An Ancient Flame | Critical Role | Campaign 3, Episode 75

[@flandomaltrizian4603]

HEY, there might be some SPOILERS under the thing 0:45 Sam tries 5:00 Intro cinematic 6:50 EPISODE STARTS 9:10 Recap Ends 12:20 Falling up 14:25 Slipping on the ice 16:40 FCG has hydraulics 19:45 Slick (remembering Fearne is a druid) 21:25 Common misconception: bats have decent vision, they’re just live in the dark mostly 27:05 Getting caught while spelunking 30:45 Sam finds his teeth 34:25 Rearranging FCG (Team 1 descends) 40:00 Caves are uncomfortable 47:05 Pachinko 55:45 Fjord’s fire resistance ring 59:25 I’ve missed the Laudna messages 1:00:25 Make the hole as tight as possible 1:04:05 CR-Floor is Lava crossover episode 1:07:35 Laudna is mad 1:08:30 Waterslide is definitely the best way to do it 1:09:35 Team 2 descends 1:14:40 Doompa loompas 1:16:05 Sam flask 1:20:25 Into the lava chamber 1:24:05 Talking to the doompas 1:28:05 New elder 1:38:35 Ashton prepares to dive 1:42:25 Ashton goes under 1:47:35 Fearne goes under 1:54:35 Superheated Ashton 1:57:55 Oh no, guess they have to be drawn naked now 2:07:10 Forcing Chetney to do Grim Psychometry 2:12:20 Shake it like a baby (The power of Travis’s doubt) 2:15:05 Evil team 2:16:30 BREAK STARTS 2:26:20 Art Montage 2:28:20 BREAK ENDS (map out) 2:34:55 Battle begins 2:37:55 Lava dunking 2:47:00 Should we rescue Fearne? 2:55:55 No Take Backs cuts both ways 2:57:40 A de-escalation Reiloran 3:06:55 The Juggernaut 3:11:40 HDYWTDT (Orym wrecks shop) 3:20:10 A Marquesian standoff 3:21:20 Accidentally using your bonus action 3:25:35 Luda-nis 3:29:15 Pull range 3:42:40 Dropping a 9th level spell 3:44:15 This isn’t how counterspell works, but I hope it is for Ludinus, that’d be scary 3:47:10 Looks like it’s over 3:49:20 Spirit Halloween knockoff robe (Doompa Loompa, doompity doo) 3:55:10 Episode Ends The in-game start date for the episode is still unclear. Sam’s gas can says “Are you there God? It’s me, Pate.” There’s this KZbin channel called Mythkeeper, he does deep dives into Pathfinder lore, some of which feels like it’s related to the bones of Exandria’s older lore. Golarion lore is great, and he delivers in a very ‘fall asleep to this’ cadence Any moments I missed? Feel free to post them here. Is it Thursday yet?

[@benji2495]

Damn u watched this fast

[@zenosfire]

fast as lightening!

[@phoebica]

Thank you, Flando, for being amazing.

[@kherubim1]

Many thanks Flando!

[@Marthroy9000]

How?!?

[@Furryfattal]

"As a bonus action you can impart a - F#&%!" "We're in our own heads" Matt: "You don't roll for scry"

[@SoniaMaria-w2f]

Girl where have been. This has been going on for awhile now *suluxy*

[@tonguesonfire944]

These magma imp things are awesome. "I am the new elder!!!" *polite clapping* 😂

[@barbarianandy]

I wager they were magma mephits.

[@TheKrilicious]

It was giving big Little Green Men from Toy Story vibes

[@rgcountdown]

@@barbarianandy Yep, for sure.

[@SoniaMaria-w2f]

Girl where have been. This has been going on for awhile now *suluxy*

[@tannerkoenig291]

"If your friend jumped into a pool of magma would you jump into a pool of magma!? Fern - "...yes."

[@JackalTornMoons]

Matt: Makes an area perfect for Mister's Fire Immunity and ability to teleport allies Fearne: I jump in the lava

[@sarabeth6897]

Chetney: “I’m not touching that thing! It’s hot!”

[@Mystibump]

Ashley is just terrible at playing her character. It's frustrating to watch sometimes, even IF Fearne's character is supposed to be a little dumb.@@JackalTornMoons

[@mars5107]

@@Mystibump ridiculous of you to say that considering the amount of times she's saved the whole party with clutch spells but go off I guess. ALSO Ashley has role-played before that Fearne gets desperate and makes rash decisions when her friends are in danger.

[@CharonInk]

ALSO also she has already used her two wild shapes, means that she couldn't call Mister even if she wanted to

[@masterjaczor9892]

Ludinus shows up and starts monologuing and Imogen is just like, “So anyway I started blasting.”

[@epicureanbard]

Imogen says "F*** your monologue!"

[@thesir94]

What about a spoiller alert ?

[@A_Dragovich]

@@epicureanbard Full on "Stranger of Paradise". All that is left is some Limp Bizkit as the cutscene is skipped! :D

[@purdiusprime9792]

​@@thesir94what about don't read the comments before watching the show? 🤦‍♂️

[@Nobody-dl4tm]

Honestly why they didn't immediately teleport, I'll never understand

[@SharkyShocker]

The pure appreciation I have for Highschool Jock Travis Willingham, years down the line channeling his "teammate scored a touchdown" energy into Marisha at this moment. 3:43:27

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

They found a Half-Orc skull and a Ring of Fire Resistance.....I hope Fjord is alright.

[@aussiegamer9668]

I don't think Matt would kill fjord off screen.

[@SirFoxbutt]

They are doing their one shot soon, unless Matt and Travis have planned to have Fjord die during it somehow, I really doubt it.

[@cthhtccth1]

They didn't discover what the ring does, the fire resistance ring is from the gith they found.

