Was this the most surprising episode yet? 👀| C3E98 Breakdown! | Critical Role | Luboffin

[@shifttheshaman]

My favourite part of Sam's new character is that he was sitting in a closet, alone for all he knew, bleeding from the neck near death, with fifty or so lay on hands points unspent. it's just...weird.

[@Luboffin]

Haha yeah I think he just left it for dramatic effect 😅

[@madDjakni]

no no you don't understand! he cut his own throat when he heard the footsteps for the dramatic entrance and to earn trust as the "weakened last survivor of an adventuring party" (I'm joking if it's not obvious by the ridicilous scenario)

[@LDC4th]

@@madDjakniI mean it is a ridiculous scenario, but that is exactly why we wouldn’t put it past Sam!

[@madDjakni]

@@LDC4th I mean if we overthink this it's a great way to introduce a paladin of the prince of lies. He appears injured but immediately heals himself after the introductions showing that we cannot fully trust anything he says or does.

[@J-Vasa]

Is it possible that if he is too injured he can’t heal himself? Thats why when he was partially healed enough he was then able to heal himself the rest of the way?

[@Cromenick]

15:50 Base on how it was set up, Downfall is fundamentally different from EXU in the sense that, EXU was for the audience to know what happened. Downfall however is information Bell's Hells will be getting from the Nox Engine. Think back to when they were in the Malasmar, and none of the players knew who Lareen was. At the end of Downfall, all that information we will learn in those 3 games, Bell's Hells will also have that information. We are in essence getting getting the play by play vision Bell's Hells are getting.

[@johnriddell7116]

Someone on Twitter said that Braius Doomseed is an anagram for Red Boi Asmodeus which is just incredible and so on point for Sam

[@LDC4th]

Red boi!!! I noticed Asmodeus and tried to figure out what the rest of the anagram might be and the best I got to was ‘I robed Asmodeus’… which is either an indication he was a butler, or the bad spelling of a robber… lol

[@Luboffin]

OMG 😅

[@OctopusOwl]

Live that Brains is black and white except for the red of his blood. Fits Asmodeus imho

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

I've heard a number of anagrams online. Not the Red Boi version though. Someone else gave those six letters as Brodie 😂

[@ChristinaStarlight]

O Asmodeus bride is funny as well

[@jalsdw]

i have a theory (and I need to go back to FCG's and Braius's descriptions to compare) that Braius seems to be almost exactly the opposite of FCG in terms of backstory. All his allies were killed by someone else while he was infiltrating them and awaiting to kill them and their leader Vs FCG who killed all his allies because he was a "sleeper agent" killer robot who thought he was built to protect and heal them. Braius is sure about his faith whereas FCG was continuously questioning. I need to go and do some proper research when i have time!

[@Spoonymagpie]

Firstly - yes, you are cool enough to pull off that look: work it queen! Second - thank you for this breakdown 🙏🏻 it was good to see a little recap and I’ll probably rewatch again next week as we’re waiting two weeks now for more 🙈 it’s going to be a long two weeks… I love how utterly excited you are about all this, just like me! 🤩 Thirdly - Braius is hot but Dorian and Orym are the OTC. Nuff said.

[@IBEMEUBEU]

OMG.. It's Lubofin..! Over the years, I have absolutely loved the way you create your content. You take the time to become very knowledgeable and open to what your expressing and hearing back in your videos. Such fun to watch, thank you for your special way of doing your personality and expressing that in your videos. I found it far more entertaining than most all others out there, especially with Critial Role content. It can go without saying but I wont, love this video.

[@Luboffin]

Thankyou so much for the kind words 🥰

[@madDjakni]

I think the main reason they're not putting Downfall under the EXU umbrella is because this isn't just a tertiary story for the audience that exists only to give extra context and lore to the overall story of Exandria (and campaign 3 ofc) but actively a story being told to Bells Hells and thus technically happens inside the story of Campaign 3. I absolutely love Brennan as a dm and love to see him back for Downfall but I would also have loved it if he showed up as a guest character (imagine if he got to play Taevan (or how ever you spell the demons name) that could have been so fun) I don't think Imogen and Laudna are broken up right now but I believe that through miscommunication and neither wanting to burden the other they might end up splitting because they both think the other one wants to break up.

[@Madisita2473]

If Bolo doesnt show up when Brennan is DMing im rioting

[@fresmarco78]

in aeor they not allowing riot.

