The Legend of Vox Machina 2x11 Reaction | Belly of the Beast

[@elfbreath]

Fun fact: in the campaign, Liam (Vax) really, REALLY did not want to be the Matron’s Champion. His mom irl had cancer, and he was dealing with health problems of his own, and now death was also dominating this game with his friends he used as an escape from the real world. In his own words, “It was just more heavy on top of my heavy and I didn’t want it.” So Matt slipped in that bit about Vax being fate touched, and the Matron always keeping an eye on him, to give Liam a little bit of hope. And it worked. Now Liam loves the direction Vax’s story took, and says he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

[@d.k.t.3380]

There's a reason Liam is such an advocate for D&D as a therapy tool...

[@KBTibbs]

Matt did some real deft and compassionate things in this story line to help out his friend.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

Matt made this campaign so healing for Liam. As someone who's experienced a lot of death in my life, this campaign hits me really hard in the feels.

[@elbruces]

Well, the family issue was the reason why he went all "take me instead you raven bitch!" to begin with, thus creating the whole situation from the start. Other players were working on a revivify spell, and there was no stated reason for that not to work, but then he just blurted that out, so Matt used it instead. But I'm sure Matt had conversations with him about how this could work, what it would mean, and what he'd be comfortable with. I think the "fate-touched" thing is an explanation for Vax's Luck feat, which allowed him to re-roll 3 D20's per session.

[@elfbreath]

@@elbruces Matt explained before “fate touched” means something special to him in his games. I think it was at Ayacon 2012 or 2013? Before Vox Machina was even a thing. And he said in the campaign wrap up that he wasn’t gonna mention the fate touched thing, but decided to have the Raven Queen point it out because he knew Liam was going through a hard time and needed a light. 1:38:08 in the campaign wrap up if you wanna hear it

[@thehikingviking2049]

I'm surprised the Matron didn't go into it further, but she did say their purpose is to safeguard the transition between life and death, so she probably *really* fucking hated the Briarwoods. Necromancy is the cardinal sin to the goddess of death.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

Oh she definitely hated them, as she hated the undead with a passion.

[@Mackurl]

That's great mate, now i get the whole concept. Thanks for your comments 🖒👍

[@cho7879]

"what is he gonna do with gauntlets? he doesn't have hands" the ernest delivery killed me, you are hilarious!!!

[@VegetaLF7]

You know, there's a part of me that wants to see fan art of Umbrasyl struggling to equip all the vestiges in dragon form.

[@cho7879]

@@VegetaLF7 when he caught grog's punches in the fight i couldn't stop laughing cause it reminded of this

[@dehro]

The Matron of Ravens has also a very practical task, which is to protect the natural order of things. They live in a world where some races are virtually immortal, where magic can prolong live expectancy sometimes indefinitely, where necromancy is a real thing, and its possible to bring people back from death. Somebody has to make sure that only those who are fated to, get to return, that nobody installs a revolving door in the afterlife, that death is still holding the balance of mortality in check and keeps having meaning, by extention giving meaning to life. She took on that task, and her champion has the charge of fighting against those who would upset that balance, or who would use other peoples' death as a means to escape their own... like the whispered one.

[@gabthegreat01]

Honestly, the interaction between Vax and The Matron is probably my favourite scene this season. It’s visually stunning and there’s a feeling of motherly comfort to it. To quote Terry Pratchett “Lord, what can the harvest hope for, if not the care of the reaper man?”

[@funnylilgalreacts]

I wish I could’ve showed more of it because I was just sitting there with my mouth hanging open just taken in by the beauty

[@bradfordlindsey9781]

I love critical role because at it's heart, it maintains the magic of a bunch of close friends telling a story together. The fact that each of them is a voice actor and/or a master storyteller in their own right, and they have kept the love of telling their own stories not confuse the communal narrative, but like a symbiotic feedback loop the characters' personal growth only adds to the strength of the group. I've looked. There aren't many who have quite got their alchemy(because its slightly more magical a word than chemistry) but to tell it true, i came to critter nation looking to be entertained. I stayed because i felt like i was now someone with 8 besties i haven't actually met yet. Oh god that's creepier than i meant it. Post script: keep us posted on if your boss checks it out. Plenty of room at the table for them to join us.

[@RandomDude19868]

Kudos to the animators. I want a giant poster of the Matron.

[@nigelhyde279]

But Death always speaks in CAPS.🙂

[@gabthegreat01]

@@nigelhyde279 D’oh!

[@FulcanMal]

How has no one EVER called him Imbecile before? It was right there, and you're the only one who saw it.

[@funnylilgalreacts]

It really because I’m unable to pronounce his name 😂 I wish I was a genius

[@EugGenie]

@@funnylilgalreacts Vax gives everyone nicknames - you can too!

