Caleb Reveals Some of His Past to the M9

[@sortaneet4387]

I always wondered why Caleb, the man who wants to keep everything secret, would always introduce himself with his “real” name while everyone else was using aliases

[@genesisfrog]

caleb: reveals some of the horrific abuse he endured at the hands of one of the empire's most powerful mages fjord: ...could we kill them?

[@trial_with_an_error9687]

I mean, could we?

[@Ms.Mayhem99]

@@trial_with_an_error9687 i mean you cant deny it sounds appealing, aaannndd with good reasoning, its not entirely out of the realm of possibility...

[@Bulk_Druson]

yes

[@nicolasachille4371]

Just don't catch him in his own tower. Never face a wizard in his own tower.

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Caduceus, 38 episodes later: "You can."

[@karnewarrior]

"I don't think a very bad person would care about being very bad." Jester is surprisingly wise sometimes.

[@TheNinjaBA]

karnewarrior she’s got a 20 wisdom she brings it out at just the right moments in her own special way

[@perezo27]

That Cleric wisdom shows

[@froggdoggs8551]

I mean, she is a cleric

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

@@froggdoggs8551 Is she though?

[@nicholas6836]

@@Zombiewithabowtie yes.

[@ChelsieGLin]

Jester: Did you die too? Sam: ... twinsies? sam stOP

[@mateakalanj3988]

several months late on this video, but I feel obligated to cheerfully remind everyone that "brennen" is german (excuse me zemnian) for "to burn"

[@boredboi3064]

*clap clap clap*

[@heidibermudez2072]

hey man what the FUCK

[@theoneandonlytardis9535]

I am German and I never realised that... oh my...

[@DTux5249]

Yeah. From someone who studies a lot of arabic and hebrew Caleb comes from "Col Lev", which means "All Heart" or a way to say "Brave"

[@stormsurge9962]

Even worse, Bren is one “n” short of the imperative form of “to burn”. Caleb’s original name is literally commanding you to burn.

[@kolosmenus]

0:45 Sam is referring to the episode 21 (I think) when they just entered the swamp and Nott introduced himself as Brenn to Cali. Liam visibly flinched and kept looking at Sam for solid 20 seconds. I'm amazed that Sam remembered this for so long.

[@DOOM8976]

Late response, but this is the man that made a plan to make Vex look like a witch over the course of 68 episodes.

[@Thagesthoughts]

Sam is insanely detail-oriented when he wants to be. As both Nott and Scanlon he's brought things up, as DOOM mentioned, dozens of episodes and tens of dozens of hours of game time later.

[@jeramiahholland8199]

@@Thagesthoughts It is Episode 21 and it's 28:29 into it.

[@carlotta4th]

He does it a few times during that episode, actually. Both the guest and Yasha say "Bren" loudly while they're traveling in the swamp and Caleb winces quietly each time.

[@CuriousLumenwood]

I love everyone's reactions to Caleb revealing his name, even Matt's. The look of surprise on everyone's face at 0:31 and Matt's "Yup" face followed by the swig from his mug is so good

[@ForeverDegenerate]

Matt's reaction was more of a, "Oh SHIT! He's going THERE?! Well ok then..."

[@MisterFister612]

Liam Knows how to right Tragic Characters and Play the Role. Hell even before Critical Role he played The Best Sympathetic Characters. Asura, Garra, Dr. Tenma, Kariya Matuo, War, Kain Highwind. This Man IS the Voice of the Tragic Badass

[@AnInkStick]

Akihiko from persona

[@kolosmenus]

Illidan

[@Squeekysquid]

@@kolosmenus My favorite character from that entire universe. Not that anyone cares to know.

[@FlareStriker]

While I can't say the character is a tragic badass, I imagine Liam got a bit of practice playing the quiet bookish type when he voiced Vayne Aurelius in Mana Khemia.

[@modalsoul5040]

Man, he has been one of my favourite voice actors since I heard his scream of rage as Asura. Shivers everytime.

[@SniperkingSogeking04]

Their expressions when Liam says Caleb's old name is just amazing. You can see the shock and realization dawning with each word he says. Brilliant players and brilliant characters too!

[@riley7288]

and matts smug/surprised smile like "I knew this was gonna happen but I didn't think its be so soon"

[@swordude40]

I can't stop crying when Beau puts her hand on Caleb's shoulder five seconds into this video so I've been crying for a while

[@swordude40]

1:11 oh god

[@eldritchwizardkeawe8850]

@@swordude40 heartwrenching

[@Thagesthoughts]

Beau's come far since episode 1. She knows what kind of old wounds Caleb's reopening here and she only barely hesitates (more out of inexperience than indifference/lack of desire) to comfort him.

