Excelsior | Exandria Unlimited: Calamity | Episode 1

[@flandomaltrizian4603]

HEY, there might be some SPOILERS under the thing 0:10 Marisha’s merch corner 1:50 Lou and Luis hug the table 3:40 Intro cinematic 5:20 EPISODE STARTS 6:10 Zerxes Ilerez 14:35 EXU Party Time 21:05 Describe your dead husband 26:35 Wake up (who cares that it’s a nice day) 29:55 We behold the Age of Arcanum 32:45 Loquatius Seelie 35:20 Loquatius’s broadcast 38:45 And we’re out 40:45 Loquatius the power broker (if this was improv, Sam is truly incredible) 43:50 Sam playing himself 45:50 What’s weather 47:30 Laeryn Coramar-Seelie 54:10 Flat youths 56:55 Pleasantries 58:50 Celestial Solstices 1:02:15 Loquatius and Laeryn 1:04:05 Aria just happens to be attractive 1:05:15 Cathmoira 1:09:00 The Vault of the Golden Scythes 1:10:15 Nydas 1:15:05 Being incredibly demeaning to this sphinx 1:18:20 Kid sorcerers 1:22:50 Get that loaf 1:26:45 Alts on the roar 1:28:10 Remember when things were real scary at the start? 1:30:30 Cerrit Agrupnin 1:34:40 Vespin Chloras is missing 1:38:15 Cerrit is in a whole different genre 1:39:25 When a mastermind rogue investigates 1:49:20 Imyr the Bold 1:51:10 Patia 1:57:00 Eldamir the Wise RULES 2:04:45 Aeor is getting testy 2:11:35 BREAK STARTS (after Brennan asks permission) 2:16:50 Art Montage 2:22:10 BREAK ENDS (taint begins) 2:25:20 There are normies here? 2:27:05 Porsche plans the party 2:30:25 Can wolves speak? 2:34:00 Cerrit’s entrance 2:35:45 Loquatius’s entrance (magic pneumatic tubes) 2:38:35 Bolo 2:41:25 Nydus’s entrance 2:45:15 Laeryn’s entrance 2:47:50 Zerxus’s entrance 2:52:15 Keep that name to yourself 2:55:35 Bolo fights a bag 2:57:20 Loquatius is gonna have a good night 3:03:35 An incredible amount of historical and cultural lore 3:16:05 Bardic inspiration 3:17:10 Investigating the bow 3:24:35 Purvan Suul (his armor was a magical item in CR campaign 1) 3:27:25 Glyph is so amped 3:34:15 Insulting Purvan 3:41:35 Ring of Truth 3:43:00 A dance of Nydas and Patia 3:49:00 Automaton uprising 3:50:20 Nydas’s best friend 3:51:20 Loquatius running (Purvan explains what happened) 4:01:15 Loquatius wants an exclusive interview 4:04:50 This is genuinely a really cool justification for seeing an invisible person 4:08:25 The horror happens again 4:10:20 Episode Ends The in-game start date for the episode was in the year 0, I guess. The various cast of this show did an Instagram Takeover, but if you’re frightened and confused by Instagram like me, Bixbi Boom is a KZbin channel with compilations of each cast member’s videos answering questions about the show and hanging out. Any moments I missed? Feel free to post them here. Is it Thursday yet?

[@cianconnolly8291]

Wow

[@hotwire101]

Flando you BEAST.

[@SkinFlint_]

Wow 5 seconds in!

[@milenacosta8299]

letsgoooo

[@nikkoelven]

HOW!?

[@mugginish]

This Brennan guy could be a professional DM if his career as CEOs of several companies fails

[@lauravturner]

underrated comment

[@bobbysingh6052]

@@AshLikeTheEvilDead that's the joke dawg

[@MrSoup-zs4rd]

@@AshLikeTheEvilDead He's also the professional DM running the show we're watching. I don't think this was lost on @KaaKaa Gold

[@definatelynotalpharius]

hAHAHAHA this is gold.

[@mugginish]

@Mamamew TheRani @Bobby Singh @Mr. Soup @DefinatelyNotAlpharius @Ghost Thanks for coming to my aid folks! hahah @Ashley Skinnell I should have clarified I'm a Brennan shill and have a dropout subscription mostly because of d20!

[@circuscassie]

me: noo this means there'll be no more campaign 3 for a month Brennan: “I need you to describe your character, and tell us your character’s name, but I would love for you to do that with the understanding that your mouth is filled with blood.” also me: bells hells who

[@melparchment1851]

lmaoooo honestly same, that shit blew my mind

[@devinward461]

What an opening

[@davidbai3543]

Brennan is perfect for a short high level series because he covers so much ground in 1 session. If you haven’t, you should check out the series he dmed where Matt played as a villain called escape from the Blood keep. It was epic.

[@feitocomfruta]

Also, the fact that the first word of the narrative was “FIRE”. I mean…

[@sanddry738]

@@davidbai3543 Escape From the Blood Keep is such an enjoyable watch. Definitely recommend it for anyone who wants a taste of Brennan Lee Mulligan

[@dimension20show]

Hell yeah!

[@gadrielreyes4401]

-Brennan every season

[@FlorescentInk]

INCREDIBLE! Brennan and Lou, you two knocked it out of the park! Thank you for everything I enjoyed this episode so so much.

[@vanessaowll]

Oh baby

[@lolitaxdarling]

Love you

[@jackgerig8910]

Brennan! Incredible job. You definitely brought your A-game. The whole of this first episode has the same dramatic narrative power as d20 season finales! SO excited to see how the campaign ramps up.

[@sllimjimsinkhole]

Brennan is a master at reeling people in. The moment he said "with the understanding that your mouth is filled with blood" I was hooked and going nowhere.

[@Skip6235]

He got me at “Fire.”

[@Smajtastic]

Due to several massive life events it's been a while since I've been able to watch any DnD. With this line my eye went wide, my stomach fell out from beneath me and my veins surged with adrenaline. God Ive missed this

[@sllimjimsinkhole]

@@Smajtastic welcome back

[@scottbrown2252]

🎶 been a while 🎶@@Smajtastic

[@FaithOriginalisme]

I'm late as hell to this comment, but if you liked that, you'd probably really enjoy D20's Neverafter. (I mean, you may have already watched it)

[@TheDuchessFox]

I love Matt as a DM, I love Aabria as a DM, but no one, and I mean no one, introduces a character like Brennan Lee Mulligan

[@DrShnig]

This. He's an absolute master at character introductions. I might have even liked this more than when he did the character introductions for Fantasy High!

[@FZA1903]

No disrespect to Matt or Aarbria or any other Dm but, I think its time we consider the fact that Brennan is the GOAT

[@isaachutchison3532]

*Flashbacks to the re-introduction of the Cubby family from season one of Fantasy High* “let’s make some bacon”

[@wierdalien1]

@@FZA1903 nah, Matt is the GOAT, but it is certainly close considering how different they are

[@Static-EN-]

I disagree with Aabria but hell yeah

[@ThatOneIrishFurry]

Brennan is having too much fun being like "you dream every night of the world being destroyed BUT FOR NOW everything is fine:) look at all the cool things we have :) its the age of arcanum :)"

[@Mediados]

"Soon the world will end. BUT THAT DOESN'T CONCERN US NOW"

[@seven-cats-3]

right now it _is_ exu: fucking party time!

[@jocosesonata]

Everything you know and love are despair and suffering incarnate, as a legion of atrocities lay waste to every species that has ever sprouted, and the days are counted by the genocide of worlds innumerable... Anyway, it's a bright sunny day, birds are singing, grass is greener than ever...

[@lauravturner]

666th like. As if this episode wasn't enough of an omen.

[@Sifeus]

It's the roarin' twenties baby! Nothing bad is gonna happen!

[@Groaker]

Sam doing an in-world, in-character ad-read is possibly the most meta thing I have ever fucking witnessed.

[@ThomasBearsOfficial]

Mixing Sam as a player and Brennan as a GM is the most high tiered crossover ever concocted, pure brilliance

[@brody810.]

wait did I miss that? anyone got a time stamp

[@Anilikedifranco]

@@brody810. i believe it was around 37 minutes in?

[@Groaker]

@@brody810. 35:18

[@chartreusephoenix6581]

Thank you(someone comment so i can get back to this please)

[@LightDragon777]

Brennan: "Tune in next week; let's see if things get better." *me, glancing at the title of the next episode*: "Bitterness and Dread"

[@eric_moore-6126]

Not to mention the campaign is called "Calamity"

[@Aesy_Ford]

Things indeed did not get better.

