For The Tempest | Critical Role | Campaign 3, Episode 68

[@flandomaltrizian4603]

HEY, there might be some SPOILERS under the thing 1:25 Sam is pursued by bear 4:10 Laura’s merch corner 6:45 2 season 2s 9:00 Intro cinematic 10:50 EPISODE STARTS 13:50 Recap Ends 15:00 Graz’tchar (it’s in the Tal’dorei campaign guide) 17:35 Saxophone riff 24:30 The sword tells its history 26:45 Legend lore 28:15 Sam cannot resist trolling, even if it destroys the campaign (which this sword absolutely can) 31:25 Chetney would fall for a scam 33:35 Laudna is not strong enough for the sword (Sam’s flask) 36:00 Life’s too short to not use cursed swords 40:45 Dream 48:55 Commune (in plank position) 53:40 Laudna sleeps with eyes open 55:20 Chet rolls for death 58:40 Old Lice 1:03:55 Sir Chad 1:06:20 Mispronouncing something in your mind 1:10:30 Hole dynamics 1:14:25 Fearne and Chetney don’t actually have sex 1:19:15 Nel 1:22:05 Healing Keyleth 1:33:05 Orym is celebrated 1:35:45 Orym speaks 1:38:15 Taking Fearne’s finger 1:40:00 BREAK STARTS 1:51:45 Art Montage 1:53:45 BREAK ENDS 1:55:10 Keyleth gives an update on everything 2:00:25 Telling Keyleth about Vax 2:04:55 Telling Keyleth about the champion of Asmodeus (I’d like to think she’s thinking of Clarota) 2:07:00 Aliens 2:09:15 Showing off the Crimson Shade 2:12:55 Talking to the shade 2:19:35 Keyleth has nice wood 2:23:30 Keyleth’s advice for heroes (I think she implies VM knows M9) 2:30:40 The Hishari 2:33:55 Ashton is titan-blooded 2:39:00 Evontra’vir 2:42:20 Laudna takes weird notes 2:53:15 Keyleth talks about an offscreen adventure 2:57:30 Showing the harness 3:01:15 Studio is haunted 3:17:15 Scrying on D 3:23:45 Scrying on Dancer 3:27:20 Divination to choose between Dancer and D 3:29:45 Casting again 3:32:55 Casting one more time 3:35:55 Keyleth would take the goldfish story to her grave 3:37:45 Keyleth does a wrap up 3:42:25 Savior blade 3:48:10 Episode Ends The in-game start date for the episode is unclear. Sam’s gas can has a romance book cover on it with Fearne called “The Devil’s In-Fearne-o ” Mentopolis from Dimension20 is really good. Good team, good characters really fun world. They'll probably post their first episode on KZbin this week, I'll try to be there. Any moments I missed? Feel free to post them here. Is it Thursday yet?

[@davidsdurions]

Oh there you are

[@Micaerys]

Always so fast 👏🏻👏🏻

[@yashatheninth4160]

Thanks from Brazil

[@drag0n_dorado420]

Mah boi

[@raccoonscooch5491]

Hi Flando!!

[@vonkowskisoddities4164]

The glee on Matt’s face when Sam says “fuck you” for being so vague during divination 😂😂😂

[@UponThisAltar]

2:06:03 Keyleth still regrets Vox Machina aligning with Arkhan. "It's never just buisness." The last thing Arkhan ever said to them was "It's just buisness."

[@Jvolt04]

Holy shit, how did I not catch that!?

[@Kaiser8361N]

I would really love to see Joe and Arkhan back at the table. Mainly to see where Arkhan has been and to watch the two jocks flirt with each other across the table again lol

[@artloveranimation]

ooof

[@UponThisAltar]

@@Jvolt04 I didn't catch it Thursday to be fair but it clicked the second I rewatched that scene.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

That's both a nice touch from Matt and good looking out. Though I think what happened to Arkhan was continued with his appearance in the Descent into Avernus book. His continuity in Faerun with that and his appearance in Force Grey (DMed by Matt) make his story a bit convoluted. Though I've heard it's a signature PC that Joe has had for a long time.

[@MycoArsenic39]

Seeing FCG, a southern cleric who believes all Gods are worth saving (and Sam) having both a mental and emotional breakdown with the Changebringer, progressively become more passive aggressive after every vague answer for each divination spell is hilarious. I feel like Matt was having a field day with this one, payback for Sam’s shenanigans.

[@Drekromancer]

Oh yes. The funniest part is that it's totally justified by the mechanics and lore of the world. Matt mentioned the fact that the Divination spell has that mechanic causing an escalating chance of failure on subsequent casts. However, I think it's also very in line with the Changebringer's nature to troll her faithful servants when they ask too much from her. She's not the type to get mad at her clerics when they get snippy with her - instead, she'd find joy in subverting their intentions. Which is exactly what she does here! It's also notable that the Changebringer wants to encourage people to be independent. So she might be trolling FCG due to his attempt to get the "right answer" from her instead of following his own path.

[@loganshiyou1139]

@@Drekromancer I feel like Matt's hints were very clearly referring to Dancer though. I was surprised when nearly everyone instantly assumed it was D. Am I crazy?

[@hoboofserenity]

@@loganshiyou1139 That's the genius of it, and you can see him take a breath to consider before giving the answers. Matt's making sure to answer in a way that is ambiguous and open to interpretation. It's the best way for him to both give guidance and have the players retain agency. This way the way the players interpret it, can be both correct and incorrect. Whichever path the players take can then be the correct one, or the incorrect one, depending on what the DM chooses when they get there. Matt's such a good DM.

[@Lyrantes]

@@loganshiyou1139 You're definitely not crazy. But I'll be honest I also think the answers fit both, especially if you're an overthinker. e.g. I got really stuck on the "Life renewed" part. D found FCG, could mean he gave them life due to finding them. But Dancer was the one to actually give them a new purpose and a new life as a whole. Most certainly feels more leaning towards Dancer, but your mind is definitely your worst enemy in a case like this.

