A Haunted Past | Critical Role | Campaign 3, Episode 63

This episode is sponsored by Old Spice & The Witcher Season 3. Old Spice grants 24/7 Lasting Freshness with daily use. Watch The Witcher, only on Netflix, Volume 1: June 29, Volume 2: July 27 - click2cart.com/2677000O
This episode is sponsored by D&D Beyond. Start Your free subscriptional trial to D&D Beyond now dndbeyond.link/CRsub
Team Issylra must battle a strange shadow entity in order to find a way home, but plans stall when a shocking revelation rocks the group to its core...
CAPTION STATUS: CAPTIONED BY OUR EDITORS. The closed captions featured on this episode have been curated by our CR editors. For more information on the captioning process, check out: critrole.com/cr-transcript-cl...
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[@flandomaltrizian4603]

HEY, there might be some SPOILERS under the thing 0:20 Old Spice and Witcher teamup 4:40 Intro cinematic 6:30 EPISODE STARTS (scallywags) 8:45 Recap Ends 9:35 Evithorir 15:45 Squatter’s rights 21:05 Map out 22:00 This battle is for Marisha specifically 24:55 Battle begins 25:50 Take on Me 34:25 Wizkids are rules lawyers 36:15 The Two Crew invades Exandria 48:25 Cracking the whip 57:10 Cloudkill counterspell 59:00 For Madrid 1:01:10 Telling Orym how to do his job 1:02:15 I don’t like it 1:08:10 Deni$e rolls her ankle again 1:09:55 Deni$e is distracted by Dariax 1:13:00 Jersey Security 1:15:15 Emily overloads on strategy 1:17:05 Giving Ashton a body 1:21:35 Counter counter spell 1:27:15 Dragging the body 1:33:00 Dynios is flirting 1:43:25 HDYWTDT 1:48:25 Lore stuff 1:53:05 Hishari lore 2:01:40 BREAK STARTS 2:10:30 Art Montage 2:12:30 BREAK ENDS 2:13:50 Back cracks 2:20:35 One broken bed 2:21:45 Deni$e makes a move on Bordor 2:24:05 Bordor begins telling the truth maybe 2:28:25 Bordor gets his book out and reads his story 2:32:50 Bordor makes his play 2:36:15 Big reveal 2:38:00 In closing, I kill you all 2:40:55 Prism dreamed the notes app 2:47:00 Everyone is just going to beat up Bordor 2:49:05 Learning about polymorph 2:51:00 Kill me as a spider 2:52:00 Long Laudna goes for the kill 2:57:35 Prism feels betrayed 3:01:20 And there’s the break 3:02:00 Laudna makes her choice 3:04:10 HDYWTDT 3:10:15 Didn’t get to use the poison dagger 3:11:20 Bordor was loaded up 3:15:15 Deni$e and Prism 3:20:25 Prism and Laudna 3:27:00 Orym takes a wider view 3:29:00 Bordor’s family photo 3:32:15 Prism checks Dynios out (Prism and Ashton) 3:38:35 Trees need cities to live 3:41:20 Pootie Tang 3:45:45 Real friends 3:47:05 Dividing the spoils 3:50:40 Dealer’s choice 3:52:15 The canary 3:55:35 Scrying on Imogen 3:59:50 Gliding into Jrusar 4:01:05 Bordor’s final words 4:01:55 Saying goodbye to the guests 4:05:05 Episode Ends The in-game start date for the episode was the 2nd of Quen’pillar in the year 843. Marisha’s fan says “WTF is up with him” on one side, and “White Fan of Surrender” on the other Any moments I missed? Feel free to post them here. Is it Thursday yet?

[@Doihavetodothisagain]

What the fuck??? This came out a minute ago. You are absolutely insane. In a good way. :D

[@adoragrayskull]

Thanks flando! Gotta go rewatch this the third time

[@samuraiko]

THANKS, FLANDO! :D

[@IosonoRob]

Hail flando 😭

[@mattturner3484]

How does he do it??

[@WorldbuildyMcNPCface]

Props to Bor'Dor for getting an entire uninterrupted monologue off on a group of paranoid players

[@AlaskanCookie]

And people wonder why we are paranoid when new people show up!! Lol.

[@TheKillaShow]

Im trying not to laugh imagining how fast my players would yell "I attack him!"

[@kendrickrochelanzot2053]

I'm glad he could, it was quite the experience.

[@MikaeruDaiTenshi]

@@AlaskanCookie I mean, after Joe Manganiello, how can you not be paranoid? And also Dusk in Campaign 3?

[@noone-ld7pt]

Utkarsh Ambudkar appreciation post: 1. My god, what a way to turn your inexperience into an asset! He had that amazing spark of chaos that newer players have where they just do the most random shit! 2. Like Marisha said, I've never seen anyone play "dumb" that well, and my god what a decision. You're live in front of thousands of DnD enthusiasts and your first move: Puke and piss yourself! 3. And also the way he could consistently crack up the entire table even in the most tense moments, without taking away from the severity was really impressive! 4. And ofcourse, the twist. God I'm so tempted to go back and watch it all again to look for signs. And what a moment it created for both Laudna and Prism! His impact will definitely be felt going forward! 5. He was really a delightful breath of fresh air amongst a bunch of much more experienced players that tend to optimize their play more predictably

[@dorianr4770]

I did rewatch the introduction of Bor'Dor. the signs are there from second one. the whole story reads completely differently from Bor'Dor's perspective. you'll see. it's fantastic. Utkarsh is truly amazing and an incredible actor. ...justice for Bor'Dor...

[@DarthTurkey28]

I wish he had more time to be the bad guy. He got whomped hard. His inexperience was AMAZING but it led to his downfall.

[@vib2119]

Big agree on everything except the 3rd point. He was really, really funny and great at everything but I do think it took away from the severity of his character after the twist. I, in just my personal opinion, wished what he did after the twist was a bit more serious, sad and angry. He still joked around and said everything in a jovial fashion, when(again in my opinion, which means very little considering I am just a random dude on the internet while he's playing the character) it maybe should have been similar to Scanlan's "what's my mother's name" moment, when the funny, goofy let his shit out, it should even more antagonistic than that scene considering he is basically their enemy and not a hurt friend. Like when he was crying and saying "Just end it" most others were laughing, even the chat was laughing. And I just didn't like that, that's not how a character who has lost everything should be reacted to. But again the post-twist bits were just small parts of what Utkarsh did, everything else since Bor'dor's entry were done absolutely masterfully by him.

[@elowenlenore5032]

i think my favorite part was how everyone else thought that the party didn't have a healer and made a lot of moves in combat based around the belief that their healing resources were a handful of basic healing potions and one greater one, and then the reveal that he DOES have heal spells but made no attempts to help any of the others was amazing. sorcerer is a pretty complex class for someone completely new to DnD to play which made his act all the more believable. the blending of the meta and the rp....... SO GOOD. i hope he sticks around the actual play community because it would be so incredible to see what he unleashes with more experience with the mechanics because his rp skills are insane

[@rekkwaffle7668]

​@vib2119 he's delivery was great, but he can still have fun. They don't have too be 100% in character all the time. It's still a game for them at the end of the day.

[@Bookluver29]

The difference between the split groups is staggering - team Wildemount was out there playing Exandria Dating Simulator and these guys have been put through a rollercoaster of gritty psychological drama. I love it.

