#fearne was absolutely right they really are beautiful

[eldritchamy]

We probably won’t see it in great detail in the campaign itself, for a number of reasons (not the least of which is that this is a fade-to-black campaign that has to be Twitch-safe), but I’m just thinking about the symmetry of Laudna and Imogen and what it’s going to be like the first time they have sex (if ever, because it’s very possible for Laudna to be played as ace, which Imogen would of course respect, but just hypothetically and for no self indulgent reasons whatsoever).

They really mirror each other in such beautiful ways. They have a deeply intimate relationship built on years of comfort and trust and the safety that they find in each other. They are each other’s tether, and have the kind of emotional home in each other to have said so before they acknowledged these feelings.

These two women are absolutely reverent for each other.

They’ve been traveling together for at least two years. They went to a red light district together where they thought the tiefling girls and their tassels were pretty. Imogen canonically experiences the thoughts and feelings of the people around her, and experienced that in a red light district. We’ve known that for a year.  In the negative space between the things she said about it, that was all but an admission of Imogen having experienced attraction to the female body. In Laudna’s company. During the time they spent traveling alone together. And meta-character jokes aside, Imogen has expressed pretty clearly that she finds Vex’ahlia beautiful. The woman Matilda Bradbury was chosen to represent for her similar appearance. (I mean we all knew this girl was gay.)

And these are two women who were driven from their homes by traumatic experiences with strange magic. Both of their bodies are marked with the scars of what that magic has done to them, and how that magic has chased them away from the homes they used to have. Laudna by her hanging and resurrection at the Sun Tree, Imogen by the will of some god-devouring monster imprisoned in the Red Moon. They literally have a sun and moon parallel hard coded into their character designs. They found each other on the road and found a kinship that neither of them have known from anyone else, even with the rest of the Hells, though those relationships are significant to them in other ways.

I definitely think their relationship will be healthier for the fact that they HAVE met the rest of these people. Especially for Laudna to have that rock-steady friendship with Ashton, who is such a great source of stability and mutual respect and emotional wisdom for her. Both of them have known acceptance from other people now, but the profundity of that connection they share with each other is still so deeply special, and the rest of the Hells give them that perspective. They both have the potential to trend towards unhealthy codependency, especially in their isolation, if not for these other people around to keep them from falling. The M9 were thought of as a much more chaotic neutral party than Vox Machina and their heroes-of-the-world story. But Laudna and Imogen might be two of the most neutrally-aligned characters we’ve seen so far (except Fearne). Both of them have been burned by the world, and there’s a part of each of them that would let the world burn back if that’s what it took to protect each other. Their moralities could truly fall in any direction with the right circumstances.

They would follow each other into hell as long as they were together, but it’s better that Orym is there to remind Imogen that his family died at the hands of the people she’s not sure she disagrees with. Laudna and Imogen are practically MADE for each other, and everyone they’ve met on the road since has picked up on the force of that connection, but having friends around them will make their relationship better than it would have been if they were still living alone with no one to keep the darker side of each of them in check.

They are, despite the current circumstances, so much better off having their relationship go in this direction NOW, as opposed to during their time together pre-campaign, or without so much intra-party development behind them.

But that is where it all started: when they ran away together and made home after home, protecting each other and that connection above all else, fostering this bond that they have, rooting each other to the earth with pure, unconditional acceptance.

Imogen was the first person who didn’t run away or try to chase Laudna away with pitchforks. Laudna was the first person Imogen could hear as music, a soothing presence in a world of psychic noise. And they found a quiet, private peace in each other that neither of them believed they would ever have again. They ARE each other’s home. They give each other something that neither believed they could ever have.

That connection, that intimacy, brings each of them a kind of comfort and trust that they have never known from anyone else. There’s no one else that could make either of them feel so safe with someone else’s body. One dragged back to life by magic twice, and one so flooded with power that it runs across her skin like inflamed, bruised veins. And yet there’s no judgment either of them will ever have to fear from the other. There’s such a beautiful, comfortable intimacy and safety between them.

And I really think that’s going to translate into something magical.

So many soft, reverent touches. Laudna tracing those scars, Imogen feeling that slow but full heartbeat, hearing only music. Two bodies scarred in different ways by strange magic, finding the safety and comfort of home in each other.

They just fit.

#yes all of this DID occur to me while thinking about Laudna seeing Imogen's lightning tiddies #Critical Role #laudna #imogen temult #imodna #critical role spoilers #crspoilers #cr3 #bells hells #imogen x laudna #I will never forget about the Red Light District story #we knew Imogen had canonically experienced attraction to women a YEAR ago #anyway they're perfect for each other #they mirror each other so well

[c-is-for-circinate]

Post-ep c3e25

It's so great getting back to the Bells Hells! (This is not a knock on any of the wonderful things we've seen over the past month, but oh man I'd forgotten how much I missed these losers.)

Thoughts:

--Fearne's parents! Oh shit!!!

--No really, oh shit, because this is Fearne's quest. This is Fearne's quest and she's getting it answered in episode fucking 25 and that is absolutely impossible unless it's about to go south for her in a complicated fashion. (God, how much does 'my grandma told me that they had to leave because they were doing Something Very Important' sound like a little girl very seriously and sincerely explaining about the farm upstate that her parents told her about where the old dogs live? How much does it sound like a line? How much does it sound like Ashley knows or at least suspects it's a line, and Fearne has no idea?)

