*Spoilers* The Betrayal | Critical Role C2E69 Highlight

[@mercedesvonmartritz762]

Yasha/Ashley: Never Matt: Make wisdom saving throw Everyone: Say sike right now

[@maxinesenior596]

Matt: with disadvantage Everyone: I said say sike

[@iDongu]

This wouldn't have happened if they had just given Matt his critical role land

[@warforged7948]

Critical role land conspiracy theory, confirm. yup give that man his dnd amusement park guys.

[@NicoNeilson]

Omg

[@kaelryder3565]

I'm sure Sam's shirt didn't help none either...

[@JnEricsonx]

@@kaelryder3565 Yeah, but at the end of the ep, Sam did say, "Glad I wore this shirt!"

[@inkpenavengerYT]

Just noticed that when Fjord said, "Why?" he did it in his "real" voice.

[@hicksnumber89]

Literally went back to check that... wow the details these people put into their characters

[@kcmichener]

nice catch!

[@JB-xl2jc]

Time stamp 12:00

[@kathylennerds750]

I literally have not once caught him doing his "real" voice 😂 I am about as perceptive as a rock.

[@inkpenavengerYT]

@@kathylennerds750 No worries. He doesn't do it often, and usually only when he's alone.

[@morbidnumbskull]

The famous line: "THE CREATURE IS NOT WILLING"

[@cazza09]

Personally, I would have waited until after Fjord had moved before telling him that he appears with empty hands. But tbh I think Matt just wasn't wanting to give a small bit of hope before dashing it, which I completely understand. May have been a tad too cruel that way

[@maxinesenior596]

@@cazza09 I think it might have been just a rules consideration, not knowing if Thunder Step just doesn't work if the creature isn't willing

[@bobzombie2710]

@@maxinesenior596 But they didn't check the rules and Travis read the spell so he knew the creature has to be willing. Matt could have definitely did something to make it even more heart wrenching. Lol

[@ThorsShadow]

@@bobzombie2710 They checked. Watch the first minutes again. Travis literally reads "...a willing creature..." to which Matt responds "The creature is not willing". He has to say this beforehand, probably. Rules and such.

[@bobzombie2710]

@@ThorsShadow thats what "travis read the spell" meant.

[@mistamemewide]

> Obann: “Avenge me.” > Yasha: “Never.” > Matt: “Roll a Wisdom Saving throw.” > Everyone: *_”W H A T”_*

[@maxinesenior596]

> Matt: "With disadvantage." > Everyone: "*W H A A A T*"

[@MisterSmith00]

Man...can you imagine the artwork for that "Mirror Image" Jester scene? Jester pleading for Yasha to stop, and Yasha mercilessly just cutting through the clone... That brief realization that without that spell, Yasha would have murdered Jester. That's devastating.

[@one_for_one]

Its art babey!!!

[@MaenadQueen]

How dare you! 😭😭😭😭

[@MisterSmith00]

@@MaenadQueen I'm sorry...!! : (

[@ericvernick5740]

I want to see this campaign animated now. Like this part alone would make me cry all my tears and then some

[@Dan-qy6zv]

@@ericvernick5740 There is actually. Just search up, Critical Role The Kings Cage Animation

[@EthalaRide]

Obann: Avenge me. Ashley/Yasha: Never Matt: Make a wisdom saving throw. everyone else: *poops their pants*

[@TheDamocles74]

Matt "With disadvantage." Everyone. "WHATTHEFUCKWHYGODSHITSHITSHIT!?"

[@idkarl3364]

666th like

[@steampunker7]

The Traveler:

[@deathbykonami5487]

@@steampunker7 Nah, they Wildmother and the Matron of Ravens on their side, I wouldn't trust that fink for anything.

