Intense Interrogations | Critical Role | Campaign 3, Episode 85

[@flandomaltrizian4603]

HEY, there might be some SPOILERS under the thing 0:20 Sam actually uses One-shot Wonders 1:15 Everyone is so busy 4:45 Laura’s merch corner (on almost Valentine’s Day) 6:45 Intro cinematic 8:30 EPISODE STARTS 12:25 Recap Ends 13:40 Unfarting 14:50 It’s been (FCG Alexa voice pack) 19:10 FCG pretends to be a lawnmower 22:20 How could Hytroga betray us like this? 25:25 Fearne is too nervous to keep track of the lie 30:10 Chu is great 33:35 Hytroga hates tea 34:15 Willmaster takes control 37:35 Battle begins 41:30 Ashton is never limp 43:50 Orym keeps beating up Ashton 48:30 Slow-mo beatdown 52:50 FCG is a rope dispenser (Chetney has been faking the wolf voice) 56:00 The Bormodos don’t have a carceral system 59:35 Laudna mentally talks with her hands 1:03:15 Interrogating the Willmaster 1:14:50 Laudna wants the juice 1:17:55 Interrogating Petrov 1:25:50 What is the most moral way to kill these people? 1:30:10 Psychometry on the harness 1:36:45 Holes open 1:38:05 Dealing with Verdo 1:53:00 Otohan Thull 1:53:50 BREAK STARTS 2:06:20 Art Montage 2:08:20 BREAK ENDS 2:11:15 Map out 2:13:15 Getting to the shadows nonchalantly 2:14:25 Fearne pretends to be flat and straight (rolling off the tongue) 2:17:20 Funny meeting you here 2:20:00 Lying about Imogen 2:22:15 “Battle” begins 2:25:45 Otohan has us, run 2:28:30 Self banishment 2:31:55 Knocking out the elder 2:33:00 Laudna feeds Delilah 2:37:15 Barely escaping 2:45:30 Exploring the hidden river 2:56:35 Diving in 3:02:05 Orym has 31 passive perception 3:05:15 Ancient ruins 3:17:25 Fresh goodberries 3:24:55 Fearne swims into a rift… again 3:25:45 Leaf Sheep Sea Slug 3:28:45 Fearne is in modern day 3:31:10 Episode Ends The in-game start date for the episode is still debatable. Sam’s gas can is a countdown. The first “Flask reveal in 3” and the countdown went down from there, but I don’t believe we got a reveal at the end. Gonna be at MagicCon in Chicago this weekend. If you’re there and you’re drafting with a mediocre player wearing a CR t-shirt, there’s probably like a 20% chance it’s me. Any moments I missed? Feel free to post them here. Is it Thursday yet?

[@samuraiko]

Thank you as always, Flando! (Hoping you and yours have been well!)

[@Banquet42]

Thank you Flando!

[@strider5515]

You are the fastest commenter ever. It’s incredible

[@diz5342]

You’re more reliable than any pharmacy I’ve ever attended

[@chadbizeau5997]

Flando must be a Warlock of the great old one Taliesin Jaffe with the premonition spell to get these timestamps out so fast!

[@TashaKoenig]

"It's the cliff problem. It's not you pushing them off, it's the stop that really does it" lmfao

[@ghomerhust]

"it's not the speed that kills you. it's suddenly coming to a stop." -Jeremy Clarkson

[@csn583]

Clarkson does NOT deserve credit for that quote! 😅

[@Kadel___]

I'd like to remind everyone, that they have not taken a full rest since they left Nana Mori's. The day started with them waking up in the feywild, then they went to the material plain, the moon, and now who know where the fuck the are!

[@AxioMunk]

WAIT WHAT? IM SO BEHIND I ENDED AT EPISODE LIKE 45, THEY HAVENT RESTED SINCE THEN? Or did they go back? How many episodes has it been then?

[@naliroka7998]

@@AxioMunk Haha no, altough that would be amazing. They went to Nana Mori the second time

[@snuffles504]

​@@AxioMunk, why are you in the comment section of episode 85?

[@declanryan7285]

They all full rested before and after Ashton almost died

[@friedtoads13]

@@snuffles504some people like to live in the edge. or lie. they might be lying.

[@masterjaczor9892]

Orym and Otohan square off and Orym says: "Hello, my name is Orym of the Air Ashari. You killed my loved ones, prepare to die."

[@dubbingsync]

Well it can still be father… but I wouldn’t want to leave Will out of the situation either… loved ones has to do it.

[@masterjaczor9892]

@@dubbingsync exactly I thought “loved ones” was better then “you killed my father and husband…”

[@samuraiko]

This is the rematch I want... and if the fates are kind (and if this turns into all of the Hells vs Otohan), I hope Ashton gets the HDYWTDT and he gives it to Orym (in a callback to Orym giving the Ratanish kill to Ashton).

[@xommul79]

Princes bride lives!!

[@johnhagala3622]

“STOP SAYING THAT!!”

[@MelodicQuest]

Liam: "You can't swim up the waterfall. This isn't Breath Of The Wild." Matt: "So behind this waterfall, you find an ancient temple."

[@alhemičarka]

Timestamp?

[@alhemičarka]

Nvm found it 3:04:39

[@masterjaczor9892]

Orym going after Ashton and Ashton gaining control after the first of Orym's three attacks and yet Orym still persists reminds me of the scene from Legend of Vox Machina where Vax has been mind controlled by Sylas Briarwood and Vex starts punching him over and over and between blows Vax regains his will and says "Vex is that you?" *punch "Would you..." *punch "stop..." *punch "HITTING ME!"

