A Cycle of Vengeance | Critical Role: VOX MACHINA | Episode 58

[@kc_cobra]

It should have been easy to see through Hotis' disguise. Even the most powerful magic in the world can't make you as glorious as the true Gilmore.

[@derrickh.5902]

True

[@Eszra]

The thing is he watches, he learns. He learned enough to get to Vax. Likely noticed the closeness of Gilmore and Vax and felt it was the right time to move. I mean who would think anything of a beloved friend when they are so tired.

[@conflictdiamonds]

I do quite a few celebrity impressions and one thing you learn when you make a hobby of that is the more expression and unique someone is, the easier it is to mimic them. So oddly enough, Gilmore is actually very easy to copy.

[@foofoothegreat]

Rakshasas make it their business to not be seen. Seeing through Hotis' disguise would be like getting away with stealing from a living dragon with no consequences. It would take a very high perception to notice things that were wrong and Vax wasn't looking.

[@helltorne]

I'm not contradicting what you had said, I'm just genuinely interested. Don't you think that that would be true on a superficial level? Like, if they're very expressive, it would be easy to imitate them on a superficial level, but perhaps people who know them very well, and know the subtle mannerisms below the huge smiles and excessive handwaving would feel something's off?

[@Markus1069]

Pike: I have a special someone i wanna keep safe Grog: who i will protect them Pike: Keep yourself safe (golf clap)

[@anthill7774]

She give did a amulet of protection to Percy.....something to think about.

[@christopherbacon1077]

Half of me sees them as brother and sister and half of me ships them. Although the...logistics might be difficult considering the size difference

[@mollymaukcoffeebean]

Spoiler talks machina wrapup episode! @@christopherbacon1077 Ashley has confirmed (last VM-Talks Machina with the whole gang) that the person Pike ha a crush on was Percy, sooo. She played that well. Obvious if you rewatch, but not while you watch for the first time :)

[@Solanaar]

@@mollymaukcoffeebean ´Dude, would've appreciated a spoiler warning when you comment something recent under a several years old video... thanks bud.

[@mollymaukcoffeebean]

@@Solanaar I'm sorry about that. I thought since the og comment was 2 years old it didn't really matter. I just felt like I was answering a question. I thought I was safe as the information in question is over a year old. Stupid of me in retrospect. Sorry again.

[@benjaminsimoneau5648]

This is the first time they haven't slept in the mansion since Scanlan learned the spell... Matt's so vengeful XD.,. "i havent gotten to attack them in their sleep in ages..."

[@Ginric99]

Ahhh but in the mansion it’s ok because they attack each other in there sleep :).

[@diggervegetaful]

Yes!!! You are so right

[@manaphy0993]

And now he has the syfilus (how tf is that spelled) bandits

[@procrastinator99]

@@manaphy0993 Syphilis. In case you wanted to know the spelling :) ....EXTREEEEEEEEME SYPHILIIIIIS lol.

[@ciro73]

They didn't sleep in the mansion after the celebrations in Westruun, if I recall. Could be wrong tho.

[@zacharypensa246]

I love when Matt says, "Okay." in that very specific way. Its the DM equivalent of "what you did has literally zero relevance."

[@Syphaxis]

I've come to translate it as, "Ok, well that's a thing you did I guess."

[@kylercoleman4591]

Basically every time Marisha does anything ever

[@farret8848]

@@SoyDrinker wow Steven I see how you really feel about why don't you actually seperate your perspective of the game out the way and go up and say that to her as a human being and see where that gets you other than just being a Dick you would be a major douchbag who can't understand the fact that this is a game and your just insulting someone for no reason

[@SoyDrinker]

@@farret8848 How do you possibly read my comment and think that it isn't sarcasm.

[@farret8848]

@@SoyDrinker I just read and I'm re-watching the episodes and remembering all the marisha hate just ticked me of and the way you put it didn't seem like sarcasm but hey I'm sorry if I misinterpreted

[@Azo_AE]

Liam: “does she have that beautiful morning hair?” Matt: “no her hair is perfect.” Liam: “of course it is. Fucking wizards.” Caleb: *literally doesn’t even bathe*

[@nicolasachille4371]

The spell can clean or soil anything.

[@eartheclipse8]

Also Caleb: *never learns pretidigitation*

[@JennyDolfen]

That cracked me up XD

[@tristinanderson6320]

Funniest thing is... he was gunna bath just started dirty and jester made a joke and he ran with it.😂

[@phisicoloco]

my gosh, this comment is 2 years old, second campaign was 2 years ago?!!! daaang

[@SirStanleytheStumbler]

"you have to wear this every time you fly" Scanlan is truly the master of calling in debts.

[@JefferyPeterson]

Just you wait. It gets even better.

[@FranklinLongallnitelong22]

As I had the "Bewitched" theme song going in my head!

[@Apollo9898LP]

It honestly made me chuckle when Vax, waltzing naked through a hallway, was suddenly surprised by both his current and former love interest magically appearing in front of him.

[@wx7fm]

Omgoodness,, that is so hilarious when you realize that. Either his worst nightmare or naughtiest fantasy😂

[@victorlong8828]

I just got to that part and busted out laughing

[@wx7fm]

@Gi Gi You're so right

[@ALJ9000]

@@wx7fm My worst nightmare. I don’t need a cat fight while I’m naked in the hall

[@jenny_of_oldstones3523]

Hey... So fake Shaun knocks... Gives him the robe he makes sure to rub ALL THE OILoff HIMSELF... from Grog's joke... Then sneaks off?? So why would Vax go sneaking off in the middle of the night in nothing but a silk robe unless they were boning (CR vernacular)? Scanlan either though so or knew too... And even says so under his breath when they were teasing him about knowing his first name!! They were all "how do you know" Scan says under his breath, "He's sleeping with him." And like rolls his eyes. THEY didn't hear him . But I caught it.. We all take comfort from where we can? Indeed!

[@BrandonL337]

I thought for sure that it was going to turn out that Gilmore died back in the attack on Emon, and it's been the rakshasha this whole time. So glad it didn't turn out that way.

[@Hyena_runner]

Not going to lie I dont look at comments before watching the show but this was what I was hoping to see. Thank you ❤

[@xWinterstarex7]

Ye...my heart dropped the last episode thinking oh shit it's jazz hands again D:....how long has he been Gilmore since the attack on Emon? After? I was so relieved that Allura said it takes them months to be able to come back after dying again...unless there's two but i'd be doing a hand check until it's for sure gone gone

[@MommyOfZoeAndLiam]

I thought it was going to be some time between then and now. Like the Rakshasa has been here researching learning how to get to him and Gilmore is long dead. So glad it isn't what happened.

[@rachelbreault700]

My prediction was only slightly more optimistic. I was thinking Hotis took the opportunity of chaos to kidnap Gilmore to learn more about Vax and that they’d have to go rescue him.

[@revanreborn2548]

I just thought that Gilmore had always been a rakshasha and that everything he did had had an ulterior motive.

[@BaconFrisbee]

I like how most of the time MM is "Matt," but when he's got the party in trouble, he's "Matthew". When he's REALLY got the party in trouble, he's "the DM."

[@patopatric]

I need a timestamp for this one 😢

[@tonybradley2053]

You know things are truly dire when some one drops the full "Mathew Mercer!"

[@Ashybearification]

The dynamic between tiny gnome Pike and giant goliath Grog is the cutest thing ever.

[@siroreo]

Ashybear when they call each other buddy!!! Or monstah!!! It is just gold

[@Reblwitoutacause]

“Baahdee” “Monstaahh”

[@alexv3357]

He weighs 645 lbs, probably 20 times what Pike does even in her plate armour. She's 3 feet tall, he's 8'7''. The sheer disparity is hilarious to think about.

[@copycrow4486]

@@alexv3357 Yet Pike is the one in charge between the two. Pike the mom.

[@alexv3357]

That's the most hilarious part of the disparity

[@austinbailey4604]

So Vex now has a flying broom, a witch hat, AND in this episode she got a crystal ball (orb of scrying.) literally a witch

[@veng3r663]

Yep, Brunette means WITCH from my many long observations...

[@beargrills3508]

If only trinket was a cat.

[@commanderbacon6426]

Hat would be weird

[@isamuddin1]

@@beargrills3508 he has been polymorped to cat before soo...

