Critical Role Campaign 4, Episode 7 Part 2: "On the Scent"

Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively, tension-filled continuation of the party's quest, the Critical Role crew—helmed by Brennan Lee Mulligan as Dungeon Master—navigate the dangers, politics, and mysteries of Timony. The adventurers debate rest, follow the trail of a mysterious mastiff, and infiltrate a rain-soaked, crumbling stronghold in a desperate effort to find their missing comrade Sid. As shifting alliances and power plays unfold around the Barony of Sloke, loyalties are tested and the party faces decisions with lasting consequences.

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Apple-Cart Lull & The Mastiff's Trail (01:29–06:47)

• Waking Up in Gormule: The party wakes in a dilapidated apple cart, exhausted from their travails and fueled only by leftover, unsold apples.
• Thimble’s Urgency: Thimble is unsettled by a missing giant dog, believed to be magical and extremely rare. Cadogan is skeptical but eventually relents to investigate.
• Dog Hunt: Despite initial reluctance, several members set off, trailing large paw prints that lead through a tavern and out towards Sloke.
• Notable Quote:
  Thimble: "I'm barely a meal. All right, I guess I'll go to sleep. I gave you warning. If we all die, it's your fault." (03:52)

2. Tavern Mysteries & Meeting Dame Morgaine (06:47–29:51)

• Midnight at the Tavern: Inside the nearly deserted tavern, the group finds a striking blue-marked dog and meets Gwen, the barmaid.
• Revelations: The dog is soon revealed to be Dame Morgaine, a hound of King Augustus ("King Gus"), gifted with unusual intelligence—possibly a druid in animal form.
• The King's Hounds: The party learns of the royal dogs' patrols and their significance in local politics.
• Secret Knowledge: Thimble uses stealth to gather intelligence, spotting emblems indicating House Saramai—vassals of House Taconis—are also present, raising alarm about possible conflicts.
• Talk with Morgaine: Cadogan uses magic to "speak with animals," uncovering that Dame Morgaine is more than she appears:

  Dame Morgaine (as dog): "My dog? No, we are all the King's dogs... I am a hound of the King, as is Hawkins." (24:23)

• Payment Problems: With no money for stew, the party barters and improvises, drawing humor and mild embarrassment.

3. Plotting and Approaching Sloke (29:51–42:12)

• Dawn Approaches: The group discusses the political landscape—the Candescent Creed's plot against King Gus, and how to navigate an environment where allies may be few and far between.
• Setting Out: Entering Sloke, they find themselves in a rain-drenched, desolate barony, dominated by a decaying castle and cliffs.
• Reconnaissance: Parties bearing the colors of Saramai and Taconis converge on the castle, and the group debates whether to engage, ambush, or silently observe.

4. Scouting, Subterfuge, and Espionage (42:12–59:03)

• Splitting Up: Thimble, using her stealth and size, scouts the castle, avoiding detection and discovering the strength and identities of the gathered parties—knights, nobles, and the notorious Kasimir Gavndale.
• The Deed Exchanged: In the castle courtyard, an intense scene unfolds as the Taconis and Saramai representatives deliver a deed (previously stolen by Sid), with Kasimir being publicly humiliated and physically punished.
• SKULL-TATTOOED NOBILITY: Thimble identifies the formidable Lady Univer Taconis, adding layers of danger to the unfolding political standoff.

  Brennan Lee Mulligan: "She has these two dark tattoos on either side of her nose to make the bottom half of her face look like a skull. Sick. This is the lady Univere Taconis." (61:53)

5. Tense Negotiations, (Nearly) Busted Infiltration (59:03–94:06)

• Options Weighed: The group rapidly debates next steps—attack Kasimir for vengeance, follow the Taconis envoy to find Sid, or investigate elsewhere.
• Disguise Shenanigans: Thimble concocts elaborate disguises (including the infamous “big-titty nurse”), trying to gain access to Kasimir for information or a kill.
• The Plan Unravels: Wick and Thimble, undercover as healers from House Haylvar and "Dr. Finger," bluff their way past suspicious guards, narrowly avoiding a disastrous arrest:

  Sir Gully Breeches: "Help the lord. The lord Sloke...what have you come here as a doctor to help with?" (83:32)

• Critical Intervention: Wick saves the situation with a clutch Charm Person spell (Tyranny, 85:32) and, against all odds, miraculously persuades the knights to permit entry:

  Tyranny: "We mean no harm at all. Please tell your friends that we come in peace. We just want to talk." (86:13) Brennan Lee Mulligan: "On a four. He looks at you and goes, Finally a little fucking respect." (98:01)

6. At the Castle—Kasimir’s Paranoia & Party Poised (94:06–end)

• Inside the Keep: Wick and Thimble are announced as distinguished visitors to the battered and suspicious Kasimir, who remains desperate and eager for validation.

