Critical Role: Scanlan's Letter to Pike Read by Sam Riegel

[@maximumdm9612]

Freaking of course he was 69 years old

[@garrettcarter5622]

nice.

[@noghost7195]

@Garrett Carter nice

[@Molscheira]

Nice

[@Tsequiri]

please somebody like this comment jut one more time

[@Molscheira]

I forgot so thank you for responding and giving me the *pleasure* to like it one more time 😉

[@azurebalmung4520]

Keep in mind, this letter was written by the same character who tried to butt-chug cinnamon dust and shot lighting from his genitals.

[@oddfreaks6452]

Who better to write such a lovely letter?

[@Densetsu321]

I dont incapacitate myself with laughter very often, thank you sir. ButtChugCinnamonDust is my next xbox handle.

[@scarlightemperor3410]

And a guy who died in his own piss and with a bad joke

[@Reblwitoutacause]

Best character, & maybe best character arc, ever

[@vibette970]

And we wouldn’t want it any other way! 😂

[@deltablaze77]

I love that Sam's own writing nearly moved him to tears lol

[@monosito59]

Like a true bard lol

[@ethancarter1463]

Scanlan irl

[@wuftchan8299]

all good writers works do

[@SocialistSadako]

i loved it when he started tearing up... sam's writing really is incredible

[@scarlightemperor3410]

Nice!

[@blindoutlaw]

Sam’s wife glares at him after hearing the letter “Where’s my letter, Sam?!”

[@SPACEHARICE]

he seems like a dude who would write these all the time

[@doctorofrecreation]

I’m sure this is a sampling of what his wife gets on the reg.

[@Logan_Baron]

Yeah, It's been confirmed that Scanlan is pretty much a young Sam, and Q was the Pike that tamed him. I'm sure she's not feeling neglected.

[@KeizerSosebee]

@@Logan_Baron yeah but Scanlan is 69 years old

[@SocialistSadako]

Have you watched Quyen's and Sam's Behind the Sheets interviews? Pretty much this is exactly how he treats his wife. Seriously their love story sounds like a freaking Hollywood movie.

[@nathanjohnson1853]

Holy shit, this makes so much sense. I just got done watching the Between the Sheets episode with Sam's wife, and their stories are almost the exact same. Sam was a popular womanizer in an a capella group in college and befriended a very traditionally-raised Catholic girl who was afraid of losing him as a friend. He knew he wanted to be with her forever, but had to make sacrifices and change his attitude. That makes it even sweeter, as I can totally see Sam writing this exact letter to his wife.

[@malochy2473]

What episode of BTS is that? Can you post a link?

[@cujoson1150]

@@malochy2473 I think this was just talked about about in Sam's episode. Might've mispoken?

[@Cobalt163]

@Malachi Drenthe @Cujoson It was talked about in both Sam and Quyen’s episodes of BTS. You’d have to listen to both of the segments of their eps where Brian asks them how they first met each other to get the full story

[@jonathanjameson5050]

You need to have serious game to be both a womanizer and in a Cappella group.

[@capybaraadrift8726]

@Jonathan Jameson Untrue. Ask any band geek. The music dorks get laid more than any other kids in school. (So many long trips and dark practice rooms.)

[@peteralexandergraae2830]

"For does the sun stop rising when the clouds blot it out...?" -Scanlan Shortholt "You dont expect a sunset to admire you back" -Dr. River Song

[@shaneflores5657]

I have to think Sam writes really sweet notes to his wife and leaves them around for her now.

[@kyleway8513]

Tfw youre married but still roll a nat 20 to seduce Ashley

[@BasilOnatopp]

RIP Brian Wayne Foster.

[@LacSperiat]

​@@BasilOnatoppthis aged well

[@BasilOnatopp]

@@LacSperiat Damn.

[@NewscorpPhoneHackingDepartment]

@@LacSperiatcould still age better 🤞😶

[@picklesthewise]

I love Sam breaking in the middle of his own letter to say "Jesus, this is good!" 🤣 But seriously, it is. So much work went into this RP and I'm glad it gets to be appreciated.

[@TaakosGoodOutHere]

I love how even Sam was like 'Oh shit this was actually good?!'

[@refboarder8]

Teach her to be everything, her father was Nott lol

[@bbd121]

Damnit, I just got it. Good catch.

[@mistamemewide]

“Want to use my crossbow? My Twelve Year old can use it!”

[@wuftchan8299]

i really need to watch the whole series whos nott

[@DrTenochtitlan]

@@wuftchan8299 Nott is the character Sam plays in Campaign 2.

[@toribiogubert7729]

@@mistamemewide did you mean 4 years old? 🤣🤣🤣

[@zacharybrown3342]

This is fantastic and so moving, god I wish I had the time to sit down and actually watch campaign one.