[@iitstre_4550]

YESSS!! This! 😂😂

[@Thoast_]

Taliesin's delivery of 'I so busy that i no verbs' was so great it cracks me up everytime

[@rhokesh4391]

Taliesin "no verbs" Jaffe killed me, can we have a reappearance at some point please? 🤣

[@life-destiny1196]

Taliesin "no verbs" Jaffe me, can we a reappearance at some point please? *

[@Izzy41630]

I've been on the internet too long, I understood everything he was saying perfectly. XD No verbs no problem.

[@GregJonson]

I actually if this would actually. I you not complicated sentences as it it incomprehensible.

[@sektionkk]

@@life-destiny1196Forgot ”can”. Taliesin is thorough enough to ditch all the modal verbs aswell.

[@kennethjfair]

"Now I'm hungry for beef!"

[@MycoArsenic39]

2:14:44 I’ll never get over Ashley’s small physical acting of Fearne trying to play dumb in the face danger. Really incapsulates the character.

[@VideoRanter]

2:27:51 I love watching Matt's nervous twitching and facial expressions, knowing that Otohan had Legendary Resistance and that Banishment would do nothing. He knew for sure that FCG's fate was sealed the moment they got caught. Clutch as hell on Sam with the self-banishment, that's some classic D&D ingenuity right there.

[@rickrack4325]

They got lucky that Matt is lenient and didn't properly read the spell though, because technically: a) Them being from another plane, it should have sent them back to Exandria, except the Divine Gate doesn't allow that so it might have just shunted them back in front of Otohan, or some other complication. b) If you go with the harmless demiplane, you're incapacitated within it, so banishing yourself is not an option RAW as it immediately breaks your concentration and makes you reappear where you were. Not complaining, but this is one of the many instances where they totally should have been fucked over but weren't because Matt's nice with them.

[@zackmuravev2730]

​ Uhm actually. The incapacitated status only applies to the demiplane side and not the native plane banishment. However, the first part of the divine gate is valid and should have done nutting.. However, that would have been fucking lame and I'm glad it went as it did. A fun story for the players is better than a fun story for the NPC.

[@rickrack4325]

@@zackmuravev2730 Yeah I know the incapacitated condition only applies to the demiplane and not the native plane, I'm saying so in my original comment. But Matt did send them to a demiplane is what I'm saying. Anyway, I'm not arguing, he's the DM and they do what they want. I'm just slightly frustrated that they very often get away with things too easily, when it shouldn't have worked.

[@jakobmaximilianriedl1013]

Ruidus is on the same plane of existence as Exandria. Unless you're saying that we have invented planar travel in our reality to go to the moon.

[@kovu223]

@@theviewbot If it's fun for the players and the DM, yup, they should do it. It's better to have fun then leave a session with 2 player characters dead because they happen to run into one of the strongest antagonists while being out of gas, my take ofc.

[@bradn1288]

Every time they talk about hiding "evidence" I hear: Put the bodies in the hole Put the bodies in the hole Put the bodies in the hole Put the bodies in the (chit chit)........

[@sirolf014]

HOOOOLLLLEEEE!!!!!

[@carolynmeszko7481]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@dubbingsync]

@@sirolf014came into the replies looking for this comment. You didn’t disappoint.

[@HailHydra27]

One, nothing wrong with it

[@Telecastertitan]

HoooOOOooooOLLLllllllLEeeeEEEEeeeeee

[@DizzNutt93]

Every single time there is a problem, Taliesin - "We HaVe ThE hOle"

[@drakehaggard3583]

To be fair, it is useful in a lot of situations lmao

[@Cthulouw]

"THIS BABY CAN HOLD SO MANY PROBLEMS"

[@ShadowSylis]

I mean if they could somehow get Otohan into the hole...

[@DizzNutt93]

@@ShadowSylis now that's a plan I can get behind haha

[@clownartificer]

​@@ShadowSylisshe can easily leave it and Matt keeps forgetting about that rule

[@OwenCaudleMusic]

2:25:52 “Otohan had us…. Run” CHILLS DUDE

[@kyaligator638]

I legit gasped at work, and froze for a solid minute, just knowing someone was going to die (I still have ptsd over the first round of deaths)

[@SenterSen]

I cannot imagine the rest of the group's sheer terror hearing out of nowhere in their minds "Otohan has us... Run"

[@jeffbrown1645]

We're running, it's bad!

[@RollAndPlayPress]

Our hearts totally melted hearing that the Riegel family go on One-Shot Wonders adventures together ❤😭 Thanks for having us as sponsors!

[@FreCafe88]

i saw the commercial i bought it, can't wait to play with my kids 6yo and 4yo

[@TopTierKnees]

​@Fritzman1988 just bought it to play with my 8 and 10 year old. They've been begging for a while but I don't have the time to prep between my 3 other games and the west marches campaign I DM. This is *perfect* for us!

[@sweebos]

🙂

[@jacobharpa]

My sister gifted me your Roll and Play Gamemaster toolkit book for christmas and, although I have only used a few parts of it so far, having it in my DM's kit is very reassuring and a love reading through it when I want some inspiration. Love the quality and unique ideas you provide to us busy GM/DM folk 😊

[@k0pstl939]

"Now I hungry for beef"

[@jare3959]

Guys we've been over this. Don't send your healers alone together on a scouting mission.

[@TheQwuilleran]

Bold of you to call Fearne a healer 🤭 (j/k, she's a 🐐 🥸 🐺)

[@SuperLifestream]

They shouldnt be able to turn in to clouds in this episode. The spell only lasted 24 hours or something. they only had a couple hours left a couple episodes ago im sure

[@maineflame99]

@superlifestream It's almost like when they get into combat each combat round is six seconds in game time 😂😅

[@kriskross22]

I think they used a second casting of it but I could be wrong

[@stumbling_]

@@SuperLifestreamThey recasted it after getting to Ruidus and after their short rest in the cave. Since then it’s only been a few hours maybe.