--(What I'm saying is, did Fearne's parents fuck off because fae have no sense of time and they specifically had no sense of commitment, and they're delighted to hear that Fearne exists now that they're hearing from her but they'd otherwise sort of forgotten about her for a hundred years while grandmama told fairy stories? Because that feels like the next step.)

--Side thought: obviously D&D characters so rarely have living parents, but between Fearne and Imogen we've got a trend of missing parents who left for unknown reasons that may or may not have been good at the time and then stayed mysteriously gone. It doesn't seem like anyone else falls into that category in the party so far? But it's a cool parallel that I'll be keeping an eye on as we find out more about the Calloways OR Imogen's mom.

--Ok yep time to have feelings about Imogen and Laudna and their beautiful mess, let's gooooo

--It's such a perfect storm of conflicting personal issues, is the thing, and it's not even JUST Imogen and Laudna, it's both of them spiraling out through who did they actually pick to talk to and how are they writing their own narrative about this disagreement in ways that keep folding back on themselves, right, because

--The actual reality of the situation is that Laudna felt a protective and inquisitive urge which seemed natural and normal to her, chose to give into it without further interrogating where that impulse came from, and then experienced a loss of bodily autonomy which led to something very important to Imogen getting broken. Since I have less than no desire for fandom's umpteenth round of Who's In The Wrong (and fuck Bowlgate), I'm much less interested in making declarations about how the argument Should Be Framed, and rather more interested in looking at how it is framed, and what that means for the characters involved. Because right now, both Imogen and Laudna are framing it as Laudna's fault, and nobody around them is actually questioning that, and that is not the only way this could have gone. And that's interesting.

--For Laudna, it makes perfect sense. She feels responsible, because Delilah Briarwood is an abuser who makes her bad shit somebody else's fault and Delilah Briarwood's been living in Laudna's head for decades. She feels responsible because Imogen is upset with her, and Imogen is the one person in Laudna's life, up until very recently, who believed anything good about her ever. Laudna is a people-pleaser, and we're starting to see some of the complicated ways that interacts with her whole everything, because it's not just that she's cheerfully oblivious to how people are afraid of her. It's that, with a few people -- with Imogen especially! -- on her side, she is cheerful enough by nature and by self-preserving design that she doesn't worry about the rest of the world. But that means that so much of her self-worth rests on Imogen's shoulders, and now that that relationship's been challenged, Laudna takes all of that blame onto herself.

--And it makes so much sense for Imogen, too, who's going through a whole slew of things that are and aren't about Laudna at all. She's cracking under ten kinds of pressure, and she was doing so well before this incident. Tonight we saw her not just mad at Laudna, but defensive as well as jealous. She said herself that she's not ready yet to admit that maybe it's good that the rock broke. She's also not ready to admit that maybe holding Laudna fully responsible for everything Delilah Briarwood does through her is a little unfair, or to deal with the thought that Laudna also suffered a violation and a loss in that moment. Which, good on Imogen for knowing what she isn't ready to deal with! Imogen has so much shit going on right now! Sleeplessness and tension and stress and also that damn rock all pushed her together towards cruelty, which because she's a decent person added layers of guilt, which added to the stress, which just keeps pushing and compiling. She wrecked the competing mercenaries in the museum and loved her horse and was full of compassion for a massive desert octopus. She'd rather talk to a massive desert octopus or cross half a city and buy a ring by herself without the rest of her party because she can't always handle being at the center of their mess. She is still having horrifying nightmares of her own death! She still doesn't know what's wrong with her! Being Imogen presumably really sucks right now, in that depressive episode way where she's protectively self-isolating and doesn't necessarily have the energy at hand to be fair about other points of view and other people's pain, because she's too swamped with her own. So yeah, defensively blaming it on Laudna, even as she admits that maybe losing the rock wasn't all bad, even as she stews in jealousy because she wants Laudna back so desperately -- of course it makes sense.

--But! Orym and Ashton and FCG! Their reactions are really meaningful too, and like all good reactions, say way more about the characters having them than about the situation at hand!

--FCG is Being Helpful, but tonight I think I really put my finger on something essential to him, which is that FCG does not understand the concept of an unreliable narrator. He is immediately 100% on board with helping and supporting Laudna. He also doesn't for one second question Laudna's assertion that she fucked up, that she's entirely at fault. In the words of some recent 4-Sided Dive or another, it's the undergrad freshmen psych major response; he takes Laudna entirely at her word, because he doesn't really understand the idea that somebody could absolutely be sure they're telling the truth about themself and their own experiences, and still be wrong. He doesn't have the context to ask the questions about, 'hey, why might Laudna be predisposed to take on more guilt and responsibility for things than is entirely her share?' He's aware enough to know that whatever is going on, it's going to have to be Laudna and Imogen who handle it, but he wants to fix things, and Laudna has offered him something to fix: she fucked up, she broke things, and now she wants to apologize.

