Doorways to Darker Depths | Critical Role | Campaign 3, Episode 86

[@flandomaltrizian4603]

HEY, there might be some SPOILERS under the thing 0:25 This may be Marisha’s best ad performance 4:05 Laura’s merch corner 6:05 Liam as Jester 7:15 Intro cinematic 9:00 EPISODE STARTS 11:45 Recap Ends 16:05 Laudna is a B-boy 18:00 Passing magic through the mouth 21:50 FCG has earrings now 24:15 Syncing the bridge 27:20 Fearne and Orym debate rod handling 30:15 First time for Orym (Travis leaves) 32:10 I have darviszn 33:15 “How long has it been Twilight” “Awhile” 34:40 Marisha’s carrot truth 36:05 Was it good? … Sure 43:20 Sam shirt reveal 51:00 Ria’Doin 1:01:35 Finding the journal entries in the survival horror game 1:03:55 FCG yells at a bird (Matt does not blink) 1:12:15 Travis paints a picture with sound effects 1:14:25 Fearne is totally not pining after Chetney 1:17:00 Ring of Life Awareness 1:19:05 Legendary crafting 1:21:30 Messaging Caleb (Caleb is not used to short Sending spells) 1:23:55 Ludinus got into voice acting 1:26:55 Messaging Keyleth 1:31:10 Sudden hug 1:33:10 Jester finally gets in contact 1:36:00 Messaging Dorian 1:36:55 Orym starts to get sucked in 1:39:15 Hucking Pate 1:41:25 Chetney and FCG get whammied 1:46:25 Ashton gets lured 1:51:50 BREAK STARTS 2:05:15 Art Montage 2:07:15 BREAK ENDS 2:08:20 There was a motorboat there the whole time 2:10:50 Animated boat 2:12:10 Animated rope 2:21:15 Drowning Mister 2:24:45 Pirate Laudna (Battle begins-ish) 2:33:55 Turn undead 2:38:10 Ropy and Boaty’s action 2:39:15 Intimidating kelp 2:41:10 Nobody made Matt say Ropy 2:45:40 Sam flask 2:53:10 Laudna turns 2:55:15 Ropy is a great messenger (RIP to Ropy and Boaty) 2:58:00 Chetney cuts his own tongue 3:02:05 Keyleth is a Golden God 3:05:35 Pate confronts impermanence 3:06:55 Laudna flirts with Delilah 3:12:25 Long rest confirmed 3:19:10 Preparing to smack Delilah 3:24:50 Sam blows a sponsorship 3:29:10 Ashton powers up 3:32:40 Chetney panic throws (Chetney = FCG’s Dad???!) 3:33:30 Marisha roasts this nerd 3:41:25 Mind shielding 3:44:45 Magic mouth message 3:46:55 Flare 3:52:45 Ashton comes down from the shard boost 3:58:35 Episode Ends The in-game start date for the episode is still debatable. Sam’s gas can has a childlike drawing of Belles Helles which is signed “By: Sam Age 47” The carrot thing is true, btw. In WW2 Britain, they wanted people to switch to eat more carrots so they could ration other stuff, so they said they’d give you superpowers. Also, allegedly, saying their pilots had great eyesight because of vitamin A was a smoke screen to hide the fact that they’d developed radar. Which is to say, Tasting History is a great KZbin show where a guy cooks historic recipes and goes into the history behind them. Maybe give it a look. Any moments I missed? Feel free to post them here. Is it Thursday yet?

[@phoebica]

Thank You, Flando 💚

[@AquiJuanin]

All bless Flando

[@alyiamcool]

Fast as always! Thanks for all you do, Flando!❤

[@KaelleB]

Thank you Flando!

[@githyanki1899]

Praise be

[@thelemon0001]

Going by the call and response rules of Sending, Jester just spent all three of her 3rd level slots, all three of her 4th level slots and then a 5th level slot back to back, just to talk to Imogen.

[@Engiflux]

She also hasnt been using sending for months so spending all her slots to have a conversation is such a Jester thing to do

[@HatterDrivenMad]

@@Engiflux I like to believe Jester strong armed the Traveler into giving her an unlimited communications plan.

[@pmf98]

And that fifth level slot was just the vocalization of “Hmmm…”

[@Lynch2507]

@@HatterDrivenMad Jester wished to have the signature spell feat of Wizards purely for sending

[@gorgonheap9770]

And? :)

[@Middleman_93]

I just realized: BH arriving in Issylra (sp?) means that Orym's deal with Nana Morri is complete on her end. All of BH came back from Ruidus alive. That there's going to be a second trip with an as-yet unknown level of success very well might be irrelevant.

[@emaus9398]

Oh damn you're so right

[@juvia1118]

I thought that too... damn

[@Lynch2507]

god, if that's how Matt justifies the absolute insane escape from Otohan the previous episode lmao

[@ermacmacro7136]

Well.....Laudna.