[@PuffyCloud_aka_puffeclaude]

She's also called him Brassy. **J'mon raises a brow**

[@annar4795]

Fun fact! In the scene in the tavern where Grog mistakenly refers to Umbrasyl as "Umbilical", the French dub has him call the dragon "Imbecile" instead!! Also in the Japanese dub he calls him Umbrella! 🤣

[@kikphlip1080]

@@PuffyCloud_aka_puffeclaude shhhhh

[@bouboulroz]

So, the way I see Vax's role in his relationship with the Matron is not so much that he has to sheperd the souls by himself. She's already doing that as part of her cosmic duty. The horrible visions Vax was seeing wasn't what's happening because he didn't fulfill his duty, but what would happen if she wasn't there to do it. A way to show him that she/death isn't the worse, the alternative is. But she's limited in the ways she can interact with the world. She can take a soul to wherever it needs to go, but it's not like she can prevent a necromancer from defiling a corpse to create zombies, wraiths, etc. That's where Vax comes in. He not there to bring the souls into the beyond, he's there to make sure the Matron can lead them to it, by making sure the dead stay that way.

[@funnylilgalreacts]

That makes much more sense than the way I interpreted it! Thank you!

[@wrytar7717]

"The horrible visions Vax was seeing wasn't what's happening because he didn't fulfill his duty, but what would happen if she wasn't there to do it." Wow, that makes so much sense! I never thought of it like this.

[@ForeverDegenerate]

@bouboulroz @funnylilgalreacts "The horrible visions Vax was seeing wasn't what's happening because he didn't fulfill his duty, but what would happen if she wasn't there to do it." It would be more accurate to say that the Matron of Ravens was showing Vax the consequences of her being prevented from doing her job. As her Champion, it's Vax's duty to make sure she is able to do her job. And that is a very important distinction when you consider WHY these events have happened. Consider that Purvon Suul was her previous Champion. He was her Champion during the Calamity. She hasn't had a Champion on the Material Plane since then. Yet she chose NOW to take a NEW Champion. Why? If you recall the events of Season One, you will have your answer to both that question and why it had to be one of Vox Machina.

[@OptionZero]

Although Scanlan was built as a joke, there’s a lot of Sam Riegel in it. He was a self-professed wild man in his youth that found the right woman and had mature to be with her. This arc is likely a reflection of his own personal journey Sam and Liam are also best friends, so Scanlan and Val’s conversation about life changing events works both in the context of what their characters went through, but in the meta-sense between those players as well. D&D can be amazing.

[@thane9]

Vex had some terrific moments. The callback to 'don't go far from me' and the 'it always matters' to kiki...wonderful. She's such a great character.

[@VegetaLF7]

Seriously, Vex actually encouraging Keyleth to keep chasing Vax shows so much emotional maturity and growth after she spent all season 1 shit talking her and being jealous of Vax's attention being taken away from her. Keyleth's near death taking a shot intended for Vex, Vex's own actual death, and their continued experience adventuring together has definitely changed Vex's entire outlook on the group dynamic. Even a few episodes ago, it was Vex who stood up for Keyleth when she had taken off to go save her people. Vex telling Vax "she'd drop everything for us" to help convince him to go aid her.

[@seansilence2697]

I love the conversation with the Matron of Ravens. She has some really powerful lines in that short time.

[@dansmart3182]

I love everything about the matron. My favorite tidbit is she only talks to her worshippers when at the edge of death or dead. She only directly communicates when you are in her realm.

[@greyscaleadaven]

God Matt and Liam are both so my writing style. I had not watched LOVM prior to making this character, but literally that line of "death is what gives meaning to life" mirrors one of my personal characters perfectly. Sometimes I'll find other similarities between our characters or overarching themes and it'll baffle me, it's fun comparing writing styles like that (not in like a copying way I promise, more like "oh we jinxed" type of deal)

[@nuru666]

@@greyscaleadaven My first D&D character was a half-Ogre Barbarian named Yog who was obsessed with our groups Halfling (Thought he was just a really cool kid). I made Yog 3 months before I discovered CR in 2018, sometimes weird shit happens and I'm here for it

[@urfaes6878]

Angela : I like Scanlan's way... Also Angela : Sorry, dad. Well, that's a family discussion...

[@funnylilgalreacts]

Or…. We never bring it up ever. 😂

[@commander515]

You're absolutely right, we are all blessed that we get to see this show...of course, the funny part is that it's because of the fans that we have it. Nobody in Hollywood wanted to give the Critical Role folks the $750K they needed to make just one episode...so they decided to crowdfund to make the show they wanted to make. And the Critters gave them $11.3 million instead 🙂 This show has created a whole new bunch of Critters who have never seen a single episode of any of the campaigns, but it's ok because the base DNA of the show is the same - the awesome cast and the story that they all told together with these amazing characters. Doesn't matter how long any of us have been fans, just that we're all fans of the same thing and we can all geek out over the awesomeness together. That's what makes us all Critters 🙂

[@nuru666]

That and we never forget to love each other!