[@dmaster624]

Yes! This! I was dying after each cast of Divination! 🤣

[@Rais-Codex]

I have a feeling that the latter half with them in Keyleth's room made her realize "Oh, so this is what it felt like to be on the other side of a conversation with VM".

[@aurorawashburn1240]

Dark mirrors,

[@stephenwilliams203]

"Bells Hells..."

[@brandoncreek5709]

"Were we really this annoying...? Oh who am I kidding, of course we were."

[@slashfilledmind]

I saw someone in a bear costume and I just assumed it was Sam. There was a long moment of confusion when the camera showed him on the other side of the table.

[@jackwriter1908]

Agreed, I needed far too long to figure out who was wearing the costume.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

It threw me for a loop as well. Until you either see who is missing or remember that they sit in the same spots for an entire campaign.

[@saskiascott8181]

Hahaha the exact same thing happened to me

[@obadijahparks]

He Is a triplet...... they are one......

[@hotshot104]

Same 😂

[@corvidkhaos]

“i’ll tell you a story about a goldfish someday” keyfish’s legacy is eternal

[@JsttomM]

i've been watching this since the second live they did on twitch back in the day, yet i still can't understand why people say "keyfish" instead of "Goldfish" , which is what Kiki said.

[@akostabi7988]

​@@JsttomMKEYlet goldFISH

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

Yup. Most actual plays I've seen make something like a couple name for wildshapes. It's also why I rather dislike when people (including cast and crew) write her nickname as Kiki. For me it will always be Keykey.

[@JsttomM]

@@akostabi7988 bruh... really??? omg lmao. thnx tho

[@naphaneal]

they can exchange stories of goldfish. Fearne transformed a chimera or something into a goldfish, when they traversed the desert valley to Bassuras on the skyship.

[@inkandcaffeine]

ok but talesin relaying what the sword was saying in real time was so funny

[@roguesoul6760]

Ashton, the punk rock master of wiki footnotes lol

[@Jos7h]

@@TravisStockton chill

[@djsndifn]

And Matt just catching on immediately, they’re all so in-tune with each other

[@arminho21]

yeah but him trying to gatekeep the sword was getting tiring even for those in the table

[@Jos7h]

@@arminho21 yes everyone plays perfectly all the time. 🙄 like it’s a fun moment to explore, maybe a character is greedy so what? He’s opened a lot of future dialogues and created a character arc. Y’all might be blessed by a moment of reflection from here and there.

[@TartarusHimself]

every time a sentient weapon talks about "grasping my hilt" i look at laura. surprisin amount of self control this episode

[@marcelafreitas3832]

Look at Ashely's face tho

[@OriginalCreatorSama]

Laura looks at Matt and Travis, Travis looks at Laura and Ashley, and Ashley looks around to see who else noticed. And they all share the same "I got that joke! are you proud of me?" look kids get when they start to understand adult humor. I love the dynamics in this group lol

[@subatomicnonsense]

Same, everytime.

[@jarrodcollihole1379]

The funny thing is, that sword is in the Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting and I know what it does, this is going to be great. As soon as he said "Graz'Tchar, The Luminary Blade" i hopped up thinking "I know that name and that is NOT it's title" so i grabbed my book and laughed at what it was

[@TartarusHimself]

@@jarrodcollihole1379 I just looked it up and Uh “Base price: 1 human soul” What the fuck

[@cloud_sauce]

My favorite part about the sword scene is the rescued prisoners' perspective... An hour ago they were coming to terms with a gruesome and painful death at the hand of demons, only for this group of weirdos to come to their aid. Now they're all in a tight, dimly lit, _sealed_ cave, watching these strangers pass around a sword, talking to the air and debating whether it's worth the risk of potentially wielding a demon prince blade. And then someone casually mentions the faun making a pact with a devil, as if it's just another -Tuesday- Grissen.

[@kawawangkowboy9566]

I kept waiting for the last thing Keyleth said in her wrap up to be, "inspiring leader... everyone gets 23 temporary hit points "

[@DieDieNacho]

That would have been golden 🤣

[@kawawangkowboy9566]

@@DieDieNacho golden like a fish

[@jothrax4673]

Me too

[@BigggusDikkkus]

Dang.... awesome opportunity missed

[@green_dragon_knight]

I would have loved to have seen Matt’s interpretive dance routine as Keyleth to inspire them

[@jamesmaceaveli6679]

Travis and the talking swords: A trilogy.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

Not quite. There were two in the first campaign.

[@jamesmaceaveli6679]

@@MorinehtarTheBlue Craven Edge and what other one?

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

@@jamesmaceaveli6679 Come to think of it I'm not sure Grog actually wielded it. The Sword of Kas was what I was thinking of. It's somewhat ironic since Matt based Craven Edge on it.

[@StallingsStory]

@@MorinehtarTheBlueI mean if you count the pact blade from C2 this is actually the 4th

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

@@StallingsStory Everyone was already counting the Sword of Fathoms. The OP said trilogy which would be three. So by adding the Sword of Kas that would indeed be four. What I don't get is what you think you're contributing to the conversation?

[@mattys.misc.]

Matt really said ‘you’re adults, make decisions for yourselves’ with those commune spells.

[@Ginric99]

Well no it’s a game and divination is a mechanic in the game. I have had players use it to try and work out which path they should take, and I have directed them down the most direct easiest path in that situation. But it is also meant to be open to interpretation. For me it is clear, dancer was who he was pointing them to but as players I think they had fixated on Devexian, that happens, a lot, your character would do this thing but as a player you really want to see this cool thing over here so you let that shape your opinion. Also, divination comes with built in randomness. As a DM you roll the dice and there is a cumulative 25% chance that the spell gives out nothing,

[@JaxonBurn]

And the players are saying we could use a bit more direction.

