The Endless Atheneum | Critical Role: VOX MACHINA | Episode 106

[@Nuan07]

For those that didn't know Sprigg that Darin De Paul played, was his character that he used to play with Matthew Mercer's mum 37 years ago. His character didn't die in their campaign so he decided he'd just been existing for 30 years... very, VERY cool throw back.

[@LDaemontus]

Right in the feels if this is true. The other adventurers being dead basically sums up the ending of that old campaign...

[@timwhite4833]

AMAZING that is so cool! Thankyou for telling me this it took an already amazing session and took it to a new level!

[@justingodkin8549]

Ok thats pretty dope.

[@somethingsomethingsomethingdar]

Wait with his mum? Now looking for similarities between Matt and Darin...😑

[@Lorescribbler]

That's incredible

[@codyzilinski8012]

I love so much how everyone is dressed like “I’m playing D&D with my friends.” And Darin is dressed like “I’m on Critical Role. *so proud and excited*” ❤️

[@atomicbuttocks]

my boi took dress to impress to heart, but he looking fresh as hell so its cool

[@thespankmyfrank]

He said on Talks that he dresses that way because his dad was a designer or something, at least involved in nice fashion. He looks so neat!

[@gabrielleblack4328]

🥹🥹

[@AndrewHeisey]

Absolute legend

[@ImAlexGoodwin]

I was so happy for Vex when she brought up that Scanlan didn’t like being mandhandled. That was one of the things he mentioned when he left them the first time, and it really shows that she was listening and was trying to do better for her friend.

[@kameronmills]

Really subtle role playing on her part.

[@bloodydove5718]

maaaan im mad at myself for forgetting that!! Its the little things...

[@paramitch]

I loved that and was so glad she brought it up. Several characters have treated Scanlan like a doll they can pick up or throw around (Vax first and foremost), so I was absolutely thrilled Vex brought this up.

[@SocialistSadako]

Laura is an amazing roleplayer for the simple reason that she actually listens, unlike a few other people at the table

[@SocialistSadako]

I was so happy when she brought that up! When they started tossing him around I was super uncomfortable but Vex really showed that they changed

[@panterloart9180]

It's so beautiful that Scanlan was the one who turned Vex into a dragon for her trial and now Vex is the one giving him flight for his challange.

[@wanabeguitarguy]

I thought so too. They make a great combo

[@julianhaarstad2535]

I honestly think the gel'd way better then percy and vex.

[@ScorchHellfire]

If Tary was Vex's best friend outside of Vax or Trinket, then Scanlan would come in at a close second, I would think.

[@MysteryFaceX]

I remember Vex was the one that made the comment that he was just "some dude" without his magic abilities. But when she discovered Scanlan was Aes, she was one of the most welcoming and supportive of him. This character relationship growth is so touching!

[@d4n4nable]

@@MysteryFaceX She said that specifically about fighting Raishan, which is absolutely correct. She never even implied he didn't matter as a person.

[@jackdog06]

“I asked you for power, but it appears you’ve given me strength.” That’s such a good line to have improvised.

[@ceridwenaeradwr8105]

Sprigg: "Knock knock." Ioun: "...... Who's there?" Sprigg: "You would know!" Sprigg is the best XD

[@gunnerbradley5282]

It was Larkin all along!!

[@cinnatoasty]

I loved this moment, and waited on edge for Matt's response as Ioun. Loved the scene. How often do gods get told knock-knock jokes after all! XD

[@looneypersoney]

What time stamp?

[@shadowrain1000]

18:40 for the moment

[@tessa5233]

I said larkin too lol. I was so happy when matt said it

[@B0TFrosty]

It's so weird, I remember being at episode 50-70 like "Damn, I'll never finish this first campaign" and now here I am at episode 106, basically on the final home stretch. It was such a ride you don't realize how fast you go through this adventure

[@bjkwolf9578]

*Laughs in campaign 2 and 3*

[@daniellins4114]

Yup, it is such a journey to take, it’s great to see the finish line

[@PhoenixPalmer88]

I'd been thinking this too. (Checkpoint for everyone else at this point!) But then I looked back and realized the Gith Skull was about a year ago for me, at a different job. It still feels so recent.

[@zuzpager]

@@bjkwolf9578 Cries in campaign 2 and 3

[@marthachampagne316]

i love grog saying that an enemy asking for a truce means they are scared of you. he may act like a idiot but that is exactly the type of wisdom a barbarian would have. he is pointing out that asking for a truce is a sign if weakness and he would only do so if he thought they stood a chance of victory. totally the type of view a member of the herd would have learned growing up.

[@praisethesun5800]

Travis does a really good job at playing a believable unintelligent character

[@rustysapothecary]

I think Travis could make gold out of any character at this point. He is arguably one of the greatest role-player of the bunch, second only to Matt.

[@andrewc3387]

Sam; That breakdown and exit was one of the best build-ups to watch and then the fallout. fucking great

[@KI-fd2co]

Well, Vecna did offer Vox Machina to leave (when they first ''fought'' him ) or to be destroyed. I believe Percy or Vax said the same thing as Grog did (that only a foe who's scared, asks you to leave) and then... you know what happened. (They got fucked)

[@mrrodgers0]

@@KI-fd2co Allowing a foolish enemy to leave before hostilities commence when they are outmatched is only polite.

[@callum_boss]

"A God called you a madman". "Honestly I'm a little touched". LOL. Wish that joke had picked up more props.

[@magiv4205]

Ikr I loved that scene so much!

[@azurebalmung4520]

Time stamp? I can't find it.

[@BoredMarcus]

@@azurebalmung4520 Ioun says it at 1:13:49 and the reaction 2:11:39

[@gbyjrjn]

That being written helped me understand it better, thanks :D

[@seven-cats-3]

I don't get it?

[@bishop6218]

02:04:00 You're the party's ranger. You're the heart of the forest. You live off the land. You just stepped on a bear trap. You suffer 11 points of piercing damage, and 44 points of dignity damage...

[@VeteranVandal]

And level 18, which means she's done this a million times.

[@Fellinara]

Darin de Paul played Sprigg so well that I laughed so hard I cried. He and Matt Mercer made magic when Matt was role playing that imp. When Sprigg was invited to stay with Ioune, I cried some more. Great role playing.

[@ashb712]

Its even more touching when you learn that Sprigg is the same character Darin De Paul played as with Matt's mom 37 years ago, hence why Sprigg was hiding in that cabin for the same amount of time. Since he's the last survivor of his party, also makes it kinda sad to know how that old campaign went. He was also originally a chaotic evil character in his original adventuring party, which explains why he sought redemption now. All together it adds wonderful depth and texture to his amazing quotes of wisdom, to his arc of survivor's guilt and redemption, and it makes his ending here so much more satisfying and heart wrenching. In and out of game, this character's development was 37 years in the making. It's amazing to see it conclude like this and Darin's acting was some of the best roleplaying i've ever seen.

[@Iwillgotohell2]

BTW Percy's pencil says "life needs things to live"

[@hawkeye4205]

Life needs things to live Needs things to live Things to live To live Live Lol

[@CartoonFreakChannel]

hawkeye 2124 wow... That's actually deep...

[@mystichattercat6642]

Iwillgotohell2 I FRICKIN KNEW IT!!

[@atlaswinters3654]

i was more leaning to " your life is forfeit! "

[@dyslexia8375]

Atlas Winters your "soul" is forfeit

[@noahbasara8529]

Matt casually forcing Sam to freestyle more in one go than ever before is glorious

[@Kiwicrack]

Catch-up crew 2019: I think it's SUPER interesting narrative-wise that Scanlan didn't even WANT the Ioun Stone at first - Tiberius had to basically insist (famously so) to get him to trade.

