The Coming Storm | Critical Role: VOX MACHINA | Episode 73

[@TheSolitaryGrape]

Shoutout to the commenter on the previous ep who said "anyone who's binging this, make sure you aren't drinking anything when the next episode starts", saved my cup of tea!

[@whimsicalityexpert9646]

same:)

[@mangopipino]

i bought a bottle of mountain dew specifically for this ep

[@JohnyFins]

Saved me too 😄

[@LimGiralda]

Yes! Saved both my tea and my screen.

[@MisterNightfish]

I was thinking "eh, how funny can it possibly be right off the bat?" Turns out the commenter on the last video was absolutely correct.

[@zeffer9366]

Vex: He snores Vex: (to Keyleth) My brother doesn't snore Keyleth: No, I know Travis: *dying quietly *

[@dactel]

45:08

[@okthen623]

Laura and Travis SLAYED in those costumes im OBSESSED

[@HelloThere.....]

Yea she looks so hot tbh

[@shannononeill482]

Those fangs are NOT The easiest to talk in/drink/etc...Travis did amazing. And omg they looked great as Lord and Lady Briarwood.

[@G.F.SF55]

IKR!! Absolutely looks badass!!!!

[@jkbarber99]

They are BOTH hot hot hot !

[@IRQ17]

Every other player: Picks boss, or at least miniboss-tier villains that had an entire arc of the campaign devoted to themselves. Liam: Yo, remember that mapmaker we've met twice?

[@DGilly]

So you just hate on Liam bc Matt is literally the same way🤣🤣

[@charlesboots6508]

​@@DGillyThat wasn't hate. That was being impressed; Knowing deep cuts is always more impressive than knowing the hits.

[@patopatric]

@@DGilly wow you're annoying

[@longtran4256]

I just noticed that everyone chose to dress up as a different version of Matt ;P

[@blackhawc39]

Long Tran To be fair, Matt is EVERYONE in the game except for Vox Machina themselves (and the guests) Though I kind of wish Liam had played another enemy like one of the Fae from the Faewild or something to complete the pattern.

[@PHANTOMCOWGIRL]

Now I want everyone to just dress up as Matt himself.

[@blackhawc39]

WizardOf Sooo...long straight hair, shaved face, black wristbands, a dark graphic T-shirt from some place in the desert, and a black hoodie which is constantly being readjusted?

[@dedf15]

you win the comments for today! good show, sir!

[@conmadben]

WizardOf Holy sheit! I want this for this years Halloween!!!!!

[@MercifulMantis]

The best part of Matt Playing Brother Kash is that he’s 100% spot on the character that Will Friedle would say. It’s incredible.

[@georgeweasley54]

down to some basic mannerisms and expressions lol

[@xEvilRaptorx]

The bedroom scene has to be the best Kashew impression ever

[@JonathanMandrake]

If I would have to guess who is under the mask of the old tinkerer losing his arms in explosions would be Talesien

[@cpt.awesome7281]

... "Get out of my room."

[@xDMrGarrison]

Matt is ridiculously good at impersonating people.

[@richnothnagel]

Vax to Keyleth: If you tell me to go in, I will go in. Laura and Travis *struggle to keep a straight face*

[@copycrow4486]

I just read the first line and struggled to keep a straight face too!

[@anthonyneofotistos5331]

That cracks me up every time. Right around the 30 minute mark

[@bricknolty5478]

I thought was from Sam making tiger claws at them lol

[@isaac8734]

Vex to keyleth: my brother doesnt snore Keyleth to vex: no yeah I know

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

@@isaac8734 That one kind of bothered me. If a party camps anywhere they would know who snores and who doesn't. Fridge logic cutting through the awkwardness.

[@Nobrev]

I WASN'T EXPECTING TO CLICK TO THE NEXT EPISODE AND IMMEDIATELY HAVE VICTOR SCREAMING AT ME

[@uncommonbby]

I saw a warning in the comments in the previous episode. Didn't really believe it until I burst out laughing.

[@Reepicheep-1]

Respectfully, we really need a scene where Viktor needs a few difficult items from The Invulnerable Vagrant.

[@BryonYoungblood]

@@Reepicheep-1 I only can imagine how Matt would feel about that! XD

[@nickanderson55]

That’s how you know it’s gonna be a good episode

[@nickanderson55]

That’s how you know it’s gonna be a good episode

[@WannaComment2]

It's amazing how Taliesin's Clarota mask arrived right after he did some literal backstabbing.

[@panterloart9180]

It probably arrived at 32:32 I mean look at Taliesin, he's gesturing to someone so they don't bring it over

[@Coinriocht]

Was not prepared for that introduction and I had a minor heartattack and almost choked on my snacks as Victor popped up on the screen.

[@chrismiksworld]

I was laughing so Freaking Hard it Huuurt

[@AaronWeight]

Same!

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

Didn't have quite the same problem you or Liam did but everytime I looked away I'd look back and get startled by the Victor costume. Disrupted (not broke) my immersion I can tell you.

[@Coinriocht]

@@MorinehtarTheBlue He does have that effect on people.

[@jash51772]

Their halloween is always super distracting lmao just wait till c2 if you haven't seen it yet

[@MonyTon]

I'm so sad we rarely get to see anyone engaging in a heart-to-heart conversation with Grog, so it was really nice to see Keyleth approaching him to talk about something a little more serious. I feel like the character we probably know the least so far is Grog (and Pike probably, though it's understandable), and it looks like he has more to offer. The same goes for Scanlan since they are both always thrown into the comic relief roles. It's always good to see them open up about more serious topics.

[@WyldKat75]

Grog only pawn in game of life

[@PopsC24]

I know I'm a bit late to answer this but there are a couple of things we need to remember: I do agree with you that Grog and Scanlan are characters with so much potential, but the stream only started online mid-way through their game. There was backstory involved for them pre-stream. Also this campaign doesn't have the same preparation that campaign 2 has. Most of them were new to the game, to the concept of backstory or to making a backstory with enough threads that the DM could pull into it. If you notice the only ones that have good backstories are the twins (because Liam already had strong concepts), Percy and Keilyth. The good part about it is seeing the evolution in character concept they were able to achieve from C1 to C2.

[@chrisrudolf9839]

Grog has a rather simple backstory and the potential for drama and character development that it DOES provide has already been utilized quite effectively during the confrontation with Grog's herd in the Westruun arc. Also Travis did quite a good job in portraying Grog's character developmet from a raging brutal loner to a person who learns to care for others and to rely on their aid as well. But there is really only so much you can do with a character that is supposed to have the intelligence of an ape.

[@JohnDoe-zs6gj]

@@WyldKat75 Love the Mongo reference.

[@piranhaplantX]

@@chrisrudolf9839 Yeah, this is (one reason) why I typically avoid playing Barbarians. The idea seems fun on the surface, but your typical barbarian provides only a bare bones framework for role play. Which isn't to say that you can't role play a barbarian well. But Travis designed Grog in the same way a lot of new players design their first Barbarian. In other words, very limited outside of combat. It is difficult to base a complex character on someone with moderate wisdom and the intelligence of a moderately intelligent animal.

[@rickard7031]

Laura (as Delilah Briarwood): I am not dead Matt (sweating profusely): No no, you're dead. You're very dead.

[@IsaacMayerCreativeWorks]

*squints* ssssure

[@isack-joebastajian2953]

Is she though? Is she really dead?

[@thenymphomancer5592]

@@isack-joebastajian2953 I guess we’ll just have to keep watching

[@PaganChilis]

🤫

[@majorzipf8947]

Mmmmmhmmmm Yep totally ded.....

[@thestarlightforge6568]

“I’m not level one in anything, except maps. I’m level 15 in maps.” 😆😂😂😂 I LOVE IT

[@Reblwitoutacause]

PG - E 3:52

[@Babodor123]

I'm you from the future. I'm disappointed. Of what we became.

[@SamuelRowan]

Me as a DM

[@Loki13M]

And then sit three and a half hours with an arm tied behind his back just for character aesthetics.

[@LvOneRose]

It's good to see Matt out of makeup for once.

[@GeorgieChaos]

You've got me, two years in the future in my dining room, full belly laugh cackling over here. An internet point to you, friend!

[@BatmanHeals]

@@GeorgieChaos same bahahaha

[@pagenein]

Yeah, it was really confusing that the others all looked like Matt as well tho

[@modredastal1644]

@@pagenein if this were Reddit, I'd give you gold.

