Engage {Critical Role C2E133 Animatic}

[@marcostavares3859]

I like to think that Sam saying “you’re a bastard” is the voice of consciousness of Fjord internally judging himself for his decision The other players’s reaction was priceless as well

[@tekakiuluy3221]

I just realized that Matt pby made Essek breathe because Caleb told him to once to help him steady his nerves

[@ShadowedKing]

I've noticed essek visibly taking a lot of breaths as of late and oh man it tugs at my heartstrings

[@firapolemos3879]

Jester and Caduceus cuddling with their tails intertwined is so adorable.

[@gladiusdei]

Caduceus has a tail?!

[@firapolemos3879]

@@gladiusdei It's a matter of artistic preference.

[@firapolemos3879]

@@gladiusdei Canonically no, but that hasn't stopped fan artists from drawing him with one.

[@ShadowedKing]

Daw thank you

[@ShadowedKing]

@@gladiusdei like Fira said, canonically no, but I like my cowman with a tail haha

[@TitoMcFadden]

I actually have a suspicion that this act is exactly why TT fell (literally) for the big trap soon after. If they met zero resistance coming into Aeor, that would have made them more cautious. It's Aeor. Even the weather wants to kill you. If it was too easy getting in and those rangers got spotted at all but didn't engage, that would have been a huge red flag. Since they were attacked at the entrance, they likely assumed that was all the resistance they'd see until they got inside Aeor proper. I truly think that without Fjord's decision, Lucien would have used his eyes to see and dispel the glyph that triggered their demise. Simply put, I think steamrolling those rangers made them cocky.

[@Oddricm]

There were also three undead giant guards that were dealt with when the M9 entered. If there were no explanation as to why those giants weren't there anymore, aka the rangers having killed them, then I suspect the TT would be more on-guard.

[@TitoMcFadden]

@@Oddricm That's a really good point I had not even considered. Yeah, not having the rangers engage would have backfired horribly. Lucien was no dummy. Dead giants but nobody in immediate sight? That's an ambush waiting to happen. If they were expecting the ambush, the glyphs would have been spotted simply because they would have moved slower and more cautiously. I don't care what anyone says, Fjord made the tough but correct call.

[@Ginfeldi]

there are two types of Fjord 1. the "AHHHHH TAKE IT OFF OF ME" 2. the "i will let those rangers die for my friends and their families sake"

[@bdletoast09]

The duality of Fjord is honestly fascinating. Travis manages to keep a perfect balance between the scaredy cat himbo and the decisive leader of the Nein. He often makes a fool of himself, but when shit hits the fan, he is the strongest of them.

[@MisterSmith00]

Huh. I just realized: This is exactly the sort of situation NPC's run into when a party of "Evil-Aligned" adventurers decide to show up and start ruining everything. A sense of dread. Say what you will about The Mighty Nein...they've done some shady stuff...some morally-questionable things... ...but they're not the Tomb Takers.

[@FreeFenrirWorks]

"NOT A TOMBTAKER!"

[@AlmostOtaku7]

Essek's eyelashes are giving me life. Everything else is wonderful, but that little detail is just the cherry on top

[@augustusegg7324]

My man's out there crushing people with black holes and still keeps himself presentable.

[@ShadowedKing]

Hehe thank you!!!

[@ShadowedKing]

@@augustusegg7324 hot shadowhand hours

[@jeremyprinzen5954]

Dagon as he gets the order: "Welp...it's been an honor serving with you all" *takes out his axe* "Let's go into battle, Sheila - one last time"

[@patrickstar5136]

Honestly I can't imagine Dagon just being ok with going into a battle he will definitely die in. Dude probably noped right out of there.

[@jeremyprinzen5954]

@@patrickstar5136 Probably but I wanted to go with that more heroic line since even if he did hide, they'd probably find him somehow with all those eyes everywhere and do it anyways

[@firapolemos3879]

@@jeremyprinzen5954 SPOILER ALERT from most recent episode. Dagen and most of the other rangers survived. :)

[@jeremyprinzen5954]

@@firapolemos3879 Not surprising :P

[@TheSpencermacdougall]

@@jeremyprinzen5954 Actually, given the tombtakers track record, it is. That said, l am glad Matt decided to let them (dagen mostly) live, even if it was out of character for them to leave survivors.

[@ryanorusio1056]

Esseks uncomfortable sigh as he leaned against the doorframe sells the tone so well for me. It makes Essek feel real, a commander that knows the cost of such a command, perhaps experienced it before... but knows all too well the necessity of it

[@ShadowedKing]

YESSS. I love commander essek

[@zero3045]

This becomes slightly less dramatic when in Talks Machina Fjord regrets it since he forgot about Dagon... again.