[@csquared4538]

@@Aesy_Ford spoilers!! (Jk)

[@foolslayer9416]

This is like seeing all the rich people, engineers, and overconfident officers on the Titanic before it sank.

[@Heritage367]

That's absolutely the same vibe I get. "This city is unsinkable!"

[@silversalmon9909]

"This city is uncrashable!"

[@Snips.Snails.Fairytales]

That is an excellent comparison!

[@dannyakins7677]

That is so "deep" & meaningful, & so true! 😲🤯😃

[@silversalmon9909]

@@dannyakins7677 that's what I was thinking!

[@AuthorJimHeskett]

Matt Mercer's superpower is his ability to make it look easy. He never gets flustered. He's incredibly gifted at making every choice retroactively feel inevitable, like fate. Brennan Lee Mulligan's superpower is his mad-scientist ability to straddle the line between chaos and ruin and sprint full speed ahead and somehow make it work. Two completely different superpowers, both awesome.

[@Le300thMiner]

I think its great that Brennan is doing calamity. Matt holds down the slow building long narrative, and Brennan trudges head first into a world shattering event. Awesome to see

[@spacetearable]

And of course, Aabria is the master of "Hey look, do you see me not caring? Fuck it, let's have fun!"

[@jlhjlhjlhjlh]

obviously i already know whats going to be the response commenting this on this channel, but: matt mercer is a boring dm

[@timofkings5173]

@@jlhjlhjlhjlh everyone has different tastes and opinions in life. You are allowed to have yours and voice them, without any concern. I for one greatly dislike Aabria’s Gm-ing style. Love Brennan’s style though.

[@jlhjlhjlhjlh]

​@@timofkings5173 my official thoughts (now that i'm not -buzzed and- angry) are that while i genuinely think Brennan Lee Mulligan is genuinely one of the best DM(/GM)s to ever do it - lightyears above the rest - Matt Mercer is someone i would murder my 3rd cousin to have as my DM(/GM). i also think that a big part of what makes Brennan seem so wildly incredibly and undeniably better than any other youtube DM(/GM) is that the players are usually performers and comedians (i will say this only accounts for so much as Brennan is easily one of the best story crafters of all time when it comes to a living narrative). I do love Misfits and Magic, and as much as the cast specifically brings that story to life, i absolutely have to acknowledge Aabria's quirks as a DM(/GM) which make the story her own. edit: punctuation.

[@thdude598]

Having a degree in philosophy and screenwriting has to be one of the best combinations for a dungeon master.

[@roomtemperature7096]

and a shit ton improv experience apparently helps lol

[@Grandtheatrix]

Like if you tried to grow a Dungeon Master in a Vat and then give it the perfect, optimal course of training, it would be hard to beat Brennan's life and resume.

[@Blubbermage]

Cerrit catching a fraction of a pupil smaller than a grain of sand then dropping a guy is one of the hardest things I have ever seen in dnd

[@ArgieGrit]

The way Brennan ties together character abilities, backstory and personality is SO. FUCKING. GOOD. The scene where he was describing what each character read from Zerxus' dream based on arcana, insight or history and how it was tied together to their pre-existing relationship was incredible. If I ever played with a DM who did that to me they'd make me feel like the coolest motherfucker who's ever existed. I've never seen something like that.

[@SomeKindaSpy]

**on camera, anyway

[@educatedlaziness3268]

That explanation for how invisibility works and how it might be seen through was so goddamn good

[@allyabernathy4098]

@@educatedlaziness3268brennan is literally one of those magicians that tells you what he’s doing as he’s doing it and still manages to absolutely blow your mind.

[@williamross6477]

Not sure if he got the idea from Sanderson’s Reckoners series or if he came up with it independently, but either way I’m here for it. The narrative execution was flawless!

[@Morhek]

Brennan: "It's not called ExU: Party Time!" Also Brennan: whole episode revolves around a party

[@KyPenney]

I've never scene a story that opens with this much pomp and privelege where the cast of characters don't get wrecked/die by the end. This feels like Hamlet.

[@KillerOfWhales]

@@KyPenney Oh absolutely. If half of these guys are alive at the end I will be thoroughly surprised

[@kitnal4143]

@@KillerOfWhales well only a third of Exandria survive the calamity so pick two to live lmao

[@adrenalineunlimited3376]

@@kitnal4143 that's rough... I want it to be Aabria and Sam, but I'm not sure I want it to turn into that kind of fan fic 🤔 and if I did, I'd definitely want the whole cast involved, anyway

[@GameDogLeader21]

Wow i just read your comment right as he said it. Crazy chances

[@Spectralyzed]

Not even half an hour in: Marisha: "It's been 10 minutes." Sam: "This entire episode is a trigger warning." Travis: "I think I'm in the wrong class... I thought this was Freshmen Biology, I don't know-"

[@b.castilho4011]

how do you get your average critical role cast used to mulligan? throw them into full blown chaos themed one-shot with him, the god of chaos himself. ...that should work.

[@TheRealPurpleHand]

And that describes Brennan's storytelling prowess encapsulated in three sentences.

[@aRandoOnTheInternet]

Sooo I have a question. Is this campaign related to any other campaign will it spoil any other critical role campaign?

[@szabobendeguz2767]

@@aRandoOnTheInternet Events in this mini campaign happens approx. 810 + 150 years before the first main campaign (Vox Machina) so there are inherently no spoilers in this, apart from maybe the CR cast having intense reaction to some of the characters, about whom they learn in the main campaigns, but that's hardly a spoiler, you'll just have some background info, listening to Matt describing events from eons ago.

[@aRandoOnTheInternet]

@@szabobendeguz2767 Thank you so much dude really appreciate it

[@eddiekalista3222]

15 minutes in, and its hilarious how everyone else is bewildered and enthralled by Brennan's narration, and Lou is just like "here we go again"

[@TheJasonmanguy]

Lou is holding his head like, “I fucked up deciding to do this. I have second-hand PTSD from that dream.”

[@TheCruefan94]

Lou: "First time?"

[@treyallen6160]

Lou plus Brennan is always my favorite.

[@G_Rez]

Let's go down the line, what's everyone afraid of?

[@wearingspacesuits]

@@G_Rez "I admit there might be something wrong with me"

[@Big_Pants_]

Lou clearly writing and underlining the single word “BOLO” is easily the #1 part of every rewatch

[@wouldiwasshookspeared4087]

Good catch, that was hilarious.

[@Peter_Cordes]

timestamp: 2:39:26

[@youcantspellclownwithoutst515]

Sorry, when was that?

[@blazerheata6479]

One of my favorite Lou bits, just aggressive note taking.

[@braydenchadwick9836]

For me it’s him trying not to laugh when he hears “to arms! to arms!!” I know he hears those beautiful little boys in his head

[@naturalthemelodious]

Who would win: six characters that lead rich and fulfilling lives, with incredibly in-depth backstories and pages of lore attached to them or a woman named Bolo

[@TheWindwall]

There can be only one....

[@voltcorp]

in Aeor, it's sometimes illegal to ask these questions

[@kc2086]

Bolo... but only once she's attained her final form as Roëmænce Partnær.

[@CamiloCienfuegosStan]

@@kc2086 Dear Gods…..

[@kc2086]

@@CamiloCienfuegosStan Right?

[@TheChristmasNinja12]

This whole episode is just Lou proudly looking at the cast of CR and going "Yeah, that's my dad."

[@BNOBNO14]

That's my puh-pah!

[@modestpelican286]

The very beginning everyone is like terrified and lou is covering his mouth trying not to b busy or laughing like knowing Brennans gona shift tone on the drop of a dime

[@jamesbarrett3034]

@@BNOBNO14 PUH-PAH!

[@blackbelt352-dd]

@@jamesbarrett3034 When Brennan pulled out that pirate voice at about 3:20:20, it immediately brought Bill Seacaster to my mind, just itching for Fabian to do Fabian things again.

[@msixteen1691]

@@modestpelican286 at like 10:05 it’s fantastic

[@curtisholsinger6023]

The best part is how POWERFUL the player characters are - and the knowledge that IT WON'T MATTER. Really drives home what a catastrophe this was.

[@voltcorp]

I'm new to this world, so only after watching the History of Exandria short did I realize the scope of what they're building to here

[@benjaminhondorp8593]

@@voltcorp yeah, this really isn't one that will end well haha

[@GeorgieBonsoir]

You could call it a uh... umm, a god damn uhhh, a calamity?

