What Lies Beneath the Surface | Critical Role: VOX MACHINA | Episode 81

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The chase is on as Vox Machina search for Raishan and the stolen dragon eggs. Guest starring Patrick Rothfuss!
A very special thanks to @CRTranscript and all the #critters for closed captions!
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[@potatomuffin7177]

Can't get over how an ancient dragon who has been ruling a city for many centuries, used the word "Nah"

[@Wildtrexkid]

Boldly Talkative. A brass dragon engages in conversations with thousands of creatures throughout its long life, accumulating useful information which it will gladly share for gifts of treasure. If an intelligent creature tries to leave a·brass dragon's presence without engaging in conversation, the dragon follows it. If the creature attempts to escape by magic or force, the dragon might respond with a fit of pique, using its sleep gas to incapacitate the creature. When it wakes, the creature finds itself pinned to the ground by giant claws or buried up to its neck in the sand while the dragon's thirst for small talk is slaked. A brass dragon is trusting of creatures that appear to enjoy conversation as much as it does, but is smart enough to know when it is being manipulated. When that happens, the dragon often responds in kind, treating a bout of mutual trickery as a game. seems like just the thing a Brass dragon might do, being chatty and all ^^

[@Droid15243Z]

michael smith One of my favorite parts!

[@grimjowdragneel1920]

@@Wildtrexkid i freaking love brass dragons.

[@RoadAegis]

They rule a hip city

[@joshuadixon4090]

@@Wildtrexkid this is great

[@gman1515]

Vax: *mentions theatre* Artagan, somewhere off in the feywilde: NO THEATER!

[@forgemakesstuff2734]

I love how once Matt mentions the cards, everyone starts freaking out but Travis GENUINELY has no idea what he’s done

[@kaberry4539]

They weren't in the room with Grog and the over reaction to the cards, some of us also didn't know what the cards are, ruined the storyline with metagaming.

[@devinmahoney7200]

@@kaberry4539🙄

[@shannononeill482]

Same thing happened with my group...our DM "gave" the cards to the one player who had no idea what they were, the rest of us freaked out. They pulled 4 cards, all sorts of crazy things happened, and then the last card was the one that reset the timeline back to before they pulled the cards. Like we had all *died*. It was wild. But omg Matt's giggles as he's looking up what the card is that Travis pulled is just...gold. I need to bottle that sound and just have it for bad days.

[@grymmgaming7035]

​@@kaberry4539get over yourself

[@acelibrarian]

​@@kaberry4539 they were in the room. Matt says as much. They're just not right next to him. Also, metagaming would be "that is the Deck of Many Things and it works this way" not a genuine "OMG this is gonna be... could be good or we might all die" reaction. I'd hate to play at your table if you're supposed to be a total marble statue whenever something happens not directly in front of your character's face (an exaggeration, yes, but so is calling their reactions metagaming).

[@neerGdyahS]

The sweet irony of Vax walking into the bathtub so confidently naked, then Liam being the only one grossed out after.

[@jacko7755]

Scanlan's drug kingpin story arc needs to be called 'Breaking Bard'

[@benjaminstout941]

Better call Scanlin

[@xFlareLeon]

It needs to crash and burn.

[@andrewmorris8650]

How dare all of you

[@zylgriffin8444]

666 likes my man

[@Tybeena]

OOOOOOOOOOO nice

[@enderesting]

kerr: [exists] keyleth: it's free therapy

[@flaminyawn]

Kerrek is the grizzled but compassionate war veteran we all need in our lives.

[@Caitydid561]

I've gotta say, that seems to be a paladin thing. I'm not sure which type of paladin Kerrek is, but I've got a character I play currently who's an Oath of Devotion paladin, and comforting people and making sure they aren't alone is part of that oath.

[@chrisfrost1649]

@@Caitydid561 he's actually a Forge Cleric as far as I know.

[@Caitydid561]

Chris Frost According to the wiki, he’s an Oath of Devotion paladin. Could be a paladin of the All Hammer, though.

[@starsgears9200]

@@chrisfrost1649 He really does feel like he should be a forge cleric though, huh?

[@evilcleaver]

When Sam said “we found you a replacement flying carpet” Laura’s face went from 0 to “so you have chosen death” in a split second

[@relyimah]

yeah, wow... just wow...

[@Halowolfie]

I just LOOOVE how you can see Laura realise she can make the perfect joke when Vax is in the bath with Percy. Her face spells "don't spoil it yet, don't laugh yet, they'll never expect this"

[@Bignis805]

Travis’s reaction to that was gold too he knew where his wife was going to go with that lol

[@MysticSybil]

Poor scanlan's having a bit of a "boy who cried wolf" scenario... everyone's so used to him being the comic relief that his actual cries for help get mistaken for "classic scanlan" goofs

[@oohcomma]

This is such an important comment that people are missing, especially because he tried to be humorous literally RIGHT after his death. Sam is VERY capable of acting solemn, we see that with Nott constantly, he chose to play Scanlan is a joking manner despite him just dying and that set the tone.

[@Trevbot789]

This is the episode thats the precursor to him leaving

[@Inconzii]

*no* I DIDNT THINK of it that way wTf ;(

[@jaredphillips129]

MysticSybil it’s a sad fact of anyone who’s faced such tragedy.. I play the part of the lovable and irreverent bard in my personal life. Hearing people laugh at my jokes helps dull the pain. But it doesn’t change the fact I fear waking up every morning... ever since my wife shook me to waking at my youngest son not breathing at 2 weeks old.. I played the cleric when that happened. I brought him around with CPR, twice. But the scar of that morning remains. I’m not a hero. I’m not anything anyone should celebrate.. I was a scared father on that day. And that’s the day my substance abuse started.. I drink to forget. I drink because I got lucky. My son is a happy healthy 6 year old. But mainly, I drink because I’m not a hero. I panicked. Worse than my wife did.. I drink because what if the CPR didn’t work.. I drink because of my fear of what could have happened.. and what’s to come. I’ve learned to step away from the bottle these days.. but the guilt and the fear are always with me.

[@garygsp3]

@@jaredphillips129 that is sad. The way i see it is very simple. You have 2 choices when you wake up in the morning. Let your fears from the past beat you, or you can choose to beat them. You have let worry consume you. Worry, Jared is a waste of timd and energy. Worry can't change the past, and it has no effect on the future. Worry only effects you here in this moment and changes who you are and your interactions with those around you. The fact is your son lives. Yet your mind still worry about a moment when he was 2 weeks old. What moments have you missed since then when you climbed into a bottle? Enjoy your son right now. He is at a fun age when he will learn to do so much and you will start getting a glimpse of who he will be. Be with him now, it is the boy that is, that needs his father. The two week old boy needed a father and got one. That boy moved on but the father didn't. Not to mention your wife. She suffered then and likely suffers now. Especially if you're still stuck in the past. She married you to be a partner with her. Jared give your worry to God. Let God deal with it because it's obvious you can't handle it alone. You worry about taking the next step one day at a time. Who does my family need me to be today? They need you to just be there not in a bottle stuck in the past.

[@FylaStarr]

'We need your spells. Without them you're kind of just a dude' Sam/Scanlan looked legitimately hurt by that. Wow.

[@RazielSin]

@Richard Russom idk if it came back into their minds because they all seemed pretty shocked, lot of these guys are dense when it comes to characters that arent theirs lol but i def agree, i side with scanman on it all

[@30noir]

@Richard Russom Thanks for the spoiler, jerk.

[@alfadasfire]

@@30noir Maybe watch the episode BEFORE reading the comments

[@30noir]

@@alfadasfire i did.

[@30noir]

@@alfadasfire he deleted the bit i was responding to.

[@a.morphous66]

Matt: Mentions a deck of cards Everyone: Immediately begins hyperventilating

[@zemorph42]

And Grog almost threw them in the lava, but someone stopped him.

[@piranhaplantX]

Yeah, I understand why, but as a DM I wish they'd have reigned it in and let him experience it. The only time I'd step in is if he declared that he was drawing all of the cards.

[@zemorph42]

@@piranhaplantX Not to worry.

[@Zalied]

the moment they started metaimg the deck Travis started messing with them. Like the throw into lava thing or instantly pulling a card. Travis was ready to have fun he likes the bad things the only time he worried is a moment he definitely thought he ended the world. But other than that the more the cast tried to stop him the more he was gonna do it

[@nightflame69]

@@piranhaplantX can you Actually draw all the cards? I thought there was a limit to the number you can draw..?

