Laura Bailey becomes LEGENDARY | Critical Role C2E93 Highlight

[@NicoNeilson]

I just noticed that there's a little mistake in the editing at one part. I apologize for missing it ;-;

[@yipyomorgan4380]

Didn't even notice anything

[@mattlapolla3666]

You're still a legend for doing this!!

[@codybeames1534]

Unforgivable. How could you.

[@NicoNeilson]

@@codybeames1534 ;-;

[@nicholaslewis9845]

The poetry of “Sam The Wide Deceiver” on her side during all of this

[@Id4nPr3scot]

"It's entirely off putting how disarmingly charming you are." I guess this quote is literal now.

[@airshipcaptain4973]

Which character said that? It's super familiar

[@Barely_Here]

Airship Captain i THINK it was molly......i dont remember tho

[@TheBluriteMVP]

@@airshipcaptain4973 I think it was upon meeting the Cerberus Assembly member that's NOT Trent. His name escapes me

[@handfulmousefly]

@@TheBluriteMVP the guy who loves animals I think

[@Sistertotherain9]

@@TheBluriteMVP Martinet Ludinus Dalet, spelling probably wrong. He's their "ally" in Rexentrum for the peace talks.

[@maniacmagge2568]

The Traveler: oh my sweet jester taking her last bite with her han- *SWEET MOTHER OF THE DAWNFATHER THAT'S MY GIRL!*

[@mcswaggerduff8946]

I reaaaaaally hope he wasn't too busy to see what his girl was up to. AND WAIT TIL SHE TELLS THE GENTLEMAN!!

[@WingZX1103]

Dude, the traveler was with her dice that day

[@silverwing1821]

@@manchld DUDE. SPOILERS.

[@rstlr01]

Silverwing if you don’t want spoilers don’t go looking!!!!!

[@silverwing1821]

@@rstlr01 I was responding to a (now deleted I think?) comment that kinda spoiled the last episode bevore it was out on yt. I think that at least warrants a warning?

[@itmefalco]

Alternative title: Taliesin Jaffe goes through every single human emotion while Laura plays D&D.

[@Talenel]

Which, considering that he is an eldritch being and not actually a human, is rather strange.

[@tenacityxl]

dvdjspr he experienced emotions in this moment that the mortal mind can never comprehend

[@jacobbuchanan6076]

Talisen would even be bamboozled by Jester

[@narutosonicxfan]

He channeled the entire twitch chat.

[@emersonstamant2101]

It Me, Falco the best part is at 9:45 when he tries to fold himself out of existence behind Ashley

[@aidanthornton173]

D&D players: Trickery domain is the weakest domain. Laura Bailey: Hold my cupcakes!

[@scottbruckner4653]

Trickery Domain is a domain where you need to play your cards right in order to get the full effect. Just like knowledge domain but hey, beggars can't be choosers.

[@nuclearchezburgr3857]

But Nature Domain exists ;-;

[@scottbruckner4653]

@@nuclearchezburgr3857 Ah you mean the Holy Druid?

[@fatcoyote2]

Trickery Clerics should get a buff on certain spells...like this one.

[@jadaw644]

Players who only care about the combat/mechanical part of the game often forget the, I don't know, ROLE PLAYING part of this ROLE PLAYING GAME. Hence why a lot of people also crap on Bard and Bard players, but then suddenly everyone loved them when they saw how Sam played it. Or when people go 'No Healer, party's dead', like there aren't plenty of ways to avoid dying/combat just by not focusing on it like it's the only thing the game is about.

[@Mattstanley75]

Crucial to all this: Jester never agreed to any deal. She made suggestions, intimated she would go through with it, but never, ever said "yes."

[@Mrqwerty2109]

1.7k likes and no comment? Here, take my comment!

[@charmer129]

I mean her patron is a fey, she knows how to talk around something

[@CERap22]

Absolutely 💯. That was one of the first things I noticed after IMMEDIATELY rewatching this scene when it premiered on KZbin. This was so FLLLAAAAAAAWLESSLY executed. It takes remarkable insight for Laura to be THIS in tune with her character that every moment of this exchange is the perfect-- the ABSOLUTE PERFECT--display of Jester and her personality. This woman is a goddamn BEAST of an actress and a VERY ingenious DnD player. Doesn't matter how she's played before or currently---all fumbles and misteps are expunged with this single moment of flawless execution. Best part, it was REAL! Had she rolled poorly on her persuasion, this would never happen. I'm so impressed that of everyone at the table, it was the "self-titled cleric" that stole the GREATEST moment of this ENTIRE series (including campaign 1 and 2). This is how you fucking do it!!

[@Duke32186]

Its the moment Aladdin tells Genie "you're probably not powerful enough to get us out of this cave"

[@ryanmiller3005]

She out fae'd a Fae. Simple as that

[@MyKingdomforAdRevenue]

Look at me. I am the Scanlan now.

[@NicoNeilson]

I didn't think anyone would be able to do it

[@MichaelRaymakers]

Sam was so proud in that moment

[@ShaggyRambo]

If Jester gets her hands on one of those special +2 DC handcones oh god lol xD

[@davidbodor1762]

Beau also almost did a Scanlan, but a different kind of Scanlan.

[@ShurikenSean]

look at me. I'm the fey now

[@Worgak]

Talesin was having the wildest existential crisis during this entire ordeal.

[@jamescanjuggle]

Imagine the countless lifetimes of lore about these creatures he has seen rise up and Laura comes in and farts fairy dust and sprinkles on it all. Beautiful.

[@Killer_Turnip]

@@jamescanjuggle She's America's Sweet-fart after all

[@RikuVA]

The man has witnessed eons of time, traversed the ends of space, and yet _that_ caused him the heaviest crisis.

[@Arcyo]

@@RikuVA to be fair, it probably reminded him of the one time, when someone cheated HIM out of a soul or sacrifice deal 2 centuries ago. He just had a PTSD flashback.

[@cryophile]

Marisha straight up went into shock.

[@Wogle]

People keep saying Jester can be a little OP at times. Wrong. Laura Bailey is the one that's OP.

[@misscaricature]

I never thought I'd hear a trickster cleric being called OP but these are strange times we live in and i love it

[@jetvulcan2020]

@@misscaricature yeah watching Laura play Jester has actually sold me on playing a trickster Cleric in a future game.

