Boulder Parchment Shears? - A Critical Role Animatic

SPOILERS FOR CRITICAL ROLE CAMPAIGN 2 EPISODE 104
Hey hey guys!
I absolutely love Critical Role, and I really enjoyed this particular episode moment that had me in stitches while watching. I wanted to draw out just how chaotic these characters are along with Matt trying to fathom just how insane the party really is. Hope y'all enjoy!
Check out the episode here!:
▼ Critical Role Campaign 2 Ep. 104 - The Ruined Silver
• The Ruined Sliver | Cr...

[@kimberly3299]

"How have you all survived to level 12?" was Taliesin's GOLDEN opportunity to say "I didn't!"

[@Sinsanities]

you are lucky you comment this after Kingsley. xD

[@mb2001]

Hot damn!

[@theseawriter]

Fjord: "There's no way that happens twice!" Also Fjord: *Previously rolled three natural 1's in a row*

[@thecaucasianyeti]

He's also rolled three natural 20s in a row in The Search For Grog oneshot iirc

[@OverReaperCh]

@@thecaucasianyeti Two actually. He rolled Twice Natural 20 on hitting the Boss. One was not reckless and second was reckless.

[@thecaucasianyeti]

@@OverReaperCh Was there an actual time he rolled three 20s in a row? I might be combining the fairground three natural 1's and the oneshot in my head. I do that sometimes

[@OverReaperCh]

@@thecaucasianyeti I don't think so, otherwise it would be clipped. And All I found was him rolling 3 nat 1 as Fjord and 2 Nat 20 as Grog during the boss fight.

[@thecaucasianyeti]

@@OverReaperCh Interesting. Must just be my faulty memory. Thanks for the correction though!

[@gav7497]

I love when Cad is just really suddenly ominous. “The time for talking is over” Or during that episode before they fought the gorgon. When they reached the river surrounded by “statues”. Ford: can I swim alongside you? Cad: just make sure not to drink the water. Ford: ...why? Cad: it’s for the beasts.

[@arthaiser]

Or when they took the mistake offshore for the first time and he healed galan "he will be dead eventually"

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

The Goth Friend fulfilling his duty

[@srslyimnotaspy101]

Party Member: ...What? Caduceus : -What?

[@shimmyking4]

When he said that all I could think of was Cartman from The Stick of Truth going "But the time for talk is not nigh"

[@ashenwuss1651]

He's preparing little Fjord for the Wild Mother's service!

[@nucleargandhi2709]

My favorite part is that the whole contest started because Fjord *didn't* want to go with Vilya, and then when he wins he enthusiastically goes with her.

[@moza7378]

Its one of the few 'wins' he gets. I wish he got more tbh

[@TehCakeIzALie1]

@@moza7378 Even when Fjord wins, he loses.

[@felixrivera895]

I think Fjord forgot that the winner goes with her lol

[@JoshTheValiant]

I love so much the idea that Fjord got so into the competition of this that when he won he just autopiloted into taking his prize, and I'm so glad this animatic leaned into that interpretation. XD

[@moza7378]

@Alfonso The Lie Weaver Gonna be a no from me. Fjords the comic relief of the group but it's just sad sometimes. The *Biggest* wins for me are when he does dummy dick damage in fights which most peeps gloss over and when he showing his talking Skills. Other than that he can't get a break.

[@basilb4524]

Yasha going "that's why it doesn't work with three people!" is adorable

[@dilbertbilbertcrabbert1868]

It truly is.

[@Scorpious187]

What's even better is she actually held up eight fingers. lol.

[@VulpisFoxfire]

@@Scorpious187 ..I'me seeing 3, and open hand held off to the side, myself.

[@Scorpious187]

@@VulpisFoxfire In the actual video, she holds up eight fingers (four on each hand).

[@D.A.R.C.I.]

to be fair, the chances of a tri draw like that are roughly the same as a draw in a 1v1

[@jevanking4768]

The fact that everyone collectively loses it and doesn’t know what to do next is just the best

[@catalineanimations8227]

jevan king True!

[@josephlanders1784]

Even Matt's just like damn it what am I doing

[@Elvenwind]

also the fucking scream at the end was perfect

[@Redfire085]

The fact that they couldn't stop giggling over it, which forced an early break was even funnier.

