THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA S2E5 REACTION | 2x5 "Pass Through Fire" | Critical Role

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[@BiggySn1p3r]

FUN FACT: Marisha based Keyleth on Avatar: The Last Airbender. Keyleth's mom is voiced by Janet Varney who plays Avatar Korra. This episode is basically a tribute to those shows.

[@AdamEspersona]

We’ve come full circle.

[@josh___something]

Also, Titmouse -- The studio who's making TLoVM -- apparently worked on the title sequence for AtLA. So, that's a third connection

[@ForeverDegenerate]

@@josh___something The AtLA Video Game, yes. Not the show.

[@josh___something]

@@ForeverDegenerate either way.

[@rogue7723]

I also see a lot of _Rapunzel_ in Keyleth.

[@christophercorbin9387]

The Matron of Raven is also the goddess of fate. The intro is her weaving the threads of fate to bring them together imo.

[@richardbrown3055]

An important aspect of the Aramenté that helps to even better understand Keyleth, as you can see from the opening, Keyleth’s mother was a fair bit older than Keyleth when she left on her Aramenté. When a future Ashari leader takes on their Aramenté, if they don’t return it falls on their next of kin to take it on. So the reason Keyleth is on her Aramenté now, is because her mother never returned from hers, it speaks so much to her self doubt.

[@Luzarioth]

Season 1 Episode 2: "Alura, you foght a Dragon before..." "That was ages ago and a Red Dragon" Season 2 Episode 1: The first thing the Dragons did was to Destroy A Tower. That one, was Aluras Tower. In the actual Game, Vorugal looks into the Tower to try and find her.

[@AnxietyRat]

Yeah, I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have Vorugal slam onto the side of her tower and peer into the windows... That was a pretty vital detail in my opinion that they decided to not adapt.

[@Espinozaize]

13:40 Another fun story in regard to Keyleth/Marisha is that the fantasy author Patrick Ruthfuss was also a guest player on the show. Originally he was supposed to be there for one episode playing as the cleric Kerrick. Yet he ended up playing as I recall 3-4 episodes. Anyway Patrick & Marisha/Keyleth became really close friends via that. In the game he had his character send Keyleth a letter. In the game this was played as an audio-file. Patrick reading out the actual letter much to Marishas surprise. In the letter he states, which is true, that certain seeds of plants needs to be burned by forest or step fires, in order for them to spring & grow. This shows their strength. So top of that Matt gave Marisha an envelope. With a ring inscribed with those words: "I have passed through fire" from Patrick

[@JirkaKunst]

While that was a powerful scene, I would not recommend providing any links for it as it has some (minor?) spoilers for events in a certain town Vox Machina has yet to visit in the animated show. Given the names of the episodes, I would wait at least until the end of season 2.

[@andrewmcmillan229]

The fact that 5 dragons are even willing to work together at all was shocking to them, there’s no way they would try to awaken someone more powerful.

[@rogue7723]

Keyleth sealing the Fire Plane marks the _1st time Vax smiled_ since they escaped the Raven Queen’s Tomb. 🥰

[@smashbrandiscootch719]

So the "I have passed through fire" thing in the Campaign was a teeny bit more impactful for Marisha personally(keyleth) and had a bigger build-up. I'm not mad at how they handled it here at all because this was amazing. There was a guest character who was sort of a mentor for Keyleth and someone who believed in her when she didn't believe in herself. WAAAAY after that guest had been on the show, they returned to where they met him to find a letter. The guest had hand written a letter and recorded himself reading it out loud which they played on the show. TL;DR version, he was a blacksmith who was thrust into a leadership role and spoke about how metal has to pass through fire in order to become what it was meant to be. And how all of her experiences, even the painful ones, have shaped her into the person she is. Included in the letter was a ring for Marisha(the person playing Keyleth). Engraved on the ring was, "I Have Passed Through Fire". It was a really touching moment that brought marisha(and all of us watching) to tears.