[@sodawax3457]

It is well worth it :-)

[@purtyboi4901]

I did it over the course of like a year and a half. Caught up a little after campaign 2 started. Highly recommend

[@wisdomfeeteverywhere4389]

podcast thats what i did sitting down to watch it is hard listening to this instead of music when travelling is great

[@Ggollly]

If you do decide to watch, may i suggest watching on 1.5x speed, then when combat breaks out bumping to 2x speed. You will miss nothing and cut dozens of hours off of the time you need to watch/listen.

[@rallozarx4215]

@@Ggollly Yes! This. I just got to episode 51 of C2, but higher speeds let me get through all of C1 in only 9 months!

[@XenQ7]

Well cut. I clicked just thinking it was the clip

[@sodawax3457]

Thank you so much...as soon as I saw him read it I just wanted to see her read it again..this is the first CR video I made..and it was just because i wanted to see it :) glad you enjoyed it :)

[@SocialistSadako]

@@sodawax3457 Yess great job with the editing!! I totally teared up

[@veecii465]

the background edit is phenomenal I’m crying

[@sodawax3457]

Thank You :-) glad you liked it

[@EnigmaticBroffalo]

No one tries as hard to roleplay as Sam, he puts the absolute most effort into everything he does! I love the cast, but he is in a whole other league!

[@FrostyTheSnowPickle]

...Travis Willingham.

[@Steelrat1994]

@@FrostyTheSnowPickle dunno, I've caught up on campaign 2, only started watching campaign one and so far I get the feeling that Fjord is so much incredibly boring compared to Grog.

[@gusg6197]

@@Steelrat1994 Fjord isn’t as exciting sure... but that’s because he doesn’t constantly do stupid stuff. Fjord is a fucking amazing character. Just because he doesn’t have such obvious struggles as Grog did (rage suppression, fighting stupid urges) doesn’t mean he isn’t a well developed, well roleplay ed character. Fjord’s struggles are a lot more low key and specific than most of the Campaign 1 and Campaign 2 character struggles, so not everyone gets it-and some assume he’s sort of boring and shallow. Fjord’s struggles are with his identity as a man and what that means. You’ll notice that Fjord was for a long time in the campaign looking for male role models, even though he was an adult by then. He still longed for a father figure to build his manhood around. What he found instead (and this is the truly amazing part) were feminine role models: Jester, Beau, the Wild Mother. The conversation with the minotaur smith in the drow city is more important than a lot of people give it credit for. Fjord was at first intimidated by this giant minotaur who seemed to embody the idea of masculinity (yeah it’s just an idea), and so he tried playing up his own masculinity in a toxic way, being an asshole. He then went to talk to the minotaur and apologize, learning an important lesson. He didn’t have to shape his identity around trying to be someone like that minotaur (i’m sorry i’ve forgotten his name). He could be whoever he wanted. In doing this, he embraced the parts of his nature that are generally perceived as more feminine (again, there’s not really such a thing as a truly feminine trait-it’s a social construct and any traits viewed as feminine are the result of the assumption of a gendered identity within societal structures). So yeah, it’s a more eclectic character than a lot of people will understand and sympathize with. It starts by excluding half the population via its core question or struggle, and continues to exclude members of the remaining half of the population by being shockingly introspective.

[@Steelrat1994]

@@gusg6197 ye, I'm not saying Fjord is a bad character. He would make a fine character for a serious book. Grog would be an utter disaster as a main character of a serious book. I just mean that as a dnd character he doesn't show much. He mostly hangs back observing the stuff others do. For me, being a problem solver and an instigator kind of player, he just doesn't do much in game.

[@SocialistSadako]

@@Steelrat1994 Yeah, agreed. I come from C2 where Fjord is one of my least favorite characters and it was striking how much more fun and likable Grog is as a character. Meanwhile with Sam Riegel, every time I watch him it's like "OMG I LOVE YOU, *YOU* ARE MY FAVORITE CHARACTER EVER" and then I see him with a different character and feel the exact same way lmao

[@dianasandres]

Bro that shit made me cry man like damn that letter was just so well written

[@SocialistSadako]

Sam is an incredible writer.... it was SO in-character for Scanlan to write too

[@tycol322]

Ashley's even back there on the tv starting to look a tad emotional hearing it again

[@FamiliarEvils]

performance check natural 20

[@lucianosgonzalez3561]

I love that little moment where we all remember that this originally was a Pathfinder campaign. For those who don’t know, Sarenrae is a goddess in Pathfinder and this was apparently a pathfinder campaign pre-stream.

[@BasilOnatopp]

Yeah, Matt talked about it being Pathfinder in one of the first couple of episodes. I think it was the very first. He was basically saying they had to kind of figure some stuff out on account of the change.