[@NopeJustPatrick]

Magical woman with a flying broom, crystal ball, pointed black hat, and an animal under her influence? Yep, Vex is in fact a witch...

[@olga1231]

Thanks to the one that did this one, this one coment section is particularly terrible, 11:45 - Game begins 12:43 - DM sass 14:45 - Vax's train of thought 16:17 - JENGA 17:19 - Surprise! 18:39 - Scanlan inspires himself 33:34 - Badass Keyleth 36:40 - He's going down 43:52 - Pike in all her glory! 47:35 - Sassy Taliesin (Bonus sass - 48:27) 52:19 - Badass Scanlan 1:09:52 - Disadvantage, Vex 1:34:29 - "How do you want to do this?" 1:35:49 - Vax gets the final word 1:38:40 - Uh oh... 1:40:40 - Percy has a plan 1:44:15 - Even the twins have their differences lol 1:46:28 - Grog, you little shit 1:48:55 - Badass Gilmore 1:50:25 - Gilmore's reunion with the rest of the group (1:50:40 - Vax asks Gilmore a question to make sure it's really him) 1:51:23 - Anime cloud 1:52:09 - Vax and Gilmore 1:53:37 - Finding Kashaw 2:12:08 - Vax and Gilmore conversation 2:14:18 - Surprise! 2:15:12 - Vax and Gilmore 2:16:55 - Cute sibling moment 2:18:25 - Percy's gift 2:21:43 - Part 1 ends 2:34:15 - Part 2 begins 2:36:05 - Morning sibling chat 2:37:20 - Vex visits Allura and Kima 2:40:06 - Vax has the twirls 2:45:43 - Everybody hates Percy (also 2:47:28) 2:46:52 - Ass water 2:48:22 - Percy's threat 3:00:00 - Pike and Keyleth chat 3:06:45 - Scanlan and Pike (featuring Kiki's juggling) 3:13:03 - Percy and Vex 3:15:40 - Scanlan's gift for Vex 3:17:42 - Finally! 3:18:37 - Percy joins the rest of the squad 3:21:08 - Vax and Pike 3:23:05 - Vaxleth 3:23:34 - Percy and Pike 3:28:23 - Original OGs 3:29:12 - Sibling moment 3:29:40 - Grog and Pike 3:32:43 - Percy and Cassandra 3:35:51 - Gilmore and Vax

[@LoryK98]

OMG I HAD TO SCROLL DOWN SOOOO MUCH

[@joelmills9718]

So much gilmore and vax

[@yasminafarih3681]

+

[@olivierdulac]

2:08:13 : Galaxy Quest meets Vox Machina

[@lukelavelle5652]

Thanks for this

[@j90648]

"how many people will die instantly if I set off the thermonuclear bomb in my pocket" god dammit sam you never cease to make me laugh

[@Fenglang1]

I guess Sam really played the long game huh? 😂

[@tri-sarah-topz]

@@Fenglang1too soon. I started rewatching C1 to escape that pain

[@phantommangagirl]

Larian in 2020: Write that down, write that down!

[@elizavetapotemkina4861]

1:48:55 Gilmore casts Fold Person

[@louisec-m9503]

I don't know WHY I'm laughing so hard, but I really am.

[@mmp1346]

You forgot to say, that it is super effective XD

[@LyraLyraPantsOnFyra]

@@mmp1346 everything Gilmore does is super effective.

[@Reblwitoutacause]

Huw Pople and fabulous

[@greenhawk3796]

FUCKING brilliant.

[@GodBear97]

"Assassins! Assassins in the west tower and the courtyard!... Jenga!" I love the pause and how done with everything Liam/Vax sounded when he said "Jenga". it had the same energy as "...shit"

[@wolfox7776]

To be fair, jenga basically is Vox Machinain for Shit

[@hadeskingoftheunderworld7010]

Jenga, Vox machinas version of "help me for the love of God help me"

[@apain2943]

I've just right now, reading your comment realised that (I'm pretty sure) Jenga has only been used three times. EVERY ONE of them is by poor old Vax!!! (Watching through for the first time) 😂 And it wasn't even a little bit his fault this time.

[@vincentlevarrick6557]

I felt it was very "Troll! In the dungeon! I thought you should know...."

[@fishbonesinc]

I love how Matt like.. picked up queues from how Will played Kashaw and is sort of doing an impression of Will acting out his character, it's very impressive how he maintains the amount of consistency that he does.

[@RachelTension]

imagine if vax had left the oil in front of his door for the rakshasa to slip on

[@lustykong7591]

o shit boiiiiii

[@PGT860]

lotsoninjas imagine if he'd tried getting revenge on grog and grog couldn't leave his room

[@envymordecai4429]

I saw someone say something along the lines of “No amount of storytelling skills I have will ever beat the sheer stupidity and comedy of my party.”

[@maxus2222thedwarf]

@@envymordecai4429hivhoho hvo v huge V h vhvhoivhohoh ihvih HD hhoih 😊vh😅 ov😅o😅 vhvivhvh oohv h vvh😅vih vhvh v vho vh hvhvh v😅h vh v ivhvohhovhhvhvhvihvi vh😊coh😅h😅😅😅ih V vhvihvhhhhvoo vh hovohohboo 😅h😅oh😅hvhvooo😅o h vhv😊hhv😅h😅vv😅iho hviv😅vv😅 chi h😅vhvohvohohhhhh😅ho😅ohvohcool cool cool cv😊v

[@VileKiller77]

Everyone knows Rakshasa repel all oil, and synchronize there watches to attack in group during the same millisecond. That's on you, guys. Learn to D&D.

[@justinwhitman8786]

I kinda sympathize with Pike here...she's been doing this cleric thing for ages and Sarenrae never appeared, never answers divine intervention, and pretty much just made her presence known to smack Pike down temporarily for breaking a tenet. Vax does the paladin of the Raven Queen thing for about a day and the Raven Queen puts in a personal appearance. I'd be questioning my choices too :p

[@madelyn1758]

fortunately she gets everything made up tenfold later on!!

[@mrmoosetachio]

I just imagine that the Raven Queen having mortal origins is the biggest difference. She's probably more understanding of the life of her followers and more willing to provide direct contact

[@yiklongtay6029]

Hopefully she gets promoted to champion of Sarenrae to match Vax. I don't recall if any of the Vestiges is associated with Sarenrae

[@sapphiredawn4321]

@@yiklongtay6029 she does get fancy armor and her god makes her important

[@mr.e7541]

@sapphire dawn you people just love spoiling things don't you. What kick do you jackasses get from ruining experience for everyone else

[@leahlou8804]

Pike: Who sent you? Dead assassin: The rakshasa... _jazz hands_

[@Dramoklos]

Timestamp pls

[@WookieMan22]

lucius Ong Around 2:05:22 is when they start to talk to the dead assassin but he doesn’t really say “jazz hands”...

[@Rztro1544]

Can someone please explain this joke to me

[@jonash5102]

@@Rztro1544 I think the jazz hands were a running gag from the episode where they faced the rakshasa the first time

[@MrVashra13]

@@jonash5102 Yup, I remember that.

[@erickremers3986]

I loved how they all went "Robe of FLAYING?!" and then Pike: "Yikes!" Vex: "Gross!" Grog: "Awesome!" :DD

[@EnDSchultz1]

Eric Kanns That's why I love Travis. While others are horrified and Laura is probably over there gagging at Matt's grotesque descriptions, Travis always has this big boyish grin on his face instead.

[@erby3027]

@@EnDSchultz1 also sometimes when the description of a win is so gross, they all are mortified except for Travis and Ashley, who are just like, heh nice

[@99chastain]

Matt: Keeps dropping hints on VM to get Identify. VM: We’ll just do it the hard way.

[@B0neyKingofN0where]

SERIOUSLY First-time watcher, and never played D&D - but damn they need to get Identify.

[@brandonbuchner1771]

Only Scanlan has identify in his spell list since it is an Arcane spell. And do you see Sam Riegel doing anything the easy way? Besides it makes for a fun interaction with NPCs when they go see Gilmore or Allura. Or they don't identify it at all and end up with a cursed sword.

[@99chastain]

Brandon Buchner it’s just a joke man.

[@onestephead]

And then in Campaign Two when Caleb has it from the start, everybody is like "WHOA! You can do that?! THE HECK?!"

[@thesaltycat9493]

@@onestephead I was gonna say; I think Caleb and his constant identifying things may have a tiny bit to do with some campaign 1 PTSD. Just a bit.