[@froggdoggs8551]

“I start to unwrap my arms” *“Like the skin???!!”*

[@callmev3531]

6:39, not just a trauma survivor. But an abuse survivor. It’s his character and Yashas that made me create my own. Thank you so much Ashley and Liam for being so awesome.

[@dragonrider1817]

HelpfulVader99 Yeah, I have a halfling Rogue/shadow monk (and eventually a warlock) who in hindsight was a lot like Vax and I got a compliment from my DM for my backstory. She had a twin brother who died because of her decisions to betray a thieves guild and ran away for her own safety as her backstory. In campaign, she ran into a bunch of hexblades who all worked with the Raven Queen and signed the pact, eventually fighting off a vampire king. I didn’t notice until after that campaign ended how similar they were.

[@dragonrider1817]

And my current character is an Aasimar divine soul sorcerer who was a slave for the first part of her adult life, which was inspired by both Yasha and Caleb.

[@swagpotato720]

Ya know what always guts me? How Caleb _laughs_ when he talks about his madness. He’s obviously so uncomfortable and ashamed of it.

[@ladybuglore]

it's fascinating to look at what caleb decided to share with what people... sharing his "real" name here, when he didn't tell beau and nott that, while keeping the info about his parents quiet in this moment. i'm wondering if the full story will ever REALLY come out, and how much we still don't know about him!!

[@darkhorseash4337]

To be fair, they asked different things. Beau asked why he was afraid of fire. She didn't ask for his entire backstory.

[@TheJollyRamRancher]

I know that shipping fjester is super popular, but caleb refusing to say yes or no to jesters "are you secretly in love with me?" made me so happy

[@poppyonline4034]

Dreganastra00 psst. It was revealed on a Talks that Caleb is secretly in love with Jester.

[@waypastthenorm8629]

After the talks episode where Liam admitted that caleb was in love with jester almost the whole time, it really makes you think. I wonder if he told Laura about it out of game so she asked this to mess with him.

[@noeljesper9825]

@@waypastthenorm8629 I think that is exactly why she did it. She knows how to tease that romance.

[@dragonwithsword841]

lauras reaction to calebs real name is such a mood

[@remnantryku7112]

Beau: I know your story. Caleb: Oh, by the way, my real name is Bren. Beau: *Shocked twice.*

[@Sam-on5jf]

fjord has the same energy I would expect Toph and sokka to have if they found out about zukos scar can we kill them?

[@bookb1tch837]

True dat

[@SharkyShocker]

Looking at this really makes me think that out of all of the Might Nein... Caleb cares about the others the most.

[@thegingershow7384]

I'm hoping i wasnt the only one who notice the almost perfectly timed sound and shift in musical tone after the statement in 1:21. Gave me the shivers

[@bankcolgate2155]

Went searching for this moment so I could re-live that “I don’t believe in anything now.” And my GOD is it still one of my favorite character moments in the whole damn series.

[@arhalts]

same, going through a few moments after some of the songs from the era popped up on my feed (tragedy of widogast sinner among saints , no regrestss etc) I am going through a few of the highlights. Hit up Veth saying she is calbes parent in the early episodes then Caleb telling Nott and Beau, how he killed his parents. Then Nott telling her backstory right before this scene and now this scene.

[@vaulted4677]

Caleb is legitimately B.A.E.

[@Geth-Who]

6:30 Caleb's look of 'Oh, not NOW, don't make THAT hurt TOO-'

[@annsh.6487]

he's _such_ a good actor that this is legitimately painful

[@emilyh8975]

Jester trying to insert some humour so caleb (OH GOD BRENN) feels better. Broke my heart. They all break my heart. I love them.

[@ellabellav5939]

Travis reactions to Caleb lore are the best imo

[@BadWolf739]

Nott: "So I think we'll be hiding yet?" Molly: "Or we could get high on mushrooms and go wandering around cemeteries."

[@jonathansims967]

god i miss him

[@dariussummuns6753]

The look when she's asks if he loves her lol

[@AntienStormblessed]

I love how Elven Dirge - I lament is basically Matt’s choice for Liam’s leitmotif in Critical Role. Notice how much it plays when Liam’s characters have a heavy moment?

