High Rollers D&D: Episode: 76 - The Siege of Talis'Val - 11th March 2018

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The party make their preparations and enjoy a Heroes Feast with their closest allies, just before the Broken Sky besiege Talis'Val
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[@KheptlaxaXonu]

Overall assessment of the siege, I was really impressed with how this played out. Performing an assault rather than an actual siege does play into Felania's character, more inclined to take the aggressive action rather than the smart one. -Matt- *Mark* knew how city walls work so they didn't just fall down when hit. It does make sense that they would be damaged due to the stone giants. I really liked how Matt homebrewed the siege mechanics, I though they worked really well. As a history nerd I really loved this episode, it featured a fairly realistic siege assault. Hopefully this level of realism continues.

[@eggb34n]

-Ahem- *Mark

[@KheptlaxaXonu]

Meme potatos Goddamnit. Sorry, I watched Critical Role last night.

[@FRD357]

Markhew Mercer?

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

I like that the party includes a noble with a trust-fund and an actual princess, yet is always out of money.

[@keyfire]

*Wide smile* "My smile is a defense mechanism. Good day." Lol perfect!

[@TheSillyPiglet]

Jiutou is always going on about people wanting to get other people pregnant, how is Tom the only one who remembers that?

[@_beora]

It's important to remember that for a lot of us, we watch the episodes back to back and binge them so things like that stick out a lot more, but for them there is a week in between each episode where things might slip from memory

[@Joestone1984]

She is convinced that all humans can get pregnant and is unaware of how humans get pregnant. I think Trell told her that once to mess with her with regards to Cam and she took it literally. She thought he was pregnant after an interaction with someone but I cannot recall who.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

Not Trell. It was Reynard's joke. Ironically Jiutou clapped back with it several times ensuring it bit Reynard in the ass. Not everyone remembers things as well as others though. I'm somewhat surprised that Kim dropped it and Tom picked it back up.

[@tomburgess8485]

Anyone else notice that throughout this entire series Trellimar has always refused alchohol, and now he just takes a swig of whiskey?

[@veemie8148]

He's seen some serious shit in the underdark

[@FyreDrac]

Also, he drank a few times before. Not heavily but still

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

The Underdark changed him.

[@jamessamps235]

Stream starts at 0:0:6 break ends at 1:29:07

[@bearmen5140]

Gods work.

[@BernddasBrotB7]

Datlof will hold! o7 Wait, what do you mean wrong universe?

[@jaspervandijck6747]

DATLOF FOREVER

[@elliotback6023]

DATLOF FOREVER (totally right universe don't worry mate)

[@Bodek-756]

Block the swords with your bodies! AND Hold them back! DATLOF FOREVER!

[@hexazalea]

If i rember correctly Datlof fell... more then once.

[@quinnsinclair7028]

I may be biased cause it's my favourite spell but I can't believe Elora didn't open the battle by casting Call Lightening at Sixth Level. 6d10 every six seconds with for the spells duration is a hundred lightening bolts. On top of that it would have created a storm which rained on the enemy troops and soaked the ground, both making maneuverability harder, damaging moral as battle conditions worsened and making the burrowing creatures that came out the following hour have a much worse time of it as their tunnels sagged and collapsed the upper battlefield as they burrowed.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

The convention with spells is they do what they say without extras. Those incidentals likely wouldn't be allowed by Mark. Also she might be trying to pace herself and she cast Call of Lightning (albeit not upcast) on her second turn. Though you made me regret that she doesn't have access to 9th levels to cast something like Storm of Vengeance where those extra damaging ramp ups are likely to go off.

[@CT9AForever]

Start 0:08 Return from break 1:29:00

[@andyenglish4303]

I find it hilarious that Felix treats Elora as a 'kid' on the level of Reynard and Cam given that she's over 100

[@Joestone1984]

Elves don’t age like humans so to his unaware eyes she is much younger than him. It fits into his character well that he would believe that if he’s supposed to be a fantasy copy of Ron Swanson.

[@OdinTGE]

Just as a note, there are Mass Combat rules in Unearthed Arcana.

[@lucastanner2474]

Whenever they were on the way to Velderbann (?), I seem to recall them passing cloud lake, and one of them, maybe Elora (probably Elora) glimpsing a castle on the cloud, and they just all ignored it. Sidenote: Trell can get out 1800 eldritch blasts every hour continuously I think. 3•10•60

[@hrani]

He is a turret.