[@ZenMinuiteman]

I will never get tired of seeing Orym going toe to toe with Otohan in the animated opener.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

He gave Ashton the last blow on the General. I can see Ashton returning the favor.

[@L0rdm3phiston]

I WANT this to happen so bad

[@christopherhickey1962]

That no-look block? Are you kidding me-in…credible.

[@criticalrolemodels]

Ashley: I wanna be a Leaf Sheep Sea Slug. Everyone including the cast: *pulling out their phones or opening a new tab on their laptop to look up whatever tf it is* 😂

[@twothirdsanexplosive]

She probably watches Bizarre Beasts!

[@catscat1112]

It's adorable it's small sea bunny that looks like leaves

[@mayaenglish5424]

I have that bizarre beast pin! The uncommon one. It's so cute and sparkly! It was so exciting hearing her say that lol.

[@JackOfBlackPhoenix2]

When I first saw the runtime of this episode, I thought "well, either someone on the party is gonna die or we're in for one hell of a plot twist" and crazy enough, we nearly got both 😂

[@beanofglory1051]

Runtime 3.5 hours - I thought that was a pretty standard (or even a relatively shorter) runtime for a CritRole campaign episode?

[@lexim.7582]

@@beanofglory1051it’s on the shorter side and for this campaign so far the shorter episodes have been some of the most stressful and climatic

[@RaidenFaShogun]

*everyone pausing to look up what a leaf sheep sea slug is*

[@bananafish58]

I'm glad I did! It is sooooo cool and cute! Plus learned it's one of very few sea critters that can perform photosynthesis!

[@TheQwuilleran]

If I hadn't first heard about them from a long post on tumblr, I would have thought it was photoshopped 😁🥰🦠

[@lukeedwards6027]

I had said before that Ludinus was going to Absorb Predathos with an upgraded funnel-vest. I had another theory.. What if I had it somewhat backwards? What if he’s going to have Predathos absorb the Ruidusborn?? Maybe that’s what is needed to wake Predathos! Probably not a funnel-harness but a room or temple or something meant to absorb multiple beings. Why else would it be taking so long? They’re waiting for all the Ruidusborn so it can get that power back. I mean, it consumes..it’s what it does..it’s why it’s feared. Maybe it granted just a sliver of its power to the Ruidusborn so they could grow and become more powerful so it could consume that much more power to be able to finally break free. But, hey, that’s just a theory…a Crit Theory!

[@grimmweeper4458]

Awesome theory

[@shawnglade790]

That is a pretty good theory

[@Radricgirl]

Literally was thinking the same in terms of how to wake Predathos that they need the Ruidusborn to be consumed or need there power in someway. I believe Imagon is needed as an important link to Predothos possible needed as the final piece to wake him.

[@MorticiaAttoms]

I love this theory

[@joehutchcraft1675]

It WOULD explain why the Exaltant's are brighter when Imogen dove into the collective. And why Liliana and Otohan were so much brighter than the others. More power instilled into them, and Predathos needs it back to destroy to collective efforts of Primordials and Deities.

[@ReyaitheShadowWolf]

This episode has convinced me that Otohan doesn't just need to die She needs to be *destroyed*

[@adoragrayskull]

I am very scared

[@rhokesh4391]

You can't send her to hell though. One, she'll take it over, two, Avantika's down there too...

[@joehutchcraft1675]

​@@rhokesh4391 so you mean to say Fjord is double f***ed. Jester might not like that, at all...

[@ggiuliacosta]

@@rhokesh4391am I shipping them? wtf

[@bmyers7078]

@@rhokesh4391: Apparently you haven’t been TPK’ed by a squad of Pit Fiends. Must be nice…

[@davidwilson6577]

"We found a backdoor onto the moon, but you'll have to turn into a salmon and a fart".

[@IAmSAMURA1]

I love how travis said that Ashton is the most polite barbarian ever, when he already knows that grog would've killed everyone without a second thought.

[@thisisres]

You're assuming Grog has thoughts

[@darkvizardking69]

That's because Ashton is like his hammer, great to look at, definitely something to behold, but gods help you if that gets unleashed. Yasha had a need for repentance in her rage, but Grog? Man lived by impulse and had zero fucks to give so long as it didn't hurt his friends. Yes, even Vax.

[@nuru666]

@@darkvizardking69 "NO ONE KILLS VAX BUT ME!"

[@Phoenix02531]

I truly love having Ashley full time because she is the biggest fan of the show.

[@MelodicQuest]

Talesin: "Why use lot word when few word do trick?"

[@blahjett8826]

I felt so bad for Talesin when he spilled all that chili. Poor guy.

[@benpalmer1583]

"Why lot word when few word trick"

[@AgentTexes]

⁠@@blahjett8826Worked all night to make that chili just to drop it first thing in the morning.

[@tracytigress]

Or "Why lot word when few word trick?"

[@portagenial]

​@tracytigress are you minmaxxing the joke? Lmao

[@blair-alternaterealitiesst4295]

My favorite quote of the campaign so far: "We can fluff around and find out..." 😂

[@FancyBrownMan]

Had a friend cast banishment on himself after he was planeshifted to hell by a lich. It was an incredible move.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

Pretty clever solution to a very major problem.

[@melonmode4128]

Your friend: *Gets planeshifted* "Fuck this" *Casts banishment on self* *Appears back in Material Plane* "Fuck you!"

