A Bards Lament: When Roleplay Touches Reality

One of Critical Roles Most Meaningful Moments.
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[@Saxonis_]

KZbinr discovers acting Amazing

[@PlayYourRole]

Everyone, counteract this individuals cynicism with absurdly nice comments about their lovely personality.

[@gabrielbustamante3167]

I love you, bro, you're such a nice lad. Would love to be your friend irl frfr ❤

[@bye1551]

Hey I hope you have an amazing day! You deserve it, you're so heckin cool! Cool people deserve the world, and you're one of them!

[@TheCrimsonBard]

Hope you're having a great day!

[@TheLawliet10]

I agree, acting is amazing. That's what I love about you man, you can share in someone's enjoyment of acting.

[@Avankiri]

It only takes one great game to go from "What's the worst character i can play" to "What's my mother's name".

[@Bokmoh]

😂😂😂

[@leonsilvy7121]

Martha...probably

[@jlokison]

​@@leonsilvy7121Juniper Shorthalt, father unknown.

[@leonsilvy7121]

@@jlokison I like the name 'Juniper'... But I admit 'Shorthalt' is new to me...

[@Bam_Bizzler]

​@@leonsilvy7121better then hogblower

[@tsuchinokofamiliar8092]

“What’s my mothers name.” Still sends chills when I hear it such a good performance

[@PlayYourRole]

What REALLY gets me is that every player grows quiet. Its not their fault they didnt know her name, Sam has never had Scanlan make a big deal of it... But thats the first time they REALIZED he had never made a big deal of it.

[@tsuchinokofamiliar8092]

@@PlayYourRole I know right?! I swear the tension felt like it could be with a knife but that clean joke to break all the tension was beautifully done as well. Sam is simply built different. Also great video I do enjoy these analyses and honestly this one really helps as I have a similar situation with a character I was playing as long story but now I definitely feel I can handle his big explosion moment with more tact

[@Dakarai_Knight]

I saw it for the first time yesterday and now I'm seeing this. Weirdddd

[@mattbriddell9246]

@@PlayYourRole and that they had never made the effort to ask and learn more about him.

[@Spherrum]

The "Martha" thing from Batman vs Superman ruins it a bit for me. Dumb brain of mine, can't watch this scene without thinking about all those stupid memes.

[@Garrett236]

Sam said he originally intended for Scanlan to leave the party. He felt his story had come to an end. Scanlan had found something worth living for and his death made him realize how fragile that relationship was. It was only after seeing how much the party actually missed Scanlan did he decide to bring him back.

[@missmusic4951]

I heard Sam say the opposite--Tary was only supposed to last couple/few episodes and then Scanlan would come back but it turned into like a 14 episode arc.

[@Kaiser8361N]

@@missmusic4951which I’m glad because I really liked Tary

[@aramanon]

Tarion was way under-leveled and underpowered to survive Vecna. He was never going to be an endgame character

[@Animeniac77_Teemo_G0ne_Wild]

​@@aramanonSource? Trust you bro?

[@ErasMcras]

If my party made my characters death into a joke and then embarrassed them in front of the one person they care to impress, well a snapping is kinda warranted.

[@snakebitcat]

I was furious at the characters for that. Still am, really.

[@boanoah6362]

I'm still not sure why they did that honestly, I don't watch DnD stuff beyond clips and things like this so I'm coming in as an outsider, and it just makes me hate the other characters? Like... their friend died in battle in front of his estranged daughter he has a tenuous bond with and they chose to basically desecrate him? And then worst of all while he's like this they make his daughter (who is no doubt struggling) sit there to watch him? Speaking as a person and not a character I just can't imagine forgiving that... that's a betrayal that runs DEEP.

[@snakebitcat]

@@boanoah6362 If I recall correctly, the idea was proposed by a guest character, and to a certain extent I can see why they ran with it - the face he presented to the world was that of a clown who was always looking for a punchline - but it really did take it from "a prank on the friend who's always joking" to treating him like a joke at the absolute worst possible time.

[@dattos140]

@@boanoah6362 I aint gonna lie, i've personally taken the shit out of WAY more dramatic moments in dnd, and vice versa to me, people tend to take critical role more seriously cause it's a show, but goofyness, awkwardness, and not taking shit seriously is just part of dnd, i think it's more so unprofessional then it is rude or bad imo, cause unlike the casual dnd session, this is being shown to millions of people, who love and respect all the characters, and each of those character SHOULD be treated with respect in serious moments, because if they aren't it's disrespectful of the fans emotions. Point is, not necessarily a bad thing to make light of a serious situation in dnd, it's a game for having a good time with friends, and if friends wanna do that stuff, they're more then welcome to, but it's bad from the perspective of critical role as dnd game ASWELL as a show, which has to care about the audience almost as much as the players on screen. I hope this doesn't come off as preachy, i just wanted to make a point that while this ISNT unusual or bad behavior for a game of dnd, it's still kind of a dick move to do for different reasons.

[@boanoah6362]

@@dattos140 Oh no I realize that people will and can have goofy things happen in games, but big DnD like Critical Role is more about actors playing out these characters as best as they can (to me anyways). So like if you take this moment as a thing done by people to their friend it really just becomes psychopathic at best, ya know? Like don't take me wrong here, levity can be the best medicine for tragedy sometimes but I feel like dismantling a friend's noble sacrifice by parading their lifeless body dolled up in clown make-up to their family is... not okay? Like how was Scanlan supposed to react to this in the best case scenario? Have a laugh and then take the time to bathe and get dressed and then explain to his daughter that it was 'just a prank bro'? It just doesn't click, it's not something a person would do to someone they care about.

[@LokiToxtrocity]

That hug Liam gave Sam was the cutest thing, knowing how much Sam's friendship means to Liam just makes that hug a bit emotional.

[@danielmartin6386]

"this is awkward" starts rubbing his ass on talisen XD

[@LokiToxtrocity]

@@danielmartin6386 he sat on his lap as if he was Santa. XD

[@masonchapple7669]

Just some additional insight, Sam was building up to this moment for a long time before it finally spilled over, having Scanlan start turning to drugs, keeping secrets from the rest of Vox Machina, and lashing out/doing unnecessarily cruel and/or messed up things to others, including messing with their memories. Scanlan was in a clear downward spiral, but his second death (because let's not forget the first one while fighting Thordak) and subsequent resurrection and humiliation with his daughter present were, as stated in the video, the straw that broke the camel's back.

[@gaberobison680]

Sam is great he taught a masterclass in roleplay and how to respect characters

[@WexMajor82]

Grog grieves his death as a Berserker would. An amazing moment of roleplay from Travis. He doesn't get sad. He gets angry.

[@vision4860]

It's easier to be angry than sad. Anger has a target, an enemy, and it can propel you, and even if that movement is toward something destructive it can feel preferable to the alternative. You rage as long as you can so you can focus on anything but the inside of your head. Sadness, despair, it's the opposite. It halts motion, holds you in, swallows you up. And it doesn't give you an enemy to loathe and attack except maybe yourself. Anger is so much easier than sadness. So much simpler.

[@snakebitcat]

He doesn't understand what spell slots are. He only knows that the others were able to cast a spell to bring one friend back, so why can't they do it again?

[@PalleRasmussen]

Travis is the kind of player we should all try to be.

[@Shadowmib]

​@@PalleRasmussen is so many different ways travis is nearly the ideal player.

[@PalleRasmussen]

@@Shadowmib I agree. I do have one that is a mixture of Sam and Laura, yet entirely herself. I care for her deeply and wish she was my daughter, cause her dad is a bastard. I play with my students I might add.