[@DILLIGAF33]

2024 Crew, this is for you! 0:47 - Best VoiceMail Ever 6:38 - Recap 10:55-Recap end 12:30-Slappy heal 16:20 Vex reads Zahra's Note 17:31 Zahra and Kash arrive 18:08 Kerr Bear 29:25 Don't do sudde kids 30:00 the start of 6 minutes of pure gold. 48:46 Vex doesn't want a low perception check for loot 53:35 Percy will miss Grog 1:04:53 What Grog finds 1:09:14 Vex looks at the Tapestry 1:10:46 Matt asks for a Deck of Cards 1:15:51 Grog Gets A Sword 1:16:44 The most powerfull sorcerer has ever lived 1:19:34 Vex puts the Deck of Many Thing's in her shirt (1:20:36 Percy will find them later) 1:24:29 Vex Looks at the Tapestry 1:45:05 Gilmore finds His stuff 1:46:10 Keyleth Scrys on Raishan 1:48:33 Sam prepares for 1:49:06 2:06:40 Break Ends 2:19:17 Roll for Booky McBookerson (Nat20) 2:26:55 Gilmore is a Rune Child 2:28:50 Grogs Dancing Sword 2:42:35 Vox Machina walk back to Grey Skull Keep 2:47:45 The sun Rises in Whitestone (A new dawn), (A callback to Vex's Fortune being told) 2:52:57 Perception check on Cassandra 2:53:44 Percy knows where the wine is (Also Vex's alcohol dance) 2:54:54 Blood soaked Percy Hugs Cassandra 2:56:08 Scanlan Pulls Jarrett aside 2:59:40 - Awkard moment 3:01:21 - Thanks Laura. 3:07:59 What happened to the Demon from the City of Brass 3:10:45 Scanlan Is on Vex's List 3:28:14 Allura takes a drink 3:46:09 Vax talks to Keyleth 3:51:26 Sick Noise

[@chibilutionaudios]

you are appreciated

[@malkierlives6991]

Thanks!

[@claybomia5141]

bless

[@animepierat607]

Boost

[@player_lorde5078]

You' are perfect Just the way you' are

[@CrispymexicanDUCK]

I’ve never seen a married man so excited to see his wife play an imaginary character that is bathing with another imaginary man. MIND. BLOWN. XD

[@luisvazquez4397]

So was Percy. Lol

[@xWinterstarex7]

What happens in DnD stays in DnD...except for tears...tears transcend

[@MmeHyraelle]

Compersion. Sign of healthy relations.

[@thunder88100]

@@MmeHyraelle Embarassingly, I needed to look up "compersion". WOW and COOL! What an AWESOME word!!!!! Thank-you!

[@Ziajin]

How do you want to cuckold this?

[@deadj4731]

Seeing the cracks of human flaw within Scanlan is perhaps one of the greatest things I've seen in the history of roleplay. He's unfailingly demonstrated himself for the longest time as this pinacle of optimism and high spirits, yet with the weight of the world slowly bearing down on his shoulders, as people still look to him as the wise fool he portrays himself as, you can see the pain dwell on him. In comparison to any other character whose gone down darker paths (And all thus far being well done), Scanlan's slow, subtle descent is the most capturing in the best of ways, you can see a man struggling to maintain that composure while gradually becoming disillusioned to his past carefree nature. And this can't be made any more potent without the situational interaction between the other members of Vox Machina. Whilst this show in all its unscripted, unplanned moments is by default not going to be the best piece of storytelling media ever told, its moments and arcs like these that give proper, well made shows the run for their money. Well done Critical Role cast, and thanks for such a performance.

[@jayclinton2801]

TO SCANLAN!!!! 'raises massive beer mug in honor and drinks heartily.'

[@luisvazquez4397]

@@jayclinton2801 "cheers!" "my thung isth numb..."

[@CreepyWilly]

Sam's an effin genius as how he approached RP. He received shit for ''multiple persona'' but that's just bullshit. That's called character progression. The events forged him and his personality. Amen.

[@OmANnIe]

@@CreepyWilly completely agree 👍

[@agathiandevaraj9757]

I agree. Sam did let Scanlan leave at least a few hints to the team so that they could pick up on his desperation to get help, but the team played it off. One example is when Scanlan tried to deceive Vex for 400 gold in Tal'Dorei, Sam decided NOT to take the inspiration dice to deceive her, but to let Scanlan lose the deception roll. This should've been very telling to Vex that there's something very wrong, or at least inquire about him about this, but Vex said " I won't tell anyone" and just left it at that. Also, while most of his search for "drugs" is not known to the party, there was a desperation that led Scanlan to lost so much money. I'm unsure if Sam planned this, but I'd like to think he would have thought about insight check at least once.

[@nm11111111able]

Hold on. Let us not forget the time when Scanlan....single handedly took on an entire mansion of bad guys with a super bad general and won all by himself....as a distraction. Scanlan is one of the single most powerful members of the group.

[@bensjo7278]

no doubt

[@nm11111111able]

@@bensjo7278 I feel like a lot of people forgot about that. He went in solo. Came out solo with the building burning behind him.

[@sonnentausnest]

@@nm11111111able Totally. But if you're referring to the "just a dude" comment, the difference is, back then he had his spells available. A bard without spell slots can just swing at things with his sword... and probably go down quickly.

[@erikordway8711]

That is indeed unfortunately true

[@TS-si4zz]

Brads in general are pretty powerful tbh, love bards

[@D3kka]

For the love of God I really hope the bath scene makes it into the next season of the legend of vox machina.

[@RoninXDarknight]

Given how far they have to go to get there I'm kinda hoping it's a few seasons away.

[@DasSpaceAce]

I think it's gonna be Season 3. My current logic is that this latest season (2) will probably have 13 episodes because IMDB lists the series as a whole as having 25 episodes. Season 1 had 12, so Season 2 would need 13 & episode 13 will likely be the big fight against Umbrasyl, given that 12 was the big swing on him & he ran off to his lair - but that would be a weird place to call the season. So Season 3 will likely be Marquet, The city of Brass & the run at Thordak & Season 4 would be the Vecna arc.

[@flopilop4596]

@@RoninXDarknight nah the game doesn’t equal the show, they can’t spend so much time as they have in the livestream. The whole dragon arc is likely going to finish in the next season

[@shawnglade790]

Omg! That would hilarious lmao!!!

[@shawnglade790]

That bath scene i never laughed so hard

[@silverchorus]

As much as I love Vax, I'm pretty glad Scanlan called him out on his recklessness. It's just a shame he wasn't willing to listen to his friend who /died/ from that consequence

[@jacobwright4510]

Scanlan and Vex died and Vax was, in his words, "Not sorry."

[@clutterbot7279]

yeah, Vax is pissing me off and i legit squealed when Scanlan called him out ahah

[@WSPBane]

Agree I wish they showed Scanlin more respect even when they again wanted to charge after Raishan with Scanlin with no spells Vex was downright belittling to him

[@adia9346]

Agree - it is a real shame that most of the party brushed it off.

[@charlieextra9406]

I outright hate Vax, he's a drama king, I always hate his monologue more than I hate Keyleth's. There I've finally said it.

[@EdgeOf1996]

Imagine beating Thordak, only for Grog to accidentally Thanos snap the whole world.

[@anders_6722]

Which card would even do that? I looked it up and didn’t find the card that does that.

[@EdgeOf1996]

@@anders_6722 I mean it’s more of an expression, but there is the one that makes everything thats good turn evil and vis versa.

[@Ares9804]

@@EdgeOf1996 It only makes the person who drew the card shift alignment. I just looked up the Deck as I only knew it from the memes and it doesn't seem to be THAT bad. Like, yeah, some things are bad, but not world-endingly bad.

[@lefterismplanas4977]

There's one that throws the user in a suapended animation in an other dimension. and leaves all their items behind. it also lrevents toy to find that person woth any way other than a whish spell and even that only reveals his/her location.

[@Riverfall_]

I believe that the deck was limited only to 13 cards because Matt limited them to those that wouldn't destroy the campaign.

[@samuraipxi]

It's at amazing moments like Percy in the bath, when I glance at the Title and love the production team even more than I already did.

[@ThomasUfnalCrowlake]

Holy shit, I'd have never connected those dots! Thanks!

[@strifenineteen]

It could also be a reference to what's going on with Scanlin, he seems fine but "beneath the surface"...

[@at.myrthe]

@@strifenineteen That's what makes it great, this title can be applied to at least three different things happening in this episode: the treasure in Thordak's lair, Scanlan's emotional state, and Vex hiding in the bathtub

[@savannahclipp3198]

I think it’s actually Matt who makes the titles. Or maybe that’s only campaign 2?

[@albadore]

3:00:11 I had to watch this carefully to see when Laura decided to do the infamous bathtub line. But look at this: Travis catches Laura's eye. He doesn't say anything that I can tell, it's all done with the eyes but Laura starts breaking up a tiny bit but turns it into a smirk as the wheels quickly turn. And then she's covering her mouth and carefully staying straight faced until the delivery. Tal lobs the possibility with a leading line ("I'm working on something here"), Travis seems to pass it to Laura, and then watch his face as he waits to see what Laura is going to do with it. Because he armed the bomb, but he had no idea what was going to go off. High caliber improv team work, although Laura definitely spiked the ball. So damn fun.