--Orym is actively being a good friend here, which is great. He notices that Imogen and Laudna are off, and he asks Imogen about it. He notably doesn't try to fix things, but willingly listens, and encourages Imogen to let it out as she needs to. He assigns no blame, on either side, while making it clear that he's there to support Imogen as her friend. The fact that he doesn't take the opportunity to go, "hey, maybe Laudna didn't actually do what you think she did!" is the completely reasonable and correct choice. Orym isn't here to Fix This Relationship, he's here to support Imogen who is, again, having a godawful time of things right now and currently doesn't even have Laudna's support in it all. He's not taking sides in an argument, but he is firmly situating himself in Imogen's corner, as a person she can rely on, when she feels she has far too few of those in the world.

(--And there's something to it, the dynamic where your own mental health issues are such a mess that, when something goes wrong with your oldest/closest friend, you turn to a new friend instead because that relationship is too new to have all that impossible weight, because you haven't fucked that one up yet, because it's still shiny and not full of flaws yet, and maybe you'll do better this time, maybe you'll get luckier. It's a complicated sort of emotional moment, and very real, and that's without even glancing at the oblique tangle of romantic undertones that may or may not exist.)

--And Ashton! Ashton who's checking in partially because, for all he scoffed at it, he's honestly been working really hard at the whole I Guess I'm Sort Of A Leader Now thing, if only because he's the crew's local guide while they're in Basuras. There's a weird interpersonal thing! He should check in! And then of course Laudna collapses into sobs, which is very much not what he was expecting and oh boy now he's in way over his head whoops. Ashton also doesn't really question the way Laudna's presenting the situation, aside from the incredibly pertinent, "Does she know it was an accident?", and what's interesting is he does it for almost the opposite reasons as FCG. FCG doesn't ask because he assumes Laudna's relaying things accurately and he thinks he can help fix it. Ashton doesn't ask because he's real clear on, oh boy, Laudna is not particularly coherent on anything right now, she is probably not thinking at all straight, and I 100% cannot fix this so I do not even want to touch it. Laudna is, Ashton will maintain, a grown-ass adult, albeit a somewhat dead one. If she's claiming responsibility for a fuckup, he's not going to argue with her about it. He's not her therapist. He pushes back against some of her wilder self-flagellating plans, and tries to nudge towards a more situation-appropriate apology that actually addresses what she did wrong -- and maybe there's some subtle hinting in there about, hey, Laudna, pay attention to the reality of what you actually did wrong. He lets himself be used as a handkerchief for goo. In a lot of ways, he's doing the same thing Orym did, being a support post and a listening ear for a friend who needs one, without trying to pry or fix; it's just a somewhat wetter job from this side. Honestly, I think watching the Laudna-Ashton interaction was my favorite conversation of all three, because Ashton is so clearly still walking the line where he tells himself that, no, of course he doesn't love these people, are you an idiot? They're his coworkers and maybe, sigh, friends or something, he guesses. But meanwhile he's letting a zombie lady ooze black tears all over his shirt and telling her it's fine and not even getting annoyed about things, and being nice about it all, because what, is he going to be mean? THAT'S not very punk. But Ashton doesn't push too hard against the 'it's all Laudna's fault' narrative because that's not who he is either. It doesn't seem at all like a useful argument to have, and also they've got to deal with an armed military fort and a missing quokka and seriously he was just trying to make thirty seconds of conversation how did he end up in this mess.

--It's going to be SO INTERESTING to see where it all goes, and I love the impact Dusk is adding to the story! I love that Laudna is so bereft over Imogen that she hasn't even noticed them outside of group shenanigans, while Dusk is completely into her and Imogen is fuming. I love the way the party split worked out for the stakeout. I love the fact that they're clearly both hurting badly and want to have each other's support again so clearly. They both have regrets. I appreciate that.

--Nothing big on the shenanigans portion of tonight, although it was extensive and glorious (oh my GOD the Taste of Tal'dorei afternoon lunch theater). I missed these kids and their wacky antics during the grimdark pain of EXU Calamity. I'm so glad to be back.

And lastly:

--Every time somebody mentions Imahara Joe, the tinker and mechanic, my heart cracks absolutely in half, because you will never convince me this NPC we haven't met yet isn't named after Grant Imahara and that's beautiful and also I thought I was done being sad about that two years ago but nope, guess I've still got some sad left.

#cr spoilers #critical roll #c3e25 #post-ep

[loquaciousquark]

Scrambled, manic thoughts after that episode:

Fearne is the MVP by a million miles. Brilliant play, great smart spell choices, didn't take a single hit to compromise that Earthbind. I laughed out loud when Ashley was making stupendous call after stupendous call and then had to ask if she could concentrate on two spells at once. Mister mattered! Like, a lot! Amazing! I've been rewatching C1 very intermittently, and seeing Ashley grow from being so unsure in the Kevdak fight (and falling off like three roofs, not understanding opportunity attacks and just about getting herself killed, etc.) that to this confident, smart, tactical player tonight was awesome. She asked great questions and knew her spell effects. I think the only thing she missed was that when Mister's out, she should do a little extra fire damage. Awesome job.

Getting a moment's taste of Laudna made my heart hurt. I miss her so much! Assuming all goes well, I'm going to LOVE coming back to this arc and rewatching it, but right now I'm still so stressed.

Imogen's call to Ruidus is a really cool idea, but it really put her in a tough spot HP-wise. Those 12hp sure came close to mattering (it looks like she can wound herself with her own hit dice to make an attack as a free action? Unclear). I don't think the Blindness was the right call in the moment, but one mediocre choice in a sea of otherwise REALLY optimal party choices is a non-issue.