[@monkeykingw]

Man, it's crazy what Matt does to justify Ashley's long absences

[@kaelryder3565]

*Yasha hears a thunderclap in the distance, the next morning the mighy nein find her gone* *Matt chuckles under his breath* " Nah, that's not good enough...I have...other ideas......" *Thunder intensifies*

[@bigpenny8223]

Cascade Hellsing but Ashley isn’t gone she’s done filming blind spot and she’s back living in LA

[@monkeykingw]

@@bigpenny8223 Consider that this comment was made over two months ago

[@i5m1thy]

For real what was Matt's plan if she passed the save? If this was his way of dealing with her character while she was off acting not to mention her character's big arc all of it hinged on one roll lol

[@bigpenny8223]

i5m1thy it’s probably like a stupid high DC like 25 or even 30

[@colinbunn6066]

Tal is what made me really afraid. I can't ever remember him being this nervous. When Tal and Liam get scared you know it is BAD.

[@johnlavery3433]

When an immortal being that old gets nervous shits going down

[@WingZX1103]

Shiiii....the aftermath of that fight was just brutal. I mean they're scared, im scared, the chat was scared. Jesus i haven't been scared since scanlan got killed

[@dolansajorda4513]

When Liam said that this is the kind of fight where a player dies.... I got scared.

[@Neko141212]

Also when Sam starts having a hard time making jokes - that is also a very bad sign!

[@schweppes1313]

eh, Taliesin usually gets stressed out the most, when shit goes south in encounters. I feel like he takes combat a bit too seriously to stress-relief by just laughing it off with rest of the cast, like Sam or Travis sometimes do

[@miam9989]

Jester's broken "YASHA" as she reached for her just made me break. That pain in her voice when Jester witnessed her friend turn against her and the decision to leave Yasha is just absolutely heartbreaking.

[@steambladegunny9562]

It crushed me as well. Just wanted to hug her and tell her everything was going to be okay! 😭💔

[@maxinesenior596]

@@StarfireArcher On top of that, the fact she did reach out but in the end she did have to return her hand so it wouldn't be crushed off by the door. She wasn't willing to lose even just her hand for Yasha, her friend. That's the kind of way Yasha's dominated mind would have twisted that sight: Yasha was worth nothing to her. And Obann, her abuser, was everything now that everyone else was gone and she was locked in a room. The will of that fiend forced itself over her at her most vulnerable.

[@TheyCallMeCarg]

There's an animated version out there (I don't have the link on hand but it's called "The Betrayal"). The animator isolates that cry of "YASHA!" and the effect is soul crushing.

[@jasminesmith8474]

I cried over Yasha... And the moments before hand “We can be your new family” And they had to leave her behind. Charmed. Trapped with a demon..

[@AnthonyWhitford]

Pretty sure he just brought back her old memories, not charm her

[@strgz5329]

and she is not trapped they got out of there, busted through the barriers

[@enchantedgamer9428]

@@AnthonyWhitford I think it was both, hints the disadvantage.

[@Cultureghost]

chaotic evil: "ah well, easy come easy go"

[@beau3226]

Yeah this was really upsetting to me. Like unbelievably so. I was so mad she was left behind . And that jester was the only one who believed in yasha everyone else had some sort of broken logic about the whole situation.

[@willnelson9906]

this wasn't a betrayal, this was kidnapping, yasha is a hostage in there

[@Dragonsbloodyead]

Seeing Laura get teary when she has to decide to leave Yasha or not and ultimately runs makes me cry even thinking about it, let alone watching it

[@TroySpartan247]

MVP goes to Caleb for his excellent wizardplay. Switching from one spell to another in a rapid fire, doing everything he can to help his friends escape. He definitely saved Cad, Fjord, AND Bau’s lives, all in one battle!

[@martinmcbride4530]

True true, but was Big Beau really worth it? 😂

[@TroySpartan247]

Martin Mcbride only for the extra speed, but I’m not sure if it was even worth it

[@Jebjeb]

His battle-wizard training shining through. At least those proto-Natzi-wizards helped with something

[@kaigillam]

@@TroySpartan247 Enlarge doesn't give extra speed. What it does give is advantage against Strength checks and Strength saving throws, so I assume the idea was to protect Beau from being grappled by the Laughing Hand.