[@ghostshadow9899]

Hahahah, u don’t read much ha. The hole story is boring and lazy! This players/ character like way to much to kill

[@sarahcombs2098]

​@@ghostshadow9899 if you do not like the characters or their actions there is a simple fix. Stop watching the show, easy as that. No need to spread your negative thoughts on Every Single Comment made in the thread. If you have so much time on your hands, perhaps try finding a hobby you'll enjoy instead of being a toxic troll online?

[@jasonreed7522]

I find it funny that we were calling the wildmount group "team Timebomb", and then this group decided to be the muder hobos. (Killed Bor'dor after subduing him, destroyed a church of the Dawn Father including summoning a bulgura inside it to fight his angel)

[@Ayeverre]

@@ghostshadow9899*whole Must not read much.

[@brandoncreek5709]

​@@ghostshadow9899Unoriginal and incorrect arguments, lovely 😂 Maybe come with some evidence next time.

[@moderncomet9810]

Remember when we all thought that Bor'dor was an uplifted sheepdog? Good times. Good times...

[@ghostshadow9899]

Didn’t u see this coming? I should read more books, bc I saw that coming

[@swearimnotarobot3746]

I knew there was something going on. It was either that he was a traitor or a polymorphed sheepdog. 50:50

[@smygameplayer520]

Laudna- "I'm weak" Ashton- "You're just hurt" Brought me to tears.

[@plasticmans3036]

Simple yet powerful lines

[@lisa.grabowski]

time stamp?

[@lurking5018]

@@lisa.grabowski 3:09:34

[@jenny_of_oldstones3523]

I know I've felt that way many times. Ashton has always been VERY protective of Laudna, even her body. 😓

[@laurens.6940]

​@@jenny_of_oldstones3523I'm as gay as the next gay, but I think Ashton and Laudna have more chemistry as a romantic pairing than Laudna and Imogen or anyone else. Edit: 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 When you know you'll know

[@Camaika1997]

Ashton turning Prism away, because he knew what would happen and then catching Laudna is just so beautiful. They are such a softie, I love them

[@EmbryW]

Honestly I've always loved all the characters from all the campaigns but Ashton is special to me for so many reasons

[@Meraxes6]

I thought they were going to stop Laudna. Would’ve been a great rp moment. Ashton cares about Laudna and wouldn’t have wanted to see her hurting like that

[@PancakeMonster359]

3:03:16 Marisha: "I hate this. Marisha hates this." Liam grinned and whispered: "I love it" Me too, Liam. The drama!

[@0saintclark0]

Ikr. Sometimes I wish they were able to put their real life friendships aside more than they do and create some genuine tension and conflict.

[@ZeSgtSchultz]

I hated how over acted that part was, but I get what she was going for. And it was a pretty damn awesome episode. I think it would have been a lot better to have at least questioned him before killing him.

[@corvus1253]

​@@ZeSgtSchultzAgreed.

[@restlessreks9916]

​@@ZeSgtSchultzthats just how RP heavy players do it

[@Dragonmacher]

@@ZeSgtSchultz Yeah it was abit over acted but i don't mind it to much because this was something she herself truly didn't want to do but felt like Laudna was already to far gone to just forgive him. During the last few episodes there were some small moments that showed Laudna getting closer to that breaking point with each thing that happened. I guess the moment his "betrayal" happened she probably had a big internal dilemma of "oh fuck, this will push Laudna to far" and was having a hard time with it aswell.

[@erinhansen1857]

Something I love about Laudna’s first turn against Bor’Dor is the way Matt is watching Marisha. He sees something of what is going to happen in her face before she starts to talk and reaches over to change the music.

[@CrazyDeeDee]

Yes! 2:51:26 When you said that, I had to go back and find it and rewatch it. Great catch!

[@DarkenSeyreth]

@@CrazyDeeDee Went back to rewatch it as well. I love the look on Talisen and Matt's face as she describes her Form of Dread. I feel like Marisha made choice there, and Matt picked up on the cue to start the possible return of Delilah.

[@majorzipf8947]

Oh goodness. I missed that. He caught it quick! The intuition is strong with that one

[@megankrempasanka1426]

The married telepathy is real

[@sheylarochelle7072]

Nice catch! I didn't notice that! I had to go back and watch that! 😮😮

[@craigayork8617]

I would love to see Prism in her own spin-off, where she's essentially an academic Carmen Sandiego. "Where in the world is Prism and Dynios?"

[@Ziaotic]

god why does it rhyme

[@jomama112]

I would soooooooo watch that!! I love her character so much. And she commits hard to it too

[@timfriday9106]

oh man...I love this so much. lol

[@Lucarioguild7]

I really hope she shows up in an EXU, because I need more of her book thieving magery

[@Ginric99]

I want Prism to meet Beau, that wide eyed wonder mixed with Beaus well, Beauness lol.

[@nerdybard3762]

Taliesin using his campaign 3 character to harass his campaign 1 character is absolutely priceless every time.

[@georgetourloukis7194]

Wait what?

[@duncanralicki5577]

Percy D'Rolo (HEAVILY SHORTENED) was the character that Taliesin played in Vox Machina , the first campaign of CR. He is the ruler/duke/regent of Whitestone. The cast in this campaign visited Whitestone and have had cameos from every member of vox machina except scanlan and grog i think (and Tiberius). Ashton gives Percy shit all the time calling him pompous and arrogant. @@georgetourloukis7194

[@Caitydid561]

@@georgetourloukis7194 Taliesin played Percy De Rolo in campaign 1

[@LittleMaitea]

It’s like he is using the chance to punch his old self … …not that he really needs to.

[@alesterryku]

if they make an animation of this campaign it will be especially hilarious, because Taliesin will probably voice both. so it will be him in a room alone telling himself to go fuck himself

[@Lynch2507]

while both Wildemount and Issylra teams dealt with their own fair share of funny and heavy shit, the fact that *potentially* at the same time, if not within a few hours, Issylra was getting traumatized by Bor'Dor, somewhere in the cursed Svalirwood , two gnomes and a satyr were howling is so fucking hilarious.

[@pocketlint60]

SPOILERS BELOW Wildemount: Sex. Issylra: Death.

[@TheodoreMinick]

@@pocketlint60 Wildemount: Sex. Issylra: Loot drop!

[@ofanichan]

​@@TheodoreMinicksure, sex is great. But have you ever had a loot drop??

[@NoOne-mj2gj]

Howling is that what we call it nowadays

[@bryanvaldez6387]

Love, death + robots?

[@loganlevine4922]

I love that Utkarsh is like, sort of trying to make them feel better about it. Like saying he would've stabbed them, comforting Marisha, holding her hand while Laudna killed Bor'Dor. It's really sweet.

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

"You're about to find out." Scariest words Matt has spoken at the table in any campaign.

[@golemmoja]

I hear you, and I want to raise Campaign 1, "The Sunken Tomb" at 4:24:52 "Does that bring you below 0?" Lauras face when the realization hit will be engrained in my memory forever.

[@claybomia5141]

Seriously gave me chills 😅

[@cazza09]

Taliesin's eyes when Marisha says the name of the move, darting between everyone on the other side of the table, then his reaction when Matt says that. He knows something with that name, with that response from Matt, is gonna be horrific

[@miafiolekova5817]

Notice Laudna used Hunger of the shadow only twice. On Bordor and on FCG when he went killer mode. Its something from Delilah and i think we gonna find out soonish.

[@Flash4ML]

@@miafiolekova5817 It's definitely a Delilah thing, the way Matt's eyes widened when she said it, I feel like that was a trigger, a signal to him that Laudna was dipping into that power again, Delilah's power

[@bluemagix16]

Don't read the comments for this one until you've watched the whole episode pals!