[@FinalTimeHero]

Laudna’s technicallly dead/undead. Shes not alive

[@lionheart1259]

The fact that Matt used Dorian against Orym to try to get him outside to the horror 😮 😅

[@SabrinasMusicCollection]

I know, it's messed up! 😂

[@delilahkreitz822]

Especially after the call he made to him……… RUDE

[@Whitesaber211]

"you do not know the bodies in the water" lthat line just crept into my head when that happend

[@baileysv6793]

Me who has seen spoilers on TikTok in KZbin, knowing exactly why Dorian didn’t respond

[@lionheart1259]

@@baileysv6793 why? I have a a couple theories but I would actually like to hear yours

[@AllieKitaguchi]

One of my favorite episodes from the whole campaign. It had Dorym crumbs, it had weird moon shit, it had hidden portals to Exandria, it had Caleb Widogast, and it had JESTER LAVORRE!!!

[@sweebos]

1:43 Wurd 😆😆😆

[@PJRZ1]

And Undead Pirate Captain Laudna!

[@jamesmccarthy962]

With Ropey and Boaty too

[@grandpa6065]

I love that everyone else is in a horror movie but Laudna, the spookiest character, is in a Silly Symphony short

[@oldfrend]

merry melodies short

[@grandpa6065]

​@@oldfrend Ah a Warner Bro

[@darkvizardking69]

Let's be fair, Laudna is way too used to horror, so much so she is like the TF2 pyro. She has a different way of seeing things.

[@LostFoundling]

@@darkvizardking69 🎶Do you believe in magic, in an undead heart🎶

[@darkvizardking69]

@@LostFoundling I just have the worst image of her skipping in that scene, in form of dread on the outside

[@warriorwitchwillow]

Imogen being on the receiving end of Jester’s sendings is just beautiful. 😂

[@hannahthufvesson]

I love that what instantly and naturally happens is a confused "wait, what?" moment, just as all the NPCs from campaign 2 also had. 😂

[@TheKrilicious]

Matt just innocently getting back at her for being subjected to them himself for an entire campaign, same as when he fucked with Sam during his Commune abuse

[@benmason9755]

Laudna becomes an undead pirate and DIVES into the lake with the enchanted boat ... "DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES!!!"

[@GreatCezar1]

You mean: "Dead gnomes make no toys" ?

[@benmason9755]

When he said that at the end I was like "DAMN IT!!! Why didn't I think to post something like THAT?"@@GreatCezar1

[@whoanellynelnel3874]

Liam appreciation post! The instant emotions from his scene with Laura once Orym hugged Imogen - the space he holds with any scene partner with subtle and not so subtle cues is special and a wonder to watch/listen to

[@asatorftw]

It felt quite forced/awkward/out of nowhere for me🤔

[@whoanellynelnel3874]

@@asatorftw 🤔for you.

[@k0pstl939]

I was really touched by it!

[@Isaaaa_Belle]

​@@asatorftw thats most of liam's forced emotional scenes

[@bumblewyn]

+

[@reptilusreptosis6275]

Imogen: "Why can't I cast sending?" The psychic voicemail with 173 Jester messages:

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

173.....within the first 20 minutes.

[@bignelly9476]

All to the dragon turtle

[@Ryan-qr3xg]

At least sending works on the moon as we saw recently.

[@firemat4316]

A Time Bomb of terrifying proportion

[@melissametivier4]

@@bignelly9476D. Turts!

[@BlueArsedGibbon]

"Have you seen how big a salmon is!?" Yes, salmons are pretty big, however a bigger hurdle to carrying something isn't its size, it's the complete lack of arms that'll do it

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

They have a mouth and, as a druid, Fearne would have her humanoid intelligence to make best use of her fish body.

[@BlueArsedGibbon]

@@Blasted2Oblivion You see this is what they did, no? and exactly, her humanoid intelligence... of 9! meaning, in no way shape or form was the fact that she was carrying smtn over half her length, in her mouth, sideways, upstream! even remotely considered. But, even more importantly... I was making a joke. Find another hill

[@amymurata]

The surprise Jester cameo made my heart so full and I would love for her to meet Bells Hells 🥺

[@meganpopple9100]

I think Jester and Laudna would be besties.

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

Jester would immediately love FCG as soon as she hears "Smiley day to ya!". I dont know if the feelings would be mutual.

[@lisa.grabowski]

ngl i screamed and was so shook to see a jester cameo

[@ripple-effect-mlp]

Matt got her mannerisms so well. I'm glad to see Laura experiencing what it's like to receive a Jester Sending.

[@ofanichan]

The idea of having Jester and Fearne in the same room kinda scares me...

