Critical Role – "Fanged Revenge" | Campaign 4, Episode 8, Part 1

Date: December 11, 2025
GM: Brennan Lee Mulligan

Episode Overview

The party finds themselves deep in intrigue and peril as they trek through war-torn Ahriman, seeking answers tied to death, revenge, and the enigmatic visions of the late Octus Taconis. Hunkered down at a roadside inn after a harrowing journey, they gather their strength before infiltrating the rotting Castle Sloke. The group splits, balancing tense emotional moments and high-stakes espionage as they plot to bring down the treacherous Baron Kasimir Gavandale. The episode crescendos in a deadly confrontation, with the fate of Castle Sloke—and the lives of our heroes—dangling by a thread.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Emotional Recovery and Scarcity at the Roadside Inn

[03:06–13:15]

• Setting: A small inn, Dvalmar Pass. The party recovers after encountering the undead and political enemies.
• Tysha, Erinessa, and Julian share a bed, tending to physical hunger and deeper grief. Erinessa, struggling with trauma and not eating, reveals the party’s emotional wounds.
• Moment of Reflection: Lady Erinessa reminisces about beliefs in the "golden boat" ferrying Royces to Faerie upon death and fears it may not come true any longer.
• Notable Quote:

  "When the Royces die, we were told that should we wish it, a golden boat would bear us across a bright river to Faerie. I don't know if that faerie ferry is still running."
  — Erinessa [09:33]

• Julian and Tysha encourage Erinessa to eat and recover strength, sharing silent solidarity in grief and the will to continue.

2. Reconnaissance and Approach to Castle Sloke

[22:53–32:28]

• Party splits: As rain pours outside the decrepit Castle Sloke, Teor, Cadigan, and Thimble circle the fortress, looking for weaknesses, while Wick Tyranny and "Dr. Finger" make contact with Baron Kasimir Gavandale inside.
• Perception Challenges: Rain limits visibility; terrain is treacherous with cliffs and mudslides.
• Espionage Beats: Thimble scouts, Cadigan and Teor ready themselves for stealthy infiltration from either side, and the party times their moves based on patrols and passing guards.

3. Espionage and Deception: Negotiations with the Baron

[32:28–54:01]

• Undercover: Wick (posing as Lord Haylovar) and "Dr. Finger" (posing as the family medic) gain audience with Baron Kasimir in the ruined keep.
• Verbal Sparring: Wick tries to convince Kasimir of an alliance, feigns shared enmity for "the Fang" (on whose execution Kasimir brokered), and bluffs about their role in past events.
• Comic and Tense Exchanges: The party maintains multiple covers (the doctor is almost confused for a courtesan; Wick is unconvincing in his noble airs).
• Notable Quote:

  "I'm Dr. Finga, and everyone goes like, well, let me try to put two and two together on what's happening. Either this is what's going on with the medical profession in Dolma. I'd like to remind everyone that Wickhander last episode went, she's a medical doctor. Stop looking at her tits. And now I'M a whore."
  — Wick [56:38]

4. Skirmishes Outside: Stealth, Mistakes & Catlike Reflexes

[45:20–56:04]

• Teor’s Tree Catastrophe: Teor attempts stealthy recon but crashes from a dead tree, drawing attention. Quick reflexes and a dash (and a fortuitous stealth roll) barely save him from guards.
• Cadigan & Wulfric: Use fog and a classic animal distraction (nude wolf!) to scatter horses and peel guards away, whittling down enemy numbers at the castle.