[@mr.e7541]

To be fair to change bringer is all about people making their own decisions and forging their own paths

[@KadiaGray]

"Define weird." "No." "Ok!" Ashton, I love you, I love this group's dynamics!!! edit: timestamp is 39:25 edit edit: I'm so happy 336 Critters agree.

[@idoshulman6379]

Timestamp?

[@ElpuntThing]

​@@idoshulman637939:30

[@KadiaGray]

@@idoshulman6379 Right before they go to sleep, Ashton talking to Chetney about the sword at 39:25

[@BigggusDikkkus]

Some of Tal's one liners are incredible. My favorite will always be "your secret is safe with my indifference". Some of them are just plain awful, but we overlook them because it's improv role-playing.

[@mightymouse654]

Reminds me of "wait! Prove you are really Percy." "No." "It's him"

[@IvJo]

The entire divination bit with FCG and the Changebringer might be the funniest bit of this entire campaign so far.

[@watchvids8214]

Matt's revenge for sure XD

[@TakeWalker]

I like to think the table laughter was in fact the various servants of the Changebringer whom FCG was talking to snickering amongst themselves as they come up with an appropriately confusing answer

[@deepunk15]

the way it completely broke the table AND Matt! I haven't seen Matt break like that in game with uncontrollable laughter for awhile 😂

[@Tensen01]

@@deepunk15 Not since the Horse Stack

[@sifuculreif6448]

That is legitimately the first time I've ever crumpled to the floor doubled over in laughter.

[@amymurata]

FCG/Sam really went through the 5 stages of grief when they couldn't get a clear answer from the Changebringer

[@bradseeker]

cannot wait for the animated, where (i pray) whatever grass's envisioning turns into matt for the "begins with a D" reading

[@oldfrend]

@@bradseeker i hope the changebringer rolls her eyes at sam and storms off in a huff XD

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

Matt did point out that there are often Celestial go betweens with these interactions. So I'm picturing an office with Matt as the Celestial just hazing the new convert lol.

[@Bookluver29]

@@MorinehtarTheBlue Or just some Deva in the middle of a war council with their phone constantly being hit up.

[@MrGreylurker]

That whole sequence has me thinking of Reverend Lovejoy having to deal with Ned Flanders.

[@lukeedwards6027]

Theory: We know his ego. Ludinus doesn’t want to unleash Predathos, he wants to absorb its power, all of it. FEED THE ROOT! The funnel-harness was just part of a primitive alpha version. Predathos, the ultimate power to kill any god. Why ascend and replace a god when you can steal the power of a god killer? He’s the most power hungry character in all of Exandria. Why would he try to release something more powerful than he is? He’s too smart to just unleash an unpredictable entity like that. He wants that power for himself!

[@vespernight4236]

He could also be binding it to somebody else like otohan or lilliana juuuust incase it goes sideways. Using the power of being Ruidis born and controlling them to do his bidding (i mean he clearly has them under his thumb well enough). Or maybe he'll make his own version of a judicator to control instead of predathos itself, again using someone or the reilora. Lots of possibilities.

[@Jplays23]

Oh.... Oh no. That's it. That's the one. Oh dear

[@DarcOne13]

Well... that's not good...

[@Rakshael]

I think this is the most likely answer

[@UrijahHeaton]

Damn best of luck bells hells

[@billyc2292]

I want a cutsence of jester freaking out about sending not working

[@jazzycat8917]

Meanwhile everyone Jester's ever met is like THANK GOD!

[@jamescanjuggle]

everyones collectively like "oh gods above, the blue imps voice hasnt arrived. BY THE STARS SHES GONE MY MIND IS FREE" 3 days later "You pooping?"

[@jothrax4673]

@@jazzycat8917 maybe that's the real reason Ludines is doing this

[@crouchingmarker]

@@jothrax4673 "...and then in his moment of triumph he yelled 'who's pooping now, tiefling? Who's pooping now?' and laughed maniacally for like, five minutes. Seriously, are we sure we're on the right side here?"

[@bentlergerjamin2783]

Since the events of the Mighty Nein campaign, sales on Rings of Mind Shielding have nearly doubled.

[@MycoArsenic39]

Seeing Liam in a bear suit at the beginning: “Oh?” Matt: “This episode is sponsored by Baldur’s Gate III.” Me: “Oh no.”

[@er4din903]

You mean to say **oh yes**

[@jackwriter1908]

I mean I am not saying I would chose that option if I were to go into that direction... but if Liam and Sam would be portrayed exactly like that into Baldurs Gate... then I would definetly go there 😂

[@oldfrend]

man i was expecting something way more gross and weird than a domestic dispute. kinda disappointed haha

[@MrYago-xd7um]

Was disappointed no one played a child that walked in to call sam a hot tiefling mommy.

[@mishiara5499]

I reqlly wish sam would have gone to town and made out with the 🐻 mask

[@Lynch2507]

Love how we got both a solid lore dump with Ashton being part-Primordial and the whole party break with the divination. critical role in a nutshell lmao

[@stevenmike1878]

lol ive been wondering if ashton is on an immortal quest of the polymath to become an immortal. thats why his memory is gone. its because he has to live multiple lives in order to complete his quest and become an immortal. or maybe he is re-becoming an immortal again because if you become a top immortal and reincarnate back as a lvl 1 and reach the top immortal rank twice, you are allowed to be seen and heard by "THE OLD GREAT ONES". to request and be allowed to join there ranks.

[@starringtoy935]

Good for the Changebringer to answer FCG’s Commune questions respectfully even his “Are you worth saving?” question especially compared to the Dawnfather’s rage quit from Deanna’s commune. She’s even honest and shares how she really feels to them. Respect!😊

[@Aurora_Lightbringer]

It's some pretty good character work tbh. The Changebringer goes with the flow. You could assume she'd never take anything really personally because of the value on personal choice against predetermanism. The Dawn father has always been shown as goal driven, single-minded and unfaltering. He'd so take that personally.