[@PancakeMonster359]

When Chet used Grim psychometry in the ruins, he sensed fear and acceptance. I am thinking maybe the residents knew they were chosen to become part of the moon and guardians of the predathos seal. Over the years they were slowly corrupted. A civil war broke out leading to the Weave mind and Imperium rising to power. They then burnt all written records of their origins and fed the people about Predathos and the Blue Promise

[@JB-xl2jc]

I wonder just how the moon was created. It's totally possible that, like our moon in real life, a cataclysmic event (in this case one potentially orchestrated by the divines) caused it to be cleaved off from the entirety of Exandria. This could've resulted in a large amount of formerly Exandrian land mass being shunted off into "space", and certain stuff getting deformed (crushed like the stone has done to the ruins in most of the areas) whereas warded areas with spells of protection weren't crushed by the mere physical force, resulting in the weird geometry that's only partially destroyed with strange "safe" areas. It sounds a lot like a chunk of a city or an estate from the age of arcana, set up with all the bells and whistles that the easy high level magic of that time allowed (portals to Arborea/Arvandor, warding spells, perpetually growing goodberries, etc) that survived, albeit a little smooshed, being, uh... spaced. Those who survived this cleaving would've likely been terrified at this calamity, and perhaps accepted that their continued survival as things were was now impossible. Maybe they accepted their role as stewards as you mentioned, or perhaps not- but either way, they're gone from the site now. Fascinating and I can't wait to hear more.

[@malrok5452]

Well, that's a shame. Finding that backdoor could cut the trip to Ruidus short. Because when you think about it strategically, number one priority right now should be using that backdoor to find a path back to their allies in Exandria. Right now no other potential intel would be valuable enough to risk their lives (and more importantly, knowledge of the portal) by further investigation. That secret is just too critical. The sooner they establish an alternative route to the moon, the better. Those elven ruins would make for an amazing base of operations (cover from weather and enemies sight, fresh water and goodberries), and permanent, hidden stronghold with a supply line would pose a significant threat to Ruby Vanguard.

[@Sp4rt4nSl4ya]

This party doesn't typically think strategically, half the time they don't think 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@gabrielcamargo5491]

Well, the only flaw to your thinking is that we talking about bells hells.... There's no way they would think like that and just call the mission a win.... Aint no way they go back rn

[@stumbling_]

They need more than just a secret way to the moon. They need to find out what Ludinus is planning and what the hell the moon is like. All the information they can get is good, especially since they can just teleport away instantly whenever.

[@harveyrichardson8826]

THAT IS MY TWO TIME EMMY AWARD WINNING SAM MOTHERFRESHCUTGRASSING RIEGEL

[@thelesbeean3810]

I snort laughed so hard my nose hurts now thank you for gifting this comment to the universe

[@Secret_Takodachi]

Talison spoke several languages long before humanity began to talk, let alone invent verbs! That's why he made it look so effortless to speak without using them! 😂❤

[@bluerubyx]

Since BG3 I've been getting more and more D&D content recommended on youtube. Normally I don't watch longer video as usually its not subtitled (auto captions is tiring to watch after abit which puts me off) came to give your channel a peek and was instantly able to relax and enjoy it because the subtitles have been added! Huurrrah! Got yourself a returning viewer because of that!

[@griml89]

Be careful, you can easily get addicted ;)

[@leylasalem4874]

Welcome!!!! You're in for an amaizing ride 💖

[@FuzzyTrekkie]

Welcome! I got pulled in during the pandemic. They've got two other completed campaigns, plenty of one-shots, a few games in other ttrpg systems, and an animated series so strap in for the ride!

[@TheQwuilleran]

When the show would air live, pre-pandemic, a slew of fans would chunk out the episode to caption it ourselves from twitch in time for it to post to YT. Now that it's pre-recorded and captioned by people with access to the original audio, they can add dialog the mics didn't quite pick up. The caption servicer they use isn't perfect, but it's good enough, and will sometimes include the title of the song they're humming out (as they do in this episode).

[@bluerubyx]

Thank you! @@leylasalem4874

[@Etrius690]

I was convinced FCG was gonna be toast this episode. Such a clutch banishment spell.

[@marit2907]

the backdoor to ruidus is so cool and opens up so many options for infiltration and things, i can't wait to see where it goes!

[@nathankincaid9814]

Exactly! A path that possibly isn't through the bloody bridge is intriguing. I look forward to it as well, lol.

[@pontuslindheohlsson2184]

Well... We do know one island where things mysteriously seems to end up...

[@JasonVailUXGuy]

We know it isn't to Exandria, because that would have been the same plane and telepathy would have worked. She might be in the Fey Realm. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I'm dying to know too

[@kuraisaurus]

Okay so hear me out right? There's a series of islands that move around a large point...so what if it's draining in to that portal?? I haven't read the guides so idk if Domunas is saltwater or not

[@PeTTs0n88]

My brain can't help but going "wouldn't that lake be drained by now?" though. 😅 Unless there's another portal letting water flow back again... hmm.

[@amymurata]

I really thought we were gonna say goodbye to FCG and Fearne but self-banishment came in clutch!

[@Etrius690]

They were gonna keep Fearne alive but i was convinced FCG was going to be killed

[@rickrack4325]

Technically breaking the rules tho but oh well, let's roll with it

[@zivivi32]

That was an awesome play!! and a nice gesture from the DM I would say. Giving them a chance to do something, but the fact that they got punished (attacked in cloud form) was really worth it!

[@KnicKnac]

Very cool way to use a spell that doesn't say you can't target yourself. Very clever

[@aaronwhite1882]

​@@rickrack4325Self banishment is totally legal, and is super useful if you ever find yourself plane shifted. The only rules he broke would be probably not identifying what three targets he was targeting until after Otohan made her save. Honestly he probably forgot about that part in the heat of the moment.