[@silversalmon9909]

@@GeorgieBonsoir you really could

[@christopherbgsted4749]

You are so right

[@XoIoRouge]

As someone who has watched a lot of CR and a little bit of D20, I don't know Luis Carazo. I'm exceptionally grateful that Brennen and Luis were the two actors in the opening dream sequence. It gave Brennan a lot of time to remind me of his DMing style and it gave Luis the chance to show what he's capable of in a 1-on-1 story with the DM. He's FULLY IN IT And that makes me FULLY IN IT.

[@jamiereid7428]

Absolutely. Luis was thrown a 100mph screwball and he hit it out of the park. (I don’t baseball. Does this work?😂) Super impressed with how he handled his intro.

[@autumnkey7058]

@Jamie Reid it doesn't work which makes it all the more accurate with how amazing it was

[@lexgrey8103]

D20 at its heart is a comedy and they don't terrify me in the way this ever could

[@lylahamanita6032]

@@lexgrey8103 That’s because of all the nat 20s Beardsley and Emily get all the time.

[@PeTTs0n88]

Yeah, I mean we know the others can both play DnD and act insanely well - we've seen them do it all the time, but Luis came in fresh and just absolutely f***ing owned it, showing his talent at the get go. Massive props to him for nailing it the way he did.

[@indigostudio2245]

Things I like about how Brennan DMs - uses a grand, exaggerated voice when describing the city. It adds a new level of detail and atmosphere that I don’t see a lot. - ALL THE CHANGES HE MAKES TO HIS VOICE WHEN HE WANTS DIFFERENT VIBES - “I’d like to know how your *character* would react to this.”

[@yoitbeam5764]

Dude watch the fantasy high series it is the greatest thing ever

[@blueriverbane69]

@@yoitbeam5764 where can I find it?

[@gabbybalinas5541]

@@blueriverbane69 You can find the the first Fantasy High over on the Dimension 20 channel!

[@gryffinmutzenberger2144]

"I'd like to know how your character would react to this" And "What is your character thinking/feeling in this moment" Are some of his most powerful questions

[@lindsaythemorallygay4586]

It certainly keeps me engaged considering I have ADHD

[@gilwags]

I love how you can tell that Brennan fully was not ready for Travis being so reactive and Travis was not ready for Brennan's shenanigans (see the whole Bolo scene). This is going to be such a good campaign

[@extragarb]

I think Bolo hit all seven people so hard that Brennan's trying-not-to-laugh face became a part of her weird weird character. I'm absolutely delighted by Bolo

[@user-xb5bz4fu9o]

I think Brennan was completely ready to play ball (Emily Exford and the Hilda Hilda scene have taught him well), he was just pleasantly surprised to get that pushback so soon imo

[@emilyfulton728]

and at the end when travis practically screamed, iconic

[@MowingTheAir]

Just coming to comment this but couldn't word right thanks!!

[@tairneanaich]

I AM imagining a Russian Spy??

[@CM-jf1vx]

"If you look down and see the stars. What will you see when you look up?" Chills.

[@mattixender3016]

Travis yelling with all the desperation in the world: “NOOOO, BRENNAN NOOOOO!!!!!” At the end is so delightful. I love how much Travis loves this game.

[@tomhur1]

And he didn't know anything about DND when this whole thing started. It's funny how things come around.

[@themandomercgaming]

I alway say, no one is more of a fan of CR than Travis. He personifies the Critters in his reactions to every session he is in.

[@Gibblo]

@@themandomercgaming To me it was when he recognised who the diary belonged to in the museum heist, and just started fangirling. I loved it. Chetney might not have actually cared about it that much, but Travis' love for the lore overpowered any resistance to meta gaming and he stole it on the way out. Every DM wishes they could have a Travis at the table.

[@arcaneobject]

I truly love anytime he just sits straight up and you can see him taking everything in

[@aroenweind7244]

Brennan: "I heard you don't like horror shit, Travis. It's ok, I'll add a double dose just for you. And you'll enjoy it" Travis: "Yessir. Thank you, sir"

[@monkeykingw]

The best part is that is comes /right/ after such a badass moment for Travis's character.

[@silversalmon9909]

To quote Travis himself, "Thank you sir, may I have another?"

[@paramitch]

I love Travis's face during every playthrough. Here, he looks scared, horrified, and... DELIGHTED. Nobody loves a good story more than Travis, and that is just so wonderful to see.

[@allthingsgood6345]

That’s a mood

[@OwlCitytwilight]

You can totally see Lou’s small smiles when Brennan does something crazy and CR looking to Lou and Lou just being like “yah… that’s my dm alright”

[@Droz42]

Lou is like, this isn't even his final form.

[@Spectrum_2002]

Honestly only checking it out for my beautiful 2d0 boys

[@THExRISER]

@@Spectrum_2002 Same. Critical Role is great but it honestly couldn't retain my attention because of the pacing.

[@claire3614]

@@THExRISER those D20 bois comin here to shou CR how it's done

[@Sunshine11229]

"wait tell he monologues for 20 minutes and then kills you, your mom, your dad and your mail man..."

[@Papayotin]

I love that Lou goes from, "I'd like to blow a little smoke out of my nose, if you'd allow that", to 700 hodmidas carrying the rarest tree imaginable for a party gift

[@TeckTheBlooded]

I'm sure it's mainly because Lou is like "I know how you do things Brennan, I'm just seeing how far we can go here"

[@Pluveus]

To be fair, personal powers and positional power are totally different beasts with disparate RAW connotations.

[@WowItsErin]

It's the kind of move that just proves what an absolutely great DnD player Lou is, in that he knows exactly when to reign himself in for a DM. He *knows* that his character is rich enough to pull some crazy shit like that. He doesn't need to ask. But *blowing smoke out of his nose?* Why, that's doing a magical effect without expending a spell slot! That's the kind of thing that could break a campaign!

[@mikesobleskie9258]

@@WowItsErin perfect analysis.

[@Landis963]

@@WowItsErin Minor Illusion is a cantrip. Maybe one that was not, technically, included in Nydas' spell list, but a cantrip nonetheless.

[@Nauta222]

Brennan pointing out that to be invisible you need holes for your eyes so you can see made my jaw drop

[@Gabriel_Oliver]

When Brennen described the kid I knew full well we were getting into a Brennan Lee Mulligan campaign. Poor guy can't leave families alone

[@nehanair8475]

It’s that or some cosmic entity like the grey baby from Unsleeping City

[@inkypavus6749]

The moment he mentioned a kid I was like 'oh this is gonna be sad'

[@MarcusBeirne]

He is the Disney of DMs.

[@kateflake]

@@MarcusBeirne s i

[@Minilena]

While also wishing for nothing more than he wishes to be a dad...

[@agentxx3022]

God, Brennan is as good as everyone always said he was.

[@theCELYtaco]

You should definitely check out the Dimension 20 campaigns if you enjoy his DMing style!!

[@Felrez2332]

Came into the comments thinking to myself how happy I am that CR fans can finally witness Brennan in his glory, thanks for validating that

[@julesworld1]

@@theCELYtaco What's a good one to start with?

[@B2Roland]

@@julesworld1 that's a tough question. They're all amazing. I'd probably suggest starting with the first campaign just because why not. It's an excellent primer for the style he brings and his storytelling and where it all began

[@Bearwiffa228]

He's great. First noticed him guest starring as DeadEye in NADDPOD season1. Then realized he's an excellent DM as well(not to mention hilarious in college humor).

[@deadacorn3541]

"Whom did we betray?," is the most metal moment Ive ever witnessed in D&D. The entire first scene is f***ing brutal

[@AtelierLaoshi]

That is literally a demon trying to trick you. You would be Another of asmodeus pawns in seconds.

[@deadacorn3541]

@@AtelierLaoshi nah.

[@tiredofeverything2771]

Brennan is just like that dude! He says stuff like that in games all the time its wild!

[@johanlassen6448]

@@deadacorn3541 Aaaand Atelär was right.

[@bdletoast09]

@@AtelierLaoshi But that's what makes it awesome. Even with the knowledge that this is literally the Father of Lies speaking, you can't help but doubt here. Asmodeus is supposed to be good at lying, if no one ever fell for it, he wouldn't be such a threat.

[@peter_parkour]

Brennan voices children really well. This is not a good thing for any of us emotionally. Even the students reciting a practiced phrase was spot on. It's amazing to watch cause not all DMs can do this execution to your deepest human instinct to protect kids. This is your first an final warning.

