Bittersweet Reunions | Critical Role | Campaign 3, Episode 93

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The Crown Keepers endure a battle for their lives and the very heart of their team, with dire consequences for every move...
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#CriticalRole #BellsHells #DungeonsAndDragons

[@flandomaltrizian4603]

HEY, there might be some SPOILERS under the thing 13:35 EPISODE STARTS 41:05 Matron of Ravens 56:50 Wildmother 1:52:35 The last memory 2:16:30 Fy’ra negotiates with the Spider Queen 2:34:05 Dariax leaves (The end) 2:43:20 Dariax graduates to the lute 3:05:55 BREAK ENDS (Dorian and Keyleth) 3:28:15 Dorian sees his friends 3:47:25 Dorian has a lot of lore to catch up on (Pacman) Any moments I missed? Feel free to post them here. Is it Thursday yet?

[@choco1101]

Dariax' graduation. The feels.

[@rustledvegeta9031]

IT'S FLANDO!!!!!

[@KaelleB]

IN FLANDO WE TRUST

[@billberndtson]

Thanks for your work, Flando. 🙂

[@zlatan_2197]

Hii Flando!!

[@TroySpartan247]

Chetney: "It's Dorian! YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!" it's the most wholesome version of Arnold's Predator greeting I've ever seen :)

[@DeDe6548]

“These three horribly traumatic, life-altering things happened to me.” “Oh no! How long ago was that?” “Yesterday. But it’s fine, you know”- is the epitome of high level D&D Campaigns 🙈😅 My level 18 group has been living this conversation for in game weeks now

[@fkaliases]

"I've never hated a spell more than Bless." Someone clearly has never had the experience of Silvery Barbs...

[@stugod5000]

silvery barbs, bless, bane and haste killed my DM's bbeg's right-hand man in 2 turns. This was all within a surprise round-cleric cast bless on the materials, a bard cast bane on the right-hand man, and the sorcerer cast haste on him then took it away, bard came in clutch with the silvery barbs ...nat 1. whereas the hasted vengeance assimar pally, my hasted duel-wielding samurai fighter (boots of haste) and the hasted half-orc giant barbarian (potion of haste) lept in to essential rip him limb from limb (they were all level 20)

[@nyanscout3413]

@@stugod5000 why did the guy let himself get hasted? That spell only works on a willing target.

[@Cory-pw6iw]

I assume a DM who hadn't seen that trick before. Otherwise, I dunno. I'm curious if it was a 1vs. Many fight, though. They are notoriously much easier for PCs to win. If you want your players to feel badass, give them one enemy. If you want your players to actually be threatened, use many enemies. (Also, the second hand of the BBEG probably should've had some legendary actions and resistances to put up more of a fight)

[@stugod5000]

@@nyanscout3413 I don't remember the full reason I think he was based on bane from batman and essentially had a liquid version of the Haste spell running through his system so I think the dm handwaved it as he didn't realise he'd been hasted from an outside source till it was to late

[@stugod5000]

@@Cory-pw6iw so my dm hates legendary actions and resistances outside of dragons and essentially gods. The character had lair actions but because we acted so quickly he didn't get a go. It seemed the lair actions would have simmoned minions and buffed his attacks and stats like a war gods blessing

[@meganlouev]

Matt continues to do a fantastic job portraying Keyleth as an NPC. Just the way she's described, you can really feel how majestic and powerful (and tragic) she became. Even in the way she walks "like the weather itself likes to carry her to her next destination". Such a good line

[@willnelson9906]

i forget the episode or what matt exactly said, i think it's when keyleth and orym talked and orym described his anger, Keyleth just kinda grinned and nodded and was like 'i've been angry for 20 years' and you could SEE Marisha beaming in the background. that was when i knew matt could be trusted with any past PC,

[@Gryphon2026]

I agree 💯 ❤❤❤ He does an amazing job with bringing back past characters!

[@icefever13]

he nails her goofiness too

[@LawDaddy1700]

I couldn’t help but think Matt was describing marisha when he said that, idk warmed my heart tho

[@ratburgler]

The way he describes her as a druid is just chefs kiss. Love it.

[@LordComicman]

Imogen - 'Are you staying?' Dorian - '...If you'll have me?' Imogen - 'Gladly!' That was not just Imogen talking, that was also Laura echoing the sentiment of the entire cast 😊. And my heart grew 3 sizes 😊 This man just fits the group. Hope he'll finally stay on for good, even beyond this campaign on to the next!

[@GOTHICforLIFE1]

i agree - there are some guests that meshes well with the group, but Robbie feels like he's a missing piece of the puzzle. He bounces so well off the rest of the group and has excellent dynamic with a lot of them.

[@LordComicman]

@@GOTHICforLIFE1 For sure. And he would be a good replacement for Sam now that he's in Skywalker Ranch jail doing hard time for stealing their mugs.

[@moongoosemcqueen]

I'm going to miss matt as a player. He seemed to enjoy the dm break

[@SenterSen]

"No brain thoughts, just chaos" - Matt whenever he plays Dariax

[@footballJoe0609]

Bells Hells just lost their healer and now the Crown Keepers disband. Dariax is a powerful healer now. I think Dariax might join with BH and either Sam or Aabriya will take over as GM. Just a theory, I have no evidence to support it. Strictly a guess

[@GregJonson]

@@footballJoe0609 Or Sam will take over Dariax for Matt. But all of these are pretty far fetched D:

[@footballJoe0609]

It’s all far fetched. That’s what I love about it

[@TheGunnercraft90]

I think not abria as dm but brennen lee freaking mulligan to end the critroll dnd universe

[@AllieKitaguchi]

as a "dorian will eventually reunite with the bells hells" truther, i am feeling exceptionally good right about now

[@timd4524]

The only good thing of the evening.

[@rosesleeps]

It was an inevitability I was eagerly awaiting. We got our Blue Bard back!

[@NHJ_pLeppen]

I really dont intend to poop on any parade, but i allways thought everybody realised this was going to happen when he first left? ❤️

[@AllieKitaguchi]

@@NHJ_pLeppen I mean, I absolutely hoped so, but schedules are very hard to maintain, and he'd been gone an entire year (in our world, anyway), so it was always a possibility that he didn't! Regardless, I'm so glad that he did because I adore Robbie so much!

[@hhylobates4098]

But at what cost haha 💀

[@MrScarfman2006]

Matt: "You see a seventh figure: a squat, lumbering creature that is entirely unfamiliar to you" Robbie's brain: "WTF, they replaced me already?!"

[@Migolcow]

...did Dariax get abandoned somewhere like a lost puppy? Damn. He deserved better.

[@levindeed]

Head canon: Deni$e finds him like two hours later

[@DukeTrout]

@@levindeed”Here I was getting a blowout with these Hair Ashari, and who walks right in front of the salon but DARIAX!”

[@bradleyhurley6755]

He did.

[@alexlemna7456]

​@@DukeTrout 😂 hair ashari!

[@alanscottevil]

@@DukeTrout you're my new hero

[@Xaychedelic]

2:07:18 Dorian 'Kill your mother' Storm making a GOD flinch from his disdain. That was so badass, holy shit.

[@eRe4s3r]

Also the first time in crit-roll history this spell was cast, and at 7th level no less. What a moment

[@BlueGriffin20]

And they forgot about the casting time for it…🫤

[@bigbugabuu]

​@@BlueGriffin20 shhh 😉

[@ratburgler]

@@eRe4s3r This isn't true.. Keyleth cast it on a Cursed Giant in the Underdark in Campaign 1, episode 11. And Matt made her do the full 1min cast time. They turned it into a mouse and used it to Ambush the temple with Kavarn. smh

[@thetruestblue6169]

@@BlueGriffin20 honestly I find this more as an apology to Robbie for that whole Chromatic Orb situation and letting him have this moment

[@dylannelson2165]

So if all the gods are calling their Champions, does that mean we can expect Luis to appear for the final push? Edit: Brennan appears as Asmodeus singing Take Me Out To the Ballgame. Edit 2: Arkhan appears in a suit because it's all business.