[@commander515]

@@nuru666 For sure, that too 🙂

[@caffeinedelusions]

Kaylie's sword is filling the role of a particular classic D&D Magical Item called an Immovable Rod. In D&D, it's a rod about a foot long with a button on it, and when you press the button it locks its location in space until that button gets pressed again to unlock it. You could build a castle on an immovable rod, it can bear the weight because what it's anchored to isn't load-bearing matter with a weight limit, it's the fabric of spacetime itself. In the stream Vax and Scanlan managed to teleport into Umbrasyl and activate the immovable rod, which kept Umbrasyl on the ground until he managed to physically TEAR HIMSELF OFF OF IT so he could fly away. As we saw in the show, that same immobility effect is carried by Kaylie's short sword, which makes its use the first time I've ever seen something harmed by being... expaled... or whatever you would call the reverse of being impaled. Unfortunately, that sword is still hanging in the air where Scanlan activated its immobility enchantment, while he and Vax fly away in dragon bowels, so he won't have it to actually fight with.

[@operative2136]

The thing I absolutely adore about Critical Role is the fact that it is so very creator driven. Not just in terms of the cast, but also the writers room, animators, artists and musicians that go so above and beyond what is required to make this series truly great. So many shows and properties are often a balancing act between art and business, and this show is one of those few times where the artistic side of things isn't hindered by the business side of the equation.

[@docomega7862]

I suppose when you are able to finance 10 episodes because people wanted to see the show and financed it then the big companies would give you more room to do what you want since there is almost a guarantee of success. The only other example I could think of would be wakfu season 4 (also an animated show) where all the epusodes plus 2 bonus short movies were financed by the fans so any platform that woumd distribute the show wouldn't have any room for restrictions contrary to what netflix did for season 3

[@AdamEspersona]

I’m glad that this episode gave resolutions for both Keyleth and Vax’ildan. Kiki had already overcome her fear of the Aramenté, but she also needed to overcome her fears of embracing her feelings for Vax, and Vex provided her approval and encouragement. “It always matters. Don’t let him get away.” Vax needed to overcome his fear of the Matron and not understanding the true nature of his calling, and he finally achieved clarity and purpose. He’s no longer going to close himself off. “There is much to fear, but not death. For it gives meaning to life.” I feel that they did manage to slow burn their relationship well this season, on top of what came before in Season 1. And honestly, it does lay down the groundwork for what may come in Season 3.

[@cryofpaine]

It was definitely a much better build than in the campaign. It felt kind of out of the blue in the campaign.

[@AdamEspersona]

@@cryofpaine Indeed. And I get that folks were getting upset that they weren’t getting as many moments, or that classic Liam O’Brien prose… but that was actually one of the reasons as to why many hated Vaxleth. Cutting to the quick is much better. And we are seeing it build kinda from opposite viewpoints: from Vax’s POV in Season 1, and now Keyleth’s in Season 2.

[@Jameskaimuki]

I am sure Grog will never ever find another weapon that speaks to him or asks for blood :)

[@VegetaLF7]

The irony is that in the game it was Percy who picked up Craven Edge initially, not Grog. He was looking for a replacement for the List and it was laying nearby. He picked it up and it immediately started talking to him, not 10 minutes after being rid of the last evil possessed weapon. Instantly noped out of that and gave it to Grog instead.

[@funnylilgalreacts]

It doesn’t hurt to check, right? Lol.

[@vellynis]

"Scanlan is now inside the dragon." Ah yes, every bard's dream.

[@ALJ9000]

I mean, if it’s consensual…

[@charlie53echo]

Scanlon at the bar, trying to pick up a dragon: "Hello beautiful, may I push your stool in?"

[@funnylilgalreacts]

Bil 😳 (that was fucking clever)

[@metasteel8937]

That's bad 🤣

[@williamlee588]

Burt is a reference to a Halloween episode where he was Burt Reynolds.. "you leave when Burt Reynolds says you can leave" was his big line that episode

[@Logan_Baron]

Well Burt Reynolds was part of the game long before that. Even before they streamed Scanlan would bluff his way into places by putting his finger under his nose like a mustache and say his name was Burt Reynolds of whatever group he needed to be. The costume came from that. But Scanlan had been Burt several times.

[@TheNeojanus1]

Also he said this line during the trails of the take when they hunted a different dragon. Warcaster used an attack of opportunity to cast "Bigby's " Grasping Hand.

[@elbruces]

As a dad, if you're still watching your daughter's video 18 minutes in, then there isn't much she could say that would make you any less proud of her. "You have to experience weakness to appreciate strength" - that's a bar.