[@marauderdz]

I feel like that's just good advice in general.

[@Haseo135]

Good advice but unfortunately for me the very top comment I happened to glance at was a colossal spoiler

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

Liking and commenting to try to bump this message

[@TheGeewitch]

thanks for the heads-up! 👍

[@alexandertiberius1098]

Thanks, friend.

[@claire3614]

I can't get over the fact that he was murdered, his corpse looted, remains just ashes on a hole in the ground, and just stayed there WATCHING THE EPISODE WITH US! What a fucking legend.

[@ohhi7168]

i can't get over how Prism's punch took 2 death saves lmao

[@kyanchambers260]

Utkarsh is a legend. Im convinced Bor'dor was designed to make people think he was just a polymorphed dog. Intenional or unintentional, what a great red herring. This is going down as one of my favorite CR episodes of all time for sure!

[@Mezmero]

I’m sure people who were on this track will be telling themselves that to not feel foolish. It’s okay to be wrong about predictions. Is the taste of crow really that unpleasant?

[@edwardfrench9368]

Fun fact, if you mix around the letters of his last name Dog'son, it says "no gods".

[@MysteryMachineX]

I honestly wish we could've heard more about his side of the story. Maybe he was a dogmatic religious extremist who couldn't have been reasoned with, but maybe if they had just subdued him, they could've seen a sincere anti-god perspective that was separate from Ludinus.

[@michaelbentz6831]

So much better and more fun played than the Dusk flip imo. I did not see this coming at all

[@ProjectWARBEAST]

He is a polymorphed dog. The twist is that he was John Wick’s dog.

[@sammiehopkins9408]

Watching perpetual-optimist Laudna and tries-to-see-the-best Orym break this episode was so heart wrenching 😭

[@rebeccabarnet6746]

Yes! Agreed.

[@silverwyhrecat5]

By the end of the episode, the most emotionally and mentally stable one of the main cast from this group is Ashton. Which is a terrifying thought.

[@nikkikindinger2718]

I do feel like this episode is some sort of real breaking point for Orym. Like, beware the wrath of a good man who has been betrayed.

[@aliyasexception]

matt’s face when marisha said she was gonna do hunger of the shadow was basically “well mark me down as scared AND horny”

[@jmillzoryan9763]

I think Hunger of the Shadow means Big D has to do something or it relates with that move.

[@aliyasexception]

@@jmillzoryan9763 yeah it definitely involves some influence from her. last time she used it was with fcg bc of what delilah told her about her friends betraying her and the same thing is happening here with bor’dor’s betrayal

[@Skip6235]

@@aliyasexceptionshe has only ever used it in PvP. I wonder if she home brewed something with Matt where that’s the ONLY time she can use it, which is juicy as hell

[@aliyasexception]

@@Skip6235 ooh that is juicy! i wonder if this is actually the case bc i find that very interesting

[@Lynch2507]

@Skip6235 she brought out the Hound of Ill Omen as well, that she specifically described as similar to the Briarwoods hounds. Personally, I dont think delilah is coming back for round 2 anytime soon unless Laudna actively wishes for it but her break this week is more along the lines of "Delilah is gone but the influence and scars remain".

[@andrewforte263]

“I was there, in Marquet! I saw you kill them!” That was crazy

[@Ginric99]

A reminder that the bad guy goons have friends and family, it reminds me of John Smith in Austin Powers :)

[@Ivan_D995]

I think this is a turning point for Laudna as character. When she and Imogen will reunite - that's gonna be so interesting.

[@Jesse-ps7gq]

I'm scared for when they meet with Imogen's mother again

[@talitherose]

Really?? I’ve been dreading it.. I always thot Imogen treats Laudna kinda crappy, and Laudna needing emotional support now.. was gonna just be ugly. Imogen rejects Laudna’s constantly

[@paladonis]

I think we saw a little something with Orim as well. Tossing the locket and saying how "it's war" shows his good nature is probably muted and numbed. He has accepted that he is going to have to kill. The oh so subtle nod he gives Laudna as well when she is deciding what to do speaks spades about the change in tone of the whole party.

[@Murphy0508]

I honestly think Imogen will actually hold her very tight. The separation has showed them how much they need each other. I think her reaction would have been the same. How many times have the Ruby Vanguard screwed them. I mean Otohan freaking slaughtered Laudna. It will be interesting to see how it goes. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ghostshadow9899]

@@paladoniswhat are u talking about, this players are killing stuff all the time. They are not the good guys at all

[@Lynch2507]

There's a lot going on in this episode but dear god, Liam fucking killed me. The little nod, the 'we're at war', the vow to take down Ludinus at the expense of his own life if thats what it takes... we all joked for so long about what Oryms breaking point would be dealing with such a crazy party but wow. was crying the entire time.

[@vvitchofthewest]

I completely agree man, we're going to see some Orym take some Decisions from now on and it would've all started from here. So interested to see what comes next

[@JennyDolfen]

Yeah. Those that were convinced Orym would snap at some point probably didn't think he'd snap *inward*. =(

[@zoltanszaszi2264]

Yeah the way Marisha handled Laudna's decision was some really heavy RP shit, but the way Orym, the good guy Orym, looked at Laudna literally murdering a defenseless man and just silently nodded, that was some Anakin Skywalker turning to the dark side level break. We always say Campaign 2 was the most dramatic one so far and that Campaign 3 is more light-hearted and crazy but this episode just turned the drama up to 11.

[@Jplays23]

It was Orym throwing the locket that made me realise just how bad this is going

[@Harabusa200]

@@vvitchofthewest nah... i think FCG will help Orym and Laudna through the darkness

[@PancakeMonster359]

I really like it when Liam describes small actions that are in fact impactful to his characters. Marisha was joking about "game recognises game" earlier, but Bor'Dor and Orym are really dark mirror of each other. Both driven by grief, both are on a path of vengeance, but they are on different sides. There are no moral high grounds and no room for forgiveness. He threw away the lock which represents the humanity of ruby vanguard, he recognised their struggles, but he just didn't care anymore. Orym was finding his place in the world when the campaign began, a wandering pilgrim. But is this seedling now growing in vengeance?

[@JennyDolfen]

This. I hope he'll find his place again, even if it'll no longer be as bright as it was. Orym has been such a powerful character for me - the way he overcame trauma and found his place in the world in that quiet way of his was so inspirational. It would break my heart if he lost his faith now.

[@tigerlily2519]

That locket moment felt huge for his character development! I was shocked! He's really turned a corner

[@allikillion3733]

That opens up an opportunity for him though, receiving guidance from Keyleth, best friend of poster child for vengeance No Mercy Percy. He’s wandered quite far from home. He may find peace reconnecting with it.

[@JohnRocks7193]

Both having a connection to the Wild Mother, making Orym realize that it doesn't matter who you worship, you can be led astray by loss. He's been fighting between grief and hope. There's no hope left.

[@omegagilgamesh]

Whoa, they really are mirrors of each other.

[@owenshirrell1150]

Emily’s comments on the whole Notes app thing were so fucking funny and such a perfect counterbalance to how heavy that part of the episode was

[@kab6754]

It reminded me of Sam/Loquatius's speech from ExU: Calamity which started heavy and ended with a joke

[@samuraiko]

@@kab6754 "And also... REMEMBER THE MARKET OF WONDERS!"

[@j_a.0]

I think in situations like that we might forget that this has no real heavy implications just it's sad, but a joke can help us remember that it's all a game and we should enjoy it no matter what

[@MrFr2eman]

@@j_a.0 I think there's still value in letting the sadness stay, without breaking the mood with a joke, makes the moment more memorable and impactful, at least for me. I still like the jokes and laugh at them, but as long as you realise it's a story, I think longer sad moments without a joke at the end can be enjoyable too in their own way.