[@phoebica]

Animate Object + Matt's ability to improvise characters = new best NPCs

[@taliarain-k4r]

The cunning adventures of Boat and Rope.

[@williammcnirlan4820]

How to take one of the stronger spells in the game and just elevate it to another level. I love it.

[@DubhMornie]

Ropey: It's been a pleasureee.... Everybody: Ropey, noooooo!!

[@philliptivis3082]

I honestly don't know whose "death" hit me harder: Ropey or Spurt.

[@k0pstl939]

Or speak w/ plants

[@MagileineTopDeckToFullField]

Lets be real, Jester going all Kool-Aid Man into Imogen's head is the ONLY way she could have been introduced into C3.

[@leojamesclune1730]

"Oh, hai"

[@slktool]

Oh yeah

[@user-jn4sw3iw4h]

I had the Jester call as really important. There is no known reason sending type stuff is back up. There is a mind-effecting presence there. So with: Caleb responded pretty much exactly as Orym would expected Caleb to respond, not revealing anything Orym didn't already know Keyleth responded to Imogen well within what she (or all of the Bells) would expect her to say, erring on the side of "why don't you stay here, a bit longer" again not revealing anything beyond what they were already thinking. Until the Jester-call this all could have been a cold-read tactic by "the scary shit"

[@grandpa6065]

I had the same exact thought

[@TheVvolfgang]

Idk why no one is mentioning this. I agree that Jester is really important in that, but depending on the rules of that lake's curse/darkness, it also could make sense...

[@grandpa6065]

@@TheVvolfgang but none of BH has met Jester... unless Jester was imaginary this whole time???

[@treybodenhamer4601]

Why did I read the “scary shit” as “creepy shit” but in jester’s voice. 😂😭

[@brandontharp7922]

Anyone else waiting for Matt to ask "are you pooping" as jester?

[@melissametivier4]

No, but I said, "doo doo doot doo dooo doot doo donuts!"

[@ProperlyGaming]

I was fully expecting him to end one of the sending with a "are you pooping right now?"

[@tunerrestorations]

Personally, I’m waiting on jester to completely destroy a god’s brain using a chocolate chip cookie or something. We all know she is capable of it

[@Allantitan]

@@tunerrestorationsor at minimum try to 😂

[@user-jn4sw3iw4h]

The look at 17:20 Really, no-one? A 'workaround to the bloody bridge problem is to use the backdoor' setup and ....... no-one

[@elijahcortez3352]

Get this more likes

[@DarcOne13]

The fact that Ashton took so long to shake the draw doesn't just make sense from a stats perspective but also from a thematic perspective. Belonging is, like, Ash's driving want, even if they don't realize it yet.

[@internettevarolanadam]

That makes me sad

[@ulfhazelcreek8108]

Underappreciated insight. Good one. So sad.

[@persephonethereaper6938]

Well both their wisdom and charisma are both being negative stats, that’s what was hilarious. /j Edit: That’s wisdom checks and charisma checks and saves

[@DarcOne13]

@@persephonethereaper6938 I'm not sure about hilarious. I think Matt set this up to be something that made Ashton confront the idea that the party might have needs, but so does he. That they want to belong, they *do* belong, and Bell's Hells can be the home he needs so badly. Families fight. They fuck up and make mistakes and get stressed. But they're always there when you need them. Ashton's been so caught up in proving he's worth the effort that they forget this is a family now. And, yeah, the shard incident brought that to light, but they seem to forget it over and over. I love this encounter so much for reminding him again.

[@persephonethereaper6938]

@@DarcOne13 whoops forgot the tonal indicator sorry

[@numbernine5894]

1:32:10 I love how Liam roleplays the word counting in character

[@MycoArsenic39]

The greatest highlight for me in this episode is the heavy emphasis on how different Laudna is from Delilah. Delilah: *Summons/Conjures demons, monsters, and the undead.* Laudna: *Summons a British cockney flying undead rat, a British-sounding boat, and a derpy-sounding rope.*

[@joshyboy1983]

Delilah: Maybe I should've thought this through. MEH, It's FINE:tm:!

[@ShadowPatriot12]

It's giving "The badass villain but unlocked as a playable character but their power level is dialed down to 4"

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

Derp Rope is the opposite of a Danger Noodle.

[@billblyth6815]

fun scary for the win

[@Fey0tter_6631]

*Ashton wakes up* "Kelp, it's again"

[@phoebica]

🤣🤣🤣

[@davidbycroft]

I Chuckled, have a thumb

[@melissametivier4]

Ow, my sides!