[@lenajohnson6179]

I always liked how Laura played Vex about Scanlan's departure. As something of the 'mom' of the group. She was equal parts both 'fuck him for sayin that... but fuck us for it being right." and then how she stuck up for him when he came back.

[@sailorenthusiast]

This was my absolute favorite Scanlan moment. I know most people like him because he’s basically the comic relief of the party, and tbf, he is a very funny character. However, seeing his gradual mental decline leading up to his death, and the dismissal from the other party members as they brushed it off as “Scanlan being a goofball” made this moment feel incredibly cathartic. Because for once, he’d had enough of being dismissed as little more than a goofball, and the rest of the party was caught in a position where they had to take him seriously for once.

[@robinthrush9672]

Being only familiar from the show, I _hated_ his character until that point. I still don't like the annoying "horny" bard, but he's been much more tolerable in the show since.

[@obsidiannightwolfe13]

"Is it worth it" was my favorite moment. This was second.

[@obsidiannightwolfe13]

​@robinthrush9672 keep going with the campaign and there'll be a wrap up that'll really surprise you.

[@robinthrush9672]

By "the show" I meant the cartoon on Amazon.

[@upsidedownpyramid7617]

This makes sense, I can tell how the character can become a bit more annoying at first on the animated adaptation@@robinthrush9672

[@iselreads2908]

Can't wait to see this scene get animated. For those that are paying attention, you can see that the gang really hasn't treated Scanlan the best. They ignored him when he said the book Vax stole from Delilah's chest was likely important, they laughed at him when he serious suggested causing a distraction so they could break into Prof.Anders mansion more easily to save Percy's sister, and that's just the tip of the iceberg from season 1.

[@Hey-Its-Dingo]

I'm, like, 99% positive that Bard's Lament is gonna be the finale of Season 3.

[@rekkwaffle7668]

​@@Hey-Its-Dingoyup. I agree. I've been seeing the writing lead up to it since halfway through season 1. This is 100% what's going to happen

[@iselreads2908]

@@Hey-Its-Dingo it'd be a hell of a note to end the season on, especially for those who don't know what's coming. End things on a somber, emotionally heartbreaking end.

[@Hey-Its-Dingo]

@@iselreads2908 Yeah, and then I hope S4 opens with them meeting Tary. Lol

[@nox_tech_]

@@Hey-Its-Dingo hopefully tary's not included in promo material and well hidden lol. so that when tary's introduced, viewers feel like we felt lmao. the sudden whiplash of scanlan/sam supposedly being gone whipping into "sam's playing THIS GUY?!"

[@livebythecreed1000]

The fact he had to ask the simple question of “how old am I?” Is so heartbreaking

[@wyatt9380]

That was a trick question, he never told them how old he was even when they asked him in character.

[@ColieBear18]

The brilliance of it is he played Scanlan as being very reserved with personal things, even when directly asked. It's a brilliant way of playing a character with deeply held hurt who wants to be known but doesn't let people close to them. Absolutely brilliant.

[@senoritoburrito2224]

​@@ColieBear18yes this! I honestly relate to this so much and it's why I love scanlan so much. Like yes he's a lil shit and fucks around etc but he is a deep-feeling and genuinely big-hearted person who just never trusted himself enough to let himself be known. Like he was scared of showing people how much he cared because of the vulnerability that comes with it. He had a heartbreaking trauma pre-vm, and that fear of losing someone you love and who loves you is all too real.

[@athena1491]

@@wyatt9380 that is one way to look at it, but, its a bit deeper than that i think. They didnt care enough to find out, and work through his shell and care about the person inside. The pushed about percys family, to get answers, and grogs clan, but, couldnt be bothered to with his basics. If the group asked back "how old are we" he probably couldnt answer either

[@therealameliabedelia7821]

@@athena1491 What I really love about this moment is that I think it goes beyond what Scanlan is aiming at the others. The person he is truly most angry at is himself. He’s angry that he “let himself” die and let down his daughter. He’s angry that he doesn’t let the others in. He’s angry that he abandoned Kaylee to begin with. He’s basically going through all the phases of self loathing (tracking from his consistent drug use before this event). He uses this to push everyone else away. Except for Kaylee, who gets through to him.

[@Heavensrun]

I love how Liam figures it out halfway through Tary's description and is ready to roleplay with this new character while everybody else is DUMBSTRUCK.

[@ScreamsGeo]

To be fair, from Laura's side glances she gives throughout the description, she's clearly suspicious that Tary was Sam's new character before he spoke up.

[@tiph3802]

Laura's reaction is my favorite part of Tary's introduction.

[@aaronconnolly5160]

"FIX HIM!" Brings a tear to my eye every time. Every time..

[@BuffiestFluff]

Travis is the best.

[@alito8798]

And then he proceeds to fuck with our emotions even more by introducing Taryon. Brilliant !

[@snakebitcat]

Going from "What's my mother's name" to "Oh, little elf girl" was a TRIP.

[@HeroofBergen]

Taryon being introduced the same episode wasn't supposed to happen. Sam thought that Scanlan would leave in this episode and Taryon would be introduced in the next one. Matt thought differently and introduced Taryon earlier than Sam had expected. Probably because Matt saw the reaction of Liam to Scanlan leaving and wanted to make it clear that the campaign wasn't over and that while Scanlan was leaving, Sam wasn't. A little miscommunication that ultimately led to some hilarious moments because Sam is a great improviser.

[@sagescribe_]

@@HeroofBergenI heard from elsewhere (dunno which is true) since the Bard’s Lament episode was gonna be the potential last time VM would be in Marquet, there wouldn’t be a better time like that session to bring in a character like Taryon

[@culbycove4963]

@@HeroofBergenemotional whiplash makes for great TV tbh 😅

[@StealthMarmot_]

It was also the moment the group realized...THAT SON OF A BITCH WAS PLANNING THIS!

[@aaronpendragran5387]

My favorite part about that interaction was When Grog spoke to him Grog: Skanlan Skanlan: WHAT!? Grog: Whats your mother's name

[@indigova]

It's like a child who's being scolded trying to fix what he messed up which is so pure

[@thatweirdgirl8466]

Scanlan

[@Jason-ji8ql]

To be fair, this was possibly the most emotionally charged moment in campaign one up until that point. The best part was I'm pretty sure only Sam and Matt knew it was going to happen. Everyone elses reaction is real, and that makes it deep. I remember feeling very conflicted at the time because I was kinda worried Sam was leaving the show for a minute... Right up until Tary showed up... XD

[@drd444]

I love it because you just know Sam absolutely loved putting them in an awkward situation and absolutely pulling the rug from under them. His character was in a state of torment but he was loving every second of fucking with them lol

[@jasonupdaw9551]

You can tell they didn't see it coming from their legitimate anger at Sam for breaking their hearts into pieces and then just bringing in some new guy as a replacement

[@MentalVideographer]

@@drd444 I think that's part of what made Taryon's introduction important. Specifically on a meta-level, it's a sign to the audience that, 'just so we're clear, we're having a good time here, and the drama is all happening *in character*,' and probably to some extent just a reminder to the rest of the table.

[@zeroanonymity9736]

I once had a DnD campaign where because some players couldn't make that session me and the other player that came that night had a debate in character for HOURS about the politics of the world we were playing in. What we should do, what was best for everyone, why we felt the way we did, examples of characters, factions, religions, entire histories to support it... And we were HEATED while doing it too hahaha So heated that at one point I literally broke my scowl and had to say, "I just want you to know this is the BEST, all of this aggression is just my character, I'm LOVING THIS!"

[@stripedpolkadots8692]

That’s so awesome!

