Episode Twenty | 4-Sided Dive | Episode 20: Discussing Up To C3E82

It's the first 4-Sided Dive episode of 2024! Join Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, and our host Abubakar Salim as they discuss powerful fire shards, relationship updates, chaotic trust exercises, and other Bells Hells Shenanigans!
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#CriticalRole #4SD #BellsHells

[@j0kerclash289]

This is the same energy as when you're at school, and the class manages to get the teacher talking about their interests, and you egg them on because the more they talk about their own life, the less work you need to do in your lesson.

[@consolescrub4031]

Point of clarification but who exactly is the teacher here in this situation?

[@j0kerclash289]

@@consolescrub4031 Host is the teacher, he wants to move on and stay on schedule, but they keep drawing him back into personal anecdotes.

[@consolescrub4031]

@@j0kerclash289 Oh, I see. I feel like both he and Dani got sidetracked as much as the rest of the cast with all the tangents they went on like pinball and Sci-fi vs Fantasy.

[@DavidSmashGames]

Had a highschool teacher like this he was amazing and lead a really colorful life from being on drugs and stabbed in the neck, to a firefighter in Alaska, a lawyer and finally an economics teacher with a huge mural of Belize on his classroom wall

[@kelseywaddill9096]

This is so accurate hahaha

[@Blue_Lunacy]

Travis was in the live chat. When they were talking about Chet's backstory, he typed in something along the line of, I'm gonna hunt them and take them all out. 😅

[@oldfrend]

wait is 4SD streamed live and not pre-recorded like C3?

[@elsaandersson1652]

@@oldfrend no its recorded and then "live" streamed on twitch. And i guess Travis joined the chat. Sam also joins the chats sometimes on the normal c3 episodes

[@ultrabigfella]

The fact that he hasn't brought them up until now really makes me think they were a recent addition to his backstory, similar to how Sam adds more to his backstory as they play, and I'm not sure if Travis even knows what he'll do with them.

[@Blue_Lunacy]

@@ultrabigfella Travis did say that he finally fleshed out more of his backstory when the party split and he realized he was in Uthodurn. But we also knew that the casts will sent Matt their backstory and consult with him during the campaign. I guess we might know for certain if the question came up in 4SD or end of campaign wrap up discussion.

[@transistorchip3132]

What was it in response to?

[@MidnightArticuno]

It's so interesting that Ashley characterizes Fearne as a weird homeschool kid. I've always kind of pictured her as Alice if she grew up in Wonderland. She goes home to these impossible cricket mallet creatures talking to her and the Red Queen is her grandmother, and the mortal plane is like "well this just doesn't make any sense, it's absurd" about something sensible like tea time.

[@kendalldesouza4595]

when you think about it though even though her everyday world is fantastical Morri had to keep her sheltered her entire life so she has probably experienced way more of the mortal plane than she ever did the feywild

[@lyntoncollins2758]

Ashley would have been home schooled personally, yes? Being a child actor?

[@snuffles504]

​@@lyntoncollins2758 yeah she said in this episode that she was home schooled through high school.

[@leggo0116]

Absolutely love that idea

[@xelacremant7396]

I know it's been some time now, but having Ashley back full time is just SO GOOD. I love how unhinged Fearne is, I love how her brand of chaos affects the group. It's my bread and butter, I love it. And I'm french, I don't kid when it comes to bread and butter!

[@emmabeckett6451]

You are absolutely correct!!

[@icepagey7351]

I wondered with what she said about how she didn’t want the shard if it partly comes back to her no seeing herself maybe as a “main character” fearne is amazing, but both Pike and Yasha were always in and out cause of her schedule. I wonder if part of her still is almost not wanting that consistent attention because that is not what she’s used to

[@xelacremant7396]

I'm not worried about that. Even if that is the case, I'm sure the rest of the cast let her know she deserves at least as much time in the spotlight as anyone. And if that's not enough, by the time Campaign 4 starts, the critters will have let her know how much they value her participation and how much they want to see her shine. I know I do

[@MissYoonyul]

H5 de frenchy critters

[@xelacremant7396]

@@MissYoonyul

[@blaz2892]

Chetney's deal with Morri is basically exactly what Vespin Chloras asked of Asmodeus in EXU. Travis almost definitely knows what a bad idea Chetney's deal was.

[@toney001]

I feel like at this point Travis just wants Chetney to die and be free from it. You can tell he thought it was funny to play a meme character but didn't expect it'd last this long.

[@absurdus7945]

@@toney001I disagree even though I do think chetney is a joke character I believe that he has a bit too much detail within his backstory for him to be ready to kill him off Travis is just the push the red button player I think he just wanted something new fun and interesting like making a deal with a fey entity

[@aliad1]

@@absurdus7945 I cant say i feel like we got a lot of chets backstory tbh, i do think travis enjoys him tho

[@absurdus7945]

@@aliad1 That’s the thing he’s holding BACK but we have gotten ALOT from chetneys backstory We know where he went to school for We know what he wants We know he had or has family We know he had a business partner We know his lovers and met one of them We know The Who what and where of his character But I feel like there’s like one more BIG things he’s missing

[@Dikkiedank]

@@absurdus7945 I think most of these were conceived after he started playing Chet (nothing wrong with that, that's how a lot if not most D&D characters develop)

[@epicdogbattles]

this feels like they just wanted to hang out with their friend, Abubakar, and he only had the time during filming free. 😊

[@jkokubu1984]

They should bring back the Under the Sheets format for instances like this. Really enjoyed the Amanda Palmer episode.

[@CSNCSNCSN]

Their friend in lilac. (I'm just saying, if my salmon was that color, I'd send it back! 😅)

[@PSroka]

It's so wholesome that Ashley saves Fearne fan art

[@disension1177]

if you have an army of artists behind you, why not use that

[@timd4524]

Sadly they prefer to pay " professionals " now so the art gets hardly seen.