[@marauderhealth9639]

True power shines only when you know how to properly use your limited and gimicky power that others might scoff at. This is what I tend to learn from CR and my own games I'm in.

[@VanxHelsing03]

She has real life 22 Charisma dude. Sometimes Matt doesn't even know, the whole table doesn't even know that they're getting persuaded.

[@riccardoconti6682]

@@VanxHelsing03 So f*ing true, persuading the master is far more powerful than persuading the NPC XD

[@Vakuma2point0]

She didn't just outplay the Hag. Jester(Laura) outplayed everyone. Matt, the Table, the audience, Everyone! Burt Reynolds?

[@MrBlindmage]

That's Fiona Fancypants to her friends, and her worst enemies (which then become friends)

[@OmegaGuess]

Like...in retrospect, watching this over again, it's clear, Laura came up to the plate with a serious plan up her sleeve, but at the time, it wasn't until she was well into describing the Dust of Deliciousness that I realized she was the one in control there.

[@MyKingdomforAdRevenue]

Anyone who thought she didn't have a plan doesn't know Jester. Look at Liam and Travis, they had faith in Laura the whole time and are just eagerly waiting to see what trick she's gonna pull.

[@Kragar01]

OmegaGuess You can see it on Matt’s face in the full video when he laughs after she says the cupcake has the dust on it, then he pauses. In his head he’s, “Ha ha, that’s cute........wait.......uh oh, I just made a mistake, what did she just do to me? What did I let her do!?”

[@codyrm86]

Bernadette Reynolds?

[@mordirit8727]

Beuregard: I can live in exile and endless depression for the rest of my life. Nott: I can instigate a war that will lead to the death of hundreds of thousands of innocents. Jester: Cupcake?

[@danielwilson8604]

Im pretty sure nott was planning on sabotaging her own deal. She told the others immediately what her price was, knowing they'd stop her and that she couldn't sneak it past them. And she's tried to make empty deals before. Her big concern was making sure none of them payed.

[@samfletcher5022]

Watching Beau/Marisha through this whole thing killed me, I love Beau so much, and it would've broke my heart to see her walk away

[@deathbykonami5487]

Yasha: [gives the old hag a cold emotionless stare] Or I could just kill you right now and be done with it (cause Xhorhasian women just don't give a fuck)

[@kaycee1076]

Nah, nah, nah - Jester: I can trick a demigod who deals in misery!

[@VivaLaDnDLogs]

*Half* a cupcake. Laura Fucking Bailey!

[@puchar133]

The surprise hero of this is actually Sam preventing the rest of the table from meta-gaming away this amazing moment

[@R3adybreck]

I think sam could see lauras pad and knew what she was going to do

[@henrikhendrickson2375]

@@R3adybreck He's been running interference on meta-gaming since pretty early on in campaign one. Credit where it's due.

[@JackDespero]

Sam trusted her friend. Whether she had a trick on her sleeve or she wanted to sacrifice herself, that was her decision to make.

[@puchar133]

@Mel correct.

[@sofialaya596]

Laura was a bit meta too... if matt knew all this she should have made a deception check aganist the hag dude. Idk if this was fair, laura is a good actor but jester not that much

[@Ardenithar]

"Oh my God. You fed a witch a baked good. HoooOOWWW!?" - Taliesin

[@NicoNeilson]

Pro gamer move

[@andrewcook6608]

Things need things to live.

[@lordofmusic4207]

Did he say this if so can I have a time stamp

[@irishpanic]

@@lordofmusic4207 he didn't say it

[@Chris_Meade]

@@irishpanic He did actually, theres another video with their full reactions you can see it there

[@linkstormshadow]

This was probably the purest definition of a trickery domain cleric. She invoked the spirit of the traveler and loki to troll the hell out of the hag and matt and *for now* get away with it.

[@jcoonie2]

linkstormshadow i love the for now part. Lots of people either forget or dont know messing with a hag never ends well. You either cut a deal or bury em.

[@Dramoklos]

eh they'll be powerful enough to kill the witch soon

[@blacklion8307]

@@Dramoklos Aren't they already? The strongest hags have a CR of 7 or something like that. I mean, they are tricky, being hags and all, but all things considerend, the Nine should be able to kill her.

[@elliotcarlson1308]

Here’s the thing. Matt has made his own monsters before. I imagine that this Hag is extremely powerful, and doesn’t use the regular hag statistics.

[@tylerdurham6091]

@@Dramoklos yeah, but the trick will be getting to her. Some Hags can wreck you from the ethereal plane, and as of right now I don't think they have a means of plane shifting.

[@direwolfknight5302]

Jester: "I'm about to do what is called a pro gamer move."

[@scottrauch1261]

Jester: Like hell I'm gonna let some hag break up our party, or undo all the hard work everyone put into creating peace between the empire and the dynasty! Momma Jester mode activate.

[@direwolfknight5302]

@@scottrauch1261 now this is an avengers level threat.

[@scottrauch1261]

Better yet. Hag: are you here to make a deal? Jester:nein!

[@darkecofreak23]

Gygax would rise from his grave to praise Laura’s brilliance.

[@Chris_Meade]

The Traveler should be worshipping Jester. I seriously hope he acknowledges how awesome this was in the next episode. Laura Bailey is a goddess

[@liztanner3672]

Jester is the Traveler and has been running a long con this whole time. All will be revealed at Traveler Con.

[@jwall1646]

Liz Tanner of corse The greatest trick of all

[@XCrawlFan]

Truth.

[@ryanstout8634]

If the traveler ever dies there is no better to take that throne than jester

[@Nionivek]

I am actually half convinced the Traveler... IS... A lot of what the Traveler does makes sense if you imagine him doing it for Jester.

[@fishiest3539]

I can't believe that, even in the face of a literal being that is anchored to this plane through the misery of others, Jester is still NICE. Like, she changed Isharnai's memory to give her a good memory of some pleasant company with a new friend. Jester is the EMBODIMENT of the trickster domain.

[@Desdemona-XI]

That she is. The traveller had better have taken notice of that. Ive never seen a better trickster cleric. She really gets the class. Jokes about her heals aside (shes not a bad healer really either)

[@myrmidonmamori]

Travis had no idea how much he was onto something when he asked if a witch could die from anti-misery. Jester decided she'd find a solution where everyone was happy and that's what she did.