[@bradleyhurley6755]

That would be awesome

[@dylannelson2165]

Between him, Fjord, Morrigan, and Vax, everyone will be within 10 ft! So many Aura's they'll get a cease and desist from Araki himself.

[@subree_keller]

All I'm saying is I'm having nightmares because I know it's going to happen... That was one of the most frightening one shots I have ever seen in critical role d&d history. I still fear the concept of hubris.

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

I was thinking more along the lines of singing _I Fuck Around_ by Melvins while chain casting Meteor Swarm.

[@matheusfernandes2102]

You know who I really want to see? Arkhan

[@AllCatsAreBlack]

Dorian's last momments with Dariax omg 😢

[@moongoosemcqueen]

Yea, that was sad. But I guessing was based on his response to the question.

[@dorianr4770]

spoilers for C1: ...it reminded me of Scanlan...

[@zebwilliams8945]

George and Leny vibes.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

Cant remember who but someone on 4 sided dive described it as "Dad went out for smokes." and it seemed perfect.

[@hotfrenchbread7059]

I love that you can see the exact moment Dorian makes the decision to leave him. "Do I have to answer now?" "No." Absolutely devastating.

[@hotlinewav]

ROBBIE BLESSING US WITH HIS PRESENCE ONCE AGAIN 😭😭😭

[@anotherelvis]

Robbie is a gift to this group.

[@amymelendez2637]

Yes!!!

[@Songbird_-qv7qu]

aaaaaaaaattttt laaaaaasssst!

[@Thejackiemoves]

I hope with all my heart he stays.

[@ladyhella7560]

I still remember when I saw Dorian and I was kind of "meh, who tf is Robbie" and omg I like him so much now T_T

[@yoelezequieldemedici2545]

I just imagined Laudna getting that Crown and got the chills....

[@fogwater]

You made me get chills, too!

[@Angel_9907]

O_O I would cry Launda already has to deal with Deliah....

[@DukeTrout]

Every time Lolth whispers in her mind: Launda - “Yes, and…”

[@Angel_9907]

@@DukeTrout XD

[@fawng8017]

I genuinely want her and Opal to meet so bad

[@julespowell8906]

you know what I love about having Erica Lindbeck being here is to show that its ok that beginners and less experienced DnD players CAN STILL HAVE FUN and that ITS OK TO ASK QUESTIONS. We all learn at our own pace, and the friendly table space that Crit Role creates for its players and its guests is honestly really wholesome and sweet.

[@dubbingsync]

I feel the same way about Erica as I did with Aimee in the first EXU series. Good to see someone new trying things out that, it may not always work but it’s nice to see how newer players think.

[@Doommaster677]

Plus, I have a feeling all the surviving Crown Keepers are going to show up during the final battle at some point, so we'll likely see Erica again as well

[@axelsalamone3282]

​@@Doommaster677 I sure hope not

[@axelsalamone3282]

Everyone needs to learn. Of course it can be a bit of a problem where almost anyone at the table is not that knowledgable about it except Matt who tends to keep to himself if not asked (which is good). So it results to the shitfest that it was this encounter for level 13 character where not even the DM knew what she was doing

[@lucyinchat]

@@axelsalamone3282I hope she does just to annoy you.

[@The_TNM_Nikki]

My biggest takeaway from this episode was the fact that Matthew Mercer got to enjoy some delicious snacks for once too! 😂❤

[@KnicKnac]

Snacks are fun

[@anamitraroy1681]

(With my hearts deepest respects to her) What do you mean? He's married to Marisha!

[@henkmalan13]

3:59:50 Laura's "Barely know her" to Taliesin's/Ashton's "Liquor" ("Lick her") just went SOOO under the radar... 🤣

[@TheQwuilleran]

I think Ashton would enjoy Sand Keg

[@keithkommerjr9106]

As far as for the fact that Opal told Fy'ra "to do as much damage as possible", in Fy'ra position I would have cried as I pulled that crown off of Opal's head to free her from any future pain from the Spider Queen

[@noone-ld7pt]

God it's so fucking good to have Robbie back! It's really uncanny how well he fits in and just naturally fills out the group!

[@whoismegburns]

“i cast AO3 at 9th level” line of the episode fr

[@sophiebee25]

this line sent me! it was absolutely perfect but flew a little bit under the radar, it's a shame.

[@50shadesofbs81]

Timestamp pls?

[@shambhvilokre]

@@sophiebee25 when did it happen

[@sophiebee25]

@@shambhvilokre sorry, I can't remember, I saw it on Twitch last week...

[@shambhvilokre]

It's at 1:14:00 peeple!

[@winterbeliever7525]

Matt reading Orym's message and nailing the pauses and tones and everything. C'mon I was already crying.

[@Bethly90]

Dorian holding orym to set him gently back down. Robbie's hands being so close together. I often forget that orym is the size of an "average" 3-5 year old. 30-40lb ish. 3 foot 3 inch tall. Just a little guy

[@Butterzzzz]

Maybe with some exceptions from C1 with Zhara and Kashaw, I feel like Robbie has been the only guest that has felt like a permanent member of the party from the start, I am glad he is back

[@leojamesclune1730]

Of all the guest pcs, Zahra and Kashaw are top tier. And Dorian is definitely in that club.

[@andrewc0134]

Wow, we're just gonna pretend Spurt didn't exist then??

[@leojamesclune1730]

@@andrewc0134 "Ha! I win!"

[@vatatheoanonymous3705]

Huge shout out to whoever is doing the subtitles. Super on point. Even caught some of the whispers. You are greatly appreciated.

[@DubhMornie]

2:47:36 omg I felt Matt's sigh in my heart! why Dorian, why... I know why, but WHY

[@Ren_Ca]

I still don't know if I'm more disappointed, heartbroken, or impressed by how well it fits Dorian to do that 😢

[@JDWindtPlaysGuitar]

Dariax was too pure to deal with what's coming for Dorian. Let's hope he's able to find peace and a good home❤️‍🩹

[@w3ird37_]

As soon as he said it I started sobbing non stop. I love Dariax so much and I was so sad thinking bout him being lost and alone.

[@bookmarkyourthoughtsblog]

It’s so sad. I think him asking Dariax earlier about what he’s willing to do and Dariax seeking unsure made Dorian feel like he couldn’t bring him. It’s still so sad though

[@Irishwhatever4]

Ok, things I appreciate about Aabria: 1. Her understanding of stakes for each individual player in the present moment. She knows how to make every moment matter for every character in the story, and she invites the players to create their own meaning. 2. A good grasp of when to be lenient and when to rein in the players' options. If Opal could do anything she wanted even with the Spider Queen breathing down her neck, it wouldn't be nearly as tense of an encounter, so her options were limited - at least, without severe consequences. (not excusing the attack that killed Cyrus, btw. There were so many other things the Spider Queen could have done to flex her power besides kill someone she didn't see as a threat.) She was lenient that turn with Fy'ra when she was unsure whether or not to jump into the darkness and let her try again after having more context. 3. Saying what the DC is before players roll. This lets the players know when they can best use their inspiration dice/special abilities to add to their rolls. 4. Descriptions. She uses words and phrases that are consistently impactful and add to the current understanding and immersion. Now, things I didn't appreciate as someone who has only seen her DM in this and the previous episode: 1. Pacing. The downside of emphasizing the stakes for every player at every moment is that it takes time to paint every picture, and progress slowed to a sluggish pace. 2. Rapid changes in tone. I'm almost certain Aabria is the type of person that eggs people on as a poking-fun gesture, but some of the things she said could easily be interpreted as provocation and bullying. Especially when she uses an effortful chipper voice at other moments, it makes the moments with her threatening voice seem that much more unsettling - which Aabria am I talking to right now? Sweet Aabria, or menacing Aabria? Something tells me she would like to hear that she gives people this reaction, and that kind of chaos is just not my cup of tea. 3. Rule inconsistency/ownership. Sure, rule of cool is better than the written rules sometimes. Sure, everyone makes mistakes and misses details sometimes. Sure, altering spells slightly for flavor can be interesting. But there's a threshold where it becomes unfair to the players when it's at the point where they cannot generally predict if they can use their abilities/whether their abilities will work in a given situation. Is this way too long? Yes. Did I feel like no one was acknowledging both the good and the bad together about the Crown Keepers segments? Also yes.