[@FullCircleStories]

@2:10:00 > "It's a robe of flaying" > Girls: GROSS > Travis: Awesome!

[@rodluciani]

Gotta love Percy/Taliesin talent on naming things. Bad News? Good. Diplomacy? Sweet. And when you think it can't get any better, he comes up with Death From Above.

[@sumnerhayes3411]

And Manners is brilliant as well.

[@mmp1346]

I can't help but think Death from above is an homage to the cat from Dominic Degan.

[@erby3027]

@@sumnerhayes3411 Wait, could you please remind me which one is that? (if it isn’t a spoiler)

[@sumnerhayes3411]

@@erby3027 Manners is the name/activation word for the Iron Bands of Bilarro (the sphere/manacles).

[@louisarobins4190]

Don't forget "an evening of unbridled guilt"

[@Tori-mh7fg]

"I walk NAKED and PROUD out of the ziggurat" has got to be one of my top favorite quotes

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Beginning of the campaign: "Scanlan considers himself a lover first, a performer second, and fighter a distant third." Ep 58: Jumps off a tower and Leap-Of-Faith stabs a demonic tiger to save his friends life.

[@bob1274pat]

That just shows how much he loves his friends.

[@jtg1912]

and the very fact that he has consistently shown the qualities you quoted throughout the campaign adds to the intensity of the scene because of how much of an exception this behavior was for scanlan. That's called amazing character work

[@tobiassanders3831]

all three equally in one action

[@Menstraphobia]

To be fair, he also says that he will shed blood to protect his friends right after that part in the character intros. Well.. he says Pike specifically, but I just assume it's implied for all of Vox Machina as well lol.

[@iron_Will]

@@jtg1912 "I don't _do_ these things!"

[@FlawsAndQuirks]

11:45 - Game begins 12:43 - DM sass 14:45 - Vax's train of thought 16:17 - JENGA 17:19 - Surprise! 18:39 - Scanlan inspires himself 33:34 - Badass Keyleth 36:40 - He's going down 43:52 - Pike in all her glory! 47:35 - Sassy Taliesin (Bonus sass - 48:27) 52:19 - Badass Scanlan 1:09:52 - Disadvantage, Vex 1:34:29 - "How do you want to do this?" 1:35:49 - Vax gets the final word 1:38:40 - Uh oh... 1:40:40 - Percy has a plan 1:44:15 - Even the twins have their differences lol 1:46:28 - Grog, you little shit 1:48:55 - Badass Gilmore 1:50:25 - Gilmore's reunion with the rest of the group (1:50:40 - Vax asks Gilmore a question to make sure it's really him) 1:51:23 - Anime cloud 1:52:09 - Vax and Gilmore 1:53:37 - Finding Kashaw 2:12:08 - Vax and Gilmore conversation 2:14:18 - Surprise! 2:15:12 - Vax and Gilmore 2:16:55 - Cute sibling moment 2:18:25 - Percy's gift 2:21:43 - Part 1 ends 2:34:15 - Part 2 begins 2:36:05 - Morning sibling chat 2:37:20 - Vex visits Allura and Kima 2:40:06 - Vax has the twirls 2:45:43 - Everybody hates Percy (also 2:47:28) 2:46:52 - Ass water 2:48:22 - Percy's threat 3:00:00 - Pike and Keyleth chat 3:06:45 - Scanlan and Pike (featuring Kiki's juggling) 3:13:03 - Percy and Vex 3:15:40 - Scanlan's gift for Vex 3:17:42 - Finally! 3:18:37 - Percy joins the rest of the squad 3:21:08 - Vax and Pike 3:23:05 - Vaxleth 3:23:34 - Percy and Pike 3:28:23 - Original OGs 3:29:12 - Sibling moment 3:29:40 - Grog and Pike 3:32:43 - Percy and Cassandra 3:35:51 - Gilmore and Vax

[@nicholasclark4975]

Brittney M I

[@EliteWarrior1026]

3:26:18 A Bar Fight starts!

[@danbill02]

Surely, Laura and Ashley both saying they're going to "grapple that dick", is worthy of note @ 1:29:16

[@bell6437]

Caleb says thank you.

[@SomeKindaSpy]

You're a god-send.

[@lazynoodle6739]

Honestly, Gilmore being quietly heartbroken over Vax breaks my heart. This glorious NPC wormed his way into my hear, I care about him so much

[@xEvilRaptorx]

And how Vax makes him prove himself... "What did I tell you in that bar"... ..."that we can't be together?" (Paraphrased) Poor Gilmore :(

[@nataliepeters8459]

I love him so much like I like Vaxleth but I really miss him with Gilmore 🥺🥺

[@Kasino80]

It should have been Vaxmore

[@Draezeth]

@@Kasino80 I'm a *Christian* and I can see Vax has more chemistry with Gilmore than Keyleth.

[@NyxTyrianthinus]

@@Draezeth Jup, he is much happier with Gilmore even in tense situation. I mean Vax mopes around most of the time but Gilmore get´s so many laughs out of him. Keyleth and Vax seems just to be moping and angst galore, that is not a healthy combination.

[@luxordtimet]

Alura and Kima staying at an AirDnD

[@whowasibeing]

d10 disadvantage on next roll!

[@LeoForgetsToCreate]

Advantage for the rest of the game!!!

[@kartermeijer6813]

I'M CRYING HLPPPPP

[@YaBoi-tu6od]

I hate how this made me laugh

[@KaivanAlkaudon]

You... I like you

[@Maldracai]

Vax and Gilmore hug, wings enveloping them. Everyone: "Aaaw" Vex: "This is ridiculous"

[@NoriMori1992]

Travis: (unable to contain his feels) "Good moment! Good moment!"

[@sifuculreif6448]

(Voltaire - "Feathery Wings" plays in the background as Vax & Gilmore walk toward the cliffside overlook)

[@nataliepeters8459]

I loved Travis to Vex's griping basically saying "he's alive be happy get over it" 😂

[@spacecowboyeddie6803]

Vex ruined the beautiful moment with her petty jealousy >.> I'm glad she apologised to Vax about it later though.

[@blueashke]

@@nataliepeters8459 I legit just paused at this to scroll to comments cracking up at it. Laura got SO MAD. That wasn't Vex and Grog talking; that was absolutely Travis telling his wife to chill lol.

[@asluckdespairs]

Matt is a master of bringing characters to life, but he just cant capture how dead inside kashaw acts xD

[@clayxros576]

He's having too much fun to recreate it

[@mr.bluesky4130]

Kashaw is my favorite guest (with the possible exception of shale) just because I didn’t realize you could play a complete asshole of a character and have it work so well

[@stormsurge9962]

Lol yeah. If Kashaw was actually here he wouldn’t have said “Nice to meet you” to Pike, he would’ve said something like “Well you’re strange”

[@SonjaPond]

@@mr.bluesky4130 I think maybe it’s because he is an asshole in words, but not in actions?

[@mr.bluesky4130]

@@SonjaPond That's true, but being a dick is still being a dick, it's a tightrope act to be this much of a blow off to everyone and somehow still be likeable.

[@Ailieorz]

Taliesin thinking of the orb to remove the robe is just straight up genius I wish I had a sliver of his mental acuity to recall that sort of shit

[@ionfalcom1]

Look into learning critical thinking skills, Puzzles and things like that help.

[@Sirax123]

The orb has been on his mind ever since, even trying to make a anti-magic missile

[@TheRyndiculous]

idk about genius, when Remove Curse exists...

[@Merip1214]

​@@TheRyndiculousthe Percy kind of genius xD because he's magic stupid. He's all tech minded

[@DarthRioBarbossa]

Once upon a time, Taliesin narrated Percy fighting in long johns with a buttflap open, and Matt took that into account so that Percy was fighting with lowered AC. Taliesin said “Someday, far far into the future, I’m going to make you pay for that.” Here we are in the future, and MATT in the one getting revenge with everyone having their armor off! (But seriously though, this is a super interesting battle, making everyone decide on what basics to grab in a short amount of time. Very good DMing! Battle after battle can get boring, it’s nice to have to mix it up)

[@isaac8734]

Haha thats not even the worst of it. Wait till Dalen's closet one shot or for C2 episode 98 for real Consequences of that mechanism...

[@wolfox7776]

I mean, we all know Percy's buttflap was once again down

[@cococoyle7044]

what ep. was that?