  Kasimir: "We're gonna turn Sloke around. And if people won't follow a brand new baron who's up jumped from a gutter criminal they'll follow the light, won't they?" (98:35)

• Stealth Team: The rest of the party, hidden in the downpour and hugging ruined walls, weighs their moment to strike or investigate further.
• Session Ends: The party is split; tensions, stakes, and possible approaches abound as the adventurers prepare either for a daring confrontation or quiet extraction.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Thimble’s Suspicion & Comic Tone:
  "I'm barely a meal. All right, I guess I'll go to sleep. I gave you warning. If we all die, it's your fault." (03:52)
• Cadogan Vale’s Dry Sarcasm:
  "I'm broke as hell." (21:09)
• Dog Revealing Her Identity:
  Dame Morgaine (as dog): "You are not very perceptive." (19:38)
• On the Dog’s Loyalty:
  "We are all the King's dogs." (24:23)
• Wick’s Clutch Spellcasting:
  Tyranny: "We mean no harm at all. Please tell your friends that we come in peace." (86:13)
• Critical Persuasion Success:
  Brennan Lee Mulligan: "On a four. He looks at you and goes, Finally a little fucking respect." (98:01)
• Political Cruelty:
  Brennan Lee Mulligan: "[Kasimir] just was gonna send out half his forces to grab all the villagers out of the rain and say, double the taxes... Not a good man and yet someone who once saved Thiazi Fang's life. Funny how time changes people." (99:46)

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:29-06:47| Apple cart awakening, missing mastiff, start of dog pursuit | | 06:47-10:37| In the tavern, meet blue-marked "magic dog"; party learns of King's hounds | | 17:01-20:59| Cadogan casts Speak With Animals, Dame Morgaine's true identity as druid/agent revealed | | 23:02-29:51| Dame Morgaine's warnings, food & payment issues, party debates their next move | | 33:49-41:41| Journey to Sloke, rain-soaked descriptions, approach to castle, recon and party planning | | 53:03-59:03| Thimble's successful infiltration of crumbling castle—spies Kasimir, Taconis, and Saramai nobles | | 62:13-68:38| Public humiliation and political intrigue as the deed is handed over, Kasimir beaten | | 70:04-78:05| Stealth moves, debate on priorities (Kasimir or Sid); planning infiltration; disguises prepped | | 81:01-94:06| Disguised party members confront guards, near-disaster turns to miracle with ‘Charm Person’ | | 94:06-98:53| Wick and Thimble brought before Kasimir; a tense conversation as stealth team sneaks closer | | 98:53-end | Session closes with party poised for action, moral ambiguity deepens, and plans in flux |

Summary & Takeaways

• Theme: Trust, intrigue, and the complexity of loyalty dominate, with the group caught in a web of shifting allegiances and hidden threats.
• Party Dynamics: The split party storyline builds suspense, showcasing tactical cunning, roleplay flourishes (notably Thimble's comedic disguises), and moments of unintended chaos narrowly averted.
• Political Forces: The fractured nobility and the hounds of the King provide both threat and opportunity; the party must navigate both with care in their pursuit of Sid.
• Actions: The party now stands at a crossroads—poised to exploit their infiltration, extract information, possibly enact vengeance, or further entangle themselves in Timony's troubled politics.

For New Listeners

This episode exemplifies Critical Role’s blend of humor, pathos, high stakes strategy, and award-worthy improvisation.
If you enjoy sharp-witted banter, tense diplomacy under duress, and quirky magical hijinx, this episode is a must. The group’s precarious situation at the episode’s end all but guarantees explosive developments next week.

Next Week Teaser

Brennan closes with:
"You've caught up with Kazimir Gavndale. The bastard who betrayed the Ozzy Fang... Kazimir Gavndale, not a good man and yet someone who once saved Thiazi Fang's life. Funny how time changes people. ... You guys got some big decisions to make?" (99:44–99:57)

Is it Thursday yet?