[@Liesmith424]

Earlier in the season, we all thought that Grog's suppository was a quick visual joke...but it was actually foreshadowing to establish Scanlan's rectal expertise. It's basically poetry.

[@undeathghost5627]

Actually the first foreshadowing of this was in episode two... when Grog fell into "Scanlan's Butt!"

[@jordanpeterson5140]

@@undeathghost5627 c'mon, "Scandog likes the back door" and "open your back door" were in season 1

[@undeathghost5627]

@@jordanpeterson5140 truuuue

[@beastnino]

I'm so glad I'm not the only who laughed hysterically from just seeing the figure Scanlan's power hand was in when they proceeded to go into the dragon's butt lol. I love your reactions so much, please stay awesome!

[@Espinozaize]

18:00 The Champion of the Raven Queen(That is her actual name. Copyright reasons, they had to change it) Is to ensure that destiny & fate comes to fruition. Those golden strings that always surrounds her. Those are strings of fate. They determine how you live & how you will die one day. However dark rituals & magic. Especially necromancy can change & alter the strings of fate & destiny. Therefore the champion of the Raven queens primary purpose is to find & kill any person or being that seeks to escape death via necromancy. So Vax is now kind of like a Paladin. He is bound to seek out & destroy all those whom seek to escape death...

[@ray24051]

She unlocked my soul, whipping sound.😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@phoenixdzk]

The first thing Grog ever asked Craven Edge was: Do you have a female setting? After losing it the next weapon he spoke to said nothing, and his response was ' hmm, strong silent type, I like it!' Pretty much the only difference in this battle from the stream was that Vax had drunk a potion of reduce which made him shorter and tinier than Scan & Pike. Vex found it hilarious and Liam played Vax like he had ingested a ton of helium Also his line: 'you can leave when Scanlan says you can leave' is a line from the stream. But he used to use Burt Reynolds as an alias so it would be 'You can leave when Burt Reynolds says you can leave!'

[@dehro]

Hehe.. ever since, I use three name Burt Reynolds Esq. for any character in a videogame I play

[@StealthMarmot_]

Also worth noting they didn't go up the butt, they used a dimension door.

[@AAAndrew]

@@StealthMarmot_ But this was much, much funnier

[@ShadowyFox_86]

😂 And even the female setting was followed by "Can I call you bacon?"

[@phoenixdzk]

@@ShadowyFox_86 'You hear a long, drawn out sigh'

[@1timemelody1]

Well when someone says get inside a dragon I think of one of two things: short range teleport with a DM that lives by the rule of cool or... the reason horny bards are probably the biggest source of draconic bloodline sorcerers lmao. Imbecile is a pretty great name for Florida Dragon I gotta say.

[@cschwally]

"It's probably his favorite way." 2nd spit take you've caused.

[@doug3691]

Finally got that tricky name: Check! Strong Grog; Quiet Axe: Check! Vax'ildan figures it out (sort of): Check! Scanlan finally turns a corner, starts taking responsibility: Check! Something for everyone: Check! Love your reactions. So much goodness. Seeing this finally animated: Check!

[@TheJerbol]

Seeing you get entranced by Scanlan's story about Leia was just so good haha

[@queenannsrevenge100]

“It’s the Thanos Plan”… about two years BEFORE Infinity War! This, and the Vex/Grog “death from above” is Peak Vox Machina. 😂

[@codybarnes1531]

Im so sorry people gave you crap about Ol' Umbrella Cellphone. I have really enjoyed your reactions, they are so honest. While this show differs from the game (trying to cut 114, 4 hour episodes into 12, 25 min cartoons a season takes some editing) it amazes me how they really kept the heart of it. Im glad your enjoying it as much as we all have did and do.

[@Rafauku]

The Matron's message this episode was really really beautiful... Gotta love a death god who can see things from a bit more of a mortal perspective.

[@crystalfire5564]

So, you ask us about going up a dragon’s ass and then end the reaction by saying « push my shit ». Hmm. Ok I sense a theme here.

[@Stable_Delerium]

“My beautiful champion” ❤❤❤

[@StealthMarmot_]

Quick background fact that makes a line more meaningful: Liam O'Brien, voice of Vax, and Sam Riegel, voice of Scanlan are both fathers. So the "You win" is kind of telling about how they view fatherhood as bigger than anything.

[@danscantland8066]

Not to mention that Travis Willingham, the voice actor of Grog and CEO of the company, became a dad a few months before this episode was probably written. He has spoken before on how becoming a dad changed him, and I can see him slipping that in

[@targetdreamer257]

That quick scene right after they went up the poop shoot. That image of the dragon reacting kills me.

[@elykphant1910]

Fun fact: Scanlan's backstory is based on Eminem. Scanlan in the campaign was originally part of Dr. Dranzel's troupe (The group Kaylie is part of in the show), and he was named after Dr. Dre. The reason her name was Kaylie was because Eminem's daughter is Haylie. Even being called Scanlan Shorthalt was because he want to have alliteration in his name like Marshall Mathers.