[@lucyde9]

@@pagenein Underrated comment. Took me a minute XD

[@rakkatytam]

Would be hilarious if while they were at the ziggurat talking about throwing stuff in the orb the janitor comes in and starts emptying a bunch of trash cans inside it.

[@PlanetXGameStudios]

Lol

[@azarinevil]

I actually had a band of adventurers that used a Sphere of Annihilation as their keep's garbage disposal.. they actually lost three janitors to it LOL. Thanks for reminding me, I had almost forgotten that little gem from back in the 2nd edition days.

[@Scooty_Puff_Sr]

That's some Futurama type shenanigans right there!

[@TJForehand]

They should have used the gate scroll to suck Thordak through as close as possible to the ziggurat, then he's in a cave and alone surrounded by Vox and all their allies (#it'satrap).

[@chrisrudolf9839]

@@TJForehand I'm not sure that you can use the gate scroll to force a being to your location that is native to the material plane, at least usually it is only used to summon creatures from other planes. Even the possibility they discussed to open the other end of the gate on the same plane for travel purposes is not really in the official spell description and Matt would only have allowed it because it was actually less powerful than what the spell is intended to do and would only duplicate a lower level teleport spell. Forcing a creature of the material plane through such a gateway would be something else, though. It would bust many a campaign plot if you could seperate the campaign end boss from his lair and his minions and force him to appear at a place of your choice from any distance with no saving throw.

[@Quadraxis]

The way Grog talks to Keyleth about patience, family and control reflects very well how a barbarian is able to channel their rage at will. He is intimately familiar with control of emotion and passion and knows very well that rage and strong emotions are far better spent by focusing it and harnessing it rather than mindlessly letting it control you. Hats off to Grog. He may be dumb as a breadcrumb, but he is wise beyond his statblock.

[@piranhaplantX]

The irony is this is him just using his average wisdom. So it's just him throwing common sense at characters that mostly don't act out their wisdom scores terribly well. Except Scanlan, he's charismatic and intelligent, but lacks any common sense at a 7 wisdom and he often plays that perfectly.

[@IronOgre]

​@@piranhaplantX Spice? Spice? You spicin?

[@cjtrules1]

@@piranhaplantX Someone smart or wise are not smart or wise in every single thing. It is remarkable people still turn this around to shit on Keyleth. This little exchange was incredible for Keyleth. It shows a lot of maturity to see she has trouble controlling her anger around Raishan and to seek help in controlling it. Grog is also THE PERFECT person to talk to about it. I say that is a sign of a wise person.

[@awesomeized1432]

God I wish someone had dressed up as the Sun tree by just putting on a tree costume and sticking a printout of Matthew McConaughey's face on it.

[@bearmothowl6219]

Holy shit, I literally just thought: Hm, I would have been the Sun tree... xD

[@kwhite665]

Matthew McConaughey. Matthew Mercer. I see no difference at this point with the Sun Tree.

[@ghomerhust]

@@kwhite665 yeaaaaaaahhhhhh, and thats pretty coooooollll

[@joshhaworth2155]

I really hope somebody did that at a convention (back when those were a thing) and I further hope there's evidence of it online.

[@smoothdooth8784]

@@joshhaworth2155 Matthew McConautree?

[@Bella-xm3gj]

1:09:02 Travis jokingly pretends to be blind and taps Laura’s shoulder. They then both giggle to themselves like kids because they’re absolutely adorable.

[@princessblazena]

Cut to C2...the only flirting is in game, and Travis always gets so flustered. I was shocked when I found out that he ghosted Laura when they first dated, and she was mad at him a couple years until he ran into her at an audition and finally apologized. He just seems so completely enraptured by her now 🥰🥰

[@jaw322]

@@princessblazena what do you mean?

[@judyweathers9735]

They are the best. I love watching them together. They have a great relationship. And Matt and Marisha also.

[@Eadwulf_Skald]

@@princessblazena Correction: He ghosted her for a short time, they went out again and stopped talking again after that. In laura's words: "I wasn't sweating it."

[@princessblazena]

@@Eadwulf_Skald if you watch Travis's Between the Sheets @46:50 Travis says he decided to ghost her one day, and they didn't see each other again for 3 years. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoPRaaOKjJesY6M

[@user-sl7tm9mf8y]

The more and more I watch Grog the more I realize that he has the mind of a kid. Not in the sense of him being stupid or unintelligent, but the simplicity and clarity of things. Nothing is complicated to him, and allows him to be profound in ways that grown adults with adult intelligence skip over or ignore. It helps people like Keylieth really ground themselves and helps them really control their emotions and shows them to look at things in a clearer calmer light.

[@EnDSchultz1]

Fourth Reich Yes, I think that's what the OP is getting at. Travis plays Grog perfectly as a none-too-bright goliath with a childlike mind. Which is difficult when, as you note, he's likely one of the brightest at the table. It's a testament to his skill and discipline as a player that he's able to mostly pull it off, especially when he's bored to death by the others planning ad infinitum and has no character rationale to chime in and set them straight.

[@roshivvymegido9178]

@Kel'Thuzad must you make everything about hating on marisha

[@christopherbacon1077]

@@roshivvymegido9178 What do you expect from someone whose original; name was Fourth Reich?

[@robertwilkinson1381]

@@christopherbacon1077 explain plz 😂

[@evilbeardedman]

Yup, Travis is amazing.

[@johnnikyecole9114]

If Sam did Matt's best man speech it would go on like 45mins and end as a back blaze add

[@HugoGojibiter]

“You may now kiss the bride” “Guys! Back blaze is a great service”

[@Ultralink1001]

👌 I would watch that

[@KeldonRaven]

"I got you a great wedding present.......... its this great Crate full of Loot, one could even say a LootCrate, and I got it for $3 off using the code........."

[@wadechezem1858]

Loot Crate boxes for everyone

[@gingermonster938]

Matthew's Kash is Sooooo good "OUT OF MY ROOM", he does a great Percival as well.

[@dynamicworlds1]

Yeah, the Kash scene was amazingly done!

[@arachnophilegrrl]

I can’t believe how well he plays other people’s characters.

[@sh11death]

He does a great everyone.

[@Madhattersinjeans]

@@sh11death I want to see him with sock puppets of the whole party and just make a fake roleplay session of the party ripping the piss out of everyone. It would feel so cathartic. Percy's stammering, Vax's one overly developed emotion of angst, Keyleth arguing with any plan, Vex trying to seduce the big bad, Grog beating up walls and doors, Pike's forgetfulness of her spells and Sam making weird song references the whole time.

[@bartholen]

@@Madhattersinjeans I like how you called everyone by their character names, but just called Sam Sam.

[@RagingKey]

They should do a one-shot where they all have to play as the character they dressed up as. Maybe as some journey through the Nine Hells as they swear vengeance on Vox Machina, and the mapmaker is dragged along because they think he knows where they are.

[@praisethesun5800]

I would love to see the map guy interact with the badass villains

[@louisec-m9503]

+

[@DrDrCr4zy]

thats a darn cool idea!!!

[@azarinevil]

That presumes they all ended up in the Nine Hells.. I love the idea, but it doesn't really work like that in the afterlifes of the Multiverse. Ripley was an atheist, so she would have ended up as an unclaimed soul in Hades if her fiendish benefactor didn't claim her soul on death, depends on the nature of the bargain of vengeance she made. That puts her at 50/50 for being in the Hells. The Briarwoods worshipped Vecna, so their souls could have been devoured by him or left unclaimed, so no Hells for them. Hotis is the only one 100% in the Nine Hells, but he already has means to escape.. it is kind of the Rakshasa's thing.

[@MorganBondelid]

maybe it's a really coincidental prequel origin story with all of these characters and Tyrioc is an accidental bystander who gets stuck in the middle of the drama and swears to find a nice, quiet profession where he doesn't have to avoid magic users

[@cjvs1604]

"He looks like Doc Brown exploded" is the best possible description of Victor.

[@snappleandcats2209]

CJ47 Sounds like an amazing fan theory

[@jerk1921]

I was thinking he looked like Lemony Snicket.

[@Ookler]

also a crazy version of the "My Cabbages!!!"-merchant guy from Avatar....

[@dichotomusprime6646]

"MARTY!!" Dead. I am dead.

[@jacobdavis5722]

DichotomusPrime Marty! I used too many gigawatts!