[@breawilldraw]

I genuinely wouldn't be mad at all if Bolo is the narrator for the Thalamus and/or every single NPC

[@Rebecca_DC0]

"But if it aids you, Exandrian" gave me full body chills! So excited for Downfall! And how I've understood what's been said about it, the reason this isn't an ExU season is because BH themselves are seeing it play out, and this will be better (or at least more interesting to watch) than Matt narrating a massive lore dump at the beginning of the next episode. And if they feel like it's enough story to fill three sessions, I almost don't see how it could be done just with narration. It would maybe have to be written up and given to the cast, then released online if they wanted everyone to know. It'll be interesting to see if Marisha talks about it during her Fireside Chat on Beacon tonight.

[@uselessmitten7836]

I have been teaching my housekeeper about critical role lore from scratch for about a month, and she picked up that Brennan was describing Great Wheel cosmology on her own.

[@jamoor5142]

I wonder if there's more to Braius than there seems to be. He shows up wounded even though he had healing spells, calls himself the hottest of minotaurs, and he's a minotaur with a human face. All of that is Asmodeus coded. His reaction to acts of kindness, appearing as a very attractive person, being a good liar. Even his fanboying over Teven, Champion of Asmodeus, would work if he was the betrayer god in disguise. Lastly, his name is an anagram of Red Boi Asmodeus, like how Nott the Brave was an anagram for Veth Brenatto. Just a thought!

[@mattball8622]

I totally get why some people might be a bit disappointed that we're taking another break from BH right as they get a new member, and that the way this is unfolding means that there's some degree of predetermination because of the nature of the Downfall episodes, but personally I'm here for the story and this is everything I ever wanted. The second Brennan sat down and started his monologue I lost my mind at the thought of more Calamity stuff. Imo, ExU Calamity is the best thing CR have ever done, and I'm so hyped they're revisiting that. Also, on a meta level, I think making Downfall part of C3 makes sense. Clearly, whatever is going to happen in it will be pretty critical (ha ha) to what happens during the rest of this campaign. With that in mind, it makes sense to not have it as a separate series in order to make sure viewers who only watch the main stuff don't miss anything. I've seen a lot of shows fumble the ball a little by putting plot critical things in side projects before, so I understand why they're doing it this way.

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

The disappointed crowd are also here for the story. Unfortunately so many points, like the revelation of Downfall, where momentum has been lost over the course of this campaign. So, despite the promise in the return of Brennan, people have just gotten frustrated by these things. Though I look forward to Downfall I wasn't feeling hype at the end of the live show but disappointment. I certainly didn't want to be feeling this way but too bad for me I guess. I just hope this gets turned around as I continue to watch.

[@mattball8622]

@@MorinehtarTheBlue I'm not sure it's fair to say that Downfall will cause the story to lose momentum before we've actually seen it, but I guess I'm a positive sort of person.

[@RichardHaywardMelbourne]

It's a look. Yes, the zoomed-in edited version is much better. I wanted to see them close during the live version because they all look spectacular, and their performances are so impressively heartfelt. Nothing hits harder than this crew, so devoted to their world and inhabited with the spirit of their story.

[@ericboswell7439]

Braius is at least 10th level paladin from how big his Lay on Hands pool is.

[@TheKevAbides]

Super love this recap and your speculations. Props to you for calling the betrayer god paladin. 👏 I am DEFINITELY pumped for more Brennan DMing. I do still wish he could play an official guest star PC some day, but alas. But this new short series just HAS to be amazing. Calamity was so, so, so, SO good. Really curious whether they will play level 15ish champions of a kind, or gods themselves, like you said. If gods, I wonder if, mechanically, they would play level 20 characters with a crap ton of extra boons. 🤔 I'm stoked Laura will be playing bc she is a genius player of high level characters. I do wish Liam was playing, for the same reason, but I trust any crew they assemble to be amazing. HYPE!!!!! 🤩

[@Luboffin]

Yes it's gonna be so good! Reallly hoping we do see some high level characters even though I know that tier of play can be pretty broken

[@theGhoulman]

So happy you did this vid Lubo :D

[@nekrekab]

Thanks for putting this together. I love the highlight format. And I like that you find things that I missed when I watched. Please keep up the good work!

[@timothyurban4876]

As much as Matt and Brennan both emphasized "light" in the closing, I suspect a link to the Luxon Beacons. I mean, it was present in Exandria before the gods were.

[@rjbramirez]

Honestly. This was a much needed recap from you, for us! It was quite a juicy episode.

[@benmanchester7671]

Exu Calamity was by far my favorite, so I am looking forward to this one!!

[@fakjbf3129]

Well this explains why Abubakar Salim was on Four Sided Dive recently. I wonder if they filmed the mini series then and the cast has been sitting on the info revealed in it or if he was in town for some kind preparation and they waited until after the live show to start filming.