[@bobbyhall994]

You’ve really established your own lane as the emotional baseline of someone I enjoy watching this show. I know it’s everyone’s show, we’re all Critters, but watching reactions and hearing your thoughts is really nice. You catch a lot of nuanced stuff that’s going to be important.

[@walkercraig4583]

nailed the dragons name! way to go :p i may have laughed when you said you were excited about he half giants being there lol. did a whole lotta melting by acid O.o

[@manahakume9870]

imbasyll is close enough xD i'm happy with that! to be fair his story about Lea might be fully true XD just the wrong Gnome! up the butt was new for all of us XD the original spell used was dimension door which they simply teleported in, however Dimension door is a copy righted spell of Wotc so they got creative in the most scanlan way possible XD

[@catindigo9907]

Great job. Always first, Grog, he's my favorite, I've played a few characters like him. I did not expect to see Scanlan fist a dragon, yet was not surprised. Something more to cross off his bucket list.

[@Compnative]

I love when our uncomfortable friends and family come to serve us, and we have to recon with that. That's life to me, so, I love it, and it's been hella fun watching your reaction videos. Thank you!

[@darrenl3289]

Such a great job bring the Matron of Ravens to life (pun intended) She was intimidating, powerful, and yet a gentle, guiding source of wisdom. of course, yet again another brilliant translation of the game combat into the show. So much fan service... such an exciting scene. They replaced using a spell, dimension door, with the Scanlan's prostate check but (butt) yes Vax and Scanlan did come up with the idea to uhhh (pardon my pun, Bruce Lee) ENTER THE DRAGON Pike is spending all her time now focused on keeping all puppies away from Scanlan rofl

[@AdamEspersona]

Welp… talk about going through the “back door”. And Scanlan did say something about being all about that back in Season 1 XD

[@brutalchicken]

I love how you were so into Scanlan's plan hah! Yeah, this show's got me wanting to binge the whole campaign 1 again

[@VegetaLF7]

That's what I'm doing. Started when the Season 1 trailer first dropped as I wanted to get through to the Briarwoods arc before the show began and have been pushing through the rest of the year. I'm actually at the Kevdak fight right now in my rewatch, hoping to be finished with the Conclave arc by the time season 3 rolls around.

[@darklight9178]

20:38 You pronounced it! Just in time too lmao. Love your insights and your attention to detail in both your pre-show and post-show thoughts and just wanted to say you are great and keep being you :D

[@StevenPD]

Great post! Thanks for taking the time. Cheers.

[@nickthepeasant]

It's been all about the butt-stuff for the Scan man this season.

[@zhenshei9398]

In terms of Vax's role, you might say his "Critical Role" ehehehe, is to shepherd the threads of fate not necessarily to reap souls. With that his responsibility is to lead people to their right destiny, and to make sure everything is going according to fate's plan, which eventually will lead to a destined death. But in the Matron of Raven's eyes that is the ultimate goal and not necessarily a bad thing, it means that a person has completed their journey in life and have done everything they need to do in order to keep fate on the right track. Think of each person as a thread on a giant woven tapestry, the Matron of Raven's can see the final product and is trying to get all the little threads to fall into place so they make the tapestry look as beautiful as intended; to make sure the threads don't get tangled or cut short.

[@Vance1982]

this almost didn't happen in the campaign - only really really really lucky rolls and seeing Matt's face change as the rolls happened and he had to change on the fly in the moment.

[@gscoliver]

“Vax told Vex and Keyleth on the walk back but we didn’t hear it” so an ongoing thing for critical role and most dnd tables is that the DM tells one player ALL the info about something or someone. Then that player will be like “ cool, I tell my entire group that” and carry on like nothing happened

[@VegetaLF7]

Yup. Great way to save time so that they don't have to sit through an explanation again and again and again.

[@blablah6958]

What i realy like about the show is how they show you the character growth/development with the magical elements: Cravens Edge for Grogs insecurity, the demon for Percys revenge and trauma, etc. Tying the fantasy elemnts with the story and the characters is just perfect.

[@manueleckroad9086]

So love your reaction vids, these especially. A fun, crazy romp from a game I’ve played for decades. It’s really amazing animation and I love watching the character growth as the episodes and series goes on. Glad you are having a blast watching these and I really appreciate your emotions, both the laughs and tears and know that myself and many others are right there with you. Keep up the great work, don’t worry about the game specific things and enjoy the ride. Thank you for your channel and your genuine reactions. ❤️

[@theanyktos]

0:36 yeah, that's closer! You've got the stress right, the U is just more of an 'uh' sound than an 'ooh' sound. _Uhm_ -bruh-sill.