[@aussiegamer9668]

@@cthhtccth1 you would think it's a ring of fire resistance but who knows. Plus they got the circlet and the cloak from his corpse. They got some nice magical items

[@phoebica]

@@aussiegamer9668 It is so wild to me, that Ludinus' vanity would go so far to give his simulacrum a magical robe.

[@Ravenous_Raven_]

This is it. After two years of non-stop bingeing all three campaigns, I've finally made it. I'm finally caught up. I can't believe I'm here!

[@Kalah_]

I'm currently rewatching campaign 2. Almost done. Binging is the best. :D

[@remilazar9170]

Congratulations. But now you learn the Crave of waiting and not being able to watch. So you watch Again the old episode 😂. Hello to the club and welcome to the live crew.

[@Ravenous_Raven_]

@@remilazar9170 yeah 😅and what an episode to catch up on, too. Is it Thursday yet?

[@targetdreamer257]

Congratulations!

[@LoganWitt21]

Welcome! You picked a hell of an episode to get caught up at!

[@PancakeMonster359]

3:11:44 I have been waiting for Orym to unleash his 6 attacks and it didn't disappoint. 130+ damage in one turn! Pushing the juggernaut into the lava was SO epic!

[@thegriffin88]

It was like an anime move! So EPIC!

[@briangriggs5703]

How's it six attacks? Action surge doesn't give a second bonus action.

[@PancakeMonster359]

@@briangriggs5703 They just levelled up to 11, which gives fighters their 2nd extra attack. So Orym can attack 3 times per turn, action surge to 6

[@jimmy_the_squid9456]

Somewhere in Whitestone Percy suddenly got an unexplained chill down his spine

[@windyface9383]

People underestimate fighters until the 6 attacks in a round reminds them you don't need spellcasting to be dangerous. And you can't counterspell an action surge.

[@allmyhomieshatefreud5501]

Liam is living his fighter dream ever since the level up, and I love it so much

[@KyleRobinson204]

I haven't really been a fan of Orym this campaign but my God. That one single turn was the highlight of the campaign. Liam channeling exactly what the class is for. Absolute sheer fucking commitment. I want a Pushing Attack t shirt.

[@Lamefoureyes]

Crouching seedling, hidden halfing. All green destiny up in that business.

[@heartofananthropologist]

I was watching Sam's face through the last few beats of that 6-attack turn, just glowing with pride. Such a wholesome relationship. 😊

[@underthegreatwave]

💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@brianformica2599]

Give that man a vorpal sword

[@StevenJQuinlan]

Marisha's "are you absolutely insane" response to FCG's lava messages gives me life. It's like a parent having their kid tell them they're gonna eat broken glass because it looks yummy 😊

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

Maybe I was dumb as a kid but I once had rock candy and, a few days later, tried to eat other rock candy that turned out to be stained glass. Luckily it didn't do a lot of damage before I spit it out but, to this day, I swear they looked identical.

[@StevenJQuinlan]

@@Chilliconkanye says the person responding to an 8 month old comment. Grow up.

[@StevenJQuinlan]

@@Chilliconkanye you didn't need to respond at all. When you did anyway, you chose to be an asshole. That says a lot more about you than about me.

[@StevenJQuinlan]

​@@Chilliconkanyeyou didn't need to respond at all. When you decided to anyway you immediately chose to be mean and denigrating, which makes you an asshole. It says more about you than me that your immediate, instinctive reaction is to mock someone.

[@Griffolion0]

"I immediately smell the scent of cypress trees and Bengay and know that Chetney is close." This might be the best line ever uttered across the three campaigns.

[@Cyranu]

Lol what time stamp was this? I cant believe i missed it

[@patdlinkinparkqrl]

@@Cyranu 3:08:19

[@charrleschervanik3632]

Liam going full Nova is every fighters wet dream. That Juggernaut stood next to no chance. "Oh he's still up? ACTION SURGE."

[@wynnnnnnn5227]

He's the goddamn Savior Blade

[@Overcrox]

“Get…in…the fucking…lav-oh he’s dead already.”

[@xySuperManxy]

PUSHING ATTACK PUSHING ATTACK *PUSHING ATTACK*

[@levil3409]

@@xySuperManxy seems like it´s the new DAGGER DAGGER DAGGER :)

[@StormKing28]

Someone in chat called Orym, Captain Exandria and I couldn't agree more. I wish Liam had said "I could do this all day." 😂

[@amandawilliamson2715]

I think with short rest he could. 🤔

[@LordShadowZ]

He has said that line at least once before. I think it was during the Otohan fight in Bassuras.

[@Evilshadow529]

​@@LordShadowZ it was actually episode 11. When Bells Hells fought the nightmare king and Orym got a nat 20 roll for a death save.

[@jaytheawesome2l84]

Loser

[@padenbang7375]

Feels more like "Link" to me but I see where you're coming from

[@nbn3045]

I love how they got a "Loot his corpse, steal his vest" moment with Ludinus

[@SkyHighHero]

It’s tremendously funny that Ludinus was all ready to have a long, overweening speech, probably about how it’s pointless to stand in his way and so on and just IMMEDIATELY had his escorts torn apart and ends up humiliated and ragequitting the fight. Really shows how much Bells Hells have grown since their battle with Otohan.

[@wynnnnnnn5227]

They got goddamn LUDINUS DALETH to retreat

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

_"Wait. Why were we afraid of that guy again?"_

[@jorgechacarteguiborras2576]

So they have promoted from nuisances to annoyances. If they keep killing simulacrums perhaps they will be a threat to him sometime. Maybe put Otohan and Leliana heads on pikes at the entrance of the Bloody Bridge. Edit: Is not sarcasm, I genuily believe that Ludinus has several other threats to his plan (VM,M9, other mages, Vasselheim...) that makes BH a minor concern on his mind. Can't wait to see that change.