[@JaCKyL3gZ]

I appreciate this, not just saying she's bad or don't invite back like I keep seeing. It can't be easy to jump in as dm after 90+ episodes, especially after what just happened before the swap. She's wicked in EXU and always love her when she comes in as player.

[@robert2pkt0]

I would absolutely agree that none of the other CR DMs could have done this job that well. This horrible interruption of the Bells Hells Arc to drive the story was surely a good idea and no one else would have been able to just make beloved players unhappy while enyoing it so visibly. Always bothered me about her as a DM, she tells her story AGAINST the players while most everyone else - especially Matt - tries to empower the players to tell their own stories within a storyline. Sure, she did the job that was deemed necessary. But her style is also not my „cup of tea“ either. Thank you for sharing your impressions.

[@Droolbaby]

Very well stated. She is a better player than DM. Thank you for stating the obvious.

[@andrewsteifer520]

So long as it's understood and respected that the enjoyment of the feel of her 'style' as a DM is a personal thing, like the Rule of Cool vs Written Balance and where we all have our preferences; I know I enjoy her feel as a DM in a lot of games I've seen her run. But I also agree with and am annoyed or at least saddened about certain things that happened; the pacing issues with this weird one shot, moments where she may have done things to unfairly take away a players agency are all fair things to comment against. I do feel the need to disagree on the "Good grasp of when to reign in players options" however; she gave people WAY too much leniency, that's part of the pacing problem. Aimee was told time and time again she was supposed to be going against people, things were happening, she had a WEEK to prepare (also plenty of time to ask Aabria questions for anything she didn't understand), and yet she still fought and questioned and had full on conversations with the Spider Queen every turn, kept trying to make persuasion checks over and over... I appreciate and love good conversational RP, and her being her character and what she brings to it, but the DM NEEDS to be able to tell her players "No, you have 6 seconds, do your action and we're moving on, save more talk for your next turn" in a reasonable fashion, especially with players that have now been part of a couple one shots. FULL points for working with newcomer Erica in figuring out WHAT she can do with spells and turns, as well as simply taking time to explain details in a complicated situation; but so many people were allowed to do too many things. Of course, none of it would have been so bad if there was a moment where it was said "we're being a little lax on the 6-second rule, each of these turns are big long moments" or something, or said nothing.... but she even said these were things 'happening in the liminal 6-second period,' so that excuse is out the door.

[@michaels.3709]

It's taken me a while to warm up to Aabria's style, and I think a lot of folks have already said similar things, but here's my couple copper: I've watched Aabria's "A Court of Fey and Flowers" over on Dimension20 and I feel like she absolutely killed it there. That campaign had very little structure, essentially no combat, and everything was conversations, politics, etc. The whole Reagency affair. It was tense when it needed to be, but light and hilarious all the same. I think _this_ is where she thrives: story driven, rule-of-cool, "let me break off a piece of that and run with it" style DMing is perfect for a story where character death is not even a consideration and all of the stakes are social or political in nature. I think D&D (or other structured systems), especially in combat where it's _very_ important for both players and the DM to both agree on what the rules mean and when they apply, can just be _rough_ with her at the helm. She's great a weaving the story and making the scenes so good for her players (tbh, I think these past few episodes are her best so far worth CR), but she _oversteps_ once in a while and it hurts the overall sincerity of the moment. It's one thing too have a character die. It hits _real_ different to have a character die because the DM _broke combat rules_ to make it happen. (Tangent, but I think this sort of rules-light combat might have been why Aabria and Amiee got a little heated with each other way back in EXU ep1. I can't remember exactly). I think she has creative vision, but lacks an understanding of the combat rules deep enough to get there without breaking them. Matt and Brennan, on the other hand, I feel are masters of this craft. Their rules-heavy combat always feels authentic in spite of it aligning with (one of) their planned exit conditions. (I also feel like Matt and Brennan probably have _numerous_ plans for potential combat outcomes, so maybe Aabria ought to try to overplan more?). Anyway, that's my thoughts. I don't think she's a bad DM. I just think she needs to work on adjusting her style to a rules-heavy system better. Still _really_ enjoyed these episodes, sans a couple of bits that were issues.

[@artistofcybertron]

Dorian in mourning makes me so emotional! I felt that long silent walk they described. Robbie plays Dorian so well!

[@kaniamia]

That deflection away from having to talk about his grief (at 3:33:09) just breaks my heart!

[@Ljngstrm]

He doesn't play; he Is Dorian Thunderfuck!

[@johannakatz3442]

I am just sad, that in all of this, Tal did not drop the fungus of the All minds on the moon

[@williammartin9612]

I wonder how that would’ve shaped up!!

[@benja1378]

Didn't really have the time for it 😭😅

[@twothirdsanexplosive]

​@@benja1378I hope they go back and now that they know more, they just do it. He had an opportunity but him and Laura seemed to both decide it wasn't the right thing to do to put it in those ruins. If I remember correctly I think Tal was poking Matt about it when they were in the wormhole but it seemed the ground wasn't right or something and he couldn't dig out a place for it.

[@Sammie1053]

Yeah, I'm disappointed too. Was thinking about it towards the end of the episode and I definitely remember Matt implying it wasn't the right location to plant it every time they brought it up. I'm guessing there would've been a suitable location somewhere if they had taken a different path to Kreviris, or if they'd wandered into an area in the city proper where the Myceits come from, but it just didn't pan out that way. Matt writes tons of stuff that never gets used due to the in-game choices. It'll come up in the future though! It has to

[@twothirdsanexplosive]

@@Sammie1053 yeah I think the ruins were probably the best spot they found but they decided to RP it and not. Screw those dead elves, I want my moon fungus brain 😁

[@rapid3384]

'My DM changed my single target spell to AoE without warning so she could make me kill my character's brother' is an r/DnDHorrorStories thread title wtf

[@SuperUnhappyman]

TO DUNGEON COURT GET IN THE COMMENTS!!

[@DOKTORPUSZ]

"The DM made me roll death saving throws with disadvantage for no reason"

[@bridgers22]

Yeaaa... I generally enjoy Aabria's storytelling, but this whole thing has felt like she's taking so much of their agency away. If my DM did that to me, I'd be gutted and hurt.

[@kyleschmidt9193]

This felt really railroaded all around

[@misticsword7561]

@@DOKTORPUSZ I think the disadvantage came from being poisoned from the spider, all the other attacks they made had it, she just didn't said so as he's an NPC. And the rolling was a choice he made, not that it would have matter. I agree with the op message, though.

[@theauthorii1751]

"Tattoos have her." In regards to Denise made me cackle.

[@jennytaber71]

Not Opal casually spritzing the Spider Queen.

[@skylarknight9170]

Dorian doesn’t know about Imogen and Laudna 😂

[@DukeTrout]

Dorian doesn’t know about Fearne and…almost everybody else!

[@Misfit_Kitten]

I want Pate to tell him.

[@michellev9906]

@@Misfit_Kitten That will be hilarious considering the last time he saw Pate, they were just a rotting carcass hanging off Laudn's belt

[@cameronmcewen9666]

Did he have a relationship with either of them?