[@SPACEHARICE]

yeah and bards aren't as great in pathfinder but very open booked in 5e

[@theredeft5319]

@@SPACEHARICE I dunno man. We had a bard through most of the way in rise of the runelords who was amazing at buffing. Sadly we lost him to a plane shift prismatic spray. Same thing happened to my own character not but 2 sessions later.

[@cpt.awesome7281]

@@theredeft5319 PF bards are alright at buffing but 5e bards, for the price of being *somewhat* worse on buffing, gain potential combat/crowd control abilities that rival clerics.

[@SolonarTM]

I’m sure that explains the gunslinger, I wonder if there is some knife thrower rogue subclass to explain why vax has such a penchant for throwing his daggers

[@pseudopanda5567]

Kudos for lining up the narration with Ashley's reading of (and reaction to) the letter. That look between Sam and Ashley at 2:52 means so much more knowing the context behind it

[@tyra_p808]

1:44 “Jesus this is good” he said as if he didn’t write it himself 😆✨ so cute

[@OffbeatWorlds]

Aww this made me tear up. Such a sweet letter.

[@jakeholmes9296]

Was really nice to see the reading combined with Pike reading it in game.

[@kingskelett6265]

This is Scanlan. To the outside he is flamboyant and flashy. But when it counts he doesn't joke around (much). He is there for his family, both in Kaeli and Vox Machina. What a gnome.

[@Phiro00]

"he is there for (...) vox machina" i just finished episode 85 of the 1st campaign and *ooooh boi*

[@kingskelett6265]

@@Phiro00 yeah that was... an episode. I mean I can understand both sides, and lets be clear both sides have their fair share of faults and failures. But Scanlan never said that he never return. (also I liked the way the argument was acted out and that immediately afterwards, there were hugs)

[@Spider.Matt.]

But what is his mother’s name?

[@nicolasachille4371]

@@Spider.Matt. juniper

[@zepwolfx]

Pikelan best ship!

[@rowanm1111]

Oh disgusting im gonna cry

[@omegagilgamesh]

Scanlan truly is the class clown, the guy who fills his life with fun, adventure, laughter, debauchery, and attention because these ephemeral pleasures are the only things that, even if for a few brief moments, distract him from how empty he really feels. Seeing how meeting Kaylie made him realize all this, and force him to confront himself and see himself honestly and desire to change, Matthew Mercer is a fucking genius!

[@vagabond1920]

THIS LETTER BETTER COME UP IN LOVM WHEN IT COMES OUT ON AMAZON!! (at some eventual point, obviously)

[@IceMetalPunk]

I really hope the show goes on long enough to get things like this letter and Scanlan's Lament.

[@AlasdairGR]

@@IceMetalPunk If we get Percy's and Kerrek's letters in Season 2, then we are definitely getting this one before the show ends.

[@isaacstevens1912]

Thank you so much for editing in the context of the in-campaign conversation about it, so good

[@sodawax3457]

This was my first ever video and I just made it because I really wanted to see it. I'm so glad you enjoy it too :-)

[@1utube01]

Campaign 1 was so good.

[@KoNekoNoUta]

love C1 so much.

[@SPACEHARICE]

sam honestly grew to be my favorite originally it was laura because she was in many games I played

[@SocialistSadako]

Sam has a charisma stat of 30 I swear to god. He just wins everyone over

[@Kay-pu9pu]

I came back to this because I finally just finished C1 Ep 115 and could watch this, and now I'm sobbing once more because of Sam fucking Riegel!

[@sodawax3457]

Sam fucking Riegel! Also sending hugs!

[@takana5927]

So romantic.

[@DETH19952]

I honestly haven't seen all that much of campaign 1. I was here when it began but I just suck at watching things, but honestly when I think about it- so much of the best things that ever came form campaign 1 was through Scanlan. I actually kinda hated him as a character but the more real moments I've seen where he isn't just the token horny bard are just incredible. Sam has such a way of making you despise his character while also loving every bit of them. That's talent

[@EGV88]

Sam nearly crying is the cutest thing ever!

[@jackwriter1908]

Sam is right... That is GOOD.

[@thenobledoinkster2952]

Jesus this is good- Sam, on his own writing

[@clobojojo]

I’m crying, you can’t stop me from crying. I’m too empathetic when Sam said he almost cried that’s when the flood gates happened!

[@katchupmachined1914]

I know Sam always tries being the clown of the group but man can write.

[@ispeakmovie]

AWWWWWWWW!!!! THIS IS SO SWEET

[@JackJester21]

That was freaking beautiful

[@pyrosianheir]

God-damn, Sam! Well played!