[@samanthq]

I don’t know why I was so surprised about Matt and Marisha’s engagement. I’m in the future. They’ve been married forever now

[@toraquan]

I literally thrust my arms in the air in surprise, too...then the realization caught up with me.

[@kennabrown7539]

I’m going to be the same way when I get to Laura’s pregnancy announcement 😂

[@dawidpotega882]

​@@kennabrown7539SPOILER TAG NEXT TIME!! 😂

[@nikitabreslin4568]

I usually just watch Sam's promo then skip to the opening credits, I would have completely missed this if not for your comment

[@halseylynn5161]

45:07 Vex "He snores. You know, my brother doesn't snore." Keyleth "No. I know." Travis [breaks character] "stifled laugh"

[@HenriqueErzinger]

travis is not in the scene, how can he break character?

[@mangoesaredelicious4622]

@@HenriqueErzinger it's more like laughing when he shouldn't. his little "ew" ended up setting everyone off

[@christopherbacon1077]

Pretty much walked into that, didn't she?

[@jibblettz583]

Every conversation Vax has ever had: "I'm probably gonna die soon...also I love you, but now is not a good time. *walks away*

[@kristiankjelns9495]

I know right?

[@amandadube156]

"I would like to just seize this opportunity to naval-gaze for 20 minutes. That's cool with you, right? Not like we're in the middle of playing a game or anything. Just don't look bored in front of the camera while I explore my fictitious character's sexuality for the rest of the episode...."

[@RHCP1031]

"I'm gonna sneak away... I'll use luck... That's a natural 85 on stealth."

[@edaumaysol]

I skip through all of his speeches until I see him stop making that face. I cut off like half of the episode times by doing this.

[@mattmark94]

I ALWAYS skip his conversations with Keyleth or Vex, it's SO boring

[@symphonicstorm317]

I choose to believe that Matt's drink is part of his costume, and it's dark because it has gunpowder in it.

[@hicuprule]

Is coffee

[@Pluveus]

Gunpowder Coffee, like he offered Percy.

[@joshdamighty]

IT'S COFFEE

[@nidohogg4783]

It was so hard to take Sam seriously with his cosplay when he was opening up to Jared. "Rakshasa" **jazz hands**

[@joshhaworth2155]

Uk'otoa before there was Uk'otoa.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

😂🤣 The jazz hands really make it.

[@bigblockchevy427]

dont you mean.... Rakasha *Jazz hands*

[@ldoc3988]

keyleth: *says some vague shit about thordak and raishan that's close to the point but a bit convoluted* Percy: allow me to translate Percy: *says some vague shit about thordak and raishan that's close to the point but a bit convoluted*

[@TheKnudie]

Liam Doc lol I couldn't take it I had to fast forward

[@korvmok]

omg this is always the case!! why don't they let Scanlan talk??! He's the one with the charisma!

[@parkerconn5411]

@@TheKnudie I DID TOO!

[@Deiwos0]

@@korvmok Simply because it's no fun for the players if it's always the same one doing the talking whilst the rest wait.

[@nicholasthompson5253]

@@Deiwos0 I think it was more about who has more base influence with the town. Like, as much as it frustrated me that Liam kept being interrupted, Vax had little reason to talk to anyone beside Gilmore. Not to mention the one time he really did speak up in court he was referencing Gilmore's lack of information, or throwing curses at "The Master of Secrets." I can't imagine that the court that elevated this member to that office/title would've taken the criticisms very well. Percival has deep connections in that court, so as much as the party must all be involved, Percival was correctly the faceman in that court. I could tell the interruptions were slowly grinding on people, though. Little more than usual. IN SAYING THAT, Vax had some very good RP moments in this episode, so no shade thrown.

[@Nikelaos_Khristianos]

Sam vetoing the whole ''Let's hope Thordak flies into the Sphere of Annihilation'' plan was priceless. XD

[@SocialistSadako]

Thank fucking god for Sam Riegel. Percy's bullshit was the stupidest shit in the entire episode alongside with Keyleth's.

[@Eadwulf_Skald]

@@SocialistSadako Keyleth had a logical point considering a quarter of her people were wiped out practically by Thordak like it's nothing. If you combine that with the group basically agreeing on the "lets just send our friends in a volcanic wasteland to fight fire giants and shit on the front line while we sneak around back" plan it's understandable she's annoyed. Her whole journey is about becoming a leader for her people and personally not being a fan of the "I let my subjects fight the big battle while I fix a big issue in the back" type of leaders I love her during this episode.

[@prestigerazor4961]

@@Eadwulf_Skald I don't know she kinda just kept shitting on everyone this session

[@Hyde_Hill]

@@Eadwulf_Skald I think it is also/more to do with the inconsistencies of her character. One second it's ditsy let's get drunk/gamble and cheat/ be awkward etc, then I don't know what is right or wrong super insecure, then high horse morality preachy, then revenge and will sacrifice everything despite of it, then kill a pixie because hey fun. The big magic plays when not understanding her magic to grab attention that don't work (with exception of going fire elemental with tree stride). It's the lack of overlap and consistency in her character and never actually offering something constructive that grates some people. Grog sometimes being "wise" and the way he is wise completely fits with his character. Keyleth is all over the shop and not in a, makes sense for someone who is learning the world type of way.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

I'm of the mind that the sphere is amassing energy and that feeding Thordak to it could well summon Veccna. I twitch everytime somebody mentions dropping anything in to it. Hell the anti-magic effect could be sipping at the dweomers nearby. I wish they would leave it the hell alone.

[@Elydir]

"Who cares? This is a game. I'm with my friends. I'm having fun." Those words should be put in stone and hanged under every episode.

[@sapph0sfriend13]

That’s going to be my reply to all the comments hating on the cast or characters

[@DatChanimal]

@@Tenshiwing I mean to be fair, if someone has the time to go through and individually shit talk every single episode rather than just stop watching, it speaks volumes about those people. They have nothing better to do, and no fun is allowed. I've played with them. Their only satisfaction is min maxing every encounter, and anything that isn't optimal is bad. I'm just glad I stumbled upon this community and saw how good it can be because my first campaign was half ruined by a person like that, even with a DM who put Mercer-esque effort into her world building and roleplaying.

[@HDloly]

If only this same boy who is having so much fun now didn't nag to the game master later as soon he as he gets himself in trouble later. Laura is so right in trying to make him act a little less caresly, just because he can't take well later.

[@leahsander5490]

@@DatChanimal Just to give a different perspective on this: It's not that no fun is allowed. It's that some viewers have trouble having fun at times. I for one get very upset whenever Keyleth talks to a major NPC, because nothing she says seems to make any sense. That's kind of infuriating. Sure, that's probably not healthy that I get upset about some fictional character playing a game "wrong". But I do. Her brain seems to be working entirely different from mine. Yes, I know the group wouldn't be the same without Marisha. Yes, Marisha does a fantastic job as Creative Producer or whatever her title at their company is. I love her work. But the way she sometimes plays Keyleth is so, so frustrating. Like she purposefully misunderstands everything the NPCs tell her.

[@VoidLantadd]

Hanged? That's a bit violent.

[@davidm9612]

Grog checking whether every new weapon that anyone receives is sentient. Craven Edge must've really traumatized him. Still a great bit that I won't get tired of tho

[@Lucifronz]

Afraid of a holy weapon, too. lol It's just like him to not know the difference between a holy avenger and a cursed sword, though.

[@user-Aaron-]

​@@LucifronzI like your Yoda goat profile picture

[@DevinDTV]

"We have allies... a handful of goliaths, maybe some dragonborn, a werewolf..." *completely forgets the Syngorn army and remaining Emon troops near Syngorn*

[@cwengel22]

DevinDTV Syngorn was mentioned quite a lot during that convo

[@azarinevil]

DM 101.. those armies mean nothing, they die real quick since 99% are lvl 1-5. Never send an army to do an adventuring party's job, everyone hated on Keyleth for saying it.. but she clearly learned the lesson from what happened to Grog's herd, and those guys actually had a decent CR LOL

[@nickstricklett3076]

@@azarinevil I mean people hated on her because all she was doing was bitching about how stupid the plan was without offering anything else. That's called whining and its annoying when anyone does it. It's pretty clear that the army is cannon fodder to either a. Draw thordak out or b. Be a distraction to engage thordaks forces while VM makes a run in. Keyleth has shown many times that while she is a great tactician, she is not a strategist. She especially cannot sacrifice one army to save the world

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

@@azarinevil It depends on how well trained the army is.