[@yasch3696]

@@cameronmcewen9666 I think Imogen flirted a few times with him or at least hinted that she finds him hot even in this episode. But nothing coming from Dorian.

[@hapsanaCovjece]

I cried when I figured out Robbie was back... such a treasure this guy. I hope he plays his "Bertrand Bell song"

[@masterjaczor9892]

I love that song!

[@nikkihall8844]

I love how Marisha and Ashley give Robbie a big welcome back hug when he reunites with the Bell’s Hells at long last! ♥️😊♥️

[@jeffbounds7025]

Robbie is such a natural player. Wish he would use his awesome voice and sing when playing his character. I enjoy your role playing stud!

[@ratburgler]

This may be hopium for me, but I am hoping that's what he was hinting at when he said "its going to be an all new me like you've never seen!" or something along those lines.

[@Lexgamer]

Abrea needs to dial it back a little. Players make choices based on how they understand the rules. If you're going to adjudicate a ruling different to their understanding, especially if it goes against rules as written, as DM your word is law and players need to respect that to keep the game going smoothly; HOWEVER, you need to manage your power responsibly and allow them backtrack on actions if you've changed a ruling. Example: Chromatic Orb is not an AoE spell, and that could have saved a life.

[@TheMaestro1275]

Honestly, I was all on board with her right up until the chromatic orb moment. I enjoy the chaotic and evocative storytelling she brings to all of the stuff she's in. But when you change the mechanics of a spell just because it would fit the way you want the story to go better, you lose me a little bit.

[@Sammie1053]

Y'know what, that's fair If we're being honest, though, I'm pretty sure Aabria's literal assignment in that combat was to give the Crown Keepers a reason to split up so Dorian could rejoin the main party. Maybe I missed something, but I'm pretty sure someone dropped a Mass Cure Wounds for like 24 points apiece one round before that, and he took less than that from the Chromatic Orb. I don't think I even heard her roll damage for the spider, but it would've had to deal like 30 damage to knock him out in one hit. He died by DM fiat rather than natural causes, so to speak That's not a dig at Aabria, mind you. She was put into a situation Brennan has described before where she absolutely had to hit certain story beats and needed to do whatever she could as a DM to make it happen. You can't fudge the rolls to kill a PC, so killing Cyrus was her best option.

[@Lexgamer]

@@Sammie1053 Sure, though my point wasn't necessarily that Cyrus should have lived, more so that when a DM says, "Imma make your single target spell have splash damage," it's a feel bad, unfun moment for the player. I almost said in my original comment something along the lines of, "If she had let the spell work as written, and then just killed Cyrus behind the DM screen anyway, then no one would have been the wiser and there wouldn't be an issue," but changed it for dramatic effect. The orb was just one example, she pushes on things fairly often in similar ways, or at least she did here. I didn't recall her being as heated in Exandria Unlimited, but probably due to your aforementioned need to split them up.

[@thatskao]

She also seems super defensive over choices

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

@@TheMaestro1275 Is that how it went down? She ruled a single target spell had splash damage? Was it PC or enemy cast? Is this just because she had to kill Cryus somehow regardless? Tough interlude

[@victorpapaavp]

Dorian's parting shot on the Spider Queen... holy crap!

[@BlueGriffin20]

The geas? Yeah, but it should have took a minute to cast.

[@shmilez]

@@BlueGriffin20bro just let them have the rule of cool, you don’t have to say this every time someone mentions the spell

[@BlueGriffin20]

@@shmilez I’ve said it what, twice? In the comments. That’s not every time. Rule of cool is ok if it makes relative sense. I was perfectly fine with the wisdom saving throw being triggered by emotional damage by the death of a friend. Bending the rules of a cold spell to freeze something when it doesn’t outright say it does, etc. My issue with this is geas isn’t a combat spell. It’s something you have the time to cast for as powerful as it is. Picking a target that either can’t prevent it/leave, or doesn’t know it’s happening. Mass suggestion works in a similar way, can be upcast for longer durations, but is an action.

[@CaptPhiI]

@@BlueGriffin20 By that time Dorian cast it he was pretty much out of the fight anyways, so I took it as that the timing was just a bit fudged. I think the only reason Robbie played that move is because he couldn't actively fight anyways and was running away from the battle.

[@jorenthar9186]

Matt yelling "uppies" made my week.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

A lot of people (or at least very vocal people) were unhappy with the crown keeper stuff being the back half of the last episode and the first half of this one. The only thing that bugged me is that the crown keepers were effectively destroyed and scattered as a means of getting Dorian back withh Bells Hells. I enjoyed the time we had with them and will certainly miss them.

[@jacobpeters3659]

Robbie plays the grieving brother so well it’s like I can feel the pain. All the unsaid thoughts, the pain knowing his brother (a prince) died in the dirt in some dark forest far from home. Due in part to following after his younger brother for a life of adventure. The guilt and pain are so intense, and it’s a side of Dorian I’m excited to see unpacked by a talented actor like Robbie

[@bobzombie2710]

How did his brother die?

[@DPWFG]

@@bobzombie2710 Abria changed a rule mid-cast from a single target spell to an AOE spell, which hit Dorian's brother, who then got munch by spiders and took death saves at disadvantage for some reason.

[@bobzombie2710]

@@DPWFG fuuuukk :( RIP

[@jchesterphotography]

I love Dorians storyline and the reunion with BH, but the last half of last episode and the first half of this one dragged on to the point where I put this episode off for over a week. Im not as much of a fan of a DM that fights their players instead of helping everyone enjoy the story. The story can be scary, or even tragic, but its a game where everyone is supposed to enjoy it. It was clear not all the players were having a good time, but it needed to be told. Some better handling/pacing of the storytelling would have made for a much more engaging encounter.

[@TheGrumbleduke]

That ad read. Ashley is wonderful as always, but Laura showing why she is one of the top voice actors in the business; getting through all those lines - no matter how absurd or difficult - without breaking, mostly staying in character, reading them cold, with some performance thrown in.

[@Zorkahz]

Hearing Dorian asking the group to if they want him back, seeing Robbie at the table with them all. It just feels right 🥹🥹🥹 ngl, hearing him say “If you’ll have me” nearly had me bawling my eyes out

[@williewilson733]

Why have a roleplay session if the story is already predetermined and is supposed to give the players no actual choices but only tears??? Dorian/Robbie could have just told a fine creative story of sadness and loss and reason when and why he met up again with Bells Hells.

[@danitini14]

Maybe because the other players wanted to participate in the storytelling even if the outline or outcome was already decided? And presumably because the general result was decided but not how everything was gonna go down

[@williewilson733]

@@danitini14 I like the idea of a story that doesn't focus on 'what' will happen because the end is already clear for everyone. But rather cares about 'how' things happened and how the story evolved. But to me it felt like the players had very little influence on the story towards the end goal result. The first exu or calamity also had a fixed end result but the players had much more free choices to make how the story went down and what led to the end. Maybe putting this quite important storyline with beloved characters through a 'must-only-take-4-hours' grinder made it much less enjoyable for players and audience and was hard to dm without excessive railroading. I think the characters that went through all of the first exu and kymal together (and expecially cyrus) deserved a bit more care and not to be rushed towards their end.

[@axbloodtheory7885]

My first thought was that the reason why the Spider Queen forced Opal to turn against the Crown Keepers, was to move Opal out of the group, and allow Aimee Carrero to instead be playing the one character we want her to be playing: DENI$E. The Deni$e and Dariax reunion is something that needs to happen in session, not offscreen. But it looks like maybe, that might be off the table for the next long while. Hopefully not forever, at least.

[@bradleyhurley6755]

Well Denise is now in the completely wrong city. Another reason Crown Keepers should have been it's own thing.