[@Kazatron10000]

Vaxleth and vexahlia who I only know pike and scanlan

[@pebblepabble554]

pike x scanlan forever

[@lizzuuu3831]

I was having a moment watching these two, until my eardrums were assaulted by food takeout ads, forgetting I had turned the volume up to hear the letter. XD

[@scepta101]

I hope some version of this makes it into tLoVM

[@arthaiser]

sam wrote that letter without even knowing if the audience would ever see it. that was for ashley and ashley alone. that is commitment as a player to a dnd game. i have been thinking about who is the best dnd player in cr, and i know that sam is not the best at everything, like for example, marisha is the best at paying attentions and taking notes by a lot, and liam has probably the best rules knowledge of all the players, and... but overall, the best player, it has to be sam. is interesting because he is probably the less "nerd" of the bunch, but is like his whole life was secretly preparing him to be a dnd player without him even knowing it

[@Espinozaize]

Do anyone know why Pikes hair changed from black to blonde? Is there a story behind that?

[@D3adlyL0v3]

Raven Dodger i believe they had mentioned it on a talks before. i think i remember matt saying something about it changing after her death.

[@Espinozaize]

@@D3adlyL0v3 Ok thanks

[@darkroselight3835]

She died and was brought back to life. It was a side effect.

[@jonnytheai1401]

Originally Pike had black hair, but in the first official artworks she was (accidently) drawn as blonde. Because of that they retroactively made it a side effect of her first resurrection pre stream

[@GeeGe.]

@@jonnytheai1401 Shouldn't photoshopping her hair color to whatever they want be reasonably easy to do? Sounds a bit weird to me

[@AlasdairGR]

2:15 I did not consent to being stabbed in the heart like that! 😭

[@Ishanah]

I am sorry... but HOW can this two be divorced and HOW can this be FUCKING CANON? REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@DarthSinistris]

Trike pickfoot.

[@FrostyTheSnowPickle]

Shanlan Scorthalt Strog Grongjaw Ex’vahlia Ax’vildan Leyketh Frercival Pedrickstein mon Vusel Dossowski Le Rolo III

[@bmusic4213]

Sord Fjone Leauregard Bionett Waleb Cidogast Ermren Bric Aldrendrud Brott the Nave Breth Venatto Lester Javorre Nasha Yydoorin Tollymauk Mealeaf Claduceus Cay

[@ShawnLevasseur]

And, of course, Mett Marcer., the Mageon Dunster

[@Insert_Screename_Here]

Who would have thought Sam could bring grown men to tears.

[@jakisz]

Wow, that was the letter. Damn, gnome knows his way with a pen.

[@0saintclark0]

...damn, Marisha looks good in that dress.

[@bensteffens8063]

😭

[@shanehudson3995]

And then season 3 happened.

[@cheesenbaconpie7667]

To think that I thought the vow was a vow of celibacy.

[@wuftchan8299]

That is what women want- howd pike not fall for him, those paladin vows most be strong

[@alexanderbyrne9684]

Cleric

[@wuftchan8299]

@@alexanderbyrne9684 shes not a cleric? howd she get the prof bonus's to heavy plate and such then

[@alexanderbyrne9684]

@@wuftchan8299 she is a cleric. Not a paladin. Specifically a War Cleric

[@maxinesenior596]

@@wuftchan8299 Clerics get those from their subclasses. And surely both Clerics and Paladins have vows so what does it matter. And she did fall for him, she tried to get close but he pushed her away

[@wuftchan8299]

@@maxinesenior596 he pushed everyone away for good reason, and that was the point of the joke you ninny XD

[@anadresch1668]

👌👌👌

[@benyblancofrbx]

How can you deny anything to that man after that?? But she did..😔 until then end..😅👌

[@tigara1290]

Well they got married in the end so it worked out

[@maxinesenior596]

She didn't, actually. She tried to get close to him after reading the letter and Scanlan pushed her away, because he'd already given up on her.

[@Mister_Mag00]

lol age confirmed: 69

[@SocialistSadako]

You know, this letter is super sweet and I love it and all......... but dang is Sybil chopped liver or something hahahaaha xDD

[@maxinesenior596]

Basically. She's dead in the ground. And Scanlan's words are less saying "Kaylie needs to have a mother she never had one" and more "I confused what I was feeling for Pike as "I want to make babies with you" instead of "I want you to take care of Kaylie in my place"" It's meant with no ill will to sybil.

[@hunter559]

They get a divorce. It is canon

[@sodawax3457]

I know. I'm happy for them 😊

[@EsquilaxM]

Oh, was that in Dalen's Closet?

[@sodawax3457]

@@EsquilaxM it's in the new Taldori book

[@catnisseverdeen]

A divorce but they remain best friends

[@shangc2781]

@@catnisseverdeen and with benefits