[@MyRYNOrunsHot]

Yeah - he is the guy fighting the biggest bads in all the historical art and such. Hard not to feel a little miffed when you've got toe to tentacle with Tharizdhun and when you're in trouble someone goes "but do you really need help?"@@Aurora_Lightbringer

[@CeciltheGleek]

Well, to be fair to the Dawnfather, Deanna posed that question as a real 'fuck you'... If he'd been asked it by F.C.G I think the response would have been different.

[@miafiolekova5817]

The Dawnfather reminds me of an abusive father who keeps his kids (mortals) on a leash with the reasoning that "he knows whats best for them".

[@troikas3353]

For a god to care about something so trivial as mildly spicy tone only paints the god itself as either incredibly petty or narcissistic tbh. The more gets revealed the more I feel like all these “gods” are just going to turn out to be mortals themselves that managed to ascended.

[@HailHydra27]

"That is your wife" One day they gotta release what they're heckling Matt with before the cold open. Id pay good money for it

[@impofstpete727]

It's usually just them spewing profanity or saying gross stuff to get him to break. During campaign 2 when it was still truly live they had a few spill over into his opening speech.

[@benteelgersma9303]

And they added a clip, I think in their 7 years anniversary backstage video

[@UponThisAltar]

During EXU Lou Wilson totally missed the timing and his was fully caught on camera of him just saying "Wesley Snipes tax evasion" XD The cast and guests just say whatever to get some confusion or a laugh.

[@sweebos]

​@@UponThisAltar 😆😆😆 Now I gotta watch Calamity for the 20th time. "Sam just said taint." 😄

[@carlycchapman]

​@@UponThisAltarLou is amazing. I need to watch more Dimension 20. 🤣

[@wahman8811]

This was bells hells first win after a very long streak of losses, it’s great to see a small victory for the party!

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

Yep. It's been looking absolutely bleak for awhile, but I think Matt knows what he's doing. This is the stuff from which heroes and legends are born.

[@Samara0-0Ray]

Nothing worth doing is ever easy

[@devonsmith9519]

Or you know... They could play smart. Not run away at the drop of fart in the wind, or otherwise, actually work together? What do I know though? I'm a complete pleb with no thoughts, not allowed to communicate unless it's squeeing with joy because a thing that is inconsequential got blown up for no reason other than the collective dead brain cells of all the squeeing "fans" grouped together to form a cult of "This is awesome, because -insert booger into eye-."

[@sodasaintcommentaries4054]

@@devonsmith9519 You sound like you're a swell individual to hang around with.

[@StormLordKord]

Gotta remember, Vox Machina watched a king die and a town massacred by the Chroma Conclave before they could get to the nitty gritty. After tragedy, then and ONLY THEN do the small wins feel meaningful.

[@banthafodder884]

The resignation in Liam's voice during Sam's add😂😂😂

[@samuraiko]

The things he does for love.

[@rabnerd28]

Taliesin questioning all the life choices that brought him there to witness this.

[@rashindus]

There's something special, both as a player and as a viewer, when the party spends most of the session walking in circles trying to make decision(s), when you realise that the person who mostly has to deal with the consequences of those decisions is the DM.

[@kab6754]

It's a truly magical gift

[@GoobieTheGoob]

Hence why DnD is the best medium for improvised stories! You have so much flexibility as a player because you know it will always have a continuum linked to it.

[@whitestoneandy797]

3:30:51 when one of your players legit out of character swears at you out of pure frustration you know in your heart you've won as a DM 😅

[@nutelasaur9453]

1:32:40 I've praised Marisha for her physical acting with Laudna but Liam does it so well in a more subtle way that this little stumble of getting patted on the back is so perfectly in character and wonderful acting

[@MrSHADOWANGEL999]

Surprisingly not the first time Laura Bailey has sat besides a stuffed bear on critical role

[@garytuttle8753]

if I had nickle lol

[@AllieKitaguchi]

the D vs Dancer commune had me in absolute stitches

[@DarcOne13]

Caduesus never had to deal with this bullshit. What is this? Lol

[@Ariadne.Of_Emperors_Children]

It's literally the CHANGEbringer. She is essentially always a maybe and weird ominous prophecies.

[@loTonks]

​@@DarcOne13fcg's current character arc is about learning to take the responsibilities that come with being alive and conscious (id say so at least) so it makes sense that they dont just get clear answers to questions like that that let them push their choise making onto something or someone else again

[@DarcOne13]

@@loTonks Yeah, I actually like what (I think it was Fearne?) Said: It feels like either would help. Now you get to make the choice. EDIT: It was NOT Fearne; Imogen said that.

[@loTonks]

@@DarcOne13 yeah very true

[@captainnwalps6689]

“IS IT DANCER?!” I was in tears during that entire exchange 😂😂😂

[@whitestoneandy797]

Around 3:27:00 after years and years, Matt finally gets -revenge- *justice* for all the shirt bits/ads/insane chaos that is Sam Riegel

[@twothirdsanexplosive]

This comment isn't getting enough love. Every Matt photo on a T-shirt made the information more ambiguous.

[@Drekromancer]

@@twothirdsanexplosive "Every subsequent T-shirt gag will add a stacking 20% chance of failure to all your spells."

[@charrleschervanik3632]

Little guy liam is probably shaping up to be my favorite liam. And that is no easy feat as both Vax and Caleb are amazing as well.

[@chick3nking]

30:17 "might be a wolf in sheep's clothing" followed by "sheep's don't even wear clothes it's a broken phrase" had me cackling travis is a genius

[@tommihorttana860]

"Times are only going to get stranger, it seems." "There are people on the moon." Now that's great comedic timing.