[@graceriley2500]

thank GOD finally a timestamp

[@janisi9262]

Thank you for this comment, because otherwise I would have never noticed Laura and Travis' exchange, there. I watch with subtitles on and tend to catch what's going on on the lower half of the screen, but not so much at the top.

[@zenks5883]

I just noticed Travis was so happy she actually went for it he stood up dancing lmfao

[@freedomcat]

can't wait to see it animated.

[@danielsieber4809]

If this isn't in the tv show in some version I will be SO disappointed 😂

[@petrevandermerwe60]

Watching Sam's face as he said, "I'm so much more than a dude," broke my heart a little. Poor Scanlan.

[@SuperSpartan3000]

Scanlan is evil, but not in a charming way, what a POS

[@SuperSpartan3000]

@@_modernmage how long have you got, shitting(Literally) everywhere he goes, all the other sly things he does including mind fucking with people with spells on so called friends, that's not a good person

[@torgor_]

Evil means intentionally fucking with people to cause harm and chaos. Scanlan's drug plot is more of a neutral act, as he manipulates someone for his own benefit, with the only possible harm being mistrust from Jarett would he find out about the spell

[@_modernmage]

@@SuperSpartan3000 I agree that Scanlan has done some evil things and some good things. I don't think it's fair to say that he's evil OR good based on that, though. Sorry for the late response, KZbin rarely gives me reply notifications.

[@SuperSpartan3000]

@@_modernmage ok to say he is evil maybe strong, but he is good person, but when he was conned in Marakesh he went out of his way to ruin their lives, then taking over and conning other people, not a act of a nice person, in other words a POS

[@soottheconductor7453]

What Lies Beneath the Surface: a half-elven ranger

[@HannahKennedy84]

Nice catch, I had no idea what the title referred to until you pointed it out. For me that's the funniest moment of the show so far!

[@isaac8734]

A half-elven ranger-rogue to be exact. And the rogue part is important thats probably why she could stealth so good in there.

[@Ellieh6049]

Talesin: Please don't decimate the antiquities Travis: I pick up the bust Talesin: right... I love these interactions 🤣

[@fancygummybear2571]

people in the comments are talking about how they arent fully addressing Scanlan and how he feels. But y'all, the imagery of him sitting in the corner Vax sat him in and watching everyone take care of and healing each other, then just drinking a potion by him self, hurts.

[@RandallReedJr]

Around 1:01:41

[@BrandonDuckett]

This moment deserves art.

[@rachelbreault700]

It does.. it's a moment I hadn’t noticed my first watch threw. 😞

[@NatyaVT]

To be fair, Scanlan has very much put *himself* in that position just by virtue of being... well, himself. Vex has Percy and Vax has Keyleth, Scanlan *wants* what they have with Pike and if he wasn't such a womanizing assclown he might have it but because he is he makes her uncomfortable and she gravitates more to her childhood friend Grog. While he's... face down in the dirt next to a precious brass flute packed with Suude.

[@MrSoorajsurya]

I felt like his moment of expression was hijacked by vax's antics ....Scanlan would have probably continued to express that he now has a fear of death simply because he needs to be around for his daughter.... Vax just wants to suicide .... The team hasn't looked more mis-aligned.

[@rainhoo4096]

I think everyone might have forgotten that Vox Machina is actually like....half of the council

[@Grey_Shard]

Who is on the Tal'dorei Council?

[@NovaStalker]

the interns of the council

[@chrism6315]

They were more like honorary members, they never actually had any voting powers or anything and only met with the briarwoods because percy specifically requested it.

[@Damianweibler]

I feel like VM are a single member like, whatever they vote on carries as much weight as any single other member

[@januzzell8631]

I think Sam's comment about Raishan trying to find Patrick's 3rd book in the trilogy was epic! The look on Patrick's face before he started laughing was priceless :)

[@deadprophet2781]

Time stamp. 1:48:50 😂i love it

[@epicglitter7218]

glad I saw these comments, because I was 100% unfamiliar with Patrick and confused why everyone was cracking up

[@MorinehtarTheBlue]

@@epicglitter7218 I looked him up after his first appearance because I was in the dark as well. So I knew enough at this point to get the joke.

[@TyroHuman]

And 4 years later, we still can't find the book.....

[@jeremyfletcher7804]

@@TyroHuman 6...

[@arronax09]

How no one at the table picked up that Scanlan's modify memory was his actual backstory is kinda sad in hindsight :(

[@ashleye1214]

Explain???

[@arronax09]

@@ashleye1214 When Scanlan uses Modify Memory on Jarrett at 2:56:00, the story he implants about his sad past, how a goblin killed his mother, to convince him to get more drugs, is his actual backstory (his backstory is described in the narrated intro of the first few episodes). But no one picked up on that, since Scanlan's past is very rarely discussed. There is more to tell, but that's kind of spoiler territory ;)

[@martinmcbride4530]

You can really feel Scanlan's, and to an extent Sam's, sadness, he's smiling after the Vax confrontation but it's not his usual smile, a man who's been truly been hurt by the words and actions of his closest friends... Poor scan-man

[@theelusive1736]

Allura has done the one thing no one in Vox Machina has ever done: survived the sand keg.

[@clevelandreed7013]

Pike took 2 shots before the third made her pass out.

[@user-ew4pu8cb1e]

@@clevelandreed7013 she toke one shot, and passed on the second actually.

[@ignisshadowflame1027]

@@user-ew4pu8cb1e Either way she took more than grog who is easily 3x her size.

[@sardoniclysane]

Allura did still get drunk, but did far better than anyone else.

[@Ninjewdi]

The second that happened it really hit home how they SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT HER NOT GILMORE

[@Xenodude2000]

Scanlan "broke" the promise to his daughter by getting killed in the Raishan-fight. That's why he's developing a drug problem. I love the way an old casual joke is turning into a real thing, and how almost everyone in the group doesn't seem to get it. I wonder when they'll find out how much he is actually suffering from that ordeal.

[@OrphanHart]

yeah. He laughs and makes jokes, but he really has so much pain inside and he plays his character so well. Scanlan probably has the best development without an exposition bomb or random change like getting in a relationship with a party member. Even his love for Pike is ever evolving throughout the series and has many layers to it that had plenty of time to be shown and built upon, while the other two relationships in the group feel forced for the sake of personal fun and trying something new (which there's nothing wrong with, but it's not all that interesting to me as a viewer).

[@biggusligma8036]

It also makes sense why he would burned Vax's letter. Vax was the one who impulsively instigated a loosing battle because "Raishan is evil and she will do something bad eventually" which ended up killing both Scanlan and Vex. Raishan played it smart because there would be no chance in hell that they would have won considering they just finished fighting Thordak and Scanlan was smart enough to hold off on playing the brass flute because he was aware of the possibility of Raishan lashing out. Even more so Vax dragged Scanlan off by the scruff and scolded him for the drug incident right after the shitstorm Vax started died down. It's funny how Vax took his sweet time to forgive Percy when he accidentally killed Vex, but when he himself is partially responsible for her death he brushes it off like it was nothing.

[@OrphanHart]

I know right? Sam can play Scanlan so well that he still manages to be entertaining and keep smiles on the faces around him while making subtle hints to what his character is truly dealing with. His words and actions carry meaning and come with a purpose. Maybe I'm just not remembering Vax too well this episode (admittedly, I only watched the live stream and not this video so my memory isn't the best), but I didn't see the self hate and regret reflected in him for getting his sister in that position like one would expect out of him. It could be argued that his character has evolved to not be such a downer or not show it as much, but I doubt that. Sure, these are imperfect folks with ever changing thoughts we'll never get a full understanding of since we aren't them, but unless it's played out well on camera it just becomes confusing, frustrating to figure out, or completely overlooked.

[@OrphanHart]

Brian Khan while I agree that there should be some kind of confrontation and consequences with the Clasp, I think Matt pointed out how they were all weak and hungry when they saw them in the sewers. It could have been just that group and not the entire guild, but my take on it was that the Clasp has been fighting Thordak's minions in a guerilla warfare style and exhausted a lot of their resources already. Vax alone should probably get gutted by them based on previous encounters and the story they've told.

[@asherandai1000]

+Bunny Rabbit you probably already realise it, but based on your comment it doesnt look like you do... Vax took the paladin oath of vengence of which one of the Tenets is "by any means neccassary: my qualms cant get in the way of exterminating my foes". a part of that would be not worrying about risking his friends lives, so whatever change he had (emotionally) includes accepting the risks/bad stuff he will inevitably take/do to kill his enemies. just a relatively minor point i thought i would like to add.