[@Lynch2507]

@@jorgechacarteguiborras2576 i mean, thats kinda BH's whole thing. VM are the big legendary heroes, M9 are kinda like the ones who get shit done on the sly. BH are such a chaotic mess at this point that they're underestimated despite at least 3 of them having the potential to nuke a small city

[@advkow]

Of course, that means Ludinus will return with even greater forces next time because of how that went. Which will be epic and fun and I am here for!

[@Rais-Codex]

"MATT makes the cast experience psychological horror for 4 hours straight": The episode!

[@Tijnob]

"psychological horror" is a perfect description of the 9th level spell that was cast

[@thegriffin88]

I just started so we're not even past whatever Sam's doing but OH GOOD! BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE THE WHOLE LUCIEN ARC FROM C2 DIDN'T GIVE ME NIGHTMARES!

[@seanpinkey2188]

Revenge of the Taint Blossoms

[@bleedlifedry]

Ah yes, the old Reverse Therapy Special.

[@Guevon_Pajaro]

I hate this. I hate it so much. I remember watching some of those spelunking horror story videos too, and it unlocked a new phobia. I'd never ever put myself in a cave situation if I can avoid it, it's the dumbest decision I think a person could make 😅😅😅

[@whitestoneandy797]

57:30 your friends didn't notice Travis... but we did... we did.

[@Dr.Bright87]

Travis' face "that die is dead to me" 😂😂

[@riverkath]

“Good dammit. I’ll get that at the break.”

[@whitestoneandy797]

@@riverkath lmao

[@katherinebilich9219]

😅

[@tunerrestorations]

And he looked around like “was anyone looking?” Lol

[@Esprox]

Ashton literally got caught with their pants down by the BBEG. This show is great.

[@damned0wl]

They didn't mend the pants before teleporting to Whitestone...

[@curtisholsinger6023]

I wonder if that's why Ashton did what he did in ep 77

[@MegaEuris]

i am sorry but something is really bugging me,did you notice when ashton tried to pull the shard the second time and when matt was talking he rolled and said ''oh cool ' or something and then matt focused on him and then he rolled again ,felt very scummy, did anyone notice what i mean?

[@synthellaart1587]

​@@MegaEuris He sometimes does random roles for character decisions, from what I noticed.

[@jessinthegarden]

@@MegaEuris He has a ring that lets him roll to reduce fire damage. It’s a little awkward because he does it _before_ Matt tells him how much damage he takes each turn, but that’s so he knows right away how much to subtract from the damage when Matt tells him, just to speed things along. They’ve got a pretty solid bond of trust for things like this, so it’s not as shady as it seems. Hope that makes sense!

[@Ominous_Odyssey]

1:39:38 "Ashton, you're a wonderful person." "Fuck you too." Lmao I love them.

[@MegaEuris]

i am sorry but something is really bugging me,did you notice when ashton tried to pull the shard the second time and when matt was talking he rolled and said ''oh cool ' or something and then matt focused on him and then he rolled again ,felt very scummy, did anyone notice what i mean?

[@Krolana4]

@@MegaEuris he was raging, my friend. that means he rolls strength checks with advantage, so he probably rolled a shit dice, and a nat 20 with the advantage. nothing scummy going on =)

[@critterbites5098]

@@MegaEuris dude, why spam this on almost every comment that Mentions Ashton?

[@MegaEuris]

@@critterbites5098 my bad friend

[@AllieKitaguchi]

between the fearne/ashton as the emporer/empress with the fire shard and orym's 6 multiattacks + hdywtdt against the juggernaut, it was gonna be really hard to claim the best moment of this episode............... and then marisha ray fucking counterspelled a thousand year old wizard's ninth level spell AND then he failed his counterspell against her. absolutely insane episode

[@sullenskulls9709]

And the way Matt described them all being affected by it, I think it was "Psychic Scream" that he cast, unless it's some homebrew spell he has created, which is possible. If he had succeeded the spell it would've been 14d6 damage, and anyone who reached 0HP would have had their head exploded, which would probably have been Fearne & Ashton, at least. Ain't no revivify gonna work on that.

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

Yup.

[@PanzerYeena]

@@sullenskulls9709 The way Matt described it and the fact that it's a 30 ft. radius sphere, it was more likely Weird than Psychic Scream.

[@turtleman5405]

I don't like it, not how counterspell works feels like plot armor.

[@PanzerYeena]

@@turtleman5405 Counterspell RAW is boring and overpowered. They seem to be using a rule where the caster must roll regardless of spell level.

[@mrmattrg9225]

As someone who has been in pretty tight caves, Matt totally nailed the vibe, absolutely horrific.

[@jeffmacdonald9863]

Head first down a steep chimney is just nuts though

[@MegaEuris]

i am sorry but something is really bugging me,did you notice when ashton tried to pull the shard the second time and when matt was talking he rolled and said ''oh cool ' or something and then matt focused on him and then he rolled again ,felt very scummy, did anyone notice what i mean?

[@srcstcgngr2905]

I think the first roll was to mitigate damage? (He had done it prior) then the second roll was to try and pull the shard out again?@@MegaEuris

[@MegaEuris]

@@srcstcgngr2905 oh you are right,i am so glad,thank you,sorry i should have watched closer,

[@MegaEuris]

thats soo true,thank you,sorry tali @@srcstcgngr2905

[@Setiweb]

Theory: Ludinus isn't interested in releasing Predathos. Instead Ludinus plans to absorb all its power and take down the gods himself.

[@Questfinder1]

Theory: Ludinus is a dark friend trying to release Shaitan.

[@oldfrend]

i mean that's the whole point of the neck funnel thingy. why even have it if not use absorb great power.

[@alyiamcool]

I have a feeling that if this is the case, then he'll end up exploding from too much power, because hubris

[@rhokesh4391]

Been saying that since they found the funnel ;)

[@NisansaDdS]

@@Questfinder1 There are no beginings or ends. But it will be a beginning.