[@songbird6414]

As a DM I’m absolutely dreaming of the day I can make this happen for my party.

[@georgerobins4110]

I remember doing that once with my friend, too lol “To clarify, I’m not actually mad you’re hugging me. My character hates being touched lol”

[@LordShadowZ]

Friendly reminder that Critical Role is a cast of extremely talented and prolific voice actors. "Actor" is literally part of their job descriptions.

[@bradhansen8506]

They are so damn good at what they do lol

[@williammagill7883]

Yeah they are pretty amazing!😊

[@raptorxd2146]

who doesnt know that?

[@Dualis58]

same reason Dimension 20 is so good

[@halodude7167]

​@raptorxd2146 The point is made due to what happens when people's first time seeing TTRPGs is Critical Role, and then they think it's the norm, and that every table is like this with all the over the top voice acting and tension, but in reality that is not the case.

[@Theroha]

That hug from Liam was so heart felt. Sam made Scanlan for Liam's birthday game, and that game grew into the campaign. Sam is Liam's best friend. That rant from Scanlan had to have hit him like a freight train.

[@briardrinksblood]

Sam did a great job ... But that "FIX HIM!!" has me spooked everytime like travis sounds angry AF

[@kosviik9584]

Sam to Matt before the session: "Want to set up one of the biggest emotional slam-dunk-twists in the history of the campaign?" Matt just probably smiled excitedly.

[@benpurcell4935]

Sam and Jaffe recently talked about how they create their characters. Sam’s characters are based upon a certain portion of his personality. Scanlan portrays his sense of pride.

[@G.F.SF55]

Wasn't it his ego? I feel like pride and ego a lil different

[@benpurcell4935]

@@G.F.SF55 It’s pride in this case.

[@scribesorcerer4967]

I’m curious what Nott and FCG were portraying?

[@kylehahn4410]

Appreciation to Liam here for being so quick to adapt to this information, reacting with in-character indifference almost immediately.

[@rhapsody98]

There was a moment in Campaign 2 when Laura did a similar "Burst the tension bubble." She got very angry (I forget at what), but she was so angry, that she got up from the table and started to walk off. The faces on the rest of the cast were shocked, you could tell they felt bad, and then she turned and yelled "I AM VERY PREGNANT" which both explained why she was so angry (those preggo hormones will get'cha!), and made every one laugh and set them at ease again. I loved that little moment.

[@AshtonMonitor]

I wanna say it had something to do with how they considered killing Yasha while she was under enemy control? And Jester's feelings of how she failed to keep the group together which led to Molly dying (in her mind) making her freak about that? I may be misremembering tho, its been several years.

[@Dracon350]

@@AshtonMonitor nah, if you remember, Laura gave birth before Molly's death, hence why she and Travis were kidnapped, so as to write off their characters until they got back. that specific dialogue came from when she had a rough turn, missing all her stuff while they were fighting the ocean serpent folks underground.

[@AshtonMonitor]

@@Dracon350 ahhh, that's right! my bad, had the timeline all mixed up in my head. thanks for clearing it up!

[@Dracon350]

@@AshtonMonitor not a problem. i'm still fresh off C2, so i didn't have to reach too far back to remember it.

[@bibliophilecb]

Iirc she was just rolling terribly? But yeah you could tell she was getting legitimately frustrated and the tension breaking was perfect

[@TimedRevolver]

When Sam makes that joke after Scanlan's exit, you can see the relief in everyone's face...as well as the realization that Sam is far more amazing than they already thought he was.

[@Jessens98]

Honestly, when the animate this scene, I don't want them to change a single word. It's all perfection.

[@AnxietyRat]

Since the episodes are so short they most likely will have to truncate the scene, unfortunately. Like they did with the Kaylee reveal. But I trust them to keep the vibe of the scene.

[@MrSuperTeenGohan]

While I'm sure the animated scene will be great, it won't ever come close to the actual session. A big part of the impact here came from how real the shock was, how it felt like Sam might be genuinely upset that his character was just the funny man and didn't really get a "main character" moment. Even if Sam wasn't genuinely upset, no one else could actually know. Even we as viewers could feel ashamed about not being emotionally invested enough. But when it gets animated, we'll all know it's acting. That's just part of the nature of an animated show

[@baguldus1885]

I love how Sam left the group as Scanlan. He called them all out on the shit and then just left. Only to later appear as a new character, a character who was the embodyment of all of the other characters downsides in one person. And they HATED him (at first).

[@joshsteppan9986]

The line a few episodes before this from vex “without your spells you’re just some guy” rang like a gunshot in my ears after sam/scanlan had this moment I feel like it’s something that maybe gets forgotten or dismissed but it and so many other small things post Kaylie coming into the story have so much more weight when you can look back and know what the pain that is both being hidden by scanlan and overlooked by the rest of the group truly an incredible moment that still sends chills down my spine

[@Fyreworx]

Yes exactly this. It was a split second where it really came out. Everyone else has all their special things, always running in the spotlight and powers on powers on powers. Scanlan had all those things too but they didn't see it. He didn't get the big episode time everyone else got.

[@Mahathemime89]

This was the single moment that i felt truly exemplified how the party views scanlan. A hype to his character of "your clutch in a fight." Only to be dragged down to the depths with "without your spells, your just a dude" it didnt need to be said but its the blackest mark ive ever seen.

[@SkilesHasFun]

Grog yelling "FIX HIM" is still absolutely fucking devastating after all these years.

[@alexdoorn234]

Man I know how it feels to have a character so close to your own character die like that, I play in a campaign with my brothers and a few friends my oldest brother is the DM. My character Gweneal a changeling bardsorlock was knocked out during a battle with a mini boss, they awaken to a half goliath and a faintly familiar fairy. As they look around for their friends there in the ashes of the battle lies a familiar trident, holy symbol and a broken shark tooth on a string. With tears in their eyes they search more and finds a singular familiar bracer of their mentor with their head completely silent. From that point they have no acces to their warlock magic and their book of shadows is empty they did accidentally telepathically comunicated in some random person's head. Aka a primordial took their best friend and pseudo mentor in one battle and the changeling is broken, on top of that 2 party members are kidnapped and their childhood mentor (the fairy) came to tell them that the cult has been kidnapping heroes of his court. Gweneal knew of their parents' capture but now they face real danger of being kidnapped and tortured because they are a hero of the fairy's court as well.

[@SkilesHasFun]

@@alexdoorn234 Man, that's rough.

[@Frankly_Amazing2000]

Sam’s speech really hits hard for me. As a kid in high school, I felt a deep depression throughout my time there, feeling that I was alone and despite people being nice to me was fake. That no one knew me, took the time to get to know me and I had no friends. It took me a long time to get over these feelings and realize people did care, and I had to make the effort.

[@CloudyWolf713]

Hey. You doing ok?

[@lh776]

Yeah I think part of depression is definitely the inability to connect to others and that makes everything else worse. Many hugs man

[@thelegendofrosetyler]

​I'm 4:22 4:22 but 7th not ii 4:22 =kkk

[@jekkareznikov9769]

I am not actually sure that Sam have had any of these feelings. He's just a really good actor, and the fact that the players felt the tension and that they have realized that their characters have fucked up is great. It was the moment where players realized that "Oh shit! Things that we do actually have consequences" It doesn't have to come from Sam having issues with friends of his. As you said - He has planned for it and this is just how it comes out when you've got a great actor with an absolutely flawless performance taking the other cast by surprise as they were not in on it

[@snakebitcat]

I think it was mostly IC, but that there was a little bit of OOC feelings getting into the mix. Every one of the other players had some major storyline dedicated to them (except perhaps Pike, since Ashley was only there part time due to the TV series she was on,) and his attempt to finally get that to happen for Scanlan by playing out a descent into addiction from self-medicating to deal with the stress of what they were dealing with were being treated as a joke by everyone.