[@theonlychadman]

… or saucy

[@martophrenia]

@@timd4524why quotes on the word professionals? and also they didn't necessarily chose to leave art gallery to the web-site, but were basically forced to do so

[@Selvion14]

I actually run into Matt at the middle of London a few months back and I showed him my Vax-Scanlan-wish inspired tattoo and he took a picture of it.. They really appreciate fan art..

[@timhutchinson8485]

I don’t mind the lack of the gaming section at the end of the episode, but I do kinda miss the tower of inquiry.

[@Laisiriana]

I’m sure they have their reasons for changing the format, but I miss the sense of fun; I miss the old opening, and the Tower of Inquiry :(

[@smallfrogge]

I always thought the tower of inquiry wasn't great for Taliesin given his tremors

[@davidjennings2179]

​@@smallfrogge Yeah I can see this being the reason they removed it.

[@timhutchinson8485]

@@smallfrogge oooh. Yeah. I didn’t think about that.

[@JayAllenftw]

The Spreadsheet of Inquiry just doesn’t have the same gravity

[@caedodice]

Timestamps 0:00 - Episode Intro 0:40 - Abubakar Salim 1:06 - New Host! 2:19 - Actual Start 2:27 - What’s Up With That 2:44 - Fey Wild Therapy & Honesty Trial 2:59 - Sam & Matt’s planning 5:07 - Sam’s Pitches 6:47 - Revealing Truths 7:19 - Chet’s family 7:46 - Sam doesn’t get Chetney 7:57 - Abu’s monologue 8:21 - He’ll be on a show someday 8:38 - Chaos Player 10:00 - Chetney is the heart 11:06 - Orym’s truths (Delilah in Laudna’s head) 13:01 - Rolling to resist 13:40 - Embracing the Darkness within 13:53 - Fearne and the Shard (Thinking it was for Ashton) 15:23 - Fearne didn’t want the Shard 16:20 - They realize their show is insane 17:25 - Fearne’s anger (and Ashton exploding) 18:52 - Away from the Group 22:28 - Laudna & Delilah 22:52 - Salmon vs. Lilac 23:13 - Delilah’s influence (Laudna in the woods) 25:12 - Everyone’s Dark Side 26:16 - Acting and Writing skills (Trusting other players) 27:39 - Abu’s just here 27:58 - Misunderstanding direction 29:09 - FCG & Stress (How they accumulate points) 30:37 - Rolling against theirselves 31:09 - Wanting Percy’s Glasses 31:45 - Character Growth? 33:10 - Repeating bad behavior 33:37 - Reasons for lateness 35:10 - Imogen and Ruidus (Giving in) 37:18 - Giving in at the wrong time 39:04 - Moon Factions 42:10 - Marisha’s shirt 42:47 - Nana and her Deals 43:56 - Chetney’s deal 44:23 - Orym’s deal 44:58 - Lonely in the Feywild (Orym wants to ensure their future) 46:19 - Leaning into not making it out of this (C2’s was much greater) 48:45 - Race to Ruidus 50:16 - Meat Wagons 51:29 - The Tent Plan 52:53 - Abu’s Stories 55:00 - World of Warcraft 55:28 - Pin Ball Machines 58:28 - Expectations for Ruidus 1:00:02 - Spreadsheet of Inquiry 1:01:32 - As an actor which part of your character is the juiciest to dig into? Is it something you added specifically or happened organically in play? How do you work with the rest of the cast to dig into it? 1:02:01 - Glamor Filter? 1:05:58 - Abu’s DnD groups 1:07:07 - What are the determining factors for you when deciding whether or not to pursue other story and subplot threads? 1:10:22 - Mighty Nein chose Crime 1:11:06 - What are three visual details you enjoy seeing about your characters that you enjoy seeing in fanart (weapons, armor, etc.) 1:12:57 - The glasses 1:15:42 - The Deep Dive 1:16:34 - Ashley, how does Fearne feel about Chet making a deal with Nana? If she knew, how would she feel about Orym’s deal? 1:18:06 - Color Debate 1:18:37 - Marisha and Laura, how are Imogen and Laudna feeling about their relationship right now with Delilah and Ruidus? 1:20:38 - Sam, how is FCG feeling about the Changebringer after the conversation in Whitestone? He seems to trust her less. 1:21:38 - The Storm Lord 1:23:50 - Marisha, despite Laudna’s nerves about their chances on Ruidus, she encouraged Fearne to take the shard. Is this her resilient optimism coming through? 1:25:10 - Ashley, what was it like for Fearne to go off in the woods of Whitestone alone? Did she think about leaving Bells Hells or did she just need space? 1:26:57 - Nana creating friends for Fearne 1:29:15 - DnD is Therapy (Freeing experience) 1:31:59 - Sam, with the successful group bonding does FCG feel like they’ve gotten better at therapy? How do they feel about Nana taking their memories? 1:33:44 - The mini games 1:34:40 - Blindfolded challenge 1:35:58 - Marisha, did Laudna consider reaching for Pate for comfort when she was in Delilah’s grasp? How does she feel about her familiar now that he can actually talk to her? 1:37:55 - Laura, what was it like for Imogen to trust her friends while they guided her during Nana’s test? 1:38:20 - Laura, how does Imogen feel about impersonating her mother or leaning into being her daughter while infiltrating Ruidus? 1:41:44 - Spreadsheet of Inquiry 1:42:14 - If given the opportunity, do you think your character would rather meet their past or future selves and why? (FCG is Barbie) 1:45:27 - What is the most fascinating aspect of Exandria’s world building to you? 1:48:54 - The Barbed Fields 1:49:52 - Mermaids 1:51:09 - BREAK STARTS 2:02:35 - BREAK ENDS 2:03:48 - What accessory would your characters have secretly like a fashion accessory? 2:06:09 - Tooth Fairy (Teeth) 2:10:20 - FCG and Cooking supplies (Quyen’s cooking) 2:12:45 - Imogen’s scarf 2:15:12 - Laudna’s scissors 2:26:22 - FCG’s coin of delving 2:18:30 - Abu’s home game (Mass Effect) 2:21:58 - Sci Fi 2:22:48 - Flying Snakes 2:25:57 - Top Sci Fi Media 2:29:59 - Fo fo fo fo 2:31:04 - Lights out

[@numbernine5894]

nice!!! boosting

[@Banquet42]

Thank you Fla.... Er Cadeodice! ;)

[@cheateroftheyear13]

Thank you very much! I don't have much time to watch the whole thing, so your timestamps help me a lot!