[@wearingspacesuits]

He has done a lot of work with kids at larp camps, he knows kids hella well and uses it to destroy us emotionally

[@Sage_the_Turt]

that is not an instinct but ok

[@bradyadams8171]

I hate kids

[@nickelodeann]

@@Sage_the_Turt protecting children is not an instinct? That’s literally where thinking of things as “cute” comes from

[@hel117]

@@Sage_the_Turt my dude it literally is in most social species that spend time raising their offspring, including humans

[@Jgt612]

“I know this is a memory, but I haven’t seen him in so long and I want to see his face” Well that’ll just gut you and we’re only 22 minutes in. Someone give this poor paladin a hug, and a bomb shelter

[@Allantitan]

At first I thought his kid had died or was missing

[@origami_dream]

"You have my... *unadulterated* attention" after talking about his attractive assistant is truly a brilliant line, holy shit, Aabria.

[@draconiskittensweetie9765]

"Well that would be the first time that's ever happened" I GASPED. The absolute masterclass sass on both ends. Delectable.

[@usernamenumber]

"You mean the letters Aria sent?" _cheff kiss_

[@Rowlurorowf]

Yeah, that whole interplay... I really hope we get more of that through these 4 episodes

[@logicaloverdrive8197]

@@usernamenumber I watch these while working, "your messages from aria" stopped me in my tracks, and "that would be the first time" nearly knocked me over. I was with Lou in reacting to them

[@wonderful-paperz]

Do you have the timestamp? I was looking for it again and couldn't find it.

[@jackdog06]

"I wonder if Brennan will do the usual Critical Role intro or if he'll bring the Dimension 20 energy here" Literally 0:00 : *"H E L L O O O O O !"* "Ah yes, that's what I was hoping for."

[@jotapecavalcante3819]

The quick opening, perfected by the fear of missing the intrepid heroes jokes.

[@Imperial_Squid]

@@jotapecavalcante3819 I do wish he'd done a "Say hi XYZ!" for his intro but I'm also fully happy with keeping that as a D20 thing!

[@sabintandukar7907]

When he said critical role. I lost my shit.

[@zemanskyquila1442]

And matt as a player for the whole campaign

[@sh11death]

@@sabintandukar7907 Same! I almost passed out from excitement.

[@WraithfireVT]

travis: *rolls a 31 as his first roll* brennan: that’s a DC that’ll be a surprise tool for later!

[@Skip6235]

SPOILERS: It’s incredibly poetic that Travis rolled a 31 on his first check of the campaign, a 31 on the final check of episode 1, and a 31 on the final check of the campaign. Incredible.

[@egg4444]

@@Skip6235 at the beginning of the end, the end of the beginning and at the end

[@kabirvariava4031]

13 not 31 lol edit: i'm wrong lmao

[@GeekMasterGames]

@@kabirvariava4031 13+18 is 31

[@norsethenomad5978]

@@kabirvariava4031travis played Cerrit, not Zerxes

[@Asturjgm]

"Where's the rarest place in the world I could acquire a tree from?" is such a powermove of a sentence. I'm gonna love to see how magical-Great Gatsby-roaring 20's is gonna go to magic 1929 and the literal apocalypse in 3 more episodes

[@JakeDMaier]

insane that as I read this comment I was hearing it said

[@SkoloT]

love Lou's energy so much, such a great table!

[@zachmiller1855]

time stamp of this moment please

[@Rowlurorowf]

Good analogy. Yeah, I wonder how they're gonna get there so quickly

[@mayaenglish5424]

@@Rowlurorowf Well, we already know part of it from C2, Aeor's up to no good lol, (which I think is what Brennan refrenced, although maybe not, it might not be time for what I'm thinking of specifically yet, timeline is a little vague.) but I feel like it's going to be like 15 things all happening at the same time.

[@Perseverance84]

I know the main campaigns will probably take priority, but I can only wish upon shooting stars that the animation team behind The Legend of Vox Machina works on this masterpiece of a miniseries someday.

[@harrisonw1002]

I think calamity would make a great animated film. A mini series might be unnecessarily

[@antiphon000]

Of all the things that deserves it, this is truly the one

[@Matty13808]

AGREED. Whether it’s a mini series or a movie (we better get a min of 2 hr if we go that route), THIS NEEDS TO BE ANIMATED

[@RuailleBuaille]

I feel like Calamity would need to be different in execution and style - being an age of wonders and legend, it'd need to look elevated even beyond the aesthetics of the LoVM series. Could you imagine how incredible it would be if the team that collaborated on Arcane could create something similar in depth & richness for Calamity (Studio Fortiche and the creative team assembled for the project)? It'll never happen, they're busy with S2 of Arcane, but one can dream!

[@joshua.h]

The more I watch of critical role the more I want new shows. Each campaign feels like a high fantasy series with world building on par with The Lord of the Rings, and they all make for perfect shows.

[@Dream146]

A genuine masterclass in Roleplay storytelling. From horror, to drama sprinkled with plenty of comedy to make the darkness hit harder and help us forget that with every grain of sand through the hourglass a cataclysm looms ever closer. It honestly feels like watching fantasy Chernobyl, seeing all the pieces fall into place that will spell disaster.

[@jamespryor5967]

Or the Titanic.

[@allthingsgood6345]

Incredibly well spoken

[@rebeccasands1452]

AAAHHH FANTASY CHERNOBYL YOU'RE SO RIGHT!

[@traceysaxby8804]

Or the climate emergency.

[@DroneGotMinerals]

SPELL disaster, incredible pun

[@lukemaker4671]

sam needed a chaotic dm. he got one, and now you can see he's thriving

[@kieram4227]

As someone who got into D&D shows through Brennan and dimension 20, and then hopped over to critical role afterwards... seeing people react to the genius that is Brennan Lee Mulligan (especially reactions from the CR cast who I love) is filling me with SUCH JOY. I'm obsessed. Side note: I would now like to please see Matt Mercer as GM for the D20 cast. Emily Axford, in particular, who always keeps Brennan on his toes, but really all of them.

[@a-knifu-is-my-waifu]

I ended up here the same way, d20 leading me down the critical hole, and man this is just too good! I love Brennan's style in this longer format.

[@mugginish]

It would be fun to see Emily and Liam in the same table!

[@davidgreenberg9102]

As someone who was not exposed to D&D shows until finding Crit Role last year, where's the best place to start with D20?

[@Mossy_C0bble]

@@davidgreenberg9102 I'd start with escape from the bloodkeep, it's a 6 episode series with Matthew Mercer as one of the players!

[@davidgreenberg9102]

@@Mossy_C0bble thanks a lot!

[@RollModelsYT]

Brennan is an evil genius and I'm gonna need more than just 4 episodes please and thank you.

[@jencooksthings]

Checkout Dimension 20 and Spelljammer Confirmed. He's such a great storyteller.

[@zoltanszaszi2264]

I think Matt is preparing to eventually pass on the DM torch, so to say, to others, perhaps multiple people. He said so himself in an interview. It must be the reason for Critical Role to introduce yet another limited series game, at least in part. They're testing the waters, exploring options, branching out. So something tells me this is not the last time we'll see Brennan as DM in Critical Role.

[@RollModelsYT]

@@jencooksthings A Crown Of Candy is my peanut butter and my jam.

[@austin4855]

@@zoltanszaszi2264 CR makes *bank*, and maybe Matt is tired of having to work 60 hours a week every week in order to make it happen. If he was in it for the money, he could have stopped years ago. Maybe he just wants to find a middle-ground of being able to enjoy his success while still participating in his craft.

[@RollModelsYT]

@@zoltanszaszi2264 Honestly I dont want to see Matt step down for good but I could understand him needing a break and Brennan would be amazing choice to step in for a whole campaign.

[@digibirder]

Brennan's description of the "Achilles Heel" of invisibility was amazing!

[@extragarb]

It was a thousand times cooler than saying "your special ability makes invisibility not work." I really love that kind of magical science discussion!

[@felixweber1928]

IT MADE SO MUCH SENSE TOO LIKE OBVIOUSLY YOU'D NEED YOUR EYES TO BE VISIBLE OMFG Brennan is a genius

[@KonkaBass]

I feel like Brennan watched the same Kyle Hill video I did where he sci-bunks invisibility.

[@alexhooi7268]

@@KonkaBass my exact thoughts when he was describing it

[@kylehahn4410]

@@extragarb Interestingly, Invisibility doesn't automatically mean hidden, you still need to Hide and make a stealth check (albeit at advantage). But it was still a cool way to explain how someone can perceive through an invisible creature's stealth.