[@luc-zq7ku]

normal day in d&d .

[@CritScratch]

"How have you all survived to level 12" Honestly...I think they would've died a long time ago if they weren't like this

[@Vespuchian]

Don't speak too soon, I've _rarely_ had a character live past level 12 or 13.

[@buddyb3165]

Im running a One Piece inspired campaign for a group of friends, I know exactly what you mean, they crave BS fun and adventure and feel alt like the Mighty Nien/Vox Machina sometimes

[@loka7783]

You know levels 6, 7 and 8 if memory serves were passed with a sex scene, so Matt is partially to blame. ;)

[@buddyb3165]

@@loka7783 In all fairness that's how one of my players reached level 8 (It wasn't abard btw, was a rouge)

[@morrisl123]

Well...... Molly didnt

[@hotscottrulz]

1:01 - Caleb saying “I know threeways, and that is not how you accomplish one” makes a lot more sense knowing what we now know about the relationship between him, Eadwulf, and Astrid.

[@_snowylil]

I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT oh my god

[@sabrinahanson2301]

that makes it even funnier

[@deathbykonami5487]

Read Caleb's issue of Mighty Nein Origins, that is an understatement.

[@stingerjohnny9951]

@@deathbykonami5487 Caleb is packing right? We all agree on that? He’s swinging pipe?

[@uninterruptedrhythm4104]

@@stingerjohnny9951 Caleb was the one taking the pipe from Eadwulf while he was piping Astrid

[@pop-tartdepression393]

Matt taking the form of the “Wheeze” meme was an inspired choice Cami. This animatic is so good!

[@GeminiOrion9]

I'm not gonna lie, I kinda want that as a Twitch or Discord emote

[@darklord884]

I especially love how he's in a bunch of fog/steam/clouds, as if he's literally some deity or the Traveler peeking in on them doing this ridiculous stuff.

[@AceEletrute]

VILYA'S EXPRESSION OH MY LORD I'M CACKLING SO HARD I ALMOST FEEL OUT OF MY CHAIR

[@mathybrain8]

Wait til she gets to Zephrah and realizes her daughter is this way.

[@GMdelsXT9]

Vilya's "you can't be serious" face was just perfect.

[@musclecat1005]

​@@mathybrain8"My family doesn't drink."

[@jevanking4768]

Fjord tried so hard but in the end it was all fjor nothing

[@catalineanimations8227]

jevan king He really did try :)

[@batatabatatoso9933]

Take your like and shut up

[@jacobrobinson884]

He tried so hard and got so fjar

[@Bailey-the-Domain-Keeper]

👏👏👏

[@tylerpierro5309]

All fjor not

[@resdamalos]

I appreciate the moment of Veth looking at Caleb as he says "I know three-ways".

[@buddyb3165]

The "Context" look

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

It was great!

[@laurenhawes7201]

Caleb was 100% doing some stuff with his classmates

[@buddyb3165]

@@laurenhawes7201 I mean, he was part of a trio. Maybe there is some stuff in caleb's past we don't (want to) know about during his academy days?

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

@@buddyb3165 It depends on what we agree we don't know, I think? Like he was(/is) canonically in love with Astrid, and the couple times that Liam's been asked if Caleb and Eodwulf were dating as well his response is basically ">:3c", *and then we have a couple in-character lines like The Above every so often; so I'd personally weigh that as, like... heavily implied poly trio

[@GramGramAnimations]

I love Caduceus’s big sibling energy. Also, Veth constantly getting flustered when a dirty thought comes to her head

[@queenmaj6576]

obsessed with the portrayal of matt as a god just watching this chaos unfold

[@seabass819]

I low-key think the traveler is a self insert of Matt.

[@chand198]

@@seabass819 Nah his Self insert this game is Essik

[@bdletoast09]

Honestly, it's my headcanon that the gods are keeping them alive because this kind of bullshit is just so entertaining for them.

[@GhostBear3067]

Considering Sprinkles's true identity you might be right.

[@konahrikb1578]

Isn't that basically how you describe a DM in a nutshell?

[@dull_demon4717]

so technically us?