[@anamitraroy1681]

Gold

[@trinityx3o522]

I cast "Reveal Timestamp" at 5th level

[@PancakeMonster359]

1:31:10 The hug

[@Lynch2507]

See, if i was being paranoid, id assume all those "sendings" finally working was just the trick of whatever the fuck was in the lake. Jester kinda throws a wrench into all that (shocking, i know) but god it'd be so fucked up if the gang get back to Keyleth and she's like "what backdoor"

[@Corneredtiger94]

I find it infinitesimaly hilarious that Ludinus has spent hundreds of years building these Malius keys and researching the timing of the ley lines and planning to get to the moon..... And this group of chuckle-fucks just stumbles into a portal to a haunted town that connects the moon to Exandria 😂

[@CryptidCritter]

Well.....Ludinus is a wizard: It's pretty in his nature to spend years of his life researching something that someone else just stumbled into 😈😈😈

[@zaneharris706]

Average wizard vs sorcerer discovery

[@taco8951]

To be fair they found the moon half first so that cursed town might be very hidden or people don't realize that it's cursed and is just an abandoned nothing town.

[@FlibbleBeck]

There are a number of lakes in this world where they can't find the exit. But people can accurately find the source of every river on earth. So this is fairly realistic.

[@samardevneo]

Infinitesimally means “to very very small degree”. Just so you know. But maybe you just find it an extremely tiny bit funny. 😅

[@lalelu1202]

Captain Laudna sailing in on Boatie and Roapie might just be my new favorite thing

[@rhokesh4391]

I NEED fanart! 😁

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

​@@rhokesh4391Is it weird that my thoughts immediately to how the R34 fanartists will likely use that rope?

[@Tots_]

@@Blasted2Oblivion hate to say it, but that is weird brother.

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

@@Tots_ I figured it probably was. Thank you for being honest.

[@embxx7396]

Delilah knows exactly what to say to Laudna. "The one you love." Killed me. God, she's so evil but I understand her motivation to save the people Laudna loves. UGH

[@TitaniaBird]

Delilah is giving Laudna the best advice in the worst way.

[@CryptidCritter]

​@@TitaniaBirdIkr?!?!? Gods, it's so evil because there is some serioualy good advice in what she is saying, but we know it's for the absolute wrong reasons and I hate it xD

[@raeg1100]

I mean, she did everything out of love for her man. She just didn't care what other lives she wrecked while she did it

[@ianpaulkenchington4311]

Man I recognized Czepeku before the name by the pictures alone, they have EARNED every piece of recognition they get!

[@Kemical13]

Mandatory B Boy Stance!

[@KnicKnac]

Best maps and scenes

[@kientran364]

That sending conversation between Jester and Immogen gave me so much joy I was grinning like an idiot for a good minute. The difference between the two characters' styles could not be more stark. Imogen was efficient with her wording to the point of leaving words unused which reflects her reserved nature while Jester was as chaotic as always. Just imagine 10 years from now when this gets animated and Laura has to voice both sides of the conversation. Lol

[@RaineInChaos]

I was conflicted On the one hand, does Jester generally use ALL her words in every sending spell (and way more)? Yes On the other hand, would she use a whole spell slot just to say "hmmmm" Also yes

[@rhokesh4391]

1:33:20 You just know Matt has been waiting YEARS for this opportunity 😆

[@dylannelson2165]

"Haaaay, so, Caleb told me to call you guys to see what's going on! Fjord! Put your hands back up, I can't tell how many-"

[@ilshat2955]

@@dylannelson2165 Damn, I had to count the words to confirm...

[@PancakeMonster359]

1:36:02 Cheeky of Matt to cut off Dorian's reply. Hopefully they are planning another Exu or something, so Matt couldn't answer for Dorian

[@Lynch2507]

i mean, if Dariax is with Deni$e after she went back and Dorian is still with him and Opal, there's a real chance the Crown Keepers are more aware of what the fuck is going on and we have a chance for another Echo of the Solstice type episode. Honestly, if Matt really wanted, Echoes of the Solstice could be its own mini-series with a bunch of characters dealing with the outcome of what's essentially a worldwide magical EMP.

[@darkvizardking69]

​@@Lynch2507That would be amazing, I would love to see what other wild things could be happening.

[@marit2907]

i mean them being lured to the lake was a very logical consequence of their very conscious choice to sleep in the creepy abandoned town, but boy was it cool

[@masterjaczor9892]

I love the idea that Bells Hells gets done with defeating Ludinus/Predathos and they head back to Jrusar to find that it has been either completely destroyed/taken over by the Shade Mother, and Bells Hells just throws their hands up in exasperation and just yells out at the sky (at Matt) “Can you not try and destroy Exandria for 5 minutes!!!”

[@GAdmThrawn]

Yeah, everyone forgot about the Shade Mother, didn't they?

[@Markcrazeer]

@@GAdmThrawnwell it’s jrusars job to stop her now that they know.