[@SajarErbraTerof]

What happen at the end.... the joke is kind of loss on me... 🙃😶

[@robertabugelis3962]

Flando?

[@ykaoda]

I think Orym made the deal, because he sees several ways out. He even said before asking for the deal "Fearne told me, the phrasing is important, I have to get it right" or something like that, which fully showed that he was planning something. Then he asked for every partymember to be returned alive, healthy and happy. Nana Morry interferred with "I cannot guarantee that, not all of them are healthy and happy now. I bring them back in the status they are at, now." And Orym said "Alive." And then they shook hands. So this is the first way out. Orym asked them to be returned alive - Laudna isn't alive. And the second way out is ofcourse the meaning of "Serving", as Dani stated. So I am looking forward, what he has planned, and what Matt has seen coming. :)

[@CSNCSNCSN]

Don't forget that "see it through" is highly vague.

[@WestWingProductions]

Chetney’s family backstory is home alone 😂

[@ApenasUmLF]

That's true!!! hahaahahaha

[@vomitfountain]

Gnome Alone!

[@roguejoe]

One of the kids is Hermey, which was the Dentist Christmas Elf from the old Rankin-Bass Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Show.

[@AmericanInThePhillipines]

​@@roguejoe excellent catch!

[@HailHydra27]

he played us AGAIN. he cant keep getting away with this!

[@colinfraser7150]

I love watching Mr. Salim's reaction to the group's dynamic and Marisha is just leaning back like "Yeah this happens....a lot."

[@cozycatsncoffee]

This is the energy I've always wanted from 4SD. A mix of serious game talk and friends chatting that doesn't feel forced. Loving the new direction!!

[@dorianr4770]

yeah this. it's like... I do like the bits and the tower and all the rest. but I don't want anything to feel forced. maybe it was getting that way, like with sweeping at the end and rolling to host when they all clearly didn't want to. I just want them all to be happy. and I think we'd all like to just see them chat and hang out and discuss if they want to or chill if they don't, and whatever makes them comfortable, with everything organic and nothing forced.

[@annec8127]

Sorry to validate Sam (since it some of the tension seemed to be from the bit-less show), but yeah, I was happier with more questions and fewer bits. The playing games while trying to answer questions always felt like forced fun. I don't mind the Tower (though the penalty is unnecessary) though. That they could keep if someone really needed a bit. Long story short, this was one of my favorite 4SDs.

[@trise2033]

So, basically, Liliana is playing Darth Vader to Imogen's Luke. She knows she's lost (for whatever reason), but she knows Imogen can stop it.

[@wastagwaga]

Interestingly enough, I was thinking of Liliana as Hohenheim from Full Metal Alchemist, and Imogen as Edward. I have a sense that she is going to end up helping her daughter, though I personally would like Liliana to stay (and die) a villain.

[@olestampevestergaard4746]

I think, if Ashton had not tried to take in the Shard they would have forever been stuck in a "the one that got away" situation

[@sullenskulls9709]

As a "The one that got away" thing, imagine if Ashton had died. You've just awakened and connected two powerful Primordial Titans on top of a primordial ziggurat, meticulously covered and enruned in residuum, that is surrounded and connected to the roots of a 1000+ year old tree that was put there and empowered by the Dawnfather, all during a time where the ley-lines of Exandria are being heavily manipulated for some unnatural purpose. I wanna see that timeline.

[@HailHydra27]

​@sullenskulls9709 oooh just completely undoing what the Ring of Brass gave their lives to stop. Very juicy

[@paulchavez3039]

The red button that went unpressed

[@Markcrazeer]

@@sullenskulls9709 its because of you there are titans in our midst and ashton is dead!

[@NisansaDdS]

@@paulchavez3039 Talison tried his best to push it though.

[@E-Lykos]

Not gong to lie, I love that they're just sitting and answering questions, sans any of the bits they usually have. Not that I don't like the show with them, but this feels much easier in my work tired brain. Also, I appreciate some people would rather have a host that is clued into what is actually going on, but oddly, I think just this once it actually works because it forces the cast to actually explain what they're talking about, which may be helpful to people who maybe have forgotten or just haven't seen everything. It may get annoying every time but this time it worked. Plus Abubakar is great, despite the bizarreness of the show.

[@kailovi]

Seconded! I mean, to each their own but some commenters seem to just hate on everything. This was both fun and insightful, everything I’d want from the discussion. Tangents were great, the host charming and the cast having to explain to him some of the background also was fun and cleared some stuff up for me.

[@MarthadelPilarMoreno]

I think Abubakar represents us occasional critters. I mean, the explainations given are so cool for those of us that live from the highlights sometimes.

[@amymurata]

50:27 explaining a meat diversion to get to the bloody bridge was the perfect payoff for having Abu on the show with 0 context for the shennanigans in this campaign

[@xeniousthe2nd432]

Sure 👍

[@forgotn42]

"It's all from you so it can't be that good." lol I love Laura.