[@katyprarie]

Kord's champions are all Theybos so it tracks

[@torakunoichi]

I’m reading a baldurs gate fanfic and it has all the god I’d dnd making bets on the characters and whose gonna do what it’s very funny because the gods have claimed some of the main characters for themselves so they get annoyed/amused when their champion does something idiotic It’s also just a really great fanfic to read full of humor and satire

[@missymomo8074]

Matt Mercer losing his shit in the background is the highlight of my day now XD

[@MechaSpider]

Matt: "How have you all survived to level 12" Me: *thinks back to Molly* "uhhhhhhhhh"

[@GZilla311]

He wasn't present, so technically THEY all survived to level 12.

[@tubopanderson8106]

@@GZilla311 except cad did die once and so did fjord. but not permanently.

[@GZilla311]

Tubo panderson "Survive" is a relative term in DnD.

[@cheesewheel3717]

too soon...

[@allblazing1160]

@@cheesewheel3717 yeah I know right it's like a glaive through chest or something

[@Superawesomevids549]

Favorite part about this moment is Marisha's "UUUHHHHHHH" Perfect comedic timing

[@Aredel]

The slight pause as the realization dawns on them XD

[@MelonTartVA]

Plus that blue screen of death look on her face

[@oligb1469]

I think we all know that deep down caduceus has healers rage

[@hexxidelux6224]

Can confirm that is a real thing

[@oligb1469]

@@hexxidelux6224 Yeah Speaking from experience here but wizards are high maintenance

[@dominiklange8382]

Mostly have to multiclass into a Cleric for my partys cause we rarely had a healer. One time I had to play a babarian / cleric.

[@oligb1469]

@@dominiklange8382 Ha literal healing rage. I wish for the day where healers get recognition and not complaints

[@toodefault]

Fjord: "Yeah, thats how this game works!" Also Fjord: "AAAGGHHH!" This animatic is pretty much exactly how i thought this whole moment would go down. Love the image of Vilya watching these idiots and grabbing Fjord as soon as he won. lol. Thank you for this.

[@TheGameboy]

I love how u can literally hear the error 404 occurring in Marisha's head with a resounding UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. XD

[@mediadetective6104]

The Mighty Nein: Defeated an Oni and his gang, outsmarted a pirate who was going to use the powers of a Demi God to take over the sea, got through a war zone just to save a teammate’s husband, prevented a sinister cult from giving more power to one of the most fearsome evil deities in the lore by killing its leader 2 times (technically 3 if you count Obann’s Punished Form) along with his other associates, and ended a war. Also The Mighty Nein: 0:48

[@JoshTheValiant]

You have good days and bad days, y'know?

[@mediadetective6104]

Joshua O'Kelley indeed

[@mistamemewide]

Also, killed a fucking False God. Thank god for that nat 1

[@mediadetective6104]

Stephen Reed oh yeah, luckiest shit ever

[@sybariticcupboardrat3763]

Yeah, most of that shit is going to come back and kick them in the ass again.

[@Paytonzane]

Aw man this is peak CR humor, god I need to get back into this sho- *Episode 104* *Each episode is about 4 hours* Oh good god.

[@JoshtheOverlander]

I'm trying to catch up to C2, though Im only on episode 5

[@phobiawitch835]

I’ve just hit the 70s after like, 3 months

[@DrakenorLP]

I believe in you guys. I managed to do it too.

[@1SunnyDaze0]

I'm trying to catch up on campaign 2, and I'm only on episode 45 of campaign 1!

[@brandondennis5166]

@@1SunnyDaze0 To be honest, from a viewer's standpoint, campaign 2 is soooo much better. The players all knew their characters would be on a show when they made them, so it just works better. If I were you, I'd watch the campaign 1 highlights, then skip to campaign 2 if you're trying to catch up.

[@fiddleriddlediddlediddle]

"The time for talking is over." "I really don't know if that's ever true."

[@zebbol9442]

Caleb saying “i know threeways” referencing his time with Astrid and Eadwulf in the past. Liam is too clever sometimes man

[@GtdAquataine]

Please don't watch this while eating. It's a choking hazard. Side note: Vilya's confusion at the M9 was precious.

[@Vespuchian]

Honestly the best depiction of Vilya I've seen, just in that one image.

[@seabass819]

I think you mean, everyone the m9 meet.

