Summary of "Part 6: Sewers Run with Blood | Starter Kit - Advanced D&D"

Podcast: Critical Role & Sagas of Sundry – Geek & Sundry
Date: December 8, 2025
Episode Theme:
A high-stakes Dungeons & Dragons adventure concludes as the party infiltrates the sewers beneath Greyhawk, confronts deadly foes, and faces a horrific mind flayer named Grontok conducting a sinister ritual. This episode demonstrates classic D&D gameplay, party tactics, and epic storytelling with both tension and camaraderie, overseen by Dungeon Master David Nett.

Main Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Entering the Sewers: Infiltration and Reconnaissance

• [03:39] Setting the scene: The party makes their way through the twisting, rat-infested sewers under Greyhawk, operating under stealth thanks to Shywin's magic but balancing the need for light and concealment.
  • Dungeon Master (David Nett): “We're in the sewers below the free city of Greyhawk, moving along quietly, surrounded by a shroud of mist and darkness.” [03:39]
• Tension builds: The group must decide whether to risk visibility for safety; it takes nearly an hour to reach the lair’s entrance. The mood is tense, marked by brief humor and player banter.

2. Igneous’ Transformation and Espionage

• [04:58] Wild Shape to Bat: Igneous (Druid) morphs into a bat to scout the lair, stretching D&D rules for dramatic effect (with DM’s permission).
  • Igneous: “I would like to change into a bat... What I have not done this.” [04:58]
  • DM (David Nett): “However, because this is fun and because this is our final session, let's do it.” [05:14]
• [08:12] Recon inside the lair: Igneous discovers a guard, a group of hostile fighters, and Shiren (enemy leader) plotting revenge and referencing a dark ritual by Grontok.
  • Shiren (NPC): “We do what we do best. We slink in the shadows. We take them one at a time. We hurt them until they leave us alone, until they give us what belongs to us.” [09:18]

3. Planning the Attack: Stealth and Strategy

• [13:19] Shywin casts Pass Without Trace again to help the party sneak past the guard.
  • Leona (Fighter): “I'm a good stabber.” [13:55]
• [14:49] Shywin delivers a spectacular, merciful arrow shot, instantly killing the sentry with a natural 20.
  • Shywin: “He doesn’t even know what hit him.” [15:46]
  • Leona: “Very merciful. Painless, I’m sure.” [16:00]
• Body is disposed to avoid discovery [21:41].

4. Approaching Grontok’s Chamber

• [23:26] The group advances, senses primeval awareness (no fiends or undead detected), prepares with buffs like Bless and readying weapons.
  • Narlak (Spellcaster): “What Bless does is you bless up to three creatures of your choice within range…” [24:17]
• [25:04] Doors are kicked open. They enter a surgical chamber and, beyond it, Grontok’s inner sanctum.

5. Confrontation: Grontok Revealed

• [27:39] The party faces Grontok—a mind flayer in the midst of a gory ritual, surrounded by operated-upon victims who are psychically animated to serve as bodyguards.
  • DM (David Nett): “...what turns around is this figure with this large octopoid head and four tentacles...” [27:41]
  • Narlak: “My racial enemy.” [28:29] (The mind flayer traditionally enslaved his people.)

6. Battle with the Mind Flayer

Initiative Order and Highlights:

• Araviel attempts Eldritch Blast but is unnerved and misses: “Not this time, but I’m going to gather my wits together, and next time it’ll be better.” [31:19]
• [32:17 & 33:04] Shywin’s Marksmanship: Well-placed arrows inflict heavy damage on Grontok, leveraging Hunter’s Mark and Bless.
  • DM: “...those arrows thunk into him and he screams. Kind of a psychic scream. You can see his tentacles crack...” [33:16]
• Igneous calls lightning for additional magical damage [33:55].
• Narlak, acting on deep-seated vendetta, charges in with Misty Step and Burning Hands: “This is what Narlak would do. They enslaved us for literally, literally thousands of years.” [35:22]

Grontok’s Counterattack

• [40:09 & 41:22] He unleashes a devastating psychic blast, stunning most of the party and dealing massive damage (22 points on failed save).
  • DM: “...you rock back against this blow, and you're just stunned... your head is reeling.” [41:22]
• Multiple party members are incapacitated, setting up a desperate scenario.