[@Wookie_oo7]

I have been watching on and off since before that and completely forgot. I am now trying my hardest to finish this campaign soon.

[@willsomething1226]

HEEYYYY 31ST OF DECEMBER LADS FINAL CATCHUP DAY!

[@spudsbuchlaw]

I remember that now! Thank you. What episode was that from?

[@spudsbuchlaw]

@@Kiwicrack aight, thanks my guy

[@ScorchHellfire]

@@spudsbuchlaw Episode 16, "Enter Vasselheim," at 16:46: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m53Eo3-jqqmnsLc

[@st4ne4rmthevill63]

"It was, Larkin, my friend." Welp that is offically my favorite line in all of Critical Role & Ioun is now my favorite diety.

[@gbyjrjn]

I guess, asking for a time stamp is useless?

[@TheRuroniClinton]

@@gbyjrjn 19:24

[@awiseman93]

I scared my boss my scream laughing at my desk at work lol

[@adriennek4440]

😂😂

[@denilsonrezende857]

Same!! I came down looking for this comment lol

[@jeremytinker2039]

Grog-"That water's not so evil after all, wait a minute!" Percy-"oh dear"

[@ChrisJohnson-du9zc]

Jeremy Tinker time stamp?

[@jazzhat1039]

@@ChrisJohnson-du9zc 1:13:35

[@bonniefazman9065]

In the words of Star Lord, Guardian of the Galaxy. "I'm going to make a lot of weird $#@&"

[@murlend8455]

"You are a storyteller, and I am the keeper of all stories." This line gives me chills every time I hear it, always knew Scanlan was meant for a greater purpose with perhaps the most important god. He is the ultimate storyteller, gg Scanlan.

[@WeirdPros]

Lol, nope.

[@shadowX2121]

Damn straight he is!

[@pvic6959]

wonder what would have happened if tary decided to come along instead hmmmmm

[@epicglitter7218]

true, and, I think the line (and much of the speech) has some 4th wall meanings. Matt is starting to congratulate and thank the cast, including and especially Sam, for creating this journey and going on it together - knowing that the campaign's end is relatively near. CR has, after all, moved so many of us and impacted many many lives! kinda fitting that in the world explored by "nerdy-ass voice actors'" characters, storytelling would be of epic, divine importance...

[@penguin12902]

@@pvic6959 They would have all died to Vecna. Scanlan's counter spell saved all their lives, and then allowed them to escape via plane shift.

[@Mewchu14]

Sprigg passing on may be my favorite moment of the entire campaign so far. His story, the real life history of the character, the way Darin played him, it’s just so beautiful and it brings a tear to my eye. What a beautiful ending Mercer wrote for this character that has such a neat connection to him.

[@Uturuncu]

I wasn't expecting to cry over the departure of a side character but here I am. Sniffling and rubbing my eyes at 8AM after binging these last two episodes instead of sleeping. Fck.

[@takingflight7656]

Agree! It was such a beautiful moment

[@stygianxv2797]

Sprigg foreshadowing Scanlan receiving the boon is amazing to me. He pointed to them all and mentioned they all represented something. Grog, power. Vex, bravery. Vax, sadness. Keyleth, love. Percy, secrets. Scanlan, intelligence. I thought this was incredible and likely intended. At first, I thought it was ironic that Percy represented secrets as opposed to Scanlan. But with a deeper view and Ioun even elaborating it gives more insight. Excellent story-telling between Matt and Dalin.

[@allyabernathy4098]

apparently Darin watched every episode of the show, and that’s on top of his personal relationship with the Mercer family, revitalizing a character from a campaign he did with Matt’s mom in the 80s ❤ so it makes sense they would be able to foreshadow that seamlessly

[@jessevancooney6963]

Grog is turning into a giant dwarf, starting with the belt of dwarvan kind and now he got the knowledge of the dwarves for blacksmithing

[@ghurcbghurcb]

Don't forget his dwarven thrower

[@CJtheRad]

Just did a wiki search on Vecna. He penned (when human) a tome titled, "Ordinary Necromancy". He wrote the Necromancy for dummies book of the D&D universe, amazing.

[@Draconamus]

i own the book of vile darkness...and the book of exaulted deeds

[@Pluveus]

Vecna also killed the Circle of Eight headed by Mordenkainen. You know all of those named spells like Bigby's hand and Mordenkainen's Magnificent mansion, those were historical mages who invented those spells and Vecna killed them all when he became a newly minted Demigod.

[@Reblwitoutacause]

Wonder if Gern Blanston ever read the book Vecna wrote

[@bernardorosales1927]

lol that's funny!

[@KainErrow]

Monte Cooks 3rd Edition version of 'The Book of Vile Darkness' was amazing for DM's and players alike in capturing a truly dark and vile theme for their stories.

[@IaCanon]

Bringing it back up: 11:43 - Recap Starts 14:33 - Game Begins 39:25 - Scanlan inspires himself 41:23 - Scanlan's reading rainbow 42:05 - 43:48 - Singing questions 45:00 - Sprigg advice 47:16 - Little Gnomey poem 49:38 - Vex master locksmith 54:03 - Singing to a book 55:16 - Clutch spell 56:49 - Casting Friends on tome 59:07 - Casting Dominate Monster 1:00:52 - Sprigg's advice dissected 1:02:03 - Wrist Pocket trick 1:04:51 - Ioun's Blessing 1:05:57 - Tome of Isolation 1:10:47 - Ioun's knowledge to Keyleth 1:12:36 - Ioun's knowledge to Grog 1:13:34 - Callback 1:14:00 - Ioun's knowledge to Percy 1:17:40- Vecna origins 1:21:36 - Possibly Craven Edge? 1:23:25 - "And then there was one more" 1:27:12 - Ioun's seed of power 1:27:52 - Sprigg's offer 1:28:50 - Sprigg's farewell 1:30:03 - "Be happy" 1:30:45 - Sprigg's final joke 1:32:27 - Mnemonic device 1:38:13 - Break starts 1:44:35 - Laura's Signal Boost 1:59:50 - Break ends 2:03:19 - No mercy Percy 2:04:12 - Investigation check 2:06:13 - Sam's cup "Ioun is my copilot" 2:13:57 - Strange cheers 2:14:42 - Grog's interest 2:15:35 - Seed of power smell 2:15:50 - Scanlan "swallows" the seed of power 2:16:40 - Mime swallow 2:17:06 - Liam's trick 2:18:38 - Vecna answers 2:20:41 - Who are they? 2:21:24 - Whispers 2:24:05 - Vax's one-liner 2:29:29 - Panic has spread 2:31:00 - Brief recognition 2:35:10 - Vax dives in 2:36:45 - Vax and the Raven Queen 2:41:10 - Raven Queen's paranoia 2:43:35 - Blood breathing 2:44:54 - Raven Queen's seed of power 2:45:36 - Scanlan's craziest 48 hours 2:46:05 - Keyleth's BBQ kiss 2:47:18 - Grog's video store 2:49:30 - Off to Temple of Kord 2:50:19 - Sword discussion 2:54:45 - Grog incognito 2:55:36 - Meat Man introduces himself 3:01:17 - Kord's home (Ysgard) 3:02:40 - Powerful beans 3:04:40 - Earthbreaker's one-liner 3:04:56 - Meat Man deals 3:06:30 - "The Bluejob" 3:07:20 - Airforce 3:08:48 - Grog shows off his beans 3:10:48 - Grog's trick 3:11:48 - Vex's bean 3:14:20 - Cost of Trammels 3:17:40 - Terrible thoughts 3:19:10 - Grog broods 3:22:43 - Scrying on Allura 3:24:10 - Sam and Laura of the same mind 3:31:56 - Speak with dead 3:33:45 - Scrying on Delilah 3:35:22 - Vecna intercepts 3:38:54 - Thumbs 3:39:51 - "At dawn, we bank!" 3:40:14 - Scanlan's True Polymorph 3:41:49 - Hallelujah

[@Jamie-fz3zq]

Boost!!