[@bryanmacklem2654]

Oh I can't wait to see you watch this one...had to comment right away

[@DocChills]

The humor is hilarious. I kind of expected a "not that way" response to going down the mouth lol.

[@PuffyCloud_aka_puffeclaude]

It's not exactly that he's supposed to usher the transition, thats her job. It's that he's supposed to *protect* the transition. She grants him the power to bend fate, in order to keep it from breaking.

[@AdamEspersona]

Honestly, I think “Imbesyl” would be appropriate because he can be quite an idiot sometimes. And poor Scanlan…

[@urfaes6878]

I'm still a fan of Umbilical. We all know it's unpronounceable. Umbilical is fine.

[@WexMajor82]

Black dragons are canonically the worst of the cromatic. Blue can be made pact with, and they will honor them. Green are shifty bastards, but you can at least count on that. White are stupid brutes. Red crave power and riches above all else. But black dragons... They want to see suffering. They enjoy it above all else. A whole race of sadists.

[@3mrwright]

This episode reminded me of episode 6 of The Sandman: "The Sound of Her Wings". That was my favorite episode of The Sandman & this episode of Vox is definitely one of my favorites this season. I think Vax is supposed to usher souls to the great beyond (afterlife). All the dead Vax seen near the beginning of the episode were begging him to "usher us into the beyond". Even the King that died in the first episode was shown. The animation of The Matron of Ravens scenes were beautiful. Each shot could be a piece of art ready to be displayed. The comedic elements of this episode hit as well. Love the heartfelt story Scanlan told about the woman he thought was her mother, only to find out that wasn't the right woman 😅 Thanks for the reaction

[@stevencavanagh7990]

a Deal with the Devil, but in this case the Devil is Ripely. crazy Idea, what if the spell to revive Keyleth in season one failed, and it was Vax's sheer will to make sure she lived that changed her fate.

[@AdamEspersona]

That's been my belief: that without knowing it, he had bent Fate to allow it to revive her. Meaning that she DID die but was not meant to, and so it was "corrected". Which in a meta sense is true; she was never meant to die down there, in LOVM or in Campaign 1.

[@leonielson7138]

I'm going to put a spoiler tag on this, even though most people won't know what it means unless they watched the live-stream ... SPOILER ... On a less spoilery note, we were given a reference to Wildmount in episode 8, with the vermaloc wood in Syldor's study, which is where Campaign 2 takes place, and this episode Kaylie drops that she's going to Marquet, which is where Campaign 3 takes place. It builds out the world by implying that there are places beyond the reach of the dragons. ... Do you think we're going to get "What is my mother's name?" or will Scanlan just leave the group after the Chroma Conclave arc to find Kaylie? ... 'The Daring Trials and Tribulations of Sir Taryon Darrington'. ... "The Meat Man Cometh."

[@1ucky02]

Funny thing is that, in the campaign scanlan and vax didn't go in the dragon "that way". Scanlan used a teleport spell called Dimension Door but it only lets him use it on himself and other creatures in his size category or smaller so vax used a potion to shrink himself to do it.

[@MrPingn]

Gave that dragon a prostate exam at the speed of sound. 😂

[@lordfoul6259]

Damn I can't believe how powerful some dragons are in D&D

[@Arborhawk]

I wish I was a better DM. The dragons I have thrown at my players have gotten slaughtered. Granted they have never fought one in it's lair.

[@Sanyaenyenwa]

Dragons grow more powerful as they age. All of the Chroma Conclave (except for Brimscythe, who we met in Season 1) are classified as *ancient* dragons and as such are some of the most powerful creatures D&D has to offer. And Thordak on top of that is magically supercharged. In the end it's always the Dungeon Master's decision, how challenging they want an encounter to be, they can always tweak the stats to their liking. Mercer, when designing these guys for the original campaign, wanted them to be *challenging*, indeed.

[@freefall945]

Fascinatingly, Liam O'Brien voices both Vax'ildan and Illidan Stormrage of World of Warcraft fame - both twins, both chosen by cosmic powers for grand and glorious purposes... ...But with opposite reactions to it in equally iconic scenes. ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipWToYitp6eKoMU for Illidan!)

[@bryanmacklem2654]

Basically The matron of ravens is all about the natural progression of life to death. Anything that is unnatural and is an affront to the natural order of things is something her champion is to fight against. That's not to say that healing spells and resurrection magic to bring back someone who died isn't allowed, but if it was indeed their time...then so be it. I knew you were going to love Scanlans plan, in the original campaign the two just did a short range dimension door spell (teleport basically) and ended up inside, but I was much more entertained with this shows interpretation. 😂

[@RDehuvyne]

Would have been a bit jarring for the show if they introduced his ability to dimension door now when they hadn't seeded that in his spell list in prior episodes, but this way was very on brand for Scanlan.

