A Show of Scrutiny | Critical Role: THE MIGHTY NEIN | Episode 2

The newly formed party delves into their own investigation of the events at the carnival, while still wondering if they can trust the company they've found themselves in...
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Thanks to @CRTranscript and all the critters for closed captions!

[@salinora0]

-"how does someone like you come to learn halfling?" -"arcane duolingo"

[@spookster3384]

The best kind of Duolingo. With real murder birds

[@mistamemewide]

*_duolingo becomes the vibe check with arcane spells_*

[@chronics23]

Read this right as it was said, perfection.

[@politecat8802]

Bold of you to assume that regular Duolingo isn't already arcane

[@freespeeches7356]

Seeing this reminded me of duolingo's existence and gave me something to do in quarantine. Thanks!

[@jakobgustafson4581]

Caleb: "While we're here, no money pot" *Proceeds to let Nott do the money pot*

[@RobertPFarrell]

LOL. In fact is it was totally Caleb's idea!

[@lucindatheartist6435]

oh SHIT u rite

[@DeathnoteBB]

Caleb: We dont want to get caught Caleb: on the other hand neither do these weirdos and we can take their coin

[@forgemakesstuff2734]

Vox Machina: *distrusting, paranoid, overly careful in every situation* Mighty Nein: What's the most chaotic approach to any given circumstance? We'll do that one

[@nickpatrick7021]

Next they'll be making rational plans instead of ones that fall apart as soon as they roll initiative.

[@urixl]

@@nickpatrick7021 At dawn we plan!

[@connortremblay1259]

Travis' character not liking ale, being smart, and not being able to carry anything due to lack of pockets is giving me such whiplash.

[@pollonigui8487]

Same thing with sam having -3 to charisma jesus chirst thats WAYYY different domains

[@bostonblizzards]

Also Laura going from a slightly stuck up, mature, grown woman to a completely unhinged child is fantastic lol

[@absolutelykoolabnormalitie6995]

Bartender: *vaguely mentions liking to read* The entire party: HE READS!!!!! CALEB YOU READ!!!!!!!!!!! YOU READ TOO YOU CAN BE BUDDIES

[@megan4480]

It's like how my friends always assume I'll be friends with gay people if they introduce us to each other 😂😂

[@alemtorsaula]

Where is the lie

[@xWinterstarex7]

The entire party acting like a mother desperately trying to marry off their painfully (yet contently) single son/daughter in hopes that soon a grand baby comes.

[@doorlord1521]

Taliesin: *we got a reader..*

[@vecna2101]

My mother when she finds someone who likes anything that I like.

[@TheDymed]

54:33 Nott: "Friends..." Beau: *Squints deception checkivly* Nott: "I'M LYING!"

[@jayreese8522]

I couldn't breathe after that

[@AzureKyle]

And then they were dying because his mug said front butts

[@miker.9132]

Beau had zero reason to insight check Nott. Another Marisha metagamer moment.

[@dragonvessel8412]

Honk Honk Not was acting wildly different, he changed from keeping distant from the others to acting incredibly friendly, rather suspicious

[@miker.9132]

@@dragonvessel8412 The fact it came directly after the talk between Caleb and Nott is what tips me off that isn't what's going on. Marisha started making insight checks based on information Beau did not ever hear. When we have players like that, we tell them to not metagame or we ask them to leave the room so neither they, nor their character, can hear the info they weren't supposed to know.

[@TheBrywarrior90]

It's nice to see Travis unlocked from the chains of a 6 intelligence.

[@vineethvanga8811]

Yes! I loved Grog a lot, but it felt like Travis was cut out from a lot of the games features because of Grog’s intelligence. He feels a lot more free on Fjord.

[@trealosgaming3345]

I think he felt he needed to have more say in planning, but now he gives off a leader sense

[@piranhaplantX]

@@trealosgaming3345 To be fair, that's mostly because the other players aren't particularly strong leaders. Which is partly due to their characters and partly because that's just not their type of play. He's basically the only one willing to take that mantle here.

[@stingerjohnny9951]

@@piranhaplantX Yeah, Vox Machina didn’t really have a concrete leader, it was mostly based on the situation and who could contribute what. I love how that was kinda lampshaded in the animated show, where they start an argument over who is the leader 🤣

[@rothendryranwina3680]

I'm loving fjord

[@Lunafeir]

“As far as I’m concerned you’re all together as part of this investigation.” “We’re a group, you guys.” Jester is so precious.

[@wreckemdaileas8647]

I love Jester so much.

[@good_rum4185]

No one: Jester: *I USE THAUMATURGY TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS*

[@jackdizzy123]

Lol

[@KumaoftheForest]

A slight breeze

[@astonbean]

I read this in her voice XD

[@TitaniaBird]

She's the inverse Snape. "Okay, turn to page 394 or whatever."

[@cristamusic7508]

No one A random person: Good trick, hic *slam*

[@fnglert]

Travis rolling up his new character: "I would like to mage".

[@TrueMiz]

Warlock, but close

[@JEST3R_]

If he wanted to mage then he rolled a nat 1 and made a warlock by mistake

[@WhamBamTySam]

These comments implying that *'mage'* is a *class* instead of an *umbrella term* for magic users in dnd5e...weird hill to die on, but at least you're dead.

[@JEST3R_]

@@WhamBamTySam dude I made a joke. Chill

[@WhamBamTySam]

@@JEST3R_ Nah, fnglert made a joke. You just said something that wasn't funny, or true to try and gain some correction clout :P

[@bluephoenix9960]

Marisha: I’m going to be jail free this time _ten seconds later_ Beau is incarcerated

[@nickanderson55]

She has this ability that no matter what she dose she will always choose the poorest decision possible it’s actually kind of remarkable lol

[@seanelliott8077]

I’m just starting but she is just nonsensical often

[@sarahbyrne4610]

I had completely forgotten that Keyleth kept getting arrested for the first half of the campaign

[@golik133]

Poor Beau 😂

[@leecharlette9033]

I just realized that Yasha took off last episode because Ashley knew she wouldn’t be here :(

[@k.whatever9046]

can u tell me why she wasn't able to be here?