[@Lynch2507]

@@GAdmThrawn if i remember right, the Shade Mother and by extension, the shade creepers, were essentially a result of False Flag stuff the Paragons Call and Ira were up to, no? So its safe to assume that Jrusar got its act together and cleared that shit out. the Creepers were only ever pests before, i think, and the fact they were as active as they were those few episodes was an outlier

[@shiluk84]

I am not sure why do I keep periodically seeing the "shade mother is still an issue" messages. They went in, they collected evidence and they got out, they were also accompanied by Detective crew trusted by the government. That problem was taken care of ages ago by the city officials and guards. it was a problem before only because it was not visible enough to be dealt with.

[@Xaychedelic]

1:36:00 saying he misses Dorian feels so close to a declaration of love because he misses Will so bad all the time, and he loves Will so deeply that missing someone and loving someone seems to blur together into the same feeling

[@toshmagosh666]

😭😭😭

[@jkbarber99]

He could also feel terribly guilty for developing feelings for Dorian even though it is healthy to move on.

[@mARTYR2010]

PAIN.

[@lizablee]

They said the word "hemisphere" and the first thing I thought was "What would FCG say?" - then I looked at Sam and he was typing something into his tablet. I'm not far in but I wonder if he was looking up what flat earthers believe about hemispheres 😂

[@Kemical13]

I loved when Liam was like, "He's making some good points" and Matt threatened a Meteor Swarm. lol

[@darkvizardking69]

​@@Kemical13I mean I do love the bit of him cracking at all the crazy things people like flat earthers and the zealously religious believe in, but boy can it be wild and a little much. Then again that's the point lol

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

I am still hoping he spends 20k gold on an experiment that he thinks will prove Exandria is flat but does the opposite.

[@cybersludge]

Hemi…plane?

[@masterjaczor9892]

My favorite part about the Jester messages that Matt is doing is that Matt always cuts them off early because Jester always had that problem of going over and I love that attention to detail. But man Jester is probably so relieved that she can cast Sending. She even said that it was the worst day ever when she found out that they could not cast sending.

[@Kubimaruicedragon]

Yeah, but now she’s probably SUPER upset that she just wasted nearly all of her spell slots on this one conversation thread when there’s a bunch of other people she would really want to talk to. (and probably really need to) I can see Jester excited at first knowing that sending is back on the table followed by “Aw man, I wasted all my spell slots and have to sleep now! 😫”

[@Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human]

"Fjord, I'm going to bed!" "Why, Jessie, it's 10am?" "I need my spell slots back! I have to call Mum and Dad and The Plank King and Beau and maybe Pumat too!"

[@DaniGeez]

Jester Lavorre has entered the chat.

[@VulcanWolf]

And taken it over. lol

[@Izzy41630]

Jester Lavorre refuses to leave the chat

[@sheevpalpatine1105]

several people are typing...

[@charlotte_frantz1]

@@sheevpalpatine1105 all of them are Jester

[@eater_of_grass_beater_of_ass]

Jester Lavorre was timed out for spamming

[@TheOneNotTheOnly]

Not Marisha pushing different random sides of the boombox each time? Not even hitting a button that’s great

[@badwolfCR]

Delilah always knows just what to say to manipulate Laudna.

[@sweebos]

1:43 Wurd

[@SabrinasMusicCollection]

^ best response ever 😂😂😂😂

[@sweebos]

@@SabrinasMusicCollection 😆😆😆

[@popculturemultiverse5987]

I am officially watching episodes as they get released! Finally caught up after one year 🎉

[@acollectionofthings]

Two weeks in a row now that a cast member doesn't realize they're still on-air at the end of the episode. Last time it was Liam, this time it was Laura. Goofballs.🙂

[@mrthor8273]

As a DM, I felt that sigh by Matt in my soul when they were talking about "centipede style".

[@joshkorte9020]

As a DM, Boaty and Ropey are far more like my table's shenanigans.

[@xmateosx]

I may be wrong, but the Brits got radar and could see aircraft coming sooner. Had a campaign to say carrots help your eyes so the enemy espionage would be confused. Maybe it's true, maybe not, but that's a good story ark.

[@razzlebazzle420]

I believe it was initially a campaign to sell carrots in the WW2 Blitz bombings, where we painted everything black, including crosswalks, bollards, window shuttersand switched off all the outside lights to stop night time bombing raids. They switched road signs around n all sorts. Much later they later found out through science stuff that there's specific vitamins and minerals in carrots that are great for your eyes in general. So, little column A, little column B.

[@starringtoy935]

This has been another episode of “Travis Told You So”!!!!!

[@GAdmThrawn]

And he's sick and tire of them not listening!

[@Scaramanga7]

I'm just waiting for the grand re-opening of the "Travis is always right foundation." If you've seen SAOA, you know.