The usages of motes was INCREDIBLE. Negating that nat 20 on Ashton, turning that last Delilah attack into a natural 1--Matt must be bursting at the seams to see them using the tools he gave them so effectively. Absolutely clutch. The only bust was that Travis reroll to a 1 on the Inflict Wounds, but them's the breaks.

New Bells Hells logo is gorgeous.

Incredible fight design by Matt start to finish. A reduction to 0 making them pop back to the real world is so smart; it gives his sole villain increasing odds against an otherwise terrible action economy as the fight continues and makes her heavy hitting spellpower matter that much more. She's easy to hit, so she needs the spellcasting advantage and the lair actions to make it an even battle, but he still managed to create an amazing tradeoff between likely losing her lair actions as the fight went on with the tree getting damaged, but increasing her own odds against likely fewer and fewer PCs. It was incredibly effective to have the players leave the table as they poofed out.

I get what Orym was trying to do, but the dice weren't having it. Sucks that he didn't get to do much that battle. Still, Delilah using that attack on him likely saved Imogen's life. Good to see Ashton being SIGNIFICANTLY more effective here than against Otohan.

I could be wrong, but I think Matt is scripting this as the resurrection ritual. He said three successes and one failure as they moved through the shadows, and he was making them roll persuasion, etc. He's changed the rules for his resurrection rituals every campaign, but if this is similar to C1, ritual successes lowered the DC by 2 and failures upped it by 1. Assuming Laudna starts at a DC of 10 (or 11, depending on how he rules the Delilife), that drops the DC for Pike's straight roll to potentially 5 or 6. Good odds. Not foolproof. Maybe Sarenrae will give her advantage.

What a beautiful Destroy Undead. Again! Manipulating the action economy in the party's favor! So good!

Edit: coming back to add that I can't get over that Earthbind. While she could still move on the ground, it prevented tons of line of sight options Delilah might have had otherwise--Fearne & Imogen were able to duck behind the rock, Orym had cover in the tree. It also meant that Chet & Ashton were able to get right up on her with flanking, and Chet in particular being in melee with her forced disadvantage on one of her attacks that might have otherwise knocked Imogen out. It also meant she had to care about the melee fighters on the ground because she couldn't get away, and she's so eminently hittable as a spellcaster.

Man. This entire episode was great and when he ended it, I still threw myself back into the couch and yelled, "No!" Thank goodness there's no break next week.

One more edit: There is something beautifully poetic about Imogen using lightning to split right down the middle the tree that Laudna died in, the tree that was still holding her captive after all this time.

#critical role #critical role spoilers #quark rambles

[bannedfromtheaters]

underneath the stars (i'll wait for you)

A sleepy conversation beneath the Sun Tree makes Imogen realize several things. That she loves Laudna is the least surprising revelation of all. (1.4k one-shot) Read on AO3

During dinner at the de Rolo castle is when it really hits Imogen, though she’s been noticing it since the moment Laudna opened her eyes again. It’s hard not to notice, after spending years together. How tired she is, how guarded. Every movement of her muscles is restraint and her eyes dart around, scanning for any danger from each corner. Laudna grabs at her belt and clutches Pâté in her bony hand and holds him tight. While her other hand holds a fork and mindlessly pushes some food around her plate, never taking a bite.

Imogen shudders a breath. Did they make the right call bringing her back? She wanted it to be her choice this time, and in her heart she hopes it was Laudna who chose to come back. And though she's sure that this is what Laudna wants too, seeing her so scared and guarded it becomes impossible not to have a few seeds of doubts.

But the alternative, a world without Laudna…

Imogen swallows down the lump in her throat. In hindsight, Orym calling upon the Tempest had been the right move. This resurrection was the acceptable road; the clean version that would make them honorable mercenaries for saving their friend. But if someone else had offered a hand, if she had to make a pact with a demon, or hell, if Delilah had taken that gnarlrock in exchange for Laudna’s life, Imogen wouldn’t have hesitated for a second. No cost is too great when it comes to Laudna, and she isn’t sure what kind of person that makes her. Maybe protective, but certainly not honorable, and definitely desperate.

Mister jumps in front of her plate and Imogen startles out of her thoughts. He’s swinging around a toy gun and runs crisscross on the table. It is absolute chaos around the dinner table, but Imogen fails to focus on any of it. Her eyes can’t leave Laudna. Afraid that if she looks away, engages with her friends just for a moment, Laudna would disappear again.

Laudna seems to notice, as her eye catches her. Those beautiful, big eyes of her. Usually so full of life, and now they look so scared instead.

“Quite the dinner, right?” Imogen tries for a smile.

When Laudna doesn’t immediately reply, she thinks she couldn’t hear her above the noise and wants to connect to her telepathically to ask again. But then she notices the frown on Laudna’s face, still pondering over the question, and she decides to wait.

Her nails rub on Pâté’s skull in a repetitive pattern and for a flash Imogen sees another Laudna, Matilda, the shadow form of a shy girl playing with her dolls, she has become acquainted with in the other realm.