[@bmyers7078]

Is it just me, or does anyone else pause and replay certain scenes to observe reactions from the various actors.

[@ganymeade275]

All the time.

[@paigeschavey9126]

All the time

[@kristeneg7632]

All the time

[@dorianr4770]

yeah, always all the time, lol

[@stevenphilpott4294]

Ditto

[@DogOfEgypt]

Just have to say, Orym's turn with the reiloran is everyone's reminder that Liam is an absolute monster at playing martial classes. I got the same excitement that I got watching Vax'ildan in C1!

[@eric_moore-6126]

Such a D&D thing to do BBEG: _starts to monolog_ Player: "I throw lava at him"

[@giuliagrosso1804]

Underated line of the session: I am more than my symmetry

[@Lynch2507]

Cannot begin to express how much i adore Fearne collecting powers like infinity stones. She's got fire, she's got a hag grandma, she's got a champion of the Hells on speedial, she might get Titan Fire powers... we love that for her

[@TheZMan623]

She’s also got some cold ability from the Captain of the ghost ship

[@Aurora_Lightbringer]

​@@TheZMan623 She is truly the Avatar, just with more Fire than we expected.

[@zacharyvalko7699]

Seriously, if the rest of the table doesn't force Ashley to let Fearne take the Fire Titan power, I'm going to be mad. Lol.

[@anthonycannon811]

@@zacharyvalko7699I agree! it’s just fitting for her to have it!

[@Lynch2507]

@@TheZMan623 See, here's my thing. The captain mentioned the Strife Emperor, Bane, another betrayer. So fearne, in theory, now has a connection to TWO seperate betrayer gods

[@RenatoGPadilla]

Saw the episode on Thursday night, so before I even get into it, I just wanna congratulate Matt on landing the voices of Ganondorf, Misc AND Vincent Valentine back to back. I know you're living the dream, man, and having you as DM for as long as we have is a gift. Can't wait to meet you in-game! AGAIN!

[@ganymeade275]

Absolutely crazy, you know he played all of those games when they were new. I'm just getting to Act 3 and can't wait to meet Minsc for a third time =D

[@internettevarolanadam]

Imagine FCG getting stuck in that tunnel. No need for air or food. Stressing out going murder bot and calming down reapetedly for maybe months.

[@leojamesclune1730]

I feel like after enough time, that arcane bomb core would self-detonate

[@internettevarolanadam]

@@leojamesclune1730 that's why its months and not decades. Being a robit is scary.

[@DapperDanLovesYou]

@@leojamesclune1730 But isn't FCG already like 800+ years old? His previous arcane core didn't detonate. And if it did, he was fine enough to be repaired and “revived”

[@jabisdumb]

@@DapperDanLovesYouthe idea here is that the core would detonate because of the stress from repeated murder-modes due to being trapped in a terrifying situation like that, not just that he would explode because of time passing, like if you had 80+ panic attacks in a row that would probably do something uncool to your heart and lungs and stuff.

[@DapperDanLovesYou]

@@jabisdumb I seeeeee. Yeah, that makes sense 🤔

[@barrymak421]

The true power of a Battlemaster. For those saying Liam is taking a back seat with Orym I humbly submit this beatdown. This was badass. 3:08:12

[@isaacgraff8288]

Excellent Nova Burst

[@logancuster8035]

Battlemasters are a top tier fighter subclass. Orym usually feels weak because sword and board is one of the worst fighting styles, primarily because of the lack of feat support. For example he would be an objectively stronger character with the Sharpshooter feat and a Bow/Archery fighting style.

[@barrymak421]

@@logancuster8035 I mean he would have a higher top end damage yeah I agree, but how many times has he saved Imogen with a bate and switch or taken pressure off of a caster because he placed himself and his 20 ac between a baddie and a squishy with a goading attack? I guess what I am trying to get at is BH have boatloads of dmg between the bloodhunter rogue, warlock, sorc, and a homebrew barbarian. Orym has been stuck building suboptimally because he has been forced to plug holes of not having a face, and having a druid that thinks she is, well I don't know what Fern is besides a mess.

[@logancuster8035]

@@barrymak421 His 20 AC is becoming less and less relevant, but it’s something for sure. And Bait and Switch rocks, there are lots of other considerably stronger melee fighter builds that could still take advantage of it. Those aren’t gaps the party actually has. This party has a face it’s Imogene, and sure Fern is a mess, or really I should say Ashley is a mess, but if he wants to protect her there are much much better ways to do it.

[@barrymak421]

@@logancuster8035 Agreed if you are looking for a protector I would argue a pally or artificer is the way to go. I am just really impressed with what Liam has been able to do with what a suboptimal jack of all trades.

[@ravager2-636]

I don’t think Launda was able to mend Ashton’s pant so I think the whole fight he was rocking out porky pig style..

[@HailHydra27]

I thought that too. Just full on winnie-the-pooh for the whole fight

[@shadowforce4]

and then teleporting to whitestone

[@TomElliottJackson]

I, too, fight better when I'm Donald Ducking it...

[@MycoArsenic39]

I just notice every time there is scenario where Ashton and Fearne are together, whether picking each other pockets, or assisting each other, Laura is smirking/smiling. (Ex: Matt: “You we’re both meant to be here.” 1:53:09)

[@k0pstl939]

I feel like laura may be a callowmoore shipper

[@amandawilliamson2715]

She and Marisha both had a look there... "We knew it."

[@amandawilliamson2715]

But as for shipping... Dunno, Orym seemed very interested in the state of Ashton's pants.

[@heykak]

i think that was because he would be eyeheight to ashtons hammer@@amandawilliamson2715

[@TartarusHimself]

i saw someone call their ship RockWild and im fucking *here* for it

[@thelividdeads]

Fun Fact < there's a Snow Bat. The Ussuri Tube-nosed bat makes tiny igloos to survive the winter. I.E it just burrows into the snow. Along with polar bears, they constitute the only species that hibernate inside the snow itself

[@scuttleport549]

This made me very happy. Aww.