[@prinzezzqtpi5437]

He isn't saying Sam was upset with his friends. Repeatedly he said that Sam was reaching into his past for the emotions that made his acting so powerful here. A lot of class clowns and comedians are people who use humor to cover hurt.

[@upsidedownpyramid7617]

That's a big thing for emotional acting is being able to drum up your own personal struggles and emotions to fuel a character, I have done it a few times with characters at the table to create deep moments in RP heavy campaigns, its great to have RNR after sessions like that as well, check up on each other, because again, these guys are actors, and not everyone who plays dnd will be able to handle the IC emotions OOC. That is why things like session zeroes are important, playing with a group of RP heavy players, especially actors in this case, is incredibly freeing because you get to express a great story with your character and in a way its therapeutic to dig into your hurt, it doesn't mean there is some sort of OOC tension between. @@prinzezzqtpi5437

[@Rellyks]

well, as they've been living in the skin of these characters for so long, it's really no different from method acting, and it's not that the feelings aren't real because they're in character, they are as powerful as if they were from sam. The line really is blurred, and he is a great actor, but i really think that these emotions are fully real

[@upsidedownpyramid7617]

Oh I absolutely agree, I think there was plenty throughout the session the the campaign leading up to that moment that allowed Sam to use those real emotions in the skin of his character, but the most important thing, especially if you are a DND player and have big moments like that, is to understand and make sure everyone else understands that while emotions do bleed, Scanlan's rage against his party was not Sam's rage directed at his friends, it was more Sam's rage and sadness from his own life that he allowed to channel directly into the character, and method acting like that is something truly beautiful. @@Rellyks

[@happyninja42]

I'm sorry but that opening "It's been a whiiiiiiile" from your camera-lady was priceless. xD I've replayed that like 10 times already just to hear her blurt that out. Well done.

[@PlayYourRole]

I showed her this comment and she says shes a star

[@happyninja42]

@@PlayYourRole 👏👏

[@giggityguy]

Another crucial bit of context: as part of the ad read at the beginning of that episode, Sam goes on a long tangent about feeling like he was missing moments in his kids' lives. They laughed at it in the moment, but in the emotional shock of Scanlan going off on them, Laura apparently thought that Sam was genuinely going to quit the show to spend more time with his kids. It's also why she acts so pissed at him out of character when Taryon shows up, because she realizes that he tricked her.

[@alexandertiberius1098]

Scanlan was a man willing to go into battle with little but a lute because he had nothing that he loved enough to stay alive for, he lived for the moment because he didn't think he had anything that would last. When he meets his daughter, that idea is shown to be wrong and he realises that it matters if he dies. So, he walks away because he thinks it's best for his daughter. Then eventually when everything comes under threat, he walks back into battle with little but a lute, to fight for everyone that he loves, because he knows it's best for his daughter. Scanlan is the best.

[@notlibatiusborage8645]

I knew exactly which moment this was going to be. Can't wait for the lessons to learn from it

[@PlayYourRole]

This was the first moment I ever wanted to make a video on, and I finally got the bravery to do it. So glad to talk about it, its an insanely amazing performance.

[@notlibatiusborage8645]

@PlayYourRole for me this 2as the moment we really saw that no matter how much of a joke your character is when you make them, you put something of yourself in them, and over time they become multidimensional. And no matter how hard you try not to car about your characters, they'll always get in the cracks of your personality and make themselves known like little grass seeds in cement

[@briandaaranda9735]

What I loved about this moment was Grog. Loud, childish, angry, sometimes oblivious Grog... he's the one to ask: "What was your mother's name?" And he's the one to say "I'm sorry I didn't ask before." It's such a sweet moment between two friends who deeply care about each other, even if they're angry at each other in that moment.

[@alito8798]

There is NO WAY this happened, I just finished watching this episode of Vox Machina like 10 minutes ago and immediately I see this video!

[@PlayYourRole]

Its because I'm actively monitoring your progress, you just haven't noticed because I'm so sneaky

[@alito8798]

Shit I roled a nat 1 on my perseption check @@PlayYourRole

[@flaviomonteiro1414]

​@@PlayYourRole😂

[@jetdathreat]

Shhh the algorithm is always watching and always listening

[@Slyphantom]

Oml i never realized how uncomfortable Taliesin got at this. He just kept drinking from his cup

[@Jonjon13Jonjon13]

I know you say it "feels like" it comes from Sam. But this wasn't him taking it personally, this was an arc that he planned and interpreted as an incredibly good actor. In fact in the previous episodes the entire party was very worried about Scanlan getting into harder drugs and isolating himself, and kept asking him what was wrong, he just waved them off and his incredible CHA rolls just made his wall impenetrable. He wanted to bring up a depression story, where someone just jokes to hide their pain away, and they think noone cares, when actually people out there did care a lot about him just his own depression couldn't let him see that. I'd swear I've even read somewhere (maybe I made it up, don't take it very solidly please lol) that they kinda planned for this to happen with the whole party in some way or another (probably not like full script, but that everyone had some idea something big was brewing and even leaned into it by making the whole mess and all) Stellar acting, imo. It does FEEL very real, not gonna lie!

[@-Samx]

100% planned on Sam and Matt's part but be careful on that 2nd part bud, you're getting real close to the whole CR is scripted rhetoric. I think what you're referring to is an ooc chat with the group joking about Scanlan needing an intervention.

[@hangry3102]

Well you know what they say. Most actors who can make this stuff "FEEL very real," are usually method acting to _some_ extent. They are taking moments from their real life and imbuing it into their performance. Not saying that's what Sam did, but I don't think anyone would be surprised if even a small part of that performance was actually real.

[@Jonjon13Jonjon13]

@@hangry3102 could definitely be some personal experience, maybe, but as far as I understood definitely not something he was going through at that point

[@andyg7747]

They don't script anything and nobody other than Sam and Matt knew Scanlan was leaving. Matt only knew because Sam had told him about wanting to play a different character but he didn't know how Sam would get Scanlan away from the group.

[@geminirox8635]

Liams reaction proves they really thought sam was upset.

[@feitocomfruta]

Similarly, in C3, “You lied.” Laura and Marisha said they checked on each other after the episode, and agreed they are okay, but it’s SOOOO JUICY!

[@upsidedownpyramid7617]

Its good practice to do so after super emotional scenes, whether you are a professional actor/VA or just sitting at a very RP heavy table, good acting requires you to feel a role, and that includes the emotions of the role. From the standpoint of a musician, I have always put a crazy amount of emotion into performance, and since I have started playing more DND the past couple years, I have had moments acting at the table where I had to take a breath afterwards and be like "holy shit that cut deep"

[@athena1491]

what episode number?

[@mooshy2]

“You lied” is so dumb. Idk why everyone obsessed over it. Laudna had no idea that she was going to break the rock, it was a total accident. It was clear it was an accident. Imogen knew Laudna well enough to know that she wouldn’t do something like that. Imogen overreacted completely and was totally at fault from the get-go. It was genuinely bad roleplaying. The whole thing was silly. Nowhere near as powerful as this moment.

[@mooshy2]

“You lied” is when I mentally checked out from campaign 3. To me, it seemed like a clear way to replicate some of the drama from the previous 2 campaigns. That kind of drama was missing from C3 so far. It seemed like the players were fabricating a cliffhanger to create drama.