[@bluesquirrel0175]

I’m so glad I hit this episode at the start of a weekend.

[@wakeful1710]

Actually ,some armour did have large cod pieces, back then that wasn't seen as vulgar,it was just more comfortable.

[@abigailfoust1079]

So many people had STDs and weeping wounds that the extra padding was needed, and the upper classes (who could afford armor and the customization and nicer clothes and artists to show them off) set the fashion, so codpeices became fashionable!

[@5924Jake]

THE END IS NIGH!

[@chloayylmao596]

i love how cam is just going YOLO in the RP! cant wait for the new characters! (tho i

[@ironcladguildhand9321]

1:36:50 Now, here's a thought for a Warlock-Multi build that'd work here. The 1200ft Spell Sniper needs only take 6 levels in Barbarian (Aspect of the Eagle Totem - Grants 1 Mile of Vision), 3 in Sorcerer (Distant Spell Metamagic), and 2 in Warlock (Eldritch Blast, Agonising Blast, Eldritch Spear) and the Spell Sniper Feat to have a very capable siege character. 3 Super Long Range blasts of Death. Also, I wonder if Jiutou's used the Void Scroll.... And isn't Trell's DC higher? Cause his Charisma is +5.... So 8 + 5 + 5, that's 18, not 16

[@maloosbongo3184]

Just gonna say eldritch blast goes by warlock level I'm pretty sure so it'd only be one ray 😂

[@asherandai1000]

RAW basic line of sight is up to 40 miles provided no obstructions (This kind of distance is only possible from a highly raised position because of the curvature of the earth). Basic line of sight at ground level is 2 miles. So a Warlock would have no problem firing 1200ft if his spell could reach that far, no need for barbarian levels. All eyes of the eagle does is allow you to see small details at long range. I think you've made the common mistake of not realising the difference between "seeing" and "noticing". Think of it like this; You're looking for your keys on the table with a bunch of other stuff, things like your phone or wallet or the tv remote, etc. You can "see" them automatically because there is nothing blocking your line of sight, they are right there and your eyes register them. But you're perception check is what allows you to "notice" them (obviously we don't roll perception checks in real life, but the principle is the same). If you are bad at perceiving things it means you are bad at noticing things, not that you have bad eyesight. Bad eyesight is a different matter entirely, and not one that is covered by the core game rules... you could houserule someone shortsighted as having a limit of 60ft normal and 120ft disadvantage as an example.

[@igetcrazier]

Bunch of 30 year olds being childish while the younger ones just look on. Love them to bits!

[@hank7281]

The ladies call me "The Finger of Death" too, Trell.

[@williamhigh6528]

33:37 I think it is no plan survives contact with the enemy

[@havok8570]

Pickachuboy 1999 nope, it's "no enemy survives when faced with a good plan" *halfling bard commander casts enhance ability eagles splendor *viciously mocks you while dressed like Napoleon Bonaparte. *polymorphs you into a literal chicken while he mocks your stupid troops to death

[@williamhigh6528]

Ah ok

[@deykat9948]

I would love to do a large scale battle like this as a necromancer and just raise dead enemies as undead shock troops. Very à la Sylvanas from WoW

[@Lockz1111]

Just imagining a 20th level spellcaster using meteor swarm, that'd be so satisfying

[@MystWalkur]

End of Campaign One of Critcal Role has that. Lol

[@malakai960]

Madera: good job stopping my meteor but what are you gonna do about the SECOND ONE!!! everyone else: oh fuck

[@danliston6516]

What trell should have said is "That's going to be a Giant pain in their ass"

[@Lolman2171]

Managed to catch this live, such a great episode!! Mark, you are a genius, keep up the amazing story!! ❤❤

[@DanielBohnen]

Ruairidh it is the end

[@Lolman2171]

Daniel Bohnen Not quite yet, they're only through the first night. Still have to survive and take on the big boss fight 😁

[@philipbourhill6879]

I know mark said it was homebrew and not exact but it took the broken sky 2hrs for the army to travel a mile to the wall

[@SherlockHulmes]

Think of it more abstract, they were being pushed back, or didn't have sufficient *numbers* to attack the walls fully so the defenders weren't in threat of being overrun.

[@Trinity-wm8sm]

I couldn't watch this one live except for the last few minutes as I was catching up on the last episode!! (Started watching this series 2 months ago)

[@endergirl5142]

Go you for the binge watching!