[@jothrax4673]

I was really hoping for a Deni$e cameo too. I've really enjoyed Campaign 3 but I wasn't really a fan of how the Crown Keeper break turned out. The idea was cool, but it's so short that it just felt all scripted. To be clear when I say scripted I don't mean that they had a script. But it's pretty clear Abria was told to break up the crown keepers and the players were brought back only for that purpose. I wanted just a little bit more of them😢

[@ratburgler]

@@jothrax4673 Maybe that's the case, but I thought it was just a fun thing. I think Aabria's DMing style is just more oriented around her telling a story, and asking how your character is reacting to that story, so she can try to tell more story using how the player feels. I kinda think it'd jus be better to write a book/short story than try to pigeon hole players into a specific narrative by spamming them with inspiration and telling them how their character ACTUALLY feels.

[@Lurklen]

@@jothrax4673 I don't think it was "Break up the Crown keepers." But rather, "Get to the ending." I feel like Aabria was always intending for this encounter to happen in some way, it's just that they weren't going to have the time to play it out. This happens at the table too, when you gotta speed up the story for real life reasons (people moving, babies on the way, etc).

[@padraig548]

​@@ratburgleri love aabria, and shes very entertaining. I prefer her in more rules light, nareative focused games. City of Mist would be Amazing to see her host. My favorite was Acofaf and Misfits and Magic. A LOT of fun and interesting character moments.

[@stormw4993]

it might just come down to preference, but bringing up how "dumb" a character is multiple times during their last moments just.. really did not sit well with me. sure it can be fun to joke around about that sort of thing, but idk. felt really out of place for such a somber moment

[@worldscoolestperson7672]

That was a dirty trick with the chromatic orb. Basically telling the players “don’t add flavor or I’ll punish you”.

[@DOKTORPUSZ]

It's particularly dickish when this combat was like 95% flavour. Like it's not normal for one combat to take 5 hours. It's not normal for every turn of combat to be 20 minutes of description about how everyone feels and specifically how you do the spell and shit. But that's obviously the type of game she wants to run, and that's cool. But then if you create that environment that demands long descriptions of everything, you shouldn't punish a player for choosing a certain wording in their flavour. I mean you shouldn't be trying to punish a player anyway. This chromatic orb thing was terrible DMing.

[@kendalldesouza4595]

To me Aabria is the most willing of the CR dms to bend and even break the rules for the sale of allowing flavor. I think it's fair for her to turn the tables every once and while

[@ultrabigfella]

​@@kendalldesouza4595But it's not. Because when a Player tries to bend rules and add flavor, it's the same result as the DM trying to. It's in the DM's ballpark. A player trying to bend rules and get flavor is looking for an advantage in combat against NPC's. A DM is looking for an advantage against PC's. As a DM, it sounds the exact same but it's not.

[@DOKTORPUSZ]

@kendalldesouza4595 no no no. That doesn't add flavour. There's a difference between "rule of cool" where you bend the rules to allow something fun and creative to happen, or give a player a time to shine and do something interesting and feel good, vs "screwing over the players" where you change the rules on the fly to make a player kill their character's brother without any warning. Yes, the latter creates "drama", but it is at the expense of the player, it goes against player agency, and it doesn't feel good for anyone but the DM. It's selfish, and a lazy way to try to create suspense or drama.

[@PitchblackItai]

I must admit I’m not loving how Aabria is DMING this session. She shows way too much aggression as a DM and it feels antagonist. Her calls (IE this one in particular) are punitive, feel selfish and very unnecessary to progress the story.

[@BlueStreakStudio]

Sorry, is nobody going to call out that "you have to call it beforehand" from Aabria when Aimee tried to roll her inspiration? Is that some kind of weird house rule she has, because if so, that completely defeats the point of inspiration.

[@TehSovereign]

really felt like Aabria dropped the ball a few times during this session, which is sad as i really enjoyed the Crownkeepers up to this! But the inspiration rug pull, the random decision to make a single target spell do AoE and then adding extra dice to attacks just "because" all really threw me off.

[@FoolishMcSmartypants]

It's actually a house rule to use inspiration as a reroll. Inspiration RAW is allowing a player to give themselves advantage on a d20 roll, the way Aabria ruled it. :)

[@TehSovereign]

@@FoolishMcSmartypants Aabria claimed that you cannot roll your inspiration unless you call out you are using it before you roll. Also rerolling a dice and using your higher number = rolling two dice and using the highest number. you get the same result either way so i'm unsure what you mean?

[@chromaticblue3976]

@@TehSovereign It's not the same, because the houserule allows you to roll it if you know you fail. The RAW way could result in it being "wasted" because the first roll was higher.

[@TehSovereign]

@@chromaticblue3976 oh crap, thats actually a very good point, thankyou! but theres nothing at all in the rules claiming you have to call your inspiration before rolling. It's not that big of a thing and it's more of an annoyance to me (and maybe a tiny dumb vocal minority like me?) Tbh im prob just upset that we wont get more Crownkeepers xD

[@cour0846]

So, if we assume that next episode will begin with a BHs war room at the encampment, next mission will maybe scouting Aeor for Ludinus? Back to the hidden entrance as guides? Other side quest that pops up? It'll be interesting to see.

[@Smol_Cookie]

and potentially meeting "D" in Aeor and maybe some more lore around FCG or potentially information on restoring Automatas ^.^

[@rayplays7498]

dont hate her. but i really dont like how she dms. the pacing was more of a slog than combats ive been in in with 20+ hostiles. im cool with adding flair and narrative to castings of a spell or effects going on, but to give like a 3+ minute speech about each and every action turned what could have been a shorter encounter into, as i saw someone else say, "a DBZ fight in real time." and im cool with using spells in a creative way that they arent intended to be used, but to take a successful casting of an attack roll spell and decide that its actually an aoe... that was just a fucked up move to kill off someone. the telling the characters how they feel and what theyre thinking instead of asking how the characters are feeling or thinking in the moment just feels gross to me too. but eh. im just complaining and they should be back to the regular group now. at least the players had a good time.

[@Puppycatb]

Thank you!

[@suspectii]

Totally agree on all points. You’re not alone.

[@twilightgeneral777]

It really bothered me how Opal was given basically no agency in these past two sessions while her character was literally twisted and destroyed with no input from the player. It also doesn't feel great that she randomly decided Dorian's spell would deal damage to Cyrus and then proceeded to murder him.

[@viperseyes8651]

I know I can’t be the only one that thinks this…..Robbie for regular cast member C4!!!!

[@Peytoneileen]

I feel like I’ve been waiting YEARS for Dorian to come back… oh wait, I have! AND IT’s FINALLY HAPPENING!! ❤😂😊

[@fariz7727]

Possible spoilers in the comments section, heads-up Monday crew

[@Nave1803]

Thanks! I’ll stop scrolling till I’m done the ep

[@beebobox]

Just instantly found flando and clicked "break ends" cuz reasons :/

[@bobzombie2710]

​@@beebobox dam, you missed the changing of the guard 😂

[@kaniamia]

3:48:04 “Yay the gods?” Dorian asks in the most lighthearted, silly tone, but with the deepest, most emotionally-torn implications.

[@swancrunch]

3:50:44 "are you backdoorian?" didn't expect them to just let it pass. maybe it's the lack of Sam

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

Thanks I knew I couldn't be the only one. I too thought "Sam would have pounced on this," so he's missed in more ways than one.

[@justinyounan8236]

Going to miss Opal & Fy’ra! Hope we get to see them + Aimee & Anjali again!! 🕷️

[@roger43067]

Agree! Maybe Aimee will actually be able to play her character next time 😂

[@TempestLM]

@@roger43067 not if under that gm lmao

[@Sathinrah]

I would love to see Aimee play under a different dm, I feel they clash

[@vickilljoy6099]

@@Sathinrah well we did get Aimee play at Matt's table with Deni$e ^-^

[@TheUrsaLord]

Im glad Matt is back in the chair imma be real.