[@athena1491]

@@mooshy2 i mean, it makes sense in character, "oh sure, you wanna hold the only thing in the world thats ever been able to stop my nightly torment? I trust you" like, if you handed someone something important... and they instantly shattered it in front of you.... that would fuck with you a bit.

[@CaptainFirespitter]

I’ve gone through a similar situation with my dnd group a couple years ago with my own character like Scanlan: I’d been playing a Dragonborn tempest cleric called Deric Kain in a Heavily modified version of Tyranny of Dragons and out of everyone in my group at the time, my character was the person who had to make all the hardest decisions and choices in the entire campaign, despite being the youngest person there (Literally a teenager in the campaign!) I made sacrifice after sacrifice to give the war effort the best possible chance of success regardless of the personal cost to my character: In order to resurrect a party member, He became a permanent member and Soldier for the Lord’s Alliance, something that he never wanted to do in the first place but did so because he felt partially responsible for what happened. He secured an alliance with a powerful sect of Lolth worshippers, Drow, Vampires and Devils to aid the war efforts at the ultimate cost of his soul in the end. He gave up any and all chances of a happy life and made countless questionable at best and horrible and irredeemable choices at worst to help the party and others. He did all this and so much more, dirtied his hands so no one else had to, whilst the party kept trying to espouse themselves as “Holier than thou” so as to call themselves heroes, most especially from one group member in particular. (Don’t worry, we’re still great friends before anyone asks!!!😅) It got to the point in the campaign when my character basically called everyone out on their hypocrisy and BS while being completely open and honest about himself and everything he did, unapologetic and completely accepting that he’s not a hero in the slightest. It created so much storytelling in the campaign and insanely memorable, even including a moment when the Villains, due to personal history with Deric and from sheer respect for his dedication and willpower for everything, actually offered my character a chance to openly join Tiamat and be one of the highest Ranked and Youngest Wyvern Speakers in the cult’s history, Who he openly spat on. (Delivered from one of the best damn speeches I ever made in my years of playing dnd.) It was such a blast, and even me and my Dm agreed between ourselves privately that despite everything, Ironically Deric was the biggest hero out of the old group of people. A lot’s changed since then unfortunately and I haven’t been able to play or be part of anything like that for about a year now due to health problems in my life but yeah. :/ Apologies for the extended message everyone who reads all this!!!😅

[@livecatgrenades]

WOW! Thanks for sharing this that sounds epic.

[@Damalatorian]

Aaaand then Sam makes sure to troll everybody next time he comes around is such a treat 😂

[@jerryharris876]

17:21. Sam was acting. The other players know a lot about his personal life & he knows a lot about theirs. At the time of the episode's release, Sam and Liam were best friends (and still are to this day). To be a good actor, it might be necessary to pull things from personal life - or the personal lives of other people they know - to be able to convey the proper emotion and behaviors for whatever they are performing at the time.

[@Tim_Beitel]

This kind of role play can only work with a table where everyone feels safe

[@nauroticdax]

everybody demanding people DM like matt mercer, aint nobody ready to rp like sam riegel

[@lavellelee5734]

I'm new here but I knew he looked familiar 😂

[@kairasakamoto3187]

Ironically while Scanlan was liked by a lot of people I know for his humor (esp in the beginning), I actually didn’t like him for precisely that reason. The humor was very crude which isn’t enjoyable to me. He used his humor as a deflection, and I really was not surprised that the rest of Vox didn’t know anything about him. Sometimes people can be very good at avoiding, and I fully believe Scanlan was one of them. However, he’s also not wrong. We all think “if they were really my friends they’d dig, they’d notice what I’m doing” but it doesn’t work that way. I’ve been in Scanlans position, the diff being is that I I freely gave info…but threw it away or forgot it. Sam was and continues to be amazing.

[@AdamEspersona]

And that is precisely what folks keep forgetting: Scanlan deflected. A lot. No one ever got to dig because he wouldn’t give them an opening, yet he’s upset that they didn’t bother asking. He’s also wrong in his claim that no one did anything for him. He just never saw it because he wasn’t around to witness it. “If they were really my friends, they’d dig, they’d notice what I’m doing.” You’re right in that it doesn’t work that way. It’s what we ALL occasionally struggle with. And ironically, it only makes Kaylie’s own retort to him in LOVM sting all the more, that he always runs when something inconvenient happens. That, and he was all set to leave without Kaylie until Vex convinced him. He was ready to run all over again, just as his father had done to him and his mother. He almost became his father. And he only didn’t because someone was there to tell him that he needs to actually be there for his child, and not just make promises that would be very hard to keep.

[@calvinmobley9628]

A bards lament is one of the single greatest sessions of dnd I've ever seen. And it ending on the introduction of taryon is one of my favorite critical role moments.

[@ripum853]

I remember being really pissed about a few things even before the horrible pudding desecration. Someone essentially telling Scanlan, "without your spells, you're just a dude." Or how things turned out the first time they fought the green dragon, and he died, where everyone was more concerned about another dead character, whereas he's quickly resurrected, dragged, humiliated in front of Kima, and harrased.

[@senoritoburrito2224]

Kaylie, not kima 😂

[@ripum853]

@@senoritoburrito2224 even worse lol, but I thought it was kima standing there when Vax took out his "note".

[@senoritoburrito2224]

@@ripum853 ah she was possibly there, but I think he wouldn't care nearly as much about being embarrassed in front of kima. They are friends but he wasn't particularly close to her really. Kaylie on the other hand is 10000 times more impactful and harsh, the way everything went down.

[@joshricks1273]

Sam actually wasn't planning on playing Teryon for a few games originally. But I think it's for the best he came in when he did

[@theRedBear27]

I think a lot of what is being attributed to deeply rooted real emotions in this video could just as easily be attributed to Sam just having the acting chops to be able to create a powerful scene that his decades long career would imply

[@runa_7022]

its not crazy to assume an actor also has an emotional understanding of their character. good actors understand their characters, i dont think its a bad thing to assume that they also feel and understand the emotions theyre portraying

[@ten5h1]

“What’s my mother’s name?” Hit the group SO hard, that they always make sure they know at least THAT about people they meet in game.

[@snakebitcat]

The place where the most bleedthrough from player to character seems to come in is when he lists all of the major stories and story arcs that have been devoted to the other members of Vox Machina, when what story beats Scanlan got were mostly if not all done as B plots in other character's stories. Tary's storyline was the first time I can recall Sam getting something like Taliesin got in the Briarwood arc, or Laura got in the sessions dealing with Vex's father.

[@missmusic4951]

I love that, from a meta perspective, Scanlan hadn't gotten the spotlight yet simply because Matt happened to plan for it later rather than sooner, but it was that exacy innocuous happenstance which wound up being used to maximum dramatic effect in game.

[@Blue_Lunacy]

Something like this should be done at the table that people know each other very well. I believed I watched some interview or talks that the cast check-in with each other after this to make sure that things are ok above the table and that they, as actors, love juicy dramas like this.

[@dragonknightleader]

I always got angry at the characters after this, because from what I remember they all got pissed at Scanlan and said he basically had not right to get mad the way he did, and sadly a lot of their issues got passed on to Taryon, which I think they realized near the end of Taryon's storyline, but still, they did treat both Scanlan and Taryon like shit, and at least where I am in the campaign, they never really apologized for it when it came to Scanlan.

[@Birthday888]

Not really? The only person who was unapologetically angry at Scanlan was Percy. Vex was angry at Scanlan for leaving, but also conceded that he was right in some of his accusations. Vax and Keyleth were just bewildered, confused and sad. Plus, it is a "two way street" type of situation, because while Scanlan was right in that the group had been taking him for granted, he's also a good chunk of the reason why? Scanlan never opens up to the group about how he feels. Even before the Chroma Conclave, he shies away at any attempt to get close to him or open up about his vulnerabilities. So a lot of what he says is unfair to the group, even if it is accurate to a certain extent.