[@justinc882]

People think of wizards as blasters but I've played, and played with wizards that can control a battlefield like gods. Dmg is fun, but absolute control of the environment is so powerful.

[@HaleCommissar]

Thank God Matt forgot sentinel allows you to opportunity attack someone even if they disengage or that would have been one dead Beau

[@abcfreakKGS]

Well she does have mobile feat, maybe that cancels it out

[@gallavanting2041]

It takes a reaction doesn't it?

[@kbennett4707]

@@abcfreakKGS I believe they all just forgot. Nott also used disengage. I'll be honest, I'm glad they did.

[@HaleCommissar]

@@abcfreakKGS The mobile feat effect only works if you've made a melee attack against that enemy. You are right that mobile overrides sentinel though but she would have needed to punch Mr Smiles first.

[@abcfreakKGS]

@@kbennett4707 would've also sucked to kill a PC due to railroading since Ashley had to leave for 4 months.. It was supposed to end like this and I do believe Matt bent some of the rules to not have it end on a sour note.

[@rebeccajanvrin1228]

It's that quiet little "Oh no... I *hate* it..." that comes out of Laura as much as it comes out of Jester that does me in. Absolutely wrecked.

[@bornmotionless13]

just remember nott told yashsa not to judge Caleb because he was brainwashed when he killed his family JUST BEFORE THIS SHJT HAPPENED

[@reynameredith1994]

Ashley telling Laura to “run bb” is the saddest thing ever. They were staring in each other’s eyes and almost crying and Ashley tells Laura to leave her....

[@gazelleguy]

Geeeeez man, Taliesin looks so so stressed out. Not only was Cad almost at death's door, but he must've felt so much tension between M9 and just wanted to keep everyone sane. It's hard being the heart in a party.

[@JDRO08]

So Fjord asking “why?” In his true voice to Yasha, all week I’ve assumed that Yasha replied “ I hurt you”. Now I’m hearing “I heard you” with Matt confirming that Yasha says this in a disembodied voice. Since failing that wisdom roll, she spoke to no one except for Fjord. Especially after Matt’s conclusion from Yasha’s perspective, I’m here for our Yasha is fully aware but trapped in a body not in her control.

[@IbraheemM98]

Sometimes I’m like how is this NOT staged!!!!!???? And other times I remember the day a friend of mine rolled 14 natural 20s in one game. It’s always amazing how often these guys let things play out so perfectly. Also great editing, very touching.

[@blankslate1180]

14 natural 20s?....you ever consider taking your friend to Vegas?

[@MaDmOnStErQr]

Blank Slate or weighing the d20?

[@ArtOfShannonLee]

Yeh they're really good at improvising and I think that's the ticket. They needed a way to separate Yasha from the others for the narrative and maybe this wasn't exactly Matt's original plan but he would have made it work some way or another. I'm just so relieved she didn't kill Fjord or ESPECIALLY Beau. How fucked would that have been omg.

[@hexpsyche]

Matt is so great at planning things and using the PC’s backgrounds to move the narrative. He seemed a little bit annoyed that Fjord was saved by Beau, probably because the rolls were not on his side, which makes me think that this was not staged, and Yasha’s saving throw had a ver very high DC due to her past.

[@IbraheemM98]

Mad Monster we forced him to switch dice 3 times in that same game.

[@ericvernick5740]

That "yasha" jester did made me think of when grog yelled fix him to everyone in campaign one. The voice actors really put their heart and soul into these characters for 4-6 hours on thursdays and my god you cant tell me this show hasnt made you cry at least once cause you're lying to yourself.

[@otakugirl5512]

I love that they all care so much for the other characters. Ashley looked so upset each time she had to attack someone, she tells Laura to run so Jester wouldn't die, everyone got super worried for Jester when it looked like she was about to be killed.