[@leecharlette9033]

@@k.whatever9046 she was filming Blindspot at that time which was in NY so she couldn’t turn up on set. But I know in the previous campaign she sometimes showed up through Skype or something like that

[@k.whatever9046]

@@leecharlette9033 ohh okay, thank u!

[@steeveewuzzheer1992]

I feel like some of the guest stars have been there more than Ashley. I hope she comes back for good soon

[@JaelinBezel]

Is she a player character? I thought she worked for the carnival.

[@devin5201]

"Smells like Caleb down here" how dirty IS he!?!?

[@connerlang215]

Apparently he doesn't get to bathe, so... A lot?

[@nolagranola13]

I don’t even know where it begin with that question.

[@xp_generic6284]

As dirty as a weeb’s hentai cache

[@gabriellehess7327]

Xp_generic omg 😂

[@MistahBryan]

@@xp_generic6284 I just threw up a little :)

[@Metaporphsycosis]

No one: Caleb: ALRIGHT! SHE’S A GOBLIN! You caught us!

[@jamesgarlick4573]

Everyone: "Nott is wearing a coat, is she cold?" - "who's your small friend?" - "hi, I'm ________! And you are?" Caleb: "ok, she's a goblin, you caught us"

[@MrBlorp-sf9ye]

Comment with 4K likes and only one reply? That's rare. Well, there's two replies now, but still.

[@WhatWeMadeTeam]

Now three

[@MrBlorp-sf9ye]

Awww, someone ruined the streak! :(

[@impastabowl2328]

Sean Stopher Why do you feel obliged to comment like this on people’s comments? It’s not constructive criticism and it’s not funny. No one needs that.

[@nicoleabea7986]

"People's canes" is still one of the most iconic things Nott eversaid.

[@mattgoodman9028]

I spit my coffee out and didn't care it was that Epic.

[@Ignorethis12345]

The idea that she was carrying around canes and expecting to be sneaky is even more hilliarous.

[@bonniefazman9065]

I mean, goblins would consider them sticks. They generally don't use canes. XD

[@dingoes8mababy595]

O

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

@@bonniefazman9065 Spears that need sharpening.

[@mewzombieful]

I love the Molly "It's a funny story." Fjord " I like funny stories." Molly "Me too." Awkward pause

[@pholkos]

you can see talesin crafting that awkward pause in the couple seconds before, and the way his face lights up is always fantastic

[@tristenbrisbois2945]

What is the music at this scene?

[@golik133]

When is Yasha coming back 😅

[@KayCee._.]

Nott- "i had a stick collection." Jester- "but you wouldnt get into trouble with stealing sticks" Nott- "but they were people's canes and things" EVERYONE DIES INCLUDING MYSELF

[@vcagande7998]

Then Nott mentions that her rock collections were people’s jewels and I double died

[@partialbullet2215]

Oh wow This comment is so young

[@jeohranalfhir8366]

@@partialbullet2215 so is yours my dear

[@OldmanVosh]

@@jeohranalfhir8366 And so is yours.

[@obiravioli7791]

@@OldmanVosh and yours

[@aboredprophet8128]

Sam/Nott: I'll turn on the charm. Me:YOU HAVE *FIVE* CHARISMA

[@soapibubblesthestrange9972]

And you have 420 likes

[@alexander122002]

Soapibubbles The Strange actually 680

[@thealgorithm3412]

@@alexander122002 722*

[@thisrandomnoob3681]

GamingAries 732*

[@TwentySeventhLetter]

But Sam has 30 charisma so it evens out

[@DrakeWurrum]

Can't believe it didn't even take 2 sessions for Marisha to get arrested.

[@margaret_adelle]

Fjord's voice is just MADE for that high Charisma.

[@TanTanDC]

yeah.. his voice.. fjords speaking voice.. his voice..

[@cadesaylor7822]

@@TanTanDC SHUSH NONE OF THAT HERE THANK YOU :P

[@wouldiwasshookspeared4087]

Built Fjord tough.

[@zsblack7063]

@@TanTanDC Someone’s pining for the Fjords

[@meiduza]

@@cadesaylor7822 I'm like 99% sure that was a Kronk reference

[@austinator1387]

Sam Riegel last campaign: “We need to leave Trinket” Sam Riegel this campaign: “I LOVE Trinkets”

[@naomiklijs5912]

Oh man that bit of wordplay was just gold and diamonds. I just finished Vox Machina I already miss them. Growing fond of these characters feels a bit like cheating lol

[@nikkikindinger2718]

@@naomiklijs5912 Its like falling in love with a new actor playing The Doctor.

[@thefiendish186]

Sam Riegel in every Campaign: "Im by far the worst part of this show"

[@darrenbochenek6921]

Watching this for the first time and when he dropped that I was in bed with headphones on listening to it on my phone and burst into laughter. So far he's really made an anti Scanlan this campaign, low performance, trinket loving... This man is a menace at the table and I love it.

[@mr.moviemafia]

1:00:55

[@HyenaFox]

"you didn't say there were fucking guards!" Everyone: "he did, he very much did" Matt: "I did, I said there were 3 guards."

[@kylethomas9130]

Forget a failed Stealth check, that's a 1 rolled for Perception

[@RBH225]

Classic Marisha... some things don’t change from C1

[@Jk-zv6tz]

@@RBH225 She's definitely the least talented player

[@MidasStorm]

Nott stealing canes makes perfect sense. She's already taken their jewels, if she takes their cane as well, they can't chase her.