[@beanofglory1051]

This ep makes me feel better about last ep re: the clearer Laudna intent to go dark. Like, "Oh, thaaaaat's why she committed everybody to fighting with fireballs and the well-being of the villagers be damned. This is where she's going." I've started thinking of Otohan as "Consequences the NPC." For the sake of karmic balance, I was gratified to see her nearly wreck the party in *much earned* response to how loud and bright and deadly they were - and was also gratified that it did not happen thanks to a brilliant move by Sam. Ep 84 needed extreme consequences, and those consequences needed extreme ingenuity to evade, and we got both.

[@Krolana4]

Brooo I keep thinking of Laudna telling Imogen that she's a bad person, and saying "maybe it's our destiny to harness" specially since it's clear her dream was always to be a powerful sorceress. I could barely focus for about 30 minutes after that, hoping ANYONE would notice and say ANYTHING. When she was dead, she seemed so troubled and eager to get away from Delilah, and she did everything she could not to freak out about Fearne's shard like she did with the gnarlrock, so I'm literally going insane about her recent behavior like wtf happened that she just now clicked??? I noticed she was kinda going off last episode but I thought "eh, maybe she just thinks they're all bad and it's hard to de-escalate now" and on the beggining of this episode I was still like "daaamn she's being so cool love that" but after the comment about wanting to use the harness on the kid I got a little worried and now this. God help me I NEED ANSWERS!!

[@vergilsrevengedm3018]

To be fair though otohan was only there at this point because she sense Imogen because she connected with perdathos which opened her to the wide spread network for Ruidis born. As far as we know she had arrived just after the caravan showed up b3cause she was following the only trail she had which was leading to the main city.

[@yocean14]

Yeah but I am not sure if I trust them to bring that arc to a proper conclusion. I really don't know I like this.

[@Sp4rt4nSl4ya]

​@@Krolana4Laudna's stability (or instability rather) has become one of my biggest concerns with this campaign. The not so long ago Ashton incident proved just how unstable she is after the separation incident, and I can't help but think she's going to go to far and do something that can't be undone. She was originally my favorite Marisha character, now I think she may just be a ticking timebomb/liability. 🙁

[@j-kicproductions6679]

I think Marisha fully plans on Laudna dying in this campaign. Either she dies and is Imogene’s catalyst for a final fight moment or Delilah fully takes over and tries to use Predathos as a way to get The Whispered One back.

[@robat774]

no one mentioning laudnas insane kill? she's gone complete dark with delilah now. 'that halfling'

[@beanofglory1051]

My head is very mentioning it, all the time often. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh. I'm kinda glad, though, because I was *horrified* by the direction that the Willmaster confrontation took last episode (when Matt was trying so hard to remind them that they have other options than fighting) with awful implications for the Elder and the village, not to mention absolutely blowing their cover by being as noisy as possible in a quiet hamlet and thus forking over the whole plan, but now Laudna's kickoff fireball makes total sense to me. She's going dark and self-serving under Delilah's guidance. Why care about the Elder, the village or the plan if your primary goal is power.

[@kientran364]

@@beanofglory1051 Any chance she's turning over to the dark side and becomes the ultimate BBEG like Molly/Lucien did in C2. I will be all for it except I'm so sick of Delilah dying and coming back over and over again

I guess Laudna waited until she was alone in the hole with the Willmaster and noone else heard her say that.

[@100Peterll]

@ Don't think so, they were 1) in a small space, 2) still early-to-mid transformation and 3) Orym has 31 fucking *passive* perception, they weren't gonna talk about it there because it would mean spending 5 minutes getting into a discussion about the morals of it or whatever while having to get away as fast as possible. However, I still hope they get into what happened in that scene next episode.

[@yocean14]

@@kientran364 I am not really sure if I amd interested in that story. That whole casual and quick manner of them deciding the Willmaster needed to die really made me uncomfortable. I'm still not over the Bor'Dor thing and how it seems to have been grossed over.

[@whitestoneandy797]

Laura's "Stop looking at me swan" from Happy Gilmore during the merch section was unexpected but delightful

[@johnmartin4620]

Billy Madison is the boy in the tub. Happy Gilmore is the golf player. The movies came out a while ago, so it all kinda blends together.

[@csn583]

​@@johnmartin4620 They're Adam Sandler's non-dramatic roles, they for sure all blend together! All the way back to "Severe bearing of a high school science teacher" on cassette tape.

[@crowtsoff]

I ACTUALLY believed Liam's "Pfft, life hack" at first

[@TexanMarine]

15:40 we need the fresh cut grass alexa voice NOW

[@midocwhogaming]

Seriously want this so much 15:39

[@JtotheMeezy]

It's got to have a small chance to be angry FCG during high stress driving, like massive traffic. "At the first opportunity, pull into the hard shoulder and MOW THE FUCKERS DOWN"

[@phoebica]

🎶FCG is a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine FCG is a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine On Ruidus where they now are rolls a Robit with trusted friends, and they flee from Othohan so the adventure doesn't end. Deep into a cave of old 'Til they found a sea of green And they dive beneath the waves as a yellow submarine.🎶 (I'm so sorry, Beatles, but I had to, because 2:59:00)

[@camillagrandi4201]

I love this fandom 😂❤

[@andy-kg5fb]

Putting this in here so I will be reminded of this masterpiece... Pls reply to me if u see this to make me smile 😊

[@Zanther11987]

​@@andy-kg5fbthere you go

[@JoepertN]

THIS EPISODE IS INSANE

[@ykaoda]

its so funny to me that the actual DM didnt get a say in "who is the busiest cast member" :D

[@clintonbehrends4659]

him and marisha are probably the buisiest

[@soulstar5238]

@@clintonbehrends4659I’d also argue Travis as he’s a father and the CEO while also holding down his voice acting job. He’s got to busy

[@davidjennings2179]

​@@soulstar5238They are all voice actors, aren't they? Also Laura is a mom too. Not sure how much Travis does as CEO above the others, didn't he only become CEO because someone needed to open the company bank account and everyone else had forgotten to do it? Maybe they have split roles properly now but I didn't think the division of responsibility was that well defined.