Laudna’s lips part to say something, but then she holds back. She looks over to Imogen once more and nods her head slightly. Her eyes dart back to her lap, and Imogen’s heart sinks in her chest. She isn’t sure if it’ll ever be the same, but she does know that she has made a promise to Laudna. That whatever holes Delilah has left, she is going to be there to help fill it. Whatever it takes. Whatever Laudna is willing to accept, she will give. Always.

--

At Laudna’s request, they camp beneath to the Sun Tree for the night. It’s cold outside, but the warmth radiating from the tree reaches over them like a protective bubble, making it bearable to sleep out in the open.

Chetney and Ashton fall asleep within seconds, while Fearne and Orym are chatting softly like they usually do. It only becomes noticeable when Fearne’s giggle comes through every so often. And even though F.C.G. is a bit further away from her, Imogen knows they have their eyes on her, ready to jump into her dream in a moment’s notice.

But she knows she won’t find rest any time soon. Her mind is moving at the speed of lightning, refusing to slow down. She has a million questions and even more doubts. Hearing about Laudna’s memories over the years was one thing, but today she got to experience them. Nothing could have prepared her for that. No wonder Laudna was so skittish during dinner. On their travels she’s seen glimpses of this side of Laudna too, but never this bad. Memories start flushing back to her mind and even more questions surface.

When did you start calling yourself Laudna instead of Matilda? How awful was it, being thrown back into your most painful memories? Could you hear me during the resurrection ritual? Do you know if Delilah is still present? Are you truly happy you’re brought back, or did you want to have eternal peace instead? It’s okay, I understand either way. I'm sorry for bringing you back to Whitestone. It was the only option left. Will you forgive me for being so selfish, for needing you beside me?

She feels Laudna stir underneath her arm and Imogen holds her breath, afraid even the slightest exhale would wake her up. Laudna’s visage relaxes once more and a slight smile curls on Imogen’s lips. She’s missed this. Curled up together. Being close. Admiring her friend. Wishing her nothing but a blissful sleep with none of the pain and heartache she has been needing to endure for decades.

She remembers when she truly realized watching Laudna was her favorite sight. Just after they made up after their fight. After Yu. Still so fresh, hardly a week ago, and so much has happened since then. It’s hard to comprehend. It’s even harder to comprehend it has taken this long to fully grasp how deep her feelings run for Laudna. She has fallen in love with her best friend, and she’s afraid she’s still standing on the edge, leering over the unknown depths of how much deeper she can fall. And she will. Imogen knows she will take that leap and only fall deeper from here on out, and she knows it’s the last thing Laudna needs, and it wouldn’t even matter. Every day she is going to fall deeper and deeper and it will be the most wonderfully terrifying experience of her life.

Imogen breathes out the swirling thoughts and closes her eyes, trying to find some sleep through it all.

Will you ever be able to access that part of your brain? If not, is it still okay that I do? That I’m only beginning to realize how much I love you? Do you know it’s fine if you can’t love me the same way? That I wouldn’t mind either way? Because I don’t care how I can express it, as long as I’m allowed to love you. As long as we can be together for the rest of our lives. Is that okay? Would you mind?

“What’s keeping you up, darling?” Laudna’s mumbly voice penetrates her thoughts.

Her eyes shoot open and Imogen stares at Laudna, who still looks fast asleep. Though Imogen is sure it wasn't imagined, and suddenly gets worried she accidentally connected with her mentally without realizing. Then again, Imogen doubts she’d look so relaxed if she had. It’s just Laudna looking out for her, as always.

“A lot,” she admits, not daring to link mentally in case any of her thoughts spill over. It’s the last thing Laudna needs, and Imogen has made her peace with that. Though she doesn’t want to keep any secrets from her either. She hesitates for a moment and then adds quietly: “You, mostly.”

Laudna’s eyes flutter open at those words. “You want to talk about it?”

She shakes her head and tucks some hair behind Laudna’s ear. “Not tonight. You need your rest.”

“As do you.”

She shushes her, and it’s all it takes for Laudna’s eyes to droop again.

“Don’t worry about me, Laudna,” she whispers to her, and she feels Laudna curling into her, falling and falling and falling deeper. Deeper asleep. Imogen’s heart aches, feeling the weight of her love she will carry from now on. Maybe one day it’ll be too much and she’ll explode, but she can’t imagine that even being a bad thing, because she knows Laudna will be there to pick up the pieces.

Imogen plants a gentle kiss on Laudna’s temple and nestles inside the nape of her neck. The cold of Laudna’s body feels warm compared to yesterday, and Imogen sighs happily.

“It’s okay,” she mumbles before drifting off, “I can wait.”