[@bonniefazman9065]

Lol, same!!! XD

[@AzureImperium7701X]

@@bonniefazman9065same as in you agree, or same as in you also steal canes?

[@bonniefazman9065]

​@@AzureImperium7701X Me as a Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer/Eloquence Bard: *... Yes*

[@remnantryku7112]

The Traveler messing with Jester when she was checking on Beau’s injury was hilarious.

[@aoifeann1238]

Who/what is the Traveler? I was very confused by that

[@humanfromearth6222]

​@@aoifeann1238 i think it's the trickster god who gave her powers

[@TurribleGamingClips]

Molly's joke about just showering Caleb to disguise him went underappreciated

[@emreakcay6386]

Yeah i was surprised when no one laughed

[@CarboKill]

Tallesin makes a lot of intelligent jokes that go over people's heads because they're focusing on other things, lol

[@megashark1013]

I swear Tallesin has at least 160 IQ.

[@nitthewizard6991]

@magashark more like 200iQ

[@partialbullet2215]

When was this?

[@MattSBailey85]

This is the episode where they killed their old characters Travis: "I don't much care for ale" Sam: "I love trinkets"

[@charlotterichardson3413]

Marisha meanwhile... still getting stupidly arrested 😅 Beau didn't fall far from the Keyleth tree 🤣

[@justin9744]

@@charlotterichardson3413 That's because Marisha is a terrible player.

[@torrinbianchi5283]

@@justin9744 oh wow

[@torrinbianchi5283]

@@justin9744 I guess u haven’t seen the current campaign, I feel like laudna suits her better. She just needed to find the right character.

[@HabarudoD]

@@torrinbianchi5283 Laudna is the light I needed in my life. Marisha looks so happy playing her! That other guy saying "Marisha is a terrible player" is just plain wrong though... I assume Justin just haven't seen the entirety of this campaign yet, nor the first campaign.

[@gsusbauer]

Bringing it back to the top for 2023! --------- Sam’s DnD Beyond Ad- 0:40 Show Start- 8:30 It’s Like Keyleth All Over Again- 22:20 Matt’s Accent is Too Powerful- 33:10 Fake Tragic Backstory Part 1- 38:50 Fake Tragic Backstory Part 2- 42:00 Previously on The Walking Dead- 43:50 Wait, why are we a team?- 50:20 The Charm™- 54:30 Sam Troll #11,572- 1:00:50 Nott’s Collections- 1:03:00 Laura is very Supportive- 1:06:20 Jester MD- 1:18:50 Master of Disguise- 1:34:20 Too Much Disguise- 1:38:40 The Accents just get Better- 1:49:40 Break Starts- 2:06:30 Break Ends- 2:20:40 Marisha’s Handiwork- 2:24:20 DnD Jury Duty- 2:55:20 Surprisingly Hard to Draw- 3:12:30 That’s What Chlorine’s For- 3:18:30 Concerned Dad™ cares for his Goblin Child - 3:19:24 Travis accidentally slips into Grog - 3:23:00 Quality Police Work- 4:01:20

[@d3ath55had0wv2]

Thanks fam

[@anti-mate407]

Appreciate it man

[@rachelclaw]

Boost!

[@alexandertiberius1098]

Thanks.

[@christopherfleetwood5252]

Boots!

[@LightDragon777]

I love how Nott and Jester find out that there is a literal demon and then proceed to interrogate everyone else.

[@atemnirnasha]

Gives me the vibes of "I'm going to collect everything here before proceeding with the main quest."

[@snowboundwhale6860]

Fjord: Has 7 Wisdom, paired with Beau & Jester, who have 16+ Wisdom each Also Fjord: Is 98% of the trio's impulse control & situational awareness

[@Xiatter]

He's more careful because he isn't as wise?

[@jayrents6648]

Just because you know its a bad idea doesn't mean you won't act on it. Especially since Jester is a trickery domain cleric

[@xleplayVA]

Remembering the payoff in ep 93, really shows how wisdom isnt be all end all for impulse control, considering risk v reward

[@timd4524]

Have you watched the whole series yet? Fjord is driven by impulse.

[@timd4524]

Fjord literally pressed every red button placed before him. Why is it called the Ghostlands? Ground zero from the calamity? We're definitely going there.

[@christophvonpezold4699]

What I find hilarious is that the two quietest characters at the table, Caleb and fjord, have the two highest charisma scores of the group

[@M00nSlippers]

They don't even have to say anything and people follow and respect them.

[@namavoid3266]

Seeing as though this is my first time ever interacting with D&D in any way, and they’re already my favorites, I’d say it makes a lot of sense.

[@theowilman9782]

@@namavoid3266 Welcome to the club! This was my first interaction with D&D as well many years ago.

[@MartinAhlman]

@@namavoid3266 Time to play some D&D for you! Dice (you can never have too many. Ever.) can betray you, but they can also be your best friend. And get ready to be beautiful "nerd", like the rest of us :-D

[@warsson1]

This is the way. People that are good in social circles know when to speak, and when not to.

[@Alexis_Nemesis189]

Honestly kinda love Molly’s “I’ve absolutely been talking shit about you” and giving the twins a forehead kiss. It’s such a nifty character interaction

[@liambrady1389]

😢😢

[@nataliepeters8459]

I'm already in love with him again 😍

[@G.F.SF55]

Ikr, such big brother enegery, really makes it believable they're like a family in that circus amazing performance

[@wigglyennui]

Tal's PC is female correct? Or just a female looking character? Confused on molly but love this. I started out here

[@ADHGamer11]

@@wigglyennuiMolly is male. It’s sam’s pc, Nott, that is female.

