Erika and Aabria talk roleplaying and The Beast - Club Auspex Episode 3

[@eirikastokes9652]

It really does hurt my heart to see how many people give Erika hate for Annabelle. You don't have to like her, you can even hate her if you want, but to come to a video like this - where it's literally Erika, not a character, a real person - and treat her like she IS Annabelle and to put the dislike for her character onto her as a person just really makes me sad.

[@raeje]

Why would anyone want to hate on Erika? She's super fun and funny! I love every time she shows up on College Humor.

[@geoffreyblakeley5601]

I love the acknowledgment here that Anabelle was responsible the deaths of a lot of people. Because it's a great example of how the beast and the clan traits can really warp a person. We already knew how intense she was before her embrace. So becoming a Brujah just made it worse, because like she said, "Damn the consequences!" Because she "knows" She's dong the right thing. I really am loving this after show!

[@sweetpatate2729]

it's an interresting twist to the beast of Anabelle.

[@clearquartz1677]

I love Fuego exploring how much power she has over the people around her. It felt like she was testing Rey just to see how far she could push him. It was such a subtle expression of her character and it made me think "I bet that's why they embraced her", so good! The baby Ventrue concept was so exciting and Aabria has not disappointed with showing that growth process. Can't wait for more!

[@kerik6380]

Ash is killing it as the host on these. Aabria is my kind of player, the birds eye view of who her character is and how she plays Fuego is Chef's Kiss! Love the insight into the character creation and behind the scenes of LABN as well.

[@pitmatix1457]

Fuego is such an interesting character. On one side we see this fun, flirtatious character who really cares about the local community and then "kill him for me" was a fucking dark moment out of left-field. It's going to be an interesting ride, especially with Rey having experienced that side of the character whereas the others have no idea yet!

[@dylanknight2761]

Totally loved Aabria’s “I want to devour you” comment at the very beginning to Erika. I will admit that in episode one, I actually dismissed Fuego as “Ugh! A complete knows nothing fledgling!” But I am so happy to see I was wrong, she knows she isn’t experienced in the world of the Kindred, but she’s seeing how she can have power over others and use that for her advantage. Completely blown away by her and very interested to see where her arc will go. I also like how Aabria makes Fuego’s voice sound like velvet honey. Erika has so much energy, it’s amazing! I really like how she acknowledges that Annabelle has made decisions that have consequences, which is an aspect of Vampire that I need to work more on next time I run a chronicle.

[@Drewcatmorris]

Ash, as Fiona, gave Annabelle the best advice an elder kindred EVER gave a fledgling, something like: "You don't need to be like me, but you need to be a different you." Best line ever. The one thing I really wanted to ask Annabelle - How the hell did she get an RV through NYC traffic????

[@naaziaf7239]

“She’s not built to fight, she’s built to get what she Wants, and look, here’s this perfect… machine for killing” Chills… Aabria as Fuego is my favourite part of this chronicle so far, her slowly coming to understand her power and influence as it both helps and hinders her goals of saving her community, is so so good

[@pretentiousname01]

I wasnt a big fan of fuego initially. But after last ep and her whispering “kill him for me” made her way more interesting.

[@piquantement]

Fuego is vampire Kingston Brown and I am here for it.

[@FortyFathomsCreations]

That's UNDISPUTED baron! It's so good to see the cast having fun in the off camera shows.

[@bookbook9495]

Ok, but can we all acknowledge how damn smooth Aabria was with that “are you free for a drink later”? Girl’s got game lol

[@DracoSuave]

Jason runs the Beast like a good Wraith game runs its Shadows, and I'd love to see him run a Wraith game.

[@TheMarcHicks]

Oh, me too.

[@AlwaysSomeone]

Hearing that B Dave Walters hijacked the plot in LABN puts into perspective the things that made him my favorite character Out of all of them, he felt the most proactive and in control. People say Annabelle had Main Character Energy, but for me the story was always about Victor’s rise to power and attempts to hold his territory against threats outside and within

[@celdz6933]

I was really happy to see Erica is play Annabelle again. I was kind of wondering when she would show up because she said she was heading to New York.

[@Leo619858]

I'm so glad we got to hear what Annabelle had to say and I do wish there was a talk back show back then to hear about the character thoughts during LA By Night. I definitely hope we get to see more of Annabelle as she takes on the role of den mother and help guides the coterie, especially since she knows how it feels to be on the opposite end as she originally was the BB of her coterie. Also Aubria killed it regarding her description of Fuego's choices. I'm curious to see how her goals of protecting the bronx evolves going forward as she starts to lean harder into her Ventrue nature.