[@kyanchambers260]

Travis always has the best reactions. I love watching him scream and get hyped, like when he got the talking sword last session. It's also so funny whenever he freaks out over horror stuff

[@Moodyman90]

Just dying here as they pass the sword around trying to figure it out only to go "Here you go Travis" once they do. Ah the joys of non-meta meta gaming. Using spells to learn about it, Matt doing his best to convince them to use it, and some of them just wanting Travis to have yet another potentially evil sword for laughs.

[@Jason-kp4vc]

TBH the Legend Lore was metagaming. I don't believe they've cast it on any other item they have, not even on the staff a very powerful archmage left behind. You've a talking sword that was in the hands of a demon that very recently conquered a bastion of Platinum Dragon worshippers, and everything the sword claimed would fall in line with it having belonged to a Paladin of Bahamut before they were slain and the sword taken by the demon. Hell (pun unintended), they're more trusting of Ludinus' BDSM harness than they were of the sword, there absolutely was meta knowledge informing their initial suspicion. The handful of talking swords Matt has given them were all evil, and the parallel was unintentionally drawn when Travis picked it up, that he's the one that got all the evil swords before. While I am glad that they're keeping it around for now, it feels like the sidestory of the sword is already tainted by the meta suspicion confirmed to be true with FCG's legend lore cast, and even though FCG didn't reveal what they learned of the sword in detail, the players will likely forget that their characters don't know much beyond what FCG revealed to them. Basically they're not gonna roll an insight check on the sword's claim that FCG perhaps detected the previous wielder's essence because they all know it's evil via meta knowledge and won't believe it anyway.

[@Moodyman90]

@@Jason-kp4vc I could be wrong but I don't think FCG even had that spell until that last level up, which happened after they got and used the teleporting staff. "Non-meta meta gaming" was a poor choice of words on my part but the table as a whole didn't trust the sword from the start, and while Matt did his best he was just too damn vague. While it may be in character for the sword "I use to be king but most of my memory is gone, but I've been around for a long time" doesn't inspire trust and it probably was the best use of Legend Lore. Doesn't matter cause they still went "Here you go Travis."

[@feagel]

​@@Jason-kp4vcI have no clue what you're talking about. That was one of the least meta gaming things I've ever seen. I 100% bought that it was a non cursed magic item only when it started being semi evasive on its history was is it clear something is wrong. Meta gaming doesn't mean just being defensive and second guessing whatever the DM gives you, that's just being sensible . The meta gaming part was pretending they don't know it's evil because they think it's funnier.

[@Jason-kp4vc]

@@feagel If that was the least meta gaming things you've ever seen I'm assuming you randomly stumbled upon this episode and have never seen DND before. The identify cast was standard, the Legend Lore wasn't. A sword claiming to have been wielded by a Paladin of Bahamut in a Bastion/Fortress of Platinum Dragon devotees that was VERY recently conquered is FAR less suspicious than the staff and harness that was previously wielded by a power-hungry archmage with a chip on his shoulder. I guarantee you this wouldn't have happened if it was the first time Matt introduced a talking sword to them. 3 other times he did that, the sword (or the presence behind it) was evil, none of the good swords ever talked. Regarding suspicion of the sword, it wasn't ever evasive, and just claimed to have forgotten the details of the consciousness before it became a sword, outside of having been a king. This memory issue isn't even unique to the sword, both Ashton and FCG don't remember a lot of themselves. There's a difference between being aware that the sword is most likely evil and then passing it on to Travis to deal with the consequences later, and microanalyzing it with incredible scrutiny because you're all but aware from a meta perspective that talking swords = evil. Like, Fearne's one step away from signing her soul away to a devil, but Chetney and his new toy needs to be closely monitored? Not a fan of that choice. I wonder if you'd maintain this take if Matt had left the cast at the table when Dusk was having her secret conversation, and the cast started becoming suspicious of her after that.

[@Jason-kp4vc]

@@Moodyman90 FCG was level 9 after Bells Hells got scattered from the Malleus Key according to critrolestats, and that's when you get your first level 5 spell slot, so they absolutely had access to the spell with Ludinus' stuff, they just didn't use it. I'm fine with the outcome but I still feel like the sidestory's tainted with meta knowledge because there's a difference between the players knowing the sword's evil, and the characters knowing it, and they most certainly would not have found it out if this was the first time Matt gave them a talking sword, and not the 4th, all 3 other ones having been evil/evil adjacent. Never a good talking sword, so naturally they were suspicious.

[@deezvidz218]

Chetney: define weird Ashton: no Chetney: okay Had the same energy as Grog: Prove that you are you. Percy: no... Grog: it's you 😂😂😂

[@roxana5490]

Yes!!!

[@PancakeMonster359]

1:35:45 “Hearts and Minds. Always Ashari! Home and Abroad. Mornings and Nights! Kaitiake!" Always impressed by how Liam can quickly come up such poetic speeches. It reflects the Ashari culture perfectly. No matter how far the wind brings you to, Zephrah is always home

[@garbageman366]

The slow terror of realizing what the bear was in the opening can not be matched.

[@grandpa6065]

wait what bear, i missed this entirely

[@uninterruptedrhythm4104]

the intro ad @@grandpa6065

[@a.bookmonkey6790]

It’s in the ad read

[@4203105]

What slow terror?

[@garbageman366]

@@4203105 Do you not know about the bear in Baulders Gate 3?

[@okthen623]

ive been WAITING for a good lore dump!!! BH's whole conversation with Keyleth clarified so many plot points, backstories, and name dropped a lot of different people/places/artifacts for BH to seek out. Matt is really good at giving enough to get the group engaged and give them direction without giving away future events or plans

[@Midnightromantic]

I love that Imogen is, for all intents and purposes, Jean Grey and (potentially) Dark Phoenix.