[@addaleblue4595]

Maybe it's just me, but when Ashton was trying to take the shard, I got the sense that it was partly because Fearne really didn't want it, and they were trying to throw themself on the grenade so she wouldn't have to. It felt like it started as another job they had to do, and then blossomed into a monologue about power and destiny.

[@davidjennings2179]

I feel like Ashton has reached a point where they want a grenade to throw themselves on. If there isn't a grenade they'll make one.

[@tealeaf3200]

I love that Laura and Ashley kept playing with Sam's phone case and he didn't bat an eye at it XD

[@Dinklewurthe]

Dad energy 😂

[@AliceP.]

What a great episode. I love it when we get some glimpses of real life stuff, like at 45:40 when Dani casually mentions how grief and depression might be behind Orym's decisions. Ashley and Sam clearly feel that way too close to home, Marisha notices it and all of them just laugh it off. ❤

[@dorianr4770]

thanks for pointing out these moments. as a neurodivergent person, I struggle with picking up nonverbal signals like that, but yeah with you pointing it out, I could see how Marisha, Ashley, Sam are connecting and empathizing and what you said here. and yeah, same, hits a bit close to home.

[@blaz2892]

It really seemed to me like the whole Shard situation was one of those "there characters in the story are telling u not to but the story itself is telling u to and that's what you should listen to" scenarios. Ashton and Ferne are a little bit crazy for not listening to the NPCs, but Tal and Ashley definitely aren't.

[@megan3576]

It’s so frustrating that Matt seemed blindsided by Tal and Ashley doing a thing that Tal and Ashley explicitly said they were going to do multiple times.

[@ThatsSpace_]

@@megan3576I agree. I think Ashleys and Talisons planning got drowned out by the roleplay conversations the rest of the party were having. The party was vocal about Furne or even maybe Chet taking the shard. When Furne expressed apprehension about the shard the only one who made an alternative plan with her was Ashton. Plus it didn’t help that one portion of their planning was done on a 4-sided dive were Ash and Tal talked about what they thought the shard would do to their characters (Ashley brought up the dark vision Furne had of herself in exandria unlimited; Tal said he felt that it tied in with his families doomed path for primordial power or it would fill in the missing/broken piece of himself) Kinda looked like the warnings were far forgotten in the social atmosphere of the party’s planning. And Ash and Tals planning wasnt payed attention to by the rest of the party until it was put into action. As a viewer it was tough to watch the table be actively mad at a plan that was made infront of them, as though they were bamboozled by a dastardly selfish plot.

[@kaniamia]

@@megan3576I was completely on the same page as Taliesin, and so confused when everyone started freaking out as though he himself had done something wrong, rather than just Ashton. I had no issue with Matt’s consequences for Ashton, but was annoyed that what should have been an epic moment of the barbarian doing something brave and stupid (as a barbarian does) was spoiled by everyone going out of character to panic for real, rather than just rolling with it (figuratively and literally). It especially frustrates me that they continue to talk as though Taliesin made some big mistake, when as far as I’m concerned he was perfectly clear about what he was going to do, and it was everyone else who failed to read the situation.

[@megan3576]

@@kaniamiaYES, this!!!! I’m going to be honest, I haven’t watched since Ashton took the shard because I saw clips of the next episode where everyone was just ripping into Tal and I’m not here for that. Tal did a cool thing with Ashton and was punished for it by everyone else at the table, and I really hate that.

[@megan3576]

@@ThatsSpace_yes, and even if the party missed the planning, Matt should not have. He was blindsided, said at the end of the episode he had no idea Tal was going to have Ashton take the shard, and then (from what I hear, because I haven’t watched since that episode) un-did the results of taking the shard anyway. It is really one of his poorest moments as a dm and immediately took one of the coolest moments of the campaign and turned it into one of the worst.

[@patrickburrows123]

I am positively lost in the perfectly calm, flowing sea, with a rolling storm on the horizon that is Abu’s voice.

[@ghomerhust]

yeah, there's a reason they brought him in for VM show, fantastic voice

[@jkbarber99]

Beautiful description!

[@Vergilius78]

Abu seems like a dream player/host: really good at both listening to the cast and then reflecting on what they bring up and spinning it out. He's hamstrung a bit here by not being familiar with the campaign, but I'd definitely love to see more of him in the CR universe.

[@AnimeFreekFourLife]

Am I the only one who heard them refer to Ludinus as Trent the whole time?

[@DarcOne13]

I'm surprised Dani didn't correct them.

[@darcybhaiwala7057]

Yo I thought I was going insane

[@transientanus]

It's kind of a microcosm of this whole weird experiment

[@katherineelizabeth2232]

Kinda want to see Matt get Trent Beretta to voice Ludinus in the animated series now.

[@ryno1509]

I think they got confused with Master Trent Ikithon didn’t he get out on the mighty nein reunion

[@lockskelington314]

"NO WE ARE NOT! WE ARE DOING SPREADSHEET OF INQUERY!" That had some Mad King Vibes. I love it and Can't wait to see him Play on Critical Role!

[@katherineelizabeth2232]

Sam's power is so strong he manifested a studio audience

[@mottle_]

This is probably my favorite 4-Sided Dive so far, I'm so glad they're stepping away from the bits and leaning into a sort of structured chaos type of discussion. Also I *desperately* need to see Abubakar in Exandria, I love his voice and vibes!

[@eflarsen]

abubakar salim voiced zanror in the legend of vox machina

[@lugnn1215]

Abubakar brought great energy to the show and i like the idea of bringing in a guest host, even if it’s a different person each week or a rotating cast if you don’t want it to be too similar to Talks Machina. That being said, it was really frustrating and painfully obvious that he had no clue what the cast was talking about. He read the script he was given and really didn’t provide any input. A host who has at least been given a brief about what the episode was going to cover and some context about the topics would work if they weren’t caught up, but having to stop after every topic is introduced to explain what it means to the host of all people was not a great listening experience.