[@nickoluspatraszewski7768]

Going off of that intro, is Aabria next on Erika's CR-Cast Hit List?

[@bryanguzman8611]

IT FEELS SO GOOD TO HEAR ERICA SAY ANNABEL LEE WAS TROUBLE! I was always annoyed with the problems Annabel caused but never acknowledged

[@azifay]

It was almost like that was whole point of the character... such a shocking factor.

[@beniaminorocchi]

@@azifay yes. The problem is not Annabelle, it's the storyteller (and partially the other players) who failed to add stakes and consequences to Annabelle's actions

[@azifay]

@@beniaminorocchi Plenty of stakes. It was just giving other characters the chance to shine in their own light for other things because there was a lot going on. Might want to rewatch and pay more attention.

[@lockepersonal]

I mean, Erika is a good player. I can passionately hate Annabelle the character while acknowledging that Erika the player is good. Hell, VtM is about playing bad people and Annabelle's deluded self-righteousness was played perfectly. It's more on other players that it was never acknowledged.

[@ithemba]

I agree that, especially in retrospection with la by night finished, there should have been WAAAY more grevious consequences for Annabelle. The way it went she has somewhat of a protagonist plot armour and while I agree that the most annoying stuff about her was kind of her point, they basically didn't actually use any of the dark or tragic potential of this character by actually using the stakes

[@taranml5948]

It is an interesting perspective on Fuego as a version of Annabelle in some very specific sense, have not thought about that. It will be interesting to see how the whole coeterie will react to this arc. The context is different and people inside it too, so it might take a very different path. Hopefully it will.

[@hrani]

I love these but wish the audio levels were turned up a little bit. I had to turn up PC volume 50% from normal and I'm sure people who have to see ads are having trouble with them being super loud in comparison

[@michaelnodine3803]

Yes the sound is weak.

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

I can hear it perfectly.. it's overly loud actually... Wierd...

[@pretentiousname01]

There has been a real inconsistent level of volume in everything so far

[@lkriticos7619]

The sound quality on their shows has always been terrible and the subtitles are bad too. :(

[@ithemba]

its a problem of compression. I have to turn up to actually understand them speaking but when Erika squeeks from joy its numbingly loud. Bad audio engeneering.

[@velwein]

Erika Ishiii brings up a great point about World of Darkness and consequences, however, I felt like Annabelle never really had to face them. She kept doing all the things you're not supposed to do, and it wasn't till the Inquisition kicked down everyone's door, that Annabelle faced any real consequence. Even then, she was given the VIP treatment (compared to the others), and that moment of character growth happened at regrettably the very end of the story. In terms of Epilogue, she also ran away from the consequences of her actions. She left LA decimated, broken, and her ghouled boyfriend in critical care. After giving a plethora of speeches about wanting LA to be better, and it just ended up right back where it started. I did appreciate, that Annabelle admits even after the Anarchs win, it ends up a lot like the Camarilla.

[@etherealblacketernal2889]

I love Erika shes, fun and bubbly, I hated Annabelle but that shows how good of a character Erika made her. I just wish Jason gave LAbN more consequences. Fuego speaks for herself. She really plans her characters and steps into them like shoes of the perfect size. Both are flawless 👌🏿

[@taranml5948]

Will Annabelle address the missing piece of inventory in future episodes? :D

[@andersonfalavinha]

that jacket is alive

[@MattTom857]

Did anyone else recognize the PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) patch on the shoulder of Aabria Iyengar's hoodie?

[@colinflanigan9153]

I like when they tied their characters actions to the game mechanics. These are thoughtful players you would want at the table.

[@TheWinglessHawk]

Nothing against the the actor/player Erika but the character Annabelle... sorry but I still don't see her as a "vampire daddy". Sure she witnessed a lot, but I haven't seen her hold much of the promises she gave out to other vampires throughout LA by Night which was fucking sad, because she was the duckling and very well guided in a semi wonderful working vamily, than most would ever get, but that behaviour kept on stacking with no backing. Even Victor Temple was better at keeping promises, even though his methods in approach where sometimes "interesting". The first question I asked myself was "Did the character Annabelle really grew up?" and it was like "Yes she is calmer, but..." there is still a piece missing where I could truly say "Hey! Annabelle grew the fuck up!" I hope to see the progress in the future and also hope to see someday LA by Night back, beside NY by Night. I am all for the juicy vampire stories out here~ Tbh LA by Night felt a bit like "childhood innocence mixed with chaotic faction issues" and NY by Night feels like "welcome to the harsh world suckers!". I also love the acknowledgement that Annabelle was the cause of a lot of deaths.