[@Lordbuttermilk876]

And so began the glorious shout of "We play dungeons and dragoooooons"

[@e.y3251]

A true legend

[@sarahbyrne4610]

I can’t believe it the only took 2 episodes

[@codevii9063]

I just finished campaign one and he starts doing it for like 2 episodes towards the end but stops. Glad to see it started again

[@marias5685]

nott, pridefully: the best part is, it doesn’t let him know when i sneak in or out caleb, a Very Dad Tone: that you know of nott: wait [party laughs] absolutely fantastic dynamic

[@fernatticus5134]

timestamp?

[@DisasterMax]

Drybonesoda Context is at 3:05:02, and that exchange is at 3:05:16

[@fernatticus5134]

@@DisasterMax Thank you so much!

[@DisasterMax]

Drybonesoda Yw!

[@elijaaaah]

Maxine S thanks, I lost my place and was around here!

[@KingAm0]

I’m pretty sure Matt just said nothing for a good 10 minutes while the players did their thing. That’s what good roleplaying looks like.

[@kaitybell]

I'm a new player and I want to get to that level of improv so bad

[@roby8124]

Skinkydoody

[@sirgabiru5823]

@@kaitybell All i have to say is keep at it. Watching other people play can be great for helping you come up with ideas to further flesh out your character and know how your character would truly act in a scenario.

[@PSkyukido]

If I'm lucky, I can direct the party that way while I figure something out

[@BlueBolt]

I wish my players did that :(

[@jonclevenger7669]

"Where he was last seen...." "He was last seen at the circus!" Such an underrated moment lol

[@finchbird2419]

Vox Machina: We're sad and we hate ourselves but we love each other and we're family. This group: CHAOS IS MY MIDDLE NAME!!!!

[@musclecat1005]

In the words of Obby the Rat: "I live with my wife, her mother, her mother, and her mother, and I hate them all, but we all get along, because we are family!"

[@Conzdunchad]

And then came Bells Hells

[@Kronosbattlemaps]

'I think if you have sticky fingers for sticks and rocks I don't think that will get you in trouble' "True.. But they were like peoples canes and things" dead hahahahah

[@justinpehala2740]

Time stamp please

[@brokenvow8700]

@@justinpehala2740 1:03:05

[@justinpehala2740]

@@brokenvow8700 thank you

[@turutututitu]

I've been laughing for a good 5 minutes. They are geniuses 🤣

[@eb4305]

Laura's restraint is fucking impressive tho

[@johnbuscher]

>Scanlon hates goblins and trinket >Nott is a goblin and loves trinkets Gold, Sam, GOLD!

[@christopherwood7559]

@Sean Stopher same world, different continents, different times. Campaign 2 takes place roughly 20 years after campaign 1.

[@TheReaver1234]

That sweet irony, Sam is a legend when it comes to trolling

[@isaacmiller3386]

20 years is not really enough for attitudes to change as far as things like prejudice goes. But, seperate continents, sure.

[@baseballjustin5]

@@isaacmiller3386 Sane PC different character is what they are talking about

[@elliemai779]

@@isaacmiller3386 they also mentioned that goblins aren't really trusted thats why Nott wears a mask and is hooded most of the time.

[@TheExtremeCT]

I'm officially invested in the stinky Caleb plot. What exactly does he smell like? How many people notice the stench? Will he ever bathe? Find out on Critical Role!

[@user-Aaron-]

It's how I imagine Brian Wayne Foster smells in real life.

[@lucientobias6599]

I do love how after Fjord talks for like 10 seconds Matt's initially English accented fisherman turns into Mcree

[@Meles_mls]

Book store: *is filled with a variety of things from floor to ceiling* Nott: It's free real estate.

[@joshuawinters6591]

"stealing sticks wont get you in trouble" "yea but by sticks I mean people's canes and stuff"

[@laurenhawes7201]

Joshua Winters 1:03:05

[@miroali9683]

Joshua Winters

[@randomcracka3]

I love how good Sam is at prying information from the DM by asking NPCs what they think or feel about a situation instead of just what they know.

[@sofiajohansson1438]

Watching Tal mouth "f*ck" when Toya says that Molly didn't talk in the beginning, and Travis catching that, is pretty interesting and funny on a re-watch.

[@liamperkins5461]

Just starting the series and I'm interested in what tals reaction means

[@Archangelous1337]

Do you have a timestamp for that?

[@NevianRaud]

@@Archangelous1337 3:53:50

[@baileylong9105]

I can't take caleb seriously when he says "I sent Frumpkin to follow" With a dead straight face

[@criticalfailure5882]

The groups reaction to when Travis accidentally starting doing his Grog voice and then just suddenly switches back to Fjord was priceless

[@jaredbrothers1344]

Time stamp for that?

[@corinnecrowley2336]

@@jaredbrothers1344 I think it's at 3:22:56 !!

[@RBH225]

Oh my god I was dying. So good. And the look he gives everyone is gold

[@megashark1013]

Tallesin's laugh was perfect too.

[@iKozak99]

Absolutely in love with this character Laura has created. Just a completely chaotic, yet completely innocent little Tiefling.

[@jasongustafson2691]

Jester is hands down my favorite character so far. By a lot

[@anoretu1995]

It is a great chaotic character example.

[@GeraldKatz]

Sigh. Why am I not surprised the player who steals from party members when playing a cleric will choose Trickery Domain of a trickster deity. At least so far she has been supportive of party members and only bothered NPCs not crucial to the plot, i.e. not disruptive. Not my cup of tea but tolerable.

[@burkles4456]

I just hate the accent xD@@GeraldKatz

[@sonnentausnest]

50:52 Caleb: "The people we've spent the day with are lunatics." Matt: *nods*

[@quickattackfilms7923]

"I think there's something evil afoot." "...says the devil" "...I've been called worse." That was a great scene. Hard to believe this is improv sometimes.