[@Denisowator]

1:56:05 I swear Kim is saying something that ends with "boner". xD The more I listen to it the more is sounds like " *something* magical *something something*, but at least he gets a boner*" And she's DEFINITELY not say bonus. I've listened to this now like 20+ times and it's really fucking with my brain that I don't know what she's saying. What's stranger is literally no one reacts. She's also talking super fast and quietly which is just so not like her.

[@audacioustabby2774]

Hello! I think with the context of fire she might've said "Burned down".

[@jamessamps235]

Reynard and Grunka gunna bang

[@kathiepetrella476]

James Sampson obviously

[@OBroKanin]

Kathie Petrella in the very end he was INDEED a tusk boy

[@durphymcbob6951]

James Sampson they fueling the fanfics

[@jorgewyles3025]

James Sampson Quarter orc?

[@gyrrakavian]

Mark, if you've got any Lego or other (interlocking building block systems), you've got a day left to make a wall diorama.

[@tannebraevitus1222]

Dungeon Daddy dealing with the disobedience of his children 00:44

[@EverlastingEclipse]

Early on in my campaign, we fought a bullete and it bit my arm off.

[@KheptlaxaXonu]

46:07 That Dantooine theme hit me hard.

[@TheDMofLife]

first episode caught up after binging for 2 mounths! ...wait, what do i watch now?

[@rpgraptor1116]

Why isn't episode 77on KZbin yet

[@Omnitrickster0207]

WILL THERE EVER BE ANOTHER ANIMATIC

[@kylewhite8656]

Could you with the spell message work out a form of code of XO that never broke so it only counted as one word but would be able to communicate a longer message? Like Morse code?

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

I objected to the statement. XOXO ad infinitum means hugs and kisses not the nothing that Mark states. Also your code could simply replace the dots and dashes of Morse code so you may have just "invented" something that already exists.

[@thethirdsicily4802]

I apologize, but what was the artifact that Lady Amy was holding when she was in stasis, limbo, whatever it was?

[@merri_spiderly6017]

The Heart of Bahamut, if I remember correctly. I am assuming you are referring to the orb that Amarilith used to cure Elora's father.

[@wreckstate7778]

So glad Tom used the inspiring leader...I have been waiting for that

[@lordtamnus5466]

Book mark 1:13:00

[@cerealbasket2974]

1:05:41 Yes good reference

[@Mortyrian]

did they finish yesterday?

[@MichaelTE]

Too bad they weren't using Savage Worlds. It has a nice set of rules for mass combat. Would have handled the big battle really nicely.

[@poisonedoak6563]

Ha ha starts at 0:08 I’m useful I swear

[@3dartstudio007]

At around 2:16 he said casualties. The very base word of "casual" should tell everyone what the word means... But in America, a 'casualty' means death. The Brits got it right! A casualty is an injury. How can American news organizations get something so wrong for so long? Oh, LOVE big wars BTW. It's right the opposite of a dungeon crawl for me. Big story, big action! :D

[@morganwaas4868]

The dictionary definition is actually "a person killed or injured in a war or accident", so technically no one's wrong

[@jacobunderwood4957]

From www.etymonline.com/word/casualty: Meaning "an individual killed, wounded, or lost in battle" is from 1844. The base of the word, 'casual' actually plays directly into this definition in a very sensible way. In war, deaths are counted in the thousands or even hundreds of thousands, to the point that an individual death becomes casual. The news, too, deals with death on a daily basis, making it (sadly) a casual topic. Also, words do not get archived. Speech is alive and constantly changing. 'Casualty' has been used this way for over a century, so this is now a valid meaning for the word. Valid meanings for words can emerge in spans MUCH shorter, like a decade or even less. Shorter spans tend to result in the alternative meanings being classified as 'slang', but this example is far from that. British English has committed this type of definition conversion for centuries before America was founded, so we're just following their lead. American news, though, right? Propaganda was popularized by Germany, but we sure learned that one quickly and began applying it zealously.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

God no you two, other than Morgan, don't get it. Look up certain etymologies and you can find meanings were the connection seems nonsensical. Hell there are certain words like platonic that aren't used the same way they originally were. That word used to mean romantic but chaste and devoid of a sexual component but in modern use simply means aromantic. Word usage evolves. And the evolution diverged on either side of the Atlantic. Linguistically speak the separate turns of phrase are acknowledged as both being correct. What you're doing is objecting to use that you feel is wrong simply because it sounds strange to your ear (i.e. not what your used to). You can't just say hey don't do speak the way you've been raised to speak and expect that to happen. There isn't any actual authority there and your just being belligerent and ignorant. Your argument holds no merit.