[@Blayda1]

Thank you for that ,, a day you dont learn something new is a day wasted !.

[@AjLechtenberg]

1:41:15 Everyone: What, no don't- Travis: Let Ashton cook (double meaning fully intended)

[@MegaEuris]

i am sorry but something is really bugging me,did you notice when ashton tried to pull the shard the second time and when matt was talking he rolled and said ''oh cool ' or something and then matt focused on him and then he rolled again ,felt very scummy, did anyone notice what i mean?

[@Forke13]

In case you wonder: "The spell" was "Weird" Going off all provided information (30 ft. Radius sphere, tappimg into their fears, 9th level) and the assumption that it was nothing homebrewed. The thing to worry about in this case: 4d10 damage for 10 rounds each round (wis save for half each time). For EVERYBODY failing an initial wis save. Edit: as pointed out in the answers: 10 rounds MAX. After the first save, it ends. But the DC would be at least 20.

[@adoragrayskull]

Almost right, but on a successful save the spell ends and they dont take any more damage.

[@sullenskulls9709]

Ah. I thought it might have been "Psychic Scream" which would've been way worse. 14d6 with INT save for half, but anyone who hits 0HP has their head exploded. Fearne & Ashton were both very low health after that fight/lava adventure, and probably perma-dead.

[@clintonbehrends4659]

@@sullenskulls9709 it's likely this as they fealt a presence in their minds plus it would fit the theming of the campaighn

[@attanathos8408]

@@clintonbehrends4659 but psychic scream doesn't have a radius. It's just up to ten creatures in sight. The text for Weird states: "Each creature in a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on a point of your choice within range must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature becomes frightened for the duration. The illusion calls on the creature’s deepest fears, manifesting its worst nightmares as an implacable threat. At the end of each of the frightened creature’s turns, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 4d10 psychic damage. On a successful save, the spell ends for that creature." Fright creeping into your mind as you encountering ones deepest fears also fits the tone 🙃

[@clintonbehrends4659]

@@attanathos8408 thats true either way if either of those was the spell it would have been bad if either went off

[@aegisblze]

I imagine that was the spirit of Delilah who was a Cerberus member, giving her the strength to counterspell

[@skylark7921]

Wait - that’s right - Delilah would absolutely know Ludinus! Omg I love this headcanon. Delilah up in Laudna’s head like “you’re planning to eat the gods and I got kicked out for NECROMANCY????? To save my HUSBAND???!! Oh FUCK YOU”

[@DaveTh3Ninja]

Two Tiny Gentlemen is the name of the wine that Orym makes in Chetney's memory when Orym eventually becomes an old Halfling Adventurer.

[@patrickmcisaac3142]

Wow, Sam's voice is good! He should try playing a bard!

[@DawnSmithDarkDawnCreations]

LoL

[@Typher_]

He was the best bard to ever bard

[@vacuumdiagram]

He was so good they won't let him do it again. He got bard...

[@mickeytheking1992]

Just putting it out there, first campaign, Sam was THE Bard.

[@patrickmcisaac3142]

@@mickeytheking1992 that's the joke...

[@jirimothejzik5389]

FCG: (opens up a hole in the ground and gets illuminated by orange glow) Imogen and Orym: "What is it FCG, are we happy?"

[@alexamstetter2186]

yeah, we happy. (or: turns emotion wheel to happy)

[@WillSee_]

"Pushing attack. Pushing attack. Pushing attack." Has that exact same energy as "Empathize. Empathize. Empathize."

[@k0pstl939]

Ignan, Terran, Aquan, and whatever the air one is,is understood by people who speak primordial

[@LexSchilperoord]

Auran

[@pyrusblade39]

Yeah, they're all different dialects of Primordial.

[@k0pstl939]

@@LexSchilperoord thanks

[@r.s.2890]

Ive been screaming this every time elemental monsters talk. Im like "primordial IS terran!! This is ashtons time to shine! ... well, maybe not since he stinks at talking despite being a wonderful person. He sbould unterstnd them though " xD

[@jun6bugs]

PLEASE this was driving me crazy i cant believe matt doesnt know this after dming for so long😭😭😭😭

[@1n20DnD]

3:13:20 Liam misspoke. He said Fighting Initiate feat, but he meant Martial Adept feat in case anyone was confused.

[@HugoBolzer]

A 4 hour episode and it felt like 30 min - i was glued to the edge of the seat the whole time Thank you so much for this great episode !

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

*spoiler* This was a VERY necessary win for the Bells. It felt like after their crushing defeat at the Battle of the Tishtan Excavation Site that their morale never fully recovered to what it was before the battle. And it also seemed like there was always a bit of a undercurrent of hopelessness whenever they talked about taking down Ludinus because Ludinus seemed unstoppable. But with this, even though it turned out to only be a simulacra they still defeated a version of Ludinus with all his scary spells. That HAS to be a major boost to the party's morale

[@Narokh]

Travis' reaction when he looked at Laudna's Athletics modifier got me good! XD

[@TyrannoLime]

“Hold on to me I’m not that Strong” should become a recurring Orym and Imogen saying. Imagine if in the epilogue it culminated to a “I guess I don’t have to hold on anymore” or something akin to that 😭

[@henkmalan13]

3:21:13 The absolute hilarity of BOTH Travis and Sam screwing up with their Bonus Actions, and Matt just loving every moment of it... 🤣

[@wa6488]

Yes

[@lukivasive]

callowmoore starting out as just playful stealing and teasing and now you can tell they really care about each other its so sweet im so excited to see what happens next with those two

[@Jplays23]

I wasn't much of a shipper for this to start, but it's grown on me

[@lukivasive]

@@Jplays23 honestly ive loved them since ep 1 the dynamic is just amazing

[@d2beej]

I loved all their reactions to "it's a ninth level spell"

[@mjr8888]

47:08 I'm just picturing Orym looking up and seeing the face of FCG coming screaming at him.