[@pizz4639]

Catching up way late, but to watch Scanlan for 80+ episodes counter-spell every big boss's signature move, rewriting or nullifying entire encounters with just his wit and tongue, to be called "just a dude". Oof, man

[@mayaenglish5424]

Without magic he IS just a dude, so is Keyleth, the magic people are very VERY squishy. Vex didn't mean it like _that._ Scanlan being uncharacteristically hyper sensitive is not her fault.

[@hmhmoinsdk]

@@mayaenglish5424 i`d claim that scanlan was senstive for a long time before this - this was at least 15 episodes in the making and yes without magic a magic user is most just a dude - but let`s face one thing: without magic - and magic items - vex wouldn't go particularly far either. and it should be noted that strictly speaking - inspiration and cutting words are no spell - and scanlan used both to great effect for the party before. he also was assigned to be the talker a LOT of times and his speech craft came in clutch quite a lot of times (e.g. the city of brass)

[@mayaenglish5424]

@@hmhmoinsdk Oh yeah of course, they all have talents beyond just their fighting skills. But the context of this is a dragon fight so... I mean Scanlan is the best but even he may be hard pressed to smooth talk a meteor swarm, you know what I mean? Lol And actually no I don't agree with the bit about Vex. Sure she'd be way weaker without magic but she can still shoot a regular bow and arrow and kill most normal people. Same with Vax, he's still an assassin even without the super cool magic knives and armor, etc. And yes by "uncharacteristically sensitive" I meant the crisis he's been going through in the previous episodes, which compared to the years she's known him is very uncharacteristic. But you also have to keep in mind that he's been mostly hiding his turmoil and rolling stupidly high deception checks, so as far as the rest of them are concerned, it's business as usual.

[@hmhmoinsdk]

​@@mayaenglish5424 yes, vex has two attacks per round - but everyone gets one attack per round - making her twice as good a fighter as a regular dude which in the context of a dragonfight is basically not relevant yes vax would still be an assasin - but in the context of a dragonfight ... the whole theme of the arc was, that they all needed the vestiges in order to stand a chance against thordak - without their magic + magic items they are ALL just dudes in the context of this Dragonfight. It should also be noted that this can be said about any character - percy without guns is just a dude - and given he only was able to invent them due to his pact it`s not even that he was the sole genius behind them, Pike without spells is just a gal, Keyleth without her druidic magic is just a gal - shapeshifting is explicitly stated as magical in the description. Something like that was never alluded too about the others. and it should be noted that scanlan in fact may very well be the most gifted person on the planet at that point : he has 4x expertise on skills, at least an additional 4 proficiencies, has jack of all trades for the rest, can play at least three musical instruments AND can inspire himself - he could outdo any of them but vax in basically anything if he wanted to. Also, I am not saying that scanlan is without blame for the situation - but even when the others noticed he was down they didn't care too much - e.g. vex noticed when they left Marquet and still belittled him. and again : ofc scanlan should have said something but i`d claim the others should have asked - and be more persistent about it - as well it should also be noted that when Scanlan asked Vax wtf he was thinking, i`d say scanlan had a very good point: but vax didnt even try to apologize - the "you were right" was also terribly out of date at that point - they all knew that scanlan did not want to die at that point and was actually worried about things. Vax just picking him up like that was out of line.

[@jenny_of_oldstones3523]

That was shotty.

[@ColorfulMusicNeko]

Honestly, I think Sam has planned Scanlan’s descent into depression for a while now. All the way back in Ank’Harel he was joking about the spice being a drug. Think about it, no one can beat Scanlan in an insight/deception check because he’ll just roll a 30 something. The whole campaign Scanlan has been the jokester and Sam just plays his depression off as another bit. Which is great roleplaying on Sam’s end, btw. Point being, no one was supposed to know or figure out about Scanlan’s ordeal. Scanlan is NOT someone who is open with their feelings. Ever since he met Kaylie he’s been skirting around the rest of VM and doing little things to check up on her but doesn’t make a big deal out of it. He only brought up the thing about Vax, which they had previously discussed and Scanlan knew Keyleth’s feelings towards Raishan, as a distraction from them discovering the flute pipe. (Also, it’s not like Vax was alone when he went in plus everyone else was not far behind.) The long and short of it is that there’s a reason why no one was able to notice Scanlan’s mounting depression and they aren’t going to metagame for it either. Sam’s just that good.

[@uli11]

I think theres another layer to this- which is he *FAILED* in his promise to his daughter. He died. He's been struggling, trying to earn his daughter, and been sucking at it- but at least he has his promise. He failed. He yelled at Vax because he is a narcissist and is deflecting the blame for it- but he also knows that its futile. I hope we get to see more of this in the coming episodes.

[@ClericOfPholtus]

Still enfuriating though If they mattered as much as they did (and later he seems to try and reconfirm that) I can't comprehend the abandonment with all of them (despite Ashley technically not being there; Pike was) trying to hold on to him.

[@BravoSquid]

​@@ClericOfPholtuseven in real life sometimes people have serious mental breaks and abandon people they love. It often seems unfathomable to others. How could a parent leave their children? But it's a real thing that happens. Sometimes they get better and come back. Sometimes they don't.

[@austinwoodward8829]

can we get a pair of shirts with "Regardless, I agree with Grog" and "Strangely, I agree with Percy"

[@abigailfhorn4055]

Austin Woodward zZ

[@levicooper4529]

i read this comment the moment grog said that 😂😂😂😂🍯

[@achimsinn7782]

I love how travis stays in character basically playing with the carddeck despite everybody out of character telling him that those are REALLY dangerous and then when Matt actually makes him draw a card you can see how Travis actually gets nervous as he thinks he might has just destroyed the entire world. LOL

[@jeremystatz8411]

Travis holds the card up to the camera for a bit and it looks like something of clubs/spades. Based on the list I found online "Key" is associated with the Queen of Hearts. So Matt may have fudged this to avoid wrecking things.

[@metaking22]

@@jeremystatz8411 I think matt fudged it from the lists I've found the queen of spades is for Euryale which is a -1 to all saving throws from then on which is a bad effect but I don't think would wreck things think he just wanted to avoid giving grog a permanent debuff it seems like the clubs and spades are bad effects (killing your character/imprisoning them/ loss of wealth/permanent debuffs/etc.) while the hearts and diamonds are good effects (gain of wealth/undo an event of your choice/grant wishes/etc.) Edit: never mind matt just made a mistake which he corrects in the next episode

[@GeusGames]

Reading the description of the item, It should have no special effect, since Grog did not declare that he would draw one card before he actually drew it.

[@wesleydejong8948]

@@GeusGames He said multiple times he was gonna draw one card and one card only

[@GeusGames]

@@wesleydejong8948 Out of character, to the GM.

[@samanthamiller6391]

Y’know, I was homeschooled and I can honestly say that Keyleth’s cluelessness and adorable innocence is very relatable. I’m in college and honestly have no idea what’s going on over half the time. So it was a good description for her 😂

[@rebeccatrishel]

I was homeschooled too and I agree!

[@sweebos]

I wasn't homeschooled, but I like to hide out in my little Hobbit hole and rarely venture out into the online world and keep to myself on my little plot of land so... I can relate a bit. 😄

[@user-jt1js5mr3f]

Sam's dig at Rothfuss about the third book is legendary and accurate...5 years later.

[@vickypedia1353]

Make that 6 years now

[@user-jt1js5mr3f]

@@vickypedia1353 on we go…I’ve finished campaign 1 and 2 and nearly caught up with 3 since I wrote that 😂

[@Cuinn]

@@user-jt1js5mr3f Stumbled upon the joke just now and it hurts deep, having read book 2 in 2011... 🥲

[@user-jt1js5mr3f]

@@Cuinn that it does 😂

[@malkierlives6991]

Some day we’ll have The Doors of Stone, I’m sure. Maybe Sanderson or someone else will have to finish it like they did with the Wheel of Time, but some day.

[@raptureraven]

"There's some rolled up carpet in the corner""A carpet?!""Yeh, well some people call it a talepestry or whatever"

[@jingizu149]

God I love Sam. "She's looking for the third book in the trilogy by Patrick Rothfuss, and she can't find it anywhere!" I nearly died. We need Kvothe!

[@BaronVonDex]

Did you understand why this was so funny? Care to share? I love when they all crack up like that, but the joke went over my head. Is Rothfuss in the middle of writing a trilogy and the 3rd book is taking a long time or something?

[@jingizu149]

@@BaronVonDex Correct. Patrick has been working on the last book of the Kingkiller Chronicle for 9 years now, and it's delay has become something of a meme. Nowhere near the longest wait for the end of a trilogy, but definitely long enough to become a "thing".

[@BaronVonDex]

@@jingizu149 thank you! I like him a lot. Maybe I'll go checkout his series then!