[@Aerensianic]

@@azarinevil Armies can be quite good support vs dragons. All about how you use them.

[@mackickinback3649]

dude laura and travis look SO hot gaud dAMN

[@katekursive1370]

it's bisexual hell

[@l0re811]

Ditto!

[@SirDankleberry]

She’s basically cosplaying as Serana.

[@tonybraswell2790]

This comment was brought to you by bisexuality

[@xEvilRaptorx]

Laura and Travis look SO AMAZING anytime they "dress up" It almost makes me jealous

[@ArdanTheHalfDragon]

Too bad they don't have the gate scroll anymore. Could have used it to summon Larkin.

[@Beezchurgar]

That or someone like Bahamut or an Ancient Gold Dragon or something.

[@MainManJaggi]

Haruko171 Though gold dragons are good in nature, I doubt one would be too keen on being taken against its will for the sake of a battle it knows nothing about. Also, they would need to know the name of an ancient gold dragon. Also, if they were to summon Bahamut, a god none of the main VM cast worships, Bahamut would deny the gate spell to resolve. Gods have that power. Also, gods generally aren't too keen on direct involvement. Because of the Divergence and whatnot.

[@vincentlacoursiere9607]

I think in the Lore it's that if Gods can come through, Evil Gods and all sort of terrible things can as well. That's the reason the Gods can't come anymore.

[@williamsblake99]

Or used it to suck Thordak into another plain of existence again.

[@hermesy.c.9668]

They could also get the name of a Solar or Planetar that serves Serenrae and gate it to fight Thordak with them. Although I doubt Matt would allow it because a Solar is probably enough on it's own to kill it which would kind of kill the fun of it

[@bxzidffbxzidff]

God I love Sam in the last hour of this episode. "What did you think we were making allegiances for? Just to hang out with them?" And vetoing the orb. And "I go behind Keyleth and stab three times"

[@DannyMakesVideosIGuess]

@@hahmann Well of course, Scanlan is the de facto leader of Vox Machina, and for good Goddamn reason!

[@BryonYoungblood]

@@DannyMakesVideosIGuess I often have seen him and Percy as the leaders easily of the party. Scanlan handles the charismatic side of being a leader, Percy handles the tactical side of things.

[@user-Aaron-]

​@@The_Ashura24I mean, you kinda just did

[@olivia3890]

I've always had a weird love for Lord and Lady Briarwood and now it's been materialized into Laura and Travis and I'm dead

[@dnatsrednUouYoD]

snafu moofins same

[@mackdebruin999]

snafu moofins [][][] Agreed, they are probably my fav villain characters in the series thus far.

[@TwoStupidGeniuses]

Mack Debruin Say what you will about the whole necromancy thing, they were a power couple to be reckoned with

[@katekursive1370]

Right? I think it's like with Imhotep and Anck-Su-Namun in the first Mummy. They really love each other for reals, and it's very humanizing in a weird way

[@TwoStupidGeniuses]

Brave Kate I like to think about Delilah losing her husband, her whole world. Crying out to the universe for something, anything to answer the call. Vecna hearing her cry and seeing her potential, and offering her a deal. I see her slowly being coaxed along into his service, finally being rewarded with her husband, too blind to see all the harm she's caused. Really hunanizes her and makes you think about what she might have been had she accepted Sylas's death

[@pendragon7348]

I'm watching this in 2020 during the quarantine. I just wanted to say THANK YOU!! You guys are hilarious!! Victor the black powder merchant is one of my top3 favorite characters!! You're a mad genius Matt!!!

[@creed1005]

SAME!!! i lost it when the episode started!!!

[@Kasino80]

Me too.

[@Regonza93]

Right with you guys. We can do it!!

[@Thomas-cc1lj]

Same

[@jennabohn3458]

I am as well! Glad to know I'm not alone!

[@AnneIllustrating]

I never thought I would find one of my very favorite things about Scanlan in a silly scene where he's trying to buy drugs off of Jarett. His hesitant drive to become a better man for his daughter and maybe future wife is wearing on him in ways he doesn't know how to handle. He abstains from sex to keep his focus on that but instead replaces that with another risky endeavor to forget about his troubles. This gnome's got layers. Sam is such a fantastic storyteller all on his own.

[@andreawww]

Agreed, and I get frustrated when his brilliant character development gets overlooked cause he's just "the funny one"

[@sethescope]

but bro....... do you spice?

[@sethescope]

@@andreawww you're not a true scanlan fan unless you spice

[@eta2670]

Grog saying “I third that” instead of “I second that” some how slipped in without anyone noticing. And it was great x)

[@newtpondskipper]

Liam " this is a game. I'm with my friends. I'm having fun." Best comment of the series.

[@Ginric99]

Time stamp?

[@PrincessMeggala0913]

YES. THIS.

[@Introbulus]

57:16 about a minute or two into this conversation, I nearly choked laughing, as I realized this was Victor the Blackpowder Merchant and Hotis in a tiger hoodie talking about keeping your virility up and not relying on drugs.

[@katspangler6336]

I replayed that so many times, dying of laughter & trying not to wake the whole house up 🤣🤣🤣💀

[@gabehenson744]

I keep telling myself travis and Laura's costumes are my favorite and then it pans back to matt and then I remember

[@dilam6103]

2022 crew bringing it up 0:00:00 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 0:04:45 - Loot Crate 0:05:05 - The Magic Trick 0:07:03 - Quadruple Threat 0:11:25 - Signal Boost 0:11:55 - Talks Machina 0:12:54 - #Marishatt 4 Ever 0:15:50 - Game starts 0:17:00 - Bailey Keepin' It Classy 0:18:45 - Keepin' it Together 0:20:30 - Sun Tree 0:21:00 - Time calculations 0:21:35 - What to do? 0:24:05 - Kima & Hassume 0:27:35 - Kill her right here... 0:29:10 - Good object work 0:29:35 - Keyleth wants to kill 0:32:30 - Scanlan & Percy 0:33:30 - The plan is no plan 0:37:25 - Checking on Gilmore 0:43:40 - I don't have to look at this 0:44:07 - Vex and Keyleth go find Kashaw 0:44:35 - Visiting Cash 0:48:00 - Get out of my room 0:48:47 - Girl Talk 0:49:10 - Why are you asking me? 0:50:40 - Scanlan wants some money 0:51:05 - Do you have good credit? 0:51:50 - Consulting Blackstone 0:53:15 - Cassandra & Percy 0:56:15 - Scanlan & Jerrett 0:58:55 - Don't judge 0:59:40 - An untuned instrument 1:02:20 - Sucker Punch 1:03:30 - Grog's business 1:06:00 - Scanlan & Vax 1:08:55 - Locker room talk 1:13:40 - Simon 1:15:40 - Keyleth & Grog 1:18:30 - A Meeting of the Minds 1:45:50 - Why Percy why? 1:48:25 - Break starts 2:07:55 - Break Ends 2:08:00 - Klarotta 2:11:55 - Raishan 2:37:10 - Cassandra's fear 2:40:40 - To the new War Room 2:57:08 - Nature loving druid to a cold blooded druid 3:05:05 - Allura, the voice of reason 3:09:10 - Scanlan's attack 3:12:10 - Fort Daxio 3:12:45 - Denied by Viktor 3:15:00 - End of session 3:15:05 - Hotus Magic

[@alliecat5237]

Boost

[@internettevarolanadam]

Thanks lando

[@michaelnelson8618]

yesssssss tyvm

[@BeansInCrocs007]

Boost!

[@biggerears8040]

Bump!