[@wyverntark]

I like that you contrasted Vex and Vax's parental relationship with Keyleth's. You're absolutely right that there is a fundamental difference in the love they received from their primary parental figure growing up. It is important to know about Keyleth though that there were other pressures from her childhood that inform the person we see now. While she was greatly loved and supported, there was also an enormous amount of pressure placed on her. From a young age, she was raised knowing that she would be required to undertake the trials and become a leader to her people. Add to that the fact that the scene in the opener is likely the last time she saw her mother, and that she and her father don't actually know what happened to her, just assume that she likely died on her Aramente, and Keyleth's issues with self-confidence and doubt make a little more sense. I think it's also a reason she relates to and gets along with Percy as well as she does (a relationship that exited in the live game as well) because they both essentially had aristocratic upbringings, even if in very different contexts. Except Percy's upbringing and intelligence left him with arrogance, where the burden of expectation on Keyleth pushed her more towards introspection and self-doubt.

[@ShadowyFox_86]

Isn't it also implied that Keyleth was more sheltered than the rest of the party when it comes to her upbringing?

[@AnxietyRat]

@@ShadowyFox_86 Yes. Due to the isolation of the Ashari tribes from the rest of civilization she has been quite sheltered throughout her childhood as well. But she IS also very educated knowledge-wise just like Percy is. She mentioned, in the animated show, having a Abyssal classes as a child. She is just also more naive when it comes to social interactions due to her isolation. Naive doesn't mean stupid.

[@phoenixdzk]

Cerkonos is played by Robbie Daymond, apart from Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (Zahra) he's probably come the closest to becoming a full time member of a campaign alongside Matt and the other 7 players. He also narrated Vax & Vex's prequel audiobook

[@dragonrider0079]

Circle of the Moon Druids (Keyleth's subclass) are centered all around change, gaining access to more complex and stronger creatures to morph into, and later on elementals. Beings of pure energy of their home plane, the context of which makes it that much more impactful to what Keyleth just did XD

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

too bad that Minxie didn't get enough screen time. the amount of battles they could have soared through with simply "I go Minxie" _CHOMP!_

[@tlaragihai5953]

Vex: it really puts life into perspective. Vax understands. Meanwhile Vax: is in constant panic and confused 24/7 Craven Edge is so tired of Grog already :DD Korrin (Kiki`s dad) is so sweet, I hope to see him more :3 And our dear Keyleth unlocked fire elemental form!!

[@warrust]

Some nice connection with the last episode with how both are about accepting that nothing can hurt them and letting go of the mortal pain

[@Huskeybear76]

"You can certainly try" was Matt's catch phrase when they wanted to try something crazy.

[@MasterZeus94]

Fun Fact: During the campaign, Travis Willingham would sometimes roll very high for skill tests that require intelligence, which goes completely against Grog's characterisation (who has the Intelligence score of 8, with the average being 10). Those moments of englightenment were later named "Professor Grog".

[@ngtotd2462]

His Int score is actually 6. Giant Eagles have an Int of 8, meaning Grog got smarter when they turned him into an eagle Grog: "Please, I have an Intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing."

[@MasterZeus94]

@@ngtotd2462 Oh, you're right! Although . . . . . . . It did jump to 8 in the Mighty Nein era

[@Espinozaize]

Grog has an intelligence of 6. That is why he is dyslectic & cannot understand numbers at all ..He gains an intelligence of 8 only when Scanlan turns him into a Great Eagle. Then he learns how math works...A little bit at least

[@AnxietyRat]

@@Espinozaize Grog isn't dyslexic. He is full on illiterate due to his intelligence score.

[@Espinozaize]

@@AnxietyRat Not quite he does learn to read even with that inteligence score. Not much but still...

[@MsMorri]

I think the important thing to remember is that the Raven Queen is tied to Fate and death, and Vax’s visions so far is to help them in their current journey. With exception to one that is, which was at the end of the last episode.

[@rogue7723]

I don’t think those visions were meant to threaten Vax, I think the Raven Queen sent those to warn of the severity of this mission and the task of being her champion like to say “Are you _sure_ you want to go through with this?” and to embrace the goodness and beauty in life and to never let love escape like when she appeared to Vax when he was lovingly watching Keyleth at the party after Kevdak’s defeat. When Vax came to her and accepted being her champion, she became more openly benevolent and nurturing.