[@sofialaya596]

Im happy she didnt end up being a warlock (her original plan before travis picked the class). This was far more interesting

[@tenacityxl]

In a (loose) quote of Mollymauk, “Leave whatever you find better than you found it”

[@Titoichi1986]

@@tenacityxl The exact quote is "I left every town better than I found it" and since I heard it I'm trying to apply it , whenever possible, to my day-to-day IRL life

[@runedoom]

Honestly, for a while I was afraid Jester's creativity was going to be taken away.

[@NicoNeilson]

me too ;-;

[@XpVersusVista]

creativity? you mean her actual hands. like no weapon holding, no somatic spell casting, hell, not even eating. and all that with a binding contract that even high level restoration magic can't break!

[@runedoom]

@@XpVersusVista no, I mean her imagination.

[@SkepticalCaveman]

@@XpVersusVista She could have learnt using her feet instead like real life amputees have to do. It would have been interesting to see, but this outcome was better.

[@jaredsousa9356]

They could also go to hupperdook to make fake hands like the one that Percy made for the black powder merchant.

[@jamesross6219]

8:25 Laura: "Did I succeed?" (the longest heartbeat) Matt: (look of despair and defeat) "Yyyupp" (heart stops)

[@OmegaGuess]

You could see him scrambling to find *any* way out of it. Any loophole, any way to pull it around.

[@jamesross6219]

@@OmegaGuess Exactly. That "Yyyupp" loosely translates to "Yeah, I'm done, ya got me."

[@andrewcook6608]

@@jamesross6219 I'm intensely frustrated, and also extremely proud...

[@davidparkes7741]

@@OmegaGuess Speaking of, the rules!nerds in the comments section were going on about how certain Hags (of which we don't know exactly the kind Matt chose) are apparently supposed to be immune to the effect of what Jester did. According to the wiki, she just got advantage.

[@guyaudio632]

I actually think Matt fakes his frustration sometimes (he probably thinks it's awesome) or amplifies it cuz he knows it make the rest of the table really happy and feel rewarded.

[@KitsuneRokaku]

Matt has the face of a man plotting sweet sweet revenge on his players

[@kingskelett6265]

Kitsune Rokaku I would like to point a few things out here: 1. Matt still has an ANCIENT WHITE DRAGON. The only (ingame) reasons for him to not yet show up, is that he would have to leave his cave and that the M9 jump around a lot. Out-game: Matt doesn‘t want to pitch them against sth CR20+ yet. 2. The hag may lift Nott‘s curse, but it might also just be free of the spells influence at one point. And she will seek revenge, trust me (might be an easier fight, relatively) 3. Fjord still has a piece of U‘kotoah inside him, that might need something, sometime. Especially when they plan to go on the sea again. TL;DR Matt has enough revenge tools and powerful monsters if he so desires. It is only a matter of time.

[@XpVersusVista]

@@kingskelett6265 yes, i think we were all aware of that, lol. the bigger problem with the white dragon is not leaving the cave, but more finding them. yes, the dragon has their scent. but they also just fucking teleported away from there. following the scent will lead the dragon just somewhere into the wild and then its suddenly gone. it takes time to find them, even if he (actually she) leaves the cave

[@ambiej123]

I really think she will figure it out at the start of next episode. Shes shaking her head so bad. Edit: I recant this. Matt tweeted the battlemat. He wouldn’t have done that if she was going to go after them right away.

[@High-LordHarza]

@@kingskelett6265 Don't forget Tharizdun, he also doesn't like them

[@alexanderstar1998]

@@ambiej123 idk... the hag is definitely smart enough to figure out she's been tricked (especially with what Matt said at the end of the episode), but doing that immediately also takes this BIG win away from Laura

[@onecrazypig8423]

You can watch the Matthew's thought process during this scene. 1. LOL 2. What is the disadvantage for? 3. What are you casting? I'm scared. 4. Can she do that? 5. I can't do anything...(despair)

[@Desdemona-XI]

6: she got me, and I'm so proud.

[@andrewcook6608]

@@Desdemona-XI 7. I'm also extremely frustrated.

[@raptorjesues1445]

8. im going to murder them all next thursday

[@rstlr01]

He could’ve rolled for initiative. But he had his reasons to let it happen🤷🏽‍♂️

[@rrcasco]

Tywin Lannister ,

[@Quadraxis]

Matt going "... Yup." Speaks volumes of how much he got outsmarted. Laura Bailey just won D&D folks. She won an unwinnable game.

[@Noyoki]

A solid 1 on the "old man henderson" scale right there

[@StealthMarmot_]

"That was the sound of "Well so much for that combat encounter write up." On the other hand Matt was definitely proud as all get out.

[@samminicksm]

@@StealthMarmot_ It’s like the clutch counter-spell maneuvers from Scanlan during the the last battles of campaign 1.

[@hannayapelekai1628]

@@StealthMarmot_ I think it's more that he expected Veth's curse to be cured at a cost (someone else giving something to the hag as a trade), but Jester handled the situation pretty much for free (expending a magic item I think, but that's a rather efficient usage of one if you ask me). Like I don't even know if the hag was supposed to be beatable in direct combat. I as a player would def be too scared to straight up kill her. They also didn't know if that would've ended the curse. Maybe they needed the hag alive?

[@micahnewby7964]

She out Maru'd Kobiyashi

[@TheWyldKarde]

Emotional whiplash time. I went from "I am really not okay with this" to "Oh holy shit" in the time it took Laura to describe the Dust of Deliciousness.

[@Desdemona-XI]

Once the dust came out i was expecting laura to lay down some magic bomb. But modify memory i never remotely saw coming

[@unvoicedapollo3318]

@@Desdemona-XI No one did and part of that is because her domain (trickery) is the only way the cleric can naturally cast that spell.

[@CxzTYR]

To have the sheer luck, the absolute GALL to attempt to trick a LITERAL HAG. A FILTH-ENCRUSTED WITCH OF DOOM AND DESIRE. ... AND TO DO IT WITH A BLUEBERRY CUPCAKE?!!!

[@youtubegameraddict5016]

THAT'S HOW LAURA BAILEY DO 💛

[@garrettcarter5622]

A true Grimm's Fairy Tale if I've ever heard one.

[@hehehe88]

Listen, "Tricksters" is just another way of saying "reality-warpers". You never give a trickster an inch, they'll take your whole shit with them and have you smile at it.