#critical role #critrole #imodna #southerngothic #laudna x imogen #laudna #imogen temult #cr fic

[nochi-quinn]

campaign 3 episode 68: I'm not making the 'nice' joke about next episode bc last time I did that someone died

okay let's see if I can get through this one without having a panic attack ten minutes in

(that's why there wasn't a liveblog last week)

I was making a sandwich during sam's ad and came back to Suddenly Bear

and then I saw "Baldur's Gate 3" in the subs and it all made sense

"that is your wife" which wife, laura, marisha or liam?

a teensy weensy little demon pact

oh, we have that autobots shirt sam's wearing

kiddo wears it to school for jersey days :D

Graz'tchar

NO

throw it in the hole

talking weapons: not even once

ashley what

swordmance

per spoilers in the group chat, Sword Bad

that thing is twice his size isn't it

ashton has the brain cell

"I don't care about you" letters

King of Fuckingwhere

A NEW HAND TOUCHES THE BEACON

travis' face

but who's on the council

ashton: please hold

grizzly man

ashton is the best narrator in this moment

yeah yeah hell yeah

fcg in his mind palace

matt doing the mass effect codex voice

prince fruitoftheloom

s a m u e l

STOP GIVING TRAVIS CURSED SWORDS

travis

sam

both of you

fresh cut "I can fix him" grass

fcg: the vibes are rancid

nigerian demon prince

"you can eat my ass, this is my card right now"

king butterknife

oh hell

hate THAT

NICE

"he barely listens to us"

liam :(

how fuckin old is ludinis

kiki :(

kiki!

keyleth pace urself

I love that cloak so fucking much

the Hand of the Tempest does sound really fucking cool

liam you can't make me cry that's illegal

everybody hates the raven queen but keyleth especially hates the raven queen

(okay they don't all HATE the raven queen, I'm just saying)

liam: that winged man, that beautiful angel, that absolute specimen of masculinity -

matthew so help me god not the tr - I HATE YOU

"those who call themselves gods" dang

it must be nice, it must be nice, to have asmodeus on your side

but no dogs. no dogs on the moon.

they just run right off the damn thing

just do dark moon magic in the room of the head of state who just recovered from an assassination attempt, nbd

until her what now

travis and marisha

"I've got wind chimes where my name should be"

"fuck off, ghost!"

oh y'all were gonna get blood fountain'd

vox machina road trip

"there was an accident and here I am"

ashton lore ashtON LORE

TITAN BLOOD

travis: that was me! :D

oh we got chair perch

"vast and frightening"

the key is to stop trying to apply logic to your friends

I'm assuming this is the blight tree from - IT IS THE BLIGHT TREE

"the enemy of my enemy is a dick"

marisha: you KNOW what I'm saying, just TELL ME

"all our allies are dead or doin' stuff"

what IS dorian doing. give me my boy back.

liam and his tea

keyleth's BEEN elementals. several of them!

"how are we gonna make fun of that name, it's too hard to pronounce"

oh kiki :(

stop saying entities

quick go find milo

cut ludinis off at the root

highlander the bitch

vecNA

"I READ BOOKS >:("

"you battled an earth titan" "I mean TECHNICALLY"

delilah alarm weewooweewoo

fearne would be a choice chaos deity

milo-joe dream team

"don't tell him I said that"

"he is a brilliant mind with specific limitations"

"I can feel my heart rate rising!" and then he went into cardiac arrest

I fully recognize ashton's tone re: fcg trying to contact dancer, that is a parent's "redirecting a child away from an inappropriate choice" tone

I feel like it's dancer tbh

it's time to d-d-d-d-duel

"oh changebringer, what the FUCK does that mean"

it IS dancer

"the changebringer…..sucks"

matTHEW

listen, I remember some of those vm planning sessions, this is high strategery

marisha: leave me aLONE

you're gonna carry that weight

oh no I'm gonna cry again

SAVIOR BLADE

oh shut the fuck up

just put me in the fucking ground

can laudna get a tattoo? would the skin just kind of. fall off?

#critical role #spoilers #crititag #liveblog #reaction post

[conditionaljewel]

Not meaning to have glossed over the rest of the episode, because it was absolutely brilliant and beautiful all around, so let me go off here for a moment. (Spoilers ahead, and this is tagged so still if you’re reading this it’s on you.)

Ashton and FCG’s moment with their conversation in particular was so great, and absolutely fascinating to watch unfold. Their unique perspectives and lived experiences informing this conversation so much just really speaks to the absolute nuance-filled journey that faith and religion is, and I’m so glad these two were reunited in this manner.

I also very much am interested in learning more about Ashton’s past, I’m soooooo curious who is parents were, and the timeline of these events because there’s sure to be some really good juice in there.

And Vax! Holy fuck! I’ve been begging for Matron stuff for weeks, and I finally got some and Vax is just endlessly screaming?! He’s still there though, so he can be saved? But the figure at the temple said they were in mourning? Ugh this is so frustrating and confusing but I’m also soooo curious to learn more, especially after those Scrying attempts at the end of the episode.

To that, what the fuck they’re on the moon?! Including Ira?! He’s up to no good, right? Like he’s definitely doing something shifty but I’m not trusting him at all simply because he’s up there. Nope. But what the fuck?! What are they all doing up there, trying to free Predathos from there? Was this part of the plan? Oooooh, just more and more mystery.

AND THEN CHETNEY. WHY?! I never woulda suspected Tuyen would have sent thugs after him but holy shit that was a wild twist. Now that’s just one more thing to have to contend with, but that was still a very fun encounter lol. Also love Fearne just straight up obliterating this dude and bodying him with spell after spell, she’s not losing one more person nope nuh uh. Same with Orym, charmed as he was. This little guy has so much athleticism and quick thinking in him, and soooooo much trauma to unpack, and I’m so excited for him to get back home and see Kiki next week.

