The eastern faction was wiped out by giants.
Then we need to make our next move count.
Gather every able-bodied fighter in Whitestone.
Bryn.
Thank the Dawnfather you're alive.
What news do you bring?
The Briarwoods have moved the Kestrel.
She's with Professor Anders.
Anders?
She'll be hard to extract.
They have us.
- Run!
- They're in here!
Break it down!
I'll take the guards! Get out of here!
- Run!
No!
You're a tenacious little tick, Archibald.
Gonna have fun burnin' you off my balls.
The Briarwoods know we've come.
W-We should cut them down.
No.
The Sun Tree's obviously being watched.
- Quickly. This way.
Are you crazy?
Out of the streets. Hide!
We got to move.
Grog, you're part giant. Can you vouch for us?
Oh, what, 'cause we all fucking know each other?
Well, I mean, yeah, kinda.
- Why do you wear this?
A-Are you part of the resistance?
Uh, sorry, I-I don't follow.
The de Rolo crest.
Maybe the resistance is using it.
We're not with them, but we do share an enemy.
Whitestone is worse off than I expected.
Briarwoods are dicks.
Perhaps we can be of use to each other.
Tell me, is Keeper Yennen still alive?
Why do you want to know?
If you want change here,
Yennen is the only one who can help bring it.
Hmm.
Friends, I know you have suffered.
My heart weeps and my back breaks under the weight
of these past few years.
But anger makes us reckless.
Violence doesn't burn away the clouds.
It only makes more smoke.
Have faith and wait for a sign.
A new dawn is coming, friends.
And soon we will bask in its glory,
together.
Take care, young one.
Greetings, strangers.
We don't see many new faces these days.
Keeper Yennen, tell me,
what do the Briarwoods make of your sermons?
They don't attend my services.
But their Pale Guard tolerate me, for now.
You truly believe the Dawnfather will send a sign?
Shh. That name is forbidden.
It's you.
Oh, but you're not the same.
Little Percival,
what have you become?
I am what they made me.
What matters is that you're back.
I'm not back.
I'm only here for one thing.
Then you want what the people want.
A trusted de Rolo can lead them to freedom.
They'll listen to the rightful heir.
What I need to do requires discretion.
Groups can be messy.
- But you're leading this group.
No offense, Percy,
but you're a teeny bit too wittle to lead.
Wait, we have a height requirement?
Uh, obviously.
W... I-I thought we were all sort of co-leaders.
Follow me.
We're clear.
Hey, I'm a huge fan of taverns,
but this place kind of looks like shit.
Looks can be deceiving.
No, it's, uh...
it's shitty on the inside, too.
- An old resistance hideout. - Hmm?
- We can speak freely here.
Yes!
Wait.
No. Oh, gods, no.
What is this hell?!
Thanks to the Briarwoods, all our resources are dwindling.
- Huh? - Including ale.
I will fucking murder everyone!
You preach pacifism while associating with rebels.
Trust me, I want the Briarwoods gone as much as you do.
But I've seen uprisings fail,
and if you charge up to that castle,
you'll be slaughtered.
No. The only way to win is if the resistance is strong enough.
And the resistance isn't strong enough because...?
Their leader has been captured.
Ah, there it is.
He's set to be hanged tomorrow.
Percy,
it's Archibald Desnay.
Archie? But how?
We... we grew up together.
His father worked in the kitchen.
We'd raise hell all over the castle.
One time,
- Archie and I built... - Roots of the Sun Tree.
...the most disgusting stink bomb in history.
Ruined a state dinner.
Even formed an alliance against my broth...
You're telling me that hellion is a resistance leader?
You're not the only one who has changed, Percival.
Can you hear me?
I'm Keyleth of the Ashari.
You can't take the Briarwoods alone.
Free Archie and the resistance will follow.
You're playing on my emotions.
And I can't say I blame you.
We'd be starting an uprising.
And this town could use some hope.
It's certainly not the worst idea we've had.
- Yeah! For the ale!
"Scanlan the Revolutionary" has a nice ring to it.
Ooh! I could get a beret!
We'd need a lot of luck.
What you need is faith.
At the moment, our holy person is...
elsewhere.
Everlight?
Hear me.
Please.
Hear me!
No.
No, no, no, no.
It's no use.
Lady Briarwood's curse, it...
it isn't letting me contact the Everlight.
My child,
no curse, no spell could sever your connection to her light.
It's impossible.
Whatever is blocking you is inside of you.
But...
you're saying...
it's not a curse?
It's... me?
The idea of you mangy lot
thinking you're heroes of some grand story.
Gah.
There's no room for heroes in Whitestone.
Your rebellion's a mess.
We know all about your spy,
the Kestrel.
Now, tell me where I can find the rest of you louts.
You're not very good at this.
If you won't take me seriously,
meet the Duke.
He's as serious as they come, mate.
- I do hope you and I can engage
in a stimulating conversation.
Because you'll find the alternative to be
- most disagreeable.
Yennen's sources tell us
- Archie is, um... - Hmm. Ah...