[@TheDoombrigade]

Probably watched Tulok the barbarian's guide before the campaign

[@mr.t9280]

I love Liam so much, and he never let's me down. From "disintegrate ", to "like vines, we grow together. " 💙 KAITIAKE

[@okthen623]

my favorite part of any episode is just matt: [mentions a new name] the table: [rapid paper flipping and scribbling sounds]

[@clpumm]

Matt just casually canonizing that not only is organized labor a thing in Exandria, but that there is a dedicated Ashari Herbalist's Union 😂 1:22:47

[@agnawkneemoose6373]

What's left unsaid is that the Kryn Dynasty has started using telekinesis to process their herbs, allowing a single worker to do a job previously done by ten. The AHU (Ashari Hebalist Union) has blocked implementation of telekinesis because it'd lead to worker layoffs, but Xhorhasian herbs are now available even in Zephrah for a fraction of the price - and although everyone claims they're going to proudly "Buy Ashari", few actually do when it comes time to open their coin pouch. Now the Tal'Dorei Council tried to levy protective import tariffs on herbs to "level the playing field", but the reciprocal tariffs from other nations has devastated Ashari exports, which was actually always the dominate market share for their product. The entire Ashari herb industry is now on the brink of total collapse, which will lead to *everyone* losing their jobs and have crushing long term effects on the entire Ashari economy. But yes, they have a union.

[@jelliefishr2336]

I mean, isn't Chet's tattoo a mark of a labor union? The Rexxentrum Toy Authority?

[@bijntjeveenstra2455]

​@@jelliefishr2336No it means Recognize The Aplha.

[@loTonks]

​@@jelliefishr2336yes it is xD

[@Rellyks]

@@bijntjeveenstra2455 nooooow it does xD

[@AxlBluesox]

I hope that The Great Tree of Atrophy is the remnants of The Tree of Names.

[@R3dS0ulSnak3]

I had that thought as well... I wonder if they will find the little ship stuck in the branches if they go there??

[@AxlBluesox]

@@R3dS0ulSnak3 or the petrified severed arm of one Patia Por’co.

[@Jplays23]

Oh my gosh! All of this! I'm so happy to see things from calamity being brought into this

[@johnshook1687]

Wow, that's a spicy thought.

[@Rellyks]

@@AxlBluesox that HAS to happen. The great tree of atrophy was said to be a gau drashari

[@weebjeez]

Part of me really hopes that Chet is gonna roll 100 on his check, after saying he could probably survive without the sword for one night.

[@omegagilgamesh]

36:40, "I'm torn between self-preservation and enjoying a cautionary tale." What all D&D players experience at least once per session. Otherwise, it is a dull experience.

[@roxana5490]

Taliesin. Taliesin with the lines 👌👌👌

[@rhokesh4391]

Bell's Hells: Find a sentient, talking magic sword. Use it as a lexicon.

[@magicshane52]

2:57:10 Somewhere out there Brennan is losing his freaking mind. “It happened and it mattered” 🥹

[@KyleStroudVA]

Chetney, the werewolf with the evil sword, of ALL people, responding to the idea that they were all ticking time bombs with “well, I dunno…” is such an underrated bit of humor on Travis’s part. I needed to take a moment to call it out. 😂

[@AAlion15]

Seeing Orym get his spotlight by keyleth made me shed a tear. So proud of our little ashari buddy!

[@hsmoscout]

can't decide whether i'm more distraught at the way imogen reacts to keyleth saying she doesn't know what would happen to vax who, like laudna, was kept alive due to a pact with an otherworldly being if the gods were destroyed or at the way laudna looks at imogen when she talks about giving in and possibly losing herself

[@cheesyascot]

I like how last campaign it went from "everytime you ask about old character one dies" to this campaign *everyone shows up!*

[@Wulfarwacht]

The whole divination thing was one of the funniest bits in recent times. Had me in stitches 😂

[@donthedon816]

1:10:30 we just gonna ignore that they either forgot or Matt was just nice enough to not throw them into the Astral Sea when the bag of holding went into the portable hole?

[@spo0kykatt_334]

I like to think about the absolute horrible time keyleth must be having. She almost died and just as she gets a breath of relief it's like "by the way tempest ur bf is being tortured, we made a pact with a demon and there's people on the moon anywayyyyy"

[@bumblewyn]

i can’t with the THREE questions to the changebringer back to back to back 😂

[@JugsKise]

Welp.....I finally caught up to Campaign 3. It will always be such a bittersweet moment, flying through episode after episode after _episode_ , until finally....the last uploaded video is only 3 days ago and you got yourself a wait on your hands. C3 has been everything I hoped for so far, and while the wait every week sucks it'll be fun to engage with the community day-of and not months later!

[@jweather66]

I caught up to C3 last week, and it's my first one. After that I watched the vox machina show and then started C2. I'm 6 episodes into C2 and it's fantastic.

[@adamfabian9398]

​@@jweather66youre in for a ride. C2 is my fav out of the three

[@aaitlynnkangell7764]

I think Travis just has a thing for cool, (possibly) evil talking swords. I mean the man has a track record

[@raptorjesues1445]

DEFINETLY evil.

[@isaacstevens1912]

​@@raptorjesues1445The whole sword bit was fun to watch as someone who has read through the Taldorei Reborn book

[@theonionqueen3519]

Someone seriously needs to tell Ashley Johnson that her hair looks incredible.

[@konstance13]

I've been trying to find pictures that really capture because I want so badly to have the same cut lol. I might just have to show my stylist part of an episode 😂

[@Frank-ju8qr]

2:05:58 "It's never just business" Cheff's kiss, such a good line as a call back

[@clayman648]

03:30:50 I love this scene! Matt was trying to find a way or loophole to screw Sam out of getting the exact info he needs haha

[@thechamber9]

odd how no one ended up in the astral plane in this episode. i wonder how long it's gonna take matt to realize chetney has been jumping into the portable hole all episode while wearing his shiny new bag of holding.