Man just what a fucking episode I’m so thrilled with how that went and I had absolutely zero expectations beyond some light in-fighting and an inevitable conversation about the mission itself. I thought we were just getting fed with the slow burn sapphics and the general angst and tension and trauma-unpacking but then BAM WHAM POW just god damn I’m so delighted when it’s all said and done lol

Is it Thursday yet?

#critical role #cr spoilers #critical role spoilers #jessa talks cr

[isagrimorie]

I don’t have much to say about the new episode that wasn’t already mentioned by other posts.

Aabria and Christian continue to be a delight. Aabria dying when Travis started using “teen” slang or as Aabria rightly called it, AAVE!

But also Imogen was on the ball last night, being assertive and leader-y. BTW she was also right that they should all wait for Frida to come to them because that’s what Frida ended up doing.

Fearne picking up what needed to be done by trying to find an entrance to Ludinus’s tower was really good!

Imogen letting slip more of what Laudna and her have been through in the 2 years together and mentioning how much Laudna would love the scary forest. And then calling Laudna beautiful scary… my heart!

Imogen also referencing the time she and FCG entered Ashton’s mind!

Oh! And apparently Ludinus knew of Laerryn (I’m sorry Lorraine!) but I am absolutely certain if you asked Laerryn about Ludinus she would go: Who???

Unfortunately they weren’t able to a deep dive into Frida’s mind trying to find out why Frida feels like Ludinus is familiar because Travis accidentally set off a big monster.

Anyway: When will Laudna and Ashton Orym come back from the war?

#critica role #cr spoilers #cr 3x57 #critical role c3 spoilers #initial reactions

[samuraiko]

Could you write an orym powder-keg moment

This one came to me all of a sudden, Anon. I hope you like it.

"Waiting for the Spark"

It was late at night at the Spire by Fire, and all of them were absolutely exhausted in both the physical and emotional sense. And yet Orym was unable to sleep. He glanced over at Ashton, who was also still awake.

"Hey, Ash." Orym's voice was soft, unwilling to wake the others.

"Yeah?"

"Can… we talk?"

The earth genasi peered closely at the halfling, then nodded. "Yeah - let's go next door."

They quietly left the room where everyone else was asleep, and stepped into one of the other rooms they'd rented for the night. Ashton sat down on one of the beds, drew one knee up against his chest, and studied Orym.

"So what's on your mind?"

Orym was quiet as he sat down on the other bed, and he stared intently at the floor, unconsciously wringing his hands.

"You look really upset," Ashton observed, leaning forward to get a better look at Orym's face. "What's wrong?"

"I'm… afraid, Ash."

"Of what?"

"Well, to be honest…" Orym swallowed hard and looked up to meet Ashton's gaze directly. "I'm afraid of myself."

Ashton slowly leaned back so he was resting on his elbows. "I'm not sure I follow. I mean, of all of us, you're the most level-headed and calm."

Agitated, Orym got up from the bed and began pacing around the room, his hands clenching spradically into fists.

Very slowly, Ashton stood up from the bed, crossed over to Orym, and knelt down in front of the halfling so they were eye to eye. Then he put his hands on Orym's shoulders.

"Tell me why you're afraid."

"I…" Orym began shaking and tried to move away, but Ashton tightened his grip on his shoulders.

"Tell me why you're afraid, Orym."

Orym was shaking so hard that Ashton imagined he could hear the halfling's teeth rattling in his head, and he tried again to pull away, but this time, Ashton wrapped his arms around Orym and pulled him close.

"Say it."

Orym fought to get away, but his strength was nothing compared to Ashton's, and Ashton held him too tightly to let him wriggle free. The harder he thrashed, the harder Ashton held onto him.

"For fuck's sake, Orym… say it."

"SHE TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME, ASH!" The anguished cry burst forth. "It was her, she was the one who took my husband away from me! My beautiful Will… she killed him, she killed Derrig, she killed my compatriots, her and those… those… whatever the hell they were, those grey assassins." Angry tears welled up in his eyes and nearly choked his voice, and he collapsed against Ashton's chest.

"You're certain it was her?" Ashton's voice was deceptively soft, but even as upset as he was, Orym could hear the note of anger in the barbarian's voice.

All Orym could do was nod.

"Say it, Orym. Say why you're afraid of yourself."

"I want to kill her," Orym hissed between gritted teeth, the tears flowing unchecked down his face. "I want her to suffer and DIE for everything she's done, to Imogen, to Laudna, to Fearne-" His voice choked off again.

"To Will? To Derrig? To you?"

"Yes." Ashton almost didn't recognize the wrathful rasp of Orym's voice, but he could believe it after what he'd seen in the halfling's eyes at the Seat of Disdain, just before everything had gone to hell.

"Then we'll fucking kill her." He drew back just enough to look Orym in the eyes. "Don't be afraid of yourself for that. I'm right there with you. No matter what. We'll find her, and we'll fucking kill her. But we'll have to be smart about it." Ashton rested his forehead against Orym's. "And you're the smartest of us. So stay focused. We'll get her."

Orym nodded slowly.

"And for what it's worth… I still don't think you're a powder keg."

Orym looked at Ashton in confusion.

"You don't?"

"Powder kegs don't have any control. You do. Unlike the fucking rest of us." Then Ashton's mouth quirked into a sardonic smile. "That said, when you do decide to cut loose… it's going to be one hell of a show. And I for one am really fucking glad you're on our side."