[@ericboswell7439]

Also because of the live experience version, we saw a part of Braius's backstory and some fans of transcribed it from his sheet

[@EugGenie]

I do think it's a little misleading to refer to the Beacon exclusive version as "edited". Think it's a "produced" version. Since it relied on a live producer cutting between various camera angles during the live show to show on the screen at the venue.

[@Zr0din]

Thank you so much for these summaries. I really need them.

[@disembodiedvoicek]

Wow a quick video! I am not sure what Ludinus can even say for the party to not start attacking him right away.

[@kibert135]

I have to disagreee that Critical Role have abandoned ExU as a show. It is pretty obvious to me that having Aabria and Brennan DM in C3 is more due to how connected both the Crownkeepers fate and everything happening in Aeor is to C3. It would make no sense to try to differentiate it because of that connection. It would have been far less impactfull if it wasn't shown in the campaign how Dorian got where he was when he reunited with BH. And with how important it is to C3 how the gods are seen, having the first real showcase of the gods failure be its own mini series beside the main campaign wouldn't make sense either. I am pretty sure if future mini campaigns happen where there is a far less obvious connection to the current main campaign, ExU will be used to describe it.

[@uselessmitten7836]

Let's just call it an ExU/BH crossover and move on? But yeah, good points.

[@gilthunder823]

Glad to see you back in action! ❤

[@Roshi_Goth]

Hell yeah! You look amazing! 🤘🏾

[@MrPurpleDecay]

As always, thanx Luna 😊😊

[@JosePerez-jl9bu]

Another excellent recap!

[@aimeemorgado8715]

As always, EXCELLENT CONTENT!

[@R3dS0ulSnak3]

Loved this video and I am so excited to see what happens next!!

[@jeyleighlee]

Top notch editing. Nice pace and flow

[@robmartinez1627]

sam is either a oath of anceints or oath of the watchers. since moonbeam is on both there spelllists

[@FireBowProductions]

Based off of what Ludinus said and Brennans description, I thought we were going to see where the gods came from. Which would have been amazing and insane at the same time. Them Matt and Brennan came out with the supplementary video stating unequivocally that Downfall will be in Aeor. *sigh* Oh well, still going to be good regardless.

[@breawilldraw]

I love everything about this video and could just go on for days about every single point, I'm so glad I happened on your channel! All I'll say is that as a Dorym shipper, one of my favorite moments of the live show was when Braius asked if Orym is single, and Robbie made a point of doing an offended double take at him... ONE OF US

[@mikegreene1167]

thank you for the summary.

[@RedLuigiGames]

So, Braius weapon is Two balls, oozing liquid, and it is called Poison Pen (aka PP). Yeah.

[@Luboffin]

🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ omg Sam

[@zTom_]

😅

[@rebeccacurtin3787]

I've been looking forward to finding out more about Aeor since M9 was first exploring those ruins. I'm really excited for downfall

[@themoviecritic1092]

This episode was so hype from beginning to end

[@jonbauml225]

I like close-ups too. Im sure I'm missing a bunch of great reactions in the standard format. But normal is fine too. You looked great, totally pulled off

[@air9188]

I definitely prefer the zoomed out version. Whenever people talk about wanting heavier editing in CR (extremely vague spoilers for C1), I always think about one of the most emotional moments at the end of C1, between Liam and Sam. All of that was a mostly nonverbal side interaction that we might not have ever seen if C1 had been more heavily edited. I’d rather have the freedom to choose where I want to look. Especially on repeat watches, I sometimes like to intentionally pay attention to people who aren’t actively involved in the scene to see their reactions or their side conversations. Or to watch Matt’s face while the party discusses their newest ridiculous plan. I get that a static shot for a 3-hour episode isn’t the most exciting to watch, though, so I understand the other perspective to a certain extent too. I just can’t personally agree with it.

[@ryanratchford2530]

Lovely to see you back!!

[@Charlmander]

Thank you! This was very informative.

[@cccatie_]

exu: calamity was sooooooo good - i cant wait to see what brennan does with these few episodes !!!!!

[@demonazgrael]

Missed your breakdowns!

[@BrenttFease]

I think Braius is a Watcher paladin, not an Ancients one, since Matt mentioned that he has experience fighting demons. Both oaths get Moonbeam.

[@BrenttFease]

I also just realized that the Watcher's Turn ability works on Celestials, Fiends, and Fae. So not only is it more fitting because it works on angels, but he'll finally stop accidentally turning Laudna. (He'll instead turn Fearne, but there's a chance Sam either didn't think of that, or decided it's pkay because she has a high Wisdom save.)