[@gyorklady]

Is it bad that I'm amused over the rest of the table giving Liam grief over the whole "heartbreak prince" thing?

[@marissameeks6645]

I really don’t like being attacked by the GM as a watcher. Being told, f#*k you isn’t something I’m keen on dealing with

[@thedayb4tomorrow]

Banishing smite does 5d10... That would have left Morrighan dead in the Feywild...

[@funduedplays6952]

OFFER ROBBIE A JOB ON THE CAST we want to keep him

[@craigayork8617]

I'm pretty sure Dorian hasn't met Pate yet. I am so looking forward to that interaction.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

I am relatively certain he saw the puppet version as Laudna showed him off to everyone at every chance but you are correct. He didn't come to life until long after Dorian left.

[@bayoufunk701]

I’m not sure why they use dice when Aabria DMs. She is incredibly imaginative and creative, but the system and ruleset are out the window.

[@Tra5h_boat6368]

Aabria’s DMing really bothered me. Reminded me of a DM I had whose game turned me really sour and if I wasn’t part of another group at the same time with a much better DM I probably would’ve quit playing. This DM made decisions that made no sense within the narrative so much so that I wrote my favorite character out of the campaign by saying he had something else he needed to take care of so that she couldn’t do anything dumb to him. Then I find out she plans to make him into a villain later down the line and when I tell her he would have to be mind-controlled in order to fight the party because he would never do it of his own free will. He would rather die. She ignored that. So my backup character was more combat oriented than the original and I was looking forward to testing what he could do when she proceeded to go three months of weekly sessions without a single initiative, and when we finally did get initiative, she was annoyed with my begging for it so she targeted my character specifically and stunlocked him the entire time. She then cut in on some serious roleplay between me and another character with a gag that was truly unfunny. I finally left that table when she cheated the rules to kill this character as punishment for my annoyed attitude at the table.

[@SuperHbkforever]

I am sorry about that terrible experience. Games are supposed to be fun. I also had an experience where the DM was hosting 2 games wothin the same world and tried to make both games do the same thing. The railroading was annoying at best anf the lack of care about character backstories was just awful. He ended up picking up on everyones dislike for the game and decided to end the games all together. Good news is, everyone finds a good group eventually and now im playing in 2 amazing groups

[@iammyself7885]

Aabria dropped the ball hard on this one

[@viperbite7640]

1:05:50 dude that is so condescending. And also so hypocritical. What DM doesn't "change their plan" its unfair to try to lock your player into a decision.

[@ZackRToler]

Me: "Oh cool, they made whiskey. Website: $99 USD Me: "Fuck! ... Good thing I don't like alcohol I guess."

[@danyr1886]

Yeah, good liquor is not cheap... And I mean, I don't like alcohol either, but I *so* hope it's good 😅

[@saskiascott8181]

Imagine if the geas spider releases predathos in its efforts to destroy lolth

[@hhylobates4098]

That would be so funny though, save the campaign in my opinion

[@vacuumdiagram]

I love that idea!

[@zeexorcist8869]

Like the snail from adventure time releasing the lich the spider's just there chinking away at the glass

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

​@@zeexorcist8869 For a moment, I thought you were talking about an Adventure Zone campaign I had missed. Then I felt dumb and remembered that Adventure Time is a totally different thing.

[@CelticSurferGaming]

I'm not gonna lie, the last two episodes have felt very railroaded to me. I'm hoping Abria talked these things over with Amy before forcing her to do things with her character that Amy appears to not want to do. On the surface, it feels like really bad DM'ing. I kind of hate it.

[@rayplays7498]

The pacing is really bugging me too. I don't hate her, but not a fan of how she dms. I like adding flair to spells and effects both narration, but for ever single turn really slowed things down. But hey. Glad they're having fun.

[@Thndrcougrfalcnbrd]

The issue stems from Aabria's choices to make the least knowledgeable players the focus of her games. Aimee is clueless af and has no real drive to do anything more than make stupid jokes. Therefore, Aabria HAS to railroad because it's the only way to move the story along

[@DOKTORPUSZ]

​@@Thndrcougrfalcnbrdyou really think Aabria's poor DMing is purely due to Aimee?!

[@Thndrcougrfalcnbrd]

@DOKTORPUSZ Not PURELY due to Aimee, but she’s the major catalyst for it as far as The Crown Keepers go. I've seen Aabria DM many times, and she fucks around but typically keeps things in line. Aimee fucks around TOO much, and it distracts Aabria, but that's not even the major problem. The problem is that Aabria decided early on back on ExU that Opal was going to be the centerpiece of her story. That was a HORRENDOUS call because Aimee does not give a shit about the game or how it's played, so Aabria literally has to tell her what to do and how to act. Aimee had all of ExU, all of her guest appearances as Denise, and all of her experience on Candela to actually learn how TTRPGs work and maybe start caring about them, and she's just as clueless as ever. At this point, she knows that Aabria will just tell her what to do, so it gives her even less motivation to try. So, because Aabria hitched her wagon to a dead horse right from the beginning, she HAS to railroad the fuck out of her games. However, I will say that Aabria was making some absolutely WILD choices during this episode that I don't agree with. I think she saw how Matt handled the fights with Otohan and thought she was clear to do whatever she wanted

[@clarkniedduart]

@@rayplays7498 To be clear, I don't hate her in the least bit. I have a ton of respect for her. She's clearly super smart and very capable and she has really good stories to tell. I just do not like her DM'ing style (like you said).

[@JoeGrzzly]

If they had just had Aabria's episode as one 5-hour side episode during the end of the month break instead of splitting it across two main episodes at the most pivotal moment, the audience would not have been as frustrated.

[@XamoebabrainX]

Matt's frustrated "I haven't taken my turn yet" speaks volumes. This pivot to the Crown Keepers was... something.

[@chickenbobby666]

I did not read that as frustration at all, just clarification. Remember your own lens over everything.

[@XamoebabrainX]

@@chickenbobby666 I did read it as frustration, though, that's what's crazy about not being able to read minds. Granted, it wasn't an overt, angry frustration, just simply a 'shrugging of the shoulders' or a 'I have no power to do anything yet' feel.

[@Manpons]

Laura's dance at 3:29:44 was my reaction to BH coming back to the table after everything that's happened.

[@Not_Harvard]

I loved EXU when I watched it, but it's been over a year so I could barely remember anything at all. Felt so lost when the new crew came on for these 2 episodes.

[@JD2jr.]

@@Not_Harvard And didn't really **do** anything, just got jumped by themselves in a forest.

[@PancakeMonster359]

Truly glad that Robbie is back! He brings such fresh perspective to the group. With Cyrus dying at the hands of the Spider queen, will it make Dorian more sympathetic towards Ludinus? Or will the loss of FCG be the catalyst that bonds the group ever closer?

[@starstriker1792]

MONDAY CREW!!!! I still miss FCG, but I can’t wait to see what’s next.

[@wyverntail3968]

Ahhhh same i wasn't prepared

[@TOKEK1ng]

Damn I hope they discussed making those changes to Spells etc before the game. Otherwise thats a lot of BS to spring on them midgame.

[@alpha2legs]

They discussed in 4-sided dive, and I think there is enough trust amongst the table, between players and DM, to tell a good story. The rules can, at times, take a backseat without anyone getting upset (excluding many of the more RAW viewers of course). I love that Critical Role, as a company, has been making an effort to show that there are a huge variety of play-styles and DM/GM styles that people can use. I think it does a lot to mitigate the “Matt Mercer Effect,” especially to those that are new to the medium.

[@TOKEK1ng]

@@alpha2legs It doesn't really have anything to do with trust or different play styles. It has everything to do with good communication. Not communicating a change that directly leads to the death of an important NPC, at least to the PC involved haha, before the game and springing it on the players mid game is a horrible practice. And good communication should be encouraged.