[@kaniamia]

Every D&D party: “Why did someone leave such a weirdly cryptic message instead of just plainly explaining the danger here?” Bell’s Hells: 2:57:55 (In the voice of Groundskeeper Willie installing the “Caution Well” sign): “That should do it.”

[@skittlemuffins9699]

Beginning of episode: We’re exhausted, so let’s send one person through the portal to scout for 5 minutes just to see where we are. That’s a good idea. End of episode: We’re exhausted, so let’s all go through the portal, become clouds, explore a deserted town, discover its cursed origins, stay overnight, get dragged into the lake by a shadow monster in the middle of the night, and almost die by seaweed. That’s a good idea.

[@Jmgoregrind]

It’s so frustrating to watch them make such consistently poor decisions

[@treehous3.]

Seen all 3 campaigns & I'm not gonna lie its becoming increasingly frustrating to watch them bite at everything Matt throws their way even if it's a horrible decision. He could not have given them more red flags. It's almost as if they're willfully trying to deviate from the plot as much as possible. 😕

[@JD2jr.]

@@Jmgoregrind Meh, I still think it was a decent call. Especially after having gone through, determining they were "home", and seeing that the place was long abandoned, with records showing the creepy part was a couple people at a time after having been there over long periods. When on Ruidus, they are susceptible to being tracked by everyone, especially while sleeping. They took precautions against the spoopy tentacles, it just wasn't enough.

[@Naudran]

@grinddid any of them die? Nope. Did they learn of an unguarded portal to the moon that possibly gives their allies the ability to orchestrate a suprise attack and got back to the moon safely? Yes Don't think this counts as a poor decision. Also... how boring would a game be if you just always take the safe route. Good story telling is all about the conflicts, whether it's conflict in the party or conflict with enemies or just conflict of the weird and unknown. If everything always goes right, that would work out to a yawn-fest.

[@Aurora_Lightbringer]

@@Naudran The ironic part is that this backdoor to Ruidus is ABSOLUTELY set up for the safest possible route and it's still entertaining. People just want to complain just to complain sometimes. I don't blame them but the *hate* C3 gets is absolutely unnecessary. It's my least favourite of the campaigns but it's still very good. It's just a different style of narrative and people *hate* everything about it because of that.

[@OttersDen]

Hello, bees, Monday Crew! BH might be at the end of their rope with few lifeboats in sight in this one, especially after getting exactly the wrong kind of kelp they need.

[@accade_acaso]

😂

[@lillykabra3747]

It's been so long since I've watched an episode all in one go. This one just kept coming with heavy hitter after heavy hitter. Portals, eldritch horror, CALEB AND JESTER I CAN"T

[@TheLaensman]

“Nice to meet you, Jester” My heart! 💖

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

Alternate Episode Name: *YOU RECOGNIZE THE BODIES IN THE WATER!*

[@darkvizardking69]

Hello scp fandom,

[@TaliesinsRaven]

OMG

[@Aurora_Lightbringer]

Honestly, you can tell Matt has been into his horror recently. He's been playing with some wild concepts lately. • Fear of Caves/Splunking. (although a while ago) • Fear of Water. • Fear of the Unknown. • Psychological horror. • Uncanny Valley. • Eldrich horror. (throughout the whole of C3 tbh)

[@vladyakubets]

It feels like Delilah might be the ultimate BBEG of this campaign. She could help BH’s overcome Predathos and then take her shot to return.

[@leojamesclune1730]

Laudna uses Hunger of the Shadow on Ludinus or Predathos. "Thank you, my dear...but you've got one last thing to give" and Delilah full on possesses her, or uses her 'life force' in some way to come back.

[@jamesmccarthy962]

Predathos/ludinus is definitely the main villain of this campaign but i could see delialah being a epilogue or one shot villain afterwards

[@TakeWalker]

really looking forward to FCG making enemies with every bird he comes across, especially for Matt's performances :D

[@darkvizardking69]

Fcg has a favored enemy now.

[@thegriffin88]

Here's the HUGE problem. If WE can use Sending, Ludinus can use Sending and I don't doubt he has that ability. In fact, I think he's the one that turned it back on so now the question is: Why?

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Like Father going "ON/OFF" with the alchemy in Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood

[@ryanbrady6252]

I did not catch Matt blink a single time while playing the bird

[@Ascisana]

The last two episodes just had extremely amazing storytelling, probably my favourite part about campaign 3 so far Totally understand how a random elven ruin, a lake and a ghost town suddenly became more interesting than the main story ^^ And the possibility of another mighty NEIN Special Mission one shot is the cherry on top (please

[@sweebos]

Laudna is such a fantastic friggin character man. I'm loving her journey more all the time. And Marisha embodies her so well. It's a real treat to watch.

