell and inspires Grog with a limerick, then walks away, taking a hit for 29 damage.
The creature, a Forgotten Empyrean, turns towards Grog after his revival.

04:30:42

Epic Battle Ends in Victory and Sacrifice

The Empyrean makes two strikes against Trinket, Grog, and Bertrand, dealing 38 points of bludgeoning damage to each.
Trinket takes half damage due to his armor, while Bertrand is killed by the attacks.
Grog, enraged, uses his Titanstone Knuckles and lands two critical hits, dealing a total of 127 points of damage to the Empyrean.
The Empyrean is defeated as Grog delivers a final blow, cutting it down with a swing of his greataxe.
The body of the Empyrean melts away into an oil-like substance, burning brightly as it is destroyed.
The group gathers their belongings, including the Deck of Many Things, which is locked away to prevent future mishaps, and Grog's memory is modified to erase the events that transpired.

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