[@DarthRioBarbossa]

@@cococoyle7044 Episode 18, Trial of the Take. It's at about 1:46:50 ish in that video, and Matt reminds Tal about the buttflap a couple minutes later.

[@cococoyle7044]

@@DarthRioBarbossa Thank you! For some reason I had a lot of trouble focusing during the Slayer's Take episodes and ended up skipping a few. Egg on my face when those events keep coming back up!

[@UAlredyKnowWhatItIss]

laura has been a really great support character. i cant wait for her arc

[@noditschi]

Sometimes it is hard to remember that Laura and Liam are not siblings.

[@LoopyPeoplezz1]

nodeterin RIGHT they play siblings so well, their bickering is amazing and their heartfelt moments are really sweet

[@josh6550]

They have to be related somehow. Cousins at the very least.

[@Newt5996]

Josh They do share a birthday and technically everyone’s slightly related if you go back far enough

[@ElizaShakiraMassani]

I think it’s the sharing a birthday connection. 5 years isn’t really that much so it makes sense that they not only play the characters well but they also feel the same sibling connection in real life... they have said many times the reason they even thought of making siblings is because they figured out they share a birthday & the connection just grew from there.

[@Law-of-EnTropy]

@@josh6550 nah, both of them are just really great voice actors. Liam directs VO's and Laura is among one of the best in VO's.

[@LeeJ2512]

Keyleth: *destroys a castle wall* Percy: “Stop blowing holes in my ship!”

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Vaxmore fans; "What he said!"

[@ALJ9000]

The fact I can hear that in his voice 😂 Captain Jack’s, not Percy’s

[@timarensdorf3630]

I saw his face when she did it, he was so hurt by her doing it .... not that keyleth gives a damn, it's not hers so f it she doesn't care

[@turtley8581]

@@timarensdorf3630 bro she can manipulate stone at will why would it matter she can just put it back

[@johnnye87]

​@@turtley8581 I love reading these comments that are like "X's face at hh:mm:ss confirms my every projection about how they feel about their fellow players and the world in general" and you check the timestamp and the person in question is scratching their nose

[@louisec-m9503]

I like the exploration of religion in this arc, especially through such varying perspectives. Pike, who's been faithful her whole life. Vax, who was 'three-quarters atheist', but now finds himself serving (and learning to trust) a goddess he's indebted to. And Keyleth, who has always thought of the gods as keeping their distance (unless petitioned by clerics etc.), but is having to re-evaluate that stance, since the Raven Queen is proving herself to be more 'involved' than previous deities she's encountered the followers of. And I'm glad Keyleth's clarifying somewhat that her worry over the Raven Queen business isn't really out of an anti-god sentiment. She just doesn't want Vax to lose all of his freedom and agency because of the deal he made, and I think that's a valid concern.

[@thegaspatthegateway]

DnD seems like a really good platform to explore spiritual themes and conversations, that is, since the irl world tends to have baggage regarding that

[@darthsitharibane1551]

@@thegaspatthegateway yea to bad anyone IRL would think DnD is from the devil :D... the amount of people I have made angry by asking questions IRL and making them answer the tough questions is scary.

[@Cyyberslam8]

A Lawful Neutral deity that broods in a mystery-type persona and actively talks of fate and destiny, yeah that's pretty fair point to be cautious of.

[@EIIander]

Eh Keyleth comes across as pretty anti any variation of diety consistently to me. Also seems like that is more of a player position than a character position - at least if I have understood her comments through the series correctly so far.

[@Aurora_Lightbringer]

@@thegaspatthegateway It's good to look through any theme tbh. I usually write 2 characters with a basic theme such as "Love" or something, and have the second in direct opposition of views the other character has. Just to explore both sides.

[@BlooferLady86]

Here way later than everyone else, but I love that the de Rolo crest has become a bat-signal for the town that there's trouble. XD

[@davidbergfors6820]

wanna bet on whos later? ;P

[@hazy-daizy]

@@davidbergfors6820 Bet.

[@davidbergfors6820]

@@hazy-daizy currently on episode 64 of campaign 2!

[@samwellkrom7407]

@@hazy-daizy bet

[@pepperharris4776]

Bet!

[@darthchewee]

Man what a missed opportunity, would have been perfect to have Percy yell, "So it's come to this, has it? A fight to the death. Mano-a-mano. Man to man. Just you, and me, and my GUAAAAARDS!"

[@jacobhumphrey3535]

Good Men in Tights joke.

[@thetardyowlvg9155]

Missed opportunities

[@louiebling]

Damn......now that I've read it, how I wish I could hear Taliesin deliver this as Percy.

[@phisicoloco]

@@louiebling Maybe someone can do it with AI?

[@davidm9612]

" 'Vox Machina' - written, produced and directed by Mel Brooks "

[@spencercox7931]

Scanlon: apologizes for objectifying Pike and rescinds his proposal, wishing to get to know her better before he makes that kind of commitment, as well as hoping that they will remain friends. Me: this is character development, people

[@GardensOfChina]

I still wonder why the proposal happened at all in front of all. It was such a strange thing to put someone on the spot like this.

[@jakemakarov9716]

@@GardensOfChina I think, while a tad strange for Sam to do, this was the point; so he could set up this massive character building moment of letting go with his idolized version of Pike

[@jakemakarov9716]

I've loved Sam's RP from the beginning, but this moment earned a lot of respect for Scanlan in my eyes

[@annafantasia]

@@jakemakarov9716 that's a good point. It kind of seems like he felt himself changing and was making one big gesture to stick to his guns and subconsciously try to hang onto his old ways. But deep down he know it didn't make sense

[@wx7fm]

Tbh, I would really like to know what was going through his head at that moment as well, but tbh I really really like what happened a lot. The awkward interactions between them then and afterward were Gold! I love all of these guys so much

[@nonya5260]

I'm hoping the Feywild arc might finally be Vex's time to shine. Like she hasn't really had an arc yet and seems to take the backseat in most episodes, even the ones that seem to be about her mostly center around Vax which is cool, I love their dynamic but I'd really like to see Vex develop as a character and step out of Vax's shadow because despite having lots of potential she hardly ever gets any serious characterization and usually just supports everyone else in their arcs.

[@BlackFalcon269]

That can be the downside to being a sibling to fellow PC, I've seen it happen in campaigns before. Maybe they need to split them up again like Slayer's Take, that was the last time I really saw Vex come out of her shell.

[@comicsgeek3729]

That's a very good observation, the only two people who didn't have their "arcs", not even a little bit are Pike and Vex. In which Vex's case is rather annoying, your sibling gets chosen as the Champion of the Raven Queen and you have to sit through that, just for the purposes of supporting him, not getting any spotlight.

[@The_Sharktocrab]

Vex has a very flat, boring personality anyway

[@comicsgeek3729]

Wesley Pipes I will have to disagree with that sir.

[@sandragoodhew2885]

Here we go.

[@heathengremlin992]

Matt: “here’s a magical robe that cannot be removed without your skin coming off. It will flay you alive. A robe of flaying. Vax is in pain every time you try to-“ VM: “lets go to the magic-removing room” Matt: 👁👄👁

[@MrVashra13]

roflmao

[@tammieswan21]

lucky they have percy XD

[@DerpGnome]

that made me laugh out loud >_

[@NatasLeviathan]

That's always seems to be one of Matt's flaws as a DM. He doesn't think about all the magical things he is potentially giving them access too that don't need to be attuned, which makes the game far easier. He gets surprised and impressed too easily about things that take like 3 seconds to think of to get around his plans to make things like the robe into a big problem, and turn them into an easy solution. I do love their gameplay, but I watch and see the players getting angry at Matt, saying he's trying to kill them, but he makes the game so easy compared to most DM's I know in real life.

[@fisharepeopletoo9653]

@@NatasLeviathan As often as these guys completely miss obvious solutions, I think it's less Matt not planning for it and more them actually remembering something for once lol

[@ayethe4603]

Assassin turns seeing 2000 lbs of raging grog runs back into Percy’s room slams the door turns to Percy and says for the love of god man help me hold the door

[@sabel9841]

I am CRACKING UP

[@Damini368]

Percy says: Why? He's not after me.