[@Leishafan1985]

Ashley literally looked like she was legit gonna burst into tears everytime she had to attack a friend xx esp Jester xx this is why I love them all so much xx they really care for these characters and for each other xx

[@BenTheFool]

Talisen having several "coming to jesus" moments this last episode. I think he really believed someone would die in this fight.

[@emmaw7068]

This edit is amazing, all that pain and anguish conpressed into 25 minutes! Fjord asking "Why" in his regular voice, Jester screaming and crying for Yasha, Caleb and Caduceus' panic, it hurts so good, Beau just barely getting out, it all hurts so good 😭

[@SchadDad]

I missed that bit with fjord, timestamp?

[@thefinalfrontear]

GOD i didn’t even realize it was fjord’s normal accent. that hurts.

[@thefinalfrontear]

12:00 for fjord’s “why”

[@NicoNeilson]

Thank you!!

[@WingZX1103]

The fact our 2 smartest players are panicking means the situation is fuked

[@thefinalfrontear]

I wonder how this would’ve ended if Molly were still here... I don’t think Jester would be the only one yelling for Yasha

[@neonal18]

I don't think Yasha would've been the only one Jester was yelling for. I don't think he would've left her at all.

[@ElfQuestComicDubFamily]

If Molly hadn’t died before, he would have died here. Some events are fixed and I don’t think that combat was meant to be won, they were supposed to run. But there is no way in all the nine hells he would’ve left Yasha behind.

[@Kaipyro67ALT]

Molly had awful stats unfortunately. He would have died somewhere else if not to Lorenzo. I loved Molly but Tal rolled shit for all of Molly's stats. And for someone with low constitution, having to self-harm in order to use your abilities is a death sentence.

[@kaelryder3565]

@@neonal18 Agreed, he would have stayed behind... And embraced her as she ploughed her blade through his stomach, giving her a slight pat on the shoulder, and a smile of understanding. ;(

[@neonal18]

​@@kaelryder3565 Hey I didn't say you could reply to me and destroy my feelings like that man. Shit though that's totally what'd happen.

[@Fadebound]

It's almost 3 am its too late to be crying

[@Ryanfinder226]

Me: “It’s not almost-“ *looks at clock* “Well shit”

[@kyle21843]

Obann: Avenge me Yasha: never Matt: make a wisdom saving throw Everyone: *w a i t*

[@pierluigidipietro8097]

This part is like if Boromir just went nuts for the ring, and remained nuts, and banded with the orcs at Amon Hen

[@RikuVA]

Pierluigi Di Pietro *_Fuck you’re right._*

[@elbruces]

Matt making Ashley roll was the cruelest part. She looked so aad.

[@ShredPenguins]

I think that flower might end up being super helpful later. Locate object once they have an idea where she is will help immensely.

[@LkShairo]

OH MY FUCKING GOD SAM , AND YOU OF COURSE, ARE FUCKING GENIUSES!!!!!!!! If that actually happens....I'm already getting goosebumps.....

[@deffdefying4803]

yasha could easily drop it or take it out though

[@jasonutty52]

They did it on her weapons

[@RikuVA]

_OH FUCK YOU’RE RIGHT!_ GOD DAMMIT, THE MAN FORGETS HE HAS SPELLS BUT HAS THE FORESIGHT TO BE A FUCKING GENIUS!

[@UncontainablePickle-_420]

There's that great moment that I'm certain everyone's been in, where you look at your character sheet hoping there's some way to save your allies and then finding it all hopeless. Hits hard man.

[@bensmith5064]

Liam was doing that and made himself the MVP, he saved so many of the party that day

[@afilthycasualplays4007]

3:34 With Sam's shirt, even Matthew looked surprised when Matt told Ashley to make a Wisdom save with disadvantage.

[@yooooo8600]

what?

[@afilthycasualplays4007]

@@yooooo8600 when Mat told Ashley to make a save, it cut to Sam and Laura looking surprised. The picture of Mat on Sam's shirt also looked surprised.