[@MsMorri]

@@rogue7723 I honestly can't much without risking spoilers for those who haven't watched the original show, but I think it was hinting at Vax's fate in the last vision.

[@Espinozaize]

5:50 In the game, Scanlan could not read the command word on the broom. Since it was in ancient Draconic. He could only point it out to Vex, whom cold read it. Given that Dragons are the beings that she hates the most of all. Thus she had studied their languages. So Sam/Scanlan handed over an imaginary broom to Laura. By the way: Matt never intended that Laura/Vex should have that item. She stole it from a guest player on the show. A dragon born named Gern Blanston plyed by Chris Hardwick. So in a split second Laura had to invent the command word. What she came up with was awful. It was hrugh-hraaa. It sounds like some clearing their throught ...Immediately after saying that, she stated: Damn I wish I had thought of something cooler to say. Well she got that now.

[@DisneyLover258]

actually the magic word was *spitting sound* or hack-tuhh!

[@Brazbit]

I am Keyleth. A Jedi, like my father before me.... err... I mean... An Air Ashari, like my mother before me.

[@binder38us]

I watched all of Campaign 2. This episode put a cherry on top of a great moment in that Campaign. You need to watch Campaign 2. If you like Vox, you will love the Might Nein.

[@teepope3128]

I love Keyleth's line, "We can certainly try." because Matt always says "You can certainly try." whenever they ask him random questions at the table, usually during combat.

[@Jaxom35x]

Plus that's Marisha's line line in the intro song on Critical Role. Matt says 'how do you want to do this' and Marisha says 'you can certainly try'.

[@rendalconstantineau1680]

One of the things that was always true about Keyleth, she didn't believe in herself even when everyone around her did.

[@iManticore]

Well compounding that self doubt, Keyleth's father is the leader of her people. Keyleth, is meant to be the next leader upon completing her Aramente.

[@IceMetalPunk]

It's really cool how Keyleth's big transformation here is directly from D&D. Circle of the Moon druids (which Kiki is) get the ability, at level 10, to burn up two of their wild shapes (animal transformations) to turn into an elemental instead of an animal. So this is straight up possible in the game for any level 10+ Moon druid.

[@Jaxom35x]

Listening to your speculations at the end about Grog and the sword......just one more episode.

[@IndomitableAde]

"You can certainly try" isn't Keyleth doubting herself. It's an Easter Egg. Matt Mercer says it in the campaign whenever a player asks if an action they want to take is possible.

[@elbruces]

It's also her doubting herself.

[@wyverntark]

To be fair, I would say it isn't *just* Keyleth doubting herself. They chose the moment to include it well, and it works both ways. It's a fun Easter egg, but if you don't know that's what it is, it still works.

[@IndomitableAde]

@@elbruces I don't see it as her doubting herself even though I know that's her thing. She usually says she can't or that she hasn't learned something yet like she did with Zahra. We can certainly try sounds like her confidence has grown just a hair taller, especially with Allura's presence and backing.

[@jonathaneverson3673]

As a Moon Druid (in D&D) Keyleth can turn into Elements in addition to animals with her Wild Shape ability at higher levels. This episode did a great job of letter her "earn" her fire elemental form.

[@testfire3000]

I like the comparison on Keyleth's family life compared to the twins. Perhaps this is reflected in Vex's attitude toward Keyleth in Season one. Vex considered Keyleth as pampered and has never had to face the kind of difficulties that they have. Jealousy? Or just thinking she can't be tough enough for them.

[@kenle2]

Worse, Keyleth was "pampered" (truly and unreservedly loved) by her FATHER as well as her disappeared mother. Vex probably couldnt help feeling somewhat resentful toward Keyleth getting the one thing she so desperately wanted, but could never have. Add Vex's natural sarcasm ...