[@MrSHADOWANGEL999]

not even considering the fact that she may or may not be allergic to blueberries

[@davidbodor1762]

A many months old cupcake at that.

[@kingskelett6265]

I think we can officially say that Jester managed to beat an (extremely dangerous and powerful) opponent... just with her cuteness and adorableness.

[@ashb9743]

"It is entirely off-putting how disarmingly charming you are." Ludinus to Jester, Episode 88

[@russthestone5330]

The fool is the strongest card in the deck

[@derekvanbooven7805]

KingSkelett for now......

[@ToabyToastbrot]

to be fair, she had a cupcake ;)

[@mondelsson]

Saying it was cute and adorableness really downplays what she did. She outsmarted the hag plain and simple. Let's not just chalk this up "awww jester is adowable!!" It's so much cooler than that.

[@MisterSmith00]

Everything. Everything related to Jester's unpredictability, vulnerability, awkward charm, and Laura Bailey's obsession with baked goods... ...all gathered in one clutch scene. Praise for the trickster god(dess).

[@MorganBondelid]

and her uncanny negotiation skills!

[@joeyuzwa891]

cupcakes for the cupcake goddess!

[@MegaVideoman23]

You don't be a cleric of the trickery domain by being naive, you make others believe you are naive, you gotta play everyone friend and foe alike to play that endgame exactly how you want it.

[@Blacksun9833]

The thing is Laura/jester literally tricked matt (the Dm) by pretending to be naive so if the traveller doesn't visit Jester for that even if he's busy. ☹

[@sofialaya596]

jester is a special kind of naive, she still is about some things, but this thing she planned

[@Kragar01]

Also Matt’s reaction as the Hag to the idea of trying a Black Moss cupcake was hilarious and creepy

[@TallandTwisted]

And Travis's laugh 😅😅

[@rimurutempest4945]

I would love it if the Hag would chase them around like the Rakshasa, but instead of wanting to kill them, the Hag just wanted to abduct Jester and keep her around, since she apparently was such good company.

[@kaitlynwickham6237]

Like, she doesn't even dispel the Modify Memory? She just stalks Jester for forty episodes because she wants more cupcakes. 😆

[@bluefan898]

She would have to know about the Modify Memory in order to remove it. Besides she might appreciate the cajones it took to pull that off since she is fey.

[@evansaschow]

Alexn Andum it could be removed if the hag gets cursed and casts remove curse on herself

[@bluefan898]

Still....She might respect the cajones.

[@noeljesper9825]

Omg yesssss!! Praise Mercer please let this happen!

[@SPACEHARICE]

This is perfect for each character *Fjord* not wanting to make life deals with anyone because of ukatoa *Beau* willing to give anything up for the only family shes had *Nott* willing to give anything up it's the only thing she wanted *Yarsha* being to miserable already has nothing to offer but is quick to threatening *Calab* trying to find a logical way probably wanting to kill her *Caduces* not even considering working with a evil hag *Jester* Being the trickster she is out plays the hag a her own game

[@Kryptotex]

I dunno, during the episode it seemed like Cad had intended to at least go in and see if he could make something happen, but being Cad he was a little slow on the uptake and people (namely Yasha and Jester) went in before he could react and get in himself.

[@TheMagicMan333]

AHarice According to Taliesin on Talks Machina, Cadeuces was planning on giving up his right to go home. Like, he could still save it but he could never return to his family’s graveyard.

[@caesarsosa816]

Also Yarsha

[@caesarsosa816]

@Aidan Hall it was a joke about how AHarice spelled Yasha incorrectly

[@felixrivera895]

@Connor Fanshier hell even if he were perminantly disconnected from the Wildemother he knows that Fjord, his family, the Dusts, the Stones, and the rest of the caretakers of the wild will carry on

[@alexanderlab.6608]

What's missing here is context. The Hag had placed a curse on Nott, sam's character, before the campaign started, kind of her character arc. In order to remove it, the Hag wanted to trade something in for "new misery". Beau offered to basically retire her character and leave the group. And Nott offered to start a war between the Empire and the Dynasty. Then Laura Fucking Bailey does THIS.

[@mauveforest8839]

Alexander Lab. FINALLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH MISTER!

[@mauveforest8839]

John R I can’t watch all of the Episodes in my country so I usually search for animatics or highlights to not miss out parts of the campaign

[@trunkskoolkid]

MFVM you really need to watch like every single episode of the main campaigns, along with a handful of the one shots (Darrington Brigade is amazing!!), this show is one of the greatest ever!!

[@dovearchambault9229]

@@mauveforest8839 are you able to listen to the podcast versions? They might be more widespread and while you do lose out on visuals, videos like this tend to make up for it.

[@TravelWithBradley]

@John R I didn't know the context but it's pretty much explained all you need to know within this video lol

[@jwall1646]

Never since Scanlan of campaign one has such a legendary play been made

[@SkepticalCaveman]

You mean Francois Jean-Luc Australia?

[@joeyuzwa891]

Arkhan’s “I raise my axe above my head and say a silent prayer to Tiamat...” moment was, in my opinion, far better Edit: holy shit I just saw the original wording of this and I think I had a stroke while reading it lmao “moment was a far better moment was, in my opinion, far better”

[@SkepticalCaveman]

@@joeyuzwa891 You probably alone with that opinion.

[@huyquach5062]

Skeptical Caveman I seconded his/her opinion, for all we know he might be the final boss for this campaign not to say a final boss control by a player and not the DM

[@Hunterfalke]

@@joeyuzwa891 Meh, he used like 3 actions described as one, not giving them any time to react because he's a fast talker. Not a fan.

[@kellyk1898]

Jester Lavorre outsmarted a hag. Laura Bailey outsmarted Matthew Mercer. We have a dual-reality legend on our hands, folks.

[@herbster12345]

I love the symbolism; even the darkest forces of misery can be beaten into submission with overwhelming love and compassion:) xx

[@mordirit8727]

And baked goods

[@mindtwister1004]

And mind magic

[@DerakosZrux]

.... or magic. Literally all magic.

[@TheFrygar]

literally just trickery magic...

[@camiart_casual]

Yeah because here's the thing! Magic may have been involved, but instead of choosing for her to believe that Jester is powerful enough to end her, or that she is the avatar of misery herself and she should be worshipped... she chose to make her believe she'd made a friend.