[@sebastianrotenberg752]

Eric Dexter you should! It’s a great read, and if you enjoy DnD, I think you’d love his universe

[@viola_case]

@@jingizu149 Book 1 took 13 years so book 3 isn't taking that long comparatively

[@Folder]

Vax: "We didnt know what spell she was casting!" Matt 2 episodes prior: "shes casting speak with dead"

[@MrSoorajsurya]

True that... He hide his guilt behind that lie .... And dramatised his suicide plan to gain sympathy.

[@grailwolf]

Yeah, this drove me crazy. They knew exactly what her plan was. Whether they believed that she was doing what she said is another story, but it was frustrating hearing them claim that she was breaking the agreement when she was doing exactly what she said she would. That said, it's true that the players have had months since learning the plan, while I saw that episode yesterday. :)

[@Desdemona-XI]

@@grailwolf unfortunately that's the problem with dnd Its easy to overlook things and forget things that happened RL months ago amid a busy professional and home environment. Normally Matt is willing to step in with reminders and clarifications because it *hasn't* been three months for vax, but has been for liam, and vax doesnt have a secondary life full of shit to remember. But Matt is also only human, has even more on his plate than the others to keep in mind and sometimes is willing to let characters run with their own false impressions. (Which is not a bad thing) so things can get confused even for him. I kind of wish he had taken an oath of devotion or something so that breaking his word to raishan would've carried some actual consequences for his character. Because vox machina did give their word to let raishan have her moment with thordak. And them ofcourse the massively foolish move of trying to lethally ambush a green dragon, who youve already told you'll hunt down when their deal is complete. Like.. if you break it down to small pieces, the way the players experienced it over the course of months, it seems reasonable, its only if you take half a second and remember more than the last in game week, that you realize how utterly moronic those moves are. Remember to take note of important plot elements like what fucking deals you make with a dragon people!

[@SnekkySnek]

the problem is he said shes casting a spell ADJACENT to speak with dead, not that she cast speak with dead

[@ParameterGrenze]

@@Desdemona-XI Yes, but this is not a game you play privately in your cousins basement. This is as much a performance for us the viewers done by people who are all in the buisness of performing. So it’s not that much to ask to maybe fresh up in between those sessions for a couple of minutes on what happened. Hell, you could fast skip watch your own episodes, skeem through the fan provided scripts or just read one of the summaries that are out there. You can ask people on the net to give you a summary if you don’t remember everything. Having week long breaks with livestuff is not an excuse. Matt himself provides summaries at the beginning after all. What bothers me about Liam in particular is that he seems to react in this sanctimonious way every time he messes up. Remember when he was drunk af and carved up that fanboy in the keep? That was obviously messed up, absolutely wrong. But he kept either defending or downplaying it.

[@user-Aaron-]

3:52:04 As the group is about to go to bed, Vex says to Allura in her naturally sultry voice: "Um, before we go to bed; Allura, any chance you'd be able to join us? I know you didn't get to come the last time." With the way she was this episode I'm surprised Laura didn't crack up after saying that!

[@kazetasjstahl6650]

This is the episode where you can really start to see a split between Vox Machina and Scanlan. I feel so bad for Scanlan. None of his family or friends pick up on his signals that he wants some form of help.

[@WSPBane]

Then Vex says to him you're just a man without your spells. Which you could see Sam's reaction to. He could've gave her a retorted but he was storing that up.

[@Droid15243Z]

Kazetasj Stahl Wait, I haven't caught up yet. What happened?

[@haleyervin5595]

@@WSPBane when does she say that? Genuinely asking

[@GodFire14]

Haley Ervin The part of the conversation starts at 3:44:55

[@shadycactus6146]

in all fairness, scanlan has a stupid high charisma and probably proficiency in deception. if he doesn't want the rest of them to know something, they're almost certainly not gonna know it

[@FullElven]

Travis ships Percy/Vex'ahlia harder than anyone, I swear to god. It's joyful to watch XD

[@Saxonis_]

When you realise the title has nothing to do with Thordaks underground lair and everything to do with the bath tub 😂

[@lukedominick7742]

HAHA! So true, I just realized that

[@callumcarter3147]

1:15:43 I died when Travis had to clarify that he was talking about the constellation Orion and not the ex-party member 🤣

[@caffeinesystem]

Matt's face when Scanlan pulled the Jarret mindwipe was AMAZING.

[@AzuruliaClaremont]

That expression was absolutely priceless lol

[@xFlareLeon]

ly selfish and he's a dick for holding back and 8th-level from the fight. Finished that for you.

[@Peter_Cordes]

@@xFlareLeon - (update: this comment is probably wrong, Scanlan doesn't know Feeblemind at this point, I think he's only ever cast it later via Wish). He was holding on to a Cutting Words and a Feeblemind until Raishan's legendary resistances were used up, but didn't get a chance to impose disadvantage and use it. He was dead / unconscious and/or Raishan was casting spells that required saves rather than making attack rolls he could use Cutting Words on. That's why he had an 8th level spell slot, and it's tactical genius. Unlike with being late to call J'Mon, it's not because he was being a dick. Update: as @AgileMind points out, he was probably holding it for Mansion in case of emergency, e.g. plane shift then set up a mansion.

[@jayclinton2801]

@@xFlareLeon This seems to not be getting upvotes XD Wonder why the other comments are getting upvoted and this one is missing out? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... XD

[@spiralfeather966]

2:56:00

[@EvanMe]

That moment when you realize this episode's title is about Vex's little moment with Percy...

[@theprideling]

And also about Scanlan hiding things ;-)

[@iGuttsi]

And Thordaks lair being.... Under ground.

[@joshuadixon4090]

I think it's also about the emotions some of the characters are hiding in this episode

[@hannahshark8080]

Ew

[@ProbieKnox]

@@hannahshark8080, What?!

[@serenarae2359]

Oof, that last scene with Vax and Keyleth got my eyes all misty. 2023 crew keep it up! We're quickly approaching that C1 finish line! *places a warm cape on a log for any adventurers who may need it for the journey onward*

[@thespankmyfrank]

Thank you! Imma pass it forward. So close to C2 now!

[@mattwiser]

Just consuming the content with fervor

[@accade_acaso]

Thank you :) appreciate it

[@militarykid5]

Ah a nice spot of rest on this journey. I will start a warm fire.

[@kaboom7208]

​@@militarykid5that's a great idea, I might join you

[@valkyrie2832]

I had heard vague mentions of “the bathtub moment” and was excited to see what all the jokes were about. And wow I was not disappointed, that’s the hardest I’ve laughed in a long time. I love Laura so much lmao

[@Vohalika]

Liam to Laura, Episode 53: I’m a big fan of all of your decisions, keep making them. Liam to Laura, Episode 81: NO, NOT LIKE THAT.

[@cyranojohnson8771]

Grog and the Deck of Many Things episode was actually pretty brilliant. I also have huge respect for Travis. Playing Stupid in a way that's at once interesting, funny, nearly-amoral and likeable is incredibly difficult. Grog is an amazing balancing act.

[@BR4IN1N4J4R]

And Tal as Percy and his "Nope" reaction to Vex trying to open the Deck was priceless

[@Mystravian]

Travis also legit didn't know what it was...so there's that.

[@laffinggas8068]

Can we just appreciate how Grog was looking for weapons in the pile, found the most dangerous and powerful item in the game, and happened to draw the fucking key which makes and I quote *"A rare or rarer Magic Weapon with which you are proficient appear in your hands. The DM chooses the weapon."* Incredible. . .

[@scottyg3406]

He didn't. If you look closely Travis shows the card. The Key card is the Queen of Heart's. He showed the Queen of Spades. Should have been a permanent -2 on Saving Throws. Matt ignored the bad and gave him the Queen of Heart's card. He's here to keep the group together and easily could have killed multiple members last session but didn't. 20+ rolls were needed previously to raise dead party members, now they were rolling 10's and 12's and that was fine enough. This thing had gotten too big with too many fans and his new job was to just usher it along and step in to save anyone. Its the same as pro wrestling. It's not scripted but the ending is already in mind and he needs the party alive to get there. Imo

[@bensongailey7329]

@@scottyg3406 firs off, even if it were scripted, the dm is allowed to do what he wants to help the story progress. He can fugde rolls or change hp and ac or enemies. Second, he just made an honest mistake and fixed it next episode

[@ignisshadowflame1027]

@@bensongailey7329 The dm has more power than that they can change, ignore, or add rules as they see fit.

[@jonatassilva2605]

@@ignisshadowflame1027 Thank God. A good DM knows when to give wiggle room for shit. Matt is relentless on small crap, if he catches you, he will correct it, but when it really matters, he will legit consider it in your favor. Especially for when the person doesn't know the rules, he is far less leniant on Liam and Jeff.

[@alasblacksmith440]

@@jonatassilva2605 Also if Vex or Scanlan died right there it would suck, Scanlan ultimately failed in his promise to his daughter even though he was revived he will still have to deal with that outcome and that is far more entertaining watching that play out then having a funeral for Scanlan. And Vex finally giving in to her feelings for Percy just to be ripped away less than 24 hours later would be a poetic end but very unsatisfying.

