Critical Role & Sagas of Sundry: Starter Kit – 7th Sea Edition

Part 5: The Witch's Vendetta

Host: John Wick (creator of 7th Sea)
Air Date: October 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this penultimate session of Geek & Sundry’s "Starter Kit" for 7th Sea, the party plunges into the final conflict. Their artifact has been stolen by the witch Rhys, and the fate of Elena—their young fate witch ally—is intertwined with vengeance, tragedy, and high-seas destiny. As the heroes grapple with personal vendettas and the unfathomable powers of fate, dramatic confrontations and moral dilemmas abound. The episode builds tension toward a climactic showdown that tests bonds, bravery, and the nature of power.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap and Setting the Stakes

• The session begins with a quick recap: the artifact has been taken by Rhys, who is revealed to have killed Elena’s family, instigating her thirst for vengeance.
  • Notable Quote ([01:13]):
    John Wick: “That means we’re on a fast track to the conclusion. More action, more danger, more consequences. Let’s see how the players deal with it.”

2. Planning the Approach to Rhys

• The group deliberates over how to retrieve the artifact and whether to involve Elena—or risk her safety.

  • Insight: The players debate the morality of involving Elena in what may become a deadly conflict, recognizing her agency but also her trauma.

• Plan: Use Elena’s psychic link with another fate witch to track Rhys, and possibly call upon additional Fate Witches for help.

3. Fate Witches and Their Powers

• The party researches fate witches, learning that their reputed ability to see and manipulate “strands of fate” may hold the key to resolving the conflict—or cutting it short.
  • Notable Quote ([07:28]):
    B: “Can they break the strand and end someone’s life?”
    A (John Wick): “It’s theoretical. They could break strands, but it’s not really well known what they can do.”

4. Elena’s Vendetta

• Elena’s deep-rooted vendetta against Rhys is revealed. The captain has a private scene with Elena, exposing the emotional stakes.
  • Notable Quote ([09:05]):
    A (Elena): “It means she killed my family.”
    D (Captain): “So you want to go after her? Is it safe for you?”
    A (Elena): “Does that matter? She killed my family.”

5. Infiltration of the Island

• The party devises a plan to climb the island’s sheer cliff face, utilizing both character abilities and teamwork.
  • The importance of “spotlight” moments in RPGs is highlighted, giving the captain a key emotional beat.
  • Second Story Work: A creative ability is used, with one party member carrying another up the cliff face ([20:26])—in a humorous nod to "The Princess Bride."

6. Discovery & Tension

• The team sneaks into what appears to be a deserted stronghold on the island, only to find guard posts abandoned—a sinister omen.

• Supernatural Visions: One character, touched by a fate witch’s kiss, sees ghostly halos and black strands around Elena, prompting secret fears and difficult moral choices.

  • Notable Quote ([24:53]):
    B: “Oh, well, that’s awkward.”
    A: “Anybody want to spend the next raise, say what happens next?”

• The player chooses to keep these dark visions private, deepening the episode’s tension and internal conflict.

7. Elena’s Turning Point

• Elena’s obsession with vengeance peaks as she readies a pistol to shoot a sleeping Rhys.
  • ([28:37]) A: “Elena is about to commit murder and her halo is turning pitch black.”
  • Multiple party members intervene, physically restraining her.

8. The Showdown

• Rhys awakens, the confrontation explodes:

  • Battle commences with brute squads, magical powers, and improvised heroics flying.

  • The party disables Rhys’s coat, attempts to control Elena’s rage, and finally, (using an artifact), unleashes a vision of everyone’s destiny—briefly seeing an intricate tapestry of each character’s fate.

  • Notable Quote ([39:20]):
    A (as artifact’s vision is unleashed):
    “You know that this one means that one day you’re going to fall in love with this woman from Vessem and Avanjar, but she’s going to betray you... And you... You are going to go to Castile and become one of the most important members of the church... And you... You are going to go all the way over to the New World... And you... You are going to be the admiral of this great pirate navy... And then it’s done.”

9. Cliffhanger

• In the fracas, Elena and Rhys tumble out the window; party members desperately scramble to save Elena. Rhys falls into the sea.
• The party notices a mysterious absence: their own ship is missing from the cove.
• Dramatic end—players and listeners are left on a stark cliffhanger.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Elena’s Grief and Vengeance:
  ([09:05])
  Elena: “It means she killed my family.”
  Captain: “So you want to go after her? Is it safe for you?”
  Elena: “Does that matter? She killed my family.”

• Supernatural Sight:
  ([24:53])
  A: “When you look at Elena, you see black tendrils in her aura.”

• On Secrets and Hero Points:
  ([25:32])
  A (GM): “I’ll give you a hero point if you keep it to yourself.”
  B: “I’m keeping it to myself.”

• Morality of Power:
  ([28:37])
  A: “Elena is about to commit murder and her halo is turning pitch black.”
  B: “Elena, do you want to think about this?”

• Unleashing Destiny:
  ([39:20])
  A:
  “There’s this huge explosion of light, and suddenly everybody sees thousands of strands everywhere between you and you and you... You know what they all mean.”

Key Timestamps

• [01:13]: Introduction of Act 4 and escalating tension.
• [04:40]: Players realize Rhys is the pirate who killed Elena's family.
• [08:53]: Elena’s emotional confrontation with her past.
• [20:26]: "Second Story Work" is used to gain access to the cliffside fortress.
• [24:53]: A player has a vision of dark fate strands binding Elena to Rhys.
• [28:37]: Elena aims to kill Rhys; party intercepts the murder attempt.
• [31:09]: Rhys’s villainous power level is revealed; combat escalates.
• [39:20]: The artifact's magic unleashes visions of each character’s destiny.
• [40:58]: Rhys falls from the window; the party sees their ship is missing.

Tone and Style Notes

The episode plays out with the improvisational energy of a live-play RPG, blending humor (comparisons to “The Princess Bride”) with emotional storytelling. The GM (John Wick) leans into cinematic flair, dramatic “spotlights,” and risky player agency—allowing the team’s choices, secrets, and moral quandaries to shape the outcome. The tension between fate and free will is at the heart of the session, with moments of horror, wit, bravery, and heartbreak woven throughout.

Conclusion & Set-up for Finale

The episode ends on a high-stakes cliffhanger: the party has survived (for now), but internal bonds are strained, Elena’s morality darkens, Rhys has fallen (possibly temporarily), and the party’s ship—and their escape route—is gone. The threads of destiny have never seemed more tangled or perilous.

Next episode: The conclusion to "The Witch's Vendetta"—and the fate of the party—awaits.

For full video, character sheets, and more info:
Visit Geek & Sundry’s website