[@nataliepeters8459]

Percy would be like *cocks the gun* "You should have stayed out there. Trust me you were safer in the hallway" 😏

[@sapphiredawn4321]

@@nataliepeters8459 call an ambulance but not for me

[@trealosgaming3345]

Grog opens the door after hearing a few shots to see a smoking gun from Percy. Then reloads and nods to Grog

[@reetautora6193]

Pike to Keyleth: You should get comfortable with Vax. I think he really fancies you. Matt & Liam: *drinking from the cup*

[@AJ-jc4wy]

the party: let’s go to whitestone so we can relax for a little while before we go face death again matt: lol no

[@coranbaker6401]

I love how absolutely everybody wants to know who Pike likes.

[@lilschwang]

Coran Baker am I the only person who thinks it's Grog?

[@aprilwilson7019]

Wacky wolfie I think they said it wasn't anyone in the team.

[@OrphanHart]

it's totally Grog

[@SolinariXi]

Bunny Rabbit Yeah, but who *doesn't* like Grog at least a little bit

[@thoughtsofadame1952]

eh she mentions thinking of grog as a brother I think it was Vax but she knew that something was happening between Keyleth and Vax and didn't want to punch a hole in that.

[@jare3959]

A broom, a conical hat, a familiar, and a crystal ball. I'm beginning to think Vex's hidden character arc was actually that she was on a mission to become a witch.

[@robertbourbon5956]

An entire character arc was shaped around one desperate plea, induced by one careless blunder.

[@setlerking]

Robert Bourbon Which is why DnD is so amazing

[@mr.fluffles1552]

Because both Matt as a DM and Liam as a player are both amazing

[@thegreenlee5941]

Vax was planning on a multiclass to Paladin so it simply provided the Rp reasons why that was possible and reasonable. Liam was planning on turning to Sarenrae but with the character of Vax it really makes more sense for him to be a Paladin of the Raven Queen. Vax really was a black angel of death before turning to the Raven Queen, now he has a purpose to his sneaky murderous ways.

[@the.genderless.sinner7271]

Just like how Vex's multi class into rogue was attributed to Vax rubbimg off on her. I love the way they as a group are able to use the story to make their decisions as players seem so natural. Like one of the episodes where Ashley was on Skype and Pike was astral projected to them and when Skype kept dying Matt reflected it in the story by Pike's/ Sarenrae's connection was weakened

[@xEvilRaptorx]

@@the.genderless.sinner7271 liam mentions in an old All Work No Play podcast, Laura is all about rouges and she was furious that he made rouge so she had to go with something else like Ranger. But I bet that's why she subclasses into rouge

[@alicevidrine4308]

Oh thank Jegus Gilmore is still alive. I was worried the rocklobster had killed him to take his place....

[@MainManJaggi]

Alice Vidrine The Rakshashashashasha couldn't possibly kill a man who was barely affected by a heal that restores 70 hit points.

[@illogicalbear6200]

FasterThanAKenyan And who crushed a man into paste via an Arcane Grip.

[@tylerdreary523]

Alice Vidrine and stood face to face singlehandedly fighting an ancient red dragon and survive

[@lowkey4890]

I was worried too but when I think about it Gilmore is a freaking boss he will do fine

[@justanothernerdydude4391]

Rocklobster.... I laughed so hard after reading this that my stomach is aching!

[@Abitflippant]

"I just spilled on my groin. I don't know why i said that out loud" Even his inside voice is nice a and somewhat narrative.

[@UrbanJackal]

And usually in a funny accent 🤣

[@sanityismadness]

2:58:57 After Vax getting wings and a wolf, Vex isn't even excited about the bow any more. It's heartbreaking. O great and Mercer-ful DM, let the Feywild journey bring her strength and confidence again.

[@huntertuggle2667]

Yeah, that kind of fucking sucks for her at that time

[@Ailieorz]

It's karma to me, she stole from a team mate and had little remorse. Also having a pet isn't exclusive for anyone. Jealousy is an ugly beast

[@trealosgaming3345]

Given her greed, she needs to be knocked down. She wants everything

[@ToxicBlur1337]

I mean, vexes favored enemy and most hated enemy are dragons, and she acts just like them. Greedy, vain, jealous, etc! She’s become the very thing she’s sworn to destroy!! 😂

[@FlapJacques]

I just want Gilmore to be happy goddammit

[@emptyblank3396]

Same 😫😭 I ship him and Vax

[@theobserver9498]

Adam Sandler?

[@poofballoon]

He deserves so much better. Why does Vax keep pining over Keyleth when everyone can tell he loves Gilmore and Gilmore loves him?? Also, it's possible to love and date several people at the same time!!

[@anthonydavis5288]

@@poofballoon Sure you can have feelings for multiple people but its disrespectful to date multiple people at the same time.

[@Jared-iq6ul]

@@anthonydavis5288 Unless everyone consents.

[@shawtknight]

1:50:10 can we all just appreciate the look on Matt's face when he appeared as Gilmore in the tunnel seeing a naked Vax and realize that no one else there really got what was going on for the first bit, this dude is on his game at all times.

[@maddywheeler791]

Honestly one of the best parts of this episode

[@YormanGina]

I'm glad Scanlan finally decided to halt his pursuit of Pike. I think we all knew that it was never going to go anywhere and I loved that Scanlan realized that he wasn't in love with her, but simply the idea of a woman like her. He's had the best character progression out of everyone in the group, from being a playboy bard to becoming a father trying to find a spot in his daughter's life. Both he and Percy really bring life to the group.

[@commanderbacon6426]

I agree I love seeing scanlin become a father

[@TheGateShallStand]

I mean, he's still kind of a playboy, it's part of him mate

[@hannahshark8080]

Best bois

[@wolfheim7550]

Think hes still very much in pursuit

[@planetpompom]

I'm way late to this show but I'm soooo hoping they do end up together.

[@LunaBirbosa]

Copied from Bridie3134 09:35 - Part 1 begins 11:45 - Game begins 12:03 - Roll for Initiative 12:43 - DM sass 14:45 - Vax's train of thought 16:17 - JENGA 17:20 - Surprise Motherfucker! 18:39 - Scanlan inspires himself 33:34 - Badass Keyleth 36:40 - He's going down 43:52 - Pike in all her glory! 45:05 - Pike's Secret 47:35 - Sassy Taliesin (Bonus sass - 48:27) 51:30 - Scanlan's Desperation 52:19 - Badass Scanlan 52:39 - Scanlan has learned from grog 55:20 - Scanlan's Healing Word 1:09:52 - Disadvantage, Vex 1:21:38 - Scanlan's Eye Bite 1:34:20 - Back to Hell 1:35:49 - Vax gets the final word 1:38:40 - Uh oh... 1:40:40 - Percy has a plan 1:44:15 - Even the twins have their differences lol 1:46:28 - Grog, you little shit 1:48:10 - In Search of Gilmore 1:48:55 - Badass Gilmore 1:50:25 - Gilmore's reunion with the rest of the group (1:50:40 - Vax asks Gilmore a question to make sure it's really him) 1:51:23 - Anime cloud 1:52:09 - Vax and Gilmore 1:53:37 - Finding Kashaw 2:12:08 - Vax and Gilmore conversation 2:12:30 - The Raven Queen's Armor 2:14:18 - Surprise! 2:15:12 - Vax and Gilmore 2:16:49 - "That goes both ways" 2:18:25 - Percy's gift 2:21:38 - Part 1 ends 2:25:18 - Fan art 2:34:16 - Part 2 begins 2:36:05 - Morning sibling chat 2:37:20 - Vex visits Allura and Kima 2:39:50 - Vax vs The Twirls 2:45:43 - Everybody hates Percy (also 2:47:28) 2:46:52 - Ass water 2:48:22 - Percy's threat 3:00:00 - Pike and Keyleth chat 3:05:39 - Pike and Scanlan 3:06:45 - Scanlan and Pike (featuring Kiki's juggling) 3:13:03 - Percy and Vex 3:15:39 - A Gift for Vex 3:17:42 - Finally! 3:18:37 - Percy joins the rest of the squad 3:19:00 - Poultry Archery Practice Take 2 3:21:08 - Vax and Pike 3:23:05 - Vaxleth 3:23:34 - Percy and Pike 3:26:18 - Tavern Brawl 3:28:23 - Original OGs 3:29:12 - Sibling moment 3:29:40 - Grog and Pike 3:32:43 - Percy and Cassandra 3:35:51 - Gilmore and Vax 3:39:18 - Part 2 ends

[@ryboflavin42]

This comment is entirely too low for this episode

[@mexicantwerk3758]

Hello saving this

[@MaryJane-vw4np]

Boost

[@23Sarabi]

b b boost

[@xWinterstarex7]

The guy with the burnt chicken suffered the most here and by the title i can only assume he comes back to seek revenge on Vox machina

[@matsh5633]

omg dude you made me chuckle hard.

