In the second episode of Season 3 of "The Legend of Vox Machina," Percy falls into Anna's clutches, who then poses an intriguing proposition to him. She envisions a scenario where his countless pepperboxes are bestowed upon the common folk, asserting that his technology holds the potential to overshadow oppressive entities like the Conclave. Furthermore, Anna unveils that she possesses multiple vestiges capable of serving as power sources for this grand endeavor. One vestige, according to her, can absorb fire, while another wields the power to manipulate and redirect magic. Her ambition is to fuse these vestiges to mass-produce Percy's weapons.
Though Percy balks at the notion of the oppressed turning into oppressors, Anna offers him a slice of control within her scheme. After a moment of contemplation, he concedes to lend her a hand.
Elsewhere, Gilmore assists Vox Machina in stealthily evading guards as they track Percy's whereabouts. They stumble upon traces of a rare acid left by Anna, and Gilmore's expertise leads them to the shop where she acquired it. Vax expresses regret to Keyleth for not siding with her earlier when she voiced her reluctance to pursue the plate, to which she responds that no one ever takes her seriously.
Upon arriving at the shop, they find the owner deceased and the inventory pages torn out, casting a shadow of doubt over their progress. However, a glimmer of hope emerges when Grog encounters children who recognize a pepperbox. Just as things seem to be looking up, guards attempt to apprehend Vox Machina for being at the scene of Mistress Asharru's murder. Gilmore valiantly fends off the guards but is subsequently captured.
Meanwhile, Scanlan remains oblivious to the unfolding drama, having gone to watch his daughter Kaylie perform in a musical troupe. However, Kaylie is less than thrilled to see him. Scanlan implores her to listen, but as always, he finds himself struggling to articulate his feelings and be authentic with her.
Percy eventually concludes his arduous labor, yet his actions inadvertently turn deadly as he attempts to incinerate Anna and Orthax, unwittingly causing grievous harm to the ancient plate armor vestige in the fray. Vex arrives at the lair at the eleventh hour, rescuing Percy just in time, with the rest of the group hot on her heels. However, fate is unkind as the guards swiftly close in on them, leading to their arrest, while Anna and Orthax slip away unscathed with the vestiges.
Dragged before the formidable ruler of Ank’Harel, J’mon Sa Ord, they are accused of murder and denied the opportunity to voice their accusations against Anna Ripley. Their prized vestiges and Percy's pepperbox, identified as the same type used in Asharru's murder, are confiscated. Defiant to the last, they refuse to confess, earning them a sentence of death. In a desperate bid to save his comrades, Percy confesses to the crime himself. J'mon Sa Ord accepts his confession readily and banishes the others from Ank’Harel, while Percy faces an ignominious execution.
Upon learning of Vox Machina's plight, Scanlan is torn between his duty to his friends and his desire to be with his daughter. Overwhelmed with emotion, he resorts to drowning his sorrows in alcohol, a move that only solidifies Kaylie's belief that he will never change.
As the guards escort Vox Machina from the premises, they encounter Scanlan and relay Percy's grim fate. A diadem, designed to torment, is placed upon Percy's head by J'mon Sa Ord. Just when all seems lost, Scanlan bursts in with a new piece of evidence – his sword, Mythcarver. He urges them to gaze into its blade and witness the truth. The vision reveals Anna Ripley and Orthax in their treacherous acts. Realizing their innocence, J'mon Sa Ord clears Vox Machina of all charges. Yet, Scanlan's relief at saving Percy is tempered by the missed opportunity to reconcile with Kaylie.
Percy bears the weight of guilt for allowing Orthax to escape and keeping Anna Ripley's secrets from his friends. He confesses his fear of Vex's disappointment, unaware that her affection for him surpasses his own expectations.
Vox Machina believes Anna has made off with the genuine plate, but J'mon Sa Ord reveals a cunning twist – they anticipated the theft and replaced it with a forgery. Anna is now in possession of a fake. The real vestige lies hidden in the treacherous Hells of Despa, guarded by a demon antiquities collector. To reclaim it, Vox Machina must brave the infernal depths of hell itself.