[@lefterismplanas4977]

They are focusing on telling a story first, and playing the game second

[@TOKEK1ng]

@@lefterismplanas4977 That's besides the point. And also, it's impossible to tell a cohesive story, that everyone is happy with and enjoys being a part of, if people are not on the same page. Thus the framework that the game provides so that everyone has the same understanding. If anyone thinks that it is a good idea to spring or change story/game changing mechanics in the middle of a game, then I am super glad that I don't play at their table.

[@buckeubanks3610]

@@alpha2legs I think you're being way too charitable to Aabria. I've seen at least a dozen other DMs, not just Matt, in CR do a way better job at creating immersion and crafting a better, less power-trip style narrative of the game. I'm very welcoming to all different styles and levels of experience, but she crosses so many different lines that it's just ridiculous. With your logic, you could defend and justify literally any decision a DM makes at a whim.. no logic or continuity or even rules necessary. Anything and everything goes whenever I decide it does.. and I don't think that's giving players, especially those new to the medium a good outlook on how to behave as a DM. I love when the DM is called out sometimes and gives into the player because they player points out something logical or rational within the story. I'm fine with Rule of Cool and rules being bent/broken at times for narrative purposes, but she seems to do it in such an obtuse and obvious way, that it makes me feel that she's stripping all autonomy and choice from the players altogether. At some point you should draw a line of what's acceptable.

[@camillagrandi4201]

So happy to see Robbie and Dorian back to the table ❤

[@inplaid]

naw fam. If this were a private game, those DM power plays would end up in a Reddit horror stories thread. Don't treat your players like that

[@SapphoForAphrodite]

Wdym?

[@bmblbee9385]

I think, as a DM and Player, if everyone is on the same page about what might happen, its okay. If there is zero conversation or discussion about what they are all okay with then its a different story.

[@Sammie1053]

Have left a lot of lengthy comments and replies about this but the thing everyone needs to keep in mind is that a private game (and, for that matter, the main Critrole campaign) doesn't have mandatory narrative beats that absolutely have to be hit no matter the circumstances, and within a specified number of sessions. She was given a mandatory outcome upfront, had the difficult task of making it happen, and admittedly dropped the ball on making it look even remotely organic.

[@ArmandtFourie]

The way Aabria handles everything around Cyrus is some of the biggest bs I've ever seen a DM do. What an unfair and unfun way to run a game.

[@lefterismplanas4977]

Yep

[@OdinYYC]

Sit back and think of what needs to be done: 1) Dorian needs to rejoin the BH. 2) Opal has taken the spider queen crown - true evil- who needs to protect herself from what is coming, she’s taking all her champions no matter what the player wants. 3) this arc of EXU needs to be wrapped up. 4) Cyrus was Abrea’s NPC, it’s unfair to put him on Matt in the BH campaign. All of this has to be done, so there has to be a plot drive to complete. Think of this episode as the closest to scripting the CR has gotten.

[@fatboypurp]

@@OdinYYCjesus bro copy pasting this shit take under every comment

[@TomSmith-nn8gy]

Disagree. I see no bs here. While cyrus' condition does feel a little forced, a time-limited DM often needs to cut corners a little bit. :P

[@PetraPiesecka]

Still forgot to plant the trippy basaros schrooms on the moon 😂

[@CarnSarnit]

Yeah, I thought someone would have brought that up when the lil shroom guys were introduced . Oh well

[@levindeed]

They'll get back in there shortly though

[@subree_keller]

I'm pretty sure that trippy shroom came from the Moon and was isolated from the crazy mushroom hive mind and decided to just be super chill versus the crazy mean s*** it's doing up there. It was just trying to go home

[@dubbingsync]

I’m sure it’ll be an epilogue thing if they don’t get around to it in game.

[@johnrollyson360]

Yeeeaaaah i am still thinking about that missed opportunity all these weeks 🤣

[@thevoiceofchance]

Took over an hour to get to Matt Mercers turn.

[@osilsby]

Bell’s Hells starts here 3:05:46

[@darkspawn5507]

This is the absolute best comment here, THANK YOU for saving me from the insufferable DM’ing

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

That's like reading a book and skipping a chapter you don't like. Maybe it isn't your favorite but it still has important information and context.

[@robertfisher3307]

I'm all for tears because of legit drama at the table, but Aimee weeping doesn't feel like that. Robbie is straight up not having a good time. Even Matt doesn't seem to be enjoying himself. Railroading, removing play agency, changing rules on the fly to force your outcome... YIKES.

[@BroKenYaKnow]

ik, I really wish they would have given Aabria time to actually wrap up the Crownkeepers stuff instead of shoehorning in 2 eps of C3 to do it. It broke the pacing in C3, made a gross mess with Aabria having to find a reason to get the ck to break up so Dorian could rejoin the main group, and gave a terrible ending for every single member of the ck. And then the execution of that being atrocious.... Guess it's just another reason to feel disappointed with c3.

[@Ominark]

Honestly, this little side story seemed very out of place. I’m happy Robbie is back but that whole scene seemed very awkward.

[@masterjaczor9892]

22:52 I love Matt just dancing when Aabria is ranting about how much she hates bless and wants to kill Dariax.

[@Albatross_420]

It could be how the cameras are set up, but theres a difference between how Matt carries himself/sits at the table when he’s Dariax and when he’s in DM mode. So cool.

[@camerontomfohrde2135]

I am a huge fan. I’ve watched every episode up to this one. I understand the importance of the last two episodes, but it is absolutely fucking diabolical that they brought the story to the first point of actual progression in like 10 episode and then just decide to switch to the Crown keepers.

[@JD2jr.]

Yeah. Since they prerecord anyway, They should have played this on another day, let BH and Dorian reunite, and then play the Crown Keeper sessions as a flashback for their weeks off. Instead, we get "our friend killed himself 20 minutes ago, hey old friend it's great to see you! Let's make jokes!"

[@Slipgatex]

I didn't even finish ExU so I just fully checked out of 92 and most of 93

[@haerdalis84]

Aabriah's DMing style can be best described as "The Gaslighter DM". 'I love you so much' - instantly followed by a hard no or something that completely counters the player's intent.

[@atinygoose6199]

I can't for the life of me find the moment with the chromatic orb, could anyone give a timestamp?

[@GolfGuy32]

1:59:05

[@atinygoose6199]

@@GolfGuy32 Thank you kindly friend.

[@billberndtson]

🎶Get ready... it's Monday, NOOOOOOOOOOON!!!🎶

[@gageodell5238]

🎵We missed the live airing, but we will be caught up sooooon!🎵

[@mcmitch1000]

🎵There was magic and mystery, who knows what will happen, we miiiiiiight. But one thing's for sure, it probably had more impact live.🎵

[@kendras8545]

I genuinely believe Dorian Storm is an integral part of BH that was missing for far too long. Don't get me wrong, I love these guys, but their group dynamic never measured up to Vox Machina or the Mighty Nein when Robbie wasn't at the table.

[@darkestlight660]

I guess that's fair? I disagree a lot. I like Robbie a lot, but honestly I'd be fine if he never came back to the campaign. Now that he's here I am glad to see him, but I hope Sam doesn't keep his promise of not coming back till C4

[@dftp]

He's a very fun addition but integral? I don't see how..

[@kendras8545]

@@dftp I can't really explain the reason, but I physically felt his absence in the group after he left. Maybe I just don't like the BH dynamic as much as VM or M9, but I recall liking how the characters played off each other much more with Dorian around.

[@Beesbeeswhatsonthemenu]

Totally agree. Was devastated when he originally left.

[@justatinyhalfling]

Without Dorian, Orym was the only sane and sensitive PC at the table. The balance was off.