[@muteunmute5902]

Timestamps: 0:00:00 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 0:04:45 - Loot Crate 0:05:05 - The Magic Trick 0:07:03 - Quadruple Threat 0:11:25 - Signal Boost 0:11:55 - Talks Machina 0:12:54 - #Marishatt 4 Ever 0:15:50 - Game starts 0:17:00 - Bailey Keepin' It Classy 0:18:45 - Keepin' it Together 0:20:30 - Sun Tree 0:21:00 - Time calculations 0:21:35 - What to do? 0:24:05 - Kima & Hassume 0:27:35 - Kill her right here... 0:29:10 - Good object work 0:29:35 - Keyleth wants to kill 0:32:30 - Scanlan & Percy 0:33:30 - The plan is no plan 0:37:25 - Checking on Gilmore 0:43:40 - I don't have to look at this 0:44:07 - Vex and Keyleth go find Kashaw 0:44:35 - Visiting Cash 0:48:00 - Get out of my room 0:48:47 - Girl Talk 0:49:10 - Why are you asking me? 0:50:40 - Scanlan wants some money 0:51:05 - Do you have good credit? 0:51:50 - Consulting Blackstone 0:53:15 - Cassandra & Percy 0:56:15 - Scanlan & Jerrett 0:58:55 - Don't judge 0:59:40 - An untuned instrument 1:02:20 - Sucker Punch 1:03:30 - Grog's business 1:06:00 - Scanlan & Vax 1:08:55 - Locker room talk 1:13:40 - Simon 1:15:40 - Keyleth & Grog 1:18:30 - A Meeting of the Minds 1:45:50 - Why Percy why? 1:48:25 - Break starts 2:07:55 - Break Ends 2:08:00 - Klarotta 2:11:55 - Raishan 2:37:10 - Cassandra's fear 2:40:40 - To the new War Room 2:57:08 - Nature loving druid to a cold blooded druid 3:05:05 - Allura, the voice of reason 3:09:10 - Scanlan's attack 3:12:10 - Fort Daxio 3:12:45 - Denied by Viktor 3:15:00 - End of session 3:15:05 - Hotus Magic

[@PyrotechNick77]

Thabnk you

[@amandapicard8847]

Bless you

[@Ribula1]

Needs more likes

[@weepingangel2384]

Thank You

[@lukelavelle5652]

Bumpity bump

[@huntertuggle2667]

Look at Percy trying to play off that he knew Raishan was an illusion. That was adorable

[@yasminafarih3681]

And well done. That was masterful and they got the conversation going thanks to his frankly *reckless* decision

[@oskarpalus2846]

​@@yasminafarih3681 They laughed at him becouse he already said he wanted to make 3 attacks as a player. But as character he just stabbed once and that was it, so its far more plausible to declare it an "illusion check"

[@neongod3547]

I thought it was super cringe

[@yasminafarih3681]

@@oskarpalus2846 He laughed at himself once the episode ended He really thought he was gonna fight her Wonder what Scamlon would've thought of that.

[@yasminafarih3681]

@@neongod3547 That fact he tried to kill her, or the fact he managed to save face

[@widget918]

I have to say that watching Matt the DM be Gilmore dressed as Viktor is a strange experience. Thanks, Matt!

[@dropkickpiper3204]

Lorraine Briggs I was more amused by Grog's voice being spoken by Lord Briarwood.

[@widget918]

Tis a terrifying experience for us all lol

[@maryz9319]

Gotta admit, this is a great episode to try out the podcast if ya haven't already. I love the costumes, they are fantastic but this ended up an episode with some pretty high stakes social/political interactions that the costumes can detract somewhat from (for me, anyhow)

[@amelierichard9075]

45:11 little ''eww'' at the fact that keyleth knows that Vax doesn't snore kills me every time

[@samuelstensgaard4828]

Poor Kiki was just trying to be straight with Vex and exposes herself lmao

[@at.myrthe]

What's funny to me is the fact they've spent the past year or two sleeping together as a group regularly, stuck in small chambers under the sun tree and all. So they would all know it if Vax snored, but no one seems to realise that in that moment

[@bigfatcarp93]

The Willinghams make fantastic Briarwoods.

[@leoli17037]

Willingham and Bailey*

[@jlog3540]

It's Bailey

[@Fosterpython]

They're the Baileys actually

[@ryankelly3465]

Oh trust me you will se how wrong that is once they have their baby and Sam makes and ad about it

[@ryankelly3465]

@@Fosterpython she’s Bailey he’s still willingham though

[@Folder]

Kash: "Alright guys, i brought back 3 monster contracts that we could use for bait..." Vex and Keyleth: "...What if, oh i dont know, the white dragon is already....dead?" Kash: "...." Vex and Keyleth: "...."

[@t0aster_b4th]

Producers: Alright Kash, we need about 15 iterations of "get out of my room" in escalating incredulity to outright frustration.. Go!

[@clebcalb6871]

What makes this series special to me, and unlike any other entertainment I've seen, is that we get to see the characters REALLY planning. Not planning the way an author writes his characters to plan, where every sentence furthers the plot or characters in some way, but the way real people plan--spitballing and throwing out wild suggestions, tossing the bad ones. Sure, it takes a while, and that's why a real TV show can't do it like that. But to me, it's one of the most enjoyable aspects to see a group of characters really being smart and coming up with a plan to take on an impossible challenge, even if it takes them two hours of workshopping to build that plan.

[@celebros1756]

As someone who is late to the show, I love how much the Briarwoods and the Black Powder Merchant in the Prime Series actually look like Matt, Laura and Travis in costume in this episode. I mean they produced it of course but still. So awesome, all of them. Level 15 in maps, hahahaa :)

[@BlueDually4x4]

The fact Matt dressed up as my favorite NPC and opened in character was hilarious. That is dedication. Also any time the bard and barbarian are the voices of reason, the rest of the party should rethink pretty much everything.

[@DanteBanehallow]

Travis and Laura GOD DAMN

[@guy31978]

They hot

[@cynntastice3263]

Hot damn I love being bi

[@leavy]

bohemian power couple

[@MickeymasterD93]

im super straight and will openly admit that travis looks... well as my girlfriend would say, "he made my ovaries burst"

[@MesserStrange]

@Julie Kavanagh I am so into their looks right now, my god.

[@RollMoveReviews]

1:15:55 Travis might be the most brilliant role player I've ever seen. He figured out a way,as Grog, to tell Keyleth to keep mouth shut and not get everyone killed in a way that made complete sense and was totally in character.

[@Peter_Cordes]

Credit to Marisha for seeking that out - I think she went looking for someone to talk Keyleth down from her anger, or at least help her keep from acting on it. i.e. to find an RP reason for the character to act the way the player knew was necessary. As well as major credit to Travis for playing that interaction really well. But also credit to Marisha for finding a cool way for Travis to have some more RP in this session where Grog's other major scene was peeing on a wall.

[@Leto_0]

@@Peter_Cordes Yeah no I highly doubt Marisha was thinking that. I think it was more like she just wanted to have a reason to display her "drama skills"

[@felixbornholdt9371]

This is actually very good roleplaying from Marisha. It was a small scene but it had everything it needed. It is easy to look down on Grog and see his rage just as a mechanical way to play a barbarian. Instead she seeks him out, asks him for help and gives Travis a chance to change in a role of profession or wisdom. I like that style of playing. It is Marishe who invites other players to shine. There is no way this scene or scenes like this could go wrong. "I admire the thing that you do, I find that hard, so tell me, how do you do it?" As a player this allways gets me in a good and memorable play. Lift your fellow characters and so the players as well up and let them do the talking. Try it.

[@LibS71]

@@Leto_0 This is so sad to read. Travis has just spent 2 full episodes doing next to nothing; he's just come out of a fight he barely had anything to do with, (the plight of melee) followed by a lot of strategic talking which again, with Grog's intelligence restrictions, he has very little to do with. In that moment, short as it was, Marisha brought Travis to the spotlight, not for doing something funny, or stupid. Rather, she gave him a chance to not only shine, but develop Grog for everyone to see. Not only Grog, but Keyleth herself, and her relationship with Grog. The reason I know it wasn't accidental, or that it happened by chance via her grabbing for attention? She asks a pertinent question, and she sits and listens to the answer. An attention seeker never listens, or shares a spotlight. She also does it all the time. If you actually pay attention to what happens between the big story steps, in both Campaign 1 and 2 it's pretty obvious. Perhaps the argument is that she's not very smooth at it, or that her 'drama skills' are somehow lesser to the others. Are we really gonna go there? They're a group of friends who have provided us with hundreds of hours of entertainment by sharing their game with us. We don't deserve to be watching this, let alone be insulting them for their skills or lack thereof. This game, and this story is none of our business, yet for some reason, they still bless us weekly with their stories. Stories which would be severely lacking if it weren't for Marisha's input. Marisha constantly brings other people to the forefront, she always visibly and vocally appreciates those around her; their skills and contributions. She is conscious of what her character would be like, and how Keyleth would react (despite it often being different to her own choices), and when she struggles to understand things, or she has questions or conflicts, she always finds answers through RP. She of all people doesn't deserve your insults. In Brian's timeless and profound words... don't forget to love each other.