[@ghoulishspears6328]

What an MVP, Boost!

[@MMSharpeningServicesWichita]

Bump!

[@gabrielamedeirosribeiro3223]

Boost

[@brianmiller8079]

Plp0

[@Triss_Joy]

“It was Larkin, my friends.” Matt’s ability to create the different GOOD deities is absolutely masterful. They are rich and full characters and undoubtedly good, but without being replicas of each other... Amazing.

[@RAID3N_2013]

What is the timestamp for that comment?

[@ramiroj.2381]

@@RAID3N_2013 19:19

[@knightsofthesucc1853]

I don’t understand the context of the joke, I must have missed something. I also know who Larkin is.

[@Badusername2000]

@@knightsofthesucc1853 Ioun was making fun of Vax for the whole larkin situation, thats all

[@minemvg]

@@knightsofthesucc1853 A bit late, but the joke refers to Liam/Vax inability to remember that Larkin was Raishan, and constantly asking where is/how is Larkin

[@K1LLJ0YPRINC3]

Travis's mini panic attack when ioun talked about the sword of kaz was priceless

[@luket3270]

"you don't think?" "no, it couldn't be..." "different sword?" "different sword." love it

[@Samu-oe9pf]

Lady Briarwood: is alive VM: How many times do we have to teach you this lesson, old man?

[@smashbrandiscootch719]

At least once more ;)

[@ALJ9000]

At least they get to come up with more creative kills

[@williammattes1991]

"Laughs in campaign 3"

[@whowasibeing]

This is it. This was the episode of the show that I saw on twitch so many moons ago, that led me down a long and winding path of 105 other episodes, hundreds of hours, and 3 scrying poops. Thank you for this ride.

[@SignoftheMagi]

So many take-aways from this episode. -When you run campaigns, never throw away the character sheets when players leave. They cam give you tools and hooks for future campaigns...and you never know when someone may come back one day. -The stark difference between Percy and Scanlan. Percy would have been the obvious choice...but he hates his knowledge. He actively fights against people LEARNING, especially the things he discovers. He may love books, but he is very selfish about it. Scanlan is a liar and a con artist, but he prefers to share knowledge and stories whenever he can. He is currently trying to learn more, about being a better person and a father, and accepting sacrifices to do it. So in the end, Scanlan was the only true choice for a god who is about teaching and discovery.

[@tinnytintinnabulation]

I think it's harsh to say Percy fights against people learning. He has 1 thing he doesn't want to spread - the knowledge of how to make and use guns. While that still goes against Ioun, who is literally just about knowledge being free for everyone, it doesn't mean he's against all learning or knowledge.

[@Anegor]

@@tinnytintinnabulation Percy isn't that against spreading knowledge, he is mostly...uncaring of doing it. He seeks knowledge for himself, and i do think Matt decided right, unexpected as it was.

[@DanRobotMan]

Percy is selfish with his knowledge, using it to create tools to benefit him and his friends, particularly in his quest of vengeance. Where as Scanlan, a College of Lore Bard, a college dedicated to the spread and determination of knowledge to every one and the general public. Although greedy in his own right Scanlan has already taken his first steps towards the path of Ioun. He was the best choice.

[@shenders1960]

Exactly how many times has Percy said i have a plan... you'll see what it is later... i go into my workshop. Instead of telling his friends what his plan is. He's very secretive not something Ioun likes as Matt said

[@toof987]

I was surprised it was Scanlan since not long ago he confided to I think it was Pike or maybe the entire group that he prays to Sarenrae. Can a person be a champion of one god and pray to another?

[@sonnentausnest]

For anyone who (like me) was curious what the character quotes on those pencils were: Percy: Life needs things to live Grog: I would like to rage! Tary: Doty, take this down... Pike: I wanna be a monstah! Matt: How do you want to do this? Scanlan: Spice? Keileth: I bury my shame Trinket: Don't be a sad bear, be a happy bear Vax: I'm killing someone, hold please Vex: We don't do anything with dignity

[@ivanvonmayer1]

thank you I was curious about that

[@DurandalsFate]

Was anyone else hoping Ioun would grant Grog the blessing of literacy?

[@samanthajohnson56]

Yesss

[@incomingbear1334]

But Grog can read up to five letter words. That makes him somewhat literate.

[@Baconbeerify]

Grog can read short sentences between rests

[@xEvilRaptorx]

Also... the card that Grog drew gave him -2 to all saves and it can not be reversed by anything other than a Wish spell or a god... like any of the gods they just got done talking to :/

[@FuzzyKayna]

@Yashvardhan SINGH It makes sense in character since none of the characters, even Grog, actually know he has that curse. All they know is he got a cool magic sword that then disappeared, and gave him a headache for a bit.

[@ScorchHellfire]

The hilarious thing is that Grog would've originally been pretty well known around Vasselheim for being the long-standing champion of the Crucible, and now he's well known for being a serial assaulter of guards. xD

[@cot530pd]

He can be known for 2 things

[@newbietricki239]

I think either way his fine plus what guard can go against a lv18 Goliath and not only that his basically a champion of the crucible

[@Reblwitoutacause]

2 things that actually kinda mesh well together. "He's reigning champion of Crucible. He also gets into it with the city guard all the time." That makes a lot of sense to me that the most savage fighter the city knows is also know to get into fights with guards from time to time!

[@lilorlybear1146]

I love Darin's face anytime Matt is talking, weaving the narrative around the story as he masterfully explains things and gets everyone where they need to be. He's so into and you can tell he's enjoying watching Matt do his thing and I just think it's adorable.

[@ToaLewa6]

I like to think it was him not only listening intently to Matt, but also thinking about his old game with Matt's Mom, and seeing the differences and similarities in their storytelling. Fondly remembering the days gone by.

[@YourGoodTwin]

@@ToaLewa6 Totally! That sense of pride older folks get when the children of family and friends grow up to do something amazing.

[@earlhoundstooth124]

I'm just watching for the first time. I really enjoyed everything he did. Darrin posseses a magic about his craft I have not seen elsewhere. My favorite quote was, "We're all just stories in the end. Make yours a good one." I had the unparaphrased version, but lost it.

[@seven-cats-3]

@@earlhoundstooth124 that was a doctor who reference btw :D

[@sweebos]

🙂

[@knight_crow]

Delilah Briarwood is on the same level of Vox Machina, just from the amount of times she has died and been resurrected.

[@Cyb3rM1nd]

not really because for those who checked PHB spells its obvious she wasnt resurrected. She used the Clone spell to avoid dying.

[@Two-HeadedBoy]

Bless Matthew Mercer for reminding the gang that the skull is a dead end. Mercer's hands off approach can lead to good moments, but there's been so many times where I just want him to save 20 minutes of arguing because of someone misremembering something. As a new fan of Critical Role, I really hope Mercer does that more in the future.

[@vanyelwolfshadow8276]

....lol. (clears throat) hahahahaha.... nope

[@thespankmyfrank]

Yeah, they can go down unnecessary rabbit holes so quickly... I'm happy he stopped them before they actually went to look for it lol.

[@rhosegalia937]

@@vanyelwolfshadow8276Images of the gang rolling for scry …

[@ScorchHellfire]

All these random songs Sam had to bust out to make the spectral librarians pay attention to him is making up for all the songs we didn't have while he was playing Tary. xD

[@nikkikindinger2718]

If I were playing a bard, I'd have all sorts of little songs jotted down for different situations: healing, inspiration, cutting words, etc

[@kriddius]

"And then there was one more. The ritual is complete. I can sense his ascension … the cosmos expand to make room." Chills. Holy shit that came out of nowhere. Purest, dawning horror on each player's face as they realize the foe that already bested them with ease has widened the gulf between them from mortal to godhood. This final arc is Matt at his most brilliant. The storytelling of the different god's domains and the deities themselves. Vecna and his villainous moustache twirling genius. The constant state of urgency and panic as Vox Machina scramble to meet the seemingly insurmountable challenge before them. Bloody brilliant!