[@hattrick8127]

Such a good video!!!

[@drgnladyblue]

I HAVE to ask because your hair is a very pretty purple and you said your natural hair is dark...what DO you use to color yours? I currently have a couple of bottles of Arctic Fox but I'm scared to pull the trigger on actually using them...

[@Luboffin]

I get it done at a salon so I'm not sure what product they use. They do bleach it beforehand but I try and get the least amount of bleach I can so as not to damage my hair too much. Plus then it's not as expensive as getting it bleached 2-3 times before putting the purple in! 😅

[@virus640]

If Fearne took a couple levels of cleric under Asmodeus, that would be a wild ride.

[@actuallyerik1623]

Several people in the Beacon server had both versions of the show running at the same time. I saw a lot that still prefered the 4 and 3 overlay, but the scenes where people where really acting, like Dorian in his vision Beacon version was perfect

[@InaKreka]

The next three episodes are going to be monumental for Bells Hells. The memories they and the rest of Exandria will see will probably either splinter the party, push them to change sides or at the very least shift their alliances a bit.

[@cho7879]

Brennan's closing speech gave me so many Luxon vibes, I know that chronologically speaking it doesn't add up but what if xbdjskkdkcs so exited for DOWNFALL(I've been calling it EXU: Downfall in my brain😂) also obsessed with Sam's choices they are so fun

[@J-Vasa]

I don’t think they are abandoning EXU, i think this is a way for the characters to find out the story at the same time as the audience. As it plays out, hells bells are watching. It’s like Harry potter using a pensieve instead of there being a spin off film. EXU works but only if it’s something the main characters don’t need to know everything of. Otherwise you have to then find a way to explain everything to the characters. Seeing as the characters clearly need to know whatever they are being shown, it makes sense for it to be part of campaign 3 and not EXU

[@GKLechuguilla]

I think Ludinus is sharing this information because it confirms his bias against the gods. And the more people knows the more will side it him in the long game.

[@Anameisgiven]

Sam ain't a minotaur, he is just a demon/devil with horns saying he is a minotaur.

[@zlatan_2197]

If one thing should be very clear after ep 98 is that they're either going to listen to Ludinus and tweak their goals accordingly or they will be wiped out. They simply cannot beat him, it would be Otohan all over again, but five times worse, and very possible TPK.

[@AllisLust]

Yes, Braius does have a huge... Charisma! 🤣

[@redknight808]

"...because [the minotaur] has, like, a huge charisma..." Is that what we're going to be calling it now? 😆

[@Luboffin]

😏

[@ccreasman]

So many questions answered here. Thank you. Told you before that you are my guide in CR and with so many layers these days in Matt’s head, anytime you explain things it helps me. ❤️ Still…you showed that scene with Brennan about Asmodeus (sp?), but I still don’t understand. Was Brandon playing him? I sort of remember that from watching that mini-series (which I really enjoyed), but still can’t draw the connection. And is that who Fern is now connected to? I mean, I know the character she’s betrothed to is a champion and not Asmodeus, but the champion is for Asmodeus? And Sam’s character is too?

[@Luboffin]

Yes, Brennan was roleplaying Asmodeus in EXU Calamity in that scene. The champion Fearne made a pact with serves Asmodeus and Braius is a paladin of Asmodeus. Lots of hell connections now!

[@fiig5196]

Luna! The makeup 😂I love it ! ❤

[@deswoods278]

5:37 can someone please tell me if I missed something!!!!?!??

[@ForeverWog]

This is probably nothing, but did anyone else notice how Brennan’s forehead makeup looks like the symbol of the Startouch elves from The Dragon Prince?

[@Micaerys]

Amazing video, Luna!! I've seen people theorizing that Sam might be playing a homebrew paladin, but personally I find it unlikely. If that was the case, Sam would have highlighted some of its skills like he did with the tragedy bard About ExU Aeor: I think they might be playing as either champions and/or avatars on a mission Also, I too believe that they're trying to incorporate their miniseries into the main narrative... Which makes me a little sad, because little by little I notice how they're starting to prioritise efficiency and convenience and profitability over the original purpose of some of their products I don't think fearne will take a level in warlock, more likely Matt will give her a boon or feat of some kind

[@matthiashavrez]

I watched the "LIVE" version, meaning, not the version with the standard layout with everyone on screen all the time. I liked it even though I also like being able to see everyone's reaction at any point in time. Basically both versions are intersting to me.