[@Lucarioguild7]

My man pulled out a manifesto 10/10

[@Frostflower09]

When they stumbled upon Bor'Dor in the woods, he said this about Ludinus: "Someone smart, for sure. Someone who sounded like they knew what they were talking about." Also, the whole thing where they were setting up the corpses to act as a decoy/warning system gets even more fucked up knowing that Bor'Dor was part of the Ruby Vanguard and just watched them play around with his allies' dead bodies for half an hour, probably terrified out of his mind. I love this show so much.

[@ghostshadow9899]

Stop think this players play the good guys

[@vatatheoanonymous3705]

Wow, I'd forgotten about that. This is the critical role that I'm here for. I love that contrast between the 2 groups adventures right now are so drastically different. One half is on a fun side quest with possible live interests, and this half is going through traumatic betrayal, l that is deep enough to change your alignment. More trauma please.

[@tybronx2446]

Oh crap 😂 I forgot about the ruby vanguard corpse tea party!!

[@jweather66]

Oh my god... I can't believe I forgot about the fact they were Ruby Vanguard. That's such a good point.

[@N7P2R2]

Team Wildemount: *saves they day with the power of friendship, members fall in love, and three of the cast have an in game threesome* Team issylra: *Debate politics and philosophy with A seemingly radical cult, they turn out Not to be so radical only after they killed a couple innocent people, And they got betrayed and potentially re-awoke Delilah*

[@cjtrules1]

Don't forget to mention Team Issylra killed an angel who is a representative of the Dawnfather.

[@MycoArsenic39]

*Everyone feels bad for having to kill Bor'Dor* Bor'Dor: 3:10:25 "I would've stabbed each and every one of you."

[@dorianr4770]

and seeing as how all of them except Deni$e killed his friends, looted their corpses, offered to give him one of his dead friend's boots, stripped his friends' corpses naked, and magically puppetted the dead naked tortured bodies in front of him, and being scared for his life, with good reason.

[@majorzipf8947]

@@dorianr4770well when you put it like that

[@acidkomodo]

@@dorianr4770 "I don't like it".

[@BenoHourglass]

@@dorianr4770 This is a weird continuity error; they actually gave the bodies to the person guarding the gate that gets them back from the Fey Realm.

[@Ryquard1]

BorDor made me think twice if his character was so innocent as he said he was when: he planned the diarreha liquor, then he sweet talked all the guards, for a supposed farmer and a humble folk he had mad high use of his words and how he framed then in conversation, the deal was sealed when he made the killing blow on the Sun Priestess, it didnt felt accidental like a spurt of raw magic from a new sorcerer, it was a cold aimed crossbow shot with intent to kill not subdue

[@FedericoVetencourt]

I love how, no matter how assholeish Taliesin's characters are they are always extremely empathic, ant it feels so natural to all of them in their own way

[@SuperL83]

By now, Ashton, the punk/barbarian full of angst, is the most level-headed member of the party 😂

[@bloodwolfgaming9269]

It kinda makes sense given his backstory. He was abandoned by the people he trusted and left for dead. Of all the characters at the table, he would probably know the most what total betrayal would feel like. Makes perfect sense as to why he was soo hell bent telling the others "We will get them back" and "We don't leave people behind".

[@mcmann2243]

Ash comforting the person who’s mind Ludinus destroys (a professor, somewhere around episode 40) is one of my favorite moments of the campaign

[@JumpyAntelope]

What truly broke me this episode was Laudna telling Prism: " You're very smart.. You're very capable." From moment one, this is how she always referred to Imogen, whom she probably missed terribly in that moment

[@cjtrules1]

I've always picked this up whenever Laudna was talking about Imogen's abilities to someone else. I think she sees a little bit of Imogen in Prism.

[@David333XL]

I hope one day, Imogen will meet Prism. My own headcannon.

[@danielforbes3852]

Orym tossing that locket FELT like an alignment shift. He's no longer the same anymore, he can't be he has finally snapped. His rage and his fury will be unparalleled because he's been struggling this entire time to be above it but this was it. Laudna obviously is going down some path with what happened with her, and Ashton is just gaining people skills by the day the group is growing in their own ways but Orym, has been altered to his core and what comes next will be a sight to behold. Good luck Ludinus and company, you'll need it.

[@WeretigerX]

Liam has so much emotional intelligence when it comes to his characters. With all his characters, the choices they make always make perfect sense for the context they're in. The locket toss felt just right for the moment based on where Orym is right now. Can totally feel the alignment shift slowly moving ever since the solstice.

[@majorzipf8947]

When good men go to war….

[@plasticmans3036]

@@WeretigerX towards neutral, even evil alignment?

[@WeretigerX]

@@plasticmans3036 Would put him somewhere between good and neutral and a bit more on the chaotic side. He seems a bit less on the morality side but still wants to get rid of Ludinus because he doesn't care how many people die to get what he wants. To me that speaks of someone who still wants to do a net good in the world but is not afraid to stoop low to do it now.

[@LemonMoon]

He’s more of a war guy than a seed guy now

[@afoolishmortal5265]

We just have to accept that the red vest is an envoy of pain.

[@JennyDolfen]

That was my very first thought when I saw this! =O

[@AraWagoner]

What else happened with the red vest on?

[@joederue9900]

I'm but I know he was wearing a grey shirt and black vest when he "shiver and quifed" and was wearing the opposite when he was "shivered and quifed" by the team. Thought that was kinda funny

[@Valkyrie12311]

@@AraWagoner pretty sure laudna's death was with the red vest. I think so anything, can't recall xD

[@magnetronman298]

@@AraWagoner when otohan killed half the party Matt also had this vest on

[@Misfit_Kitten]

Marisha's tweet did not adequately prepare us for this. WE WERE NOT READY.

[@theyonlycomeoutwhenitsquiet]

Neither were we during the initial showing

[@Misfit_Kitten]

@@theyonlycomeoutwhenitsquiet Yeah, people were freaking out all night.

[@OneNerdyAce]

what did her tweet say?

[@Misfit_Kitten]

@@OneNerdyAce "Tonight's episode...I wouldn't miss it!" But it was the winking emoji that was a little too casual for what would transpire.

[@benteelgersma9303]

​@@Misfit_KittenI saw a "Hello darkness, my old friend..." one as well. Which... did not really prepare me either.

[@dieyng]

I love the ad with Ashley and Taliesin playing with the miniatures so much. "You can certainly die." always gets a laugh out of me.

[@rebeccabarnet6746]

Lol same! I've seen it a billion times too

[@danhays307]

Loot the body! Take the vest!!

[@ilsehattingh1976]

Wow. The two teams had such wildly different experiences. The one team had romance and silliness and a fun jaunt in the woods with all the character development on the guests with Bells Hells just along for the ride. The other team had deep, religious trauma, life altering interactions for the Bells Hells contingent, betrayal and death. Wonder how the differences in experience will change the team dynamic.

[@vatatheoanonymous3705]

This is so well said. I had that same thought so many times throughout this episode. I feel like I've been waiting forever to see them reunite.