[@Stevonniewolf3113]

I can't wait for Erika's reaction to Club Auspex. It looked funny in the trailer.

[@VinterNacht_]

Coming up as a sequel to Pretty Little Liars... Gorgeous Little Idiots.

[@MutantGuppyFromHell]

I had a dream my old school Sabbat character (Transylvania by Night/ Dark Ages) was the one to teach them how to be Vampires lol It's interesting Annabel left these guys because she was being hunted by some of the prince's goons. She's already causing trouble! lol Trying to start the war early?

[@dibaterman]

Based on the first season, the way they played their characters with regard for the stereotypes of their clans - so Erika started off with the Che thing but it just kept getting strong and stronger and stronger to the point where she was almost a Mary Sue. It's a little foggy but I think the Inquisition arch saved her as a character otherwise it's like why are people like Nines listening to this little twerp bark all day? But in the end this was a much better interview than the first, gj, take my like and just keep getting stronger at this stuff.

[@pendotxl822]

To be fair, the barons literally just played out the game they set up to do in pretty much the very first barons meeting we saw. Put Annabelle up as a figurehead for a movement while limiting the amount of actual control and power she had, trying to infiltrate the camarilla and destroy them from within. If Annabelle is now expected to be a focus this story path aswell i would love for them to head into a direction where they follow the current apprehension of messing shit up for empty idealism /learn her "monster" is just as dangerous and destructive, maybe ending into a part of the season finale where she faces the consequences of her actions and hypocricy catching up ot her without the protection from her coterie and backers weakening the blow, driving in further what the inquisition arch laid bare

[@tapioperala3010]

I really hated Annabelle in LA by Night. I really did. She was an annoying, naive little cry baby. Erika did an *amazing* job, and I cannot praise her skills in portraying Annabelle enough. Absolute legend. While NY by Night has not been nearly as entertaining and "on par" of LA by Night, I really hope that things get into higher revs (I've full faith in Jason and Alexander) because the setting is awesome I want some propah vampire action! :P

[@Peecamarke]

That Brujah fiery passion with Fuego’s fiery actions…like a park and oil! 😉 Lol

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

Ok... Of course... The only one I had a bigger crush on... Miss Erika... Is now here... Of course. Yeah... She is definitely a special kind of Gorgeous

[@thomassmart4088]

hah BDave hijacked LaByNight brilliant! The Kindred really do need to invest in education.

[@JWPanimation]

Audio needs some love on this, mic levels etc. Great to see Erika at the table. Note to E, NYC is not LA....

[@pretentiousname01]

Noticed similar audio issues on the main show

[@MissMyce]

God shut up, you don’t get to tell these ppl how to play their characters or tell their story

[@robertclarke71]

Annabelle reminds of clueless, self-righteous, damn the consequences radicals - you know, the stereotypical Brujah turned up to 11. She was infuriating, which is a testament to Erika's acting.

[@mattlovespeebee]

Again, I was hoping that Erika would have said something to the effect of Alex Ward’s character reminded her of Jasper in LA. Just to get meta and everything

[@Zandalorscat]

I do wish players could show excitement without yelling into their microphones - bad audio experience on headphones.

[@elbruces]

Maybe they could hold up a little sign that says "I am excited now."

[@GreenDayFanMT]

A lot of screaming

[@alexsanderognev]

Not her again...

[@mercurydude]

If you're not a fan, you could just choose not to watch instead of popping in just to be rude.

[@moonlight2870]

Shut up lol

[@wowcraft8784]

@@mercurydude do you stop watching something you love because you hate on of the charecters

[@mercurydude]

@@wowcraft8784 There have been lots of characters in VtM that I can't stand, that's not the point. This is an aftershow and he's badmouthing one of the actors who put in so ,much time to bring us these stories. Rude!

[@wowcraft8784]

@@mercurydude well you're right but its not unnatural for him to do this people tend to say something like this when they hate someone or find them annoying although you have point and are right its completely normal for this person to act this way and also keep in mind Annabelle is not a scripted charecter erika made her and is acting as her so the chance the Erika's real personality is something like Annabelle exist

[@chrisprice7285]

I was really enjoying the show until Anabelle showed up. My least favorite character from LA.

[@elbruces]

Thanks for telling us, now that you've done that you can go away and not watch or comment under their videos any more.

[@chrisprice7285]

@@elbruces How about this "NO".