[@tinamorris5951]

I agree!

[@persephonethereaper6938]

I thought it was funny. Because Sam literally brought him in for that reason. He understood the game and offered some input from his own experience, but it was so clear that everyone there brought in a third party with no knowledge of their campaign.

[@xeniousthe2nd432]

Nahhh less of this

[@sophiebee25]

I agree… He did as good as he could do given the circumstances but having to watch them explain everything to him quickly became tired. I just don’t really see the point of bringing a host in if they don’t have the tools to really move the conversation further and end up just reading the prompter. But eh, it’s not the end of the world, they’re trying new things, and I’m sure they had fun, and that’s the important part.

[@ralphcarter3261]

I kinda agree. When it's just them talking it flows better since they all know what happened. They spent too much time catching him up on what happened

[@spo0pti304]

i really like having someone else as the host but i think it would work better if they were fully caught up with the show. i really love abubakar but i think it was a little awkward that he didn't really know what was going on particularly

[@persephonethereaper6938]

I loved it, I just thought it was so funny that they a bright him on bc he played dnd and also never watched the show. It was hilarious how Marisha would turn to explain to him.

[@martophrenia]

i didn't see any awkwardness, they were clearly having fun with it

[@MzVampira]

I really like this format cause the host being clueless or unaware of the story and them explaining it is freaking hilarious 😂

[@kiranfuller6855]

I agree it would work better with someone who is invested in the show…. Like…. Danny… maybe

[@thisjust10]

I would definitely like having a host that's caught up but this was great too. If it was a regular host I might feel differently but explaining the show to the host every time could get old after a while maybe? Either way I love this episode

[@stephencoppins9467]

As soon as the discussion about pinball machines, I started thinking,”we need a Critical Role pinball machine.” Then someone mentions there is a company that makes custom pinball machines... “Oh yeah, make it happen!” 😍 ...not that I expect they would ship to Australia. 😢

[@Rowlurorowf]

Felt 100% that they are going to get Matt a Critical Role Land pinball machine for bday or xmas or something. I feel like this MUST happen.

[@Elajzimo]

There is a caompany like that In Australia, it may be damn expensive thou.

[@jennjenns5485]

@@RowlurorowfI thought the exact same thing!!!! 😂

[@sinbycosvi9]

I'm gonna go against the grain and say that I love that the host wasn't caught up or had any idea of what was going on. It was chaotic and hilarious watching them explain their campaign to someone on the outside, but also helped them recollect information and answer questions better. So, I had a blast!

[@lanasartlife]

Yeah actually it helps bring the story together

[@PanicsMannequin]

I think it was fine for one episode but if they were to bring in a host for continual episodes (which I'd like) I think it would be tiring if they weren't keeping up with the plot

[@alexavila7245]

Fun fact: flying snakes stretch out their RIBCAGE (kind of like cobras) as “wings” in order to glide

[@emma-leighnewman128]

Came to the comments for this comment

[@damned0wl]

This makes me want a (horror-ish) fantasy setting full of creatures that are heavily based on real-life animals that do weird shit - like the snakes with "ribcage wings", those frogs that break their fingers to use the bones as claws, etc.

[@ripe_and_ruin]

Like Pate )

[@curtisholsinger6023]

​@@damned0wlexcuse me what. Broken fingers as claws? We have wolverine frogs?

[@damned0wl]

@@curtisholsinger6023 yep, from Wikipedia: "The hairy frog (Trichobatrachus robustus) also known as the horror frog or Wolverine frog, is a Central African species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. [...] The hairy frog is also notable in possessing retractable "claws", which it may project through the skin, apparently by intentionally breaking the bones of the toe."

[@mailrunner7578]

One of the best episodes, if not the best, in my opinion. Having a guest host elevated the discussion because the cast had to go into more detail and explore more of the in-game contexts behind their answers than would be necessary if they were only speaking to other players who were at the table. I think bringing on more guest hosts from the broader TTRPG community would take the show to a new level altogether. Edit: I would suggest briefing the host about the campaign enough for them to follow the discussion, though. I agree with others here that Abu seemed clueless at times; it would be better if he at least knew who the characters were, what major arcs have happened, and what the group is doing right now in-game. They still get to go into more detail for our benefit and the host doesn't seem so lost at times.

[@Emileslab]

Best 4SD episode yet! Loved the longer answers and the tangents :)

[@kawawangkowboy9566]

If Sam was a warlock, the tooth fairy would be his patron

[@LowLyingFog]

Sam in Neverafter

[@ghomerhust]

campaign 4?! haha

[@GreyAcumen]

I'm just going to say it. Just listening to them talk and run into tangents where you find out extra little insights into their heads is 100% more entertaining than any of the bits, where they are distracted and you wind up with neither the answer being satisfying nor their performance in the game being satisfying. I get that some shit went down with Foster, but this was so much more of the Talks Machina energy that I still miss even now.

[@SLowmann97]

Loving this new format! Keep up the good work, excited for the future of the show.

[@Blue_Lunacy]

I think quite a few people weren't aware that Abubakar Salim had been the panel host for CR MCM London panel.

[@lanasartlife]

What if Chetney’s deal turns him into Santa Claus?

[@ThatsSpace_]

Oh My God, full circle😭! You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain 😂😂

[@emilymary5831]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@postopken2789]

This is absolutely my favorite episode of 4SD so far! I am a big fan of Abubakar as a host, even with him not being knowledgeable about the show itself. I do miss the jenga tower somewhat, but for me the weakest part of the Tower of Inquiry was the questions themselves. I will say i enjoyed the questions on this episode, so I don't really know what the best way forward for that aspect of the show is.