[@lefterismplanas4977]

It was the person that I felt sad about the most xD. personally I would've given him some gold especially because chicken was expensive in real life middle ages

[@squinsqunch4650]

Fool that I am I assumed that the title referred to the rakshasa. Clearly this is the true explanation.

[@ladyofrillwater]

When Vax was like "What did we talk about in the tavern?" I was like "Vax, for future reference, in bird culture, that's considered a dick move."

[@kariissmol9172]

he broke Gils heart a second time, and mine with it because they had such a chaos couple energy!

[@isupposethisismynmw640]

"He's somehow immune to hand-based attacks!"

[@SolomonCaineReaper]

He isn't effected by hand jobs.

[@DavidGarcia-oj3dg]

Its because he has his hands in the wrong direction

[@Albatross0913]

this right here is a prime example of KZbin comments: someone simply quoting a line from the video, one guy making needless sex "jokes," and the final guy that feels the need to explain a joke that absolutely nobody needed explaining.

[@annaptakova3242]

I love their faces (48:30), when Taliesin says he's doing action surge, going murderous on these guys, but to be fair, my man's gotta have some bad PTSD from being attacked in that very castle at night. He's probably not going very well at the moment.

[@becomingsentient1208]

It helps that he knew their Cleric was *grievously* wounded, and would be dead by the next turn.

[@ScorchHellfire]

13:14 Oh yeah, good point. So not only did Matt blindside Liam with having an enemy put on the guise of a close friend to get in a cheap shot, he first waited until Vax was already without any equipment and also made sure he had nothing to fight back with with that whole robe trick. And this is all before making him one-on-one fight a foe that it took four people to take down. And people say that Matt goes easy on his players... Dx

[@jimmydesouza4375]

He allowed the players to hear Vax's warning when none of them except possibly Scanlan should have been able. Avoiding massive crit damage. He also made the cat's attacks weaker than its underlings so that Vax would survive. He doesn't "go easy", because its scripted it just seems that way.

[@webhead4414]

@@jimmydesouza4375 1. It's not scripted 2. Try going to sleep with some Bluetooth earphones in while on a call and have the other person scream out. Let me know if it wakes you 👍

[@jimmydesouza4375]

@@webhead4414 1) It is. 2) If you sleep with in ear headphones in you'll be deaf regardless. But they're not using in ear headphones, they're using a home brew item which is basically a huge dangling earring. You don't sleep with those on either or you tear your ear open. So they had it on a nightstand or possibly even further away and still heard it, which if it was that loud it'd deaden them in normal use and also give them away while sneaking. So, yeah scripted.

[@bettystroh6504]

@@jimmydesouza4375 1. No it isn’t. If it were, things would have gone very very differently. 2. I take my earrings off when i change them for a different pair and at no other time. Ever. You get used to them quickly. They don’t tear. At all. I’ve been wearing earrings for 40 years. You’re wrong. Beyond that, it’s been explained that the earrings work on a telepathic level. The sound literally booms inside their head. If my cat throws up in the hall I wake up. You’re gonna tell me the sound of my best friend screaming inside my brain would go unnoticed? Nope.

[@jimmydesouza4375]

@@bettystroh6504 Every part of this post is wrong. You're lying about your earrings (or else have been insanely lucky). And the earrings in the show are large dangling earrings that serve as the target for a message spell and then treats the wearer as being part of the target. Message is auditory (though only to the target). The spell you are thinking of is sending, which has infinite range, works through magical silence and such, and doesn't require speaking to broadcast, which are all things that the earrings do (which is why Matt came out and clarified that he had been incorrect when he initially said sending). Because it is message, you need to be awake to hear it and you need to be wearing the earring, unless the earring vocalises it in which case then you'd still need to be awake. Stop wasting my time.

[@RudeGoat]

This is why you always sleep in the mansion. No matter where you are.

[@jamsterical8467]

But then they wouldn't have uncovered the Rakshasha. I imagine it wasn't being particularly forthcoming during the orb research.

[@Thankfuldead]

Eric I mean, he didn’t show up until after the dinner scene.

[@patmcgroin4me]

@@jamsterical8467 I don't think anyone but the real Gilmore could've went to the orb and looked like Gilmore seeing as it absorbs magic.

[@kraftykosplay7886]

I love how everytime Kima does anything Grog is just like "please marry me"

[@99sf99]

YES. I pray for more.

[@TheRyndiculous]

i got bad news, and i dont mean percys rifle

[@drury2361]

12:03 - Roll for Initiative 17:20 - Surprise Motherfucker! 45:05 - Pike's Secret 51:30 - Scanlan's Desperation 55:20 - Scanlan's Healing Word 1:21:38 - Scanlan's Eye Bite 1:34:20 - Back to Hell 1:48:10 - In Search of Gilmore 2:12:30 - The Raven Queen's Armor 2:34:14 - Break Ends 2:39:50 - Vax vs The Twirls 3:05:39 - Pike and Scanlan 3:15:39 - A Gift for Vex 3:19:00 - Poultry Archery Practice Take 2 3:26:18 - Tavern Brawl!

[@austinwoodward8829]

2:16:30 vex super upset that her brother can fly and she can't

[@JaredPryor87]

Doing the Lord's work right there

[@Hahahahaaahaahaa]

The entire scene with Scanlan's attack was maybe the most adorable thing I've ever seen on this show. "I don't know these things!"

[@xSkitZx]

Wow, good man! 'Break ends' - the most clicked link in this list

[@dansebrecarb2577]

Phalinx G.

[@kamehousedragon9661]

I like how Vex is slowly multiclassing into a witch

[@Firebrand101author]

I love the way these guys are genuine friends with the way Liam was all, "no, do it the real way, I don't want any mulligans," when there was a rules understanding issue, and then once it was cleared up everything was just good. I've had too many games where a player disagreed with the rules and it became problematic.

[@lakeside2485]

I think they all learned from Mr "Well then I don't do any of that" who mysteriously disappears around episode 28

[@Haunted_Gallows]

Vax and Keyleth be damned, the cutest relationship is Pike and Grog. I love their roleplay.

[@luckycat624]

Although theirs isn't on quite the same type- more of a brother/sister bond

[@KlonBlastbeat]

I liked her being his backpack for the Umbrasyl fight.

[@magiv4205]

Vax and Keyleth? What's that? I'm here for Vaxmore!

[@Dr.Spatula]

Between Vax's emo phase and Keyleth in general, they are just obnoxious

[@GhostJelly24]

@@KlonBlastbeat BackPike. I'll see myself out...

[@forsakenoutsider8382]

I know I'm late to the party, but Travis helping Ashley count when she attacks really warms my hearth

[@Navajonkee]

And when Travis stops counting after the 6th roll thinking that was all is pretty funny, considering that it's the exact number Grog can count to. :D

[@mr.e7541]

It's important to have a warm Hearth it keeps you warm in the winter

[@CassBlast5]

Matt: covers the set noise with a “kids drops fruit” bit Me: My cabbages! The cast: My cabbages!! Me: 😍

[@ttajohnson15]

i want a Pike "I'm a Monstah!" shirt

[@tonyb7615]

Everytime they say it, it reminds me of Space Jam.

[@Koboch]

tony b I imagine pike as a gnome sounds like scylla from smite saying I'm a monster

[@paulkline1574]

Especially with that awesome fan art!

[@sita1871]

I'd rather a pike plush, "I'm a monstah!" It'd be adorbs

[@Abelhawk]

It just blows my mind how amazing a DM Matt is. The worldbuilding, the connections, the storywriting, the characterizations, the descriptions, the improvisation, the humor... even his skills at coming up with real fantasy names and creative magical objects and effects like those raven wings. Phenomenal.

[@Haunted_Gallows]

Abelhawk Mercer is an icon in D&D for this very reason. Even DMs with 30 years experience advise newbies to never compare themselves to Mercer. Dude has talent, and he's had years to master his craft, and master it he did.