[@Rellyks]

@@Birthday888 It is unfair, and Sam even confirmed it in Talks, but he said that his decision took a lot of thinking (as great actors do) of how scanlan felt about things, about the others, and what was the honest thing to do and make to honor this. It is the greatest moment in CR to me, the most raw, and it was done carefully. Scanlan even admits when he comes back that he was wrong, even if he was right.

[@brightwall-]

What always gets me is when Scanlan does come back, Percy comes up with some bullshit line about Kaylies mothers name. Like Percy would've ever remembered that. It seemed intentional to make "Scanlan" look bad. One of my biggest issues with all of this because it was Scanlans monent and it gets tainted by him being a hypocrite because Sam as the player didn't have that information handy. Other than that, all of this was a wonderful and powerful piece of role-playing.

[@unexardiximarion1920]

​​@@brightwall- Tal plays Percy like an ABSOLUTE bastard. He WILL use out of game knowledge to make Percy an even bigger piece of shit. Undermining Scanlan through something Sam didn't know is on par for him.

[@Blazrath]

Its always weird coming back to this moment in CR, mostly due to thinking how trusting Sam and Matt had to be of themselves and the party to let this play out correctly and I do say correctly, as I have been at tables where similar blow outs have happened and it becomes personal instead of story. I've never had a moment like this, but the closest came in my last Pathfinder game, I was basically thrusted into being the tank and meat shield for the party when one of the players left and I sat there, watching my character get hacked to pieces slowly over time with the party just patching him up and pushing him out front. It came to a head in the early mid campaign point, where eventually my character got murdered by a lich and my soul get sucked into a phylactery like deal, being shredded for power in there. A deus ex machina saved me from annihilation, but I tried to see that my character wasn't okay anymore. I used magic to not have to sleep anymore, my flashy style started to get more macabre and drab, flirtations with npcs started to lessen and then in passing when one of the players asked how I was, I told them I felt like my soul didn't fully come back and that by using magic I was pulling at a thread slowly unraveling more and more as time went on. The campaign ended a year and a half later, with none of the players making any moves to check up on me, they kept pushing the idea back further and further as they needed their shield in front of them cause they all made squishy characters and refused to deviate to save themselves. At a certain point my character gave up on the idea of him being a person and just wanted them to make it out of all of this, so when the BBEG was defeated and we knew peace, he left them, creating a pocket dimension far away from everyone that slowed down time for him so he could watch over the material plane a while longer until he was a husk of a man. Its not the same as Sam or Scanlon, but I do wish I had the trust of the GM and of the players at the table to create an emotional moment in the game instead of continuously being patched up and sent forward.

[@Waitwhat469]

Man playing the tank realistically is rough! I had a character that I used in two different campaigns, in one he was a loveable meat head, but it was Saturday morning cartoon kind of game (rule of cool, have fun, etc). Played him again in other and it was interesting how quickly I started playing him like a vet with PTSD, check the corners, who's on watch, etc because it was a battle through literal hell.

[@mirrorshade]

I'm playing as a paladin whose background is a soldier who deals with PTSD and who committed war crimes. At his core, he is not a good person, and he had anger management problems in the first sessions. At some point (after the war of his background) met his current Faith. I spoke with the DM and the reason for his low connection with his deity is that: he does not fully embrace this path (level 1-2). I took the oath of redemption in level 3(but seriously at level 5) and began the change slowly. That way, the party's chaos Crew would have more room for their stupidity and my PC wouldn't have to go as an oathbreaker. It got to the point where the group decided to do something that my paladin had specifically said he wouldn't do. One of the people who decided that was the Ranger, who my Paladin got along best with from the beginnings of the adventure. The thing is, after warning the DM, I had an argument and the paladin momentarily left the party. I got carried away by emotions and the DM gave me Inspiration. (He was kind enough to have a one-shot with the paladin, to see how he could reverse the party's damage. Or for me to evaluate a new PC. I used my inspiration in that one-shot). At the end of the session where the separation occurred, I was very nervous that it would carry over to the interaction in the table, so I made a bad joke, then we talked and everyone told me they were fine with that. Being the tank of the group, I knew things wouldn't go so well for them, so the paladin eventually returned. As you said, it did translate into something personal, with precisely the Ranger. But that PC has a phobia of abandonment. So we're role-playing it between the two of us, and we hope to delve into his past soon. But something unexpected arose. The person the paladin got along with the worst, the warlock, revealed part of her past and said that she could respect the position of my PC. Now the group dynamic has changed and we have gone on new strange adventures thanks to the Warlock. I think sometimes games focus on the class and not the character itself. I remember at one table I was at, the other players left no room for the cleric to do anything other than heal. From a narrative point of view it is terrible what your party members forced your PC to be. It's worse than if he had been murdered. They turned him into a soulless killing machine.

[@yukishiyoji6187]

I love that Percy clings on to this moment for so long, and can finally turn it on Scanlan after a year, asking him what is Kaylie's mother's name.

[@lvplvp]

I actually abhored that part because that was never Scanlan's point. Percy didn't turn anything on Scanlan. It further validated Scanlan's point and unfortunately nobody called Percy out on it for the rest of the campaign. Scanlan said that he doesn't have someone he could confine to or have a deep special relationship like with Vax Keylith, Vex Percy, Grog Pike. And now they might have completely ruined this special relationship he finally found with his daughter. The idiots Vax and Percy didn't listen nor understood him (like always) and responded instead with: - Vax: I asked you about your age once - Percy (a full year later + never apologizing for humiliating him infornt of his daughter): What's Kaylie's mom name? Both of these characters comments were so dumb I honestly was left speechless. I think Scanlan did find that relationship with Vex when he came back so that made it a bit bearable

[@1Kapuchu100]

A thing I feel is missing from this video, which I feel is also very important to the moment, is Percy's reaction to Scanlan and his words to him in the hallway. Scanlan has never, not once, been open about himself. The things he's asking them, are things he knows he has never told them. Scanlan is not very open about himself, and unlike most everyone else, never opened up about himself or his past. And Percy, I feel, very rightfully calls him out on that, while also turning the question of "What's my mother's name?" back on him, even pointing out how easy it would be to find out given the several busts and paintings in the castle. Scanlan's outburst is, in many ways, justified, but it is also hypocritical. He is angry, and bitter, and he probably has a right to be so, but for every bit of truth in his outburst, there's also a little bit of hypocrisy. The things he accuse them of he is also guilty of, at least in part.

[@Erfivur]

I hated this. It’s like Percy observes his friend is in pain and instead of empathizing he decided to argue with Scanlan, as if he could forcefully change Scanlan’s emotions. The questions were never the point, even if everyone knew the answer, it wasn’t the point. Scanlan actively helped save Whitestone and reunited Percy with his sister, demanding he also know his mum’s name is just throwing more straws on the camels back. Does Percy think Scanlan doesn’t care about him? No. That’s how Scanlan feels. Percy missed the point entirely and turned into a petty bitch about it tbh.

[@harmonlanager2670]

@@ErfivurWhich is in character for him. He doesn’t have great social skills or control over his temper.