[@xeniousthe2nd432]

It just itches the 'stay woke go broke' progressive spot doesn't it? I love it! Too many whites on this show anyway..

[@PancakeMonster359]

I liked the tower as well, but it was impossible to curate 54 questions (yes, that is the number of jenga pieces) of the same caliber.

[@life-destiny1196]

@@PancakeMonster359 put every number on two bricks (27) and then add a handful of backups in case of doubles?

[@Vergilius78]

One of the many great things about Sam: he is really good at giving other people props - and does so in well-deserved detail. Love what he says about Matt at 1.45.00 in this one.

[@shannon3315]

Seeing the cast explain the show to Abubakar is eerily similar to me explaining the show to my therapist 😂

[@Slipgatex]

This episode brought to you by the feeling of explaining your multi-year campaign to your parents.

[@martophrenia]

great episode! probably the best way to catch up to C3 considering they had to explain some basic stuff to Salim, so it's a great refresher

[@thisjust10]

Tbh I think the choices that were made, make perfect sense for Ashton based on what happened leading up to that point. He had very golden child chosen one stuff happening (and no one doubting it)

[@ThatsSpace_]

Plus Furne actively tellling him she didn’t want the shard and if he thought it was ment for him she agreed. lol. I feel like they were both really clear about their intentions and no one listened close enough to intervene 😂

[@CSNCSNCSN]

I felt like Matt's warnings about combining the shards came off much more like "this is going to be super risky with a potential high reward" not "guaranteed disaster, don't do it." Can't setup people for big moves like that and then get all shocked about it. In the end he took all the risk and barely survived, and got screwed out of any reward. But so be it, all worked out in the end.

[@Picklescape]

Loving the questions on the episode each week and getting to hear the in depth conversations. Shame we lost the chaos of the tower but they definitely picked some more insightful questions for this episode, so swings and roundabouts!

[@Picklescape]

And Abubakar, I'm with you, that outfit is salmon!

[@4203105]

I feel like you are taking the piss out of people who didn't like the bits. But tbh the C block is actually so much better now. The tower you could absolutely bring back. That was a fun little bit that didn't detract from the rest of the show.

[@461weavile]

I honestly skipped the game segments most episodes. I don't want to watch people play games of skill they have no skill in or games of pure chance. Some of the strategy games I listened to.

[@ghomerhust]

the tower is fun, but it's also tilted a bit against taliesin because of his hand tremors. makes it a little unfair for him to play. you wouldnt force someone with parkinsons to build a card house in front of everyone

[@kbow22]

very thankful that there were more shots of all of them and less single person shots. i can see more people's reactions and it makes me feel like we're all hanging out.

[@matthewgordon3281]

I think characters can be therapeutic, either playing a character very different from yourself or playing a character that is a stronger expression of who you want to be or identify as.

[@benjaminrheault4998]

Abubakar seems like a great host and person, but I don't see why they would bring in someone who hasn't seen the show to host this.

[@DarkGalaxy86]

I was thinking the same thing, kind of annoying when they have to keep explaining everything

[@xeniousthe2nd432]

Either it's woke nonsense or Marisha is getting blacked. Non the less, it's weird nonsense.

[@North_Beach]

Idk it’s kinda awesome to see how interested he is in it and how someone reacting to all this to the first time feels about

[@roboticd]

prob because he does play and was the voice of Zanror in LoVM

[@kryspix]

it is extremely rare that any of the guests they have on the show (the campaigns and the talk show) have seen any of the campaigns theyre guesting in, or even played dnd. they gotta start somewhere :)

[@AdamEspersona]

This whole episode was a riot. Hope we see more of Abubakar on the channel in the future.

[@Saluno375]

Between the Glass Cannon Podcast and now this, Abubakar is making waves in the TTRPG podcast world!

[@RoktJosh]

He is so good playing Blades in the Dark.

[@darcybhaiwala7057]

Dear Marisha/comment moderator: 15 min in and I ALREADY love the couch/host format. It feels cozy and familiar, but still new and fresh with the perspective of an external host that lets all of the cast really get into answering the questions more than the previous episodes. And the couch truly makes a difference - everyone seems more comfortable immediately. Good vibes coupled with powerful questions that actually helped me catch up with the story, AND some truly lovely tangents Do I think the host should be basically caught up with the episode? Yeah . . . BUT then again my dream permanent host is our sweet and precious Dani Carr. Always manifesting this

[@xeniousthe2nd432]

🤢

[@dorianr4770]

I was just thinking, why doesn't Dani Carr host? literally perfect

[@hem9483]

​@@dorianr4770because she rambles and isn't charismatic

[@darcybhaiwala7057]

​​@hem9483 you are inept

[@billberndtson]

Abubakar will be a fun addition to Candela but, I'd like him to come in on the regular show a bit. 🙂

[@synthellaart1587]

Both would be great, he is amazing

[@CSNCSNCSN]

Wish granted. Semi-regular show at least.

[@veronicahamilton3174]

Abubakar was pretty cool, but he really needs to be familiar with the campaign in order to be the best host - you are hamstringing him by just tossing him out there. The small bits are fun. I miss them. The last part being discussion instead of a game was actually fun - a free-wheeling discussion like that was pretty interesting. So More focused discussion at the beginning and then the very end is more open format could be really interetsing.

[@darjanator]

Yes, bring the bits back. And the fake audience was just cringe.

[@martophrenia]

@@darjanator🙄🙄🙄

[@4203105]

Pretty sure they were taking the piss out of people who didn't like the bits. But as you say, the C block actually was so much better this way.

[@Kazuzi3]

I know I really missed them actually doing Chenga for the Tower of Inquiry and other small things like that. I haven't gotten to the end yet, so I can't comment on the new C block, but I always had enjoyed when they would play games together at the end of the episode, so I know I'm going to miss that part.