[@Baconbeerify]

Yes! And all the little threads that Matt has woven from a hundred + episodes ago plus the stuff they did before it was streamed. It's incredible storytelling and absolutely amazing to watch

[@Reblwitoutacause]

Sooo masterful.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

1:13:10 -"I know how to forge!" _Percy leans in_ -"Show me."

[@jasp3rjeep13]

Grog turns into Keanu Reeves

[@lukeamparo6586]

Grog: *aggresively* hammers on metal Percy: Is that a knife? Grog: *hammering* Grog: It's a harmonica for Scanlan!

[@maanavganjoo6643]

Did anyone else hear a sexy saxophone at that exchange? 😅

[@wolfnote6679]

Percy *heavy breathing intensifies wanting to nerd out*

[@davidcroucher6262]

The genuine look of joy on Travis's face when he gets his forging knowledge is too cute.

[@cyte112]

Moral of this episode: Squeeze Sam Riegel like a squeaky toy, and hilarious rhymes and ditties come out.

[@ikanhazw1n]

I absolutely love that they call these insanely powerful essences of pure divinity “the beans.” The sentence “I love the idea of a Kord bean, but I want sleep” is just so delightful, thank you Vax

[@Gon_Din]

Vex became Pelor's champion with Scanlan's help (true polymorph) and Scanlan became Ioun's champion with Vex's help (broom and lock picking). It's perfect story telling!!

[@user-eq4xt1dc4g]

Scanlan

[@controllerfreak78]

2:27:30 “we don’t enjoy associating with new money” is the most badass burn a stuck up noble could give to a god

[@TheVitaminDee]

THANK YOU for acknowledging this

[@teaganlee4219]

This was such an underrated line!!!

[@dignitas01]

There's a famous British politician who insulted another one by saying ""The trouble with Michael is that he had to buy all his furniture" - which is my favourite new money burn

[@manaphy0993]

The core anvil is where the first dwarves were given form and breath... guys that's the dwarven forge That means these divine tramels were provided by dwarven forge

[@jadenlife]

👏👏👏👏

[@Tombr4mb4]

: I

[@Dan280974]

damn

[@Triss_Joy]

Ok I’ve decided that the screaming freak out reaction they all had to Vecna showing up is 100% canon, 100% what happened...😂❤️

[@thetwilightgamer]

It’s perfect (and better be the EXACT same in animation)

[@tessa5233]

Not gonna lie, i reacted the exact same

[@omnilisk279]

“Only one of us is underestimating the other.” You know Percy, I feel like those words were said about another powerful creature that nuked you all with meteors when you got cocky last time.

[@HDloly]

Percy lately have been with terrible aim. It's like, do the opposite of what he says and you'll have a chance.

[@InTheFilth]

@@danielgies3541 hit it right on the head.

[@draochvar9646]

Well PERCY didn't get cocky with Raishan. That was Keileth and Vax.

[@cavioidea3856]

@@draochvar9646 Well PERCY did say that to Raishan thoughj and it sure sounds pretty cocky to me.

[@samdaelfman]

I love Vox Machina so much!Vax and Vex: professing their brotherly/sisterly love for one another and discussing the future.Percy and Keyleth: having an existential conversation about how they don't have patron deities and they are ok with that.Grog and Scanlan: "hey Scanlan eat that seed the goddess gave you"... "ok"

[@YourMomsBoy]

You gotta eat the seed, how else will you know if it tastes good

[@Moralatheist101]

Druids in DND don't normally have patron deities. They revere nature not gods. If Keyleth was a real druid, she'd know this.

[@PlayWatch_616]

@@Moralatheist101 that's more of an older edition thing, with all the restrictions present in 3.5 for example, 5e is way more free with what people can do and it's now more common to find worshippers of gods of nature among druids (witch is pretty fitting) because many stereotypes are vanishing, Keyleth herself have said that other Ashari people worship Melora

[@bowserbrowser6559]

@@Moralatheist101 druids have one of the strongest gods they can worship with one of the biggest portfolios but I agree Keyleth is not a real druid she is a terrible character..a toddler with 22 wisdom scribbled on their chest in crayon

[@doghibthekobold7852]

"We're all stories in the end. Just make sure yours is a good one" ~Darin.

[@santiagoz.s.1024]

T.T

[@govirdrauka7116]

A year too late, but to be fair, it's a quote from Doctor Who. One that Darin quoted on the last Talks Machina. He also said during that episode that we was dropping references to a lot of the things he likes in his character's mannerisms.

[@thedarkness125]

@@govirdrauka7116 and to his credit they were really fun character moments.

[@cptsketch13]

Atleast Laura leaned into Travis and Kord when everyone else blew him off. Like guys he wants to play too

[@treesuhhh4238]

This is my first watch through of c1, and I feel like they dismiss him a lot. Idk how Travis takes it. I know they’re all good friends, but as a player that has to be frustrating.

[@FreddiFish96]

​@@treesuhhh4238especially when he comes up with the best ideas, I genuinely think half the cast lacks the logical thinking to follow what he's saying 😭

[@user-eq4xt1dc4g]

​@FreddiFish96 more then half. Laura appreciates it but doesn't always follow, Sam follows but more in support then with knowledge, Liam is to busy with his dramatic play to pay attention, Talesin is to busy thinking he knows better then everyone, Marisha is just Marisha, and Ashley isn't there enough to follow much.

[@danmorgan712]

Darin De Paul is easily my favorite guest star. That isn't to diminish anyone else, just... wow. He was fantastic.

[@jasongustafson2691]

Hard agree.

[@kafnfriends]

Tell me why Sprigg leaving had the exact same energy as a Doctor regenerating :’)) I’m not at all ashamed to say that I cried. What a beautiful actor he is and what a beautiful character he made.

[@wolfnote6679]

"I don't want to go"

[@brandonbuchner1771]

Maybe because he quoted Matt Smith's Doctor Who just before it happened "We are all stories in the end, just make it a good one"

[@talorel]

@@brandonbuchner1771 Gave me goosebumps.

[@darkhorse_designs]

​@brandonbuchner1771 this is my 3x through and I'm picking up little things now. Darin's quote was perfect. I will have to put Dr. Who on my list now. I watched it in passing as a child.

[@capncaviar]

After rewatching the episodes where they rebuild whiterun after defeating umbrusyl and thought that Percy as a character fits more as a champion of Arathis, goddess of civilization more than Ioun, he talks with great sincerity how it would be the biggest travesty to let a city, hundreds of years to be abandoned and forgotten, he says the as a man of means his legacy is his city and those within it. At least that isnwhat I thought

[@camiart_casual]

I think from a mechanical standpoint: Percy fit both Ioun and Erathis, but Scanlan only fit Ioun so he was assigned to her. I've always found it a little suspect that Ioun refused Percy on the grounds that he keeps secrets about his dangerous inventions... but is that not exactly what she did in keeping the information about the tramels and the ritual of seeding locked away? Also Scanlan is another one who is HUGE on secrets (illusion magic, modify memory, etc), and way more into spreading lies than truths. So again, Percy has the option of Erathis whereas Scanlan has no other major god that would fit. Either way it was cool to see our bard bring all of his talents to bear. It was time the story gave him some love. We'll see if Percy will ever be comfortable with a god's blessing, or if VM even has the time to seek another one out.