[@momqabt]

In dnd and fantasy in general, intelligent weapons have a stat block. They usually have higher than average human stats. Now imagine Grog's stats as a barbarian, where they might be? In physical or mental attributes? Now reflect on what I said about intelligent weapons😉😏

[@Espinozaize]

22:19 Sorry that I keep talking here. Still this is one of my favorite episodes. I just love how well it is translated from an improvised game to a TV-show. That scene when Grog looks at Pike...That was originally told as a dream. Matt tells Travis/Grog that in his sleep he feels a GREAT power surge through him. He is invincible. No one can challenge the might of Grog Strong jaw. He is in a dark tunnel, but can see a bright light at the end of it. Since it is leading to a gladatorial arena. People are shouting his name in chorus...Grog, Grog,Grog!!! He walks out into the light with Craven Edge, feeling a rage & hunger deeper than ever. He does not care whom his opponents are. He can defeat anyone. So he does. He swings Craven Edge again & again... Suddenly he snaps out of it. He looks down. What lies at his feet are not worriers, but farmers, women & children. Worst of all at the top lies a dead Pike Mace in hand. Dead

[@carlotacosta9193]

This episode gives me chills every time

[@davidbodor1762]

Gosh, I already know like 7 years from now there's going to be a Mighty Nein episode that'll break my heart into tiny tiny pieces.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

putting a bit of overthinking into it, Keyleth could totally fire-bend through air-bending. blow a tiny envelope of air around you, you get heat resistance. spin a ball of air into itself hard enough, you get heat,... add fuel, poof! fire. she did _some_ water bending in ep 4, so the same principle can be used for the other elements. not the most efficient use of air, but it's good to have it.

[@JirkaKunst]

13:57 Kiki is a druid. In D&D5e druid have the Beast Shape ability that allows them to transform into beasts twice a day. There are many subclasses (specializations) for druids. Kiki is a "Circle of the Moon" druid, upgrading her Beast Shape into a Wild Shape. Wild Shape ability still allows her to transform into beasts twice a day or transform into an elemental once a day instead. This is what we see her do after she went through the portal.

[@pmoneyelite4719]

Loving the reactions so far! So glad I initially found your channel when season 1 came out!!

[@Huskeybear76]

If I remember right they didn't get the broom at Gilmor's. Vex stole it from an NPC.

[@RDehuvyne]

Wasn't even an npc, was a guest star on the show which is why it was so controversial that she went out of her way to steal it. Spawned a massive discussion on reddit and was dubbed "broomgate". She also had some minor consequences for her actions including an alignment change

[@Huskeybear76]

@@RDehuvyne Yeah. Couldn't remember if it was a guest or not.

[@TheChi9ski]

How do you choose what your background flex is going to be for each video? I miss half the reaction looking at everything back there. Do you have videos about your collections?

[@FandomZone]

Honestly, it’s whatever box I can reach and see what’s in there that’s different 😅 we don’t have any collection videos as we don’t have much on display. We’re looking to move this year so most of it is packed away. The last comic count of the collection was 20, 000 single issues though

[@jetvulcan2020]

the family backgrounds are good and all different

[@silentinfinity]

Y'all are great, love your reactions and thoughts, especially as I've watched the next episode already! Excited for your reaction to 2E6!

[@spacejammer1991]

I love your guys reactions I can't wait until u see the 6th episode

[@MsMorri]

Vex on a broom is fanart worth looking up

[@LeeCarlson]

Craven Edge reminds me so much of Stormbringer.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

Grog's original _Sword-liloquy_ kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJmUiaWAiqaWpLs

[@laurahart1337]

You should watch that scene in the campaign. It's hilarious. We were all hoping that we'd get this scene but I wasn't sure we were getting it. Glad we did.

[@Becky31389]

You've officially seen Keyleth in her fire elemental form 🔥🤩 Not sure if anyone has given this to you yet, but here's the moment in the campaign for the moment Grog is talking to Craven Edge, both live and someone's animated version 😁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJmUiaWAiqaWpLs kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGjJp36dbs1nmbM

[@FandomZone]

Thank you 😁

[@noslee2667]

Keyteth, what her race? Is she a elf like vax and vex? I know D&D has ton of species with pointy ears. Thanks

[@AnxietyRat]

Keyleth is a half-elf like Vex and Vax.

[@bonkiatsu470]

🔥❤️🔥