[@matotry]

(Dramatic heavy moment of truth and disgusting sadness) Jester: “Are you secretly in love with me?”

[@liongus]

I feel like if you are to study microexpressions you'd do a lot worse than seeing Sam when Caleb tells his real name. Is incredibly subtle but his eyes widen the tiniest bit and he perks up his head just a little bit in shock

[@apadgitt1799]

Oh god.. 7:15 as Nott realizes what Caleb was put through.. you know Sam took Liam out to drink after this to make sure he was alright

[@NurseCait]

Really? How did you know that?

[@Juanelo000001]

@@NurseCait Because they are Liam and Sam. And they care way too much abot each other and we love them for it.

[@cleoking6312]

6:10 seeing Matt smile seeing his group of vagabonds and survivors get close is so wholesome

[@birdbones7869]

Spoilers Tal- I woke up in a coffin I don’t know what my backstory is. Travis- I wanna use a fake voice. Liam- I wanna use a fake name. Sam- I wanna use a fake name also! Oh and I wanna be a goblin who was a gnome who was murdered and turned into a goblin as a curse. Matt- O__O

[@SoyDrinker]

Jester is also a fake name, and Nott is a halfling, not a gnome.

[@adamfitzpatrick2366]

@@SoyDrinker well, Jester is a nickname, but it's by no means to conceal her identity. Even her mom calls her 'Jester'

[@AdventurersAlmanac]

Jester isn't a fake name or a nickname, it's her tiefling Virtue Name. Her birth name is Genevieve.

[@melonball9927]

tears? in my eyes? its more likely than you'd think

[@waypastthenorm8629]

"I dont think our actions define who we are all the time. Good people do bad things sometimes, even bad people do good things... I think you're a good person" Easily my favorite Jester line in the whole campaign so far

[@holyheals]

Ok I actually love Beau here. When I think back on her and Caleb’s initial interactions and watching this the Bond that they share now is nice.

[@Kadel___]

@holyheals Especially after watching the solstice oneshot. How far they both have come from arguing and getting on each other's nerves to working together to better the Empire and being there for each other no matter what circumstance. The final battle with Trent proves it.

[@schizophrenictortoise7656]

Caleb's original initials are BAE. I feel it.

[@fionapeterson-quinn885]

SPOILERS 6:27 What's funny is that HE SUPER IS.

[@ElectricEric]

The stricken look on his face when Jester says "Are you secretly in love with me?" and everyone else is laughing is heartbreaking. I know that he is just being in character, but damn....

[@andrewaddison777]

You know what is interesting watching this again. I think Caleb is mostly looking at Jester during this reveal. Like he is trying to gauge how she is feeling and perhaps wondering if she could take the while truth at this moment. It is kinda sweet after hearing Liams reveal on Talks.

[@tarensGambit]

THE WAY THEY REACT TO HIS NAME I ACTUALLY CRIED

[@musicangel100]

Jester: Are you secretly in love with me? Caleb: **sad silence** Welp... I guess we can answer that question now….

[@tarensGambit]

7:15 *"Take them out!"*

[@grahamkristensen9301]

"Are you secretly in love with me?" Jester, EVERYONE is in love with you!

[@VenhedisKaffas]

Anyone else really hoping Caleb will actually run into Trent some time in the campaign? I mean, I think it is very likely that he will have to face Trent at some point and it makes me excited. It sounds very interesting to see them interact for real.

[@Zach-cn4lb]

Chayenne Oosterveld ha

[@apadgitt1799]

This aged well

[@SoyDrinker]

@@apadgitt1799 cringe

[@WritingNomad-PL]

@@SoyDrinker no u

[@heyitslaneyy]

post ep109 gang uh oh

[@jamman9569]

"Are you secretly in love with me?" That aged well.

[@norsethenomad5978]

6:28 This aged excellently

[@legallytired110]

When our campaign gets targeted by someone we're like 'let's just kill em all'

[@OffbeatWorlds]

The crystals embedded in the skin thing that Caleb talks about reminds me of that VIXX music video that got banned in Korea because it was super graphic.

[@Nickidymion]

Offbeatworlds Same though! I see, you are a person of culture as well :D

[@zangor3005]

Jester: Are you secretly in love with me? ~50 episodes later Liam: Caleb is secretly in love with Jester

[@MrPtrlix]

Travis's look at 7:24. His reactions are always amazing.