[@basilsweetcake9932]

Quick Attack Films I read this before it came up in the video and I'm the opposite of disappointed, that scene was so intense and well done

[@tonyguar]

Yeah the whole cast really shows the difference between professional actors and artists themselves, versus your average person

[@Zalamandar]

Makes home games look like garbage ahahaha

[@tonyguar]

Soviet who Cuts cool. We can be funny sometimes too LOL

[@_jaska]

1:58:46 for those looking

[@brandonhoward3805]

Nott: Dont worry! I'll turn on the charm. *50 seconds later* Nott: Oi'm Lyin'!

[@sleeplessgames1677]

Jester/Laura: The big zombie beast especially was using a lot of sticks and stuff to attack people more than any kind of mouth. Beau/Marisha: _Dies_

[@Silverstar-wt5rj]

By sticks do you mean *canesss????*

[@Alirosa937]

all three of them on that table doubled over it was great

[@holdupnowyall]

im soo glad i watched C1 before C2. everyone says C2 is better, but the callbacks just wouldn't land like they do after watching C1. Nott's love of TRINKETS had me rolling!

[@denilsonrezende857]

Same here... Also, Travis talking using Grog's voice was amazing too!!

[@sunstar8782]

Well of course C2 is better, they’ve had more time to practice

[@holdupnowyall]

@@sunstar8782 I was mostly referring to everyone i know saying to start with C2 because it's easier to get into, but I like watching things in the order of release and I'm glad I did. This whole campaign was so much better for all the cute callback moments and context that made more sense after watching C1

[@sunstar8782]

@@holdupnowyall Makes sense, I was just saying they had more experience (with the game and role playing) after doing their first campaign

[@chiarabullen6809]

Same here! Really glad I stuck with C1!

[@Punk_CrowXX]

Anyone else see caleb as the tired dad of the party

[@tizznatertwizznaught]

Like Bob from Bob's burgers 😅

[@TheManowarcraft]

Oh absolutely 🤣

[@toasted_equestrian]

He’s the tired dad, Jester is the over excitable, gullible kid. Beau is the overly deep teenager who tries to occasionally corrupt the child. Nott is the insane like middle schooler who is always causing the dad heart attacks. Molly is the sarcastic twenty year old son, who still hasn’t left home for college. Fjord is the sensible mother who really tries to keep everyone out of jail

[@elijaaaah]

Like Tony Stark 😂

[@derrickhaggard]

Yeah I see that as well.

[@garrettsmith6549]

“Oh we have missed you friends!” *Beau stared intently at Nott* “I’m Lying!” Hilarious

[@derrickhaggard]

Yes it is hilarious.

[@Companion92]

@Andrew Adams I don't think it's metagaming, when it makes sense, that the characters don't really trust each other yet

[@will_69]

@Andrew Adams I can't decide yet. Nott is a terribly uncharismatic little creature, and Sam was totally playing up the act, but I also feel like the roll was a bit convenient.

[@sw96]

@@will_69 To be fair a lot of insight checks against party members have an element of metagaming to them, and there's not really any way around that.

[@candym0nz826]

I love the tonal shift between the first campaign and this one, in Vox Machina they are semi-well established members of society from the begining. And in this one, they are a group of strangers and nobodies filled to the brim with chaotic energy; whose low level makes them absolutley shit at everything. I love it!

[@hypnoticskull6342]

"And whatever Molly is-" "Fabulous." I fucking love Molly

[@Dutchman4real]

I might have missed that...do you perchance know whereabouts that is in the vid? Approximately

[@hypnoticskull6342]

@@Dutchman4real That was almost a year ago. I can't remember it

[@Dutchman4real]

@@hypnoticskull6342 feared as much. Thx anyway

[@hypnoticskull6342]

@@Dutchman4real Sorry. Hope you find it. It's hilarious

[@amnesiacore]

For anyone who sees this in the future, the timestamp is 3:21:09

[@guybrushthreepwood7811]

Man they spent the first like half an hour not even interacting with the dm and just interacting with each other's characters. I would kill for my player's to do that sometimes. That kind of thing is so much fun

[@corvus1253]

Agreed.

[@corvus1253]

@Benjamin FERGUSON R they more of a kick in the door/let's get the quest done kind of group?

[@floortje9237]

@Benjamin FERGUSON Why not give them what they want? Let them build the brothel and go from there. If it's fun for them they will start talking in no time. I don't have any experience, but building a brothel is rather complicated I believe, lots of quests to go off on.

[@danceraffection12]

I wish my DM let us RP more

[@nickhallihan4418]

@@danceraffection12 you should have a talk with your DM cuz RPing is such a fun part of the game and nobody should be preventing you from doing so!

[@Abelhawk]

I love all the in-jokes from the previous campaign. :D *Fjord:* "I'm not really a fan of ale." *Nott:* "I LOVE TRINKETS."

[@mad636man]

Abelhawk omg I didn’t even catch the trinket one!!! So good.

[@Sparkle5fanboy]

Laura's face when sam said "I love trinkets" it was priceless

[@jekubfimbulwing5370]

Talesin's face was even better!

[@warforged7948]

Still Marisha character throw in jail

[@nuclearbirds]

I miss Scaaaaaanlan

[@soupforthefamily8378]

I really can’t wait to figure out Caleb and Nott’s real backstory

[@kit975]

me too. i'm trying really hard to not look anything up because i want it to hit me like an emotional freight train going full speed.

[@filipdohnal5068]

​@@kit975oh then you're up for a treat

[@kit975]

@@filipdohnal5068 oh no lol i sincerely hope i'm ready for this treat.

[@mossripalextechno6450]

@@kit975 sam fucks around because he can, but he is setting up some of the most painful shit you have ever seen.