[@capncaviar]

At the time, I wrote this comment I had rewatched the episode where they help Patrick Rothfus rebuild the city that the Goliath took over. That said I was more inclined to put Percy into that Erathis spot, but I see your point that both would work. However, I disagree on Scanlan not fitting any other god as the goddess of change, freedom and luck, Avandra has been mentioned in the show before and she I feel could fit Scanlan as well. Not to discredit your comment Prideling just wanted to add to the discussion and learn how wrong I am about dnd parthanons because I have never played dnd before I can make mistakes :).

[@camiart_casual]

Cap'n caviar Oh no, you're absolutely right! I don't know much about D&D pantheons either, but yes, that goddess would also fit Scanlan well. I meant "main gods" as the ones that seem to be well known and have a lot of worshipers in Exandria. A good measure of that seems to be those that have a place in Vasselheim. We see that Sarenrae only recently gained a following there (thanks to Pike) and therefore is up and coming in her power. I don't think any of the other gods would have enough power to help them (Sarenrae herself couldn't give a bead), so that just leaves Erathis, Kord, and Mellora (which fit neatly with Percy, Grog and Keyleth, if they ever have the time). Oh wait... Bahamut. Hmm... Oh well, speaking of "minor" gods, there is also that one goddess of travel and trickery who had a drink named after her in Wildmount, I forget her name. She sounded like a perfect fit for Scanlan too! In any case thank you for being so nice in your reply. That's rare these days 😃

[@Esmeagolly]

prideling Im rewatching it aswell, but i think the moonweaver would have fit scanlan aswell, She is the deity of illusions and misdirection/ trickery and loverstryst.. i think that suits him aswell as Ioun

[@heelhairflips]

Especially because Arathis!!! and Pellor!!! are married!!!!

[@ardencarregal2644]

Time stamps of funny/interesting moments 39:25 - Scanlan inspires himself 41:23 - Scanlan's reading rainbow 42:05 - 43:48 - Singing questions 45:00 - Sprigg advice 47:16 - Little Gnomey poem 49:38 - Vex master locksmith 54:03 - Singing to a book 55:16 - Clutch spell 56:49 - Casting Friends on tome 59:07 - Casting Dominate Monster 1:00:52 - Sprigg's advice dissected 1:02:03 - Wrist Pocket trick 1:04:51 - Ioun's Blessing 1:05:57 - Tome of Isolation 1:10:47 - Ioun's knowledge to Keyleth 1:12:36 - Ioun's knowledge to Grog 1:13:34 - Callback 1:14:00 - Ioun's knowledge to Percy 1:17:40- Vecna origins 1:21:36 - Possibly Craven Edge? 1:23:25 - "And then there was one more" 1:27:12 - Ioun's seed of power 1:27:52 - Sprigg's offer 1:28:50 - Sprigg's farewell 1:30:03 - "Be happy" 1:30:45 - Sprigg's final joke 1:32:27 - Mnemonic device 1:38:13 - Break starts 1:44:35 - Laura's Signal Boost 1:59:50 - Break ends 2:03:19 - No mercy Percy 2:04:12 - Investigation check 2:06:13 - Sam's cup "Ioun is my copilot" 2:13:57 - Strange cheers 2:14:42 - Grog's interest 2:15:35 - Seed of power smell 2:15:50 - Scanlan "swallows" the seed of power 2:16:40 - Mime swallow 2:17:06 - Liam's trick 2:18:38 - Vecna answers 2:20:41 - Who are they? 2:21:24 - Whispers 2:24:05 - Vax's one liner 2:29:29 - Panic has spread 2:31:00 - Brief recognition 2:35:10 - Vax dives in 2:36:45 - Vax and the Raven Queen 2:41:10 - Raven Queen's paranoia 2:43:35 - Blood breathing 2:44:54 - Raven Queen's seed of power 2:45:36 - Scanlan's craziest 48 hours 2:46:05 - Keyleth's BBQ kiss 2:47:18 - Grog's video store 2:49:30 - Off to Temple of Kord 2:50:19 - Sword discussion 2:54:45 - Grog incognito 2:55:36 - Meat Man introduces himself 3:01:17 - Kord's home (Ysgard) 3:02:40 - Powerful beans 3:04:40 - Earthbreaker's one liner 3:04:56 - Meat Man deals 3:06:30 - "The Bluejob" 3:07:20 - Airforce 3:08:48 - Grog shows off his beans 3:10:48 - Grog's trick 3:11:48 - Vex's bean 3:14:20 - Cost of Trammels 3:17:40 - Terrible thoughts 3:19:10 - Grog broods 3:22:43 - Scrying on Allura 3:24:10 - Sam and Laura of the same mind 3:31:56 - Speak with dead 3:33:45 - Scrying on Delilah 3:35:22 - Vecna intercepts 3:38:54 - Thumbs 3:39:51 - "At dawn, we bank!" 3:40:14 - Scanlan's True Polymorph 3:41:49 - Hallelujah

[@erickremers3986]

Bless you :)

[@vortex594]

2:01:30 - best moment of my year

[@erickremers3986]

congratulations :D

[@geminijoule5522]

at 26:10 Darin makes a pretty epic Doctor Who reference!

[@sirlaggzzalot]

Doing the Lord's work

[@siroreo]

Can we all take a moment to appreciate Travis’s arms when he flexed?

[@teacooper6485]

Can we all take a moment to aprreciate Travis...

[@MsHannahHappyface]

Timestamp? He he

[@leonardomorel9412]

@@MsHannahHappyface Will just leave this here for anyone who wants to see it 1:12:37

[@TimStamper89]

Golaiath barbarian baby

[@addrenry784]

1:12:42 technically

[@pagenein]

Sam will never cease to impress me with his ability to improvise on the spot even in super stressing situations like this. Well done man👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@cassandragidney7682]

Past Episode Scanlan: "I became a bit of a crime lord [...] and I'm good at it" This episode, Scanlan disguised as the Meat Man, completely unbidden: "I am a legitimate buisnessman." I have a feeling The Meat Man's success was entirely thanks to Kailee

[@dignitas01]

Scanlan can say whatever he likes - his 35 Persuasion rolls do all the heavy lifting

[@pagenein]

2:35:48 Sam cracks me up lol G: “Is he a vampire?” P: “He’s not a vampire” S: “I think he’s dead. I think he died in there.” P: “I don’t think that’s how it works.” V: “But I do think he’s dead.” S: “He’s undead isn’t he? He’s a zombie.” P: “He’s not a zombie.” K: “His flesh is cold..” S: “Gross.” K: “..but his heart still beats.” S: “Should we kill him? We should kill him.”

[@Fairfieldfencer]

The puppy's full name should be Grog Strongpaw.

[@PJBxx]

Dog Strongpaw

[@MasterTr33]

Puplan Shortbark

[@simonsonlyfan8600]

Puppyval Woofenstien von pupper growlsowski de doggo III

[@NovelistCrim]

Ivan Will Ching Pawcival xD

[@kendalgraves551]

Vox Barkina

[@blantantly_obtuse]

Vax: " just thought I'd be there on your wedding day" Vex: "Awww" Scanlan: "Noted" EDIT: By the Wildmother, thank you for all the likes! Critters are the best!

[@blantantly_obtuse]

@TheDifferentBeast Thank you 🙂

[@juliamcdonough4175]

i got this, took me too long, but i got it

[@LauraDelvecchio]

@@juliamcdonough4175 I still don't get it lol

[@blantantly_obtuse]

Artagen is the name of The Archfey they meet in the Feywild and Strongjaw is Grog's surname

[@LauraDelvecchio]

Artagen Stronjaw don’t flatter yourself lol we aren’t talking about your name, we’re talking about your quote about the wedding day.

[@DarcOne13]

I'm 30 minutes into the episode and can already hear Percy's internal monologue of "Makes sense. What god would ever want me for a champion?"