[@YerHomiePyro]

Agreed with all statements in this section strongly

[@davidbergfors6820]

Matt Mercer for Dungeon Grand Maaster!

[@rockstermaniac]

OK Need to move this up to the top again 11:45 - Game begins 12:28 - DM sass (Fixed the time) 13:10 An INTENSE discussion of what if ANY combat items VAX has on him 14:45 - Vax's train of thought 16:17 - JENGA 17:19 - Surprise! 18:39 - Scanlan inspires himself 21:14 PERCY doesn't have a defense against poison. 33:34 - Badass Keyleth 36:40 - He's going down 43:52 - Pike in all her glory! 47:35 - Sassy Taliesin (Bonus sass - 48:27) 52:19 - Badass Scanlan 55:15 VAXXXXILDAN (Scanlan singing) 1:09:52 - Disadvantage, Vex 1:32:34 WE INTERRUPT combat for BLUE GRASS 1:34:29 - "How do you want to do this?" 1:35:49 - Vax gets the final word 1:38:40 - Uh oh... 1:40:40 - Percy has a plan (THIS IS SUCH AN UNDERSTATEMENT OMG) 1:44:15 - Even the twins have their differences lol 1:46:28 - Grog, you little shit 1:48:55 - Badass Gilmore 1:50:25 - Gilmore's reunion with the rest of the group (1:50:40 - Vax asks Gilmore a question to make sure it's really him) 1:51:23 - Anime cloud 1:52:09 - Vax and Gilmore 1:53:37 - Finding Kashaw 2:12:08 - Vax and Gilmore conversation 2:14:18 - Surprise! 2:15:12 - Vax and Gilmore 2:16:55 - Cute sibling moment 2:18:25 - Percy's gift 2:21:43 - Part 1 ends 2:34:15 - Part 2 begins 2:36:05 - Morning sibling chat 2:37:20 - Vex visits Allura and Kima 2:40:06 - Vax has the twirls 2:45:43 - Everybody hates Percy (also 2:47:28) 2:46:52 - Ass water 2:48:22 - Percy's threat 3:00:00 - Pike and Keyleth chat 3:06:45 - Scanlan and Pike (featuring Kiki's juggling) 3:13:03 - Percy and Vex 3:15:40 - Scanlan's gift for Vex 3:17:42 - Finally! 3:18:37 - Percy joins the rest of the squad 3:21:08 - Vax and Pike 3:23:05 - Vaxleth 3:23:34 - Percy and Pike 3:28:23 - Original OGs 3:29:12 - Sibling moment 3:29:40 - Grog and Pike 3:32:43 - Percy and Cassandra 3:35:51 - Gilmore and Vax

[@helltorne]

Matt..this was awesome!! Way to mix up the combat encounters man! Using Gilmore to initiate it too..Nicely done. I had wondered how the Rakshasa would make his comeback haha

[@pagenein]

I can hear Matt’s evil cackling laugh through time as he came up with the idea for the rakshasa to turn into Gilmore the next time they met

[@josejavvier2013]

Matt the merciless Matt “ [insert random class] man, sorry” Mercer

[@UrbanJackal]

Assasins, man. ::helpless shrug, like he had nothing to do with it.::

[@supagirl277]

Monks man

[@KTr0ck]

matt is still clearly not over vaxmore ohhhh god i thought i could respect vax's choice but every time he and gilmore are in the same room together its like watchin him break gilmores heart all over again and my man gil doesnt deserve all that. also keyleth is there and thats just the hasted action dagger attack to the heart right there

[@badinfo7878]

Gil is a great man and deserves better.

[@SocialistSadako]

Matt keeps trying to make vaxmore happen and it's not gonna happen.... Poor gilmore, he is such a good person and would make such a great boyfriend and i hope he finds someone else that makes him happy.

[@channelnotavailable32]

Romance my wife will you, well buckle up because your one ark away from having Gilmore getting a vaxmor tramp stamp. (I know Matt isn't that vain, and I love this rp shit lol)

[@slagondrayer447]

'Shiv'd by Rakshasa' is my new metal band name.

[@kartermeijer6813]

*jazz hands*

[@BoredMarcus]

My band is called 'Perpetual State of Confusion' :)

[@Sientz]

My band is called "Grapple That Dick" @ 1:29:17

[@stevenweller9413]

I thought Liam’s plan against the dragon to put an immovable rod inside him was brilliant (whether it worked as planned or not), but Talesin wanting to take Vax to the Ziggurat was an incredible quick solution. And forget the hat. Vex needs a Return of the Jedi speeder bike trooper hat with that broom.

[@gbyjrjn]

I really like how every hero of the group gets to have their own little adventure: Keyleyth's tribe, Grog's herd, Vax's Raven queen thing and so on. That is so cool.

[@kjj26k]

And of course the first, Percy vs Briarwoods.

[@frozenepsilon5295]

@@kjj26k even before the campaign was livestreamed tiberius had a personal quest to collect magical items and return to draconia

[@karas200]

When a dm is developing and helping flush out character they will sit down with the player and go over goals of the character what drives them etc, thus allowing for the dm to while conducting a larger narrative they can do such story arcs for development

[@gabrielladavidson2938]

Mark of a good DM!

[@maximes9046]

​@@frozenepsilon5295 *collect mirrors

[@TurtleWhiskey]

Poor Sarenrae. She gives Pike the power to call down a column of holy fire to send a devil back to the hells. She gives her the ability to kill her enemies simply by whispering a word. She's brought Pike's best friend back from the dead on multiple occasions. She manifested as a third voice when Percy and Pike were performing the resurrection ritual and brought a child back from the dead. The only time she's received any prayer was when they wanted a carpet re-enchanted. Her de facto grand cleric, the person who in a few levels will be the avatar of her power on the material plane, values a pair of ogre gauntlets more than her. Then some Raven hussy comes along and is stealing everyone's hearts. Always the bridesmaid, that Sarenrae.

[@DeAtHbAt4eA]

I think it's more in line with Pike has been sworn to Sarenrae her whole life. The taking her for granted is less that and more that she remains a constant within Pike's life and always has been. In the earlier episodes she would go to temples all of the time, she would spend time in Grayskull Keep's temple to Sarenrae, she spent a good portion of the year rebuilding a fallen temple to her in Vastlehiem. Pike prizing the gauntlets over her in my mind is more down to that being her own material possession, where she is a follower of Sarenrae in the same way that people fallow their gods IRL. Where The Raven Queen as Kelith and Pike talked about is more hands on; because she is offering herself to the party as an ally, rather than a patron to her followers. Pike chose Sarenrae, The Raven Queen chose Vox Machina, hence why the party are in love with her and only Pike adores Sarenrae (if only as a humble cleric).

[@fluxshaman8251]

Also, the Gauntlets were a gift from her bestest friend Grog so of course she'd treasure them

[@jeremydavis6209]

plus she wants to be a mooonstaaa!!!

[@Eszra]

I agree with everything you said. My own Cleric/ two other classes, she's interesting, hardly talks to her God when not at home. But as long as she remains true to his teachings he and his wife, who she also follows, are very happy with her. I mean she is a full blooded Elf who worships Dwarven Deities, and choices to do so because of her early life and upbringing.

[@Qardo]

To be fair. Sarenrae chose Pike through her ancestors. As Sarenrae uplifted a Deep Gnome that was Pike's Ancestor. So in turn that Pike is kind of shoehorned into serving her god. While the Raven Queen took interest in the group of Vox Machina and saw how useful tools the group can be. Regardless of them having a cleric in the group and more or less light worshipers of this Sarenrae. Though the group did not have any true believers than Pike. And the group loves Pike regardless.

[@thisisdee6550]

Sam rolling an 8 on d8 & 6 on d6 for the attack and then 4 on d4 for the heal all in one round to save Vax is just showing how much he loves his husband.

[@nomad2305]

I love how salty Laura got when Vax sprouted wings lol

[@definitelynotadam]

Yeah ..I don't think that was acting

[@DoctorM42]

Vax: There's an assassin here! Everyone: Yeah, that's you subclass.

[@ScorchHellfire]

1:49:07 Dayum. Gilmore is a stone-cold killer when you cross him. I love it. xD

[@clayxros576]

"If you are at someone's mercy, pray they are an evil man. An evil man will toy with you, relish the power they have, and give you the chance to catch them by surprise. A good man will execute you before you can even blink."