[@NovaHorizon]

My favorite part is when Brennan says "You're not alone." and you can hear Travis' breath stuttering with a bit of fear because he was expecting maybe he'd see something special in the automaton that was hidden... not an assassin. Also, I'm convinced that Brennan decided to add that in simply because Travis rolled high with an ability to see invisible creatures.

[@meachambsi]

Travis: "Goddamn it, not to me!" XDDD callbacks to the Wildmother and Travis's hatred of jump scares... Brennan is ruining them, and living his best life.

[@jackal59]

Yep. I bet he always was going to have Vespin Chloras in the mirror and already had determined how to explain invisibility, but putting them together with the assassin was improvised.

[@gthetree1]

“He’ll turn 14 in a month and half.” Gut punch. That was a very small but incredible way to communicate so much. Being a dad and missing so much of your child’s life, knowing the city will take off again (presumably) in a month and you will miss more milestones. Hats off.

[@nicozandhuis1865]

the fact Brennan made Asmodeus, seem so goddamn compassionate and vulnerable is terrifying and genius and has to be done more often for objectively evil gods to manipulate mortals

[@DurandalsFate]

This is underappreciated. Asmodeus is the kind of bad guy who can make Sarenrae think he's redeemable and then pull an epic betrayal on her, wiping out her followers in a single stroke. And Zerxus is such a marshmallow, he's a perfect mark.

[@imomimotv]

I'm only here for Brennan and Lou so ave literally no prior knowledge to anything (like how Lou doesn't understand but can tell from reactions it's important) but Brennan often talks about dichotomies like that and certainly his background in philosophy makes way for such thought experiments. He's really quite good at weaving grey morality into all his campaigns

[@mikhailkraev5644]

Please leave a timestamp

[@DurandalsFate]

@@mikhailkraev5644 19:02 to 26:32

[@nicozandhuis1865]

@@imomimotv tru dat, i thought at first dming like Brennan would be easy cus it's just chaos, but after seeing the kinda world building he's developed and faction characterisation with a starstruck odyssey, I realised I couldn't reach it. Matt mercer is absolutely wonderful and great at making campaigns character driven in the pcs and weaving their experiences into the world, but no one can dm a campaign as wholly tense and thought provoking as Brennan does. I love both still, but it shows how hard Brennan has worked to make the calamity feel real and formed the lifestyle and social norms and morals of those before the calamity

[@tremkl]

26:40 My favorite moment from the whole session is Travis saying, “I think I’m in the wrong class. I thought this was Freshman Biology.”

[@meggston6901]

The worst part about failing to ascend like the matron did, has to be that when you fail she shows up and probably roasts you while she takes you to where you belong

[@heartsoftheangels1469]

Just telling them where they went wrong, "you used this symbol here but it should've been this one, you know this. It's first year stuff" "how you got that far on this I will never understand, you can barely summon an empty cup" "that was the worst attempt I have ever seen" ect ect

[@gregfahlgren7501]

@@heartsoftheangels1469 and then painstakingly explaining WHY she ascended and that it was not some great wizardry ambition, but a sacrifice of her own mortality for the greater good of reality, making them feel like even bigger tools (but only if they had enough wisdom to understand what she was saying in the first place).

[@littleoldmanboy]

@@gregfahlgren7501 there is no evidence of this being the case in the lore

[@gregfahlgren7501]

@@littleoldmanboy according to Dani Carr, there is.

[@Ubermensch9240]

One day someone will pull it off just to give her the finger.

[@Ziaotic]

this really puts into perspective how much Exandria really is a post-apocalyptic world, in the midst of healing.

[@ted-3dotmov]

THATS WHAT I WAS THINKING! It gives me a whole new view on the show!

[@thegriffin88]

It's what happened after the credits rolled on every apocalypse movie/show/book/comic etc.

[@JohnnySnappleseed]

What's insane to me is that this idea extends all the way up to the gods in this universe. It's not just post apocalyptic for the life on Exandria, its a war between deities. Every campaign so far is like an entire series of novels being written about minor characters. They're events that are going to be tucked away in giant books of history by the time all of this is resolved. VM and M9 are going to be a couple of paragraphs in a 10th grade textbook. Matt is pretty cool.

[@Ziaotic]

@@JohnnySnappleseed except the M9 are heroes that basically no one knows. they saved Exandria from being consumed and very few people are even aware

[@mangoesaredelicious4622]

@@JohnnySnappleseed no way vm are gonna be minor characters in history

[@47571660]

Wow, just fully appreciated that Galdric lived through the Calamity and then, about 1000 years later, lived through Vecna's attempted ascension. That wolf has really really seen some shit.

[@deathwrow9652]

Well, he was suspended in time, kind of.

[@joehutchcraft1675]

Naw he Survived Calamity, and lived through Vecna's Complete Ascension. Vecna was just a new God in the Pantheon who literally just discovered "Wait! I can do this thing now? Wait why do I have something in my ribs? What. The. Fuck. IS A RITE OF BANISHMENT?! VOX MACHINAAAAHH!!!"

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Lives through the Calamity, accompanies his masters body to his grave - next thing he knows, he's in an abandoned castle in the Alabaster Sierras, with a bunch of muppets trying to buddy him up with a Rogue half dressed in Purvans' armour.

[@Companion92]

I totally forgot that the wolf was part of the first campaign

[@dennisnolasco-ramirez5518]

He’s like the R2-D2 of the universe. Seen the rise and fall of it all

[@ceramicholiness]

My expectations as a fanboy of both CR and D20 were through the roof, and this STILL blew them all away. I could watch 100 episodes of this and still be happy.

[@dipvqib]

Exactly this!^

[@enjakerator]

Co-sign!

[@bencebotye3904]

My friend I was amazed by the Elden Ring one-shot got Brennan Lee Mulligan and Alexander Ward was the guest. Never would imagined they assamble a party to tell a story like this.

[@Distalled]

Truly a match made in the Divine Plane. Funny to say without Matt in either DM or Player seat - I really was curious. Blew me away.

[@anlemeinthegame1637]

I agree! Best storytelling ever.

[@nickfrigillana2645]

"If you look down and see the stars, what will you see if you look up?" One of the chillingest, hair-raisingest, goosebump-inducingest things I have ever heard said

[@antiphon000]

The "What?" after is what really gets me

[@LetTheBodyFall]

travis: "i'm not safe on this side of the table" iconic

[@jaywilkey1323]

I. Felt. that enegry.

[@ventrue7]

also wrong class lmao he was iconic the whole time

[@galev3955]

@@ventrue7 I was about to say :D That quip made me laugh so much

[@lordtabaro302]

the only person that's every on the safe side of the table is the GM xP

[@doorlord1521]

You know guys, I love Matthew Mercer as a DM with all my heart. Brennan is definitely tied in my book. Matt has a sort of slow-burn in telling stories. Brennan is a master at narrating things happening fast. “The first thing that becomes visible is the blood hitting the wall”

[@krisp33bacon]

It's perfectly okay to love more than one person. Your heart is vast! It has so much room to love so many people for similar or different reasons.

[@danielcastillo591]

@@krisp33bacon Roll it back Socrates, it's dnd

[@doorlord1521]

@@krisp33bacon Actually, fuck that other guy, this is well said. Nicely done.

[@quentinmcwhorter1997]

@@krisp33bacon Don’t roll it back at all, being all that extra and a little more if you want

[@Allantitan]

Now I’m imagining both of them dming at once 😂

[@shrubninja6444]

Lou Wilson is one of the funniest dudes. Every time he's got the spotlight he's got me laughing the entire time. I'm so glad they finally got him as a guest on Critical Role, and I'm super excited to see how this campaign goes.

[@lemnlyme]

right? he’s always my favorite player on D20 i’m really happy to have him on CR

[@shrubninja6444]

@@lemnlyme Yeah, I think that what stands out to me the most is that Lou's characters are always so different from each other, but they all feel so natural in the way he plays them. Like you could believe that's just how Lou himself is despite how different Amathar is from Gunny and such.

[@trentm5125]

Lou does such a good job of embodying his characters and it makes the emotional moments with him in D20 so strong. I'm glad he's here. Even in this more serious campaign, he still finds so much humor. But you just know he's going to bring out some strong emotional moments too

[@jimverbick5563]

All hail King Lou

[@subject_phoenix4043]

Omg i know right i al literally rewatching it over to just enjoy everyone and especially lou 😂

[@diraltmcallister3523]

You know if Brennan is running a game, and it's called Calamity, there's a pain train waiting.