[@OGC-OGC-OGC]

Right Percy makes total sense here the moon mother should have been scanlan

[@michael_am]

@@OGC-OGC-OGCI like the subversion of the expectation tho tbh

[@mystical_grace]

@@OGC-OGC-OGC I don't know; I think it makes a lot of sense for Scanlan to be Ioun's champion (especially since she herself says that she likes to choose unconventional folk) and Percy receiving the knowledge of how to design the trammels. She literally trusted Percy, who has little faith in gods, with tools that can SEAL GODS AWAY. Not only that, but Percy's ingenuity when it comes to literally inventing guns (Yes, Orthax gave him the idea, but it was PERCY who made them actually work) is what made his part so important.

[@allyabernathy4098]

@@mystical_graceright!! i absolutely love what matt did there. like yes: pike may have saranrae; vax has the raven queen; vex, the dawnfather; and scanlan, ioun. but they can’t find how to get where they need to go next without keyleth. they don’t know how to put the pieces together without percy. and they don’t have the strength to forge the trammels without grog. they might not be champions of a specific god, but that doesn’t make them any less crucial… idk, just a masterclass in storytelling ❤

[@louisec-m9503]

(Reaction thread) So, only fools talk to Sun Trees, but turnips are the ideal conversation partner? I love Sprigg.

[@louisec-m9503]

That whole joke exchange was priceless. I was already chuckling at 'knock knock', and by 'It was Larkin, my friend' I was laughing so hard I had to pause it. I fucking love this show.

[@louisec-m9503]

'We're all stories in the end. Just make sure yours is a good one.' Nice to see a guest bring the nerd factor just as hard as the regular players, haha.

[@Shindenize]

Funnier thought is Darin De Paul (Sprigg's player) stated he watched CR every week well enough to even know the characters were doing before, including Keyleth speaking with Sun Trees. Funnier fact: Darin's character was the same character he played 37 years ago, along with Matt's mother. Their campaign ended with almost the whole party died except for him running away, thus the survivor's guilt Sprigg felt.

[@louisec-m9503]

Lmao I was last here 20th March 2019. It is now 1st Feb 2022. Many crises and differing fixations later I am BACK let's GOOOO firstly: the knock knock joke is hitting JUST as hard XD

[@louisec-m9503]

I love Ioun's rundown of the group.

[@steelshade]

Scanlan completes the challenge exactly at the one hour mark of the video!

[@sweebos]

😯

[@urixl]

Maybe because Matt set the timer on his phone?

[@agathiandevaraj9757]

I didn't even notice that. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@airohead66]

2:19:07 "Welcome back" is such a short line, but that is absolute perfection in Matt's portrayal of Vecna's voice. Dat growl.

[@gumdani]

Straight Barbosa impression

[@ATK1734]

If what the cast has been saying is true, this story is shaping up to have an epic conclusion! Vox Machina, the Champions of various Gods/Goddesses, wielders of the Vestiges of Divergence, Slayers of the Chroma Conclave, and Heroes of Tal'Dorei, to go up against the Whispered One [Vecna] for one final showdown. Also, I'm going to miss Sprigg so much, Darin de Paul was such a joy!!

[@tet876]

feels like ftl if uve ever played that

[@Vohalika]

Oh, if only.

[@AstrumG2V]

"Knock knock!" "... ... who's there?" "You would know!"

[@StrangeAshes]

"We don't associate with new money." God I've been binging these and this is definitely up there with my favorite quotes. Percy is always there with the quips

[@noahmasi9368]

Can you provide a time stamp for that?

[@DCogny]

@@noahmasi9368 2:27:24

[@user-Aaron-]

​@@noahmasi93682:27:28

[@mayz7753]

@@noahmasi9368 2:27:30 in case ya ever come back to this comment

[@noahmasi9368]

@@mayz7753 thank you!

[@WildGooseProductions]

love how Darin is in his suit and tie, looking clean and suave while everyone else is just in T shirts lol

[@agathiandevaraj9757]

That's because the cast are playing DND with their friends, while Darin is revisiting his past through a character he created about 40 years ago.

[@Favar1]

I love to watch Travis digest information sometimes. Like 1:17:45 You can see him listening closely.

[@TroySpartan247]

I love how Vecna is straight fucking with them now. VM has to really think outside the box to even stand a chance. At this point, it's safe to assume that Vecna has the GameFAQs on how to beat the entire party.

[@jeremytinker2039]

Vox Machina enters Vecna's lair *endless series of doors*

[@Valiant_Requiem]

"endless series of doors" fucking *destroyed* me, hahahaha

[@stoshkrupsky9621]

I choked a little but reading this, well done.

[@briangronberg6507]

Psychic damage to anyone who starts brooding.

[@fhuber7507]

Vox Machina needing to think = time to roll new characters.

[@Lukos0036]

I'll say it again. Darin is an incredible RPer. He blows me away.

[@Deathven1482]

Lukos0036 we he IS an actor.

[@goldguardie]

RIGHT THOUGH?! Like...this character has only been in two episodes and him saying goodbye had me tearing up.

[@orinmingo3006]

I totally cried when Sprigg said goodbye

[@jorgeianfernandez9885]

Because Vax has been dead longer than Vex at this point, isn't it safe to assume that Vex is now older than her brother?

[@Ailieorz]

I'm sure she thinks this in her own mind

[@shuheihisagi6689]

I think Vax was still being held back from death, so he is still alive but only hanging on to the mortal plane by a thread.

[@OneEyedJames]

One of my favorite lines in all of Critical Role (either campaign, I've been caught up for a while now) is at about 1:30:00, when Sprigg is saying goodbye to Vox Machina and is (at least it appears to be) addressing Vax directly. "Be happy. Life is loud and noisy. it's a celebration, and I didn't know that. So, once in a while, with what little time we have, be happy."

[@WexMajor82]

When the 6 INT barbarian, figures out that you are scared, and are trying to intimidate them, you are being a very puny god.

[@SlakingQueen]

TBH that's more of a wisdom thing than intelligence

[@Rabijeel]

That is literally a Wisdom-Thing and not Intelligence. Insight goes for Wisdom.

[@bowserbrowser6559]

The most wasted stat in the party is wisdom, Marisha makes little to no use of her 22 wisdom and it doesn't fit her character at all

[@thegoodeboy2016]

@@bowserbrowser6559because Keyleth is a sucky character!!! She’s literal ass cheeks. She has zero wisdom.

[@gorgit]

​@@bowserbrowser6559 yeah, she play like 8 wisdom and 9 charisma

[@PiroMunkie]

Matt: "There's one that talks about the birth of the Rune Children." Me: "THAT'S GILMORE! THAT'S GILMORE!" Also kind of crazy that it was behind lock and key.

[@Nixahma]

Matt, as Gilmore: “Rune children were... sought after.” The entire fucking fandom: “Oh, okay :))))) Hey guys, where did we leave the guns?”

[@SLorraineE]

I know! That was my reaction too! And when she gave the books back, I was like "No! Keep the one on Gilmore!!!"

[@amberblackwell5614]

As I understand it rune children are sometimes abused by wizards and the like trying to understand and/or replicate their unique connection to the weave. Knowledge of their origins and nature is likely kept secret for their protection.

[@nataliepeters8459]

I had the same reaction 😅

[@forgemakesstuff2734]

me too :D I honestly hope they explain those at some point because I want more Gilmore Lore

[@samskelly]

”…And there was one more” BRO THE CHILLS AS I REALIZED WITH THE PARTY WHAT IT MEANT

[@symphonyofaria]

I gotta remember to check what matt is doing 35 years from now

[@Blasted2Oblivion]

You assume critical role won't still be going.