[@jasonreed7522]

Ever since this team razed a temple of the Dawn Father, including summoning a demon to help fight the Angel that arrived because they killed the head priest, i have been waiting for the explanation once they reunited with team timebomb who picked up a cleric of the Dawn Father. (Who happens to be Chetneys ex) The worst thing team timebomb ended up doing was create a robot werewolf who wants to be a werewolf, and they are sticking close to him with the ability to cure him. (And it isn't even Chetney's fault, he left to go be wild in the wilderness and Frida came after him)

[@bloodwolfgaming9269]

You also have one team who is basically getting calls/visions from the deities they follow asking for help with what events are to come while you have the other team basically seeing more actions of the other side of the fence. More or less it's narrowing things down to one team being for saving the gods while the other side is going to be more towards thinking a new future without the Gods might be better.

[@Glmorrs1]

@@bloodwolfgaming9269Maybe Matt’s trying to divide the party so that it all ends with some PVP for the final battle. I know that’s a long shot by a mile, but a guy can dream.

[@ChiSoxRox2005]

Marisha has been a delight this campaign with her glee in Laudna's weirdness. She was heartbreaking in the best way this episode. It takes skill to be that effective at conveying Laudna's internal pain, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for the reunion and the processing.

[@samuraiko]

Marisha is REALLY coming into her own with C3. I liked Keyleth, I loved Beau, but I *ADORE* how she portrays Laudna.

[@Gray_Mask]

Huge props to Marisha and Liam. The absolute pain their both showing is so beautiful. The way Launda and Orym have been breaking this arc, insane. Honestly there is a part of me that hopes they continue to spiral.

[@ghostician]

@@samuraiko She was already "in her own" but Laudna is certainly delightful.

[@Mezmero]

She's been my favorite since episode 1 of this campaign. It's even more heartbreaking if you're like me and picture Laudna with a horrifying rictus grin on her face 90% of the time. This is one of those 10% moments when that happy expression leaves her face and gives way to the true sadness beneath the surface as the weight of the world bears down upon her.

[@ghostshadow9899]

U mean the pseudo broken character ? She is a joke, only goes into „depression“ if is suits her or to justify a killing like in his episode

[@jmillzoryan9763]

Y'all, we are getting Emily and Travis in the same episode... possibly. Shits wild

[@munchkin5679]

Honestly, I'm more looking forward to Sam and Emily. The absolute chaos is going to incredible!

[@docnevyn5814]

The True Chaos Vortex is having Laura "Cupcake" Bailey and Emily "Slippery Puppet" Axford at the same table both playing full spellcasters.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

Doesn't sound like it is going to be a full episode. Matt seemed to be making a continuity concession and Emily tends to be rather busy.

[@Lynch2507]

it most likely will only be for one episode, even only half of one but god. what a time.

[@stephencarmickle]

I hope she stays for the adventure! It seems like aabriya and christian were going to stay, right? so hopefully emily does too…don’t know how they’ll fit everyone at the table but damn would that be glorious!!!

[@EvetheDoomed]

I have news for Sam - Geralt has multiple horses but all of them are named Roach LOL

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

And they are all female.

[@korialogo]

As much as I want to get caught up, I love watching these five weeks late and being like "ohhhh, that's why Laudna was trending five weeks ago!"

[@DiViNEReject]

Trying waiting 5 months next time 😂😂

[@LAnimeMaster]

Laudna: I'm weak. Ashton: No, you're just hurt. My goodness was this so powerful. And so, so true.

[@manonvanderhaeghe6664]

Do you have a timestamp?

[@LAnimeMaster]

@@manonvanderhaeghe6664 It starts around 3:09:10

[@samuraiko]

@@manonvanderhaeghe6664 3:09:30

[@matthewthelastnohrian6621]

Tal is always so on point all the time, I love all his characters

[@bradenhazle4378]

Especially coming from him when he hurts all the time and is actually the strongest of the group, physically and mentally.

[@littlefurnace]

Gonna miss Aimee SO much! Deni$e is a Hall of Fame character; a solid gold badass and smart AF. She KNEW something was up with Bor'Dor right off the bat. Hope we get to have both her and Dariax in something together soon, it would be hysterical!

[@smashbrandiscootch719]

Ew. No.

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

@@smashbrandiscootch719 I'm curious. In everyday life, do you normally go up to people you see enjoying a food you don't like - maybe sharing it with some friends and agreeing that it's delicious - and comment on how disgusting their meal is?

[@littlefurnace]

@@smashbrandiscootch719 Ah, go snorkel in sewage my esteemed guy.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

​@@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEllI understand the sentiment but honestly that can go the other way too. And going up to someone is the opposite of what happens in comment sections as it's basically served up to you.

[@trise2033]

Of course she did. She's the one he blasted with lightning as a "greeting".

[@OptionZero]

I just hope we get both Marisha’s fan gimmick AND Sam’s gas can gimmick at the re-united table.

[@mrfreddorenton]

AND Travis hands out even more wooden toys

[@austintyler7901]

Naw that chick needs to quite trying so hard.

[@chronics23]

​@@austintyler7901it was funny

[@OptionZero]

@@austintyler7901she’s the creative director of critical role, trying hard is how we have what we have.

[@Markcrazeer]

@@austintyler7901sure, that’s easy to fix. Episode one both bring out their thing then Sam makes himself look like the biggest fucking toxic asshole by freaking out and destroying the fan.

[@bluemagix16]

Can't wait for Bor'dor's Slippery Blobs to be added to the official spellbooks

[@visnoga5054]

High fantasy "banana peel prank".

[@garyjorgensen992]

“I’m wearing two hats and I don’t give a shit” has such Chaos Crew energy, I wanna see Prism run into Jester and Veth one day.

[@nickwcc9202]

3:08:03 "Demons run when a good man goes to war"

[@shadesofgray9]

So apt. You could even replace "Night will fall..." with "moon/predathas will fall and drown the sun"

[@katiebisson8821]

YES

[@davidarchambault9229]

Demons run when a good man goes to war. Moons will fall and kill the gods when a good man goes to war. Demons run, but what's the cost? The battle is won, but the soul is lost.

[@ataralyxius]

You know, in hindsight, even though it seemed like Bor'Dor's pipe smoking sequence was a bit of rules-flubbing (and Matt kind of alludes to this), I actually think it's far more compelling (and tragic) for it to be the truth. After all his years of living alone doing what he needed to survive and presumably quite a bit of time with other like-minded people in the Ruby Vanguard, it took these lovely bunches of chaos just one and a half days to give Bor'Dor not only the most heroic, significant moments of his life but also one of the only times where he felt like he belonged. But then it ended. Just like that. I honestly wonder what would've happened if he and Orym just opened up a little more to each other in their heart-to-heart, that maybe, just maybe, Bor'Dor could've finally realized that he has some good in his (dog)heart and a sad boi to share his grief with. Being able to heal but also destroy is such a nice parallel to his possible future. A shame, but darn compelling IMO. Side note: Looks like there's quite a bit of moral re-alignment going on right now. Marisha's playing Laudna absolutely wonderfully, but especially Orym, who just seems like he's being broken down over and over again to his breaking point. I wouldn't be surprised if Fearne becomes his guiding light this time around. Side side note: Do you think Bor'Dor (who I assume is also Ruidus-born), also has constant nightmares reliving his mom's last moments telling him to run away, over and over again?

[@Draconargentum]

My read re: the pipe was that he viewed that moment as heroic and significant because he'd managed to so thoroughly pull the wool over the eyes of these people who so obviously outstrip his individual power and who--to his perspective--are absolutely enemies after having killed his friends at the Malleus Key, theoretically for the purpose of getting revenge. With a few like the Ruby Vanguard builds in its followers, tricking (and planning to kill) the group that skewed the Vanguard's plans for the solstice could absolutely be construed as heroic. Bor'dor could, maybe, potentially, have changed, given time and a willingness to change that he wasn't really showing at the end; we've seen these players turn enemies into friends in c2. But between the shakiness of everyone's mental states, the sense of looming existential time crunch, and Bor'dor's lack of remorse, I don't know that it would have been in the cards without a lot more time in play.

