After Percy confronts his old nemesis, Dr. Anna Ripley, a tenuous partnership is struck. Despite Percy's protests that she can't be trusted, Vox Machina brings Ripley along. She leads them through traps under the castle, but soon the team is double-crossed by one of their own.
Tropes
- Accidental Pun: Keyleth protests Percy trying to shoot the imprisoned, one-handed, Dr. Ripley by protesting that she's "unarmed".
- Censor Steam: Grog's (relative) modesty is preserved by the steam coming off his body as the acid eats at him.
- Enemy Mine: After she was thrown in the dungeon when her usefulness came to an end, Ripley has no love for the Briarwoods and offers her aid in helping Vox Machina thwart their scheme. It takes a lot of convincing to persuade Percy to stay his hand long enough to reach the Ziggurat.
- Heroic BSoD: Percy slips into one after Cassandra reveals she's aligned herself with the Briarwoods. It takes a Get A Hold Of Yourself Man slap and speech from Vex to snap him out of it.
- Hollywood Acid: Downplayed, as the chamber the acid flows into remains intact, but the acid is still strong enough to melt people. It takes a lot of healing from Pike to keep Grog alive long enough to throw the drainage switch.
- My Sister Is Off-Limits: When Scanlan tries to hit on Cassandra, Percy shuts him down with a prompt and curt "No."
- Out of the Frying Pan: Vax is the only one quick enough to escape the trap, but is then charmed by Sylas and taken away to be used as a Human Sacrifice.
- The Power of Rock: When Scanlan needs to give his magic hand a boost to keep himself and the party from falling into acid, he materializes a guitar pick and starts to shred on his lute.
- Stockholm Syndrome: Prolonged time with the Briarwoods has lead to Cassandra latching onto them as a family that can never die or leave her. The flash of gold in her eyes briefly seen is a hint that Sylas's Charm Person powers are also a major contributing factor.
- Who Would Be Stupid Enough?: Keyleth says that you'd have to be insane to jump in the acid, right before Grog does it. He only survives because Pike was healing him all the way through and even then he nearly drowns.