[@Rik_Falkorn]

​@@kit975train? How 'bout a freaking Titanic?) And an iceberg that sank it, as a top of this glass ice-cream Caleb has for you?)))

[@FlameJackstar]

I can't really comprehend the work that must go into the role of the DM for each and every one of those sessions. Either that, or Matt is just a god at improve because god damn. No matter the situation, place or dialogue, he never needs more than 2 seconds to come up with a response that perfectly makes sense. Always completely focused, always having the information, always being able to vividly describe a scene. He's such an amazing guy.

[@piranhaplantX]

It's a bit of both, I imagine. He sets up a framework for the main story beats, and he puts together some statblocks and encounters. But he's also good at improv, likely in part due to the circles he travels in.

[@Desdemona-XI]

Also he's literally trained in improv, like its part of the classes one takes as an actor or voice actor. And frequently reccomends improv classes for amateur VA's and improv practice for DMs. The art of the "yes, and." Is a great tool for any dm or player, especially a roleplayer

[@atomkuehne]

I can say that from experience, it's mostly improv. Prep work and world building makes up some of his quick responses, but with proper improv you can hold entire sessions on the fly. I personally do almost no prep work for my sessions whatsoever. It's damn near impossible to determine what your characters will do unless they're on a straight path and if you prepare for everything they could do there would only be one session per month. Only thing I've prepped is the world as a larger picture and individual combats I know they'll enter (making a cave combat for next session). If I had any improv training/classes I'd probably be as quick as Matt, but in all honesty I'm not that far off.

[@cobaltsable1800]

Oh definitely both in campaign 1 he had maps of all the places in Whitestone because he wasn't sure where they would go

[@SpaceDrake]

In addition to everything, keep in mind that even as "early" on as this (this was five years ago??? what is time) CritRole was swiftly becoming Mercer's full-time job. He very likely devoted what most people would consider Real Working Hours toward preparing these sessions and making sure he could be reasonably prepared for whatever the group came up with.

[@matthewtate8837]

“Don’t poke me with a fork!!” “Done be such a baby!” Holy shit i can’t stop laughing

[@ThorsShadow]

2:53:48 As a German, this absolutely perfect, accent-free pronunciation of "Bis später" totally caught me off-guard. Wow. To anyone not knowing, it means "see you later" in English.

[@Pestilence476]

I’m learning german and for me it’s cool hearing it and knowing what it means

[@darklord884]

I can say it was a surprise, but the way he said it, you'd almost expect Caleb to suddenly start wearing 'lederhosen' and start talking about how his 'freundin' Nott causes lots of trouble or that he loves his 'bücher.'

[@dragonarchive7443]

The way he said it was kinda sexy tho

[@anitaardi4456]

Lived in Bavaria and was completely excited when one of them said "Tschüss"

[@frightenedsoul]

ThorsShadow - he must know quite a bit of German. In the Narrative Telephone game they have been playing, his story he made had like 12 German words in it.

[@friskybitzboi]

Marisha’s curse of getting arrested continues and Sam truly embodies being a mischievous little scamp

[@HandsomeLongshanks]

Nott's revelation about her stick collection garners the appropriate reaction from the group. Such a beautiful moment

[@Mephil]

"It doesn't alert him when *I* sneak in and out!" "That you know of..." "Wait what?"

[@DeathnoteBB]

That part was so cute XD

[@baxterwilhelm8114]

Jester trying to communicate with a child: "Did you notice how when you sang a dude turned into a zombie?"

[@sdrawkcab_emanresu]

Is your profile picture Jan Phillip Zymny?

[@lobommotio]

@@sdrawkcab_emanresu the party sure could do with a catapult for bears

[@kj_arts1017]

"He was last seen at the circus" fucking killed me

[@daughterofcoldharbour]

sam and laura is the duo i didn’t know i needed 😂 they should have a spin off and it’s just them being private investigators and “solving” cases

[@sepho3070]

sam and literally anybody works out usually, travis/grog was perfect campaign 1 buddy cop flick... if they were like you know the 'other guys'.

[@seanelliott8077]

Does Marisha do and say nonsensical things the whole campaign?

[@amerlin388]

Nott and Caleb... "Are we under some kind of Holding-Arrest?" "No! We're Inn-Carcerated."

[@Gryphon2026]

Nice !🤣

[@SteffenThole]

Oh my god I completely missed that

[@Caennuck]

Missed Opportunitiy: "Toyas'R'Sus."

[@jcoonie2]

I come from the future where jester(laura) finds the word skinkydoodies in her note book and wonders why she had it written down.

[@uhkingdom]

Just now finished this episode (episode 2) as I’m starting this campaign and this is fucking hilarious to hear. From the past, I thank you.

[@justajely7372]

Hmm Something about the timestamp of the op and the recent comment doesn't add up.... Eh oh well

[@MmeHyraelle]

@@justajely7372 meta-time

[@yoavsnake]

Posted the timestamps again because they're waay too far down --------- Sam’s DnD Beyond Ad- 0:40 Show Start- 8:30 It’s Like Keyleth All Over Again- 22:20 Matt’s Accent is Too Powerful- 33:10 Fake Tragic Backstory Part 1- 38:50 Fake Tragic Backstory Part 2- 42:00 Previously on The Walking Dead- 43:50 Wait, why are we a team?- 50:20 The Charm™- 54:30 Sam Troll #11,572- 1:00:50 Nott’s Collections- 1:03:00 Laura is very Supportive- 1:06:20 Jester MD- 1:18:50 Master of Disguise- 1:34:20 Too Much Disguise- 1:38:40 The Accents just get Better- 1:49:40 Break Starts- 2:06:30 Break Ends- 2:20:40 Marisha’s Handiwork- 2:24:20 DnD Jury Duty- 2:55:20 Surprisingly Hard to Draw- 3:12:30 That’s What Chlorine’s For- 3:18:30 Concerned Dad™ cares for his Goblin Child - 3:19:24 Travis accidentally slips into Grog - 3:23:00 Quality Police Work- 4:01:20

[@spaghettikat1964]

ty so much

[@kobavex7060]

@@spaghettikat1964 BRUH WHY THIS IS EP 2

[@roborabbit-mw5dt]

4:02:34 Another great moment where somebody forgets which character they’re playing XD

[@matthulme2388]

Reply

[@arcannvalerious8022]

+

[@pabz_91]

"I just LOVE trinkets!" - absolute genius from Sam Riegel.