[@anthonyockerman5782]

3:40:02

[@Markcrazeer]

Define heroic, how powerful is this enchantment? Does it consider everything I have done in the name of the vanguard villainous? What I would have done was text Matt and offer two stories, one his greatest shame and Faliure within the vanguard that pushed them back a long time or what he did say. Because I don’t think anything outside of the vanguard counts. If your most heroic achievement as a level 9 sorcerer is that time you killed some bullies saving your friends as a kid (that your mom took the fall for. Or whatever. ) you have not done enough. If it is the former then I would have him have a mental breakdown and leave the others to deal with it. Including Matt fleshing out the vision (assuming I can’t dissipate it.)

[@jamescanjuggle]

i took it as bordor viewed non of his past actions heoric, he knew he was working woth shady people for shady reasons and so meeting up with the "good guys" he actually had a moment of heroism y'know only to then be like wait y'all did throw a skyship at my friends yo wtf, imma venom bomb ye

[@MichaelChisholmChizzieRascal]

I just thought that they homebrewed a rule that he changed the enchantment somehow, it probably wasn't a very strong enchantment and he just used his sorcerer powers to twist it into the vision they saw. You could even say that the hat of disguise was powerful enough that it nullified the enchantment and created something he thought of.

[@phoebica]

When the Barbarian(/Rogue) is the voice of reason and caution... things happen.😳

[@salgutierrez4710]

Can confirm

[@DredgenStorm]

Can confirm. My characters are usually the voice of reason in the party. Despite 3 separate characters being the incarnation of the phrase "Let chaos reign!"

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

*spoilers* Team Wildmount: Adventure, reforging connections, saving a city, new outfits, making new friends, and love both old and new blossoming. Team Issylra: War, dealing with sketchy cults, militant religious orders making you question the institutions of the churches, betrayal, brutally killing new friends, and the possible return of Delilah Briarwood. Man, Team Wildmount certainly didn't have it easy but Team Isslyra's making their time look like a summer holiday by comparison

[@Engiflux]

One group won the hearts of many through the power of friendship, reconciled with the gods and got called upon for a holy mission. The other met conflict, strife, disavowed the gods and continued the war.

[@Lynch2507]

the bor'dor reveal happens if not at the same time, within a few hours of the Chet/Deanna/Fearne threesome.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

While I'm glad we will be finally getting the band back together Team Issylra kind of got short changed for time. Maybe it's due to guest time considerations or they're taking feedback from fans but getting half the time seems like a slight.

[@adoragrayskull]

​@MrAzrielx13 i think they just got shit done faster. I feel that if they had chosen to go to Vasselheim they would've taken a lot longer, but they chose hevestro

[@TakeWalker]

I had really been hoping there was more to Bor'dor than being a nervous yutz. :D And Prism's reaction to being betrayed was just... chef's kiss.

[@ofanichan]

Emily’s hair is literally perfection. Calling it hair goals is the understatement of the century

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

I agree. If I were a woman I would want her hair too.

[@zanite8650]

Her fashion choices are so good its almost unfair.

[@Hana_145]

It's so shiny and luscious! And it's so dark it makes her choice of earring stand out even more, I love it

[@kveld9893]

she looks the most irl witch like out of any woman i've ever seen

[@darcybhaiwala7057]

It's so THICC

[@PancakeMonster359]

3:44:43 Big shoutout to resident Dorym shipper Aimee for that pointed "Now who do you miss" question!!!

[@JennyDolfen]

She tried so hard and Liam refused XD

[@bdletoast09]

I love how the druid guy doesn't even question it. There's a group of six people, he leaves, he returns, there are five people and a grave. Sure, let's not ask about this.

[@insanityang]

Liam: "And in closing, I cast Disintegration." 🤣

[@disappointment7463]

Laudna and Ashton’s relationship has my whole heart

[@Dimloep]

They're my favorite friend pairing

[@majorzipf8947]

@@Dimloep I love their friendship so much. Marisha and Tal obviously really love each other. I missed their banter and their surprisingly deep conversations from the Percy Keyleth friendship.

[@flushmastercyclonis186]

Emily saying "I'm wearing two hats and I don't give a shit" needs to be a meme.

[@Abzanafenza]

Marisha taking up the "gas canister messages" while Sam isn't at the table is so fun

[@targetdreamer257]

I am looking forward to the "gas canister/large fan message" wars.

[@Stefanos07520]

Thank God the groups are getting back together after this because team Issylra is going to need some therapy from FCG.

[@Heydin7]

words cannot describe how happy I am that Prism is gonna be in the next episode- Emily Axford stan

[@matthijsclaessen8152]

You are NOT alone. 🎉

[@Haquistadore]

Not gonna lie, with respect to Utkarsh - who I thought was GREAT - but if Emily had been the sleeper agent, I think they’d all be dead.

[@Migolcow]

@@Haquistadore Not too late for it.

[@BigMikeMcBastard]

She is really funny. Critical Role's guests are always so fun.

[@z-rex8530]

That "we're at war" hit so damn hard.

[@captainvladmir7535]

Someone finally pissed Captain Exandria off. And they're going to regret it.

[@Bellathor]

@@captainvladmir7535 I heard it before but reading it now made me laugh lol. Tiny Captain Exandria. :D

[@captainvladmir7535]

@@Bellathor Heard it once early in the campaign and been calling him that since 😁

[@DurandalsFate]

"We're at war." Well, in that case, executing a prisoner you have completely at your mercy is a _war_ crime.

[@captainvladmir7535]

@@DurandalsFate I don't recall Bor'dor surrendering or being taken prisoner. Even so, not sure Exandria has a Geneva convention. But even if he had surrendered, and even if it did, you can execute spies not in uniform and he had disguised himself in the clothes of a civilian he killed.

[@claraprado5401]

God. DAMN. Marisha Ray, EVERYBODY. like, damn from the moment i saw laudna for the first time i knew Marisha was gonna break my heart, but watching her lose herself as Marisha herself mourned such a loss of peace for her own character WRECKED me 😢😢 it's a TRAVESTY that this show doesn't qualify for awards bc she deserves a GG for that moment alone

[@talitherose]

We should start our own awards!!!!!

[@karljackson2670]

Doesn't KZbin have a "streamies" or some such?

[@rebeccabarnet6746]

Yes! 100% agreed!

[@donb7519]

​@@karljackson2670yes it does

[@equinoxxed_7502]

​@@karljackson2670sadly it doesn't have "best roleplay in a live DnD game" category

[@CanWakhan]

The ending of the episode made me think of Friedrich Nietzsche's words: “Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”

[@samuraiko]

What... an... episode. Oh my gods, so much goodness here, so much to take in, so many ramifications that are going to be felt down the line for SO many episodes yet to come. Absolute hats off to the WHOLE cast and Matt for this one - the emotions in this one are stark and real and devastating.

[@golfshores97]

12:34 "Orym points his... uh, seedling at the pillar" Laura Bailey would be DYING

[@starringtoy935]

*Spoilers* Erika: I'm gonna break everyone's hearts with my betrayal! Utkarsh: *Hold my vomit*

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

Indeed! Although would you be willing to put a spoiler tag on this one for the people who haven't watched the video yet? Just in case

[@romxxii]

@@hfar_in_the_sky in my experience just adding "Spoiler" then four carriage returns is sufficient

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

@@romxxii Yeah, pretty much what I mean. Can't really add actual spoiler tags in KZbin comments, but I just call posting the "spoiler" plus four carriage returns a "spoiler tag" for easy shorthand

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

​@@romxxiiAfter a fashion. Certain formats don't retain those carriage returns leaving spoilers exposed for some people.