[@csn583]

Pain train waits for noone!

[@spacetearable]

Blaine's got nothing on our Boi!

[@jeanbaker3486]

"It's not called EXU fuckin party time" was a great reminder from Brennan at the beginning

[@sophidina34]

Brennan: describe your character with the understanding that your mouth is full of blood Lou: *panicked flashbacks to the scene at the wall with Calroy and King Amethar

[@chaoticwhenever1457]

I would like to rage

[@CollinWootan]

If I had a nickel for every time a player character in a mainstream live play DND show was lured to a balcony under false pretenses and betrayed, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

[@bryanmcfarland2253]

Can i take 1 turn to come out of paralysis and 2 turns to rage?

[@hoodiesticks]

​@@CollinWootan I'm not a CR viewer and this is probably a CR reference, but it's worth asking anyway: are you referencing Hardwon and Gemma on the balcony in NADDPOD?

[@CollinWootan]

@@hoodiesticks I was definitely referencing critical role, but if it has also happened in NADDPOD, then that's wild. I'm staying off balconies for the rest of my ttrpg career.

[@Nostradamvs_]

How is it that we are all overlooking how crazy awesome "Put me where you will. In darkness I will gather my shadows to me" as a line of dialogue is.

[@taylorforsyth4278]

Matt, coming back from intermission: [Trying hard not to react to the intentionally disruptive offscreen hijinks] Brennan coming back from intermission: "SAM JUST SAID 'TAINT!'"

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

That's weaksauce tbh, they're clearly going easy on him XD

[@danielcastillo591]

Matt's greatest DM ability is remaining calm and stern in a gentle sway of storytelling Brennan's DMing is rolling with the punches and hitting 16 times harder right back Loving both tbh

[@taylorforsyth4278]

@@danielcastillo591 Brennan has no qualms about outing someone trying to cause shenanigans lol

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Me: Remembering the Vox Machina episode that opened with Taliesin saying, "Pissblossom".

[@lognott]

I like how Brennan's performance fuels Sam's. He has the ability to inspire the most in people

[@IrukunTheTuna]

And without rolling any dice, too. 😉

[@akalavender]

The justification for perceiving an invisible person was WILD! Brennan's interpretations and explanations of things like that are blowing me away

[@HumbleCrow27]

Funnily enough, he mentioned that exact justification in an episode of Adventuring Party when taking about the original story of the Invisible Man.

[@richardlindquist709]

Per the Invisible Condition: “The creature’s Location can be detected by any noise it makes or any tracks it leaves.” Easy to say “you hear footsteps behind you”. But no, not Brennan Lee Mulligan. Instead he creates this intricate and evocative way to describe a professional mage-hunter perceiving invisibility. Truly one of the most badass moments ever.

[@Congele_]

This. I can't believe there is not more comments about this exact moment. I mean, the whole episode was freaking incredible, but that was such a brilliant way of justifying how to perceive an invisible person, instead of the traditional "you hear rustling". And to me, it added much to the creep factor as well.

[@Cyyberslam8]

"Where is the rarest place in the world I could acquire a tree from?" Brennan came up with an epic answer to that *so quickly*. This guy DMs

[@adlerofrowe9224]

Since he was 10 actually

[@erincarr9411]

Blows my mind

[@stefanandrews5098]

The Synthwave Tree, blue purple and pink iridescent jungle with a huge moon over top? That’s an album cover

[@mayaenglish5424]

The whole "Marquet is not yet a desert" thing was so incredibly reassuring to my nerdy heart. Brennan just _Gets_ it.

[@Imperial_Squid]

@@stefanandrews5098 The Bisexual Lighting Tree*

[@hmasterchaos8700]

"If you were expecting of a fun one, You're not getting one!" Meanwhile in his Villain campaign became the most hilarious and wholesome campaign

[@nox22119]

That campaign was supposed to be a dark evil campaign but thanks to the PC making themselves as relatable as possible enabled for it to become a found family story it was hilarious.

[@draochvar9646]

The difference here being: Both DM and players understand the assignment and actively work together to make this a tragic tale of Calamity.

[@BrickBoy1894]

“This was supposed to be the evil game!”

[@spacetearable]

Get your laughs in now, because I'm about to make everyone VERY SAD!

[@theunholywind]

What’s the villain campaign one called?

[@stevenrichardbarnett]

Raise your hand if you came here from the D20 clip of Matt going "Water" and cracking Brennan up to verify that, in fact, Brennan DID start Calamity out with "Fire..."?

[@ebmusicman84]

Yo.

[@mjrino7225]

How tf did u know

[@mrhombreman]

@@mjrino7225 lmao yes

[@Last_Mans20]

I love that this comment is here

[@ThomasUfnalCrowlake]

I remembered it too vividly to have to come and check. ;)

[@okashi10]

If this is anyone's first experience with Brennan, and wants to see more, I highly suggest starting with his "Escape from the Bloodkeep" campaign! It's a short campaign that's all on the Dimension 20 KZbin channel for free, and Matthew Mercer is one of the players!

[@davidgreenberg9102]

Word! Thank you for this.

[@crayonscisors]

@@davidgreenberg9102 Brennan's Dimension 20 Fantasy High campaign is absolute brilliance

[@alexanderv9136]

And if you want more dark fantasy The Crown of Candy is just what you need from Brennan🙃

[@okashi10]

@@alexanderv9136 Agreed! Crown of Candy is my favorite, closely followed by Fantasy High! I just thought EFTB would be more digestible for Critical Role fans.

[@xshonkyx]

@@alexanderv9136 I've just finished their first Fantasy High campaign and about to watch the sophomore year

[@hiddencube142]

I haven't seen anyone else mention it, though I may have just missed it, but the thing Travis is doing with his eyebrows when he speaks in character makes him look incredibly bird-like, and I'm very impressed.

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

I may have spent a good 10 minutes trying to figure out how he does it and failing miserably lmao

[@henkmalan13]

Not only the eyebrows, but also the quick little shifts of his head, just like a bird of prey looking around. Also, calling his two hand-axes his 'hawks' (so tomahawks, presumably?) was a neat touch. 😎

[@takeoparill]

YES!!! The eagle brow!!!!!

[@QuokkaSquad]

@@petrolsquirrel Omg, thank you - I couldn't figure out why he felt so familiar. 😂

[@OtterThunder]

I love how the fantasy character drawing of Luis is just.... Him, what a low key compliment. Luis: ok so imagine this bold and handsome paladin of pure fantasy Artist: KK I'll just draw you then with a longer beard 😉😉

[@nikolaskivilahti9343]

soooo true lol

[@jocosesonata]

Artist: easiest commission I've ever had.

[@Ashtor1337]

LMAO I just got to him describing his character as I read this and his pic should I laughed so hard.

[@Blue_Lunacy]

Luis shared a photo of him in full platemail armor on twitter saying he was kinda cosplay Zerxus in his recent gig.

[@GrndAdmiralThrawn]

@@Blue_Lunacy fr Nydas and Zerxus are just bushier, hunkier Lou and Luis

[@jbutz01]

Having been a fan of both Brennan and Mat for years, and as a gm with 30 years in the game myself, I can't imagine the sheer overwhelming trust Mat must have in Brennan to have let him run this. And of course Brennan smashed it. Just ..Great dnd here all around

[@ProperlyGaming]

Yeah, to give the reins to a setting you have built to someone else, even knowing they are just as capable as you in DM ability, mustve been a hard thing to do. I couldnt imagine doing it, and i dont run a show using my setting like he does so that fear and worry is probably multitudes worse.

[@MrSherb3rt]

I know there are so many absolutely buck-wild quotes from this episode, but I cannot shake just how succinctly "Its 1979 and Disco is never gonna die!" captures the vibe of this. A party unparalleled in their fields, thinking they have everything locked down, whist having NO possible idea of the coming Calamity that will wipe 2/3 of life off Exandria. Truly the definition of dramatic irony: "things said or done by characters that take on new meaning since we the audience know something the characters do not." Absolute Masterclass Brennan.

[@CMIcoolio123ABC]

Truly the Titanic of all campaigns.

[@vespernight4236]

@@CMIcoolio123ABC It really does feel like watching the titanic's journey start to finish. Just watching as all the little dominoes fall into place that makes their end into a catastrophe.