[@folkwhore8322]

Thank you so much that made me laugh after rewatching this mf depression video

[@cora-illus]

why couldn't it be a fun sexy shopping episode 😭

[@lancejedrickmaniquiz7547]

because Taliesen hates it 😭

[@FallingBloodrain]

The way Ashely whispers "Run Baby." to Laura when she's struggling with the decision just breaks my heart every time .

[@erisplaysgames]

Yasha's "Run bibi" at 8:42 to Jester kills me every time

[@appaearly175]

Me too

[@liamgreenwood3481]

After watching this, I'm a little torn. On one hand, I'm devastated by the event, even more so that we aren't going to see Yasha for a long time. One the other hand, as a DM, I'm impressed on just how good of a twist this was. It wasn't just a form of domination, this was some sleeper agent, Order 66 shit. I got flashbacks when watching this dude! *Good soldiers follow orders*

[@thomassebald3925]

The M9 is developing an amazing pattern of executing the bad guys Matt obviously intends to be long term epic villains as they (the villains) attempt to escape.

[@southernelements5527]

Obann is not dead. He is returned to his plane as a fiend. He can be resummoned..

[@dolansajorda4513]

And he is back. yup.

[@dolansajorda4513]

Why is it that when their PC's get controlled, they always roll good?

[@RikuVA]

Dolan Sajorda It’s the sick fate of the game haha it sucks but it’s D&D. (One of my friends got charmed during a massive final battle we had in a campaign and he rolled natural 18s and higher during _all of it._)

[@cpttusktooth7859]

The dice gods will it that way

[@ChangelingWaves]

I started watching the video but chickened out less than 30 seconds in because this episode hurt so much. I was like “Oh, this is episode 69, nothing terrible will happen” but I was oh so wrong

[@ross8093]

The amount of fics that were written abiut this by the the next day after the stream is ridiculous and my heart can't handle it

[@deffdefying4803]

what sort of fics dare i ask

[@ross8093]

@@deffdefying4803 basically a bunch of heart wrenching stuff. Lot of emotional action or kind of character focused ones like focusing in on Yasha with the way Matt described her as not sure whether or not she was in control or the other M9 members and their reactions

[@davidparkes7741]

@@ross8093 Don't suppose you could link some that you really like?

[@alittleantidote5852]

Super late but I still want those links too 🥺👉👈

[@TheEpona92]

Jester screaming out Yasha's name gave me chills. Freaking Laura Bailey man, she's too good.

[@ultravioletunicorns]

I thought my heart was ready. It was not. I love and hate all of the last moments with Yasha. From Nott giving her a flower, to Jester telling her she hates it, to Fjord just asking "why?", and to Nott and Jester again reaching out for her while the door closes. Thanks for making your videos. You do an amazing job editing and getting their reactions.

[@135mikerules23]

“Revel in the pain you inflict on others, and relish the pain you suffer yourself as an offering to the Crawling King.” -Laughing Hand “Seek and exalt places where no light touches.” “Imprison those who cannot resist you, and drag all life into the darkness.” Is it safe to assume that a good fair amount of other agents of the Angel of Irons have already unleashed the other two champions at the same time this all happened? We all know that probably other operatives are still fanning the flames of the war and others are focusing on opening rifts from the Nine Hells, so is it three sects doing this operation simultaneously so to speak?

[@dolansajorda4513]

It is possible, actually. I mean, this would not be the first time Matt did this...

[@ArtisticAngler]

I'm gonna just go watch the Huperdook episodes on repeat until it nullifies this pain, Jesus Christ Mercer, so good.

[@dualwieldroxas358]

Just dont go too far, you you might miss Molly

[@Slowmotionman2]

Can I just state that the silence spell would have been a god send in this dungeon? No noise on the bridge and Mr. Obahn would not be able to speak his little words to wake up the laughing boi.

[@ShredPenguins]

Was thinking the same thing. It's part of the reason I ALWAYS have it prepared/chosen if it is an option unless I know without a doubt I won't need the spell.