[@dpeezy_d2]

not cool.

[@dylancostley3488]

I love how even in Bor'Dor's coming clean monologue he told so many lies lol -I never actually had a brother -My father and brother couldn't accept her sentence and fought to free her -Idk how I got my powers but I never knew my mother -My mother taught me her ways in secret It's entirely possible that entire story was even a lie and I love that

[@machazychaz]

Its really sweet how he said "i wouldve run asap after the teleport" and then changed it to "i wouldve stabbed you all" to make them feel better :')

[@zoltanszaszi2264]

Spoilers * * * * Imagine the team reunited. Imogen: Hey guys! So great to finally find you!! It was such an adventure! Laudna my dear I got you a dress!

[@jasonreed7522]

Also them catching eachother up on their adventures. FCG: So this is Chetney's first love and cleric of the Dawn Father. Team Laundna: umm, we may have destroyed one of his temples and killed one of his angels by summoning a demon using the blood of the high priest we murdered inside the temple. And we thought team timebomb would be the problem, not their emotional support crutches. (Imogen, Chetney, and FCG all have the potential to turn on the team, and now Laudna and Orym just broke leaving Fearn and Ashton as the most mentally stable of the core cast, that is a terrifying reality)

[@Reggielikeveggie]

FCG: we defeated a threat against a city with the power of friendship!!! :D Orym: what if nothing matters and we’re not any better than the ones we’re working against?

[@adoragrayskull]

Get ready monday crew, this one is HEAVY AND INCREDIBLE

[@M4ko1]

Excited and ready 🤙 Happy Monday!

[@homon4422]

IM SO GASSED YYEAAHH

[@bijntjeveenstra2455]

SILENCE MORTAL! I want no spoilers.

[@ulmostinsane]

OH GOD

[@adamfabian9398]

MY BODY IS NOT READY FOR THIS

[@BookNook7]

There were so so many good and funny and _dramatic_ moments in this episode, but my top favorite was this silly little interaction (around 3:43:54): Deni$e: Everyone's looking for you! Orym: Everyone?! Deni$e: Yeah! Ashton: You're famous! Deni$e: Well, like, the mob. Ashton: You're special famous! :D

[@daisybeam3357]

whatever ashton and prism have going on I am into it- I feel like their one-on-one moments are always great

[@astralluna]

to me it’s like ashton now has a little goth sister that he’s chucking off into the world and is constantly going to worry about forever now and personally it’s hilarious

[@chaoticwhenever1457]

⁠@@astrallunaI would personally prefer girlfriend to little sister but I’ll take whatever golden role-play they give us

[@mattsteuber9569]

I like to think that when Emily said shout out to the two crew Caldwell and Jake suddenly felt a disturbance in the force.

[@cloud_sauce]

I'm not familiar with that reference. Could you explain "the two crew" for me please? ^^

[@MulberryDays]

@@cloud_sauce - Emily and her husband Murph (both known for Dimension 20 as well as Adam Ruins Everything) also run NADDPOD, or Not Another D&D Podcast, with their friends Jake Hurwitz and Caldwell Tanner. (it's delightful) early on they started saying "shoutout to the two crew" whenever they rolled a two, i don't even think they *meant* for it to be a bit it just kinda happened and kept being funny, and now it's a signature of theirs.

[@cloud_sauce]

@@MulberryDays Oh, gocha! Thanks so much! ^^ I might give the podcast a try at some point.

[@jonathandelarosa1199]

I nominate Emily Axford as Queen of D&D.

[@claire3614]

if placed in charge of a monarchical system she would burn it to the ground while also leading the ultimate worldwide anarchycal revolution

[@EpicMuttonChops]

with how many nat 20s she rolled in these last few episodes, i second that motion

[@roflmaotzetung]

Sorry mate, I vote for Laura Bailey

[@laurens.6940]

​@@roflmaotzetungLaura is an amazing roleplayer and has made some clutch moves, but honestly she doesn't hold a candle to Emily when it comes to understanding the game and tactical ability

[@roflmaotzetung]

@@laurens.6940 Maybe Laura isn't the best team tactician ever, but she is a way more natural in RPing. Emily tries too hard and looks lame quite too often, only because of that IMO. But hey, personal preferences :)

[@WilliamRoop-xt6rp]

I love how they've decided to use Scry to HOPEFULLY catch someone standing next to the mall "You are HERE" sign.

[@Kyonikov]

Thank you CR crew and critters for maintaining this wonderful series and community. Lost my father in law recently, the immersive entertainment of bell’s hells has helped me cope with a really rough week. Cheers.

[@samuraiko]

My condolences to you and yours for your loss. :( Light and love to all of you.

[@Kyonikov]

@@samuraiko ❤️

[@kbetker3475]

Offering you my deepest condolences to you and your family!!! 🕯

[@melissar850]

Sending a hug

[@Random_Kelsey]

Someone posted this on Tumblr, which I think is an interesting take: (Spoilers) The Dawn Father did not send an angel to the temple because some local elementalists wanted to stick to their lifestyle. The Dawn Father sent an angel because a secret member of the Ruby Vanguard killed one of his clerics.

[@jamescanjuggle]

holy shit your onto something

[@Jplays23]

Oh. Oh! Oh no that's perfect

[@majorzipf8947]

Oh shit. 😳

[@KnightsRealm98]

Definitely feels less like character assassination in that case

[@Markcrazeer]

@@KnightsRealm98well in his defence the titans did turn on them and the mortals. (I do not at this point care if the primes were in the wrong or not and neither does pelor.) so letting elemental cults run around might be a problem. Almost like if a thousand years from now we have Jewish neoneoneonazis. (Not that the titans were nazis but you get my point.)

[@darkhorse35]

Marisha is covering the Riegel slack so very well. Her fan is 🔥

[@ZonathaN_611]

As soon as Laudna dealt the final blow, I flashed back to when we saw Bor'Dor's "most heroic moment." Hit me right in the heart :,(

[@amyd6700]

The Team Wildemount episodes dragged for me but I could have stayed with this group for a few more. What a fantastic ending to this mini-arc. It'll be interesting to see what happens when BH reunite having completely different experiences. Mistake or not, I'm glad Prism joined them. Her interactions with the group have been delightful, especially her chemistry with Ashton.

[@betteryou7hanme]

I got way behind during those episodes. Not sure why, but I just couldn't stay focused when watching. Add to that needing to finish Neverafter, Ravening War / Adventuring Party episodes dropping, and staying on top of all the other weekly games I watch, and before I knew it I essentially had 40+ hours of homework to do. As much as I love CR, it becomes a lot less enjoyable when it's not something I'm looking forward to, and essentially turns into a second full time job. Glad I'm headed back to Thursday nights.

[@amyd6700]

@@betteryou7hanme Same. I was in the process of moving and those episodes couldn't hold my interest with everything else going on. However, this group had me tuning in again on Thursdays.

[@betteryou7hanme]

@@amyd6700 Yeah, when I saw a clip of Emily at the table I got caught up asap.

[@iceman3317]

@@amyd6700 the opposite for me. I love the other group far more than this. But I love Prism. So it is disappointing we don't get to see more of her. I skipped most of the arc and just watched important points. I just did not like these characters as much as the others except for Prism, Guest Character wise.