[@20thoughts]

Adding extra dice to the spider's damage roll because "it'd go all in", and deciding out of nowhere (unless this has been a thing for the Crownkeepers) that a single-target spell now does collateral damage because it did Thunder damage? Dang, Aabria, you really just decided that Cyrus was gonna die this sesh. (Granted, the Crownkeepers could've done more to get the dang spider offa him. But this was TARGETED.) But hey, good news for the Crownkeepers! Y'all can now argue that every single-target Thunder damage spells is a potential AOE :)

[@DOKTORPUSZ]

You seem to be under the assumption that Aabria has any interest in rules or consistency...

[@axelsalamone3282]

Funny thing is, no they cannot, because aabria does whatever she wants like a child, if it doesn't benefit what she wants she won't let it happen.

[@shealupkes]

If I were to script a npc's on screen death, I'd have made it lolth's fault, I'd have described the unfairness lolth was applying, a literal curse she's placed on him ala the mutual suffering the CR team decided was too discomforting or giving the bite multiple damage types to skirt around resistances, if I were avoiding copying off of sam and matt's homework I'd have made it clear Cyrus was fucked from the start to emotionally prepare them(something more like Aggy from the mighty nein reunion, suits Cyrus' naivety better) still telegraphing every part of it to give them a chance to see it coming. Or I just wouldn't have killed him if my players were fighting smart enough

[@TheDevilsOwl505]

Hopefully they put it back on her next time "Ima just roll some extra dice cuz my character is going all in, also my weapon in gonna do AoE because I've decided they're gonna swing across all 5 enemies, so it'll hit all 5 of them."

[@amyshaw6825]

@@DOKTORPUSZ One thing that faintly irritates me is that... I am absolutly not against changing the rules when needed, to take account for situation! Absolutly go for it! But this seems to be a bit much and - more to the point, a little unneeded? Cyrus was already penned in by a spider, and low level - with the stuff she was throwing down, she could probably have killed him without using that wierd rule call. And in a game where there's already a lot of player agency being taken away, it just seems a bit... much?

[@stevenweller9413]

Wasn’t Anjali brand new to role playing when she first joined the group? She grabbed her role and played it like a pro. To stand out like she did (about 2:25 give or take) in this extended play group? Impressive.

[@vbnbnbxmnxfm]

No, she played as a kid, her brother got her into it.

[@stevenweller9413]

@@vbnbnbxmnxfm ok, but still. Memory fail on my part. She played that interaction out incredibly though.

[@ryanmartin6429]

Shoutout to the CC group for spelling Deni$e's name right

[@Snuusnuu69]

Why do i dislike Abrias DMing so much.. Maybe its her attitude, or that she is so damn combative with the players. Matt ends up being the spine of the game with his knowledge and experience anyways.

[@rayebeard]

For me, it’s the combativeness. It reminds me of that classmate/coworker that can’t have a conversation without being passive aggressive at some point (even as a “joke”), and I avoid that shit like the plague.

[@thesepretzelssuckass247]

She is just not very well suited to GM stuff, what’s weird is that she’s actually pretty damn good as a player. She’s just very shitty when it come to running a game.

[@Agelesslink]

Death save with disadvantage 🙄

[@DOKTORPUSZ]

We're so lucky to have such an amazing guest DM!!!

[@Kevin-fe4kp]

That one he was poisoned so it actually had an explanation, the chromatic orb however…

[@DOKTORPUSZ]

@Kevin-fe4kp poisoned only gives disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks though. It doesn't give disadvantage on saving throws. 3 levels of exhaustion does that, not poison.

[@cooperalt7980]

I know it probably won't happen, but god I hope Dorian mutliclasses into a vengeance paladin.

[@TheAngelicShow]

Every time Aabria DMs something I want to like it, because the players are all usually great, but then she just... ruins it. I've never found listening to any DM more frustrating than her. Constant railroading. Arbitrary roll-forcing. Every NPC is a snarky teenage girl. Changing how rules/spells work without discussing with players beforehand. Leaving Cryus at lvl 6 when everyone else is 13 instead of having him level alongside them so that he can be easily killed - and then not having him be affected by the Mass Cure Wounds after Matt specifically mentioned him. Telling your players what their characters think and feel. Death saves at disadvantage with no explanation as to why. Directly saying 'fuck you' to the audience as a response to the legitimate criticism she knows she'll get and can't handle. I thought 2hrs for 2 rounds of combat last time was bad, but this time we nearly managed 2hrs for 1 round. And the icing on the cake - even when she makes arbitrary rulings in the players' favour it's unsatisfying, because the dice have no consequence if they don't roll the way she wants the story to go. 'Oh, you rolled a 2? Sure, take 9 points of damage and continue as if you rolled a 22, because I want this to happen now.' There's such potential in this little side story, but Aabria takes every opportunity to make me want to switch off.

[@Gray963]

Yikes. I can understand having a personal preference and not liking some of these calls... but chill out and stop pretending your objectively right. It's a game, lots of people play loosy goosy like her and lots of people even prefer it. You are just nit-picking and over thinking it at this point. Stop being so.... 'Critical'? Ayeeeee

[@suspectii]

Totally agree. I really want to like it, but her style is so needlessly aggressive.

[@fatboypurp]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@Gray963loose dms are still consistent at least with the way they rule things & bend the rules. you have an idea on how far rules bend for & against you. Her calls are random

[@thewallie3]

I was thinking about this and i think this is her dm style. Instead of a "yes and" kind of dm, she is a "yes but" kind of dm. She says multiple times that she is killing someone. Which is fine for the dm to do but she announces it like she is bragging. "See what i can do," is so bad for a dm style. She doesn't need the players there since she is gonna tell the story despite what they roll or say. She would do much better in a system where the players and dm know that there is gonna be railroading and harsh penalties despite your rolls. I've said it before, loved her as a player, hate her as a dm.

[@terradon852]

@@thewallie3 yea she really has a "me vs you" mentality that really sucks. Like when brennan is dming and the party roles well he celebrates with them, but aabria just pulls down the mood with some snarky comment like always talking about hating bless or just how she complains about rolling bad all the damn time. In DND yea the dm controls the bad guys but the main goal should still be for the party to have fun and do well, not the bad guys. That's like How to DM Lesson 1. Even when shes a player she complains about dice so much its gets old. I love her character in the wizard witch and wild one but man is she really bad about complaining in that show. Anyways, I think she kind of had to railroad to a certain degree in this situation. She probably just got told, "you have essentially 1 episode to make them all fight and get Dorian to leave everyone to join bells hells by any means necessary" So I can forgive that here because I really did want Dorian back, but it definitely could've been done without all the unnecessary rule changes and forcing decisions. There's so many pro DMs that are all so good but it really seems like crit role and D20 just get stuck cycling Brennan and Aabria. (love brennan dont get me wrong) I get there's a LOT of behind the scenes reasons for that like schedules and location but man it was nice seeing spencer stark KILL IT on candela. Like damn give some of other people a chance, especially when a lot of people dont even really like Aabria and for good reason.

[@DavidS695]

I have had to think really hard about why I don’t enjoy Aabria as a Dm. I think she is a good story teller and DM over all and I like that she weaves more RP into combat. I think my issue comes out at around the 51 minute mark. Robbie casts a spell and Aabria, for reasons unknown, changes the spell to target more people. That’s not fair as a DM to do. As a player you can’t make any decisions with confidence in what the outcome may be if the DM doesn’t follow the rules of the spell. Robbie may not know the intricate details of a level one spell, but his character definitely does. To be fair there are times Matt and Brennan do stuff like that too, it’s just usually player lead “DM can I use the spell this way?” Kinda stuff. Aabria comes off as if she hasn’t read the PHB sometimes and it makes things inconsistent. Rant over, good episode over all!

[@beverett8684]

love seeing Matt be able to chill and be a PC again!