5. The Castle Erupts: Tension Breaks and Combat Commences

[70:28–147:01]

• Negotiations Unravel: Suspicious of Wick and Dr. Finger, Kasimir’s patience snaps, and a dramatic thaumaturgical "HELP!" triggers chaos as the party springs into action.
• Turn Order: Martial and magical chaos breaks out involving:
  • Dr. Finger (Tyranny) uses Suggestion to clear the room;
  • Thimble and Cadigan stealthily close in;
  • Cadigan hurls a Crow Keeper off a parapet; Teor lands heroically;
  • Thimble exacts vengeance on Kasimir with devastating sneak attacks.
• Brutal Consequences: Wick is felled by a knight, barely avoids instant death, and clings to life while Tyranny drags his body to relative safety.
• Comic Relief: A "greater Chanter’s egg" is cracked to unleash... a massive illusory squid, which panics the knights and gives brief cover.

6. Climax: Vengeance, Sacrifice, and the Fall of Kasimir

[159:51–163:43]

• Dying & Heroics: Wick, at death's door (a mere 2 points from outright death), uses new homebrew death mechanics to provide inspiration to Teor and the party.
• Final Duel: Thimble chases down a fleeing and bloodied Kasimir:

  "He would have had your back. Until the end of time. You shouldn't have betrayed us."
  — Thimble, before plunging her rapier into his eye [110:02]

• Victory: After exchanging cutting words and cold steel, Thimble severs Kasimir’s throat, ending the baron’s reign.

  "Pull his throat out, he collapses over the parapet... the first and final pennant of the Baron of Sloke."
  — GM/Brennan [162:20]

7. Aftermath: Surrender and Claiming Castle Sloke

[167:02–173:21]

• Honorable Combat: Teor spares the knights, Cadigan grapples a surviving foe, and the party presses the defenders to lay down their arms.
• Surrender: The last knights, recognizing their Lord is dead, yield Castle Sloke, marking the party as new—if reluctant—masters of “the world’s worst castle.”
• Notable Quote:

  "Castle Sloke is yours."
  — Knight Cosgrove [172:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 09:33 | Erinessa | "When the Royces die... a golden boat would bear us across a bright river to Faerie..." | | 39:07 | Kasimir | "You are. Are you not, of the faith? And they are—" | | 56:38 | Wick | "Now I'M a whore. Yeah. Hey, that was the group answer. A courtesan. A courtesan and a doctor." | | 70:53 | Kasimir | "You think I'm fucking stupid cause I wasn't born to this? I'm a fucking gutter thief that became a baron. So I'll have some respect put on my name." | | 110:02 | Thimble | "He would have had your back. Until the end of time. You shouldn't have betrayed us." | | 162:20 | Brennan (GM) | "As you pull his throat out, he collapses over the parapet... the first and final pennant..." | | 172:40 | Knight Cosgrove | "Castle Sloke is yours." |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:06 – 13:15]: Emotional scenes at the inn; party bonds, shares grief.
• [22:53 – 32:28]: Rain-drenched recon at Castle Sloke; party splits.
• [32:28 – 54:01]: Espionage, negotiations, disguises with Kasimir.
• [56:04 – 70:28]: Recon mishaps, diversion tactics; animal chaos outside.
• [70:28 – 147:01]: Confrontation explodes; betrayal, magic, and melee.
• [147:01 – 163:43]: Wick’s near-death, Thimble’s revenge, and Kasimir’s death.
• [167:02 – 173:21]: Aftermath, surrender, Castle Sloke changes hands.

Thematic Tone

• Gritty, dark, and emotional: Exploration of grief, vengeance, and trauma.
• Wickedly funny banter: Players bounce between high tension and irreverence.
• Heroism and improvisation: Both in brilliant combat tactics and raw emotional moments.
• Brennan’s GM style: Keeps tension high, rewards espionage, and delivers vibrant descriptions of danger.

For Listeners New & Old

This episode intertwines heartbreak, calculated risk, and the raw chaos of a party in over their heads but refusing to bow to despair. Brennan supplies layers of intrigue and consequence—a cast of characters each fighting their own private battles even as they confront the villains of Sloke. The deconstruction of a villain, the cost of revenge, and the volatile nature of trust and betrayal all permeate a crucial, action-packed session in Critical Role Campaign 4.

Part 2 to come next Tuesday.