Critical Role: Oaths & Ash | Indianapolis Live Show 2025 Part 2

Podcast: Critical Role
Date: September 23, 2025
Episode: Indianapolis Live Show 2025 Part 2

Episode Overview

This episode continues the high-stakes live adventure begun in Part 1, with Bell’s Hells deep in an infernal plane. Fearne Calloway stands on the brink—chained by infernal contracts, facing judgment in Hell, and surrounded by powerful devils. Joined by guest GMs Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford, the party must engage in both combat and cunning to save Fearne’s soul and break her bond to Asmodeus. The confrontation becomes an epic clash of will, magic, and roleplay, leading to a hard-fought victory and a jubilant escape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fearne’s Fiery Predicament and the Infernal Contract

[07:15]

• Fearne is chained atop a hellish precipice, with infernal devils (including the three-headed GMs) presiding over her contract’s enforcement.
• The "Reading Devil" (Arbitrator Zakruthor) begins reciting her contract:

  “It is written here in the great script that this joint agreement twice renewed by Ms. Calloway binds her deeply into the service of Asmodeus, Lord of the Hells.” (Arbitrator Zakruthor, 07:20)

• Every failure by Bell’s Hells during the confrontation ticks a “deliberation countdown” closer to Fearne’s damnation.

2. Guest GMs Steal the Show

[08:25]

• Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford enter as the diabolical Mer Fazu (the Fell Prosecutor) and Asterodith (the Grim Litigator), introducing their devils:

  “I am really big and covered with football-sized fleas. … No hope. Only fear.” (Chris Perkins as Mer Fazu, 08:45)
  “I have four arms, two of which endlessly scribble upon a pad of rules as I look around, licking my lips...” (Jeremy Crawford as Asterodith, 08:55)

3. Combat Erupts: Hope vs. Fear

[12:40]

• Bell’s Hells charge to rescue Fearne, facing wave after wave of infernal enforcers and legalistic devils.
• Mechanics highlight group morale: party gains D8 “hope dice” (thanks to a rousing speech), but devils work to erode hope and inflict “fear.”
• The devils unleash brutal attacks:

  “You cannot touch me!” – Brayus (Player), as he’s beset by enforcers but shrugs off damage (16:20) “I hear you have a kind heart. I will enjoy eating it inside a fleshy halfling shell.” – Mer Fazu (Chris Perkins, 18:40)

4. Sin and Redemption: Fearne’s Past Explored

[20:50]

• Devils force Fearne to confess past “sins,” each further binding her:

  “I feel like something that still doesn’t sit well with me was when I tossed a coin for someone’s life.” (Fearne, 21:02)

  • Later confessions become farcical ("a carnal mid-forest three-way with a werewolf": 41:01), as devils gleefully catalogue misdeeds.

5. Creative Teamwork and Powers Unleashed

[22:10 – 60:00]

• Players show inventive combo plays:
  • Laudna summons a “dark army” (23:13)
  • Imogen uses Mass Enrapture to psychically distract devils (33:40)
  • Tag-team attacks, epic transformations, and a dragon shapeshift come into play.
• The mechanics of Hope, Fear, Stress, and Armor get tested in this furious, high-level Daggerheart combat.

6. Tense Swings: Death, Recovery, and Massive Damage

[70:00 – 110:00]

• Players fall and rise: Imogen is downed by a monstrous attack ("Imogen is carved from the sky by the massive devil" 74:15)—but is revived by Dorian’s quick thinking and a potion (79:10).
• The devils unleash hellfire and massive area attacks, while players creatively mitigate and bounce back from devastating blows.

7. Critical Moments & Boss Fights

[91:50 – 129:00]

• Orym and Dorian’s epic synchronized attack on Tevin (“two majestic boyfriends shred” 124:00) results in colossal damage:

  “That more than devils doubles Tevin’s severe threshold. He marks four hit points on that in one spiraling, unstoppable assault of blade and dance and eye contact and grins.” (Narrator/Matt Mercer, 125:01)

• Final tag-team finishing moves, creative spells, and transformative roleplay (Fern turns into a fairy dragon) finally turn the tide against the devils.

8. Victory, Escape, and Emotional Payoff

[134:00 – End]

• As devils fall, Orym retrieves the infernal contract and delivers it to Fearne, who eats it, symbolically freeing herself from Hell’s claim.

• Nana Mori (Fearne’s formidable fey grandmother) arrives via fiery portal to extract the party, ending the harrowing trial:

  "My sweet girl. … For now, let’s throw a party.” (Nana Mori, 143:05)

• The episode closes with a heartfelt, raucous celebration, the party reunited and Fearne’s soul saved.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chris Perkins (as Mer Fazu):

  “I am really big and covered with football-sized fleas. … No hope. Only fear.” (08:45)

• Jeremy Crawford (as Asterodith):

  “I have four arms, two of which endlessly scribble upon a pad of rules… ready to bring Fell prosecution.” (08:55)

• Matt Mercer (Narrator, on devilish legalese):

  "And it is written here in the great script that this joint agreement twice renewed by Ms. Calloway binds her deeply into the service of Asmodeus…” (07:20)

• Chetney (Player):

  “Bitch, I was there first.” – upon striking Tevin down with fury (134:30)

• Fearne (on dragon form):

  “I’m gonna turn into a dragon. … Like a teal. … with a little peach bow.” (138:10)

• Narrator (Matt Mercer, after victory):

  "Fern devours the Contract. And as you do, the mark on your hand burns away. Never again." (145:03)

• Nana Mori:

  “My sweet girl… But for now, let’s throw a party.” (143:05)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [07:15] – Scene set: Fearne chained, devils preside, contract described
• [08:25] – Chris Perkins/Jeremy Crawford guest GM introductions
• [20:50 & 41:01] – Fearne recounts her sins
• [23:13] – Laudna summons her dark army
• [33:40] – Imogen casts Mass Enrapture, distracting the devils
• [60:20] – Multiple PCs take severe damage, Imogen falls
• [74:15] – Imogen is downed by Mer Fazu’s axe
• [79:10] – Dorian revives Imogen
• [91:50] – Group attacks against devil bosses, the tide turns
• [124:00] – Dorian & Orym’s synchronized, critical attack on Tevin
• [134:00] – Party regroups, retrieves contract, escapes
• [143:05] – Nana Mori welcomes the group; party begins
• [145:03] – Fearne’s release from her contract, the bond to Hell destroyed

Summary & Takeaways

• This was a raucous, over-the-top live session, with mechanics favoring tense swings between hope and fear, and a robust showdown with clever roleplaying and tactics by the whole table.
• Guest GMs Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford added comic menace and flavor as the “devil lawyers”—balancing pathos with farce.
• Roleplay shone: from Fearne’s self-reflection to tag team ultra-attacks, healing moments, and transformations.
• Giant set-piece battles and narrative stakes came together for a satisfying conclusion: Fearne freed, Bell’s Hells triumphant, and the party celebrated in classic Critical Role fashion.

For First-Time Listeners

• Epic, frantic, and deeply character-driven, this episode showcases the best of Critical Role’s live chaos. The stakes are high, but the humor, creativity, and camaraderie make it a must-listen for both veteran fans and newcomers.
• Skip to 07:15 to avoid ads and intros.
• For sharp banter and the devils' introductions, start at 08:25.

“Fern devours the Contract. And as you do, the mark on your hand burns away. Never again.”
(Matt Mercer, 145:03)

[End of Part 2]