Broken Wing | Critical Role | Campaign 4, Episode 2

The episode begins with a flashback to the Falconer's Rebellion, where Loza Blade, a seasoned warrior, fights alongside a younger Tunk and witnesses the death of her comrade Milo. Azune and Kattigan make death saving throws, with Kattigan bleeding out from severe injuries and Azune experiencing near-death memory of his father. Teor, a first-level character, stabilizes Kattigan and seeks out Thimble, who is darting ahead with Thjazi, carrying several magical staves. Thimble engages a Cormoray sorcerer, causing their summoned drake to dissipate. Casimir (the same name as the new character) saves Thjazi from an aerial attack, hinting at a complex past connection. The scene transitions to the present, focusing on player character (PC) lore, the introduction of a new PC and new revelations.

Upstairs in Halandil Fang’s office, Thaisha Lloy is examining shuddering flakes of black ceramic, curved like a shattered mask. She brought it back from Venatus, meant for Bolaire. When Thaisha touches a flake, the entire box transforms into a swirling mist, and she collapses unconscious. Downstairs, Vaelus, Bolaire, Murray, and Sir Julien Davinos hear the disturbance. Bolaire identifies the container as a halfling-sized coffin, adorned with ancient Kessian and Celestial glyphs, making reference to “Obsidia,” an archaic term for the Tenebral Reaches (the realm of death). This implies a dark and powerful artifact, possibly related to the Shapers' War and the untethering of afterlives after the gods' demise. Murray manages to close the box with Mage Hand, causing the room's temperature to rise, suggesting the mist is contained.

As the funeral winds down, Halovar and his daughter Hero play a poignant song on their lyres, "Broken Wing," a tune from the Falconer's Rebellion. Thimble, Teor, Azune, and Kattigan arrive, having recently met Kattigan after many years. Thimble finds Thjazi’s body and expresses profound sorrow and regret, her light glowing intensely. She confronts Vaelus about the attack and the missing Stone of Nightsong. Azune discovers a counterfeit artifact in Thjazi's pocket, a cunning illusion meant to fool pursuers, revealing a betrayal orchestrated by someone familiar with their plan, possibly Cyd or Casimir. Loza Blade advises Thimble to be cautious if investigating the Crow Keepers, an old thieves’ guild, and suggests Teor meet with Wicander Halovar for potential leads related to the deteriorating political situation in Dol-Makjar.

In the opulent Villa Aurora, home of the Candescent Creed, Aspirant Tyranny prepares for her day. Her demon sisters, Enmity, Cruelty, and Agony, appear, questioning her faith and purpose. Tyranny defends her belief in helping others and her new friendship with Thaisha. Teor Pridesire arrives at the Villa Aurora seeking audience with Lord Wicander. Teor, a friend of the Light, impresses Wicander with his healing abilities. Wicander's grandmother, Photarch Yanessa, arrives and reveals a history of animosity between the Halovar family and the Torn Banner, hinting at a plan that involved Thjazi's death to maintain alliances with the Tachonis. She mentions a promotion for Wicander and that it's time for him to "know the truth."

At The Archanade, Bolaire and Murray work through the night to uncover the secrets of the halfling coffin. Murray's Identify spell reveals it's a recently constructed coffin using ancient halfling plates and fossilized wood from the Wastes, dedicated to "Olbalad," the halfling Angel of Death. They realize the coffin implies a blasphemous act with different runes affixed to this coffin. Bolaire finds crates of paint, a note "For Hal, with all my love," left by Thjazi, suggesting Thjazi was involved in something complex. Meanwhile, Sir Julien Davinos is woken by his father, General Raimond Davinos, at a brothel. His father conveys concerns about missing resupply carriages and a potential plot to rescue Thjazi, and tasks Julien with finding a Tachonis family member (Occtis) who might be involved.

Azune begins his day at the Brethren Hall, home of the Revolutionary Guard. He activates his Detect Magic ability, preparing for his duties as an Arcane Marshal. He meets with Captain Edrian Fazir and Sir Harondus Einfasen, a knighted lord of House Einfasen. Einfasen expresses support for the Arcane Marshals and the idea of closing "struggling offices" within the guard, suggesting that tasks like Gate Guardians and patrolmen could be handled by House men-at-arms. Azune's critical insight reveals Einfasen's deep-seated belief in his own right to power, veiled under a polite demeanor. Azune, suspicious of the political maneuvering, volunteers for a patrol in Caravan Hill, an area known to the Crow Keepers, to investigate further.

Murray arrives at the Penteveral, her college campus, to find it in turmoil. A grad student informs her that Dean Ellipides Tallbarrel has been forced to resign because if he doesn't, the Revolutionary Council will revoke the school's license to teach practical magic. Tallbarrel expresses his helplessness against the combined might of the Sundered Houses (Einfasen, Cormoray, Halovar, Royce, and Tachonis). He feels powerless against their political machinations that threaten the core values of the Penteveral. Murray, frustrated and upset, attempts to reason with him, but Tallbarrel has resigned himself to the situation. As he is embracing Murray, Lord Primus Tachonis enters the office, seeking his son, Occtis.

Thimble awakens to find herself still mourning Thjazi. She meticulously arranges his clothes and sprinkles him with pixie dust, vowing to find those responsible for his death. Kattigan arrives, hungover and disoriented, searching for Thimble. Occtis, having spent the night communing with his familiar Pin, resolves to join Thimble. Hal and Thaisha, also grieving, discuss the day's tasks. Thimble, accompanied by Kattigan and a disguised Occtis, heads to The Guard Tower in Caravan Hill, a known haunt of the Crow Keepers, to seek information about Casimir and the missing Stone of Nightsong. Thimble questions Solomon, a figure within the Crow Keepers, about Casimir's whereabouts, but her low persuasion roll leads to an unexpected ambush.

Wicander, accompanied by Tyranny, reflects on their encounter with Teor and the Candescent Creed's history. He explains that the Creed considers the universe a river of light, distilling its energy into liquid Filament through a device called the Prismatic Retort. His grandmother, Photarch Yanessa, and father, Godard, summon him to the deepest chambers beneath the Villa Aurora. Yanessa reveals that much of what Wicander has been told is untrue, but reassures him of her love. She commands Godard to open the Prismatic Retort, which is not a mere machine, but an iron maiden containing a 30-foot tall angel, chained and bleeding, its blood used to create the Filament. Yanessa then introduces the horrified Wicander to his "grandfather," the captive angel.