[@TheDuckdodgers24]

Yes definitely needed that spell

[@dualwieldroxas358]

Silence cannot prevent curses and something tells me that the bridge room was all one big curse

[@WreathGhost]

I was wondering if deafness would have helped at all?

[@AVD223]

The First Thing that went through my mind when obann dropped His disguise was... 2 cleriks and No one tried or had banishment....

[@bleepbloop101010101]

That final 'You're scared' killed me : (

[@TheJollyRamRancher]

I forgot about fjord relentless endurance while this was happening and thought for sure he was dead.

[@ArtOfShannonLee]

Nooo! Oh my gawd. Especially after all of this, Yasha so deserves her redemption and happily ever after. those saying Ashley needs a new character, I disagree, I think Yasha has so much potential. She needs to accept all she's done, come to terms with herself, break her chains and get her wings back, and learn to love again. That's a fuckin lot. She's got a long way to go but she's an awesome character and totally deserves a happily ever after. Or whatever, even if she doesn't get one, they'll at least give us some hope for her before they violently snuff it out. That's just good story telling. Fuck I love this show.

[@squid_sarah]

Thank you for condensing all that pain into 25 min. I don’t think I’d be able to handle rewatching the Entire episode 😭

[@allblazing1160]

I'm on ep 32 oh God my fucking heart

[@aydenwofford4872]

I appreciate the dedication from tal, the level of stress he’s visibly going through is really commendable

[@joelmills4304]

"a creature is not willing" my absolute favourite moment of this campaign

[@goclo]

The conflict Laura added to Jester while trying to decide whether to run or not was brilliant. Such poignant emotion. And I like to think Ashley's "Run, babe." Was in character Yasha breaking control long enough to make sure she didn't hurt Jester. And Jester only leaving because of that.

[@mariarioscosme]

I'd give 11millions dollars alone to see this episode animated

[@adoragrayskull]

Well... good news!

[@netherza]

@17:48 Sam Riegel: "Are we all in except Yasha?" Matt Mercer face: "holy shit you are!"

[@RatchildUK]

This would have been the perfect time for one of them to do a hold the line sacrifice. Glad they all made it out but imagine the guilt of Yasha when she finally comes back if she killed Beau.

[@steveo9284]

Honestly once the laughing hand was released, I thought, we might watch a TPK. Then as it went on I kept thinking. 'One of them is not making it out alive.'

[@BorreloadMJ]

I can’t wait for the fan art of the mighty nein holding out their hands as they left Yasha behind 😭😭

[@jcprofit]

Reminder that that was likely caused by Geas at 9th level to maintain that. Oban was way stronger than any of them gave him credit for.

[@wyntrtyger5540]

Right? And iirc Geas can be set to trigger via keyword / key phrase... which is just the sort of thing I'd expect from the leader of a major cult/faction

[@dolansajorda4513]

I came in expecting the episode would be funny, because man, it's 69. But dude, that was intense... And heartbreaking.

[@zenithskoll]

Hey just a thank you for making this; my husband showed me this video to try and get me to check out D&D with him. And after seeing this I proceeded to watch ALL of season 2 and now almost all of season 1. Critical Role is so important to me now, thank you!

[@Soulhin]

My question is, was Matt really prepared to TPK the M9? If it weren't for some very fortunate rolls there could've been at the very least multiple casualties. That's how scary that was for me. It could've all ended right there.

[@mja2317]

As a DM you have to be prepared to TPK the whole party if necessary at all times. Actions always need to have consequences. That said, the priority is to weave an epic story for your players and have a good time doing it. Matt can make decisions for his own reasons as long as they're in-character and even waiver a rule here and there (such as ignoring Yasha's sentinel attack on disengagers to craft a better story) After all, the game belongs to them ultimately and no-one else.

[@timandshannon03]

I think he was ready to TPK the M9. He has to be, because they're Characters aren't that strong. They really aren't.

