Critical Role Campaign 4 has arrived at a new table: the Seeker. Starring Matthew Mercer as Julian Davinos, Abria Iyengar as Tayshia Roy, Alexander Ward as Octis Taconis, Ashley Johnson as Varus, and Brennan Lee Mulligan as Dungeon Master, the party explores new areas of the world of Araman.
Arriving in the city of Liesinggurtre with Aranessa Reuss, a Julian woman and one of the few survivors of the Reuss and Davinus massacre, it was only a matter of time before they found themselves seeking answers from the city’s lord, Otto Einfersen.
But unlike the Soldier’s Table, which found solace and shelter in places like Urvid Morn’s House and Hawthorne’s Glade, the Seeker’s Table may have just fallen into a huge trap.
(Editor’s note. Contains spoilers for Critical Role Campaign 4, episodes 11-12.)
In the prelude to episode 4, it is revealed that Davinos and Royce’s caravan and armed group were stopped by the Einfasen family at Dobermar Pass. Disguised as Lord Erlich Cursingblad, a knight from Einfersen’s vassal house, Julian and Octis, along with the rest of the party, pass through the area to check on the Golden Orchard and find out why.
Image: Important Role
There they met and conferred with Lord Einfersen and Lady Ingrid, Einfersen’s daughter. According to the latter, Davinos and Royce’s caravan were imprisoned in the castle after receiving a letter from the Royce family informing them that there was a traitor among them. Julian thus reveals his father’s death, points out the false seal on the letter, and explains the Taconis family’s treachery that led to Lois and Davinos being murdered at Dol Makjar. Lord Einfersen was upset and asked Julian and the others to stay in the castle until he knew more details. The party agreed.
But there are some big clues that the Seeker’s Table may have just made its way into the belly of the beast. And we’re not the only ones noticing, as seen in the discussion on the Critical role subreddit.
The first thing that raised a red flag was the immediate dispatch of Lady Ingrid’s maid, Greta. In the latest episode, Greta leaves her husband’s side and is later discovered by Einfasen guards that she has sent out a bird with a message from the aviary. Before the group could question Greta-san, Lord Einfasen immediately slaughtered her. On the surface, it may appear that he is dealing with a traitor. However, we learned from the previous episode that the Handmaiden is acting against the Sundered House.
Image: Important Role
“I’m hesitant to suggest it, but I might put someone in the Einfazen machine as well,” Liam O’Brien, who plays Harandil Fang, tells his friends at the Schemer’s table in episode 11, “Make Merry.” “Someone at work, my sister’s younger sister, is a maid here at home. She’s lonely and I listen to her talk a lot.”
Hal’s statement appears to be referring to someone in Dol Makjar City, but the time difference between the three tables complicates matters. Alternatively, Hal could easily be mistaken, and if the maid was really Greta, she would have been in the town of Riesinggurtre all along, or had recently arrived. If Greta is really the maid Hal says, then she was not executed as a traitor, but to keep her mouth shut.
Another big clue is that Einfazen’s guards refused to dismiss Octis. At the time, Octis was posing as Mrs. Aranessa’s peasant servant. Even though there was no reason for him to be present at the meeting between Alanessa and Lord Einfasen, the soldiers insisted that he join the rest of the group at the Einfasen compound. Sure, this could have been the DM trying to get the party together for the next encounter, but it still feels a little suspicious.
Image: Important Role
The biggest clue may be that the Einfasen family has already proven to be untrustworthy. Lord Harondus Einfersen, Lord Einfersen’s nephew, dismissed most of Dol Makjar’s Revolutionary Guards. What was once a public service is now privatized, and most of those laid off seek employment in the Halová family’s private army. It is no coincidence that Halovár benefited from Einfasen’s decision.
The final red flag is Aranessa’s arrival at Einfasen Castle. An insight test reveals that Lady Ingrid is staring out into the courtyard, specifically at Lady Alanessa, with tear stains on her face. A large number of Einfersen soldiers stand out at the barricade, looking down on the party. It’s obvious that something is wrong. Although House Einfasen was previously a staunch ally of House Royce and House Davinos, in the current political climate where different Houses of Sundered are at odds with each other, there is no guarantee that they will ally again.
Could the Seekers have fallen into a trap? And what effect will this encounter, especially sending the letter, have on the rest of the table, especially the schemers still at Dol Makjar?
We’ll find out if Campaign 4 returns this Thursday. The latest campaign will go live on Twitch, YouTube, and Beacon.tv on Thursday nights at 10pm PDT. If you can’t watch the episode live, you’re in luck. Critical role will post the episode on YouTube next Monday at 3pm ET/12pm PDT.