[@kelseylogas1580]

"Never let the weight of life's consequences crush your bravado. It is your greatest weapon." Percy, being prophetic.

[@Reblwitoutacause]

Or unknowingly casting a curse. A “Hex” if you will…..

[@chloequick3076]

When Percy or anyone else died, the party was distraught, but when Scanlan died, no one made a comment or shed a tear or even asked him about it. I think that had an impact on both Scanlan and Sam. Poor thing.

[@fredgarvinism]

You are correct.

[@kunanonyantakanok5217]

Chloe Quick they not gonna cry while fighting green dragon. Just saying.

[@hannahswayze3012]

Im STILL so upset about this! I love when Ashley is on the show because she has so many great moments with Scanlan. It's really hard to watch someone put a lot of heart into a character an not get a whole lot back. I love Ashley so much!

[@dynamicworlds1]

Kunanon Yantakanok also him having a much simplified ritual needed to bring him back (I presume with less risk) kinda lessened the impact too. Kinda drew the short straw on rp there, but could have lost the character or got a tpk if they needed to get multiple people in on it like normal.

[@WSPBane]

Well Pike did but Ashley wasnt here. I think that the narrative a bit with Laura role playing as her and only reading her texts a few times.

[@TheVoltage2]

Damn. Sam. You can see him thinking long and hard (presumambly what Scanlan would be thinking) during this episode. Scanlan is here having a crisis and the entire party (in and out of character) aren't seeing it. They're just assuming he'll be fine. I mean, that's the kind of character Sam made, so it's hard to berate them. Sometimes the biggest smiles hide the most pain. Sometimes it's the smallest actions that cause the most hurt.

[@averagegirl7113]

When Vex said "Without your magic, you're sortta just...a dude." That hurt, man. I wrote a big rant about this on someone else's comment, but I feel ya...Scanlan is a fully developed character, but to the party he's just The Funny Man.

[@mjyates119]

Tru

[@MrBrachiatingApe]

​@Irregulor I have a slightly different read on it, and what he's reaping is far more than what he sowed; he's reaping as well the way others take him for granted. People like that are often in traps partly of their own creation, certainly--but when people are that down (especially men, in my own experience) they have their pride left, and many have been conditioned to fear displays of emotional vulnerability, not for totally spurious reasons. As for the others, except Grog partly, all their talk about 'family', seemed shallow after his resurrection; the more so that none of them is willing to press him on what should be self-evidently serious issues.

[@games949]

Sam himself has said that he laughs and jokes when he is hurting or sad so it makes sense that his character would as well. He was hurting and they brushed it off and they had taken advantage of him and forgot that even if he is comic relief. He still died and he still has feelings.

[@Ginric99]

Out of character they all see it, they all see what he is doing with his characters journey and they all react perfectly in game, exactly as Sam wanted and expected them to.

[@_giddy]

Not gonna lie I almost cried when Percy finally hugged Cassandra

[@Hisslizard]

"it's synthetic in a way that's not natural" YA DONT SAY LMFAO

[@tannertadlock7741]

As in not a cross-strain of something. Like, it's magically cultivated.. plant drugs

[@DarthRioBarbossa]

I have never seen this cast lose their shit quite so thoroughly as in the Bathtub Thing. That was AMAZING

[@quinborozin5091]

"Is there a name for this thing?" "Yes" "What is it?" "Idiocy." Thank you, Taliesin, for telling the truth.

[@melusineshade8538]

Taliesin is my Patron and he only speaks the truth

[@Ajehy]

@@melusineshade8538 - Great Old One, then?

[@ignisshadowflame1027]

@@Ajehy I'm thinking more of a Fiend or Fey.

[@ElSalsaRey]

Gilmore: "I carry power in my bloodline." Scanlan: "What power?" Gilmore: "...the power of voodoo."

[@DasSpaceAce]

"Voodoo?" "You do" "Do what?" "Remind me of the babe..."

[@amg7535]

DANCE MAGIC DANCE!! SLAP THAT BABY, WHY DON'T YOU?

[@ArtillicusII]

I really like that this episode is called 'What Lies Beneath the Surface' because it also relates to Scanlon. We're seeing beneath his surface, his facade.

[@dallas-sucks]

And it relates to vex hiding in the tub lol

[@Wolfer1OOO]

@@dallas-sucks Well that's the obvious one which every other comment is pointing out, hence why this comment says ALSO.

[@lukedominick7742]

Oh wow, so true!

[@Evija3000]

Vax has a thing for doing girls' hair. He's done Vex's hair several times. He made fun buns for Pike and he cut the burned ends of Keyleth's hair. I guess that's how he expresses care, maybe because Liam has a daughter or something. And it's always very sweet.

[@peterspak7177]

Trinket may not count, being a male, but he put ribbons in his fur somewhere in the beginnings of the campaign, didn't he?

[@shadycactus6146]

thank you for being the single comment here that isn't vax hate holy shit

[@xqual1210]

This is such a wholesome thread, I think I'll stay here

[@Deiwos0]

I think Liam has mentioned it's something he does (or did) with his daughters. Maybe they grew out of it and it's just a bonding moment he missed so he's put it into Vax. He's always used his characters as a sort of therapy.

[@samueldrew5292]

I imagine the explanation character wise is that he and Vex were entirety reliant upon each other for years and trusted only the other. I imagine he helped her with her hair when they were children, probably using it as something to do when they were angry at their father or their treatment by the elven society. It's a very personal thing, so the fact that he does it for Pike and Keyleth is probably symbolic of how much he considers them to be part of his family.

[@caffeinesystem]

I actually really enjoy Kerr and how Rothfuss plays. He's a writer, not an actor; it makes sense for him to describe what he's doing rather than act it out. And his level-headed, thoughtful way of doing and saying things is a welcome complement to VM.

[@theendicott2838]

Mad Hatters in jeans based on some descriptions, I think he is a very old elf, and his slow responses are the measured speech of age.

[@JefferyPeterson]

It's honestly how I have to roleplay. I cannot act on my feet well and am glad my DM doesn't punish me for it.

[@Clarebear0925]

Holy crap that’s the guy who wrote The Name of The Wind right? I loved that book!!!

[@deadprophet2781]

^yes it is! He's my favorite author and i really enjoy how thoroughly he thinks through how he would impact the people around him. It's enjoyable to me

[@DavidA-um1rj]

@@Clarebear0925 I just started reading that book because of this series. His letter to Keyleth sealed the doubt I had in buying his books.

[@fantasyfarce]

Vex - I can't die again Grog - You can, but it's not advisable.

[@angelkittygurl7122]

In the distance the group hears: NOT THE THEATER!!!

[@leviathansol]

Travis: "Someday there will be a door made of lava..." Me: "But... in the Underdark under Kraghammer you had to get through a secret door that was covered in lava."

[@jaredphillips129]

Leviathan Sol better yet, a door made of old people.

[@incomingbear1334]

No. A door made of elderly lava elementals.

[@chrisframe2227]

Scanlan very seriously says, “I CANT DIE VAX”. I think he’s legit messed up about what happened in that battle.

[@thatoneguy-lk5nc]

No, I think he is saying that as in " i CANT die vax!!"" In reference to kaylee and the promise he made to her to not die

[@nicolasgagnon8738]

@@thatoneguy-lk5nc I understood it as both your explanations, one doesn't exclude the other

[@aliince9372]

It's been a year. Thoughts on what happened?

[@dannyh5540]

Concerning Deck of Many Things: Thank you Travis for staying in character. Awesome...

[@IGNXIII]

Will never be tired of Matt's Gilmore voice

[@chintex_]

2:31:50 Gilmore: "It's something some people are born with. It's a gift." Keylerh: "Like scoliosis?" I found this exchange quite amusing.

[@Rellyks]

This episode made me realize that Scanlan is the Clown Pagliacci. He's the one that lift spirits up, but when he breaks down, no one really paid attention. Poor guy. It's my first time watching the series, but this feels like has left it's mark.

[@jayclinton2801]

[@kaneo1]

He did Nott forget later that sometimes you need to spell out how screwed up a backstory can be.

[@piranhaplantX]

He essentially lived the live his daughter did, but for far longer. He used his humor as a coping mechanism and a shield for so long that he can't stop himself despite needing the help so desperately. But meeting his daughter like he did, and nearly dying numerous times, and actually dying in that last battle, looks like it's finally catching up to him. The fact that people are convinced this is Sam going through this is almost a weird compliment to his role play.

[@koookeeez]

Absolutely love Travis for staying true to his character.

[@ignisshadowflame1027]

He is the kind of player we all want at our table.

[@Barmander]

Can you imagine if Matt decided the key card would bring back Craven Edge?