[@caseybaker7935]

CR will probably be on campaign 7 at that point

[@afraidofbirds3149]

He'll be a guest star in a campaign run by Ronin Willingham.

[@jacobsmith8377]

@@afraidofbirds3149 oh my heart

[@mielodie]

​@@afraidofbirds3149 im about to cry ･᷄-･᷅

[@RobertPFarrell]

2:02:49 Laura Bailey "Be careful of traps" Travis: "Squirrel goes running and explodes...hahaha." Laura: "Haha...bear trap..haha." 3...2...1...Bear trap to the leg. Classic!

[@LafunkSamZ]

So Happy my favorite character got to be Ioun's champion. Also major props to Sam/Scanlan for that improve of songs and poems, he had to pull out every trick and song he had in the book. Planetar Scanlan HYPE........

[@j90648]

dude i so hope he goes planetar during the vecna fight, that thing would truck undead

[@Wildtrexkid]

Matt has constantly said through the campaign that Ioun was all about the collection of knowledge to share it with others, its why you are able to enter the repositories of books the followers of Ioun make to read the books. Percy does love knowledge itself, but his actions with the production of guns and many other times hes said 'we cannot let people know of this, its dangerous' is against Ioun's mentality, she guards dangerous knowledge, but only until someone fit to use it comes like with the Isolation incantation while Percy would shut out anyone but those he trusts, even if they might be worthy of it or the people he trusts are unworthy. even basic stuff, i know the Grey Hunt was cuz Matt was still planning it, but even there Taliesin/Percy plays it as keeping the information back or having to ask his sister for more detailed information. there usually is a grain of truth or insight in any tale or story and Scanlan shares these with those that would listen. not only that, but a story is a much more... general medium, you don't need to be the son of a lord that lived in a castle stocked with books and have the money to test your ideas without interruption by the authorities to hear a story and gain something from it. Going from a more historical view of bards, mainly the Celtic ones, they were massively well educated compared to people of the time and had to memorise stories and poems exactly word for word, some being hours to even taking multiple days to recite. they were walking fonts of oral history and legends that would wander and share it with those that listened. while dnd has typically used the more modern interpretation of a bard as a musician/minstrel instead the core idea of the older bard history is actually very fitting for Ioun and even more comparable that his songs and poems of history and legends are what gained a reaction from the spectral beings along with Ioun's attention towards his storytelling and contrasts quite nicely Percy's attempts to 'find a system of organisation' in it. ^^

[@ieatpie315]

@@Wildtrexkid well said!

[@Wookie_oo7]

@JR Thomas I think the biggest teling point of why Scanlan over Percy comes from Sprigg's question i the beginning. Sprigg asked why did Ioun chose him to be her key and she replied with she wanted someone who noone would think she would choose but still is within her wheelhouse. So Percy was'nt chosen because he was the logical choice. Also I think it is because while Percy tinkers and studies its usually only mechanically. As where Scanlan is inquisitive about all knowledge, he seeks songs and stories, he seeks knowledge about history (mainly to fight enemies), he seeks to understand magic, he seeks the joys of life and love, and even seeks the sorrow of them. As well as that despite Percy knowing that God's are real, he sought to know nothing about them compared to Scanlan who started praying on his own. On top of all this, Percy only really ever sought knowledge mechanically, he was a crazy inventor and didnt really seek to know more for his own sake than how to tinker. Which Scanlan also pursued with trying to figure out how to use a pistol, Percy does indeed pursue focused knowledge, Scanlan goes for the jack of all trade approach and gets whatever he gets.

[@plotholedetective4166]

I was going to like this comment but it currently has 420 likes so....yeah good comment

[@nickellefson8555]

Did we all forget that Scanlan took a week with no sleep to read a book of charisma??

[@Vohalika]

If this is supposed to be a point for him and against Percy, Percy did the literal same back when they went to Vasselheim for the first time. That's how he got his 22 Dex stat.

[@Crystalw1957s]

Vohalika I think you mean dexterity for Percy.

[@Vohalika]

Yes, that. Manual of Quickness and Action.

[@WintersMinion]

He actually didn't take a whole week with no sleep for one thing that would have killed him from the build of of exhaustion for the other it only takes 48 hours of reading over a 6 day period to get the benefit of the book. criticalrole.wikia.com/wiki/Tome_of_Leadership_and_Influence

[@shawngillogly6873]

No. But ioun seems to have forgotten that Scanlan calls himself a good liar, the antithesis of knowledge.

[@DaveTh3Ninja]

Given the mythology of the Raven Queen, one should probably assume that the blood in the pool is collected magically from those who are in the process of passing over. It is the spilled blood of the dying.

[@mordirit8727]

In my universe, every consecrated temple to the Raven Queen has a small portal to her realm, where her most sincere followers can talk to her. The pools are always filled with the blood of the dying, always fresh, always flowing, from and to her realm. My players only realized when a Dragonborn NPC (who have blue blood in my universe) died at the same time that one of them was beseeching audience. I told him that, as he stood in front of the pool, he saw a small streak of blue blood rushing up from the bottom, then disappearing again. Their faces when that happened... It's for faces like that that I DM.

[@caseyhudson4929]

Uh yeah okay, but how come there were no other blue streaks of blood?

[@nathanielranney9163]

casey hudson well red is the overwhelming majority, is it not? Probably just blended into all the red.

[@elisam.2896]

"Oh man, I want those pencils so bad" she wheeps from Europe 5 years after this episode aired 😭😭

[@thebookist1651]

Same 😭😭😭

[@Picklescape]

I feel you

[@gorgit]

What?

[@armsmaster1953]

24:54 - When Ioun challenges Scanlan, you can just understand Travis' reaction. 41:26 - Sam sings (as Scanlan) a version of the Rainbow Reading theme. 1:34:17 - Sprigg and Ioun walk off, hand in hand, like Scrooge and the Spirit of Christmas Present. 2:09:47 - While Vax is telling Vex that their resemblance will keep Keyleth and Vex friends... Out of Character, Marisha mockingly weighs up the pros and cons and then implies something (probably a three-way joke) to Taliesin, which Matt catches onto and shakes his head at.

[@princedandy3980]

In a previous episode, she did come to the realization that she has a thing for twins 😂

[@ihe1523]

I was getting The Incredibles feeling when Vecna was talking. "You sly dog! You got me monologue'ing!" Another great performance all-around. So cool to see a cast that knows how to deliver showmanship while still keeping it light/house-friendly

[@zoinomiko]

Honestly, Grog had SO much faith that Kord really should have given him something. Gods appreciate that shit.

[@themardbard9096]

Kord missed out tbh

[@thinkngskeptic]

I thought if Grog had started fighting in that scene, he might've been able to communicate with Kord

[@matthewward1346]

I thought he already got the blessing of kord when he beat the monk?

[@aramislima902]

@@matthewward1346 kord exalted his gauntlets

[@josephdouglas5242]

What are you talking about? He got more beans than anyone else got.

[@SaraTiggs]

"this is your final decision?" "yes. with conviction." *hands over the tome* *she receives it and looks it over for a long moment before looking back up to Scanlen* "Scanlen these pages are blank." "ha.. ha.. sorry, just a little god humor."

[@chrisdavidson6428]

I was waiting for that to happen too haha

[@borisbutterscotch9482]

*Scanlan

[@brandongalvan6603]

I totally read the "ha ha" in Senokir's voice.

[@sarcasm1999]

@@brandongalvan6603 goddamit i did the same _*_

[@hotlinekrapfen]

seeing Darin smiles when they read how to banish Vecna is the nostalgic joy of someone who has seen this happen before

[@corvusdove874]

Pandemic Catchup Crew! Last episode: "I asked for power, these just give me strength" This episode: "I asked you for power, but it appears you gave me strength!" Such a great guest.

[@anitaardi4456]

Still behind you but getting there!

