Critical Role: Oaths & Ash | Indianapolis Live Show 2025 Part 1

Podcast: Critical Role
Episode: Indianapolis Live Show 2025 Part 1 (“Oaths & Ash”)
Original Air Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This epic live episode brings together both the Bells Hells and Mighty Nein adventuring parties on a high-stakes, plane-hopping quest. Picking up after their confrontation with Ludinus Da’leth on the island of Evatarina, the two crews must untangle ancient contracts, rescue their companion Fearne Calloway from the infernal wastes, and confront the many supernatural claims on her soul. The session is packed with lore, comedy and chaos, and features iconic Critical Role moments—including surprise announcements about Campaign 4 and a showcase of the Daggerheart TTRPG.

Key Highlights & Major Segments

1. Live Show Energy & Announcements

(00:12–07:49)

• The cast opens with their signature high-energy banter, keynote-style announcements, and lots of playful competitive bragging about turtlenecks and company status.
• Big reveal: Matthew Mercer is not the DM for Campaign 4—he’ll be playing as a character, while fan-favorite Brennan Lee Mulligan will GM.
  • Marisha Ray: “According to business science, I… am the true alpha of this keynote address.” (07:10)
• Live show tour dates are announced for 2026, spanning Atlanta, Berlin, Edinburgh, London, and Fort Worth.
• Brennan Lee Mulligan takes the stage to raucous applause:
  • Brennan Lee Mulligan: “It is a privilege, an honor, and a gift. If you guys are ready for your next epic adventure, make some noise!” (11:34)

2. Recap & Picking up the Story

(12:00–18:25)

• Matthew Mercer quickly recaps: Both Bells Hells and the Mighty Nein are reunited following a planar-spanning confrontation with Ludinus Da’leth, aided by mysterious spirit Ethel Rivergold.
• They stand atop the mountain, pondering the next step toward Ludinus' sky-bound lair.

3. Flight to the Floating Fortress

(18:25–28:40)

• Imogen successfully scouts the sky and reveals the lair above is reachable, but sky whales pose a threat.
• The team debates methods of ascent: flying, teleportation, or even bargaining for a ride from Ethel. Mass flight and gate magic take them to the floating rock.
• Critical comedic moments:
  • Imogen: “Well, I cast Zillow. Thank you.” (21:52)
  • “We should not ride a sky whale.” “I feel like I could tame a sky whale.” (Raucous laughter)
• Challenging flight rolls ensue, with jokes about character weight and being carried “like a baby.” (26:39)

4. The Cottage Confrontation: Ludinus Da’leth

(28:40–49:05)

• Atop the floating island, a mysterious, out-of-place Elven cottage awaits.
• Orym scouts—inside is Ludinus himself, weary and aged, welcoming them with tea.
• Ludinus monologues about the consequences of the party’s actions, claiming new magical paradigms are unfolding after the destruction of Ruidus’s bonds.
  • Ludinus: “We not only freed our people from the tyranny of the gods, we opened the door to endless potential… I now wish to endure, to understand and master these new magics...” (38:50)
• Attempts to physically engage him reveal his form is likely an illusion.
• Ludinus offers cryptic warnings and hints, mentioning a “Fate Stitcher” with urgent business, and referencing souring oaths and the possibility that Dorian is in trouble.
  • Jester (aside): “That was coded in a threat. Very coded.” (44:33)

5. Splitting the Party: Bell’s Hells Head to the Fey Realm

(49:05–01:04:10)

• After a comedic messaging exchange (“Hey Dorian, Ludinus said you might be in trouble, lol”), it’s decided Bells Hells will investigate the Fey Realm and Nana Mori, using magical staff travel, while Mighty Nein will follow up other leads.
  • Jester: “If I really believe, I should let chaos reign…” (1:01:50)

6. Ligament Manor: Fey Politics, Contracts, and the Claims on Fearne

(01:04:10–01:53:15)

• Bells Hells arrive in the swamps around Ligament Manor to find a military presence of the Unseelie Court.
• Stealth and trickery get them past magical and mundane sentinels.
• Inside, high Fae negotiations between Nana Mori (Fearne’s powerful, haggish grandmother) and a Delegate of the Unseelie Court over who “owns” Fearne’s soul.
  • “Fearne, my dear, where did that piece of your soul go?” (1:36:23)
• A visual display reveals Fearne’s fractured soul: part claimed by the Unseelie, part by Nana Mori, part by infernal contract (Tevin Clask), part missing (held by dread pirate Urlu Novos), with elemental and even primordial tethers revealed. (1:41:55)
• All interested parties—including the devil Tevin Clask, dread Captain Novos, and even Chetney (attempting to lay his own claim in hilarious fashion)—arrive to negotiate.
• Tevin abruptly steals Fearne away into the Nine Hells, triggering the next high-stakes chase.