[@haku8135]

Someone should really tell them about the 5th level Illusion spell Dream. It would change their fucking LIVES. That's one of the best communication spells in the game. Assuming all your friends aren't Elves.

[@phoebica]

No wizard, no bard in the party. The only warlock is Laudna, but with only 3 levels in it, so she has no access to Dream. But yes, it is a great spell.

[@darkvizardking69]

I see someone has learned the ways of SHAME CAT.

[@francescogulisano2917]

Marisha's intel about carrots is a bit off: during ww2 the Brits invented radar, which allowed them to intercept German planes even during nighttime. To deceive the Germans they spread the rumor that carrots gave their spotters very good eyesight

[@quinn0517]

It's not off, and neither is yours. They chose carrots for the propaganda because UK had a massive surplus of carrots. So, y'all are both right.

[@mossy.andthemoon]

But carrots are good source of vitamin A... Which is good for your eyes. So... they are good for your eyes.

[@vicithetenoroon]

@mossy.andthemoon yes they are good for your eyes, but not RADAR good. Could you imagine the cosmic horror of someone eating a carrot and then becoming some kind of superpowered cross of Daredevil and Superman?

[@luciajonas7483]

Ashton Fuck Count: Previous Episodes = 627, Episode 86 = 9 Long Live Boaty, the most beloved member of Bells Hells (According to Laudna's Mind).

[@dylannelson2165]

Haven't seen anyone comment on Marisha's fanny pack hat in the sponsor short, and it can't go unnoticed.

[@GothiQhaQer]

Ashton this whole episode has been just "I'm so tired, why are we doing this?" And then suffering as a result of his friend's actions 😂

[@EugGenie]

Best depiction of animate object ever. Loving the complexity of this campaign

[@lumomagus]

I love how when they contacted Caleb, Ashley did Yasha’s voice when speaking as Fearne haha

[@Sashowindfeather]

The Czepeku spot was unhinged.

[@annebelleg2276]

sometimes i get so used to Matt's villain voices that I forget he's a voice actor and can pull stupid voices out of nowhere that perfectly fit an animal's or object's personality

[@inevra4053]

The undead pirate bit was GLORIOUS 😂 omg I need to see this episode officially animated so baaaaaaddddd

[@polyoptika4382]

I just gotta say Marisha looks so cute with the twin buns and glasses. it’s a good look on her!

[@no_gaming_talent]

Zombie by The Cranberries: In Laudna`s head, In Laudna`s head Ropey and Boaty, Ropey and Boaty are talking, talking, talking

[@davidJsound]

I just have to commend Matt for how organic it felt that they found the portal. It did not feel railroaded at all and really like something they could have easily missed, yet it's an incredible discovery.

[@DeeEll1]

"this is ruidis born.." "and this! is exalted" "and THIS! is to go FURTHER BEYOND!"

[@Khanflict]

WE PLAY DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS ON MONDAY NIIITE. Brought to you by CZEPEKU!!

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

So only the dead woman and the moon-touched weren't effected by the [REDACTED]. And Im gunna assume Delilah is shielding Laudna from it. I wonder if Predathos(sp.) either made the [REDACTED] or if maybe he's a particularly old and powerful one, and Fern and Imogen weren't bothered because they're giving off the same psychic vibes as the [REDACTED] do.

[@grandpa6065]

thats a good explanation on table, above table it was pretty much just whoever had more charisma

[@oldfrend]

i thought it matt was going with some sort of siren/mermaid mythology that called men to their deaths.

[@Banquet42]

Wondering if this creature was related to the creature they dealt with in c2 just before TravellerCon.

[@munchkin5679]

You can see him looking at each person and rolling a dice. I think it was just random. 1:40:43

[@Phiro00]

it was a charisma saving throw.

[@ravager2-636]

Belle Hells on the moon.. (Meanwhile back on Alexandria) Keyleth: Percy! We need to talk about what we will do if they don’t return.. Percy de volo: I’ve been working on that.. (orders some troops to remove several large tarps, revealing a 106ft long cylindrical barrel) I call it “Really Bad News”.. Keyleth: 😳 Are you going to try and blow up the moon with that..? Percy: No,Just some weirdos on it but that would be fascinating to try..

[@darkvizardking69]

Oh he absolutely would, man was trying to build a mini death ray in campaign 1

[@Usagi33353]

Keyleth: You can't just blow a hole in the surface of Mars! Percy: *BFG10000 INTENSIFIES*

[@darkvizardking69]

@@Usagi33353 If anyone would be crazy enough to try, he would. Man has had years to perfect crafting guns so if he had the tech for it he could make weapons on par with the super futuristic ones. Those ones get all kinds of broken though.

[@collopez1136]

i love laura bailey having to deal with laura bailey

[@VikingMale]

I need an Ariks Eshteross t-shirt that says Tonight I bake…

[@jayesteele1650]

This needs everyone's attention because I need at least six of them.