[@1SunnyDaze0]

I can't wait to see how Vilya reacts to hearing about all the Vox Machina shenanigans her daughter's gone through haha!

[@TheGoldenJay637]

@@1SunnyDaze0 I really want to see this

[@alunbuss7877]

@@1SunnyDaze0 "Wait, you say you were with a group of six other adventurers on your Aramente, and you did WHAT?!"

[@MysticSybil]

"I know 3 ways that is not how you accomplish them." Thousands of miles away Astrid and Eodwulf look up

[@IndomitableAde]

Grossly underrated comment.

[@sarahw7790]

Liam loves some foreshadowing with his characters

[@hazama0634]

Damn... you should do more of these. This is great

[@dhawkeye4439]

Agreed

[@andywoods941]

I second that

[@kodykitchin906]

I third this

[@coleallen8425]

I fourth this

[@Davx_87]

One of the purest moments in Critical role's history

[@pyrosianheir]

Vilaya's utter confusion at their antics was /great/. Also love the Sky-Mercer just DYING laughing. And pretty much everyone's reactions to the tie. Also Veth! This is the first animatic I've seen that's been after she got her real body back. Seeing her got a big smile from me.

[@spiritsauce]

This is absoulutely amazing, Vilya in the background confused, the intensity of the game with cut-in frames, Matt losing it from the clouds above, The momentum of Vilya picking up Fjord. just *chefs kiss* BYOOTIFUL!

[@ayamzyr7599]

I love the utter confusion on their faces with the "uhhh" it killed me Well done

[@ramsey6864]

“I know three-ways, that is not how you accomplish them” means a bit more from Caleb now than I thought back then

[@MelonTartVA]

Gotta love the origin graphic novels

[@waypastthenorm8629]

Veth blushing at Caleb saying he knows three ways... i caught that

[@sharemation5339]

It's strange that no one noticed. And hes been close only with Eodwolf and Astrid before meeting Nott and rest of Nein, so......

[@haley9976]

I knew Travis' "AAGGHHHH" at the end was prime animation material

[@Vavalry]

Literally every frame of Jester in this is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen

[@mr.potato2223]

0:20 The time for talk has passed the lords work must be done

[@nathanielmoss893]

Just after they tie and marisha just goes "uuhhh???" Like oh crap what now is the best thing ever

[@giraffedragon6110]

Notice how symbolic and completely unintentional how the hands thrown were? Round 1 Fjord: shears (symbolizing the sword, both his initial storyline and his rebirth) Beau: parchment (books and learning, whenever a history roll is made both Caleb and Beau make the roll and her ties to the Cobalt Soul and the knowing mistress) Yasha: boulder (was kinda thrown into the 3 way and goes with her gut feeling, even when it is processing poisonous spider meat) Round 2 Fjord: parchment (where the sword fails, charisma prevails also shows a cunning and curious nature) Beau: boulder (where she realizes the problem from before didn't work with a shred of thought, now she goes with ol reliable "pop pop") Yasha: boulder (is not deterred by a previous failure, goes with her gut again)

[@laumotan8862]

underrated comment. also, nice on the like number

[@godfreemorals]

You are a natural born tarot reader/interpreter 😊

[@AlephSharp]

@@laumotan8862 also, Fjord took everything Except boulder, aka Stone, the name hes been running from, and yet can't get away from as the other 2 pick it, both as a measure of brute force and the idea of stone itself

[@GMdelsXT9]

Damn. Good eye.

[@salamanderperson415]

@@AlephSharp And Beau took everything but shears, because she already has enough scissors in her life;)

[@theskipper7305]

Man i really like how "knightly" Fjord is. From his clothes to his hairstyle it really subverts the typical Orcish savagery stereotype. (Fjord being only half-orc nonwithstanding)

[@brendaturner6831]

Caleb: "I know three ways." Nott: *flustered cinnamon roll noises*

[@OrangeyChocolate]

I loved the little detail of Fjord’s flexing being what opens him up to being carried off by Vilya. That and her impending approach from the background.

[@JS-ul8nm]

The close-up on owl!Vilya while the audio fades just a little was a masterful touch!

[@MightyTachikoma]

Watching this in 2021 after the wrap-up for campaign 2 and Caleb's, "I know three ways and that's not how you do it." I totally didn't catch that the first time.