7. Descent into the Hells: The Rescue of Fearne

(01:53:15–2:36:12)

• The rest of the party is tasked by Nana Mori—with heavy threat—to retrieve Fearne before infernal contracts supersede all others.
• They traverse the Wastes of Diabolos (plane of the devils) following a trail of Fearne’s (literal) rabbit droppings.
• Near-misses with columns of hellfire, devilish patrols, and brutal environmental hazards ensue as Bells Hells employ a mix of stealth, speed, and magical guidance (with the help of the Traveler and divine intervention, humorously involving a magical green rock phallus).
  • Bryas: “Traveler, I beseech you to guide my rod in the truest direction to find what it wants most.” (2:27:34)
• Final push: The party races toward a tower where Fearne is shackled and the devils prepare to “balance” the contracts on her soul before the infernal court. Two terrifying devil guardians stand between the heroes and their friend as the cliffhanger hits.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments 

• Matthew Mercer:

  “Now, I don’t want you all to worry. While I’m not GMing the next campaign, I will be a player in it forever. DM no more.” (09:31)

• Brennan Lee Mulligan:

  “Ten years ago, I was a struggling improviser riddled with medical debt from my fucked up teeth... I will never forget, as long as I live, the kindness and the friendship that happened to form in that moment and has continued ever since.” (11:14)

• Imogen (after returning from scouting):

  “Well, here’s the thing. I cast Zillow. Thank you.” (21:52)

• Nana Mori (to Fearne):

  “You’ve let a few people take claim on your soul, haven’t you?” (1:39:22)

• Tevin Clask (arriving in flames):

  “Fearne, my dear, tell — what is it you called me for?” (1:45:37)

• Orym (leading the party through Hell):

  “Are those little shits?” (2:20:16)

• Bryas (in prayer):

  “Traveler, I beseech you to guide my rod in the truest direction to find what it wants most.” (2:27:34)

• Nana Mori (threatening Chetney):

  “I’ve given you what you wished, and now you will save my charge. If you fail, you will adorn my garden till the end of time. You wanted this. Fuck around. Find out, Chetney.” (2:07:18)

• Marisha Ray (as Nana Mori):

  “She’s an adult! What are you going to do?” (1:42:55)

Segment Timestamps: Quick Guide

• Keynote Announcements & Cast Banter: 00:12–11:49
• Story Recap & Set-Up: 12:00–18:25
• Ascend to the Floating Fortress: 18:25–28:40
• Ludinus Da’leth Confrontation: 28:40–49:05
• Splitting the Party / Fey Realm Mission: 49:05–01:04:10
• Political Tangles at Ligament Manor: 01:04:10–01:53:15
• Rescue Mission to the Hells: 01:53:15–2:36:12
• Cliffhanger / End of Part 1: 2:36:12

Original Tone and Humor

• The banter is playful, competitive, and immersive, with self-deprecating jabs about game mechanics, live-show energy, and constant D&D/meta jokes.
• Fearne’s predicament is both comedic and dire, as the party juggles literal contract law with the fey and infernal powers, pushing the boundaries of both the lore and the campaign’s “found family” theme.
• The group’s reactions balance irreverence (“I cast Zillow!”) with epic stakes (“If you fail, you will adorn my garden till the end of time.”).

Concluding Notes

Oaths & Ash Part 1 takes Critical Role’s signature blend of drama, humor, and mythic storytelling to new heights, united by stellar cast chemistry and the endlessly chaotic consequences of past bargains. With Fearne’s fate on a knife edge, our heroes rush against time and cosmic legality—the rescue hinging on their wits, their patrons (divine or otherwise), and maybe, just maybe, the power of a Traveler-blessed dick drawing.

Part 2 airs this Tuesday, picking up in the depths of the hells, as all the claims on Fearne’s soul—and the party’s loyalty—are put to the ultimate test.