[@iwillcry]

OMG HE DID??? oh travis..

[@kingskelett6265]

He also forgot to ask how far away they were. If the TT were too close it wouldn’t have been worth it.

[@rebeccagiraffe225]

Watched that thinking "no Travis, you had such good reasoning, just role with it, be the leader"

[@web_trekker8298]

Reminds me of when everyone was speculating on Caleb's decision-making and emotions/motivations for killing the morkoth (I think it was a morkoth) the way he did and when asked about it in talks Liam was just like "I was tired ok?" Sometimes these are just people playing a game.

[@Neko141212]

LOL xD I love these guys

[@Alexis_Nemesis189]

I like how you added the detail of Fjord looking at Jester and Caduceus. Like he knows that the two healers need a full rest, and while it’s a tough call to sacrifice the rangers, it’s worth a shot so they can get a full sleep

[@mixmastermike2128]

AKA Fjord hits SNOOZE for the team

[@ShadowedKing]

Man's said fuck it they gotta sleep for 2 more minutes

[@jackmyers8687]

"A general has one job. To tell his men where to die." Marshall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, 1813

[@_zurr]

The 'correctness' of Fjord's call here aside, it was a really powerful scene, and said a lot about his character and ability to lead that he was able to make that choice, because he believed it would be good for the Nein. Personally I would say any damage the rangers dealt could have expended hit dice, spell slots, and maybe other resources, so the choice had value. Anyway great work on doing the scene justice. And so quick too!

[@Ryanfinder226]

thats what I liked about essek saying "you know they wont make a dent" its matt through essek telling fjord the only thing those rangers would buy him with their lives was time. no loss of dice or spells, just time.

[@AdrasAdraki]

At worst they did fuck all but dnd is a game about die and i expect and hope matt respected that.

[@Dillsfawn]

It also put the trap at risk. Getting ambushed there HAD to have made Lucian more paranoid about more traps and ambushes. Frankly, Im surprised the trap went off as well as it did.

[@flaminyawn]

@@Dillsfawn That was part of the whole point. A paranoid person will slow down, check every angle, and in an ideal situation it would have given the casters time to get their full rest.

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank ya!

[@Blue_Lunacy]

Travis talked about this in the latest Talks Machina that he regret not asking for details before making the decision. His intension was to use the ranger to stall for time. Travis said he should have asked where the team spot the TT. If they were at the entrance, then there was no point to sacrifice the rangers. So we should all learn this from Travis as well. Always ask for details before making important decision.

[@electricbluetiramisu3713]

Sometimes you don’t have the luxury of time when it comes to critical decision. The Tomb Takers legged it to another A site, collected another threshold crest and then moved that to the main Aeor location in 6 days or less. If they’re moving with that level of determination then those rangers have only one opportunity to effectively engage them since an ambush requires positioning that they would have already had in place and would have likely lost the use of if they relayed further details. The position was either already known or needed to be inferred. The passage of time in a D&D game can be a bit nebulous and needs to malleable so it doesn’t become too stressful but a tense situation like this would’ve lost its impact of Travis let himself fall into analysis paralysis that you just can’t always have in reality. Obviously you should always aim to make the most informed decision but sometimes the situation is critical and you have to take a risk and trust in your judgement

[@ShadowedKing]

That shit haunts me he was so regretful I felt bad finishing this bc of it lol

[@jakecarroll9500]

@@ShadowedKing one thing I do like seeing when people order others to take risk when they themselves are not the ones taking the risk. To me, it’s a case of “You made your choice, sure it was a difficult choice to make but it was a choice you made. Now suffer the consequences.” A lot of times, to me at least, these things are brushed off as “oh well, they knew risk. Not my problem.” but here we see consequences of it.

[@theillethedartisan7514]

I love essek’s reaction, you can tell he wants to say something, but knowing that he is no better than what fjord just did.

[@xolwora2762]

I just loved sam whispering "you're a bastard!"

[@ShadowedKing]

I had to keep it in the edit!!! It's so good

[@j-dawg4774]

It's so crazy how if this were a video game, you'd obviously choose not to engage, but here, Travis feels as though they could actually die. No quick saving, no respawns. It's no surprise that he wants to keep them all safe, even if he is sacrificing his morals.