[@Kemical13]

Travis has to handle all of the meetings about the animated series(es) and stuff now too. @@davidjennings2179

[@LightDragon777]

To be fair, Sam, Liam, Travis, and Laura all have kids.

[@kendras8545]

2:21:54 All of the cast immediately hear helicopter blades whirring as Fortunate Son begins to play in the background.

[@user-lp7qo9cl8w]

I stumbled onto critical role when this episode was live. I was enthralled. I had to know how they got to this point. So, I just powered through the whole campaign back to this point to have context on everything. Like where they got that portable hole lol. Love you guys. What a wild ride...

[@kientran364]

ooh, that NAT 1 perception check by Fearne derailed their whole plan. They got to a wonderful place regardless but I was also excited for them to join the caravan and find out about the inner workings of the Ruby Vanguard.

[@DavidDingoBleecher]

Did Taliesin forget about his seed of the all mind? They were in a place that was dark and moist.

[@kittygaming9383]

I commented this a few episodes ago when they got on the moon about forgetting the seed. If they don't plant it now and give it time to grow now that they are near a literal dark greenhouse and waterfall matts gunna have to fudge it for when they do remember. Tbh campaign three has had alot of repeat conversations and repeated themes its because they are taking on so many projects that they're forgetting plot and stuff. Comes with a growing business they will get there in the end :)

I think they should plant it somewhere both moist and close to a city... The AMB needs people to thrive.

[@TheGrumbleduke]

He brought it up with Laura about it around 3:21:25 - at least I assume that's what he was talking about.

[@Walkdogger]

@@kittygaming9383 They mentioned this not being the spot this episode at the garden and last episode in the cave.

[@samuraiko]

I personally took it as Ashton not wanting to disrespect this place of beauty and final repose. If the Hells find a more generic cavern with water and fungus further down, I'd bet that's where he'll plant it.

[@Wolf-yt5rz]

Is it possible that Reiloran civilization is actually Elven in origin, twisted by Predathos on mind and body, even created myth about rise from Ruidus rocks. Which makes purpose of Ludinus, an Elf lives so long and holds so many secrets, very interesting.

[@BigBadWolframio]

Last eìsode I was thinking that Reilorans were possibly evolved from Elves and Bormodos from dwarves 🤔

[@jorgechacarteguiborras2576]

The next question is what were they when Ruidus was created? Volunteers? Guardians? Or collateral damage? Innocents dragged without a care by the gods and titans.

[@Wolf-yt5rz]

We still don’t know the true history about the war among Gods, Primordials and Predathos, always the secondhanded or misleading info, would the portal to another realm and ancient ruins contain the lost history or else? Looking forward to the possibilities.

[@agusti92]

Could be. It would be very Tolkienesque. I'm talking about an analogy of Orcs being corrupted Elves.

[@Wolf-yt5rz]

Ah, such a pity they didn’t stay long in the Elven ruin to investigate in episode 86, but they had priority, maybe latter.

[@williamkinser7063]

Holy freaking crap it was shredding my insides when neither fcg or fearne used the mind link to start silently screaming for help when Otohan cornered them.

[@Sp4rt4nSl4ya]

Another classic case of Ashley and Sam forgetting abilities in stressful situations that would have drastically changed the situation.

[@mariaghiglieri78]

2:59:04 love how Travis is quoting Hunt From Red October quietly by himself in the background! Happy little Travis channeling an old favorite, Sean Connery.

[@noelmurphy8008]

2:43:38 Liam says "Can I go queefing down really quick..." and no one says anything but a few people look alarmed, lol

[@1983sergev]

Self-banishment scheme, what a great move! Love it when Matt gives you that little liberty to explore the rules and make it cool 😉 Well played, fun episode again 👍

[@d2beej]

Dude, these moon episodes are amazing

[@Wolfe3288]

I Love that they are such Great friends. Having a crew that you can be You is Most Refreshing. Just remember everyone, the cameras dont exist. Everything is Better when you play Together. Thanks for bringing smiles, laughs & joy to the world. Great job on the Maps Matt!

[@Antilles1974]

I absolutely *love* how Ashley always wants to play "just 10 more minutes!"

[@NinjaDeathSlap]

Fern vamping turned one of the most terrifying moments in the Campaign so far also into one of the funniest. I wheezed in mirthful terror. :D

[@AllieKitaguchi]

I loved this episode because it's fun to see Sam Riegel flexing, yet again, that he's an incredibly clever d&d player. The only reason Fearne and FCG survived this episode is because of his banishment play.

[@shadowX2121]

That's why Sam is still my favorite player at the table.

[@persephonethereaper6938]

Well the only reason FCG survived Fearne would’ve lived as Otahan said that she can’t kill Fearne as Fearne is important to what they’re building. But yeah Sam is an incredible DND player. Though I don’t have a favorite player, just two to three favorite characters per campaign.

[@beardedpancake8847]

Technically he only survived because Matt didn't read the rest of the spell or because he chose to allow it to work. Fearne would have been shunted to the Feywild but as FCG is from the Material Plane, he would have been incapacitated, ending the spell on them both and returning them back to where they were.

[@Shyeraun]

House rules House rules House rules😊@@beardedpancake8847

[@lizablee]

​@@beardedpancake8847Fearne might not have gone to the Feywild as she was intentionally born in Tal'Dorei under the red moon.

[@bananafish58]

I ❤when Matt's hair is this long and he wears it behind his ears because he looks like an Elf!

[@ignifex255]

Yessss it looks so good that it's actually distracting

[@kaniamia]

1:29:16 Taliesin graces us with another amazing quotable quote.