[@alftuvik3820]

@@betteryou7hanme Same here, I fell off and got so behind that I am now finally at this episode months later.

[@charlesyung5049]

Fanbase yelling at Team Wildemount: guys, after all you have been through, where is the pathos? The anguish? The drama? Team Issylra: we got you, fam

[@ilsehattingh1976]

YES!!

[@majonnaise]

It’s what was needed honestly I think that’s why I enjoyed this half of the party much more. They kept the seriousness of the momentum going, with comedic moments yes of course but still.

[@GraciousLee_]

Orym snapping moments 3:01:43 - Orym encourages Laudna to go through with it 3:08:05 - “We’re at war.”

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

To me the really big thing about that moment is that the fact that "Delilah energy" for lack of a better term was clearly starting to leak out of Laudna, and Orym didn't do anything to stop her. That to me was the biggest red flag that Orym is at a beyond "not good" head space right now

[@lemnlyme]

let’s keep emily forever please 🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@CrazyDeeDee]

This deserves more likes! 👍👍👍

[@stevennewman4778]

She’s great. And I’d love to see Prism near the end of the campaign honing her wizard skills under Caleb’s teaching. I think they’ll all end up time traveling back to the night Ludinus tethered Ruidus with a plan to stop it. Caleb refused to turn back time in C2 but won’t make that mistake again.

[@Ziaotic]

@@stevennewman4778 he also disintegrated the time machine at the end of C2. at this point, time travel is no longer possible in Exandria.

[@vib2119]

​@@Ziaoticwas it a machine? I thought it was Aeor's notes on going back in time?

[@Ziaotic]

@@vib2119 those were notes based on what had transpired iirc, the effects of time travel. where it said one mage went but never came back, one came back and instantly turned to dust. im pretty sure it was a machine in the T-Doc chamber.

[@t.a.g.8720]

God, coming from the livestream, that thumbnail is too perfect! After the last 4SD, I love that these thumbnails are just a compilation from their photoshoot that are conveniently perfect

[@majorzipf8947]

Laura’s secret superpower is creating perfect thumbnails

[@JennyDolfen]

Oh! Would you mind telling me whereabouts they talked about the thumbnails? I must have missed that and I've been wondering.

[@astralluna]

@@JennyDolfenit’s during the deep dive segment of the latest four sided dive, wrong distance relationships! i believe someone might have put the timestamp in the comments on that video :^D

[@wizkida981015]

"I'm weak" "No, you're just hurt" idk why but that one got me

[@czpeterp6705]

Don't you love it when CR just destroys you 😁

[@samuraiko]

Gods yes. I love the comedy... I love the action... but the interpersonal interactions and the stakes involved with them will just reel me in like nothing else.

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

It's the best!

[@DredgenStorm]

(sighs)time to update the list again

[@edparry7923]

I absolutely lost it thinking about everyone having these emotional destroying moments, and Deni$e just trying to hand out dead Bordor's magic stuff 😂😂😂

[@nicklance4788]

“I’m wearing two hats and I don’t give a shit” -a fuckin genius

[@venom7111]

20:36 a god damn voice acting masterclass. Instant fucking goosebumps I replayed that part like 20 times

[@Cirdon91]

I literally said out loud to the empty room around me “god damn, that man is a magician with his voice” when I heard that.

[@venom7111]

@@Cirdon91 haha i definitely thought it to my empty room

[@GerinoMorn]

'War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner.'

[@shadowX2121]

We are FINALLY getting Sam and Emily at the same table next month!!!

[@ohhi7168]

I'm hyped for Laura and Emily

[@StrifeAiray]

I'm happy that Prism is still gonna be with the group, even though she did go through the wrong portal

[@4203105]

It was the right portal. She chose Market and so they were all going to the same place.

[@StrifeAiray]

@@4203105 To be fair, I didn't hear that part correctly 😂

[@carlotacosta9193]

It's so interesting to me how the Bells Hells seemed to be the most good aligned oarty across all campaigns so far (the most inclined to do good for good's sake since the beginning I mean), yet their morality is being the most tested at this point. Insanely good last couple of episodes

[@ghostshadow9899]

They are not, they are like all other groups….always ready to kill somebody even if the kill is not needed

[@DellikkilleD]

they have done a *lot* of straight up evil actually.

[@kyanchambers260]

Clicked the notification as fast as humanly possible I need to know why Marisha was tweeting so cryptically about this episode

[@adoragrayskull]

Ooooh get ready

[@davidwilfand916]

Good luck

[@EclipseAtDusk]

This one hurt - and I’m pretty sure is a first!!

[@Batini]

Deni$e Baywatching a Tree Portal will always be an iconic moment in Crit Lore.

[@amandarae5337]

The deodorant flying into frame in front of Liam for some reason is way funnier than intended. 😂

[@dungeonguy88]

I love that Aimee seems to have a full-blown and fairly extensive flow chart with her papers.

[@HumbleCrow27]

She played with Aabria, and nearly everyone who plays with her has said that her flowcharts sort of rub off on you.

[@angelowentzler9961]

Utkarsh was fantastic, set himself up for a raw deal, and I will miss him very much. Emily needs to be a regular.

[@lycusmike]

So I wonder if the poison on the dagger is the don't-come-back variety.

[@dernup73]

I was wondering this too

[@majorzipf8947]

Ooooooo 😬

[@Aetheria60]

I doubt it. It was probably just a poison dagger like the one Vax had. I can't see Otohan and Ludinus handing something that powerful out to just anyone since it could end up being used against them.

[@JennyDolfen]

Boy, would that be a twist! What if the recipe later used by Otohan Thull even came from Bor'Dor? Though I think it's possible Orym would have caught it. He caught a whiff of it on Eshteross' staff and knew immediately.

[@oldfrend]

man i am gonna miss these three. they are a fuckin riot and utkarsh is a brilliant role player even if he's a DnD beginner. i hope they put him on the next 4sided dive so we can hear his whole backstory. prism needs her own entire spinoff series XD

[@xxdmn]

"Trees need cities to live."

[@herz5159]

Heads up monday watchers. COMMENTS CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!!! This is one of those you want to go in blindly

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

Liking and commenting to bump this up

[@RuailleBuaille]

Yep. Lots and lots of spoilers unfortunately. Bump.

[@sheylarochelle7072]

Bumping this up for anyone who isn't caught up yet. Don't read the comments!

[@droptoholdyou]

This is one of my favourite episodes of all time. I wasn't originally too keen on this group (Fearne has my heart), but the way this episode played out gave me SO MANY chills and made me feel just as many emotions. The conversation with Launda and Ashton, "Im weak..." "No, you're just hurt," really stuck with me. They all did SUCH an amazing job, and I'm so excited to see everyone reunited after so much has gone down!

[@targetdreamer257]

Me to but I REALLY want an Exandria Unlimited with Prism, Deni$e, Deanna, and F.R.I.D.A. Like they have to go on a mini-mission that would change the outcome for the main cast. Actual I would absolutely love it Dariax was in that group.

[@plasticmans3036]

So Prism is gonna become a new member of Bells Hells? I think it would be a great power-up to the team if it had a wizard

[@majorzipf8947]

I wish. But no way Emily has that much time.

[@johntong9743]

I can't imagine she has the time. She also does Dimension 20 and Not Another D&D Podcast and she's also the composer for most of the music on the latter. And she was a voice actor in The Quarry last year, so she may be branching into voice acting, too. I'd love if she did, though, I live for her chaos.