[@CptPanda29]

I love how Tal is aware that Jester bested essentially a witch in the woods in a game of wits with baked goods, like the irony is incredible.

[@neceon4586]

Lolll never thought about that

[@rictoectol9814]

That roll of 24 completely saved the day. Laura’s Roll Playing is legendary. Matt’s natural 2 fail on the save allowed Laura to do what Laura does. Be Legendary.

[@SPACEHARICE]

The DC for eating the cup cake prob was pretty low anyway because mat had no idea

[@khango6138]

@@SPACEHARICE Not only did she play the hag, she played Matt too. Fucking supreme being Laura is

[@stephencarmickle]

I'm glad she rolled well there, she has had some struggles with dice rolls in crucial moments this campaign. WOO!

[@hunterwelcher5485]

I think that was the biggest roll in the entire campaign so far.

[@Desdemona-XI]

As they said. Balance restored for all those times when the dice just fucked laura. When all those high level inflict wounds fell through.

[@worldeater2414]

I need this animated, especially the panicked hurrying part.

[@soreg666alex]

I second that!

[@DustinEugeniogravion7171]

I third this statement!

[@zhugzug]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@karithompson3047]

Please!!!!!!!

[@louisevschroder]

Reber arts made a very good one

[@deffdefying4803]

Said it once, I'll say it again. This is literally the stuff of legends. Think about it. It's like some fairytale. A cheerful little devil girl offers her creativity to a hag in exchange for a friend's happiness. At the last second, she shares a delightful meal with her, but she grins to herself, as she's laced it with charming magic. The hag is permanently cursed by the little devil girl, who walks free with her friend now happy.

[@quinnsinclair7028]

deffdefying I desperately want this made into a children’s picture book.

[@henrikhendrickson2375]

@@quinnsinclair7028 "The Jester and The Hag"

[@misterthegeoff9767]

This is what makes it so epic. Not just that she found a way to trick both the hag and Matt, but that the did it with a truly fairytale gambit. That's some Granny Weatherwax shit right there.

[@elbruces]

Exactly, the trope reversal is perfectly on point.

[@chrisf84]

I'm going to break up this party and point out that Jester did technically eat her half of the cupcake. She bites and swallows right as she says "it has the dust of deliciousness on it". I'll see myself out.

[@danielgordon84]

I love everyone’s reactions to this so much. Laura was calm and collected (although I have no earthly idea how), Matt was so frustrated and yet proud, Taliesin was just in utter disbelief with his hands clutching his head, Travis is practically celebrating, Sam is basically in awe that someone did something crazier than him, and then just Marisha. She was seeing the BSOD. She just couldn’t compute. That was legitimately glorious.

[@vrmn8tr]

yeah and you know what? marisha just wanted to interrupt the moment in the most important part, just like she always have, watch her on campaign 1 and most of campaign 2, every time 2 or more members are talking/doing something important or having a roleplaying moment she just wants to step in and say her thoughts/questions/"bullshit my character would do" think about it, if matt or laura would have just let her do her "significant offering of self-sacrifice for nott", we wouldn't have this epic moment. sometimes i wish someone wears a shirt that says "YOU'RE NOT THERE" and shove it in her face, so she learns not to fuck with other people's important moments of roleplay

[@sethorren]

Poor Marisha. She was contemplating essentially rolling a new character. She was so deep into that moment with Beau that she just couldn't bring herself out of it. It would definitely take me all evening to get out of it too. On the other hand I wonder if she believes she accidentally or prematurely made a deal with the hag or something.

[@malarkey6870]

Before she cast something and said, “a deal is a deal” she asked Jester if there is anything else she’s always wanted. Jester said, “just your company”. Is that gonna creep back around?

[@Nyrufa]

You seem to have severely underestimated the Fey's proclivity for screwing people over. A bargain with them is as dangerous as any Wish spell. Choose. Your. Words. Carefully!

[@kooldudematt1]

While the fey can be tricky with words, someone like Jester can take advantage of them, in fact. From a technical and legalistic perspective, Jester responding to the question, "Is there anything else you've always wanted?" with "Just your company," while _in the very presence_ of the entity whose company she proclaimed desire for thereby fulfills that desire, which completes the bargain, full-circle.

[@g0lddustt29]

Matt revealed in the campaign wrap-up that the Hag knows she was outmaneuvered and while she respects Jester for pulling it off, "they'll likely cross paths again"

[@kingofscovilles1187]

I was a fan of jester ever since the first time I heard "Hi im Jester" but this moment had her land on my List of Legends.

[@anonymousvendetta3290]

I don’t watch Critical Role or play DND at all, but this single clip has convinced me to start watching Critical Role.

[@jeffwithheldforsafety8359]

AnonymousVendetta Start at the beginning of Campaign 2. It is these characters and only has 93 episodes so far. Campaign 1 has 115 and starts part way into what was their home game before the stream.

[@NpcManDoesStuff]

Its moments like this, that keeps one going

[@dungeonsdoodads4306]

There's crossover content recently in season 2. You'll miss some of the beginning, but season 1 is worth watching first.

[@annafantasia]

@@dungeonsdoodads4306 Nahhh, it's too daunting that way. I loved the fact that I stood a chance of catching up and watching live by watching Campaign 2 first. Plus they're just better at the game by then -- the beginning of campaign 1 is honestly a little rough

[@frightenedsoul]

Jeff Straley “only 93 episodes... so far” LOL

[@hans.m.j]

that my friends is a very good example on how to play a trickster cleric

[@ReyaitheShadowWolf]

If You Give a Hag a Cupcake By Laura *HARP MUSIC* Bailey

[@matthewacker7796]

I'd pay full MSRP and shipping for that book XD

[@warbacca1017]

"I'm going to give her half of my last cupcake and cast modify memory." That's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if this pays off for her... Long may she reign

[@curtisholsinger6023]

WarBacca 101 Jester is Molly’s spiritual successor, canon. Long May They Reign.

[@dustinmichel7608]

The OchO

[@Silmar191]

The change in Laura's expression(which sadly wasn't included here), from sadness and misery to ABSOLUTE STEEL was beyond amazing.

[@danielstephens1185]

You do see it some at 8:34. But if you mean before Jester goes in, when Laura rolls up her sleeves, no. That was a warning everyone at the table missed.