[@WorldbuildyMcNPCface]

That would have been a horrible mistake plotwise but the best most DnD thing ever, because they were all arrayed around it in a tiny space. I think the first time it happened imogen was in there too, so imogen and chetney shredded and scattered across the astral sea and the rest of the group vooped into a random astral plane location with a few Ashari NPCs and a probably psychotic Laudna

[@Nesseight]

"Well thanks everyone who tuned into the shortest episode ever. Tune in next week where any players remaining at the table will have new characters as their current ones either died from lack of oxygen, or if they are really unlucky they don't need to breathe and will wander indefinitely with no spells to plane shift or banish themselves out of the astral plane."

[@benja1378]

@@Nesseight well there are portals all around the astral sea and iirc the MN could breath just fine when they went after the city and Lucien

[@phreo3716]

I feel like the intent of this “rule” is to prevent stacking bags to carry a truly ridiculous amount of stuff. Plus, this is “their” game and can play it however they want really. The other upside of ignoring it is you can’t just “astral sea nuke” a big bad, which would be pretty anti-climactic. I mean how much fun would it be to just shove Otahan? into the portable hole and just toss a bag of holding in?

[@Nesseight]

@@phreo3716 I shoot Otohan with my black hole bow. He's not here anymore and that's what matters.

[@graylace]

2:26:26 Keyleth basically just said "I've got hoes, in different area codes" and now that is her official theme song in my mind

[@pekvanc5354]

I love that the sword talks like chatgpt. Just throws out big words.

[@beauwalsh]

I love when Sam needs help understanding the story details, because that's when I can catch up too.

[@bluedragonmystic]

“Trying to save your life, make it easy on us”. That line tickled the whole room, I love it

[@__Albin__]

I love Keyleth giving Orym and the group advice on being in a motley crew of "heroes". None of their characters really know just how much of a similar experience she's had.

[@thedeadmoneyband7198]

I am so glad I watched through the calamity. I feel like I know so much lore that’s so relevant to this whole thing now. It’s so darn good!!

[@ChiSoxRox2005]

Seeing Keyleth back at full strength was more heartwarming than I expected. Hail to the Tempest. Also Southern Gothic date next episode?

[@troikas3353]

Probably not. They are playing it pretty coy. Im curious when we’ll get a scene with them that’ll let us in on why they’ve chosen to stay quiet about it with the group.

[@jamescanjuggle]

That sword is basically the demon prince sending scam emails from the pits of the Abyss, Chetneys the grandpa who clicked the obvious scam sword and FCGs the young tech savy grandchild who just wants to fuck with his elders at this stage 😂

[@tahaabbas6616]

This becomes funnier when we realise that technically, FCG is older than Chetney 😂😂

[@steeveewuzzheer1992]

Holy shit what an apt description of that sword

[@MrPurpleDecay]

I just have to say thank you to the whole Crit team. These stories you guys create do more for a lot of individuals then you know.

[@strider5093]

Liam in a bear costume... it couldn't be better.

[@jackwriter1908]

😂 true

[@FSK69]

I am so happy that we have Critical Role and Baldur's Gate III. Life doesn't suck all the times, sometimes it's actually pretty nice! :)

[@troikas3353]

Now if we could just get one of the CR groups in BG3.

[@FSK69]

Ye imagine that! :)) Seriously though i am playing as a completionist on tactician, taking my time to explore everything and after about 90 hours in my playthrough i still haven't encountered Minsc yet. They put him so late in the game but i imagine the wait makes it even better! i got Jaheira for now though, she's really cool!

[@n1vzee]

PREACH

[@FSK69]

@@n1vzee YEsssir! :))

[@CalmThyPalm]

A past shrouded in mystery and fragmented memories? Check. A disfigured skull? Check. Powers that utilize shockwaves every now and then? Check. Feels like a misfit, bands together with other misfits, and believes in leaving no misfit behind? Check. TITAN BLOOD? Check. Ashton is King from The Owl House, confirmed.

[@pawots6448]

Just binged Candela Obscura AND MAN I LOVE Cr's stuff so much

[@tybronx2446]

Sam really screwed himself during that divination by making that perineum joke right before Matt answered 😂

[@MrRuddley]

Let's take a moment to consider who "D" is... The D (Devexian?) Dancer Delilah Deanna Deni$e Dorian Dariax Derrig Dynios Doty ... Changebringer gives a lot of options.

[@miafiolekova5817]

ehm Derrig is dead dead, not just dead like Delilah.

[@dealinginfiction]

Da'leth....what if Da'leth was one who created him?

[@ellasamuelsson]

The cast kept saying Devaxian instead of D which just shows how existed they are to meet the sexy robot again from C2. Bells Hells has no clue who Devaxian is😅

[@brandonvanata8136]

Tary Darrigton, how many dotys' has he built? In campaign at least 2 or 3, he lives in wildmount which is where I believe D was said to be

[@jenny_of_oldstones3523]

1:07:49 I cannot believe after how many times over the past 8 years of casting "Pass Without a Trace" this hasnt happened.

[@anthonysunseri1865]

I was wondering why there was a bear at the table until the ad started, after that I slowly started going insane from fear. Never change sam.

[@jackwriter1908]

😂 i needed far too long to figure out who was wearing it... in the end I just thought, _who would even go along on such a ridicolous idea_ and then the answer was obvious 😂

[@jamescanjuggle]

Kielith - "Its never just business" looking off thinking of past regrets Imogen - EYO THERES ZOOS ON THE MOON, THEY GOT ANIMALS, MOON ANIMALS

[@michellebrandenberg7258]

I wondered if anyone else has noticed that Marisha looks like she still wears the crown antlers of Keyleth with the window behind her!

[@nathantimon3791]

I feel like when Keyleth was showing Orym off to the crowd and said "Bring your friends too" that she meant bring BH on the balcony to get some glory too and Matt just rolled with Liams interpretation XD

[@sarahm5759]

Last week, you kind and caring Critters helped me in dealing with my Mom's cancer diagnosis. This week, I'm waiting for testing to see if I have the same breast cancer she had three years ago.... Thank you to the cast and critters for helping keep me sane during this extremely trying time. I love you all ❤

[@Frank-ju8qr]

Wishing you all the best!