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

The look of complete resignation on Orym's face is the cherry on top

[@megananderson7577]

I loved hearing Rau’shaun perspective of the ending of EXU: Calamity at 2:07:35. Being trapped under Toramunda and getting blasted through realms by the Leywright and reaching for Ka’Mort. I rewatched EXU Calamity after the live stream was over.

[@skyeoleary1935]

Could you imagine being attacked by a naked rock man

[@JayElJay]

HALF naked. Our boy was Donald ducking it

[@simplyanotherhuman]

@@JayElJay. If you think about it they never mentioned that they left their shirt on so I am pretty sure that they took that off before going in therefore indeed being completely naked!

[@robhall9346]

I started my Critical Role journey when I started a new job in January '22, and now I've just caught up with the latest episode of Bells Hells. It's going to seem so weird having to wait for new episodes from now on! Thanks for a hell of a ride, gang.

[@MycoArsenic39]

Marisha’s close-clutch counterspell against a 9th level spell (3:43:29), follow up with a close failed counter-counterspell from Matt (3:44:43). This episode is on edge.

[@miafiolekova5817]

What i understood that Ludinuses counterspell was supposed to work. Laudna used a 3rd level counterspell and Ludinus used a 3rd level counterspell to cancel it, and by the rules it should have worked since it automaticaly cancels 3rd level spells.

[@tideoftime]

As noted above, Matt was very generous (read: likely forgot again, as he sometimes does, how certain spells, like Counterspell, actually work) in letting that happen. At best, Laudna could have up cast to 4th level (her highest available slot), which would have resulted in a roll if he didn't also upcast, but as it stands they got off very lucky that the DM dropped the ball... ;)

[@yeahnaaa292]

Critical Role: Rules not necessary. Also: Faaaar too much endless "acting". Also Mercer: Roll to breathe air.

[@Ziaotic]

​@@yeahnaaa292 damn it's almost like it's THEIR game and they're playing it how they want

[@yeahnaaa292]

@@Ziaotic Its almost like we care

[@lukeedwards6027]

This episode will stress you out, but it’s absolutely amazing!! Matt freaked all of Twitch out at a certain point… you’ll know it when you get to it.

[@k0pstl939]

I used my prime sub on someone else this month and I missed the first like 30 minutes of the stream so i had to wait for today

[@egguu69]

@@JamesJohnson-dz1gj hand wave? you mean fully roll for?

[@jaredking5737]

@@JamesJohnson-dz1gj me when i want people to have no fun

[@austineddy6874]

This is the best thing about Mondays and is why I now look forward to them

[@MysticColorsAttack]

🎵🎵 Its Monday Afternoon, all ye critters come join us... 🎵🎵

[@TheGrumbleduke]

I managed to catch one of the re-broadcasts for once. My Monday feels so empty now... CR makes Mondays.

[@animegamelover6368]

They are the best.

[@ordonlink259]

Ludinus is going to be like Xehanort putting himself inside random people to multiply. Its one of the only ways he can be so many places at once.

[@Landis963]

Simulacrum is a very versatile spell.

[@markmeleka]

The tight spelunking nightmare part of this epeisode is the most anxious i have been watching CR in a long time omfg

[@imthestein]

Given Ludinus was really a simulacrum we can say he’s basically a clone in which case this should have been called Luudinus

[@Scaramanga7]

Fellow Thrawn Trilogy reader! Greetings!

[@imthestein]

@@Scaramanga7 I was hoping someone would notice! Greetings!

[@Jplays23]

Ooh that cuts deep. Nice!

[@padenbang7375]

I hate this comment 🤣 Well done

[@cuileth3369]

I am late to the party, but hell yeah to the trilogy and its legacy! Including the simultaneously both best and most hilarious way to name clones :D And of course we notice. I love it every time I find nods to other, relatively unconnected fandoms

[@heykak]

at some point CR will remember that terran, ignan and the others are dialects of Primordial, but not this day

[@SputTop]

There was one time, I think it was in Issylra, where they almost got it right. Matt allowed him to understand and be understandeble even though I don't think he got that they are dialects of Primordial

[@heykak]

@@SputTop and as opposed to shadowcant (which i hope laudna got for free because that is lore-significant trap choice) the amount of monsters that speak Primordial is very low iirc. Because the elementals speak their specific dialect. Now you can argue about whether someones ancestry should give specific languages, but that is not the snag here.

[@ganymeade275]

@@heykak As far as I can tell she probably from her custom background with undercommon as her extra starting language.

[@heykak]

@@ganymeade275 definitely. It just seems odd for matt to include a "made-up" language and have it be seemingly useless... Zemnian atleast was used a lot (even if some of it was just liam having fun with 0 accent)

[@jacobhiggins6113]

I believe Shadowcant is from being a Shadow Sorc@@heykak

[@ellasamuelsson]

2:36:43 An ambidextrous mage hand is surprisingly horrifying. Does it have an extra tumb next to the pinky or is it hypermobile to the point of being able to grab stuff on the back of the hand? HOW IS ONE HAND AMBIDEXTROUS!?!?😨

[@ganymeade275]

That was what I was immediately wondering too

[@ColonelHazard]

Definitely feel like this is a "joints bend both ways" thing. Laudna is rubbing off on Imogen.

[@TehCakeIzALie1]

What is the sound of one ambidextrous hand clapping?

[@ellasamuelsson]

​@@TehCakeIzALie1Oh gosh, is this a pun? I don't know, what is the sound?

[@TehCakeIzALie1]

​@@ellasamuelsson Who knows? It's a pun based on a classic Zen Buddhist kōan.