[@CrownofMischief]

@@RDehuvyne yeah, the closest they got in the show was when he drank a potion in Vedmire's house, which wasn't a very permanent thing

[@AVJHalonen]

Not talked about very often but there's a lot of symbology about dying by drowning like Vax did. Like stopping your breathing will kill you but drowning is like trying to breathe when you shouldn't. Also make the water blood why not?

[@-.NYX.-]

i could not stop laughing when you said 'The Thanos Plan" ... OMG darling!!! ♥ You won't know how to be brave 'til you choose to fight when you're afraid And you can't experience strength 'til you struggle to carry the weight And you won't know why you have faith 'til you look the Devil in his face And you don't know what you can take 'til you realize you didn't break Don't give up, I know you're strong, show them all your fire The days are hard, the nights are long But you are a fighter, when it's dire, you burn brighter in the dark You're a survivor when you're tired, you hold tighter, you have heart #tommacdonald #hog # Novarockafeller

[@nmcnea771]

I think I got a new ringtone at the end

[@josht9253]

Love VoX Machina and glad to see someone reacting to it. Hope to see some other animated classics on here in the future : Avatar: The Last Airbender, Legend Of Korra. Cowboy Bebop, Castlevania etc.

[@butterfly17095]

Lol in the campaign they teleported into the dragon so I also did not expect them to go up the dragon's butt!!

[@firecat4529]

7:14 I think they can shape shift into humans like the dragon did from S 1.

[@testfire3000]

Have you ever wanted to fly up a dragon's ass? Then this is the show for you! LOL

[@JSkinnerish]

To be fair if they'd gone through the business end of Umbrasyl and they hadn't been eaten straight away they would have been liquified by the acid in his throat so the 'tradesman's entrance' I'd imagine would have been the slightly less insane option in Scanlan's mind. Looking forward to your reaction to episode 12.

[@jasonmkc7797]

Woot! I heard you say it correctly.👍

[@funnylilgalreacts]

Savor the flavor because it only happens by accident 😂

[@jasonmkc7797]

@@funnylilgalreacts I really appreciate Brassy, Brassy-Brass and even your borrowed-from-Grog Imbasyl. So, it’s all good. EDIT - actually, he may have borrowed that from you. I can’t remember.

[@funnylilgalreacts]

I think Grog said “Umbilical” but I really appreciated him, screwing it up as well. I guess I have the intelligence of a six. 🤷‍♀️

[@lady_draguliana784]

nailed the dragons name! WOOHOO! 🎉

[@Dunybrook]

The Matron of Ravens is more like Hermes or Anubis in that she's a liminal deity who overseas the transition from life to the afterlife and makes sure all the souls go where they are supposed to. She's also strongly opposed to necromancy and the evil undead and liches. For someone who's not at all religious all that stuff about death giving life meaning seems like nonsense but whatever it takes to get you through I guess.

[@Skychaser33]

Dunno if it's been mentioned, but the Matron of Ravens is the goddess of transition between life and death- the split second as a person is dying and is being transitioned into the afterlife. She does not govern over the souls of the dead. And her Champion is tied to her- in the campaign, it was understood that Vax vas on borrowed time from the moment he made that pact. As to where he will end up, we shall hopefully see in future seasons. And it's very lucky for them to have made this- thanks to the critters who sponsored the kickstarter for this animated series the creators could make this the way they wanted to- without having to answer to corporate producers. Keep in mind everybody that it takes 1-2 million to make a season of an animated show (without cutting corners)- and they got enough to produce several seasons which will hopefully take them through the end of the Vox Machina campaign.

[@johnwoodworth9127]

The whole thing with the Matron of Ravens was one of the most visually stunning things I've seen in any show.

[@DnD_Guru]

You said it right! Umbrasyl like Umbrella

[@KBTibbs]

Personally, I think the enemas are all part of the strict hygiene required for owning a blood pool. I mean, have you ever tried to chlorinate a blood pool? You can't do it.

[@davidphilpott2487]

Most dragons can shapeshift, so yes, he can use the gauntlets.

[@krysisstorm2703]

Good job on Umbrasyl!

[@genostellar]

You managed to get the dragon's name right! Congrats!

[@celiovicenteribeirofilho9740]

Vax and Scanlans can boast of being the only 2 living beings to invade the core of an evil dragon. Umbrasyl's expression when he realizes what they are doing to him is priceless. Imagine how undignified that was for a dragon that prides itself on striking terror into the hearts of mortals. AHAHAHAH

[@nicholasstockbridge5702]

In many of the RPG games ive played, getting inside a monster that is very very large. The best way is always through the ass

[@jimhayen8088]

This season is going to hurt when it ends and we have to wait another torturous year.

[@Kasino80]

You said it right so many times. UM-brasyl.