[@TheDuckdodgers24]

I agree they are often over matched but still win, or do very silly or crazy things but some how survive....mostly. I'm sure mat was ready for mass casualties such a great job on this episode

[@ryanb.7751]

One thing to keep in mind, is that we (and the players) only get to see a single way the situation could have turned out. He may have been ready for a TPK, but more than likely, he was ready to take some of them as prisoners, or trapped souls like Yasha. For them to break out or learn more. Even more possibilities lie in the idea in an afterlife for the players. Possibly seeing Molly again. The only person who will know, is the DM, and that is how things should be.

[@justinc882]

As a dm you have to be willing to tpk. I had my players encounter,in passing, a group of pirates that the strongest navy in the world avoided. Fast forward to them hitting level 7 and getting a small merchant ship as a gift from a town they saved and the first thing they decide to do is go hunting for those pirates. They got absolutely slaughtered. Next game they show up with new characters only for me to hand them their original character sheets and say "you were all sold into slavery a year ago by the pirates and all your fancy loot is gone." Ended up turning the entire campaign on its head.

[@arthaiser]

behold the power of blindspot! great episode and great video here condensing half of it in 25 minutes for easier viewing. couple close calls also, jester, caduceus and fjord were close and beau got close to being close too. next episode is going to be cool

[@Flendomo]

Cant get over the fact that the music was SO ON POINT during that entire ordeal.

[@HarakMolova]

I love the fact that the majority of music this episode was the music from the WoW Battle for Azeroth cinematic. It really did work well....

[@kaelryder3565]

I noticed it too! I was like *Cocks head to the side, eyes squinting* "For the alliance?" Epic soundtrack! >:D epic fight. a union that birthed a traumatic child of blood and sadness.

[@these2kings0305]

I knew this was coming. Ever since the devastation Yasha caused during episode 55, I knew she'd be charmed, or unnaturally turned against the party, again.

[@kathrinec5302]

This is amazing editing!! 🙌🙌🎉 Also, probably on of the top 3 most heartbreaking episodes in campaign 2 😭

[@NicoNeilson]

Thank you!! And I 100% agree ;-;

[@ala4sox02]

I cannot wait for next week's art. It's going to be heart-breaking and magnificent.

[@pyrosianheir]

I have no words for this one... I was not ready. I knew from seeing this that it wasn't going to be a good time, but it took a couple days to finally watch the episode... I wasn't ready.

[@wanderson9907]

Jester yelling to yasha breaks my heart every time.

[@robertanoemi1477]

Ashley’s “Run baby” and Jester’s yelling “Yasha” hurts SO BAD EVERYTIME

[@michkon1410]

BBEG confirmed to be Fjord!! I knew it! He was the one to set in motion Yasha's betrayal, since he dealt the final blow to Oban! (I'm joking, but it's funny how they always talk of Fjord being the one to betray them, when there are some that already tried doing that >_> Willingly or not, it still happened)

[@deffdefying4803]

-willingly- willinghamly

[@vjeranjanes5783]

Jester crying out to Yasha is the saddest thing :(

[@superlolgal555]

I saw spoilers and thought someone died. Now I know it's just as bad

[@allblazing1160]

I need a hug my heart wasn't ready for this I'm on ep 32 for fucks sake

[@tycol322]

No... I feel it's worse. Death is death. Is final and peaceful, generally speaking. But to be overridden. To lose all control of your mind and body and I assume to be trapped in your mind, watching, hearing everything but unable to act. Like a prisoner bound and gagged at a window. No. Death sounds like the better option of the to me

[@xantares13]

THE most dangerous thing in DnD isn’t the ancient red dragon or the archmage turned lich or the eldritch horror from beyond the stars. It’s the mind controlled raging barbarian who is ripping your party to pieces.

[@ThatOldGrey]

I am so completely and utterly blown away by these folks. I grew up playing RPGs, from the blue box basic set I received for Christmas in 1979, on through AD&D 2E, to other games like Top Secret, Star Frontiers, Car Wars, Traveler ... I have always considered myself an RP gamer, but now after watching a bunch of CR content, I realize that I have never actually role-played a game in my life. These are the experiences I always wanted to have. The people I played with were only in it for the (virtual) material gains, while what I wanted, I only now have realized, was to tell stories.