[@skullsquad900]

Nah Travis made the right call, for Fjord's character. This is exactly what Fjord would have done from what we've seen up-till now. He only cares about those extremely close to him. Dagon was a stand up guy, but all those Rangers were well trained and probably did do a "small" bit of damage. If not for their sacrifice, Kree might not have been the only survivor. (Lucien doesn't count as he's Immune)

[@abidoesnerdstuff]

"Captain Tusktooth and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Watch"

[@JustMe-lp5td]

This hard ass shit is nice to see sometimes. I love my DnD game, but its very 'heros win and save the day.' The greatest thing about DnD imo is that you can create any kind of story you want. I don't think my lovable team could handle something like sending people to their deaths, and roleplaying the emotional impact that the decision would have. Maybe one day. :)

[@michaelrumsey7932]

It's moments like this that you are reminded that fjord is(and in my opinion should be) the "captain" of the Nein

[@ShadowedKing]

I love ruthless captain fjord

[@eugiius]

YEEES THIS WAS SO GOOD DUDE !!!!!! MAKES ME SO HYPED FOR TONIGHTS EPISODEEE

[@ShadowedKing]

THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@VI_VA.]

Essek's hands playing eith the stone while he's talking to Fjord, he was clearly nervous when he asked him that question. I wonder if he regrets telling the rangers to engage (as he said many times before, he is responsible for the people at the outpost). I know some survived (like Dagen) and some are dead. Hope they revivify them after defeating Lucien. Even if they are NPCS with no faces they are still "alive people" in the game. Plus I liked the rivalry between the head ranger amd Dagen.

[@omnilisk279]

They would need to use Raise Dead which would require a decent amount of resources and that's if they remember it and dependant on how much time is spent in the Astral Plane where beyond a certain number they may need to go beyond Raise Dead which requires yet more resources. Its unlikely they'll be brought back. Fjord definitely did a bad in hindsight but made a choice from what he figured was a justifiable means at the time.

[@VI_VA.]

@@omnilisk279 doesn't Raise Dead need diamonds? Like 500 gp? That's at least what I found on internet, I have no idea about D&D spells ^^U

[@robertwells9903]

It was cold as fuck, but this is war. Those Rangers swore their lives to fight for their people, they know the risks. If it only weakened them just a little, it would be worth it. Any advantage you can gain to win. It's not nice, but its whats nessicary. Especially with so many lives hanging in the balance of this confrontation

[@TheDarioushurt]

this part in the show will be crazy

[@razgriz2276]

This gave me pre fight jitters oh my god, you can just feel the tension. Like a storm brewing

[@runicdreamer]

This was hauntingly beautiful! I loved Esseks little turtleneck sweater!

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!!!!

[@AnimeWolf5193]

I think this moment will come back to haunt Fjord. In a moment, he had to decide if what they were doing was worth the lives of good men.

[@boattree101]

Ugh, but this scene is so good and just adds to my absolute admiration of the players and the characters they create and the stories they tell. Thank you for animating this

[@kairos4484]

Ah, when fjord had hair.

[@sundergo7607]

😂😂😂 priceless

[@ShadowedKing]

I'm so glad this metal moment happened before then because I would have refused to draw 84278483 frames of hairless fjord

[@SPACEHARICE]

I don't know why but I've always seen fjord as the leader even before he became a captain. Molly was 2nd but replaced by Beau after he died.

[@firapolemos3879]

Also I love Essek being so expressive with his ears.

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!!! I'm a long and expressive fantasy ears enthusist hehe

[@firapolemos3879]

@@ShadowedKing Same

[@cenasux]

This was such a powerful scene. I did not expect Travis/ Fjord to say yes so I was caught by surprise, certainly made my interest in/ respect for Fjord rise.

[@AmyTheArtist9]

Cleric cuddles give me LIFE

[@ShadowedKing]

SO TRUE

[@laurel3420]

damnnnnn this is so good! you really captured their expressions and the feeling of it potentially being the last night before they die. and so quickly too! the devil works hard but you work harder, my friend.

[@ShadowedKing]

Haha thank you so much!!!!

[@aduckinlingerie]

The mood is set really nice

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!!

[@ThomasBaxter]

Really well done! _Especially_ the turn around. Its kinda breathtaking how good this is and how fast you did it.

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you so much!!!

[@harveyy8387]

Oh my goodnesssssss! The way you draw everyone is so lovely and the animation is chefs kiss worthy 👌

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you kindly!

[@ChaiTeaDraws]

what a gut wrenching moment ;; you captured it beautifully!!