[@willcline5918]

I'm proud of Marisha for thinking of that Phantasmal Force/Hound of Ill Omen combo. She's definitely gotten more creative/a bit better at reading her spells. I think Emily Axford may have rubbed off on her a bit

[@bananafish58]

It's been wonderful seeing her grow as a player!

[@theslenderbacon7261]

Matt was so nice to roll for the ludinous counterspell instead of just counterspelling outright due to RAW. It made that moment incrediblely special for poor marisha who had been rolling meh all night. 🙏🏻

[@MrHamedog1]

Well you can’t counterspell a counterspell while also trying to cast a spell, because that’s two spells in the same turn!

[@TheOnlyFeanor]

@@MrHamedog1actually that’s a rare occasion when you can. The rules stipulates that if you cast a spell as your bonus action, then uou can’t scast a spell that’s not a cantrip as your action.

[@jeremywengerd8151]

It was extremely generous of him. But it still bothers me lol. That’s my problem though not his. He’s a great DM that knows when the story matters more than the rules.

[@DeaddMax]

@@jeremywengerd8151 And its not the only moment where he changes the rules. Fire shield is not a concentration spell...it didn't really matter in the end, but that one was probably just a mistake that didn't hurt anyone. The counterspell though. I wouldn't even think of breaking the rules for that. He indeed is a great DM.

[@Phiro00]

@@MrHamedog1 the two spells in a turn rule only applies if one of them is a bonus action. you can cast as many spells as you have main actions and reactions.

[@grumdiddlydoo3559]

39:36 I've said it before, and I'm sure others have too. But normal people have nightmares and would rather forget them. Matt has one, and wants to create it as an encounter.

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Isn't that literally where he got the inspiration for The Laughing Hand?

[@MrEONX]

Honestly I live for these kind of counterspell roles. It was the basement of the sanatorium all over again.

[@SajarErbraTerof]

❤yeah! Caleb, I hope him and Beau are ok... we never get confirmation either way..? 😢

[@phoebica]

A week from now, we will know. I'm so looking forward to the Mighty Nein one-shot.@@SajarErbraTerof

[@joelharris4446]

Kind of a shame that Matt and everyone else just forgot how counterspell works though. You don't roll for a 3rd level spell

[@MrEONX]

@@joelharris4446 True. But I dont think Matt did that on purpose considering Lauda just did her counterspell where that rule applies. Still It would have been fun to see what spell was actually cast. Awesome moment nevertheless.

[@weebjeez]

1:08:49 I love the implication that it's ADULT SAM, saying "i can jump the monkey bars" because the way he said "honey, how'd you get that bloody lip" was definitely more disappointed spouse, than worried parent.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

Every moment of that cave had me on edge with Matt seemingly choosing the absolute most terrifying way to describe it.

[@TyrannoLime]

For those wondering, Ludinus was casting 9th level spell Weird. It would have caused most the group to be frightened (Laudna might be immune) and for every turn they remain frightened they take 4d10. If his DC is high enough it would have just done 40d10 over the 1 minute duration if the Simulacrum (the snowman) survived and they failed each turn

[@chad8767]

My heart was racing when they went into the lava! Even more than when Ludinus showed up. And literally shouted OMG when Fearne jumped in after! That was crazy!

[@matthewmccann-willis162]

I have a feeling this is going to be one of those episodes like "Vecna, the Ascended" and "The Cathedral" which I rewatch all of the time, it's so epic.

[@modredastal1644]

28:05 "So I hold (the skull) in one hand like a bowling ball..." "Alas, poor Yorc."

[@scottyvenable1931]

Liams reaction to Ashton and then Fearne jumping in the lava has me DEAD. He's so over it 😂😂

[@walderlopes3372]

I just had a *TERRIBLE* thought. Evontravir did see a scrying eye when BHs were there. And Ludinus' simulacrum managed to teleport into the Shattered Teeth. What if Ludinus now knows the location of Evontravir and uses an even more powerful harness to sap Evontravir's essence into himself?

[@mcmann2243]

OH SHIT, I HADN’T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT IT

[@Pailzor]

2:48:23 Some GREAT pantomime work from Matt. That looked and sounded EXACTLY like what I would've expected an animation of the character to be like.

[@rookiedeer7960]

This is gonna be so hype when it gets animated eventually

[@carlac.2444]

Amo los gritos de Travis, la risa de Liam, el hecho de que ahora Laura celebra igual que Sam, cómo Ashley siempre tarda en caer y las reacciones silenciosas de Taliesin, los amo.

[@abrilvonbunny6205]

Taliesin tirando los mejores comentarios mientras se tapa la boca y me hace ver 20 veces los mismos 10 segundos

[@Jollyhoy]

Sorry to break it to Sam but bats are not blind at all and in fact have extra sensitive eyes that let them see well in low light conditions!

[@ryancomerford3054]

I started this journey years 3 years ago. Listening to it leisurely at home while cleaning, in the car mostly, when I go to bed... it's pretty amazing to finally be caught up. But simultaneously, kinda saddening... I will miss just knowing that if I have a really long drive, I'll have Critical Role to keep me entertained. But on a final note, I finally get to enjoy the anticipation of the greatest question ever, "Is it Thursday yet?"

[@ryancomerford3054]

Funny enough. Today is Thursday 😅

[@ratsandradishes]

Terran is a primordial dialect, Ashton shoouuld understand

[@Markcrazeer]

and even if it wasnt he should still be ablke to understand it, of any of the dialects that is the one he would speak. (also this entire thing is absurd. how do you look at the sound of a landslide and a tornado and go i can understand that because i speak wildfire. those are the same language.)

[@BattIeBear]

That's like saying that someone who speaks Latin can understand French with no problem. Sure primordial is a root language for all four elemental languages, but they are different languages.

[@Markcrazeer]

@@BattIeBear correct, but that is how it works, the way it works is base primordial is old norse, aquan is norwegian, aeran is sweedish and terran is danish, ignan is icelandic. danes swedes and norwegioans can comunicate easily. (less so icelandic but i ran out of languages.) chances are trhere are other such language families. sylvan would likley encompas, fariy, satyr, pixie, sprite, dryad, oread, hag, etc.