[@chasingthewind33]

Man going back and watching this clip still hurts me now. Each of the character's reaction, their feeling that their friend "betrayed" them. Just absolutely heartbreaking. The players obvious devastation (I mean who can blame them) brought out into their character's, into such a wonderful display of misery and heartbreak. Not to mention Matt's really good story telling and also just the way he set this all up. I know I say heartbreaking quite a few times, but really there is no other word that best describes what just happened.

[@melidor2198]

Watching this again...I'm amazed everyone but Yasha made it out. So many close calls...one bad die roll and at least half the party would've died. Holy shit....freakin love this show

[@jmercedesd]

The final moments of the fight and beyond are going down as a Big Moment in the M9's story. @_@ Holy crap, this was epic. Great editing and sum-up of the fight!

[@Mahawww]

You know, a betrayal is kinda like a reversal; You have this one thing and you have the same thing but upside down, so you know, it's not that far from a 69.

[@peachy7214]

I know it was sad. But Caleb and Cad really helped each other this episode

[@dualwieldroxas358]

Gotta say, a fat load of help the Storm God was for his hopeful chamption

[@kryptofreak4059]

I just realized it’s been over a year since we had a “everyone but _____, please leave the table”

[@johnkishoresawney2665]

18:20 Laura's voice is heartrending

[@KingslayerSrb]

"Fly, you fools!"

[@Bluntz1289]

The fact it's the boy king's theme playing cracks me up.

[@huscarlkt2335]

Funny thing is: about two rounds after Fjord killed Obann, Caduceus (or rather Taliesin) notices, that his bless would have ended earlier when he used another spell. However that bless was the one thing that helped Fjord to barely hit Obann, therefore Obann would actually have managed to get away from him. I don't know if Yasha would have gotten charmed either way, but still, things would probably have played out differently....

[@digitalgaming6662]

Fjord and Jester both almost died from Yasha. Imagine how devastating that would have been.

[@masakookawa6652]

Tal worded it adequately: "Fuck, dude!"

[@notnanni]

I'm so thankful for people like you in the community! I love watching these recaps so much because I sadly don't have time to re-watch episodes. So thank you, you're awesome!

[@ImpulsiveArtistrybyCharlesWolf]

This is fantastic! Thank you for your epic editing of this sequence! : )

[@NicoNeilson]

Thank YOU for your kind words

[@naruto15jt]

I would like to thank you for this video, it gave me enough information of the session and nearly made me cry. Thank you very much for this video

[@andreaturner7207]

Whenever I watch this episode and Ashley is out of character and says "Run baby" to Laura I feel like tearing up... when you are flipped, a barbarian, and know you are stronger than your tiefling friend you just to tell them to get the f*%# out of there.

[@songbird6414]

Normal DM: *yeah she’s sick she’ll be gone for a while* Mercer:

[@wintertimber1749]

What I love about this is the fact they're getting emotional about leaving Yasha because, in DnD, you *are* your characters. You experience everything they do so it feels like you're in their place and when they had to leave Yasha, it wasn't a matter of leaving a party member, it probably felt like they were leaving Ashely behind with a monster. A beloved friend. They tried to help but were forced to leave without them so, again, it felt like they felt behind their best friend instead of a character. DnD is so cool!!

[@jackdog06]

Damn, Tal is usually the one who keeps calm in stressful situations. That’s how you know this was bad.

[@happythoughts700]

??¿??

[@johnny--guitar]

"Hey, I'm gonna miss some sessions, work's really kicking off for me." "Okay, great, I'll write that in a bit." "...wait what?"

[@llamas62]

It's 3am and you got me in my feels

[@PurpleHonee]

18:30 moment is kind of ruined with Sam's horrible Matt-face shirt. XD I love it.

[@emilialavil2618]

Jesters heartbroken "YASHA!" fuckin BREAKS MY HEART