[@Vezon2121]

I loved this scene..... I love it... fjord willing to do anything for his friends. Willing to do what it takes to beat someone they think is invincible. I love it. So freaking good.

[@chryzocyon]

FRANCO THIS CAME OUT SO GOOD, THIS IS PERFECT I LOVE THE EXPRESSIONS AND THE BODY LANGUAGE, THIS IS SO PERFECT

[@ShadowedKing]

THANK YOUUUUU

[@Onyx08]

this came out so quickly, love the art

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank youuu!

[@maxdomain]

Amazingly well done, especially so fast! Such a chilling moment, with Fjord knowing the pros and cons of his decision. Thanks for your work!

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you so very much I'm glad you like it!!!!

[@tjmakes_]

My dude you did this so fast and it looks so good!!! Everyone looks fantastic 😭

[@ShadowedKing]

FIRST! Pretty please make this HD

[@musical__turtles]

The two dislikes are Lucien and Cree cus they can’t appreciate art

[@deranged_dragon9471]

And half they're team got destroyed LMFAO

[@digginsaurousrickrickdiggi928]

Your hard work is not unappreciated. Thank you for this.

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you for watching, it means so much to me!!!

[@MrMagbrant]

Holy canoly that was beautiful

[@octobad7834]

I am FLOORED by how good this animation is! The character designs are expressive, the set?(background?) design of the tower is wonderful, and there's an eerieness to the final shot with the towerCats scurrying about that I LOVE. Phenomenal work!!

[@ShadowedKing]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I appreciate this a lot

[@melodyancastor8601]

I’m sorry but Liam’s quiet ‘you’re a bastard’ just absolutely kills me every time 😂

[@deranged_dragon9471]

That was actually Sam.

[@BoojumFed]

@@deranged_dragon9471 They're interchangable. ;^)

[@deranged_dragon9471]

@@BoojumFed I- not really but sure lol

[@ShadowedKing]

It was Sam and i HAD TO KEEP IT IN

[@LonelyWolf020]

Very cool! Wonderful framing and well put together shots

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!!!

[@pinkjaguar12]

damn, son, you SHOULD be proud of this. the emotions that are portrayed here are absolutely phenomenal and stellar. it really showcases how Essek is worried himself but looks to Fjord for leadership, and how Fjord has to make the tough call. it's so good!

[@ShadowedKing]

AWWWWW THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I AM

[@greenerion]

One of my favorite moments of all critical role

[@ShadowedKing]

ME TOO

[@RuviGaPo]

Boyyyyy these shots man !! The storytelling aahhh the Anglesss

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!!!

[@egirlSkeletor]

The calculus of sacrificing others to give his chosen family the slightest greater chance is so intense.

[@emmawight2937]

OMGAAAAH THIS IS AWESOME! You did an amazing job with the framing, the set, it's all fantastic!

[@ShadowedKing]

THANK YOU SO MUCHHH AW

[@zaaark__]

Wonderful adaptation

[@ShadowedKing]

Thanks so much!!!

[@stonecoldku4161]

Reminds me of a line from the movie Gettysburg. General Robert E. Lee to General Longstreet. "To be a good soldier, you must love the army. To be a good comander, you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love. And that is the great trap, General..."

[@mysteryanimato2]

this reinvigorated me to animate, this is so well well done, i love this to bits

[@ShadowedKing]

Awww I'm so happy to hear- thank you!

[@dr.zespert]

Bruh how do ya just pump it out like that? Like dad-gum!! So good!

[@ShadowedKing]

Magic ;) thank you!

[@Mr_Dandy_Lion]

Thank god Dagon lived.

[@delphiez8075]

SHADOWEDKING STRIKES AGAIN THIS IS AMAZING

[@ShadowedKing]

HAHAHAHA AWWWW THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@COLLIEDOCK]

FRANCOOOOOOOOOOE HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIT *GRABS YOU AND CRUSHES YOU LIKE A BLOCK OF CHALK* THIS IS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE HOLY SHIT! YOUR FUCKING TALENT OH MY GOD YOU BUILD ATMOSPHERE SOOOOOOOOO WELL IT'S PHENOMENALLL OH MY GOD AND YOUR EXPRESSIONS ARE SO SUBTLE BUT THEY SAY SOOO MUCH I'M GOING UTTERLY BONKERS I'M GOING TO REWATCH THIS EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE ALSO CAD + JESTER NAPPING TOGETHER GAVE ME *LIFE* IF I WAS IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND THIS ANIMATIC WAS THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT I'D BE EXILED WITHIN SECONDS

[@ShadowedKing]

IM BAWLING MY EYES OUT COLLIE THIS IS ACTUALLY THE NICEST AND FUNNIEST COMMENT I HAVE EVER RECIEVED IN NY WHOLE LIFE THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH I WILL TREASURE THIS FOREVER AWWWAA

[@elizabethktate]

This was gorgeous, well done.