[@PJBxx]

I just realized Mark's twitter handle is finally correct

[@talion2226]

3:02:09 dog bone

[@Shoefae]

The XOXO comment just made me picture two bored old wizards using sending to play noughts and crosses. "First row, X, O, Blank." Or. "Top left, Cross."

[@jimihyrkas5173]

Weird. Our groups DM sent a siege at our city in our game a few days before this... WHAT A COINCIDENCE

[@kathiepetrella476]

I have waited all day for this .Then I figured out I'm 39 minutes late. (Very long sigh)

[@ukcubes4647]

Hahaha your late, XD..... Oh wait

[@bluesquirrel0175]

“Premium army sheit” god I love trott.

[@5hadow5talker]

I wonder: If Kagar has the bow, does this mean that the love potion wore off, or does it mean that the potion has fully worked and Visa/Veesa has let them have/has forgotten about the bow?

[@blackh9604]

plot twist: high rollers was just a commentary on consumerism and global warming the whole time

[@FRD357]

Tidal Wave is from Elemental Evil not Xanathars btw

[@gyrrakavian]

There's a book written by _the_ H.G. Wells called 'Little Wars'. Being that it was one of the first rule books for tabletop RPGs, perhaps it could help folks planning to work out large scale battles?

[@Daaboo]

Circle of death is so metal 🤘🤘🤘

[@gamingsnake1769]

words

[@kathiepetrella476]

gaming snake No WORDS not words

[@gamingsnake1769]

na na na

[@DanDoesDnD]

Angry reply words

[@brandonvanscoycloud6469]

Idea before the show end, a floating Tom head peaking around a corner

[@brandonvanscoycloud6469]

Or a giraffe version of Tom

[@Mortyrian]

Where is this week's?

[@TheDnDTavern]

Rusty Thompson they had to cancel last weekends episode as there was snow and stopped some of them from getting into yogtowers so they cancelled the stream.

[@Mortyrian]

thanks for the heads-up

[@darrinscott6612]

As I mentioned on the HR subreddit: The problem with the party's defense is that it was all reactive rather than proactive. Instead of preparing defense strategies, creating surprises, launching counter-attacks, they just sort of responded to the most recent turn of events. They got lucky. If they want to succeed next time, they'll need to get more creative and strategic, with a better understanding of how to defend a city with a fully-equipped military and ability to prepare other defenses. Very good episode, though.

[@darrinscott6612]

You say that as if strategizing isn't fun. Or maybe 'just rolling the dice' isn't the only way to play Dungeons & Dragons.

[@havok8570]

Honestly, They Missed using traps and illusions.

[@BernddasBrotB7]

Glorious Datlof holds for now, but yes, that was a Phyrric victory.

[@evertime123]

I think an interesting thing would have been to set up some glyphs of warding in advance of the battle

[@sylvanvixen6887]

None of the party are wizards so even if they had that idea realistically their characters wouldn't know

[@ganymeade275]

I very much expected Jiutuo's speech to feature "By the way, remember when Cam burned that guy to death, that was a dick move"

[@darkonedbc]

Bet they wish they had a fireball or meteor swarm handy lol

[@jbrandom27]

Did I miss something happening with korrak/andrick. I feel like I'm missing some key plot points

[@jacobunderwood4957]

Not really. Elora scried on Korak's ritual to become a Paladin while the group was away from Talis'Val, indicating some status change. Later when they returned, Mark briefly described the result of Korak's campaigning against the council to become the ruler again - Mark described posters being taken down and specifically said that the council had used a smear tactic that involved revealing Korak's true past to the populace, which in turn forced Korak to drop the ruse of using his brother's name. It was a few lines of dialogue, quickly passed over.

[@roboelite5446]

Summon spiritual guardian on the gates

[@guinnesslv]

MY LOVE FOR KIM! Love yo u kim.

[@lajyo]

Damn, this was cool.