[@jakewilsoncraw]

"No verbs" gave me a full abdominal workout of lolz, saving me 4 hours today.

[@user-yp2cc5qb7o]

This is the first episode I had to wait a week for after finally catching up on all 3 campaigns and what a fucking episode to catch up to! Wtf Matt!!

[@tristanwright9752]

This is the way it will always be now. It’s fun being caught up, but the cliffhangers hit hard when you can’t just watch the next episode immediately 😂

[@DorkHer031]

Thanks!

[@josiahtaylor2246]

The pride and satisfaction on Matt's face when Travis asked to use Grim Psychometry on the harness is everything.

[@persephonethereaper6938]

My favorite thing about this thing about this episode is Real answer: is how sincere and heartwarming Ashley says No❤. Sarcastic answer: This marks the day my left wisdom tooth started coming in and it still hasn’t stopped hurting and it’s swelling.

[@accade_acaso]

I love you guys ❤ thank you for keeping me company with your beautiful stories! You all are so talented and funny ❤ hugs from an Italian critter

[@Maxx.3104]

My Favourite Orym/Liam moments 59:49 Orym wears the funnel 1:07:50 Using Dominate Person 2:09:28 Lil kiss

[@masterjaczor9892]

For the ad section when the cast members were arguing over who is the busiest, when Laura said that she hasn’t bathed in two weeks I was half hoping that Travis would chime in with “Yeah I noticed.” But he did what the smart husband would do and said nothing.

[@TempestLM]

Sam didn't want to account for murder on screen when writing the ad script

[@zero0135]

Sam MF Riegel is the best man to get off sticky situations! This man don't miss!

[@ravager2-636]

Blood for the blood moon, Ruinous minds for mooning Predathos

[@eugenemccaul5652]

There's an image that's comes into my mind with the words mooning predathos and I don't like it

[@robhall9346]

3:19:39 So what Matt's saying is... life doesn't need things to live?

[@smarvin1112]

2:04 “I’ve stopped bathing…” Welcome back, Stinky Jules

[@samuraiko]

I was WAITING for Liam to call her Caleb at that point...

[@tomawen5916]

When Otohan Thull showed up and Fearne (or was it our dear robot FCG?) Rolled a "1", i almost fainted. When our heroes tried to escape and Otohan cuts them off, i had a near stroke. One of the more alarming episodes ever!

[@ferrous719]

Sam's "uh thats a 12" is the most stressed I've ever seen him for a bad roll

[@miraiya8745]

The temple was really beautiful in your description. I felt a deep connection.

[@thegreatninjaman]

they should honestly set a trap for ottohan. they have to fight her sooner or later. might as well deal with her while shes away from Ludinus. I fully believe they were 100% capable of beating her during their first encounter if they had just fought her. honestly they could have even set a trap for her when she went after esteross before reviving laudna.

[@JasonVailUXGuy]

Considering how she went after level 20 Keylith at the apogee, I'm not so sure. Legendary actions, resistances and a level 20 Echo Knight against a level 13 or 14 party is a hard fight.

[@Sp4rt4nSl4ya]

​@@JasonVailUXGuylets be real, that was entirely for plot in the same way the chroma conclaves attack on Eman in C1 was for plot. If this party laid a trap for Otohan while they're fresh, keep their cool, and synergize with one another they would stomp her. They won't do that though because they act like she's a god and run around like headless chickens when she's around.

[@TC-sl8ol]

​@@JasonVailUXGuythey had her in a bad way in the first fight while running and splitting up. They could have had her.

[@idoshulman6379]

​@@JasonVailUXGuyAnd it makes total sense (roleplay wise) that they would considering that the last encounter was almost a tpk

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

If I recall, Matt said they could have won that fight. Even if she got a power boost between then and now, Bells Hells as made serious gains in power. The only thing that stops them from winning that fight now is trash rolls.

[@zupeplays3873]

IDK why but I picked this episode to be my first little sample of Critical Role, and that intro got me

[@aaronbourque5494]

Welcome to Colorado, Fearne.

[@TakeWalker]

33:40 is one of the most amazing moments in this entire show XD

[@courtney9615]

2:33:00 👏 But also, can we talk about this moment? No one had talked about this yet and I think this was a very critical moment (pun intended) not only for the episode, but maybe for the rest of the campaign?! How do we feel about this?

[@beanofglory1051]

Laura's rapid blinkblinkblink to Ashley at 2:34:18 of "ohKAY then, that just happened with my character's SO..." As I think about it... eep. This situation fits within Imogen's guidance of, "He attacked you. F*ck him." (Re: Laudna saying she might be a bad person for feeding a helpless Bor'Dor to Delilah.) I wonder if Imogen would regret saying that now.

[@embxx7396]

Idk if she'd regret saying it because Imogen also said in that same speech that perhaps they could use their power and not run from it. Plus it sucks that only Laudna knwos what happened in that moment. The rest of them weren't there in the hole with her. Imogen doesn't even know ughhhhhh I can't wait another weekkkkk@@beanofglory1051

[@Sp4rt4nSl4ya]

​@@embxx7396just a reminder, they were all in a fairly small room together, the hole was open so they could see and hear inside it. There's no way that at the very least Orym didn't hear what Laudna said and they simply didn't address it due to time constraints as they had to flee.

[@Danforth2730]

Ashley's reactions through the whole scene were amazing

[@christopherbgsted4749]

​@@Sp4rt4nSl4yaI believe you can't see into the hole, just out of it, a bit like a bag of holding, but not quite. It's weird for sure, though I seem to remember that being canon

[@IronRanger132002]

2:38:58-2:38:59 (Said by both Laura & Marisha) "FLUFF AROUND & FIND OUT" Hey, @LauraBailey , Where's the "FLUFF AROUND & FIND OUT" merch. already? I know I'd be interested in quite possibly purchasing something with that on it. I think possibly other critters might be interested as well.🙂

[@barbarnyak]

I see what you did there at 1:22 :) a nice reference to Monty Python: Four Yorkshiremen :)

[@Anameisgiven]

Love these episodes! So much fun watching a bunch of amazing people having a blast playing DnD.