[@GonkyWonkler]

@@LibS71 If only she didn't completely disregard Grog's advice in the next meeting they held. That would have been good. Cards on the table, of all the characters, how they are role played, and their individual segments, Keyleth is my least favorite. I disagree with your assessment on a fundamental level, I think Keyleth (or Marisha) is consistently tone-deaf and acts like a loose cannon, and her monologues almost always fall flat. While we are fortunate that Critical Role is a thing, it's a bit of a stretch to assert that no one deserves to watch the show. They are having fun making it, we are having fun watching it, and they are making money from it. We the viewers are free to think what we like, just like you appear to be a huge fan of Marisha. The players are not free from criticism. Pull your head in.

[@KaijuSushi62]

Props to Raishan for that amazing costume. Really nailed the Seeker Assume look.

[@08douglassc]

matt dressed as victor talking as gilmore is rather disturbing lmao

[@bishop6218]

Cognitive dissonance i tell you ! 😵

[@ALJ9000]

Which is why I was watching Liam that whole conversation. That and I was picturing the animated faces slightly

[@KeldonRaven]

I think I might be more disturbed by Matt dressed as Gilmore talking like Victor........

[@HelenaTacy]

I mean this as the highest compliment: Liam as Tyriok looks like Robin Williams in Flubber.

[@somejellykid]

HelenaTacy oh my... you’re so right

[@Reblwitoutacause]

HelenaTacy 3:52

[@capedcrusader5692]

Tbh my first thought was that he was dressed as Robin Williams in Hook

[@Caitydid561]

Now that you've said it, I can't not see it. But I also see Milo Thatch, too.

[@nicolerobertson2654]

Oh my gosh he does! 🤣 I love that!

[@caffeinesystem]

Liam's nerd voice makes me wish he actually played a character it would be suitable for. It kills me every time.

[@damiwayne8289]

Rachel C he does, his name is Caleb look at campaign 2

[@Alex-vy2zc]

Dami Wayne Caleb doesn’t use the nerd voice, nor is he a nerd just cause he has high intelligence.

[@jaeg.3806]

@@Alex-vy2zc Caleb is a super nerd, he just has a German accent. He is always on the hunt for bookstores, carries them in holsters under his jacket, is meticulous to a fault, knows several languages... he is a full blown nerd and I love him for it.

[@Alex-vy2zc]

@@jaeg.3806 "a foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious." Caleb does not lack social skills, he is usually the one talking people out of trouble (See the most recent episode), he is studious, though not boringly studious, he is not contemptible...

[@olga1231]

Agreed plus we are seeing him after all his trauma, he has very high charisma and from pieces we got in game and in talks we can think Caleb was very extroverted, charming and a leader before things went down so he had very good social skills at one point

[@Shenn3165]

I love how Liam can go from edge lord, to pure, and wholesome, just like that.

[@Ninjewdi]

*quietly stacking cups and trays on sleeping drunk gnome he’s nicknamed “pickle”*

[@A_Knight44]

Know what would be a dangerous game? Take a shot every time Percy says, "I have a plan."

[@jakobplobeck8006]

Or, ”that a convesation”

[@moxom26]

Two shots if he says that and then does not immediately share his plan until someone asks what it is 😆

[@Dyre05]

"I have a thought."

[@kyekimler]

*SIGHS DEEPLY*

[@ansatheatrocious6083]

@@kyekimler guys stop bullying lmao

[@carmenblankespoor1905]

"are we going to do a critical role wedding?" "NO!" little did they know the dalen's closet one shot was going to be a thing

[@BryonYoungblood]

Talk about irony. :D

[@jonathanpeterson1189]

I did the math wrong and figured this would be in about episode 20 or so, since I read it was in October. When they didn’t mention it I figured they were just keeping the personal lives separate. 😅 oops

[@LunarrMyst]

@@jonathanpeterson1189 wut?

[@jonathanpeterson1189]

@@LunarrMyst I knew they were married and had gotten engaged in an October. Based on the posting date of the videos I thought they got engaged roughly 50 episodes earlier than this because I had faulty info.

[@greydragon1849]

got to love how Kash just tells the ladies to leave his room, not really giving a shit about what they are saying as he is just angry XD

[@BryonYoungblood]

I'm sure Will's proud of Matt's work as Kash.

[@piranhaplantX]

I'm gonna be real and say he was being kind compared to how I'd act in that situation. They sent this dude to another continent to research and bring back what they wanted. Only to be woken up from a dead sleep and told that the entire trip was pointless. They might have been rolling initiative for that encounter.

[@poppingcorn3789]

That moment when the DM has to take a break to madly figure out what to do when the characters break the plot.

[@T_Moneyzz]

That was almost a haaaaard derail

[@xEvilRaptorx]

DMs guide paraphrased: As DM if you are at a loss, call for a break and take your time to plan.

[@vampiremage2]

Timestamp?

[@SendohJin]

@@vampiremage2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3m4c6Csh7Oln80&t=6340

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

Pretty much. Matt goes in to damage control because the phrases "TPK" and "end of the show" are no doubt echoing in his head.

[@kailey8397]

Wow, lots of negative comments in this section. Not a super exciting episode, but I think there are some pretty great moments being overlooked here. Specifically, the thing that Grog said when Keyleth came to him for advice. It was set up so perfectly to just be a joke, but then it was actually pretty meaningful in respect to Grog's character. Good unexpected, underrated moment there between two characters that don't interact much.

[@NinjaDeathSlap]

There are some really good character moments, but episodes that are mostly planning get frustrating because without any scripting its just a clusterfuck and its already a foregone conclusion that the plan will change drastically or be thrown out of the window at the last minute anyway.

[@kailey8397]

@@NinjaDeathSlap it's a casualty of an unscripted medium, sure, but scripted things come a dime a dozen. It's kind of nice to see people working things out, trying, failing, and adapting in real time. (With this many people planning does tend to run a bit too long though)

[@jeffmcpherson7581]

And then completely ignoring Grog's advice

[@omega311888]

@@jeffmcpherson7581 thats what pisses me off, mostly

[@Christian-vq3lr]

There’s also a large focus on Keyleth, despite the actions that warrant discussion (let’s be fair, most people are complaining) being fairly spread out throughout the party. Pretty much all of them but Grog said/did some questionable stuff.

[@giorgiomauceri410]

I love Scanlan, and how Sam plays him. In the last dozens of episodes, no one ever asked how he was doing. Everyone went and talked about their doubts, fears, and hopes with the someone else. They asked Percy what he felt because of Ripley, what happened with the Raven queen, about death and so on. They asked Keyleth how she felt about leadership, and her relationship, and so on. They talked with Vax about gods, about the Raven queen, about a possible future death. They talked to Vex about the tree, her past and her feelings. They talked a lot to Grog during the whole situation with the Herd. But every time someone wanted to talk to good ol' Scanlan was because they needed something. Grog with the sword, Vex with the broom, everyone about what was possible with his mansion. But even when he made shady deals to absolutely get drugs, they half-ignored him and went on to play at the casino in a way that got them kicked out. Vax knew about his daughter, but he never asked him anything. The only one who talked to him about HIM, was Pike, and she was basically forced to by his actions (and 8 episodes out of 9 she's an NPC). When an NPC asked him how he felt, he said the truth, the sad truth. But no one else cared. I already know about the "What's my mother's name" scene, and I must say, he's totally right. They talk more about themselves with Pike, EVEN WHEN SHE WAS AN NPC, then they did with him. And this affects him, because no one wants to push their problems on someone else, but they have to find a way to deal with it.

[@justadummy8076]

Surprisingly mature take on Scanlan’s position as the silent leader of the group, he bears everyone else’s burdens and presents himself as their rock It’s especially evident after the Ripley fight when everyone wanted to rashly waste the gate scroll to bring in Pike, but Scanlan and Grog are taking car of everyone and reassuring them that they still have time

[@OmANnIe]

100% agree

[@gavincampbell6457]

I’m probably a bit late to really make an influence about this, but it’s difficult. Sam and Scanlan are both joke characters. Sam made him as a joke, and plays him like a jokester. He even plays getting drugs as a joke. And unfortunately, if his friends pick up on anything actually bothering him, and confront him about it; In the actual game, he is such a good liar. He can just lie and go about his business, because he doesn’t want to push his problems onto everyone else, until it bubbles to the surface. Unfortunately, they can’t metagame their way into Scanlans heart, and if Scanlan doesn’t want anything to be known, he won’t show it. He’ll lie and he knows he’ll succeed at lying.