[@dennisklomp2361]

Oh man, that passing notice of Aeor wanting to test some kind of weapon. Just, wow *Chefs kiss*

the next four episodes of EXU: Calamity constitute the single best mini-series of live action roleplay ever filmed. do not just listen. watch. everyone's performance is elevated by their friend sitting next to them. Thank you Matt for inviting other DMs to your table. Thank you cast for your earnest, attentive portrayals - that never flag or break. Thank you Brennan for a tale well told. I took the day off work, got up at 4am to watch the 4th episode live and was glued to my screen for the entire 6hr duration.

@@boodesultan12 yep. i sub to dropout and watch it all... and he's always good... that said, this here is the best thing i've seen him done. all the feels

[@butHomeisNowhere___]

I couldn't agree more. I've been watching CR since the early days of Geek and Sundry and... This series is easily up there in the top three things I've seen. Maybe even tied for first (with the last portion of the Vox Machina story being the other one) Just phenomenal.

[@arididomenico6974]

okay but have you seen misfits and magic

[@SampsonRHill]

@@arididomenico6974 what I would give for more misfits and magic

[@DarlingMissDarling]

@@arididomenico6974 his Evan Kelmp is just perfection. After watching the character creation and hearing that he based this on an Adam Driver/Ben Solo type character just makes all of the sense! Brennan is just brilliant. Goddamn.

[@owlpope44]

Fire. Literally straight fire from beginning to end. I’d watch a quick 100 episodes of this

[@TenzinBeifongIII]

I'm sad it'll only be 4 this is a dream cast i didn't know I had

[@legathus]

If it gets good view numbers, I bet there will be more.

[@TheScrubExpress]

@@TenzinBeifongIII Who knows what might happen in the future! That's the fun thing with these EXU campaigns. They're short enough that they can gauge audience reaction and tailor future content. I'm definitely excited to see more of BLM as a GM. Just bummed that most of his other GM content is paywalled.

[@GeeGe.]

For fucking REAL. The only time I've been this excited about watching an RPG campaign was when I first found out about CR during campaign 1. Holy shit. This was incredible and it immediately rekindled my passion for DMing.

[@Dicefinity]

@@GeeGe. same, bestie same.

[@TheMarkoSeke]

I love the idea of a campaign where the group starts with high level super powerful characters.

[@morgantaylor84]

I mean they did imply they were going to be playing Age of Arcanum "get sh*t doners" in the announcement.

[@davidc4983]

It's so fun. Playing a level 20 campaign rn and we've decided to take back and rebuild myth drannor

[@GamerGrovyle]

What level are they?

[@TheMarkoSeke]

@@GamerGrovyle Level 14, you can see their character stats periodically in the video in the bottom left.

[@Glmorrs1]

Yeah, sometimes it’s fun to roll up some high level characters and do a module of two. Or roll up level 15-17 characters and take on a tarrasque (they’re honestly too easy at level 20).

[@MRcurly0]

If there was ever anyone who's got everything needed to be a great GM its Brennan. He's been DMing since he was 10. His mother is a writer, so he knows how to tell a story and he's does improv comedy. This series is Brennan flexing his skills and I'm all for it.

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

The philosophy degree doesn't hurt either! Especially for this kind of epic (I mean, also funny, but explicitly apocalyptic-epic) storytelling. With gods and shit.

[@MRcurly0]

@@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll I CANT BELIEVE I FORGOT ABOUT HIS PHILOSOPHY DEGREE!!

[@TiggySL]

He didn’t just get the skills from his mom, i think he talked about how his dad was a comedian? Don’t quote me on that but I know that I heard it in some interview or such

[@joelestrada6795]

I like his story so far .... But he says "umm" a lot

[@graaaghghg]

@@joelestrada6795 everyone needs time to think :)

[@BeatNikProject]

The respect for Matt Mercer's world from Brennan Lee Mulligan takes this to the next level. Just imagine the prep to have MM's deep lore at your fingertips, fluently enough to handle amazing players like these and put on a show! Worldbuilding and story building fused by DMs who care about the source - with a cast thrilled to be there - and it shines through. Epic.

[@troyvzwky]

Game recognizes game. Brennan's been world building since he was 10 years old. There probably aren't that many people on the planet who are both capable of DMing at their level, and who also have the world building experience they have.

[@ParticleZon]

And Brennan has incredible retention. He funded his initial trp to LA by winning $50,000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire as a young comic. He's a returning champion on Um, Actually. The guy majored in Philosophy and brings those themes to his games and he soaks up facts like a sponge. He & Aabria have running joke about his spouting bird facts in multiple streams they were in together. I can imagine him getting the Exandria Calamity lore and have LOTS of questions, and I have no doubt Matt loved it. It would be awesome to collaborate with someone who can think world and character on your level. And who could make your vision LIVE the way Brennan can.

[@extragarb]

I couldn't think of a better choice of DM for Mat to give this very special part of Exandrian Lore. Not only is Brennan a master class DM when it comes to character interaction and improv, he is also a fan of Critical Role who has watched the show. He's able to very comfortably bounce around established Exandrian lore (like knowing the ecological status of Marquet at this time in history) and in the next breath deftly fend off Sam's improv surprise with instant table favorite Bolo from Aeor. Also the opening sequence with Luis was a full slam dunk!

[@bobmarley2058]

Didm't Sam say that Brennan prepared a 20 page lore document

[@ricosrealm]

Brennan is a master himself. These guys have respect for each other to take what already exists and build on top of it in a coherent way. Matt can just sit back and enjoy this.

[@creamrunner]

I think the best part for me is watching the Critical Role squad get their first real taste of Brennan as a DM and just dying. Marisha spends a full minute describing the magical intricacies of the setting, and Riegel walks in with "Bolo" 30 seconds later. The blend of styles is just superb.

[@olivierdulac]

Sam's impeccable comedic timing and improvisation genius meets Brennan comedic timing and improvisation genius. I love it!

[@procrastinator99]

@@olivierdulac Seriously! Sam spun a high ball at him, and Brennan hot-potatoed it right back without missing a beat. So good.

[@rehabghost]

i love how visibly delighted Aabria is every time anyone voice acts

[@TahiriVeila13ABY]

Aabria is the only negative thing about this series. She's awful.

[@INKI_teh_Rogue]

@@TahiriVeila13ABY Then f*cking leave.

[@Nortarachanges]

Aabria’s enthusiasm fills me with delight. She’s such a supportive player ^_^

[@OfficialEdwardNewgate]

2 types of people

[@Soot_38]

@@TahiriVeila13ABY I live for these comments. I dont get why people dont see how awful she is to be around. Even worse as a DM

[@DRsLiPkNoT87]

You can see the look of evil glee and frustration on Brennan’s face when Cerrit adds unerring eye to his investigate check at the end, knowing he just lost his ambush, but he gets to reveal to a pc that they’re not alone.

[@SlaughterHobo]

If I had a gold piece for every time a dark, masculine, bearded member of CR played a high charisma but somehow still socially awkward paladin with disturbing nightmares and a mysterious past centered around a man with Van in his name… I’d have 2 gold pieces, and still not enough to go see the apocalypse. Update: Cheers for the love gang, Seelie y’all later 👊☄️

[@betteryou7hanme]

It ain't easy being one evolution away from your final gigachad form.

[@wanderingwind6602]

Lmao 🤣

[@OctopusOwl]

@@betteryou7hanme somehow that side of the table is about to go super Saipan

[@slywolfe]

It's Evandrin I think, but close enough

[@Asturjgm]

To add more, it was implied in one of the instagram takeovers that one of the characters has a connection to another character from CR. My guess is that Zerxus might be the wielder of Star Razor, the mention of the Wild Mother at the end only makes me more inclined to this theory

[@TheThirdPrice]

"☝️IT'S A BOON IT'S A BOON DON'T PAY HIM IT'S A BOON☝️" Lou Wilson must be protected at all cost

[@orphazoid4629]

Zerxes' son is just the dreamworks logo kid

[@Ricedragon2113]

This feels like The Roaring Twenties right before The Great Depression of catalysmic proportions. AND I AM HERE FOR THIS!!! Brendan is at the top of his game, the characters are absolutely fantastic, and I'm just grinning from ear to ear!! Can't wait for more!

[@mildy3746]

I too love Brendan’s Dming, in all seriousness! It was fantastic! The comparison to the roaring twenties feels very apt.

[@Martell364]

That's a great comparison. I feel compelled to point out, that his name is Brennan, though.

[@joshuawoodfolk8202]

@@Martell364 thank you lol

[@Zaccaroism]

My god this was just PEAK ANIME. Not that shonen kind of stuff, but that absolutely tragic epicness!