[@diamondfrieza8443]

0:47 - Best VoiceMail Ever 6:38 - Recap 10:55-Recap end 12:30-Slappy heal 16:20 Vex reads Zahra's Note 17:31 Zahra and Kash arrive 18:08 Kerr Bear 29:25 Don't do sudde kids 30:00 the start of 6 minutes of pure gold. 48:46 Vex doesn't want a low perception check for loot 53:35 Percy will miss Grog 1:04:53 What Grog finds 1:09:14 Vex looks at the Tapestry 1:10:46 Matt asks for a Deck of Cards 1:15:51 Grog Gets A Sword 1:16:44 The most powerfull sorcerer has ever lived 1:19:34 Vex puts the Deck of Many Thing's in her shirt (1:20:36 Percy will find them later) 1:24:29 Vex Looks at the Tapestry 1:45:05 Gilmore finds His stuff 1:46:10 Keyleth Scrys on Raishan 1:48:33 Sam prepares for 1:49:06 2:06:40 Break Ends 2:19:17 Roll for Booky McBookerson (Nat20) 2:26:55 Gilmore is a Rune Child 2:28:50 Grogs Dancing Sword 2:42:35 Vox Machina walk back to Grey Skull Keep 2:47:45 The sun Rises in Whitestone (A new dawn), (A callback to Vex's Fortune being told) 2:52:57 Perception check on Cassandra 2:53:44 Percy knows where the wine is (Also Vex's alcohol dance) 2:54:54 Blood soaked Percy Hugs Cassandra 2:56:08 Scanlan Pulls Jarrett aside 2:59:40 - Awkard moment 3:01:21 - Thanks Laura. 3:07:59 What happened to the Demon from the City of Brass 3:10:45 Scanlan Is on Vex's List 3:28:14 Allura takes a drink 3:46:09 Vax talks to Keyleth 3:51:26 Sick Noise

[@dee2909]

Bump

[@MeluhKnight]

Bump

[@kikukina]

Bump

[@death2all595]

Bump

[@TheVitaminDee]

bumpity bump

[@richarddufault]

35:00 "I am going to bong rip from this ancient brass flute" - Scanlan Shorthalt

[@dannyh5540]

Scanlan implanting in Jerett's memory: '...he felt terrible for me and vowed to get me more, much more...'

[@kellyk1898]

1:01:40 Wow. As everyone is hearing each other, Vax, Vex, and Keyleth getting multiple heals. Sam just quietly says to Matt, “I’ll take a little healing potion.” Say what you want about whatever but Sam’s RP and development of Scanlan is excellent.

[@whitestoneandy797]

thank you so much for pointing this moment out and yeah I for sure agree with you. Sam gets praised for how he played Scanlan but not often enough in the character development sense

[@jasonandrews1770]

So telling tbh of the party dynamic. They act like the party revolves around the 3 half elves. Always acting like they are right and they run the group

[@plutoisaplanet19]

I see so much hate on how the group treated scanlan on this one but so often in their other fights he consistently directs them to heal other people. Like he never asks to be healed, ever. I think that mentality of (a) assuming scanlan is always okay and (b) never asking to be healed kind of caught up to all of them. Even when he says he has 2 HP left he says it so casually and doesn't act desperate at all.

[@hem9483]

@@plutoisaplanet19 People and characters are hypocritical. It’s just easier to notice in-character hypocrisy when it’s a DND show. Scanlan had a set of very typical masculinity issues, including not ever wanting to seem weak, and never asking for help.

[@blueskybelyr]

@@jasonandrews1770 the twins are really close and Vax and Keyleth are together, so that dynamic skews the healing a bit maybe. That's just great character work though. Like of course Vex and Keyleth are going to worry more over Vax than Scanlan.

[@lauramartin1902]

I really love learning more about Gilmore's backstory. He's honestly the most fascinating character on the show but it KILLS me that no one thought to ask him what he was talking with J'mon S'ord about. I mean C'MON!

[@Wlof25]

Dont know....I feel that people like him because he is just a gay man who acts feminine. I feel that Jarett is much more interesting character.

[@jaredphillips129]

Laura Martin I really want to know more about that particular conversation as well. Gilmore isn’t Glorious because of his particular sexual orientation, despite what others say, Gilmore is glorious simply because, well, he’s GLORIOUS. A powerful mage who’s willing to put his life on the line for his friends. If he died in the Thordak encounter, he wouldhave deemed it a glorious end. Simply put,Gilmore isn’t glorious because he’s also gay, Gilmore is glorious because he’s mother fucking Gilmore.

[@incomingbear1334]

To this day, I still want to know what he was speaking to J'mon about.

[@nickmalachai2227]

Can confirm, he's a charmer and a showman with a mysterious and interesting past, but he's far from feminine. Although I'm not sure how the mlm community maps to the butch/femme dynamic, as they're largely wlw/generally Queer women's labels, and butch doesn't really match up with "masculine".

[@apophis456]

Wlof25 I can’t believe you actually think Gilmore boils down to “hurr durr he’s gay” and not the fact that he risked his life to save the family of his sovereign, or his friends, or the things he’s done for others in general. His actions speak so much louder than his words, and if you think he boils down to his sexual orientation that’s a you issue, not a Gilmore issue

[@gavinbock8531]

So many comments about scanlan and I agree his storyline is depressing and beautiful but you can’t fault VM for not doing anything about it or not noticing. He is an extremely charismatic bard who hides his true feelings from the rest of VM and rolls a 30+ deception every time they ask about it. They can’t help what they don’t know

[@CallistoTheWarriorQueen]

Exactly. People pick on the players for what they think is metagaming and then also pick on them for not metagaming. They can't win!

[@michaelford6261]

My only problem with the whole Scanlan thing is when he’s manhandled by Vax to a corner (this was I think the first time he was picked up NOT trying to save him). I thought that part was uncalled for

[@skimmelsvamp9531]

You are absolutely right. These peoples approach to mental health genuinely saddens me.

[@corymeyer379]

@@skimmelsvamp9531 honestly i've come to the conclusion that this show is similar to the WWE, in that it is at least partially scripted, and the choice for the characters to behave the way they did towards scanlan was definitely supposed to play out the way it did. Being on my 3rd time watching this campaign there have been a lot of moments that I now feel were most likely somewhat scripted. Honestly the encounter with Raishan should have been a TPK in my opinion, but there will never be a TPK in any campaign they do, simply because it would make the months of work Matt put into the campaign a nearly utter waste of time, so if there is ever any danger of it, Merciful Matt will think of some reason to allow them to survive the encounter.

[@trealosgaming3345]

@@corymeyer379 i agree that Matt pulled punches in the end of the fight. But he wasnt expecting them to fully commit to running into fighting her right away. Once he started seeing that he was starting to head to a tpk, he pulled punches

[@amybentley1291]

I am watching this episode 7 years to the day that it was uploaded. Seven years since Sam made the joke, and we're STILL waiting for that 3rd book in Patrick Rothfuss' trilogy...

[@OrangeyChocolate]

Laura's comic timing was on the friggin' money this session. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it.

[@KickyFut]

Follow her expressions! 2:59:45... If people don't want to search around... She was planning the whole time!😆

[@MrBizteck]

That was 1000% fucking worth it !!!

[@briangronberg6507]

“Cut to it. I was really working on something.”

[@xEvilRaptorx]

Some people try speaking as Vax leaves but Laura doubles down and even louder finishes her statement. Absolutely perfect

[@endfinum]

i came here two years "late" and watched it twice in a row, still the same laugh!

[@johndotcom9648]

Even in a room full of meta gaming comments from his friends, a famed guest star & even his wife, Grog refuses to give in. Travis is all that is man

[@sublteiamnot3960]

what decision are you referring to?

[@Boats_Of_Seamen]

I assume he's referring to giving a Deck of Many Things (arguably the most powerful item in D&D that isn't home-brewed) to the party. That never ends well, unless the party never uses it. I personally think it's interesting, and I REALLY want them to use it for the shenanigans.

[@Den-lt2mc]

Yeah I agree, if you wanted to introduce a deck there's plenty of powered down versions to use online, but the actual deck of many things is retardly dangerous

[@johndotcom9648]

^Wow. If only you guys were the DM in this game! It would clearly be just as popular & exciting, if not more...

[@TheQuixoticelixr]

Perfectly put John

[@GBS4893]

"Cornfield raven queen worship!" "That's creepy" Meanwhile here: *frantically takes notes*

[@audreyas92]

Vax: "We failed. Hard. But that doesn't mean it was wrong to try." me: *sobs in former gifted and talented student trauma*

[@SpectralArchivist]

You know, the only thing I was thinking of the entire time they were talking about the necromancers was "What if it just turned out that this was Gern Blanston's laboratory? Like, they'd been making this big deal out of it, when it was only Gern and Fatty Arbuckle."