[@GameShowManOne]

I've only been watching CR regularly for a few months, and I have to tell you that this might be the most insanely epic moment I've seen yet. For Laura as Jester to run a con like this and succeed so spectacularly is utterly mindbending. The bonus is Talesin basically going to pieces through all of this - the rest of the party did, too, but probably not to the extent that Talesin did. I think he might have been channeling all the viewers' reaction. I'm sure he'll say something to that effect on Talks Machina tomorrow night. One does not fuck with Laura Bailey and come out the winner...unless you're Travis Willingham. :P

[@GameShowManOne]

Something else I just realized: Marisha looked like she got the living snot kicked out of her during all of this, primarily because of her encounter with the hag. She really thought she was gonna have to give up Beau and was trying to deal with it, and then Laura pulls off the bluff of the century, and suddenly Marisha doesn't have to deal with that. Between the meeting with the Lionetts last week and then this, I can't imagine the toll it took on her.

[@TPBurrow]

After 4 years watching and re-watching Critical Role, this has got to be one of the top three most insane moments ever.

[@ummacnai]

Tal embodies the elder statesman of the group. He's been gaming forever and loves when they pull something epic out, whether it's brilliant or just insane. While I don't think he said it this time, "I'm so proud of you/this" is his mantra for those epic choices. The way Caduceus shepherded Fjord through the significant changes of his life lately are very indicative of this.

[@GameShowManOne]

@@ummacnai One of my favorite parts of this has been the relationship between Caduceus and Fjord, for sure. I'm sure a big part of that is all the stuff that Talesin has been through in his life, and for him to bring that to the table in a positive way makes what we see every week all that much better.

[@annaapple3249]

😉 Lucky Travis

[@alvintollah]

Disclaimer: I've never played DnD before. But that has got to be one of the most creative use of a item+spell combo ever!

[@catsi563]

Especially of an item that quite frankly everyone even the DM forgot about since they basically got it back around episode 8-10ish or so give or take.

[@rictoectol9814]

It was a really solid play. Laura WON D&D.

[@JKSSubstandard]

I mean, I used lightning bolt to turn a metal sphere into a claymore mine that killed another party member...

[@JKSSubstandard]

I also turned an evil wizard into a frog with polymorph, counterspelling his counterspell and then chucking him into a bag of devouring

[@Desdemona-XI]

By far. A very ingenious use of the item and spell in a very unusual situation.

[@Scorpious187]

Liam was not wrong, this was a legendary moment in Critical Role lore. Hell, this was a legendary moment in D&D lore. As Tal said, "You fed a witch a baked good! *How???*"

[@wcthesecret]

You mean Liam.

[@Scorpious187]

@@wcthesecret ... It took ten months for someone to notice this. LOL. That's just how much Caleb and Liam appear to be the same person. lol.

[@cancerino666]

Travis: "Can the witch die from anti-misery?" biggest foreshadow 2020

[@dovearchambault9229]

Also the Traveler said that there are multiple ways to break a curse, not just killing the one who placed it.

[@jwall1646]

Even the greatest of hags will fall to a cleric of the trickster god

[@worldshaking00]

Laura Bailey has always been bomb. Jester, on the other hand, just hit a home run in the ninth inning of the World Series. Truly and epic legendary Trickery moment.

[@argella1300]

A bases loaded grand slam, two outs, 2 strikes 3 balls count

[@deweyck6820]

“And it gives you disadvantage on Wisdom checks and saving throws..”Mic drop

[@jesterssketchbook]

"is there anything else i can do for you?" "no thanks i just wanted my hands..... i mean , a hand, A hand"

[@thobol10]

can you PLEASE make an animation of this moment, cause I fucking love your animation style

[@derigel9783]

Do it.

[@nikitamalikov6683]

It *is* the Jedi way.

[@schmecklez]

8:28 the face of a frustrated DM from a witty/lucky player. The best worst feeling a DM could have.

[@bartholen]

I believe this moment will be for Laura what the Hand of Vecna was for Joe Manganiello.

[@noahdaglio9362]

Fjord went in to neutralize the hag Nott, and Beau went in trying to make a deal with the hag. Yasha went in trying to lure the hag into her own deal. Jester went in to beat hag by making her play Jesters game.

[@scottbruckner4653]

And Caleb was just... There.

[@danielwilson8604]

I think nott went in looking to stop any of the others from making a deal. That's why she asked about the details.

[@DiehardMechWarrior]

WE. MUST. STAN. THIS. QUEEN!

[@NicoNeilson]

WE STAN

[@josephine4s]

The best part of this is how Laura was the REAL tricky one, not Jester-she used her player wits in a way that character abilities alone just can't compare with :)

[@noeljesper9825]

John Mirle Scearcy Yup. This all the way.

[@dogethe2nd410]

Laura/Jester up until the cupcake: "MY GOALS ARE BEYOND YOUR UNDERSTANDING"

[@NeoYgdrassyl]

Marisha saw a ghosts! she was so ready to say goodbye to Beau.

[@andrewcook6608]

I'm hoping she's on Talks this week. I really want to get inside her mind during those last few minutes.

[@cryophile]

@@andrewcook6608 Yes, but I wanted to know what Cad and Caleb were going to do.

[@frightenedsoul]

I’m so glad Sam stopped her from trying to meta game. That was so annoying.

[@lilredrabbit4191]

@@frightenedsoul I know it annoyed me too. =/

[@BasicPokemonHelper]

@@frightenedsoul she was high as a kite and just disregarding what was going on. Really annoying for sure.

[@ZonathaN_611]

That was Taako buying the Flaming Raging Poisonous Sword of Doom levels of genius

[@kellyk1898]

Jonathan Mancz YES! I had the exact same thought. Matt’s face is exactly what I imagine Griffin’s face looked like when Taako proposed selling the Slicer of Tapir Weir Isles. Incredible. Lol

[@Blarg6306]

@@kellyk1898 I love that bit! Hearing Griffin's "Oh my God!" as he realizes just what Justin is pulling was incredible.

[@thearbiterofwv8314]

Normal people: Don't eat food a Hag gives you. Hags: Don't eat anything Jester Lavvore gives you.

[@chichiriz]

Travis 😂 married a warrior and a risk taker damn jester she really is the best gal!

[@annaapple3249]

Togi Poo She’s a beautiful little cutie is what she is. No one can resist her charm. Lucky man.

[@bronzeoliniisnotfunny7885]

Laura Bailey won DND. With a cupcake. I am absolutely shooketh.