[@kinsan89]

And this, my friends, is great storytelling Edit cuz I hit enter too early: Flaws are part of everyone. In fits of emotion, you don't realize how hypocritical you can be. Hell, there are things you can be hypocritical about without ever realizing. It shows that nobody is perfect, and it puts it into a more realistic light for the sake of the story

[@senoritoburrito2224]

Yes this! But the fact that Scanlan DID know Percy's parents' names, with that little hint of defeat in his voice, even though they were absolut ly names that were readily available to learn from portraits etc, said a lot. Like, you can't flip someone's question back at them in order to make a point when the point will falter because they in fact do know the answer lmaoo

[@WISEARIES89]

​@Erfivur thats the point Percy is a very logical and controlled person when not getting revenge on his family's murderers. So to him it makes sense that Scanlan shouldn't be angry with them for not knowing much about him because he actively avoids talking about it. Percy gained alot of respect for Scanlan after he destroyed his gun and freed him from the demons contract. He was trying to be a good friend by showing Scanlan tough love by pointing out his hypocrisy.

[@leadingblind1629]

Sam really is so great. And it took sooooo long for me to appreciate him because he/Scanman was such a joker! And he's so amazing at reeling everyone else in when it needs to be done! Remember directly after the chair incident in cycle 2? The "fuck him!" Moment???

[@tiph3802]

For me, the moment I took Sam seriously (started with C2) was "so he can save me." Bro, I thought we were just having a laugh about you breaking into Fjord's room! The sudden mood change!

[@leadingblind1629]

@@tiph3802 for me that was the pirate ship talk about 'the boy'... when nobody knew. Shortly ish before Felderwind

[@davej5800]

Damn you Jay. It was 3.30am here in Australia when I saw your video come up. I had a nap at lunch time, and another after work so that I could watch the Australia Vs South African Cricket game live. And then you dump this emotional bomb on me. Thank you so much for sharing and commenting on this wonderful CR episode. It is one of my favorites, and I'm now a blubbering mess. Also, thanks for bringing back your "beautiful bastards " ending. It is such a loving Aussie thing to say and it makes me happy

[@dharmeshmistry342]

Just a little letter of appreciation. Thank you Jay, thank you for understanding the difference between *feeling* and *acting on feelings.* I cannot begin to express how happy it makes me that you noted that Sam may know how being the convenient comic relief FEELS, but that he is emotionally mature enough to know not to bring up that feeling in a D&D game instead of a real conversation. Just because someone might feel a certain way doesn’t mean they’re automatically bringing those feelings to the table, which a lot of people often misconstrue in these types of videos. I appreciate you analyzing this in not only an informative way, but in a mature and emotionally intelligent style. Cheers, and here’s to the next video!

[@SuPeRNinJaRed]

That is exactly what I’ve always loved most about D&D is that you can never fully remove the player from the character... you can’t help but bring (emotions, personality, perspective) yourself to the table too, it’s the real magic of the game. It’s the true RPG experience.

[@dgthunderer]

This is one the big moments that transformed what I thought D&D could be. I mean, the level of connection and maturity required from everyone at the table for an event like this to play out so strongly and safely is such that a normal ragtag group of players could probably never have a moment like this, but still, knowing that such powerful moments could be reached was inspiring.

[@canadian__ninja]

I find it interesting that only Taliesin can't look at Sam in the eye when he starts going off. It was his plan to pudding up the room of course as he says, but it shows that none of the other players, despite how animated they are getting, really appreciate the gravity of the situation until it's far too late.

[@christopherdowns4270]

Travis screaming “fix him” is absolutely harrowing. Such a powerful moment.

[@noahmurrayhurley6736]

“Fix him” will never not make me choke up entirely

[@ix905]

This was my favorite CR moment. I've had the honor of being at tables that had moments akin to this and its really rewarding to have a player's character arc come through so powerfully especially when they depart dramatically like this.

[@drokangel]

"It's been awhile!" Great content, sir. I first heard this in podcast before I started watching the show. I get chills even now just thinking about the moment. Scanlan's real turning point, and Sam's, too, IMO.

[@Lrbearclaw]

Never seen C1, never cared to... This video changed my mind because Scanlan is me. All my life I have had friends who enjoy me being around but no one has ever truly known me. And it hurts beyond words.

[@thetuerk]

Same brother... let's hope we will find that connection one day

[@ListensToStuff]

Then don't make the same mistake as Scanlan. Open up. Let people in.

[@CloudyWolf713]

I hope you’re all doing ok out there.

[@armartin0003]

This reminds me of how everyone loved Robin Williams and how he helped so many people and inspired millions... and then died quietly and alone, having took his own life.

[@DigimonAdventure2001]

This comparison is pretty unfair to Robin's friends and family. Robin had a myriad of mental health issues that were caused or exaggerated by dementia. The people close to him knew it, and they were trying to help. His suicide was essentially the result of a mental health episode. That's a very different situation from this "everyone I know picks on me and I suffer in silence" narrative. Not to mention that Robin's fans laughed with him, not at him.

[@senoritoburrito2224]

​@@DigimonAdventure2001absolutely agreed on this. I think the analogy isn't altogether without merit, but the true MH issues of Robin Williams should not be made light of nor should it be thought that he died alone. Maybe physically, but not metaphorically. Scanlan on the other hand had ONE person he truly felt connected to and was trying to prove himself to, and all the people around him took him for granted as just being a funny little man. The way they embarrassed him while he lay unconscious is so fucked up, it makes me sick. Even if you think someone might see it was meant as a joke, you should never presume to joke in a situation like that.

[@BootyCrusader]

@@senoritoburrito2224I don’t think they meant it that seriously. More as in a person putting on a character to always entertain others while slowly breaking down on the inside. Robin’s situation was tragic because it was real and impacted many. It can also be considered a cautionary tale to check in on those who are always jovial and happy because you bever know how they might be feeling. Scanlan’s situation is interesting and sad and cathartic, and shows a character entertaining people and having a mental breakdown. I see where the similarities are.

[@GTaichou]

This moment was so incredibly hard for me to watch for reasons that I wouldn't learn about myself until years later. Revisiting it like this is incredibly enlightening. Thank you for sharing and breaking it down. It feels incredibly healing.

[@sethchapman1425]

Glass Cannon also has great role play. Have you heard of them?

[@PlayYourRole]

No I have not! (Probably because that name is not very search engine friendly haha) I'll look them up!!!

[@sethchapman1425]

@@PlayYourRole you will be happy to find them, The Glass Cannon Podcast might make easier search.

[@Avankiri]

​@@PlayYourRoleGlass Cannon Network has some real good stuff, in much more bite size 1.5 to 2 hour segments. I recommend their Voyagers of the Jump and Get in the Trunk series.

[@queenannsrevenge100]

Can confirm - they’ve had some very good story based roleplay, their game of choice is Pathfinder.

[@jcphizzy9496]

It’s an important detail that when he says they don’t actually care about him and they try to defend themselves the only examples they can give are things that he has done to make them happy

[@EilonwyG]

I had known, while going through campaign 1, that Scanlan left at some point. I learned a lot of little spoilers since I started watching after the campaign ended and it's almost impossible not to hear about spoilers. I just had no context. So I think this hit me just as hard as if I hadn't known, the only difference was I knew the campaign did not end here, I knew Sam brought in a new character, and I knew eventually Scanlan came back. That still didn't make this moment any less raw. I think I heard somewhere that Matt takes great pains to check in on his players. He knows generally what they can handle and he knows that his players are willing to trust him, but he always checks in on them after every emotionally tough session. So for this one, I can only imagine that he did so, but he also let this all happen knowing Sam was bringing in a weird new character, having spoken to Sam at length on how he intended on having Scanlan leave. Our group has had some emotionally challenging sessions, although only one hit us about as hard as this one did, a session that ended in the permanent death of one of the characters. It hit us so hard that night, none of us could really talk as we left (awkward since I was driving me and my brother home). We were all such good friends we ended up being OK, but it did take some time before we could really play again. Kinda wish we knew about safety tools and check ins back then, but this was before people talked about stuff like that with gaming.