[@LadySnowfaerie]

@@BattIeBear RAW Auran, Aquan, Terran, and Ignan are dialects of Primordial language, not separate languages. If Primordial was English, the Auran, Aquan, Terran and Ignan would be like American English, Brittish English, Canadian English and Australian English. Some weird quirks and pronounciation differences, but overall very comprehensible. Unless Matt has homebrewed it, which is also very possible.

[@saikanji9570]

@@BattIeBearBy your logic, English and French would be dialects. Which, for the record, they are not.

[@phoebica]

In this episode of Critical Role.... Imogen refuses a hot stone massage.

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

😂

[@nashespiritu]

When you finally catch up and have to wait hours to watch the latest episode 😂

[@kendras8545]

My favorite thing about Ashley is that 95% of the time you don't know if she rolled really well or really poorly until she says the number. Her facial expressions for both are exactly the same

[@MichelleWade1973]

I needed this episode. I love when they return to being just friends having fun together.

[@OttersDen]

Hello, Bees, Monday Crew! This one is gonna effin' BLOW YOUR MIND. 😃

[@xx_Agent_Carolina]

Hello, Bees ❣️🌸🌱🐝

[@ashleycook6025]

@@xx_Agent_Carolina Hello, Bees! can The Monday Crew be "The Bees" now? Can we refer to spoilers that need to wait until Tuesday morning so Monday Crew can be sufficiently surprised as "The Bees Knees"? Can I go to conventions dressed as a Bee carrying a sign that says "No spoilers" on one side and "Hello Jester❤" on the other? Will I be recognized? Is this the beginning of different groups of Critters being identified by specific little critters? Am I highly caffeinated on a Tuesday morning trying to catch up on the episode I was only half way able to watch on Monday and feeling sufficiently unsocialized and projecting into a KZbin comment section?? The world may never know...

[@xx_Agent_Carolina]

@@ashleycook6025 Yes. Yes. Yes. Idk. Maybe. Sounds like it. 😁👍☕🐝

[@ahmadtareq8066]

3:10:41 liam was full on kylo ren mode "moooooreee" "moooooooorreee"😂😂😂😂

[@koookeeez]

Omg, I can imagine the scene of Fern and Ashton pulling it out together and it's amazing. The visuals, the music. Omg it would be so amazing!

[@Isaaaa_Belle]

LAUDNA MVP Girl always rolls good when it counts

[@remilazar9170]

Except for when she died 😅

[@TheGrumbleduke]

@@remilazar9170 To be fair, shortly before she died she rolled a 20 on a death saving throw (despite being down 2). She didn't need a 20 to come back to consciousness, but she got it. It just... didn't help much in the long run.

[@matthewscorner2990]

They really should find a means of making a flat surface to use their hole. Putting FCG in the hole would have been great to get him through the tunnel.

[@leojamesclune1730]

Just make a foldable sheet of paneled wood?

[@puppetmaster1420]

Mold earth or shape stone maybe ? Just thought of this but there are other spells for manipulating terrain as well maybe they would help

[@matthewscorner2990]

@@puppetmaster1420 Well, Fearne should be able to get them, right?

[@ryuzakidestiny]

Primordial isn't an only lenguage are 4 each for each element and Ashton speak Earth Primordial in other words Terran like the creaturesmade of molten rock.

[@adamszabo480]

Can't wait to see Orym's epic finishing move in the animated series

[@davidjennings2179]

Love seeing a party use the terrain to their advantage. Makes things more exciting than just a exchanging spells and swords

[@TitaniaBird]

3:29:46 Phantasmal Force is a fantastic spell for how low-level it is. Get a baddie with either shit intelligence, bad rolls, or both, and you can effectively remove them from a fight while also possibly doing chip damage to them. About killed a juvenile bullete with a Level 3 Bard using this spell just by the psychic damage.

[@MrThewalkingdead]

I love how badly Ashton wanted the shard even though all "common sense" said it should go to Fearne.

[@chancegreenlee9600]

And in spite of his desires, the second she asked to hold it they handed it to her without hesitation…

[@masterjaczor9892]

I knew that when push comes to shove Ludinus would have some performance issues. He is an old man after all. But seriously Laudna coming in with that clutch counterspell and Ludinus unable to continue his spell is amazing. Dude is like really cocky and ambitious and to see his plans blow up in his face is just hilarious.

[@d2beej]

And that, my friends, is why high level fighters are awesome

[@Soviniy]

Came to the comments to see if anyone was pointing out that Primordial means Ashton understands Terran. Terran, Aquan, Auran and Ignan are dialects of Primordial. If Ashton is most familiar with any of the four, it seems to make most sense for it to be Terran, as an Earth Genasi.

[@jamescoughlan7175]

Ludinus has a minimum of 164 hit points as per the simulacrum spell "but it has half the creature's hit point maximum" and the damage he took in the battle is as follows: 4 fire damage from Imogen's opening telekinetic lava splash 13 force damage from FCG's divine hostage pepper box (4th level spiritual weapon) 14 radiant damage from FCG's Sacred Flame 10 piercing damage from Laudna's hound of ill omen's bite attack 20 bludgeoning damage from Ashton's wormhole strike 21 lightning damage from Imogen's 5th level Lightning Bolt If I missed any damage or got any numbers wrong please let me know.

[@TheOneNotTheOnly]

Mats face when describing the dead ends in the first lava pool area! So hilarious, “no it’s a dead end, you’re crazy. Idk what you guys are gonna do” haha

[@FyrenMagus]

Remember, Critical Role crew: Mister is a fire spirit. Have a nice day.

[@LostFoundling]

I was yelling "Let Mister eat the shard!" the entire time. I just want to know what happens lol