Our heroes make their way to Rimecleft, the abode of an ancient Sphynx, in the hopes of learning the location of the remaining Vestiges of Divergence. In the trials that follow, Scanlan proves his worth and wisdom, and Grog learns that the power of his new favorite weapon commands a terrible price...
Tropes:
- Adaptational Context Change: The meeting with Kamaljiori was very different on stream, with the party having to figure out his name through a puzzle. This led to Grog impaling Pike not because he was blinded by Craven Edge, but as an accident while she was pulling him back through a dimensional rift.
- Conveniently Precise Translation: Averted, while Percy can translate the runes on the temple, he notes multiple words can have more than one meaning. Most notably the beginning of the warning which can call the reader either "seekers" or "fools".
- Curb-Stomp Cushion: While the heroes still lose to Umbrasyl without coming close to beating him, with aid from Kamaljiori, they manage to actually deal visible damage to him, which is more than anyone else has been capable of doing.
- Downer Ending: By the episode's end, Kamaljiori is dead, Umbrasyl has one of the Vestiges, Pike is grievously wounded, Grog is close to being irreversibly corrupted by Craven Edge, and Vox Machina barely escapes with their lives. Furthermore, Grog, Scanlan, and Pike are separated from the rest of the group due to Keyleth's teleportation spell going awry.
- Evil vs. Evil: Grog wields Craven Edge, an evil sentient sword, against Umbrasyl.
- Exact Words: Kamaljiori offers to reveal the locations of the other vestiges on the condition that any member of Vox Machina can wound him. Scanlan manages to accomplish this — not by physically wounding Kamaljiori, but by wounding his heart when he used his music and magic to let him see his mate, Osysa, once more.
- Funny Background Event: When Percy lends Vex his coat, Keyleth can be seen giving them a very knowing smile in the background.
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: Kamaljiori considers Scanlan to be one of the wisest mortals he's ever encountered. Scanlan's wisdom score in-game is only a seven.
- I Just Want to Be Loved: In a moment of sincerity, Scanlan admits to Kamaljiori that he wants to be loved, but is scared that he can't seem to get it right. Kamaljiori advises him to stop looking for love and let it find him instead.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Grog becomes completely consumed by Craven Edge's bloodlust while fighting Umbrasyl, up until he runs Pike through. His reaction afterwards is one of utter shock and horror that he has harmed and possibly killed his sister.
- Odd Friendship: After passing his challenge, Scanlan and Kamaljiori become fast friends. The other party members are perplexed about this, to say the least.The rest of the party: The fuck?!
- The Power of Love: Weaponized to great effect by Scanlan. When physically wounding Kamaljiori proves to be impossible, Scanlan opts to sing a love ballad on Osysa's behalf, wounding him on an emotional level.
- Schmuck Bait: Kamaljiori gives Vox Machina three options to earn the knowledge they want: fight 70 Death Gorgons, navigate through the Endless Labyrinth of Misery, or wound him. Scanlan sees through it, but the rest of them decide to try and wound him (though Grog initially wants to fight the Gorgons), and promptly get curbstomped until Scanlan manages to win on a technicality by emotionally wounding him with a vision of Osysa.
- Stealth Pun: Sphinxes are shown to have a stony complexion, meaning that Scanlan accomplished the impossible by wringing tears from a stone.
- The Worf Effect: Kamaljiori is an incredibly ancient and powerful Sphinx that hands every Vox Machina member but Scanlan their asses with rampant ease. Then Umbrasyl shows up, and though Kamaljiori does better than anyone else has against one of the Chroma Conclave so far, he's still ultimately killed saving his new friend Scanlan in the battle.