[@thejest69]

I love Vilya's slow fly in behind Fjord while he celebrates

[@coryeller]

Finding out that Caleb did in fact know threeways, gave me another layer of laughter after watching this again.

[@themadhatter6554]

Caleb saying he knows how 3 ways works has soo much sense behind it later on.

[@nathanthaxton7492]

"How have you all survived to level 12?" XD

[@nucleargandhi2709]

Molly climbs out of the grave to give the DM a single "fuck you".

[@Dramatic_Gaming]

@@nucleargandhi2709 Uhhhhhhh...

[@nucleargandhi2709]

@@Dramatic_Gaming lollllll

[@beeta137]

@@nucleargandhi2709 This comment aged well. =)))

[@corumhayes8178]

OMG the owl face with the question mark beside is PRICELESS!! I laughed so hard my roommates gave me a weird look!

[@AureolinLight]

The single frame of Fjord screaming as Vilya picks him up has me crying, thank you

[@enwarrior8163]

Matt wheezing and laughing in the clouds was pure gold i love it!

[@Hellz18]

I freaking love everyone’s designs and expressions. Been pausing like every frame for all of them 😁

[@gabthegreat01]

Matt laughing in the clouds! That’s what got me!

[@ryanconners3048]

I love how cute the animation of yasha is, it's so perfect for when Ashley talks somewhat out of character

[@friedrin999]

fjord's face at the end got me d y i n g

[@largefather2319]

I wondered why Matt looked so strange, and I just realized: He doesn't have his wrist band things

[@timmara3296]

0:44 “Theses are the people I’m entrusting the lives of everyone on this island to.”

[@xlogophile]

The image of Mat as a powerful entity in the sky just completely losing it at the bunch of dorks failing at rock paper scissors is just amazing xD

[@amberpdavis]

Every single second of this animatic is pure gold - from the art style, to Matt appearing in the clouds, to Veth’s mortified face when Caleb talked about three ways, to Vylia’s utter confusion - gold, pure gold

[@TriXJester]

"I know threeways, thats not how you accomplish them." Does that make the Mage Trio (A/E/C) canon?

[@NikiP7041]

That was the first question to pop into my head when I heard him say that lol

[@crazyinsider9615]

I imagine their relationship is just Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. I only know that Caleb would be Harry so you guys do the rest.

[@nesso.9944]

@@crazyinsider9615 But Harry and Hermione never got together, so I think that it's more accurate that Caleb was the Hermione of the group (Perfect memory, feline familiar, teachers pet) and Astrid was the Ron, leaving Eodwulf the Harry.

[@crazyinsider9615]

Ness O. Oh gosh. Yeah you’re right I think I just put Harry down because it wasn’t as long as Hermione. I hate my lazy butt rn. Is it Thursday yet?

[@nesso.9944]

@@crazyinsider9615 It isn't Thursday yet... (But aren't the twitch streams on Tuesday now? I'm a new critter and I'm very confused)

[@TyrateXII]

I lost it at "the time for taking is over" Best animation of 2020. 10/10

[@waffling0]

These designs are absolutely adorable, and you filled the scene with great little details that make it really fun to go back and watch it again. This is amazing, great job!!!

[@derekvanbooven7805]

A CR animatic? OwO this is great

[@wit6665]

UwU

[@zackgeldhof1206]

There are many! I highly encourage looking them up! Many talented artists!

[@On-gv4mr]

Yours is the first animation I've seen with Veth in her real body! I love the way you've drawn her, so cute!

[@asexualtrickster]

This animation is just 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌 Love it, reminiscent of anime styles like Fairy Tail and it suits the show and the characters PERFECTLY. Not to mention the details and the facial expressions on everyone (especially Matt in the clouds and Vilya as the owl) was just perfect. I hope you do more animatics like this soon!!!!

[@ittybittyrampagingcommittee]

I always think of Caleb as this cute little innocent wizard boy _and then I remember he's either flirted with and/or dated/slept with like half the people on the fucking podcast._

[@Nickle_King]

Best group of numbskulls to ever role a D20. Great animatic.

[@VanwoodVA]

Just watched this episode. Seeing these people fall so deeply into hysterical laughter that they needed to call a break was juuuust what I needed. This is an amazing animatic, Cami. Keep it up!