[@KaidasLibrary]

Right in the feels

[@faeriedragon348]

have you thought about making a compilation of all the times beau has supported Caleb?

[@dragonwithsword841]

oh my god, yes

[@DraconicHero]

I've been watching these clips for old memories and then i realized. Bryn's full name initials is totally Bae and with Caleb being so strongly associated with fire, this makes him a Hot Bae.... I will burn for these jokes. idc lol

[@TheThreeHeadedDragon]

"Bren" means "burn," "Aldric" means "wise ruler," and "Ermendrud" means "universal strength." His name was definitely crafted very particularly. That was his future if he remained with the Cerberus Assembly instead of breaking.

[@JnEricsonx]

One more reason Liam knocked it out the fucking PARK. And I met him when I was only up to ep 35.

[@TaRatTinCan]

6:27 when a player mentally rolls a nat20 on the Insight and does not realize it

[@lockelamora8099]

I'm not sure which is better: this or the original reveal in episode 18.

[@ashclaire3244]

This is horrifically sad but I nearly choked trying not to laugh at 6:53

[@KindaKaylaHQ]

Okay but why is no one pointing out Matt's face when it's revealed 😂

[@matotry]

This series has so many highs and so many lows. But it’s absolutely wonderful 🙂

[@aaagrey6323]

A Game of Names

[@samtheactualkenku6205]

I just noticed this but Bren Aldrich Ermundrud as initials spells BAE. I have to ask why it took me so long to notice..... If I have earned any ire for this revelation, allow me to say that I have earned it and it is currently sustaining my very existence. With that said, thank you for the food.

[@medeaworbs6970]

Waitaminutewaitaminutewaitaminute... does Liam know German, like did he learn it in school or something? Because I noticed that he is incredibly Good at pronounciation and stuff, he's very good at German... I'm confused... can someone clear it up for me?

[@n.b.4409]

I don't remember which episode it was, but Liam once said after a german sentence, that his german teacher from high school is hopefully very proud of him or something like that.

[@monomoonchild8066]

For a good few years, he played German characters, such as Red Skull and Nightcrawler. I don't believe he speaks fluent German, but he knows a bit.

[@skylerthompson8046]

He can speak German, yes

[@einwildesrehchen3862]

He studied it for three years in High school and I believe he lived in Germany for a year (I'm not sure could also have been just a summer) for an exchange. mobile.twitter.com/voiceofobrien/status/1017487858188288001?lang=de

[@709mash]

Kind of reminds me of the Lodge of Sorceress'.

[@deathgodfire]

"Are you secretly in love with me" .... hit the nail on the head

[@ocsartobi6844]

6:26 Jester is psychic.

[@73crows]

Jester’s “are you secretly in love with me?” Hits differently now

[@ellerycampbell2194]

Guys I thought the thumbnail of this video had a pair of cat ears photoshopped into Laura’s torso I need sleep or smth

[@BaldursPicketFence]

"Are you secretly in love with me?" LOL!!

[@Yellow_Beanie]

Jester: are you secretly in love with me? Caleb/Liam: technically yes, but not the time Jester 😅😅

[@dragonhe4rted]

His initials are BAE uwu

[@fourscompany1]

He was groomed

[@chancellorally8766]

Came back here to cry cus of...well you have to be caught up

[@Cosmic_K13]

Just did some research: So if Nott's goal is to get Caleb to the level of power in which he could change her back to what she was, Caleb would either have to multiclass into a druid for 9 levels, Matt's gonna have to pull something out of left field, or my favorite option, They could pay a visit to Nila. The last one is assuming Matt scales the secondary characters up to the mighty nein.

[@bookworm3696]

True polymorph is a wizard spell.

[@willh9656]

What is the background music?

[@PsPmoddedOUT]

Witcher 3 ost

[@Linkolnverse]

Calebs real names initials spell BAE?

[@toottootgoesthegamer8217]

1:21 does anyone know the song used for this moment?

[@Drolomath66]

@ 7:16 insert Crystal gems theme song

[@TunerFall121]

Nice

[@Wavorn100]

Did I miss a show? Was there one last week?

[@AlvaNylund]

Wavorn Snowber There was one last week, but this is from Game of Names

[@MehNamesKing]

This was in ep 49

[@salmonhauser7803]

First.

[@miller31994]

1st comment

[@SoyDrinker]

Your name.... was..... Wet ass p word......... it was........... My name.... was.... Wet ass p-word.....