[@thesuperbslidewhistler312]

@@gavincampbell6457 The best characters are the ones who seem like joke characters on the surface but have a tragicness to them when you poke deeper, because it’s often the same in real life. Being the person who is always trying to bring everyones spirits up, it can be hard to open up about your own issues, and most people just assume since you’re so cheery that you don’t really have issues. Scanlan is quite possibly my favorite character because of this.

[@DannyMakesVideosIGuess]

Scanlan really is just the best of them (maybe bar Pike but Ashley's not around that much so I'll discount her here). He helps his friends no matter what, whether it be lightening their spirits in dark times, keeping them focused when they are grieving and he helps them (not even talking about in combat because jeez would they be helpless without him) by not discussing his deeply personal issues with them. They have to try really hard to have any idea what is really happening with him, he told Vox Machina about his daughter but only after they bugged him about it and he didn't go any further than that is who Kaylie is. I love this Gnome.

[@CreativeCas]

Me, starting this in 2022 and forgetting about Halloween episode tradition: completely thrown by Victor opening the show

[@nightflame69]

Right? Especially since if you check when it was posted to KZbin, it was posted dec 16, 2016.. 😂

[@terbear5120]

I too am watching this in 2022 and was startled at first with Victor opening the show...and then when I realised who the character was and just about gave myself an asthma attack for laughing so hard.

[@Strykin_Lycan]

I'm less than a week away from Halloween and didn't expect it, but oh did I love it lol

[@ryanotorpedo]

Same even with somebody warning in the comments last ep I was still not ready and loved it!

[@bryancolley4934]

Me starting this in October if 22 for the first time and I completely understand.

[@perfectlyhopeless]

Matt, sarcastically: Thanks Amazon Matt now, with Prime picking up Legends of Vox Machina: Thanks Amazon!

[@NakamaRobin]

Greetings from two years later and a day after the BIG news 😂

[@animationguy1000]

Man, Keyleth's chat with Grog was actually really touching...

[@roxxdude1]

Not to mention you and Vax. You are so chill with it man! Respect

[@longp94]

While I sort of agree, I also think it's a testament to how badly Keyleth is being role played. I mean these guys aren't level 5 adventurers who might not necessarily just be starting off, but probably haven't seen anything too serious. No, these guys are mid-level and they've gone through quite a lot together, not just as allies, but as actual friends. The fact that despite that, Keyleth is still acting rashly like this with very little regard to her friends and that's just absolutely stupid to me Yeah, the chat was touching, but it wasn't a conversation that needed to happen in the first place, especially considering that Keyleth is supposed to be the Wisest character in the party.

[@PJBxx]

That feel when you realize Grog and Scanlan *constantly* have moments of far greater wisdom than anything Keyleth has ever displayed, even in her brightest moments.

[@ThePurbleKing]

I agree completely with that. Keyleth is supposed to be wise, but never is. She is supposed to respect life, but never does. She is supposed to be the person that levels everyone out and says "Well now let's not be hasty". Instead she completely betrays everything she and Marisha say that she is about and act as if she's about. She makes great speeches only when someone else is already having their time to shine, and completely changes what she believes based on which player/character is getting more attention. She tries to lie to and deceive the "Diseased Deceiver", a creature that might as well be the textbook definition of "Deceit" in physical form. She is supposed to be wise, but isn't, and is basically like a bad Avatar fanfiction where the main character is dating the narrator. Marisha as a person seems nice, and Keyleth has her cool moments... But Marisha holds back Keyleth far too much and lets her thirst for creating drama and having her own moments screw things up far too much. Someone could straight up say "I protected them with my life" and she could respond with "Did you really? What did you protect? Are you really who you say you are?" while the person is holding that person in their hands, desperately trying to bring them back to life. Because Marisha doesn't pay attention and wants Keyleth to seem wise, but talks more than any wise person would.

[@jbanks9491]

ThePurbleKing well said..... she is like a leech and latches on to other peoples ideas and tries to make it seem like it was her idea and its really annoying

[@friskybitzboi]

I’m picturing Vecna waiting to be freed and instead just getting furniture delivered to him

[@theq86]

They just gave him a new pixie servant to boot.

[@BaconFrisbee]

They should empty the chamber pots of Whitestone into it every morning

[@dieyng]

I love how they always forget that one platinum is just ten gold. They always think it's like a hundred or a thousand even.

[@nathanielranney9163]

"You know, my brother doesn't snore." "No, I know." "... ew." "Wait, I mean-" LMAO

[@osiris_etc]

timestamp?

[@annafantasia]

The funny thing is, of course she would know -- they'd all travelled together for a long time!

[@ddcarpenter1790]

@@osiris_etc 45:10

[@huntertuggle2667]

Keyleth “We don’t need your help.” Vex behind her mouths “we need your help.”

[@SocialistSadako]

Fuxking lmaooo xD keyleth is so dumb and everyone else knows it lol

[@supervillainJ]

@@SocialistSadako its funny I hate the character but love marisha

[@AmarothEng]

@@supervillainJ The real problem is imo that Marisha spends awful lot of time playing Marisha, not Keyleth. The way Keyleth is actually made and presented does not fit well, if at all, with her, and the result is not a character, but a major clash in expectations. When someone is not exactly (at least at times) a genius, definitely isn't patient or wise, cannot see too far into broad context, and has a lot of holier than thou attitude, roleplaying a druid is actually incredibly challenging idea, and something I'd personally never attempt myself. It would end terribly, and I know it. While she doesn't improve on many of those aspects too well in C2, she at least picked character who actually fits those aspects very well, so suddenly, one cannot be mad at her for that anymore. At least not easily, or in a very fair way.

[@Darksnakemrniceguy]

@@AmarothEng yea, you are wrong but thats ok... "Clash of expectations"... of what? Young pampered princess, shut away from the world all her life, barely 2 years of experience... she reckless? Yea... she dosnt know what she is talking about and is just preaching about what she has been taught without actually applying it? Sure... Acts like a stubborn brat that thinks she needs to act as a leader even though she is far from comoetent yet? Totally... Dosnt want to admit when she is wrong and acts immature? Yep... So what dosnt fit? She dosnt act like the standard experienced druid?... well ... she isnt... and she ist acting the part.

[@bluenew2]

Gotta say I’m a bit surprised about how patient Percy is with Keyleth trying to convince the group to fight Raishan in Whitestone basically sacrificing most of Whitestone to avenge her people and I know that Percy knows Keyleth’s judgement is clouded with rage it’s just the amount of times she tried to convince them to do so I would have thought Percy to speak a bit more harshly towards Keyleth for doing it so many times and I’m not saying this cause Keyleth whole character is my not personal favorite character but cause it’s a bit surprising to me of how Percy has grown cause I feel a younger Percy would have been more harsher to Keyleth trying to sacrifice most if not all of Whitestone

[@faeofthewildflowers2046]

One of the signs for someone preparing to die is giving very important things to other people… He’s been giving all of these things away his cloaks his dagger and now Simon. Im so worried.

[@gorgit]

To be fair, he has no use for them since he can only attune to 3 items at once, and 2 slots are being used up by vestiges, and the last one by his boots.

[@cjtrules1]

He has too many items. Makes sense to pass some off.

[@cameronhall6825]

i think Liam was building up Kynan as a backup character for if Vax ever died during the conversation with him at 1:11:00

[@simplyridiculous]

cameron hall “I still want my snake belt”

[@ValveMax010]

Episode starts: Matt as Victor: Welcome to tonight's episode of-- Me 3 seconds into the episode: yeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!

[@OrangeyChocolate]

I would love to see a video of Matt Mercer going around town as Victor, but at the same time I don't want him to get arrested.

[@davidm9612]

17:00 I love how Matt says "No" to Laura's antics like a parent telling their toddler off for trying to eat legos

[@Majykman]

I know why Scanlan's having trouble. He's a Father, now. His entire Worldview and Priority has just changed, in ways that he still doesn't even realise or understand yet. And he's not adjusting well. I truly hope he gets himself together soon...