[@TexMexExtraordinaire]

Best of luck!

[@whitestoneandy797]

Sending love, support, and prayers. You're not alone. God bless you, your mom, and your whole family 🙏

[@Banquet42]

Hope things go as well as they can be expected to. Take care.

[@jaymour.]

CR also helped get me through my mum's fight. Wishing you and the family the very best.

[@Marhathor]

Oh, damn, I'm actually hyped for Brennan Lee Mulligan as a player on Candela Obscura. Haven't really seen him as a player yet, but he was GOD-LIKE on Calamity. (I mean, I knew he was good, but damn.)

[@queenidragon4489]

Brennan's PCs are amazing I can't wait to see what direction he takes this one

[@vileluca]

He's not gonna sleep with you.

[@Marhathor]

​@@vileluca Oh, good. I was beginning to worry whether he might for a moment, thanks for reassuring. (These people with their assumptions...)

[@honguyenhoaibao3676]

​@@vileluca😭 noooooo

[@MynameisThirteen]

Oh, you are in for a treat! As much as I love Brennan as a GM, when he's not in charge of the game he can be a delightful chaos gremlin. The Elden Ring one-shot is my all-time favorite, largely because of his character.

[@FishcakeDLC]

The entire cast erupting into giggles is my favorite part of watching these campaigns.

[@danielvandyk1935]

Matt was on fire this episode

[@kking57198888]

He's incredible. Absolutely adore him and his work.

[@arkron81]

If I'm not mistaken... the 'Shattered Teeth' is where Avalir once was, where the Exandria: Calamity campaign took place, right?

[@bravaxxii]

Yes! It's used to be a big continent Domunas

[@Rellyks]

"If Domunas is the smile of Exandria... Let's shatter her teeth". Yeah man, that's right

[@ericolson6135]

"I have bear hair in my teeth" ... had me laughing! 😂

[@kriskross22]

The sword is reminding me so much of soul eater’s Excalibur, the endless talking and talking xD

[@andresguevara1695]

I started panicking when Chet enter to the hole while carrying the bag of holding. I'm so freaking glad that Matt didn't noticed, and if he did he is such a great DM for not making a big deal about it

[@Reldonator]

Oh man oh no. I didn't think about that. I'm just gonna pretend it never happened XD

[@andresguevara1695]

@@RatShadows i was thinking about that, but I also believe that getting thrown to the astral plane because of a tiny mistake would have felt awful for them after working so hard to rescue orym's family and collect the flowers. As a DM I think it's completely understandable to forget about it for the sake of the party's fun.

[@Qu4resma]

Keyleth: "... and maybe some old friends who, well, we did some great things in our youth" I WANT TO SEE OLD MAN GROG, PLEASE, MERCER, GIVE ME OLD MAN GROG, LOGAN STYLE!

[@flapps38]

When you finish an episode as soon as the next one is uploaded

[@wolfpup9162]

No better feeling

[@jessehenley6415]

Oh how I envy you 😂

[@matthewscorner2990]

Did that last week during my catch up.

[@shootfromtheright2712]

Give Orym Derrig's sword. It is a great way to kill someone with a natural 20.

[@emoarchdruid]

yes omgg!! orym deserves that damn vorpal longsword!!

[@stugod5000]

I think it would be a cool idea but Seedling fits Oyrm's fighting style more. Perhaps if Seedling evolved to essentially had vorpal properties or both swords were reforged into a new blade, cause I don't see Oyrm dual wielding either

[@merindab]

But his current sword was a gift from Will

[@uninterruptedrhythm4104]

Give Orym a homebrew feat when he's high level that he can dual wield a shortsword and a longsword, that still gives him his AC bonus like Dual Wielder@@merindab

[@samuraiko]

I actually think that Leeta has it, since she stepped into her father's role. And since Orym got his sword from Will (and has said he'll never let go of it), I think him having Derrig's shield is more appropriate.

[@VioletIvy2]

Ah yes, behold the episode where Matt breaks Sam. 3:27:20

[@TexanMarine]

Finally got a chance to get some revenge on all of Sams shenanigans 😂😂😂

[@emi_g1024]

3:22:57 literally SCREAMING FOR FCG TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING WITH FRIDA GODGGCHGGHF

[@quicknugg]

why? which part specifically? just curious i think im missing something .-.

[@ruigerd]

​@@quicknuggFRIDA told them that specifically D woke him up, so D might be more capable than Sam is describing them here. Maybe some more info, although I can't recall completely

[@emi_g1024]

@@quicknugg I remember FCG and FRIDA having a whole convo about how they woke up and talking about D… plus didn’t they meet a guy that knew a lot about aeormatons in uthadurn? Idk I just know there was a lot of info there 😂

[@jamiejankovic]

yesss thank you i got so frustrated at that part ! they literally had a whole revelation/dream convo about D finding frida in a damaged state and repairing them ! can't believe matthew didn't chime in cos that is information their characters would know

[@mr_lotti_mcgee]

for real i was so frustrated hahaha

[@Danimao]

I am infinitely excited about the idea of Ashton possibly getting a titan form! Attack on Ashton here we go!

[@DramaticFlora]

The moment matt said graz'tchar i felt very rewarded for having read the tal'dorei campaign guide hahaha

[@Kvalln]

Sam being FURIOUS he has to think for five seconds will never get old

[@CharmChampion]

I keep picturing Aabria as the Changebringer. Made the commune sequence even more enjoyable!

[@staceyatteberry4123]

Head canon accepted!

[@samuraiko]

For me, she's the Wildmother. Especially after that absolutely BEAUTIFUL conversation that she has (in character as the Wildmother) with Orym in ExU, this soft, reverent moment that nearly had Liam in tears.