[@jakeholmes9296]

Such a great vid Luna. Loved this episode im so excited to see where this goes! Im really hoping whatever we see makes the Bell’s Hells question what they are doing. Loving the juicy grey areas of a story

[@pippastrelle]

Goddddddd Ashton with the FCG vision 😭

[@uselessmitten7836]

I think they're making it part of C3 to use Brennan hype to get people back into C3 because it's awesome and y'all need to see it.

[@cacklebarnacle15]

Auto caption be like: "Hello, my name is LENA"

[@HumbleDuckM9]

Gosh darn I wasn't planning on watching bells hells but after seeing Sam's charector it's time to bite the bullet

[@baxterschumacher9186]

Are you doing another mass recap update?

[@Luboffin]

yep! currently working on episodes 64-77 should be out soon!

[@lidlonez]

I thought the two black horns were for Orcus

[@KirbyMoyers]

Thanks Luna!!!!

[@davidgolfspro]

To me, the way I see "The Palace" is more of an idea. While it could be the home of the gods, i dont think it is. It is one thing to describe the motive of Magocracies as like Aeor, Avalier as "Arrogant", "A drive for the impossible". But to me those descriptors always felt lacking the narrative punch in the gut you would get when watching EXU: Calamity. The description of "The Palace" however, felt like a real drive, am origin of why magocracies were so powerful, so driven, to do as they wished. As a DM to me this article of time felt like a perfect summary of how to express this idea. A message woven with thousands of hours in a thesaurus. Something we ourselves, like the Aeorians, should aspire to in our writing as DM for making our lands match the image we try to convey to our Players.

[@austynkozak4073]

Brennan is back!!!!

[@mriepi]

you could keep that look, you look really good XD

[@zaecus]

Sam created a character whose introduction was coming out of the closet. During Pride.🤘

[@leahwilton785]

I'm not sure how I feel about more side series being folded into the main campaign. I am super excited to have Brennan back, but I feel like it should be its self contained side series instead. It's confusing branding to say you dont need to have seen any CR to watch this, but its also episode 100 ???? of some clearly much larger series

[@kawikacortes347]

no. not surprising. i think everything was pretty expected as usual with them

[@CaptainXJ]

Hmm shoulda watched the "beacon" version.

[@Dndnerd591]

So let me get this straight. Aeor was built on the ruins of Avalier? 200 years after?

[@Luboffin]

No they are two different cities :) in the age of arcanum there were a number of flying cities

[@coachphill5076]

Why is it that I've got this feeling that Ludy somehow got the Hand of Veccna? Just a theory

[@LostWhits]

Didn't they damage his hand at the malleus key. Before they got bamfed throughout the world.

[@consolescrub4031]

Cool look.

[@qualopec]

Standard version please.

[@hadesblackplays]

if i had a nickel for every time matt mercer has killed his own demon boss i'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

[@dougc84]

It seemed like Sam had marbles in his mouth during the whole thing. Almost like he had his wisdom teeth pulled, half his face numbed, then came to the show. Any ideas why?

[@ethanjensen6847]

I thought the same!! lol I thought I was crazy, like maybe it was a different voice for the character or something but I haven’t seen anyone else say anything online so I assumed I was going crazy

[@jonathanhibberd9983]

I just assumed it was a character choice for the voice he's going to use. But yeah, he did sound different. He had a kind of "old man" voice. More airy, and a bit slurred.

[@CheckersMcGavern]

Yeah... it's weird, it feels like they've been taking more breaks in C3 than they ever did with the previous campaigns... and it's a little frustrating... BUT they can make it up to me by having Bolo show up in EXU Downfall. ^_^

[@themoviecritic1092]

Technically these next three episodes aren't breaking away from C3 since it ties into the story by being episodes 99 - 101

[@martinjrgensen8234]

I honestly think it is to give Matt a break. He has been open about struggling with mental health

[@Breakfst4dinner]

Is Sam unwell or is that the characters voice, he sounded off. In the nicest sense.

[@Luboffin]

I think it was a choice for the character? 🤔

[@overdrive7349]

BH is probably the most morally ambiguous team I've ever seen. I have no idea what's going to happen after this!

[@BermudaOnyx]

Does anyone see FCGs face on braius chestplate?????????

[@noaramboa2913]

I fully agree that exu is either dead or on indefinite hiatus, c3 having the sequels to both exu series to me feels more like a partial marketing decision than purely creative especially the crownkeeper section

[@givemeanaxe]

Wait, did sams character die AGAIN ?

[@smiffitysmith8450]

BOLO BOLO BOLO BOLO BOLO

[@givemeanaxe]

Im so far behind lol

[@Luboffin]

I've got some quick recaps - they aren't fully up to date but I'm working to get them all caught up soon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2jNnaSKebSsY5o