[@justin9744]

You can't "win" DND and I wish idiots would stop saying this stupid phrase. She made a great play at the table. Nothing more.

[@bronzeoliniisnotfunny7885]

@@justin9744 I mean if you ask me, a wins a win when you pull off a great play at the table & the dice roll in your favor. Like doesn't it feel amazing when you pull off some giga-brained play & the players around you are all cheering you on/hyping you up about it when it all works out? Why not call it a win?

[@SMEneon]

the main reason this really worked... "ACTING!!!" the people at this table are genius. great episode

[@lockskelington314]

Jester is the most devout follower of the Traveler. He BETTER acknowledge her as such.

[@TheSilverPhoenix100]

Between this Hag and the the dragon this campaign is gonna end with some kind of Legion of Doom forming an alliance to destroy the Mighty Nein

[@cartoonishidealism582]

MEANWHILE AT THE LEGION OF DOOM Isharnai: We’re all out of blueberry cupcakes. Gelidon: I thought we were here planning revenge. Isharnai: How the fuck do you expect me to plan revenge without cupcakes

[@jamescollier9196]

The League of Evil Exes* Ex-enemies?

[@NinjaSchoolDropout]

Dont forget the Roc from the giant tree

[@jw__11]

@@NinjaSchoolDropout And Dashilla the Dreadful

[@jamescanjuggle]

And thus, Laura's clutch play was forever bound to the small but revered "Book of DnD winners"

[@LizzieGrl42]

Would love to read that book lol

[@dennisrydell6883]

This play was almost a full henderson on the henderson scale lol

[@JKSSubstandard]

This is up there with the battle of Darktow and Caleb giving up the icon. What a freaking play.

[@marauderdz]

Let's appreciate how well Laura sets up Matt into believing that he came up with the idea of taking Jester's hands. You can see her planting the seed, feigning ignorance of what she had done, expressing dismay when it looked like she'd been outsmarted, then acting like she was trying to lead the hag to a different decision. And this is why Matt didn't see the trap coming: he was absolutely convinced the whole time that he was the one doing the leading.

[@poppyonline4034]

This is an excellent way of describing it.

[@MiddleVeen]

The fact that Sam shut done the metagaming was great. So glad he did it so that Marisha couldn't try to save Jester.

[@zwand19]

I feel like Marisha was pissed she didn't get to play the main role in this scene

[@juxhex]

@@zwand19?? beau cares for jester A Lot, she clearly just didn't want her to sacrifice herself, plus marisha was in distress because of the whole situation

[@JJ-ub3mw]

@@zwand19 I'm of two minds on her body language A) she was psyching herself up for what she thought was going to be a emotional scene of saying goodbye to her friends, and wanted to deliver a great performance, or B) she was just being a drama queen, also possible pissed she didn't have the attention. I like to think it was option "A"

[@stefandiebel8775]

@@JJ-ub3mw My thoughts exactly.

[@ummacnai]

@@JJ-ub3mw Let's presume option A. Tal actually started it - but that's the kind of metagaming you'll see in any group. I did like Sam stepping up to stop it, I believe Matt would've otherwise.

[@Vidiri]

I just realized that Marisha, as Beau, was probably worried at the end, wondering what deal Jester made.

[@MegaJufy]

No, Marisha was just trying anything she could do to become the center of attention again. She's been doing it for weeks.

[@jamesarnol-scales9281]

I don't think so as baeu is the only character that hasn't had 4th e chance to be in the spot light to do with their back stories but she kinda does kill the mood even when she does have the spot light though

[@ummacnai]

Well, she should have been. Beau was about to sacrifice her relationship with her family to make things right with Nott, and figured Jester had to give something up just as valuable to make this work. Disagree with the other repliers about Marisha forcing herself into the center of attention or that she kills the mood, but I won't bother trying to explain why.

[@alexc1]

@@ummacnai Agreed. And yeah, it's the usual youtube commenters. It'd be best to leave them be. There are much more important things to spend your time on than dealing with this sort of people.

[@Atlas-FM8]

My interpretation was Marisha had mentally and emotionally gotten to the point where she had accepted that this was going to be the end of Beau in the campaign. She was ready to walk through that door and make the deal and then with the wave of a cupcake, Jester solves everything. Marisha however was still in the mind set of Beau being basically dead for all intents and purposes.

[@Blarg6306]

For all the folks here hating on Marisha and saying she was being pissy or whatever....did you even pay attention, or just see what you wanted to see? Especially right around 8:40 or so, you can tell she's experiencing a whole bunch right there. Like basically being told that your death sentence has been waived. I'm not sure I would have been able to process it either. Of course everyone else was celebrating and she seemed shell shocked. It was Beau on the chopping block in her mind, and to have that not happen...fucking D&D man. Messing with your emotions like that. I love this game!

[@aceofpentacles2k]

She doesn't look pissy she looks like shes going through its I was kinda worried about her when I first saw it, she looks traumatized almost, hate that people always have to shit on Marisha

[@martinschafer6002]

It was like Scott Pilgrim serving the Vegan the coffee with milk, a real masterful move xD

[@AnimeWolf5193]

Did Jester just beat a boss character... with a CUPCAKE?

[@Starhartdeer]

You're goddamn right.

[@lyinarbaeldeth2456]

HALF a cupcake.

[@phantasieandmirare]

Laura/Jester just pulled one of the greatest long cons throughout both campaigns and proved that she is an actual Trickster God. I hate that Talks Machina only has two people because I need all of them on the couch discussing the last hour of this game because it was insane.

[@GammaAlanna]

Taliesin's reactions are the best

[@utopia2112]

Jester: casts Modify Memory of the hag. Laura: casts Otto’s Irresistible Dance on Taleisin.

[@klaytonrocks]

That last part where Jester is telling everyone to leave reminds me very much of Gina Rodriguez, it’s uncanny.

[@Thehauntedgaming0528]

Where she is just hustling everybody out the door. Like she knows she needs to go N O W in case her plan didnt actually work

[@TheForts101]

This was Scanlan tier level of moves. Laura Bailey, we bow to you.