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!!!

[@KB42moomoo]

intense as hell...

[@astcastle]

In times or war, a soldier’s job is not to live, but to win.

[@hordelord4759]

I would have made the same choice

[@zippacna]

Yeah, as soon as he said it, I thought to myself 'i get why he did that'

[@ElfQuestComicDubFamily]

Same! I know Travis regretted it but idk if he would’ve changed his mind after a discussion even after remembering Dagen was there, I think it was a well calculated sacrifice. Who knows who could’ve still been up after the intuit charges if the rangers hadn’t shaved off some hit points. Cuz Cree was really fucked up, and the other three were down and it was STILL a bit of a struggle

[@michaelswibes4068]

Wow you work fast! Great work.

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!

[@davidmcquoid9438]

You know what they say " The hardest decisions require the strongest of wills." All together an amazing job!

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!!!

[@jackmyers8687]

I said a bit ago I wanted an animation of the fight between the Tomb Takers and the Rangers. I'd love it to be you man.

[@ShadowedKing]

If we actually got the audio for it, maybe 😭😭

[@tugboatyan]

The transition between Fjord, his quarry, and the souls he's willing to risk in service of the greater good... Perfection!

[@ShadowedKing]

hehe thank you ;)!

[@jbamforth79]

Haunting.

[@HonkzeeBeezs]

Damn this is very good, very good. Well Fucking played

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!

[@revolutionarylizard4439]

Oh my God I can't believe I forgot Dagon was there, I hope he's ok, I doubt it but I really like him

[@ShadowedKing]

He is okay!!! 🥺🥺

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

It is simple math. A small group of rangers to save the world. A hard price but a fair price in the grand schWAIT!!! Dagon was with the rangers? NOOOOOOOOoooooo...

[@TwinMediaHunter]

It so good. It’s so sad, but so good.😬😁

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you!!!!

[@keixsy]

I really do hope there are some serious repercussions to this. Don't get me wrong I totally see his reasoning, but still~ I think it makes Fjords character a whole lot more interesting, and it creates a unique dynamic between him and Jester now. I wonder how Jester would feel knowing Fjord sent men to their death. The group has all been lovey-dovey, and there has been no conflict between them since.. since Fjord argued with Caleb about the scroll? Perhaps I'm forgetting some hahah // Anyway the point is, it would be interesting to see the group split in opinion of Fjords actions. I wonder who would side with Fjord, and who would be against. Oh also, I love Matt

[@keixsy]

Your animation and your expressions are so beautiful

[@OverkillDM]

As someone who plays a Lawful Evil character, totally onboard with Fjord’s pick. Given the stakes, even if trading the rangers lives barely knocked off a few hit points it’d be worth it. Expend every resource.

[@rosev3431]

Fjord is actually the bbeg ^^

[@mistresspheonix854]

How did you do this in a week! It’s sooooo friking good!!

[@ShadowedKing]

Hahaha magic ;) thank you!

[@alexanderstar1998]

I love this but why did you give yourself a harder time by drawing stairs when Essek could've just float down?

[@Nuan07]

This was incredibly well done, captured the mood perfectly. Do you plan to keep it as an animatic or finish it in the future?

[@ShadowedKing]

Thank you so much! Alas, this is all it will be :)

[@Nuan07]

@@ShadowedKing Alas? no alas, this is already absolutely incredible! I can't praise you highly enough.

[@Soviniy]

Ah yes, what a convenient way to avoid walking animation. Thank you, Shadowhand. You had the animators in mind! Anyway, I was so mad at Fjord at that point, considering the trip to where they were now didn't even take them more than an hour, and they were both cautious and encountered multiple dangers along the way. And it was entirely possible that, knowing this place was discovered, Lucien could have decided to find another way in. And then they never would have known. The entire plan wasted along with the lives of Dagen and the rangers. Side note, kind of hoped they *mild spoilers* ... didn't actually live, and there would have been consequences. At least Dagen, since he's the one they care about. But glad a bunch of them lived, anyway.

[@ShadowedKing]

LMAOOO ANIMATING HIM FLOATING WAS A LUXURY

[@Avenz0r]

Did fjord’s hair grow back?

[@ShadowedKing]

Yep!