[@a-shanda-productions]

The arc was set up brilliantly here because you got the sense that Scanlan was waiting for the one shitty thing that would justify this feeling that the group didn’t care about him. It’s so real because everyone was in the wrong here. If I was on either side of this I’d likely never want to talk to the other again. It’s these kinds of interactions that leave more ripples than dragon fights and battling gods.

[@Skaroosh]

Bard's lament is my favorite moment of Critical Role and completely altered my view of DnD. It made Scanlan into a person and not just a character on a sheet, and if the others felt hurt after, it's only because they were reaping the consequences of their actions. I honestly think Sam cares about the game more than any of the players, and just wants to be respected as much as he respects his friends.

[@xEvilRaptorx]

I hate seeing these CR moments spoiled, but its been long enough. The statute has run its term. Ill never forget stumbling onto a random game of DnD on Twitch one night. It became my weekly ritual every thursday. I was lucky enough at my nightshift job to watch it all live. You did a great job with this video. I was able to feel all the emotion like it was live again. Best of luck in your travels stranger

[@peaceweapon1933]

Just to play devils advocate, there is a whole group us of here that will never watch an actual episode of critical role, but we still get the story and bits from videos like these

[@BallisticAero]

I always noticed when someone asked Scanlan about health or help and he would be somewhat dismissive. I always felt that was his inner Tsundere trying to see if someone cared enough about him to actually pry into his life more than just the face value first question... and no one ever did. Those moments always struck a chord of conflict in me and then seeing him finally seeth out on the rest of the crew was crazy impactful. Liam's reaction hits hard because at first he tries to defend himself saying what he's done because of Scanlan but then almost immediately realized the mistake that he admitted what Sam was saying. That they just use him for the benefits he provides and never bother with knowing the real Scanlan. I stand by saying Scanlan is the most impactful character of C1 from his absolutely clever clutch moments of stopping 50k ifrits attacking them to wiping the memories of a formarly enslaved draconion to tilt the scales of negotiation in their favor, but all the while no one really paid him any heart or mind. Sam was brilliant as Scanlan the bard

[@rommdan2716]

When the comic relief character finally snaps

[@CyrilOfTheWind]

I don't think sam really felt any of this, BUT I do think it hit the other players hard how little they knew about scanlan the character

[@ruinvixi]

Damn. If I was invested in this, I probably would have started crying.

[@vampirelogan]

When I first saw this episode, I thought it had come from nowhere and didn't make sense for his character and I didn't much care for it. However, watching it again, I can see where it was coming from and how much the character had changed and grown to want to be better for his newly discovered daughter. I also can see how much guilt and hurt he must have felt about not having been told of her and for missing out on the chance to know her growing up. It's actually heartbreaking to think about and then having his supposedly best friends joking about it and embarrassing him. Woah, then they also make light of probably the first serious promise he made? Man, it is totally clear. I also recently watched a Dr K video about XQC and how he described the loneliness of being the class clown because he used comedy to diffuse every dark situation to be able to deal with it and as a defense mechanism to protect himself from bullying early on in his life. The downside being that he can't get anyone to take him seriously when he does try to show any real emotion because they just think he is doing a bit. This describes Scanlan and Sam to a T and there may be much more under the surface with this. Deep stuff to be sure!

[@ThatGamerCher]

That one question from Sam Riegel made me that much more aware of the value of TTRPGs as not only great gaming sessions for fun, but also for folks to explore their own thought processes and emotions on a deeper level than they might normally do in other ways. As an actor who loves to bring the drama, I've always said that this scene was brilliantly performed and executed in the moment. 💜✌🏾✊🏾

[@iduno3592]

I come back every week and you always just make me cry Jay, thank you 10/10 experience:',D

[@Verylengthyapple]

I love this bc it really told the cast, oh ur action do have consequences and not everything can just be a joke. Things r serious. and it’s all bc Sam is a very good roleplayer. thank u Sam for taking it srsly.

[@EditDeath]

I'd recommend from Exandria Unlimited, the interactions between Cerrit and his children (especially his son), and how they culminated in a bittersweet, hopeful finale to the campaign as a father defied all odds, not to triumph, but to get home to his family. There were plenty of brilliantly acted moments in that campaign, but Travis' work as Cerrit was the emotional core of it all

[@akemi-ej5545]

The whole group needing aftercare because of those scenes - such amazing connection and storytelling are on display.

[@florianblasey2326]

That was very, very well rounded up. Thanks so much for highlighting this special moment for us.

[@gomababe]

I will always and forever love this part of campaign one. Weirdly, at around the same time as this episode aired, in my own campaign we had an emotionally similar moment, which just gave me extra chills when I finally got around to watching this episode afterwards. Scenes like this are the best part of d&d and, as long as we make sure everyone is ok afterwards, they can be the true heart and soul of the game from there on in.

[@Hercules1-v9m]

That moment seemed to go beyond roleplay. Sam is either really very, very good at roleplay or he had some genuine frustration he was letting out.

[@Rellyks]

(this is a copy paste of another comment that i wrote) well, as they've been living in the skin of these characters for so long, it's really no different from method acting, and it's not that the feelings aren't real because they're in character, they are as powerful as if they were from sam. The line really is blurred, and he is a great actor, but i really think that these emotions are fully real

[@Ashbrash1998]

Sam actually does have an Emmy

[@dylancraven3979]

I quite like this video, especially the simple, living room feel to the production. Just a man sitting on a chair, talking about a thing he loves. Granted, I did find it strange when, thrice, you boldly declared the exact emotional-/mind state of a person. I know I said I liked the casual, homey feel, but this is still an essay. I think it is better to argue the value and benefits that come from certain choices or events, rather than present your opinion on another person's inner process as fact. Leave the fantasy for the table, as it were. But everything else: loved it.

[@cambecker823]

This kind of reminds me of a moment i had in a recent campaign where a character from my characterd backstory got brought in and I wound up in a (in character) screaming match with the DM that left my character in tears and afterward we had to reassure all my party members several time that we were just roll playing and the DM and I werent actually angry xD My DM has started incoorporating a lot more character focused moments in games since then and I always try my hardest to bring my A game every week for roleplay.

[@PWALPOCO]

How to push the comfort zone, tug heart strings, draw tears, and leave you party with a sense of remorse and regret and keep what you've said in character seperate from the people at the table that you consider the best of friends.... a masterclass of roleplay right there.

[@talongreenlee7704]

It’s good to see that they can crack jokes and laugh it off after going through something like that. I don’t know if I’d be able to handle that. Stuff like that hits me hard.

[@thunderborn3231]

the greatest part is that sam used scanlan to explore negative feelings because he doesn't regularly experience them

[@missmusic4951]

Sam recently (and finally) admitted out loud to a crowd he's not actually happy all the time and tbh I'm very proud of him.

[@deltablaze77]

I loved so much that happened before this point, but this moment really took it to the next level, wonderful storytellers. Their ability to explore such deep hurt without letting any feelings be hurt outside of character is incredible.

[@tolftolfson6414]

I just today rewatched this masterpiece by coincident. Awesome that you picked it up.

[@austinmiller2170]

I think my favorite part was when Tarrion first showed up and they realized the IRL reason why Scanlan left.

[@blackdragoness21]

Travis yelling "FIX HIM" broke me when I first watched this episode.

[@tabletopapprentice233]

I've used this moment to explain to newbies exactly what dnd can be, a lot of people try to just stick to what makes the "game" more forward and this scene shows how much more there is to exploring who your character is, and how they can relate to the world built around them