[@jessevancooney6963]

My favorite moment of this episode is Percy forcing a skill check for Keyleth juggling because of how long he had to practice to get it down

[@makenvaega]

Of course it's easy to ship Vaxmore... Gilmore is a hypercharismatic personality. Keyleth is super awkward and super insecure. Vax seems to mirror who he's talking to - charismatic with Gilmore, awkward with Keyleth. If this were a regular TV show, then Vaxmore feels right. But in real life, relationships can be awkward, especially for awkward people. For me, love isn't grand moments that occur once a month or every other month (Gilmore). It's the everyday, the small details, the things other people hate but you love. (Keyleth) Keyleth is easy to dislike, but also easy to relate with. I'm sure many Critters feel both

[@jameskong3894]

well said!

[@StefandeJongTV]

Not specifically hate Keyleth, the player behind Keyleth seems to not know her spells well at all, doesn't research them. Of course you can play as if she is new to it and be a bit noobish as a character but at least know what you are doing as a player, she has annoyed me and Matt from what I noticed a fair bit with her lack of insight into the spells she tried and luckily Matt punished her for that a few times.

[@hannahshark8080]

@@StefandeJongTV DMs gf gets away with everything. She doesn't know her characters strengths, abilities, spells, doesn't play out her actions consistently, always wants to be the centre of attention/the big hero, won't be told she's wrong and meta-games to hell and back. I would have put her in two months time out or simply ejected her from the group by now.

[@StefandeJongTV]

@@hannahshark8080 oh wow, didn't realize she is his wife. Unbelieveable almost as she is wrecking his passion with her lack of knowledge of the game and indeed meta-gaming. As I did say I have seen him fairly annoyed with her with some of her actions and he did punish her a few times (to no avail it seems) but generally when she makes mistakes it impacts the whole party in such ways it could kill the party. He tries to prevent that. If she were my wife I would teach her the ropes and after that say 'I'm your DM, if you make mistakes because of not knowing your spells I will not be gentle'. But I guess Matt is too soft hearted, which is something I do love in him but in this case doesn't help him.

[@lacedaisies]

I honestly can't believe that in 2019, people are "DM's girlfriend"ing the Creative Director of the whole damn company.

[@manaphy0993]

Every time they talk to Gilmore I keep thinking "ask about pikes armor!"

[@SolomonCaineReaper]

Might be a little late for that now.

[@Wet-Milk]

probably destroyed along with gilmores shop in emon tbh

[@Firestormwalker]

Kash chimes in, "See, he came back. I told you we should've taken the taint."

[@NickTheMCMaster]

1:15:24 I love Taliesin's face right here. He just looks at Sam like "What does that word mean that you just used? Mercy? I know of no such thing."

[@matheusandrade1160]

Vax: Life's not that bad... Percy: But your smell is... JESUS CHRIST PERCY

[@Tipchune]

Vax and Gilmore is one of the most beautiful, cinematic and endearing love stories of all time. I've never seen something non-canon be so canon before.

[@hannahshark8080]

Same. I wish this story had more gay relationships.

[@lunamalfoy7]

It's the SasuNaru of Critical Role.

[@hannahc875]

What should have been

[@captainbalderdash5412]

Its such a better relationship than Vax and Keyleth.

[@lerinn2783]

@@hannahshark8080 Hey, at least Allura and Kima get married later.

[@MyopicMickey]

Matt actually did use a different voice for the disguised Rakshasa. Amazing.

[@erby3027]

Wait whaaat?

[@madelyn1758]

@@erby3027 if you go back and listen to both gilmore's and "gilmore's" voices they sound completely different ;)

[@Cyyberslam8]

@@madelyn1758 "Gilmore" sounded slightly deeper and had a subtle malicious undertone in his voice. I never noticed the first time I watched. Matt is a madman, pretending to be an NPC pretending to be another NPC, SO convincing that he almost broke everybody's hearts with a vengeful Gilmore.

[@jare3959]

also gave him different mannerisms. Gilmore to my recollection has never shortened the names of the twins. And he would never throw a gifted robe on the ground like that. I remember being instantly suspicious. He isn't even the sort of person who would "peek their head in" to a friend's room. He would ask to come in, and then burst forth in all of his grandiosity.

[@austinshride4142]

I noticed that too, but I kept thinking it was him not playing Gilmore for a little bit. I should know better by now

[@Azreus]

"It's a 214 year old pub! Oh, god." - Taliesin at his best as always

[@mineola_]

Taliesin sounded so offended when he said 'I would never hit Trinket' 😂

[@gctypo2838]

Vax embraces Gilmore and the wings follow. Ashley: I want that with my next character.

[@grantpflum6844]

Can I just say how much this crew rocks? I took several months off from watching this series because I was bing watching it and it was starting to get harder to watch staying up all night. Then I come back to this and Matt just casually drops "Percy, Pike, Kelielth, you wake up to see you aren't alone in your room" I swear, I near leapt out of my chair from surprise and excitement at how well he delivered that and how they reacted!

[@yorfx]

17:20 , Matt is a very Clever DM. He always avoids Grog. Never puts any melee enemies directly against Grog if he can help it. Always makes the dragons fly away from Grog just before he gets his turn, the wyverns fly up just as he gets caught up with them, had a array of archers during the Kevdak fight but that got messed up and Here had Assassins with poison come into those that do not handle melee well and isn't poison resistant or wearing any armor, except for pike which I think was inevitable because Vex had Trinket who could've have been an edge that was just needed and also pike would not have been wearing any armor. Like even here 38:51 the assassin just runs away rather than risking it by getting locked in combat with our Goliath. Poor Grog!

[@stevenritter8719]

Matt knows that if he puts an assassin in the same room as grog he would be cleaved in twain, especially since you would think a assassin wouldn't have much hit points. Yea not a good combination or it is a perfect combination for mayhem.

[@mattgurwitz7780]

the rakshasa also did research and followed the party for quite some time, and would have known that grog would be a poor use of an assassin

[@SuiCiderlS]

Honestly, for role-play stand, an assassin against Vex would've been proper, since the Rakshasa did threaten Vax's sister before. But Trinket saved her from an impending doom.

[@PHANTOMCOWGIRL]

Out of curiosity, (I have come into this series a little late.) What bonuses does he have for the attack roll, and then what bonuses for Damage roll? Because from the sound of things, he's really OP in melee combat.

[@mattgurwitz7780]

+WizardOf grog has 24 strength so that's +6 and +3 I think on the blood axe which does 1d12 + 1d6 necrotic and returns some health on a kill with brutal critical on a kill 2d12 on a critical

[@RidiKill]

I just finished DMing my first DnD game, and I literally have no idea how Matt does it. There is so much to remember, so many notes you need to keep, and trying to think up dialogue on the spot - it's very challenging. Matt makes it look effortless. Hats off to a man at the peak of his craft.

[@V3xxe]

RidiKill I'm in the same boat, it's ridiculous how good he is! This is why my next session is two weeks away and I'm ALREADY planning it haha

[@RidiKill]

I hope your session goes well! I've had three sessions since that original comment and they've progressively gotten better. It's amazing how much paperwork you accrue, I basically have two separate folders of stuff to keep the game as fluid as possible. One video that really helped me was Matt's DM Tips about setting up a Gamemaster's screen, that really helped me streamline the process.

[@stupidhead_2812]

Well it helps that he's been doing it for a million years, as Matt Colville put it.

[@rtdrtd123321]

I feel that man, but the improv does get easier the more you do it so keep at it! No one is expecting Matt Mercer perfection from you

[@andrewc3387]

from the grave reply but if you have offhand thoughts on stuff just put them in a "possible thing" list. then day before you can skim over the list an plot stuff in, similar to this random encounter.

[@jeremiahsecody6511]

I love how they bring this to life. The role-playing is phenomenal. It's like a movie playing in my head when they talk. It's amazing.

[@TrumpeterOnFire]

Laura: "I'm an asshole" Travis: ".... you said it..." **looks left, looks right, flashes a huge grin for owning his wife**

[@Aldinth]

Whitestone guards standing on their posts and watching the fight with Rakshasa on the courtyard: *polite golf clap*

[@phoenixdzk]

I love that Sam fumbles with 'Rakshasa'. It literally translates to 'monster' in Hindi, and whenever he says 'Rakhsha' it's even funnier since that means 'protection'

[@ClericOfPholtus]

That's amazing

[@CharmChampion]

🧑‍🍳💋