[@o0Avalon0o]

Omg they're drawn so beautifully!!! You're amazing!

[@phobiawitch835]

I had to pause it to appreciate Fjord’s expression when Vilya snatches him up, and now I’m dying! Linking this video to a friend because this is too good not to spread the love for!

[@hiccuphaddock971]

“That’s how it works. AAGJH!!”

[@Plot-Point-Media]

That owl is just as confused as I am 😁 Also is that how the dungeon master works? just hovering over the story?

[@SimonWolfie]

totes

[@Plot-Point-Media]

So if they were to use the holy hand grenade from Monty Python’s holy grail, would they pray to the dungeon master before they use it?

[@danielkubicek1323]

@@Plot-Point-Media Yes, but knowing them they'd count to 6 before tossing it.

[@kurskfirebrand4494]

yes. You aren't god. you tell god what to do.

[@xWinterstarex7]

Of course! If they rolled a high enough perception they'd clearly see Matt XD

[@artemisbusch8605]

It’s my favorite childhood game.

[@thesaltycat9493]

My favorite moment from this is still °Beau's utterly confused "Huh?" laugh when everything falls apart. °Or Marisha's/Both. I'm honestly not sure because everyone went a little crazy at that point. In *and* out of the game.

[@discomatter1901]

Bruh! I can't get over the art style! It's so stylish and fun with some adorable character designs! It's like seen from a manga come to life!

[@mediamixer7564]

I've watched this video so many times, how did I not noticed Veth blushing when Caleb says three ways.

[@JohannahFaythe]

OMG I CAN'T BREATHE. SEND HELP.

[@gojiratoho]

I don't know what part is my favorite, Vilya's art, the "speed lines" RPS sequence, Cloud-Matt....everything about this is so good!

[@pinkyoilers]

"the time for talking is over" Makes me lose it everytime 😂

[@meldiatsunemari2163]

This artstyle is sooooo good. Jester looks too cute

[@jadaw644]

Beau's 'Uuhhh' is what sold it for me. 😭😂

[@agooddemon713]

I love how cami's animation style is amazing and a good flow to it as well She can sing, she can draw, she has talent above all. Keep up the great work

[@jamesscott7215]

0:56 idk why but the idea of Yasha innocently coming to that conclusion is the cutest thing to me

[@aeronalto1065]

I love the way you draw Fjord - he's so cute while still being rather intimidating. His tusks poking out are just *chef's kiss*

[@Micolino9878]

Their faces are so expressive, it's amazing!

[@MisterSmith00]

I'm over-the-moon about you doing a "Critical Role" animation! ...and I think yours is the first one where I've seen Veth, so there's that, too!

[@moo9874]

Nobody gonna talk about how Caleb said "I know three ways, that's not how you accomplish them"

[@RoleitAgain]

I just love how the emotions on everyone's face fits soooooooooo well with the voices. I can't help but watch it over and over.

[@ashlardarned2540]

I absolutely adore the way you illustrated this! The expressions, the style, meme references, efficient use of frames, it's all top notch. Hope to see more critrole content!

[@Jackson-hp7rt]

Matt doing the Wheezing meme expression is a beautiful thing.

[@BeastmisterTV]

This is one of the best Rumblecusp moments! Thank you for animating it Cami!! 💛

[@portaljumper2012]

This is a *MASTERPIECE!!!* Seriously, I hope you do more like this in future!

[@brycevo]

Your God Mercer is so perfect. Absolutely amazing

[@paxtonstewart8042]

I like how this is kind of starting to become a D&D channel right around the time I’m starting to get in D&D. Now that’s what I call good timing.

[@ineffie8032]

matt’s expressions in this are pure gold, they’re priceless, im losing my mind

[@kreankorm]

1:25 freeze frame on Fjord just as Vilya scoops him. Pure. Gold.

[@jackmahoney878]

I never knew I needed Mathew Mercer wheeze by I thank you for it

[@tomkvideo]

Fjord's panicked expression is so good at 1:25

[@rogerioignaciomoya]

matt rofling from the clouds is just golden, good job

[@friedrin999]

I love the way you draw the characters [and matt]! The action shots(?) are amazing too loll