[@magicgirl192]

"So you've been with the circus, since you were a child?" "As long as I can reasonably remember" ... well he aint lying

[@baxterwilhelm8114]

A very underrated moment: "When you feel the need to steal something, just hold my cat"

[@darkmysterie2208]

It's very good advice, nothing distracts you quite like having a squirming bundle of fur in your arms, demanding your attention XD *says this as I'm typing around my own cat*

[@xEvilRaptorx]

I'm quite surprised Laura didnt laugh when Bo/Marisha said something like "I hold my gash*

Liam's characters to me seem to have most depth of the group

[@Empty-Quiver]

@@darkmysterie2208 i would agree but I'm pretty sure im allergic

[@user-ch5zc5wg1f]

No u

[@maxsgirard5808]

It's weird to go back to C2 after watching C3 and not hearing "making my way" in chorus everytime Matt says it.

[@Naev0w0]

Broski, that was started in this campaign. It comes around later on in the game.

[@bloodybutterflygaming1242]

Oh good, I'm not the only one who's starting from C3 and making my way back 😅

[@nothx8790]

reposting and combing some timestamps 13:06 "jails are not my favorite" 19:21 Beast shape 22:50 Jail time 22:52 jail for beau??? 23:19 jail for beau!! 24:24 attack the guards plan 25:07 fail attacking the guards with awful rolls 32:00 We're a group 33:12 Her accent is really strong 38:07 Stinky Caleb meme #2 38:56 Spasm shaming 48:32 Stinky Caleb meme #3 50:30 Stinky Caleb meme #4 54:32 Lying front butt 56:43 Dick in the table 57:47 I'm from uh 1:01:20 Stinky Caleb meme #5 1:02:57 "I had a stick collection" 1:03:05 Not good Nott 1:04:57 Nott demonstrates stealing ability 1:06:53 Nott demonstrates magic trick 1:21:10 Hey bitches 1:22:42 I've done something terribly wrong 1:30:20 I'm really good at makeup 1:38:38 Jester's disguise 1:39:44 time to leave the bar 1:42:18 Stinky Caleb meme #5 1:49:40 Voice actor problems 2:04:21 Molly was almost impressed 2:06:29 start of break 2:20:41 end of break 2:21:15 at the docks 2:24:22 "that's the snake I punched" 2:28:00 what?? 2:31:58 "we're the best dectives ever" 2:32:42 Nott the best detective 2:34:35 giant badgers 2:35:10 Jester the best detective 2:37:15 time to sneak are way back in the inn 2:47:53 Poor Frumpkin 2:54:14 D&D jury duty 2:56:40 Fjord's reaction to jury duty 2:57:22 That's one way to think about it 2:58:41 Jester running up and down the stairs 3:05:34 alarm sliver thread 3:15:20 Jester's odd 3:18:26 Don't do that Jester 3:22:56 Grog makes a reappearance 3:25:46 iPad troubles 3:34:02 She's a bit dim 3:55:00 Nott and Jester on the case 3:58:40 Orna or Gustav? 4:01:15 Nott and Jester. Expert detectives. 4:09:31 Busted the case wide open 4:11:14 Bonus news!

[@gilbertmolina8621]

Boost!

[@awkwardaquamarine19]

Boost

[@bethanyjohnson2501]

boost

[@graysontillier]

Boost

[@benjaminsimoneau5678]

Boost... @criticalrole please sticky this

[@plumbloco7250]

"We nee to find out where he was last seen." "He was last seen AT THE CIRCUS!" "We're the best investigators ever."

[@Lunarcheese72]

that one was good

[@Elanel]

"Frumpkin disappears from Nott's shoulder, and reappears next to the little man." The following scream made me choke on my food with laughter!

[@thatrandomguy5826]

Mischa Lecter Poor Frumpkin :(

[@lakedoessomething702]

Time stamp please

[@dwigttaylor3544]

I almost had a heartacat

[@dwigttaylor3544]

Bad puns, lord I love em. Bad puns, can’t get enough of em

[@Postoronniy]

Yeah, that went really catastrophically.

[@HTownsend]

Sam: "I love trinkets so much!" This man knows exactly what he is doing at all times.

[@thedialingrook3564]

At first I thought: Wow, they know everything about this universe! But now I realize that they’re really good at improv 😂

[@ladybanshee6330]

2:42:35 Matt: "nick nacks" Nott: ( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉)

[@dwigttaylor3544]

The Lenny face makes it look like you’re implying that Nott is going to do something NSFW with that brass baby cup

[@dwigttaylor3544]

Fan artists, there’s you’re drawing prompt

[@househaunter4338]

Dwigt Taylor it looks like a blushing smiley face to me

[@ivansolodyankin6820]

@@dwigttaylor3544 well, for her it can be equal to nsfw stuff

[@dwigttaylor3544]

@@ivansolodyankin6820 thanks, now I have the image of Nott sitting in bed reading a magazine filled with brass sippy cups

[@Pluveus]

Jester is the true proof of the adage "You are what you eat", she eats nothing but pastry, and she is made of sweetness and flooff.