[@theashrook6129]

This really felt like the shortest episode 😂

[@AnonEyeMouse]

I once defeated an ancient red dragon by using slippers of spiderclimb to scoot around to his asshole in flight, then rammed a rod of storms (cone of cold, lightning bolts and thunderstorm spells 99 charges) up his ass and bypass his resistances with a freezing blizzard and lightning enema. My party were appalled but I knew I wasn't the weird one! This proves its a legitimate tactic.

[@corybishop3084]

Hey, you've got the dragon's name right! Only took 11 episodes. Well done.

[@ShyyGaladriel]

I’ve always enjoyed your reactions to this show. 😂😂😂

[@mitsurugie3849]

So I'm not sure if you've been informed about it yet but. In the tabletop game, magic items don't care what species you are. If you spend enoughe time with them usually somewhere between 1 and 8 hours the items will change shape to fit you, this includes size and numbers of fingers. So Pike or Scanlan could use the gloves as easily as Grog. Or Umbracil could use them after just a few hours.

[@ciannstuff]

The Raven Queen has the sacred duty of guiding mortals from life to the afterlife, kind of like a powerful Charon from Greek mythology. Think of her Champion as a reaper and one that opposes those that seek to defy or escape death.

[@boki8197]

The raven is messenger of death. Hence the the name of the deity Matron of Ravens.

[@TBoring]

Fun Fact: While the Matron’s monologue about death is completely sincere, it’s also just the tiniest bit hypocritical. The Matron of Ravens wasn’t born a goddess she was a mortal mage who figured out how to ascend to godhood (her doing so actually led to the Calamity as other mages attempted to duplicate her work). She ousted the previous god of death and took his place. Whether or not it was the goal, immortality was a byproduct of her experiment so in some way she was attempting to avoid death.

[@christiandavegutierrez475]

Spoilers! I've been thinking about this for a while now but a personal theory of mine is that the only reason The Raven Queen succeeded was maybe because the OG god of death let her. We know Vespin tried to do the same with Asmodeus and got uno reverse card real hard. Like I imagine the god of death contemplating what it means to have dominion over a concept foreign to him, how do you lord over death when you cannot die? The speech of the Raven Queen about how death gives meaning to life? Only a god who once had to live knowing she was bound to die can have such a philosophical view on death and I imagine the OG death god probably decided to cede control to her partly because he believes someone who used to live with death hanging over them better for the position. Of course this is just a theory and I could have missed some information that puts a hole in it. 3 campaigns are a lot to keep track on information on not counting exu stuff.

[@ChevaliersEmeraude]

Isn't the previous god of death a major d**k though? I don't know all the details, but I feel like that's what I've read somewhere. She improved things ultimately.

[@TBoring]

@@ChevaliersEmeraudeunclear. While Matt did adapt D&D lore into his world we have very little knowledge of the previous god of death. While many assume it’s identical to the Raven Queen overthrowing the previous god (who indeed was awful) unless Matt says that’s the case we don’t know.

[@AlmostOtaku7]

@@ChevaliersEmeraude It's been alluded to but not confirmed that the previous guy was more 'Lawful Evil' and wanted more death, not just transition and maintenance of natural order. But who knows at this point?

[@kenle2]

There's a philosophical concept like that: "If the devil were ever able to overthrow God, it would be necessary for him to adopt the qualities of divinity." You replace something absolutely necessary and the replacement must "fit" the same "hole" left in reality.

[@jscire__872]

I really really like your reactions! 🤩Your enjoyment is so infectious and I love how you just GET all the silly, nutty humor, well as all the drama. Now that LoVM season 2 is ending it would be fantastic to see you react to Critical Role's ExU:Calamity mini-series. It's just so outstanding. It wouldn't spoil anything for either future Vox Machina or Mighty Nein campaigns as it's set in the distant (and highly magical) past of Matt's world just before the coming of a massive apocalyptic event called Calamity (also mentioned by Osysa in LoVM). Keyleth's, Grog's, and Scanlan's voice actors/creators are playing in it, along with guests and absolutely everyone is at the top of their game. It's pretty commonly considered one of the best ttrpg games ever streamed, so I'd just love for you to react to it. If many years from now they ever make it into a film, I don't think seeing the game-stream now would in any way lessen your joy in any possible future animation (or our interest in watching you react to it 😁) since the mediums are so different. (To put it frankly - the animated visuals of animated Calamity would have to be mind-blowing.) I really it think it could only enhance your enjoyment of all CR series to know all that juicy Calamity lore 😄

[@CountryMusicMann]

A nerd with a dark secret. The best kind of nerd.

[@Thundarr100]

@funnylilgalreacts - "I figured Grog would use the gauntlets to hold the dragon's head down, and they would enter through the dragon's mouth. But I like Scanlan's way better." Me - "Oh, do you now?" 😜

[@AL-ch5cz]

15:36 Don’t know if it’s just me but your laugh here kinda sounds like Julia Robert laugh from pretty woman 😂