[@RaynCloudz]

thank god I was waiting all afternoon for this

[@kathiepetrella476]

ryanrebel123 same same. But were a little late

[@RaynCloudz]

Kathie Petrella I blame late notifications

[@AtomicCalvert]

Watch the vod on twitch? Vods are free for all now

[@RaynCloudz]

AtomicCalvert WAAT

[@softkitty2887]

when they started talking about weather or not to summon the centaurs as the giants attacked, i thought what if Elora took the item to the enemy healing area and summoned them there to capture (or kill) the healers and prevent any future healing by the enemy... dishonorable maybe but effective... >^.^

[@kellygingrich4302]

Allies coming together for the big fight ahhh

[@JT-qe4ut]

why does youtube say this is besiege I mean its close but....

[@brycelloyd3592]

Hm. I didn't think what Cam said to Amy was all that horrible. Like, obviously he's just jealous, but I think Cam (Trott?) got it in his head that they're married or something (even though I think that was just a joke from a couple episodes back). If they were really that serious, Cam would have a point seeing as they've known each other for a couple months at most. Though, I guess it's none of his business, either way. I'd be more annoyed if it was genuine concern on Cam's part and he got snapped at, but it wasn't, lol. I guess I just expected more of a solemn "my affairs are none of concern Cam" than a "how dare you?!"

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

My personal opinion, for what it's worth, is that while a dragonborn and a dragon may have a lot in common their life expectancy is so drastically different that a relationship is most likely a tragedy in the making.

[@ofloxley3667]

2:20:29

[@ComXDude]

"I think nawt!"

[@ela-811]

NOODELZ!!!!

[@JoStro_]

Yeah! Wanna get myself some medium Hooies... Err... Medium hoodies

[@ParadoxNerdHLM]

"The city is designed to resist an attack" As opposed to all those cities that are designed to fall immediately when attacked

[@jacobunderwood4957]

As opposed to all those cities that just kinda happen (which is most cities on modern day Earth), without anyone planning things at the point of settlement.

[@Fredreegz]

Well I mean a lot of cities aren't and weren't designed to resist attacks, mainly because the chances of there being an attack are quite low and the costs of building fortifications unjustifiably high.

[@gentlemansgambit1018]

GREEN FLAME!!!

[@Denisowator]

I love how 90% of fucking complex spells need "monetary" whatever. We can cure your illness, just make a 1000 gold deposit. xD

[@DioxJXD]

12:48 "Boobplate is ridiculous" I'm pretty sure a few episodes ago you had a character break all laws of physics to stop a certain death fall using fantasy monk magic among other various way more ridiculous FANTASY TROPES but sure boobplate is ridiculous. :eyeroll:

[@Fredreegz]

But there are rules in this setting that explain why and how that happened - there aren't really any rules or reasons why in this setting a 'boob plate' would be any less effective or practical as in the real world. At the end of the day, it's their game and Mark gets to decide what he wants in or out of it.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

It was described as scale mail and not plate of any kind. So leaving aside Mark's opinion of boob plate such a formation would still be an anomaly.

[@ThorbainGaymes]

Mateys why they names in the wrong spots

[@djezzdehaan1521]

finaly😁

[@wakeful1710]

A 10 lb tickets those sound heavy. Lol

[@jjhu04]

I watched this live and honestly thought it was underwhelming

[@hammsuke8290]

jjhu04 I thought this about anywhere past the Crownrend-Werewolf fight

[@jjhu04]

Hammsuke Yeah, some parts have been really good past then imo, I think the lack of trellimar, kims arguing ruins it a bit

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

I thought Greybell was a fantastic arc. I didn't mind the Felix Ferehorm bit either. But the siege stuff just feels like an additional abstraction that has me struggling to connect with it. It also seems to minimize frontline fighters but incentivize wizards. And that exacerbates the whole linear fighters, quadratic wizards issue which I can usually tolerate with D&D.

[@christianali5431]

I hate to be this guy who talks about religion in a video that doesn’t discuss religion that much, but I have to say this: you can say what you want about things like Christianity, but at least the Bible didn’t turn us into clerics like Cam Buckland.

[@Wellieshager]

i hate the new lay out

[@Anralia]

Well I think its great.

[@DanielBohnen]

I hate negativity..... wait.

[@ironcladguildhand9321]

It's going to change again soon, so don't get your knickers in a twist

[@Wellieshager]

dont get me worng i love high rollers but change is not good

[@DanielBohnen]

(woooosh)

[@patrickrichardson1440]

I would have kissed amirilith not make her mad

[@Evandr7]

Because that wouldn't make her mad.

[@thehappysealbringinggoodvi4299]

2:15:50