[@Jackie_Tikki_Tavi]

I've missed this guy. Hoping he's coming back at some point. Best episode, and that's a tall order!

[@Ginric99]

Jacob B he will never return due to the actors personal issues of being accused of sexual assault.

[@maximillionchaoswolf]

@@Ginric99 true but that was like 2 years after he was a guest. so I am slightly surprised he didn't return before that.

[@Ginric99]

@@maximillionchaoswolf I wonder if people in the industry had an inkling before it all became public? Although in 2018 Matt Mercer confirmed that he’s he was dead, eaten by a fire giant.

[@xbigbubba6944]

@@Ginric99 I dislike how drastic the cast chose to be about him when there were only allegations and nothing was proved. Guess its guilty and until proven innocent now

[@msauer03]

Travis's reaction to the bath scene is the best!! He loves his wife so much :)

[@LootFragg]

He's also hyped about good writing, both in story and jokes, even if spontaneous. The way his face lights up in amazement as he notices Allura starting to lisp when the sandkheg overwhelms her resistance, a fairly subtle move by Matt, shows how much this guy just revels in immersion. The bath move was brillant. Travis clearly has a thing for when loose ends meet and Laura's pointe was perfectly executed.

[@RenatoGPadilla]

1) The "Long May He Reign" fanart was a premonition in and of itself... 2) THAT COMIC ABOUT MATT MADE ME CRY!

[@scottmefford6917]

The way Matthew described her, Cassandra de Rolo sounds incredibly beautiful and wise.

[@bombshellblonde544]

Can we all give Scanlan a big damn beautiful round of applause for ripping Vax a new one? Yesssssssssss boi

[@jayclinton2801]

'claps' heartily.

[@kylepalmer6207]

Finally SOMEONE DID!!!! Love Scanlan.

[@luisvazquez4397]

What I got from Vax's rebuttal was, "how dare you! You should be grateful you died! I would've left you a note."

[@sterlinghunter4771]

Yeah vax was and is very self centered in my opinion. Almost every encounter the group has, he goes off ahead and starts something without at least informing someone especially since they have the ear rings. And more often than not, his actions puts the group into situations that could have been done better and more strategic. He acts on emotion too much it pisses me off.

[@slturner25]

Scanlan should have gone harder! Vax was horrible and somehow turned it back on Scanlan like an arsehole, and don't start me on Liam's meta-gaming. As a sturdy character (thanks to being rogue mitigation, and his armour) he basically used his squishy party members (Scanlan and Vex, his supposed best friend and sister) as a meat shield, despite "heroically" stating that he doesn't care if he dies... he clearly doesn't care if his friends die first.

[@evanpb]

The fact that Grog, the one with probably the lowest investigation of anyone in Vox Machina, was the one to find (THE BIG THING) while everyone else was dealing with character drama... it's like it was fate.

[@RobbieLambertsinfoman]

"I could probably take out the whole GROUoooooP!" LMFAO

[@wesleyyoung6471]

Scanlan we love you and you are more then just a dude with spells !

[@thatindiandude4602]

Scanlan has a great future as a mob boss. He should apply to the clasp.

[@caseyhudson4929]

He's already part of customs or whatever

[@ImBigAl09]

Scanlan? Who is this Scanlan you speak of? When thinking of crime bosses in Tal'Dorei only one name comes to mind. THE MEAT MAN

[@tomradcliff6859]

His Charisma and deception proficiency coupled with this peculiar turn toward drugs is making me a little fearful. I'm almost afraid of what the mind of Sam Riegel is cooking up for a character arch.

[@zedre7633]

People are taking this so seriously. I'm pretty sure Sam is only going with this because it's fuckin' hilarious. Same way they brutally murder all kinds of people while making it seem like the funniest thing in the world.

[@tomradcliff6859]

I had not heard that. Did he? It's an interesting, artistic choice on his part for Scanlan.

[@morganb6717]

1:37:57 "we could give them, like, three pizza platinum..." i love when Travis 'Grogifies' a phrase, off the cuff. so sly, you almost miss it. added the timestamp reference, in case you had. beep-beep and bidet to you.

[@TheWordN3rd]

Okay, but the way Laura and Travis looked at each other when Vax was encouraging Keyleth 😭😭😭

[@danniimoore8713]

I really love Kerr, his voice is so relaxing. And he looks like he gives good hugs, I would feel safe going into battle with him by my side.

[@emikokazue7635]

Exactly, his voice is so peacefully perfect for a reassuring discussion

[@LightDragon777]

2:19:54 "We're going to the library. Use these places or they disappear." Why I love Percy. He has so many great quotes.

[@jaredphillips129]

LightDragon777 his reaction to Grog breaking two marble busts..

[@incomingbear1334]

"Life needs things to live" - Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski De Rolo III

[@isaac8734]

Caleb and beau: "to the library"

[@LightDragon777]

@@isaac8734 I do love Caleb's love for books.

[@isaac8734]

@@LightDragon777 even more I like how at the beginning he dragged beau into the cobalt library and she only wanted to train and was impatient with him but later she also became obsessed with learning and researching. I really like their friendship.

[@andrewwilliams1148]

"We found you a replacement magic carpet." OMG I almost died.

[@kevincoplen1204]

I was hoping she would have taken it

[@koookeeez]

Travis- "There's a a lot of talking happening, i just wonder off." Heck yeah Grog! 💯💯💯

[@Ginric99]

The descent of scanlon is a story that has been told perfectly ever since he realised he was a father and what that meant. Not just by Sam who has told it very well, but, his fellow players have also played there parts perfectly ensuring he is able to tell his story of the fall into depression of a person. Scanolan has always had depression, he covers it over with an act the strong gnome, the sexual genius, the self styled leader of VM. He plays pranks and tells jokes, he makes light in combat with witty remarks and statements of jest. He makes light of the dark and is the joker that keeps everyone up and deep down all that is done as a Defence to stop the world seeing someone who doubts he is good enough, who claims he does not fear death because deep down he wishes for it. Only now, now he has a daughter for the first time in his life a reason to live but how does a manic depressive who has no thought for his own life now suddenly change that mindset. He can’t sleep with women any more, that is how he got one child in the first place. He can’t drink, that leads to women, he can’t throw himself into the fight not caring if he dies, he made a promise. So he seeks his release another way. The other players see this they know the journey he is on, away from the table no doubt Sam has discussed with them and others how to play this character, in fact he admitted he did at the end of this campaign, he said on reddit he had no direct experience of this kind of depression so he sort out those that had and tried to be as true to it as possible. The players play there part they give him the space they have there characters act the same to him as they always have. Scanolan the joker, the confident womanizer. Scanolan who has not a care in the world who tries to see the women naked and flirts with the men. They allow there characters to give him the opportunity to explore this side. They don’t stage an intervention or jump in and offer therapy. They ignore him because to them he is no different. They fail to see the signs and in doing so they tell a far more important story. Scanlons tale is played out in freindship groups around the world, just 3 years ago when this episode was aired mental health was still a dirty word. Still friends miss the signs all the time. I did at uni, I knew a scanlon, exactly the same personality. The day he took his life shocked us all, the life of the party, the ladies man a different women every week, we didn’t see the signs, didn’t know to we where 19 and it was 21 years ago. Anyone who attacks the players for this storyline refuses to see the reality. How they’re characters act, is how people react every day in real life. This is the power of Roleplay to be able to tell powerful tales that don’t always have a happy ending I hope Scanlons does.

[@yiklongtay6029]

no need for an essagy (though it was enjoyable to read). People are just emotionally and intelligently stunted. They believe emotional maturity means you take fictional character's lives too seriously

[@ThomasUfnalCrowlake]

Well said, good person.

[@Elidaawesome]

Ayy, it's two years later, and you're still the most emotionally intelligent commenter here! Master the difference between "their" and "there," and you will truly earn my respect (jk, grammar is stupid and you are smart).

[@kjj26k]

Thank you for Getting It.

[@Amethystar]

When I watched this campaign the first time I thought Scanlan's sudden drug fixation was weird and out of place and I wasn't really on board. It's so much more interesting the second time through when you can pick up on all the little details that lead to what comes in the future. Even 40 episodes ago some characters said things that made me think, "Ah, this had been building for longer than I thought." I loved your analysis and commentary. I do enjoy hearing people's takes on events that turn out to eventually be much more impactful than they appear on the surface. I hope that whatever you find yourself these days that you are doing well.

[@alflurin]

Laura Bailey made my day when Vex pulled out of the bathtub. That crack me open so very much. That's why watching all of Vox Machina campaign is completely worth it. I watch at least an episode per day. It brightens my days and fuels my love and interest for D&D and everything Critical Role.

[@xEvilRaptorx]

One of the highlights of C1. Watching Live, we all couldn't stop laughing

[@faranior]

Mirrors a couple of scenes from Friends.