[@takingflight7656]

Wow! Thanks for pointing this out

[@erickremers3986]

i got goosebumps at "The strength of a Titan" :)

[@TurtleWhiskey]

Matt is really pushing the pace now. These guys are dream players for almost any DM, but even dream players can slow things down when you have so many of them, especially when they all want screen time and one-on-ones each week. Each episode can only be so long, you know? He even said in the ComicCon Q&A that the Conclave arc went a little long. Hopefully they recognize the DM is giving them a ticking clock plot and pace themselves accordingly so it doesn't lose its narrative impact.

[@tohrazul]

It's a fine line to play as a DM, especially with the way the group RP's. There are several episodes where they spend most of the time shopping, having personal conversations, and not actively pushing the narrative forward. A lot of that stuff could be cut out by Matt (you go buy potions, the cost is non-negotiable, so mark off x gold for the number of potions you want to buy, there are 10 available), but I think the overall series would suffer as the group RPing is what makes the show so great.

[@xelloskaczor5051]

i geniuenly am upset with Matt for pushing them. to me best parts of this entire campaign are when shit is NOT going down. Like, Scanlan and Grog + guards was, so far, highlight of this arc to me. Dunno about players themselves tho. But yeah as DM i would give them at least 4 "do nothing have fun sessions" more before shit goes down. Just to give Grog chance to pull ALL THE FUCKING CARDS

[@MnJiman]

You do not think Matt talked to his players about this first before going forward as he did?

[@unclevivid9028]

TurtleWhiskey they had to make a choice on what gods to get. They didn’t have time to get all of them so they took the path of least resistance and got as many as they could selflessly. Ioun was sort of a freebie as well after they spent so much time with the first two gods.

[@1stclassdork578]

Yeah the reason the CC arc was able to go for so long was mainly because the dragons weren't actively trying to destroy the world and VM took their time preparing/goofing/gathering info before facing them. Matt reminds them with Vecna and the same with Delilah that while they continue on their journey so do their enemies continue to reach their goals I.e Vecna's ascension being completed, it's fine they want to goof around but they always have to remember the story has to progress

[@Natesh13]

You know, it occurs to me: if Percy killed Delilah back in episode 35 (as opposed to Cassandra doing it), he would have devoured her soul/fed it to Orthax, and Vecna wouldn't be able to use her for his rituals. We might have skipped this whole storyline.

[@Deathven1482]

Natesh13 wow.... the possiblity... never thought of that.

[@DrevosSoul]

Natesh13 but Scanlon may have destroyed the gun to soon though because when Percy died it was like a good 2 hrs or an hr and Percy soul was still be devored

[@Kuribohcoast]

Or he'd just have another lieutenant

[@Natesh13]

Kuriboh He might have, but going by how much he's relying on Delilah, I doubt another lieutenant would be as competent

[@RecklessFables]

A certain green dragon had potential as a lieutenant too

[@GodlyGremlin.]

The "I'm not supposed to know that" from Percival completely hammers home why Scanlan was blessed by Ioun. It's a very genius moment in my opinion.

[@Sir_Poohheart]

It's less that it hammers home why Scanlan was chosen as much as it does why Percival wasn't. It was a really interesting moment, and also a slight missed opportunity on Taliesen's part to go farther, because it (along with her Forbidden Books Section) highlights that Ioun is, just like Percy, completely in favor of keeping some knowledge secret if it's for a greater good. They are completely like-minded in that respect. Percy: "I'm not supposed to know that." Ioun: "And you will only know it for as long as it's required." Missing Line from Percy: **smiles** "Now who's keeping secrets?" Which I imagine would earn him a knowing smile as Percy gains a deeper understanding of her values and how she thinks. Some of Percy's knowledge (like controlled explosives and firearms) is completely justified in being kept secret for the good of everyone. Similarly, Ioun's knowledge of the Design of the Prime Trammels (and some other things) is a completely justified secret to keep, and she loans it just this once as one would a library book. The difference is that while Ioun is willing to part with her secrets in service of supreme need, Percy would not be so generous and guards his secrets to the mortal peril of those who even seek them. So, while Ioun is cautious with her secrets, Percy is selfish with his, and the distinction between those two values is the (sadly) unspoken lesson he would have taken from this exchange which would inform some of the needed growth that Ioun mentioned.

[@gorgit]

​@@Sir_Poohheart I think theyre way past the point of needing to keep it secret. There are many guns around the world, being reverse engineered. And the ones with the most money, dedication, and something to win are the ones that will be the first with these weapons. And that perfectly describes underworld bosses. Id rather have the government be able to deal with them, than them getting the upper hand at some point.

[@joshuarose1381]

Darin DePaul spends 2 episodes giving a masterclass in RPing he was so amazing

[@robwong7206]

They had a book about the Rune Children, which Gilmore is one of them. Maybe if they save the world, they could go back to and give that book a read. :3

[@camiart_casual]

I swear, someone in the next campaign has to play one of those, along with a blood hunter and the other monk specialization Matt made that I forgot about.

[@Takapon218]

prideling I’m glad to have seen this, now that Percy is playing a blood hunter :’)

[@NWolfsson]

God fr... Spoilers? I mean of course there's no real need to specify for the actual episode, but for upcoming events... (I'm not mad, just a bit shaken to see such a crude reveal T^T)

[@blakebrockhaus347]

NeRethil Wolfsson campaign 2 ep 1. It is entirely unrelated to this campaign

[@NWolfsson]

Alan Blockhaus well I think there was some mix between actor names and character names (still not in S2 yet), but... well be careful with that, then XD

[@Melik565]

Sam: I've never watched Harry Potter!" Travis: "We'll talk about that later." I was thinking the same thing!

[@m.vincent6539]

Is anyone else reminded of "The Library" from Avatar: The Last Airbender (S02E10)?

[@searaph]

Definitely. So many similarities it seems.

[@Spncr313]

That or SCP Library of Alexandria

[@coby-jaehughes6191]

Half expected ioun to be an owl

[@JohannesVanDerBerg]

That was literally the first thing I thought about.

[@rebeccamorlo3340]

Keyleth was literally looking for the calender room from that episode. She made the lever motions for it and everything.

[@evericed5516]

The entire scene of Sprigg saying goodbye to Vox Machina reminded me so much of Lord of the Rings and the departing at the Grey Havens. Sprigg taking Ioun's hand and her saying "this'll be quite the conversation" mirrored Bilbo's "I think I'm quite ready for another adventure." for me.

[@ryanotorpedo]

Laura Bailey "I've always wanted to have blue hair!" Little did we know lol

[@Skyarrowable]

Darin De Paul looks so proud of Matt. :D

[@BinTtown]

All the guests have been great...but Darin's depth as an improv actor and ability to adapt just so shines through. Amazing guest. Just amazing. And the tie in to a game almost 40 years ago? Priceless.

[@LightSage89]

Darin de Paul in Legend of Vox Machina: F*** that guy! Ugh! So evil! Darin de Paul in Critical Role: He is a precious angel and must be protected at all costs.

[@anightgirl]

Matt Mercer's brain is so amazing. I love how even when describing Vecna's clothes he is in character to make sure it pulls us in just a little more. This man is a storytelling god.

[@davidbergfors6820]

Matthew Mercer, for me, a Dungeon Grand Master!

[@dactylicpoet791]

Mercer, the ascended...

[@yiklongtay6029]

I was so sure that Percy would be blessed by Ioun for his knowledge and Scanlan would be blessed by the moonweaver for his ability to deceive. To reveal that Ioun choose Scanlan because what he says has substance and value is really heartwarming and really subverted my expectations. Well done.

[@gabthegreat01]

1:05:45 Liam does a spectacular Sean Connery impression...like holy f*ck it's uncanny!