Turning the Tide

• [43:01 & Onward] With most of the team stunned, Shywin remains vigilant and delivers more shots, reducing Grontok to his knees.
• Several zombies attack; Grontok grapples Narlak with his tentacles, nearly killing him:
  • Grontok: “Your people escaped us a century ago. How fitting that you should bring yourself to me now.” [47:09]
  • Narlak: “Zertimon, I shall return to you.” [47:37] (Narlak falls unconscious, embracing possible death.)

7. Climax and Aftermath

• [48:29] Shywin steps up for the final blow, arrow to Grontok’s tentacled head. All zombies collapse as the mind flayer perishes.

  • DM: “The arrow thunks into his head, and... the tentacles tense for a second, and then they let go... and he falls.” [48:51]

• Narlak is revived by Igneous’s healing:

  • “Your eyes flutter open as you're suddenly brought to life. You can still smell the breath of the illithid on your face...” [49:30]

• [50:38] The cavalry arrives: Crimson Cloaks (city authorities) enter with Shiren in custody, learning of the party’s hard-won victory.

  • Crimson Cloak Leader: “Well done. We were able to catch this one back in her chambers. I assume this is someone that you’re looking for as well... Sorry that we were late. We would have helped you sooner, but we had some problems with some crocodiles. Do you guys know anything about that?” [50:38]

• Bittersweet victory – lingering trauma and camaraderie among the party:

  • Araviel: “Now, my version of the story is that Narlak died, but I would love to hear his version.” [51:37]
  • Narlak: “Give me five minutes.” [51:44]

• DM closes with reflection: “...you look around the room at these bodies and you think of all the stories that you have told each other over your tankards… never have you told or heard a story like this. This is something that you can pass down through generations.” [51:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “However, because this is fun and because this is our final session, let's do it.” – DM, [05:14] (allowing bat transformation)
• “We take out the first guard, we have longbow.” – Igneous, [13:27]
• “He doesn't even know what hit him.” – Shywin, [15:46]
• “You rock back against this blow, and you're just stunned... your head is reeling.” – DM, [41:22]
• “Zertimon, I shall return to you.” – Narlak, [47:37]
• “The arrow thunks into his head, and... the tentacles tense... they let go. And Narlak slides out of his grip. Grontok staggers... and he falls.” – DM, [48:51]
• “Now, my version of the story is that Narlak died, but I would love to hear his version.” – Araviel, [51:37]

Important Segments: Timestamps

• Entering sewers & approaching the lair: [03:39–08:43]
• Igneous’ recon and enemy planning: [04:58–11:03]
• Planning stealth attack & eliminating guard: [13:19–16:09]
• Advancing to the ritual chamber: [22:01–25:04]
• Reveal of Grontok the Mind Flayer: [27:39]
• Battle begins, psychic blast, party stunned: [40:09–43:09]
• Shywin’s heroics, defeating Grontok: [48:18–48:51]
• Crimson Cloaks arrive, denouement: [50:38–51:54]

Tone and Style

The tone throughout is energetic, suspenseful, and punctuated with camaraderie and the quick wit of classic D&D banter. The Dungeon Master maintains a balance between tension, tactical detail, and narrative flair, allowing dramatic story moments and humor to shine.

Conclusion

This thrilling episode showcases the classic D&D experience—combining improvisation, party teamwork, pulpy fantasy adventure, and intense, emotional moments. The final battle against Grontok brings out each character's strengths and vulnerabilities, ultimately delivering a hard-fought victory. The adventure wraps with a sense of accomplishment and hints at more quests to come, celebrating both the game’s mechanics and the deeper bonds forged in collaborative storytelling.