Grog, give me that.
Is being held here.
Okay, so here's my idea how to bust Archie out.
I'll speak to the local animals.
- They'll fetch the jailer's keys
and free our friends.
Eh, not so fast, fair maiden.
This is a job for Scanlan the Revolutionary.
My pitch: I infiltrate the prison
with all these potions I found.
I don't know what they do yet,
but let's assume they make me a...
...one-man army.
You think too much.
All we got to do is...
- kill everyone and leave.
Uh, what about Archie?
Right.
- Yeah, we kill him, too.
- Hmm. - Huh?
Those were bad ideas and you should all feel bad.
I don't know. Scanlan's solo mission sounds interesting.
His failure would be spectacular.
Okay, no elaborate plans.
Get in, get out. Strike like a well-thrown dagger.
- I can get behind that. - But if we're going to get Archie out of that prison,
we need to know exactly where they're holding him.
I may have something that can assist.
I shan't waste your time, as I have but the one question.
Where is Vox Machina?
What's a Vox Machina?
Vedmire, what the hell, mate?
If I wanted him dead,
I would've got a giant to stomp his head.
Breaking an individual takes time, Stonefell.
I've only just begun.
Send for me when this one wakes.
- Got you.
East wing. Second floor.
- Uh... what is that thing? - This?
Oh, nothing but bad news.
Okay, this is how it's going down.
It'll be easier to avoid capture if we split into two teams.
Front door team and back door team.
You know Scandog's all about the back door.
But quick quesh: when has splitting the party ever worked?
Uh, since shut the fuck up.
Mm-hmm, okay, fair counterpoint.
- Yoo-hoo. - Hmm?
- Mwah. - Oh, hello.
- Hmm.
And Archie's rebels will keep a lookout
while we get him out of there.
Hope the back door team doesn't get there first.
Hmm.
Almost.
Damn.
I've almost got... Shit.
Ah, wait, I've got it now... Fuck, shit, fuck.
- Are you kidding me? - Fucking doors.
Huh?
- Vex? - Keep moving.
We can't just leave them.
Fine.
Congrats. Everyone's getting out early for bad behavior.
- Ah! Oh, my fingers.
- It's not a door.
It's a thing of evil.
I'm going to find a window.
- Someone's coming.
What are you doing?
You're supposed to be watching the front door.
We came for a fight.
- Halt!
Don't move!
Well, here's your chance.
We found them!
- Get off.
Hold on. You'll get us caught, Scanlan.
- I'm gonna kick it down. G-G-Gah... - No. No.
I fell out of the window.
So, what do we do now?
Uh...
Ah. Ah... ew.
Upstairs.
Thank the gods.
Wait, what's this crowd?
Picked it up along the way.
Why are you covered in piss?
Picked it up along the way.
Archie.
Archibald.
Percy?
Vax, get him out of there.
Ah, right.
Okay, here we go.
Did you see that?
I'm telling you that back door was cursed.
Shit, is this the afterlife?
We're not dead yet, friend.
All right.
We're getting out of here together.
I'll give you this, girly.
You'll at least die together.
Throw down your arms, return to your cells,
and maybe I'll let you live.
Kill the gnome.
No, no, no, I'm too handsome to die.
- Huh?
What's a guy got to do to get some action around here?
Scanlan?
Don't just stand there! Get him!
For Whitestone!
- For Whitestone!
Go on. Get him out of here.
- Huh?
I've got you, little one.
Huh?
No!
Booze? Yeah!
Now we're talking!
Fun's over. Where's our exit?
Not this way. There are guards everywhere.
Percy, let me go.
What are you doing?
Just like the old days,
creating a diversion while you get away.
You fucking dobbers!
Hey, Grog, check this out.
- Huh?
Ha, not quite there, Scanlan.
Let me try.
- Hmm?
You two, seal the doors.
Stonefell.
As promised. Your exit.
How chivalrous.
Wait. Wh-Where's Percy?
- Hmm?
Percy, wait!
We'll get him.
The rest of you, hold this hallway.
Hurry, brother!
Hmm?
What are you supposed to be, freak?
I am vengeance for the de Rolos.
The de Rolos?
Now that takes me back.
Some folks you kill 'cause you're ordered to.
Them I killed 'cause I wanted to.
Let me say, you were the one
I was least looking forward to.
Fuck off.
Huh? Huh?
I wanted you to know it was me.
Huh? Percy?
Percival!
What the fuck are you doing?
Running off, risking this entire mission.
Then you point that thing at me.
And for what?
For what?
Stonefell helped slaughter them
and laughed while it happened.
I am the sole surviving de Rolo.
I will have my vengeance and no one will stand in my way!
But, Percy,
you are not the last de Rolo.
- What? - Your sister, Cassandra...
She lives.
When are your friends coming back?
Oy! Sorry we're late. We had a thing.
Grog, toss the booze!
Aw, but I just got it.
Just do it.
I have a sister.
Cassandra.
I'm sure you've heard about your brother,
but this changes nothing.
Chirp.