[@kack1991]

Monday Crew!!

[@EikeSky]

Yooouuuuuuu raaaannnngggg?

[@candyh4284]

@@EikeSky that used to be my voicemail until i got un-un-employed and decided "well, i should probably actually say my name and stuff"

[@tylertodd2196]

Monday Cjrew

[@shawnglade790]

Lol

[@StinaCreates]

Love it ❤ the only reason I have to look forward to Monday ❤

[@FaLLeNaNg3L82]

What I love about merceres dming is that not always everything goes as the Group Plans but sometimes the enemy is smarter! Perfect tension Episode

[@miniJujubinha]

Travis again with an artefact with 'See Invisibility' spell.. Is like the talking swords, it's just his thing

[@adamwinograd2443]

Cannot believe Sam missed: "Matt, hack to you."

[@xeno8484]

Am I the only one waiting for Matt to say “really big show” given his spot on voice impression of mister Sullivan.

[@rosalie4509]

Watched a whole show live for the first time! Such a great and stressful episode. Safe watching folks!

[@SenterSen]

The banish escape was absolutely insane, my heart was pounding so hard

[@maximillionchaoswolf]

the descriptions were so beautiful this episode.

[@Viking570]

Wait.....so the flask reveal was A LIE??!!??

[@grandpa6065]

It's a Moonday!!! I like to think that we invented a new spell this episode, like Tasha's Hideous Laughter, etc. This is FCG's Self Banishment. Can be casted on self for an automatic duration of 1 minute. Creatures sent to a demiplane can ready an action.

[@levil3409]

By RAW, this wouldn't have worked: Banishment is a Concentration spell, and while Banished, you are Incapacitated, which also ends Concentration. So Banishment on self would immediately end. Also, Fearne should have gone to the Fey Realm, as she's from that plane. That said, it was the right decision from Matt both to not send Fearne to the Fey Realm (and prevent Ashley from playing for the next few episodes), as well as allowing it to work for its inventiveness. (Other reasons while Fearne wouldn't be sent to Fey Realm is maybe the Divine Gate is preventing it, or being born on Exandria makes her Exandrian).

[@JasonVailUXGuy]

Fearne was born in Exandria but grew up in the Fey Realm. That's how she is Ruidusborn.

[@grandpa6065]

@@levil3409 which is why Im saying we should just consider this a different spell from Banishment 5e altogether

[@ColonelHazard]

Unless I'm misremembering, the Oxventure crew did self-banishment first. I feel like if anyone deserves the spell name it should be "Prudence's Self-Banishment". Or possibly "Prudence's Time-Out Corner", because that's how it has typically been used on fellow party members in their campaign.

[@levil3409]

@@williambrewer5139 PHB, p. 203, "Concentration-Being incapacitated or killed" That said, you may play the game as you'd like and as you enjoy, I have no problem with that, I tend to change rules as well, and I do think that this was a fun ruling.

[@AC_Church]

3:19:41 You know the moon is a weird place, life doesn't even need things to live there

[@TheDarkstormy]

The foibles of people who don't know that Flour is highly explosive.

[@eartheclipse8]

how???

[@Xorrin]

Flour doesn't just spontaneously explode

[@ForestRaptor]

Anything that can be turned into a fine powder and holds potential energy, can have a certain air to powder density that can create a violent explosion. There have been many accidents of flour blowing up when someone introduces a fire or a spark

[@PeTTs0n88]

Is the substance explosive in itself? Nah. Flammable though? When the mixture with air is just right - most definitely. When mixed with air and ignited it can create a fireball in an explosive fashion. Sawdust and powdered milk or coffee creamer are other examples. Mythbusters did an episode with that, and that fireball is no joke.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

​@@eartheclipse8Flour as a fine powder floating creates a perfect mix of flammable material and oxygen that, when exposed to flame, flashes in a sudden explosion. It isn't like dynamite level power but it's enough to cause serious problems.

[@MrSHADOWANGEL999]

Bells hells, masters of subtle recon

[@DoomsDay117x]

48:19 I really thought I remembered when Matt gave them the hole, that he said it was black and they couldn't see out of it or into it when they were doing their tests...

[@MelinEvie]

Yeah I remembered the same thing but they seem to have forgotten which honestly is just human xD

[@GreyAcumen]

Canadian Valentines day is where you say "sorry I forgot valentines day"

[@JeshieWafflez]

Self-Banishment combined with Wind Walk is amazing. Technically you can't do it with RAW, but rule of cool?! I'd allow it EVERY SINGLE TIME! xD

[@kientran364]

I've reread both spells' decription and there is nothing in the text forbidding them from doing so. Reverting between forms with Wind walk takes one minute but doesn't specify "concentration". It might be implied that you have to make an effort to switch but it doesn't necessarily mean you have to drop concentration on other spells

[@JeshieWafflez]

@@kientran364 Both spells cause you to be incapacitated. When that condition is set, you can't take actions or reactions. When in the demi-plane, you're incapacitated, which means you couldn't turn back into wind (since it's an action to do so). BUT, it's a dumb rule, so I'd allow it every time. xD

[@Elfangorax]

Portal from a proto-elven civilisation to a beautiful plane with lush, green forestry? Gotta be Arborea!

[@obadijahparks]

Always look behind the waterfall.

[@dsteele6594]

"Just like Three Ninjas." High Noon At Mega Mountain