[@PancakeMonster359]

@@Kazuzi3 I don't think asking/answering questions mesh that well with gaming though. But I wouldn't mind if the team has time to create a separate party game/board game side show

[@DarcOne13]

I'm so happy to hear Ashley say Fearne is like a homeschool kid, because that is *exactly* how I wrote her in my modern/human/college AU.

[@annavanasse7578]

:0 I would love to read it! Have u posted it anywhere/ plan to post it somewhere?

[@DarcOne13]

@@annavanasse7578 It's on AO3, title "Along the Way." It's only 4 chapters in, but I hope you like!

[@annavanasse7578]

@@DarcOne13 I’ll definitely check it out!

[@elsaandersson1652]

timestamp?

[@cornelia3912]

ew

[@whesley1028]

I know this was meant as a joke/mild eff u to everyone who complained about the format before but this really was a lot better in my opinion. No one was distracted by shenanigans or video games. Just the players getting to talk about their characters, which is why I watch. Thanks Marisha and CR team. Great work!

[@sofiajohansson1438]

Fearne as the Tooth Fairy is such good vibes and it needs to happen.

[@noahmiller347]

having someone who hasn't watched the show, but understands the game is a hilarious concept XD! Salim is awsome

[@k3v1n73]

do you have a link or smth, i have no idae who he is

[@xeniousthe2nd432]

Yeah XD so woke so wholesome so progressive

[@domantasl]

@@k3v1n73 Have you played AC Origins? He was Bayek

[@alexayres6812]

“I’m just a poor lonely girl I need someone to feed me” living in my head rent free from now on

[@LoryK98]

1:28:50 Ashley experirencing one of the biggest problems for Italians

[@0Nightlily]

Perfectly coincidental that I just happened to finally get around to Stray Gods last week (what a fantastic game with an incredible cast btw) and loved Abubakar in that so much that I looked up what else he's done, and now he shows up on 4SD! :D This was such a fun episode and much like the others, I can't wait to see him join at the table at some point.

[@AwesomeNuke]

Man, I discovered Abubakar during his segment at the game awards, probably one of the best part of the show in December. So happy you guys got him as the first host. He's fantastic

[@isaiahwelch8066]

To answer Ashley's question about why Fearne did what she did, it is because of something Ashley said in a previous FSD: That she did not want Fearne to become the Dark Fearne she saw in the mirror during ExU, way back when. And now, if she is, in fact, going down that road, then I would think a big part of Fearne becoming Dark Fearne is taking in the Primordial Shard. The only question is, will she fall to the Dark Side with the whole deal with the Champion of Asmodeus? It's hard to tell just yet.

[@Markcrazeer]

the intresting part about dark fearne is she was her fathers daughter but it seemed like she wanted her to return to the queen of the seelies not to her father. by not siding with her father fearne will not be dark fearne, dark fearne is what happens when morrigan fails to keep him away.

[@Tigerblade11238]

Sam casually reminding us that FCG "is a bomb that can get the party out of a sticky situation". /salute

[@LordNodim]

"Is it hard to go back to earlier Mass Effect games?" no, the more recent ones suck harder than a vacuum powered by the god of electricity "Star Wars is just fantasy in space" yes.

[@kennystoneman2584]

On the whole, I appreciate when creatives experiment with things like format and such, and I think this time, I've learned three things: 1) Abubakar is lovely 2) Non-cast members shouldn't be on 4-Sided Dive 3) Taking away the Jenga tower and game and just making it a pure talk show makes it... 'stale' isn't the right word, and neither is 'bland', but they're in the ballpark. I'm personally happiest with WTFIUWT for starters, some Tower of Inquiry (please, gods, get rid of the spreadsheet), mug questions, and a variable fourth section (but if there's an activity/game, just drop the pretense of answering questions while everyone's focused). Just my two cents.

[@jacoburbelis5611]

I am on board with this. I’d love a host that was familiar with what’s happening in the show. Loved Abu. Definitely going to look more into his work. But I love the insights into the characters and story…still waiting on a follow up to Orym’s mentioning his complicated feelings toward Dorian during the Mori trials (Orym gets the short end of the stick in the relationship building….and Liam loves to make deals with devious entities lol)

[@KameMameHa]

Its interesting hoow Ashley explains that the shard moment was an agreement between both and at the end Ashton took all the blame and anger from everyone including Fearne

[@somethinglikethisorthat273]

I really like this episode of 4-Sided Dive, and personally love the vibe of Abubakar Salim as host ❤

[@katherineelizabeth2232]

Also I'm very concerned that Orym only made the deal with Nana only after the whisper from Imogen 😢

[@seathat733]

Laudna is very 'hey there Delilah' to the tune of Jolene.

[@ay2431]

Honestly might be my fav 4 sided dive episode, couldn't stop laughing and the questions were great!

[@ButchWilson]

Okay, that ending was a helluva payoff. Lovely conversations, folks. Thank you!

[@kvnleahy]

I love having a host and how this ep was more focused on the q/a stuff. Love the bits and the games of other episodes, but more of this would be preferable

[@wizrad2099]

Two talking points I want to chime in on: Exandria feels amazing because Matt has thought so many things threw to such a degree that it doesn't feel like you're hearing fictional stories about a world he made up, it feels like he's looking into an alternate reality that exists somewhere in the multiverse. I created a world myself, but I stopped at the unique physics, and the flora and fauna, I didn't go into different regions, cultures, pantheons, etc. Even getting that far felt expansive and like if I didn't write everything down I would lose it. I can't imagine keeping track of multiple kingdoms and continents across decades (or even centuries and millennia) of game lore. And then on the sci-fi/high fantasy debate, I'm all in for high fantasy. I love magic systems, gods and mythology, things like that. Sci-fi is fun because of the pseudo-realism, like a real world "what if," but high fantasy goes so far beyond "what if" that you can't even really imagine the full scope of the possibilities. And yes, if you really think about it, Star Wars is just high fantasy in space.