[@VikingMale]

@@jayesteele1650 Yes!

[@kyrasmit8266]

I NEED THAT

[@jackrose1016]

After 3 months FINALLY I have caught up 🥳🥳 thank you CR for offering me serotonin in hard times always

[@SmolAngryBi]

My favourite thing about the episode (and there’s a lot 😂) is the first 45 min where everyone seems to be either jet lagged or in an exhausted giggly mood

[@leojamesclune1730]

For some reason, the "I have dark vision" bit reminded me of ExU Calamity, when they were all calling out whether or not they could understand the Primordial speech. And then there's Sam "I took Dwarvish"

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

15:00 If the Barbarian is worried about losing a fist fight, you need a rest.

[@jaredelliott1240]

god damn matt mercers ability to keep a straight face is impressive the bird scene was crazy

[@ofanichan]

I was not expecting that deep conversation between Laudna and Paté and it absolutely sent me through orbit 🤣🤣

[@briancaban930]

Laudna waking up like 90% of moms at 1:37:40 really cracked me up

[@MRDUALITY]

"How hard are you?" so ded 🤣🤣 Travis got me weak 💀💀

[@f.faucon6681]

The same Travis at 36:15 whose pen slips out of his hands at the dialogue between Imogen and Fearne... :D

[@stevenweller9413]

Sam having a hard time finding the save DC for turn undead is so something I’ve seen before. DnD Beyond scatters the needed info for channel divinity all over the character sheet, LoL. Every time my group turns undead we have to search for details.

[@LibbyisMid]

"I can call Dorian" 😭😭😭

[@oliviahermes4646]

Hillarious that Travis didn't start counting message words till Jester entered the chat

[@Wesley76515]

Mama I realized it was jester's voice I started ascending I swear.

[@NoWayAnyHow]

Whats up monday crew?!?!

[@twilightgeneral777]

"This episode had eveything!"

[@danieledstrom5777]

"I have darkvision" killed me.

[@K1m9857]

Laura replying to Laura Pog moment

[@fonceeiskonigin2435]

Orym: We're in Bangor, Maine Me: *listening from Bangor, Maine ON A FOGGY NIGHT* Also me: *turns on lights and wakes up dog*

[@benjaminblazier4573]

Great impression of Jester. I've missed her so much. Matt did a great job of capturing her voice.

[@n8urm852]

When in the village ruidus wasn't visible. My theory is the thing blocking communication is ruidus hence why it worked from the village

[@mineola_]

But they couldn't see Ruidus in Uthodern either, and then the sending also didn't worm, right?

[@madiaikau9140]

I love when Matt gets to be in a thumbnail

[@d2beej]

I loved their genuine excitement when they got sending back for a bit

[@keakea123]

Monday crew unite

[@treybodenhamer4601]

MONDAY CREW!

[@StCla1re]

MONDAY CREW

[@thecornergoblin4532]

MONDAY CREW!

[@olestampevestergaard4746]

Sometimes I wish there was a live chat on Monday 😊

[@iveybullard8988]

Monday Crew!

[@caleighsmeltzer9121]

Amazing episode, but is no one in the party going to ask Orym when he learned to teleport? The Hex I get maybe they just thought it looked funny, but teleporting to Ashton? Matt even said they all saw. I know they have a lot on their minds but I want to see them talk to Orym and learn about his deal!!

[@AssassinLupus7]

The Fey Touched feat gives a cast of Misty Step and 1 Divination or Enchantment spell. Hex was the Enchantment spell he took.

[@dblundz]

JESTER??? AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I miss the M9 :(

[@houndgirl7365]

I have a serious gut feeling they will be pulled into this as well o.o Caleb and Beau already met BH, the God Eater is a threat to all deities which would drag Yasha in it not to mention the fact this entity devours all(?), and M9 is a chaotic group that tries to do good (though they fail or help in the most precarious way) Overall it makes sense Vox Machina we're dragged in especially with Laudnas connection and it makes sense if M9 gets dragged on organically. Story wise for those that think BH lean to much on previous characters it's about story and it just would not make sense from a narration stance if they weren't dragged in with how big they are hell even Veth joining would make sense saying end of the world.

[@tomawen5916]

No matter what they do, how careful they are, sometimes they just walk right into a battle and I start laughing when everyone starts rolling for initiative! Even funnier (well, not really, more like screaming) when people fail their saves! Also laughing when Sam starts rolling off "fireball" and "flame strike" when Ashley/Fearne is trying to figure what Mister should do. Kelp calamari, anyone? 2:21:39 and onward......Ho!

[@SkilesHasFun]

That boat and rope might be my favorite NPCs in Critical Role history.

[@riv7509]

They’re tied with henry crabgrass for me