[@CERap22]

One of the scant moments that I really loved in this episode. He has the best character evolution of anyone in the game

[@blakebovasso2261]

Agreed, honestly if I had to pick a main character it’d be scanlan. Then maybe Percy/Vex as the next two mains

[@paramitch]

I've been rewatching and I was blown away the first time and it's still so moving now. I was so worried about Scanlan -- yes, it was funny that he was after all the drugs in the world, but also -- NOT okay! He was obviously having serious issues and needed help and the rest of VM totally overlooked it.

[@LagunaX1]

@@paramitch To be fair Liam tried to get Vax to help after and even used a deception check, but Sam/Scanlan just said he was fine.

[@Draezeth]

@@paramitch Part of the problem is Sam plays it thoroughly for laughs, so it's really hard to take it as seriously as it should be.

[@just-bee-lieve]

god, gilmore breaks my heart. i just want him to be happy

[@stormdaddy928]

I dont think a man that charming would ever have problems in the love category...Vex is missing out lmao

[@PalleRasmussen]

@@stormdaddy928 Vax you mean.

[@stormdaddy928]

@@PalleRasmussen yeee sorry sorry. i meant vax.

[@stormdaddy928]

@@PalleRasmussen and vex too...idk. they're all missing out gilmore is great.

[@qodeshgraphics]

Gilmore wants to find Happiness Inside Vax, And Is Desperately Solicitous. HIV/AIDS for Short.

[@jexxer]

Scientific investigation in its purest form: "Just...throw stuff at it and see if anything happens."

[@abowlofsangria3412]

That conversation between Scanlan and Jarrett at 56:40 is probably one of the funniest and yet saddest convos during this campaign

[@KatoLong]

I'm genuinely loving how Sam is drip feeding us (the viewers) with little insights to how Scanlan's mind works outside of the cheerful, joking side that is on display 99% if the time. It's a great allegory for depression, even the ones shining the brightest smiles and charming words can be hurting internally (makes me think of the likes of Robin Williams and Chester Bennington). Sam is a treasure that needs to be protected and I do seriously hope that Scanlan makes it to the campaign's end.

[@FamousOldProspekts]

1:15:35 Highlight of the episode for me. Watching Travis RP Grog is a fucking delight.

[@artemisruse436]

Loading... Travis needs to get Grog an int upgrade so we can have more clever Grog.

[@bhorton2029]

It really is a shame that a few of the other characters pretty much talk all episode at his expense. Grog only gets a few lines per night.

[@OrphanHart]

I'm still a bit salty about him not smashing the skull. My life for Grog

[@Sagittarian1202]

Grog''s character is just like that you know? quality over quantity and that's perfect for him in conversation.

[@keirantalent]

I wonder if they'll do costumes like last year- *Hears victor as soon as video starts* ...oh this is gonna be good..

[@whitestoneandy797]

It's funny and awesome that animated Delilah and Sylas Briarwood's final designs from TLOVM ended up looking a lot like Laura and Travis from this episode. It just shows great character design and how good Travis and Laura are at pulling off Briarwoods cosplay

[@Jakeverhart]

Gilmore pulling a Han Solo with that “I know”. Prefect situation for that too!

[@cade110794]

Let us all just take a moment to thank Matt for being a merciful DM, and for not killing them all in what would have been a brutal and painful way, while they were dressed up for Halloween.

[@m1ckyg21]

Which is exactly what i would have done with how they treated raishan. "and she flies back to thordak and reveals your location coming with him to kill you all because you tried to stab her"

[@Thechomp1eman]

They got big heads insulting rashan. I'd be scared of her going fine and telling thordak everything

[@TheXenatron]

1 second in and the entire community just loses their shit

[@TheXenatron]

Also congratulations to Matt and Marisha!

[@badagrung]

3:09:11 "I go behind Keyleth and stab three times" -- I love you Sam

[@RedRaptor98]

I absolutely love that Keylith turns to Grog about her anger. It's one of the few times grog gets to give sincere advise to a friend!

[@raptureraven]

"Let's not start a fight in Whitestone and destroy our home" *stabs them in the back 3 times literally inside the castle

[@BuikQuik]

There was like 3 or 4 supper wizards there tho

[@sciencemon]

Even if Raishan was there, she's not stupid enough to just stay there and fight them. Those wizards will probably spend half the fight trying to ground the escaping dragon.

[@SinerAthin]

I'm more worried what'd happen to the rest of the group if Raishan shifted into ancient dragon form inside of that room.

[@princeoflight8099]

Finally someone who points out Percy's mistakes and not just Keyleths. When Keyleth got annoyed with raishan and almost started a fight everyone ripped shit into her. Yet when Percy straight up stabs her no one cares. People's double standards with Keyleth and the rest of VM is annoying to me.

[@brettbrose4212]

Knight of Mind I agree

[@rileylarkin1254]

Liam just loosing his shit the entire episode is the best!

[@elizabethmeesters2424]

LARKIN! WE FINALLY FOUND LARKIN! Now, where did Raishan go?

[@rexwolf793]

That deep conversation between Grog and Keyleth though, I have a feeling Grog is secretly a genius and is hiding it from everyone...

[@BLAAARGGHH]

He might play the dumbest character, but he is for sure one of the smartest people in the group IMO :)

[@bhorton2029]

I just wish he would have the spotlight a little bit more. The group attention grabbers (I'm not naming names) seem to always be talking to hear themselves talk.

[@jbanks9491]

B Horton you mean keytheh......the worst

[@thatindiandude4602]

and Vax.

[@SinerAthin]

Scanlan and Grog, although they may be playing the most stupid/silly characters, they're probably the smartest members of the group xD

[@ForeverWog]

Oh my God, Matt does some of his best work as Kash. He does more with a simple “Get out of my room” that it made me laugh as hard as any other joke in the entire episode.

[@wizrad2099]

New head cannon: Victor proposed to Ripley, she said yes, then took as much powder as she could for ammo and left him behind thinking she'd be back (assuming she wasn't the one that left him under that hatch in the first place).

[@davidbergfors6820]

and Victor have said that he is taken.

[@guessmyname1246]

This is the only headcanon I will wholeheartedly agree on

[@damiwayne8289]

“Gentlemen you can’t fight in here this is the war room!”

[@RollMoveReviews]

It's interesting to watch Matt do the DM gymnastics required to keep Rishon from TPKing the entire group for the way they are treating her.

[@Titoichi1986]

Should they treat a dragon that partially destroyed their base town and killed a lot of the Fire Ashari by proxy like a friend?

[@Darksnakemrniceguy]

killed 3 of the most powerful dragons, but people get upset when they talk down to the weakest one.... lol they have every reason to talk down on rishon. rishon is little finger, just slit her throat and be done with it.

[@jorgenhafstad]

Yes. A weak dragon casually casting 9th level spells. Who knows every little secret of Whitestone, and can tell it to Thordak should he choose to. Percy is the smartest one here. Too much collateral. You'd be looking at a lot of deaths of beloved, possibly the destruction of Whitestone. They can't plan anything, because that'll give away intentions, all they can do is observe.

[@jorgenhafstad]

@aljxNdr knox nope, Raishan went to them because she's planning to play both sides. Why kill VM, when you can kill both them and Thordak. She was playing a morality pissing game against a Chromatic Dragon. Also I know she's not the pragmatic by far, but being bull headed by the destruction of her sister tribe, by putting Percy's people on the line.

[@jorgenhafstad]

@aljxNdr knox I see you're going off the stupid assumption that everything a Chromatic Dragon says is 100% true. Yes let's totally believe Raishan "the Deceiver". It was wise for Percy to take everything with a pile of salt.

[@berrycos9]

AFTER GROGS EXPLANATION OF HOW TO HANDLE HIS ANGER, I CHERISH HIM AND TRAVIS MORE Q_Q

[@jenny_of_oldstones3523]

Seriously one of the joys of this show is watching Liam O'Brian completely lose his shit laughing. He can't even look at Matt. I love it when he does that because it's infectious and makes me laugh too.

[@alb8074]

1:15:30 This really developed Grog for me. Makes him seem like more than just a dumb oaf and just wow travis plays him well

[@JakobTheCenturion]

He's always been more than a dumb oaf.

[@connorm8438]

Dat Boi oh shit waddup

[@cbeaird52]

Jordan Bologna Agree, 100%

[@HPWPAO]

Haha right! Travis is a great actor! Hes probably the most intelligent of the cast behind Mercer xD