[@Jess-ul5ho]

y e s

[@thickchip3206]

I accidentally read pastry as pussy😶

[@izza_muffin1285]

Karlie Norris not sure that’s edible 😂

[@lwolfstar7618]

#facts @@izza_muffin1285 depends on who you ask lmao

[@sirfaolan5736]

And to much can make you sick

[@YourLocalNerd123]

I’m so sorry My sibling just asked me when she saw the party “Is this the new cast for ICarly?” I can’t at the moment I feel betrayed and I’m laughing at the same time.

[@stingerjohnny9951]

Can’t be iCarly, there aren’t any moments that focus on the characters OR the actors feet.

[@mikerivera9901]

When Liam complemented Marisha and she totally blew him off 😂. This ain’t Keykey anymore dude

[@mossflowermaid]

Gay vs lesbian versus bi4bi

[@thewidogasts6527]

*we play dungeons and dragons* “What the hell was that?” And thus one of the longest running gags of the campaign was born

[@GoblinHours-im2ue]

@Quinn I just read there user name and..... That must have been calebs fireball (cause it hit h o m e)

[@ClearlyCry]

Caleb's family barbecue

[@jasongreenwood479]

One of these days, I'm going to take the time to isolate that sound bite and make it the message alert for my phone.

[@epicsage16]

3:23:12 "You are very good with voices." Says one professional voice actor to the other. XD

[@tomaszskowronski1406]

FJORESHADOWING

[@Jenacide]

lol, I was at 3:22:11 when I read this comment. XD

[@30noir]

Wasn't he making a joke because Travis slipped in to Grog for a moment. I think that's what they were laughing about.

[@utopia2112]

30noir they need an Wrong Accent jar on the table that they have to put a dollar in for every slip-up where they fall into their Campaign 1 characters.

[@RobertPFarrell]

@@30noir That was exactly it.

[@filipdohnal5068]

This is the episode where it started! "WE PLAY DUNGEONS AND DRAGOOOONS!"

[@PaigeHarken]

4:08:49 “when in doubt, when something goes wrong, nudity usually works.” Oh Tal. Flash forward to C3 and a certain basement adult film. 😂😂😂

[@biohazard724]

"I don't have any pockets on my buttcheek but you can try" *LAURA NO*

[@liv4themoments]

The best lol

[@Mazurecki56]

you mean *LAURA YES!*

[@FallenTrinty]

***LAURA ALWAYS YES!!!***

[@Kayledon777]

What did she want Nott to avoid grabbing?

[@lichtmannimre2807]

Her holy symbol, the symbol of the Traveler.

[@danhaas9730]

Travis: "I'm not an ale kinda guy." Sam: "I love trinkets!" Trying to move on from your old characters much? XD

[@xelloskaczor5051]

still hating old people tho

[@connerlang215]

@@xelloskaczor5051 The first televised kill of the group WAS an old man...

[@werd3426]

I fucking love this RP, like they are actually playing the character, mostly not even saying things that are out of character, they even communicate with each other only in character!

[@15PaperSpearsProtectTheWise]

4:00:55 I LOVE how Molly at this point is clearly about to say "That's on me and Yasha", but corrects himself halfway through. Really quality rp.

[@aceknowles8841]

"It smells like Caleb down here" -A Underappreciated line

[@abominablesnowman646]

my favourite is the out-of-character moment at 1:28:30 "did you just... oh shit"

[@ahumantryingtosurvive]

Time stamp?

[@Makowh]

@@ahumantryingtosurvive 38:10

[@LucaxCorp]

Rip uncared for old guy who just wanted a night of happiness at the circus.

[@paulchavez3039]

His name was enon brenjai

[@thatsmuggamer]

I mean hey, the CR cast’s favorite enemy is old people

[@wyattguilliams9479]

@@thatsmuggamer Well like the one saying goes Beware the old man in a profession where men die young

[@hadesandbob1286]

@@thatsmuggamer 😢s

[@Nastyn1nja808]

@@wyattguilliams9479 Cohen The Barbarian and the Silver Horde. The embodiment of thus statement IMO lol

[@Deppability]

Wow, Liam's "Bis später" around 2:53:45 was excellent. And I mean like, a hundred percent accurate! I mistook it for a German native speaker.

[@ThousandTimesBefore]

As a native German speaker, I 100% agree!

[@Deppability]

@@ThousandTimesBefore Was ne schöne kleine Erinnerung an von vor 2 Jahren. Thanks for the little time travel, mate :D And have fun with the adventure.

[@iitstre_4550]

As sad as it is for Ashley to have been gone for a while whilst filming… that move she pulled episode 1 is one of the most baller moves I’ve ever seen. Destroys a zombie, gets hit on by the entire party, LIES TO A CROWNS GUARD! And then just disappears into the hills. Absolute queen shit! 😂

[@aimaedac]

I pass out for *one* hour and somehow they're suddenly dressed up as guards while the tiefling's ready to shit in the water for some reason.

[@miracaaahalane]

This is why being awake is important

[@canyunhicks1587]

DUDE ARE THISE CIGARETTES IN YOUR NOSE!?!?!? how are you alive rn...

[@autumnkey7058]

@@canyunhicks1587 lmao my EXACT reaction

[@boman279]

@@canyunhicks1587 That's how he stays awake now

[@matttale7918]

😂

[@Sorestlor]

Jester is insanely likable.

[@Gullpped]

Or is she likably insane?

[@connerlang215]

@@Gullpped Yes.

[@DarthNoox]

Gullpped both

[@heikesiegl2640]

Really? Sry i will never warm up to her i guess xD

[@slay1959]

Heike Siegl not even when she crouched in the lake? lmao

[@laurakay847]

I love how Molly and the rest of the carnival workers interact because that is EXACTLY how I talk to my coworkers lol. 4:03:30

[@melissaford8482]

Is it just me, or is like Caleb and Nott’s relationship just literally Liam and Sam’s relationship 😆