[@135mikerules23]

Jester has just gained the eventual ire/respect of an ancient hag, who is most certainly likely a member of a coven. Think about this, why would Isharnai care about her reputation being damaged so much if it only involved potential clients/victims learning about this whole cupcake fiasco? If anything she wouldn’t want to lose the respect of those who are of similar status and prestige such as herself. Edit: (Regarding the Modify Memory) Laura: “If they don’t realize anything is wrong, why would they suspect anything? Matt: “A very long living, very intelligent, individual, who has made it their life’s work feeding off the MISERY of other people?” Laura: “Y-yeah...” Matt: “Well regardless, we’ll pick this up next week.” Edit Edit: NO CAN TAKE THIS MOMENT AWAY FROM JESTER/LAURA.

[@CorkSkrew]

Side moment that I really like is how as they make their escape, Beau/Marisha has such a look of distress, seeming to realize how close she was to giving everything up. Like it all became real for her in the moment.

[@britnicox3929]

Legit even to the end of the clip she still seems to be processing that she isn’t going to lose her entire character for the campaign

[@greathouseofdel]

@@britnicox3929 I saw many people comment in that episode interpreting her face as her “being butthurt that her spotlight was stolen” (the usual dumb haters) and I’m like, if you’ve heard Marisha talk about the way she role plays even for a little bit, you’d know that she takes longer than the rest to process what the hell just happened, AND she goes hard on the emotion. It’s very clear here, she was experiencing pure whiplash, especially since this was the end of the episode

[@justin9744]

@@greathouseofdel Uh no. Marisha tried to derail Laura OOC. Marisha is a trash dnd player and a worse roleplayer.

[@greathouseofdel]

@@justin9744 nah you're just a resentful fake fan and a trash person, but enjoy the show how you want!

[@DParkerNunya]

​@justin9744 Don't be an asshole dude. This is from a game you weren't a part of, years ago, with people you've never met or played with. I've played with shitty players, and even with the context of knowing what Jester is about to do I still understand that feeling of 'this is all a big setup to nothing' that several of them were expressing. Stop shitting on Marisha just because you want to.

[@revnook]

Not just that look on Matt's face but everyone when it dropped that it succeeded. For a moment I thought Taliesin was going to hide under the table.

[@amber7368]

I just love how NO ONE caught on to that Jester was actually up to something (except for Sam who I think saw her looking up the spell) until she revealed what the dust of deliciousness did. They thought she was just being Jester

[@KoalaBeAsh]

This was such a roller coaster, at first I thought (much like everyone here it seems) that her love for drawing or creativity would have been taken away, then it was just all about her hands, then why her hands, then just this is so stupid, what is happening, wait is this really going to happen, that cupcake must be old as shit, wait she's really doing this.....................................hold up...............................IT WORKED?!?! WHAT?! WAIT! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?!?!......................................................................................RUN HOLY SHIT RUN

[@jaypoirier8780]

Laura Bailey: MVP of Campaign 2 this far

[@Diarukun]

Kinda sad that the little moment afterwards isn't included where Taliesin compares the 3 sacrifices. * Beau was ready to remove herself from the life she now holds dear. * Nott was ready to turn a peace conference into a declaration of war. * Jester sacrificed a cupcake.

[@jamescollier9196]

Half, half of an old stale cupcake

[@SCarr8813]

The "We're in love with Jester" table was not having any fun...

[@Atlanta-bjj-clips]

"You want something that would make me totally miserable right?" You can tell Laura came to do Business with a capital B lol

[@Rabid-Floof]

Beau was 100% going to sacrifice her happiness with her found family to help Nott. She had already made that decision before Jester went into that hut. Marisha couldn't even process what just happened. One of the best CR moments EVER!

[@MrGrifflyman]

She legit looks like she saw a ghost.

[@sarahgilliss3503]

She saw Beau's life flash before her eyes.

[@puppysizedgirl]

This was the first ep I watched live, what an ep to see real time!

[@garyjorgensen992]

This was one of those rare and beautiful moments that a player outmaneuvered and outsmarted Matt Mercer. It was so amazing to watch unfold, especially as Tal and Travis went through a whole spectrum of emotions in only a few moments.

[@TheSilverPhoenix100]

The crazy thing is im sure Matt gave her that item as a joke thinking she will use it on somthing silly, only to have it suddenly backfire on him in the best possible way, This obviously wont 100% stick and the Witch is absolutely aware something went down but my god this moment was legendary, but now im fucking terrified what this means for Jester and more so Jester's family as this witch clearly likes seeing strangers suffer...so what will it do to a person who has wronged it

[@caitlynnhatch9254]

Part of me thinks the Hag either attacks the group OR think about it... Jester gave her misery. The misery of falling for a trick, going back on a deal, and she thought she enjoyed it. Misery in knowing she was so throughly tricked against her nature is equal to the misery the hag gave Nott, in my opinion

[@isaiahwelch8066]

@@caitlynnhatch9254 : The problem is, she doesn't know she's been tricked. So she wouldn't even know to go after Jester for the Modify Memory.

[@seanmurphy3430]

I love how when Matt asks Laura to make a persuasion check, everyone (including Matt) assumed it was just a throwaway roll, but Laura knows that this is the most important roll she's made all night.

[@fakjbf3129]

The spell specifically says that if you make the modified memory too outrageous then the target will just dismiss it, so if Matt had wanted to he could have said that Isharnai would never have agreed to something like that. But this was such an amazing plan that it would have been incredibly cruel to just shut it down, making her save would have been one thing but DM fiat would have felt like too much. I think he made a great decision by saying that she suspects something and will eventually get her memory corrected, it's a perfect example of the "Yes, but..." improv strategy. Moments like these are what make Matt an amazing DM, he's rolling with the punches and letting his players shine instead of forcing them to play the game his way.

[@nikitamalikov6683]

What it sounds like is that Isharnai's halfway between dismissing it and taking it, so we're definitely seeing more of her.

[@letssee8397]

Jester has officially earned Play of the Game AND Chosen of the Traveler

[@OmegaGuess]

I love these closeups... 5:45 was a CLEAR look of "You're up to something, but I just can't figure out what..."

[@aquament]

Re-watching this, well I acknowledge the creative, deceptive brilliance of Laura Bailey, I think I should also be given to Matt for not being the type of DM to steal this moment away from his players with some, "oh, these effects don't work, it's a hag, roll initiative" dm fiat type thing. This is the moment where a great player, out plays a great DM and the DM gives up enough control to let it happen

[@katherinejanusch2328]

Jester was right the traveler was with her as she trick the hag into releasing nott’s curse