[@claire3614]

@@Martell364 thank you

[@nilsonian6674]

Travis's reaction to Bolo is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. You can tell he's been waiting for years for someone to match Sam's chaotic energy and not let him get away with all his shenanigans. 🤣

[@redmanish]

I just can’t with Lou using this Fabian-lite voice lmao. I keep expecting him to bust out a “puhPAH” at any moment 😂 Loving this group and of course Brennan as DM!

[@zap4th368]

Finally got here. I love the modern and sci-fi vibes this entire thing gives off, while still BEING very fantasy. It’s not a camera, it’s a pure ruby podium covered in runes. It’s not buses, it’s automatons with benches on their backs. Private transportation is done via a service that offers teleportation. Its a solid vibe

[@sweypheonix]

This.. this is one of the best examples of a Technomantically [the word i use for magic mimicking modern tech] Advanced Cultures. I love the whole feel of it

[@estebanuniversidad6976]

When you realize that Bolo is our time capsule for what the people of the legendary nation of Aeor were like

[@R3dS0ulSnak3]

Oh noooooo hahahahahahahahahahaha

[@winterbeliever7525]

absolutely yes

[@carlopaez3380]

I like how Aeor is the sketchy evil Russian city

[@LuiBei1994]

I need a drawing of her. What race is she wots she look like wit class omg I need to knooow

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

She is also, possibly, the luckiest Aeorian in the whole of Exandria. Because even if she died as Avalir fell, we know with almost certainty that she escaped the fate of all those who were in the Cognouza Ward.

[@MrCanadiaMan]

I'm barely 10 minutes into this and all I can think is that Brennan got told he gets to play with the calamity and gods as npcs and he said "Bet"

[@vincentdvan]

Not only gods but I'm pretty sure that Cenobite mage at the end is Vecna, who is going to start the calamity

[@OccidentalAvian]

@@vincentdvan Vespin Chloras and Vecna are different characters.

[@vincentdvan]

@@OccidentalAvian yeah just looked up vecna disapeared a century before the calamity, I need to get caught up on C.R lore.

[@ryzysledziuch9457]

@@OccidentalAvian yeah, sure sure

[@chasenovak122]

GOD! These guys play these characters like they’ve been running a campaign for YEARS! These are such FANTASTIC PLAYERS!

[@bhaalboy]

Seriously! Fantastic players.

[@gljames24]

They seem to always know what to say; I am gobsmacked!

[@cozycowboy]

Especially amazing coming from Luis. I know he’s a professional actor but for someone who hasn’t roleplayed on camera in this sort of setting, Zerxus just feels so compelling and real.

[@alexanderbrown8921]

@@cozycowboy He's probably the least experienced of the cast in filmed tabletop gaming, but it's not his first time; he was Nines Rodriguez in LA by Night.

[@endersquid1132]

Not even mentioning Brennan who always kills it so hard as a DM, portrays the setting so well and creates compelling unique npcs... Everyone at this table is amazing

[@vangoghsseveredear]

You can see Brennan mouthing along to Loquacius' morning news. He had the thing memorized! A testament to the love he puts into his stories. Also just kinda funny to watch him react to the read 35:52 or so

[@SasakiRenner]

Can't wait for the final episode and Brennan just goes, "If you would have been able to comprehend draconic back in the dream, none of this would have ever happened!" And the Calamity begins.

[@lisahanessy]

And that's the end of the campaign under his breath

[@elbruces]

Just 12 minutes in and I'm already picturing this as a graphic novel. Okay, I'm loving the method where Brennan lets the group make different INT-based rolls on the same piece of information, then gives them different results based on which skill they used (as well as the die result). And somebody clearly told him to jump-scare Travis for player reaction gold.

[@blablubb4553]

He's a critter. He just knows. ;)

[@DKOILive]

Matt: Welcome to the world full of magic and adventures! Brennan - I want you to describe you character with mouth full of blood

[@ryangoldman5362]

Does anyone else come back and rewatch this entire series back-to-back every two months or so? Or is it just me?

[@williamross6477]

Yup! I’m just starting my 8th time 😄

[@Nortarachanges]

Rewatch crew!

[@MsPitenali]

Its just too good, so yeah, about to be the sixth time

[@theeviljames]

Not quite so often, but I've seen it at least half a dozen times. I think this is the seventh :) Edit: just realised that means every 4 months :) I had not realised how often I've seen it. There are multi-episode bits of CR generally that are at this level, but the limited-run, tightly-woven nature of this one is special. Like "Escape the bloodkeep" on Dimension 20

[@theeviljames]

Also - :) - Luis Carazo is amazing, like falling in love with his character and having your heart broken at the same time

[@rukia2rukia]

My favourite thing is Travis reacting to Brennan. You can see his mind getting blown and trying desperately not to laugh.

[@TheMightyWamps]

There is already a compilation of travis facial expressions from this Episode on KZbin. 15 minutes of close up goodness.

[@rukia2rukia]

@@TheMightyWamps oo I need to watch that!

[@shinankoku2]

I mean … I haven’t watched this yet but … I can kind of imagine that this is the first time Travis had played with a Matt Mercer level dm who isn’t Matt Mercer. One of the things I’m looking forward to is Travis’ mind being blown.

[@deadpat92]

It's the highest compliment to have Travis getting hyped up in a way he usually only ever gets for Matt's DMing.

[@ShazzleDazzle87]

I'm so glad Travis is at the table for this reason, he is ALL IN right away.

[@AbstractGuitar630]

It's fitting that Brennan's first word at the start of the first scene is "Fire" because that's what the entire 4 hours of this episode was. 🔥🔥🔥 The man told us from the get-go. Legendary.

[@emily-grace6246]

Brennan checking everybody’s reactions when he brings up the wolf the first time and then the slow smile when he sees no one gets it yet 😂

[@TheNo1pencil]

I didn't get it

[@Majyenta]

I haven’t watched all of C1 yet, but going off of Flandos time stamp, Purvan Suul and the wolf are from C1. Or at least his armor is. So the Vox Machina members could have caught a little Easter egg in it

[@NickySew]

Having just finished C1 I clocked it immediately! Loved seeing their surprise. ❤

[@joshhaworth2155]

I got hopeful the moment a champion with a wolf was mentioned.

[@matthewmoran1866]

It seemed like Travis got it. His eyes snapped up when Brennan said wolf...

[@wolfpup4149]

Coming back to pay my respects to the video that introduced me to DND, Critical Role, and Dimension 20. A few months, endless hours of entertainment and a well-worn subscription to DROPOUT later - I’ve never met more chaotic, heart wrenching and viciously funny characters in my life. So, so glad this series got the attention it did and popped up on my feed. Endless love and thanks to everyone involved. INcredible.

[@jwbucklin]

Right there with you!

[@rebeccadittman6350]

This perfectly describes how I feel. This is the first D&D I’ve ever watched, and my first intro into Critical Role. And wow… how much fun I have had for the last month watching and catching up on this epic chaos. This campaign though… calamity… will always have a special place in my heart.

[@rowgesage936]

i love the "is he wearing the armor?","no?", "OH OF COURSE". so much fun connecting to the first campaign

[@Miskinello]

Can you explain this part? I haven't see the campaign 1

[@stardust4609]

@@Miskinello Purvan Sul’s magical armor was a magic item used in a lot of the later parts of C1

[@Miskinello]

@@stardust4609 thanks

[@YouMeEvery1]

In addition, his armor is one of the "vestiges of divergence". Gifts bestowed to certain heroes after the Calamity to help end the destruction. He would not have been given the armor at this point in story because this is just before the Calamity begins.

[@alexanderlinderson2655]

@@YouMeEvery1 Ah yes ofcourse!! It went over my head even though I've seen C1 xD The clue was in the name even hehe

[@strayo]

Brennan doing his emotionally-scarring-narration voice right off the gate is a great way to start honestly

[@bryanwalter4438]

It just pulls you in so damn fast!!!

[@cerisebiscuit51]

Every great tragedy needs a Greek Chorus, that’s what the bottom table is providing and I’m 100% here for the reactions

[@TheFashionablyDepressedBard]

That is a both very hilarious and very acurate observation

[@ChronoBolt]

Basically the muses from the animated Hercules movie

[@ashwhite3810]

Lol fair enough. I’ll look at it that way from now on. Brilliant take

[@TheComfyCushion]

I have to rewind every scene a couple times just to see their reactions to things.

[@Nortarachanges]

Lou is also a great one for reactions. “That is disgusting” XD