[@princessjello]

Magitek is like one of my favorite things and it seems Matt leaned a lot on the trope this time around. He's not shy about his love for Final Fantasy so it all makes sense considering the media he grew up on

[@alextelfer7392]

I think this might be my favourite episode of 4-sided dive so far. Just something really fun about Abubakar seeing everything with fresh eyes. I loved the new question format, I think it’s generating some great discussion. Good stuff!!

[@troikas3353]

Honestly having a host come on that knew very little about the current campaign was a hilarious bit. That dude killed it.

[@friskybitzboi]

“I’m a bomb, you can blow me up if we get in a sticky enough situation” Ahahaha……. 😭

[@MorticiaAttoms]

I think this is my favorite episode so far

[@darklorddysart]

Oh wait a second, guys I get it now! There being no more bits IS the bit

[@PaRRaPWNaGe]

Ive made tons of characters to help me overcome things. I made a gnome druid to overcome feeling small. I made a Sith (SW5e) to get over intense grief. I made an Illithid Sorcerer to overcome not fitting in. My most recent character is a Construct, hopefully to tackle the feeling of mechanical monotony in my day to day.

[@Ligands23]

Funny host > cheesy bits! Less awkward structure and just lots of fluid discussions is exactly what I'm here for. Almost felt like the great energy that Talks Machina used to have. 1:28:07 - Abu sums up exactly what's great about these after-shows so aptly! And contrary to apparently most of the comments section, I thought him not being caught up, and hearing the cast trying to explain what the fuck is going on, was hilarious. Evil moon? Bloody bridge? Meat wagons?! Also, we need more Dani on the couch with the gang :)

[@hem9483]

hilarious doesn't make it a good "get behind the scenes insight on character motivations" show. marisha literally needed to explain she had a dead woman in her head. at this point in the campaign. why are they wasting time re-treading basic information about their characters? guy seems great and he's charismatic but a solid half of the runtime of this episode was just recapping things that anyone who has watched the show would already be aware of. there's not much point of watching.

[@amyd6700]

I like this format so much better than the previous. I hope they stick with it.

[@goldievox]

Love this version of 4SD. It feels like a return to form. Abubakar is a good host, and I think having to explain a few things to him worked out in the end because it led to a natural flow of conversation. Everyone was engaged and relaxed. It was nice getting more time to talk about the characters.

[@leeway3739]

There were too many bits for me, but I liked the tower of inquiry and pulling questions from the mugs. I hope when they find their balance that those things survive.

[@OfficialFRED-0]

I'm suprised I've never heard anyone mention how similar Liliana & Imogen's story is to Darth Vader & Luke Skywalker.

[@elderflower2133]

Abubakar was so amazing at hosting this, he 100% needs to be in a CR game sometime!!

[@navdhillon7912]

Wha? he seemed so outta place

[@logangraham3689]

​@@navdhillon7912 It took him a minute to get in the groove, but I like him. That being said, I think he should have been on the show as a guest first.

[@arwo1143]

Sam’s reaction to the snake thing was perfect Danny mentions flying snakes, and it immediately makes her uncomfortable because not only is it snakes, but they fly now And so Sam marginalizes it and makes it humorous

[@UberVilla]

i think sam talking about fearne and the stealing and that whole bit is completely right, i think maybe he just could’ve phrased it better. the others were picturing it as if you have deep and dark desires you should give into them regardless of who it effects, when no, that’s not the case. but, you shouldn’t just shun and turn away from that side of yourself either, because then like he’s saying it will eventually need to be released mid force it’s way out of you in a harmful way. you must look those deep and dark desires in the eye, acknowledge them, and try to understand where they are coming from and why they are there. impulses have a reason, don’t just shun and punish and react to the impulse, take a step back and understand why that impulse arrives in the first place. and, find a healthy outlet for it that doesn’t harm others. but in order to do that you mustn’t lock it away

[@lunaowl7]

I missed the Tower of Inquiry! I hope they bring it back! I love seeing all of them bantering and being their goofy and fun selves with one another, while also hearing their thoughts behind the show and their characters! I will miss the games, but i just enjoy seeing them together, talking about the show. Abubakar's voice! *swoons*

[@Jake006100]

Abubakar was great and would love to see more of him. I do think he need to be caught up mainly for his sake alone he looked like a deer in headlights lol. But i still think he would make a good host.

[@SCI-FIWIZARDMAN]

Okay I really want access to whatever homebrew Mass Effect D&D variant Abubakar and his mates are playing, that sounds like SUCH a fun time.

[@aaronturnbull6528]

Will Friedle needs to host!

[@SLorraineE]

With Fern not stealing the glasses, I think it depends on why she didn't steal them as to if it's growth or not. If she didn't do it because she's reining in the chaotic side of herself and becoming more aware of what is important for the group instead of her current impulses, then that's fabulous. If she didn't do it because she made one bad call and is now second-guessing every decision and no longer trusts herself and her instincts, then that's actually a step backwards

[@chadwertz9648]

This whole episode is me trying to explain critical role to my coworkers.

[@BurttheBard]

Aw, no more Tower? Bummer! But I LOVE having a non-cast host :) It brings a different energy, I love it 👏🏻

[@Brion57042]

21:33 I STILL wanna know what Talesin had planned for Cad and The Hag, because the look on his face when he kinda got interrupted tells me he clearly had one.

[@Havejustice2000]

@Brion57042 He and Laura were whispering a LOT, so I always just assumed he was wanting them to let Laura go

[@michaelczaiczynski3604]

Don’t worry Dani: the snakes are not flying. That is falling with style

[@danny_colburn]

Please keep the tower, that was a great way for the questions to come in!