Very, very slowly, an identical smile curved Orym's mouth.

"Is it safe to let go of you now?"

Orym nodded again, and his smile softened into a much more familiar one. "Thanks, Ash. You're a good soul." Before Ashton could pull away entirely, Orym embraced him hard.

"Go get some sleep. We're gonna fucking need it."

#critical role #campaign 3 #bells hells #orym of the air ashari #ashton greymoore #fanfiction #writing #waiting for the spark

[a-couple-of-notes]

There's a lot about EXU Prime that is fascinating to think about in the context of C3 (like, for example - Orym and Fearne absolutely have experience with a party member being tempted to the dark side, so their reactions to Imogen make a ton of sense - that's basically how they reacted to Dorian taking the crown), but I keep coming back to this quote from episode 6:

"[Magic] is undifferentiated. It is not divine. It is not something wrought by man. It is not nature. It is whatever it needs to be. It is simply power. The decision, the deciding makes it a thing. [...] All of this place, all of Exandria, holds potential, holds energy, grabs it, takes it, makes it and gives it. But it is the decision of you reaching into a place, full and ripe, and deciding to bring something into being. That is the power that some call of the gods, that some call the arcane. It is power and it is beautiful."

Aside from it being beautiful on its own, this is effectively the thesis statement on power for EXU Prime as a whole. And I think it's really cool that we're seeing this theme woven, too, through Campaign 3: that it's about how you use the power, not where it comes from. It's about the power of choice. Even Opal's exchange after this quote, where she calls bullshit and questions whether she really has control over her own life, hits on a lot of the feelings Bells Hells (and Imogen specifically) have right now.

EXU Prime and Campaign 3 are different stories, and they do stand on their own. (I don't think EXU Prime gets near enough credit for how solid of a story it is--that's a post for another time.) But I really like how they build on each other, sharing not only a world but themes, philosophies. A party of NPCs in a wizard moon conspiracy, a party of level 2 chucklefucks carting around a Vestige in a pie bag. Corruption, darkness, power, choice. Family chosen and grasped for. Even more than being set on the same fantasy planet, it makes these narratives feel connected, and it helps me appreciate them that much more.

#exu prime #cr3 #bells hells #the crownkeepers #clickbait title: exu prime walked so cr3 could run #I overlooked a lot of the cool stuff in exu prime during my first watch-through #and it's been really interesting rewatching the series over the past couple of days #I definitely see the flaws and why it may not have hit for everybody #but the emotional threads of the story are incredibly solid #and surprisingly complex #and there are things about it I love more than calamity or the current campaign #maybe for another post though

[pstelwitchcraft]

Critical Role - C3EP52 (After the break)

We're back with more Sending fails!

F.r.i.d.a looks so cool i love themmm

Also the kids are starting to get strong i love it

Feels like yesterday when imogen had like, 10 hit points

Also this is absolutely the leylines being fucked

Something happened and magic everywhere is going heywire

I'm now convinced the exaltants are being "awakened" to be Predathos' army and it's all gonna go balls to the wall

Imogen has to be this campaign's double agent right? They're absolutely gonna have to fight her at some point and it's gonna wreck me

Now that I think about it does it mean they'll have to fight fearne too??? 😳

i'm getting vibes from imogen and f.r.i.d.a and i don't hate it? 👀

Exandria's Greatest Bake-Off: Pike Trickfoot vs. FCG and their easy-bake oven

Ooooo fearne has pass without a trace now? Thank God

Once again i got sad we won't see marisha, liam and tal tonight 😔 hope we have robbie with them tho, maybe even more people from EXU?? I hope we get to see Opal!

Chetney still struggling 😅

I don't know Dustel but I f*cking hate him 🤬

Chetney backstory finally!

Don't get me wrong I'm very excited but I knew it was gonna be some bullshit 🤣

Travis is NOT here for anything serious this campaign AT ALL

He "kneecaped" someone?????

Aabria somehow has great chemistry with everybody she ever roleplays with it's the Iyengar effect istg

That little talk with chet was so cute

And then... fearne tells deanna he has horrible diarrhea

They keep making it worse 😅

This IS indeed a wild group to meet out of nowhere

"Be nice to us, we're trying our best" 🤣 they're so stupid but I love them sm 💖

This is probably the most vulnerable and reasonable FCG has been all campaign for real

I don't think the real problem here is whether or not the gods are good, it's whether or not the Godeater is good, and even before we worry about that, it's about whether or not its gonna wreck everything and everyone in it's path to the Gods

Imogen herself is most likely gonna die for whatever this whole thing is if they let it happen

Like are we really willing to do all this shit and possibly extinguish all life on Exandria when you could like... not worship the Gods? It's not like they're forced to or smtg

Wait. WAIT. So if Ruidus is wherever (whenever?) the other half of the group is and it's NOT in Exandria anymore there are really only two possibilities for where the others are: back in time or in another realm and both are big problems for us

Matt please let my babies see each other I'm getting sad rn

Oh shiiiiiit this is a big big mess yall 😳

So ruidus is in exandria it just doesn't move?? So the others are actually still in Marquet then

It's the Reilora 😱 this is baaad

Yup, they're already trying to pull her to the dark side. This is gonna be a mess. I'm preemptively so upset for how much this is going to hurt.

I have a feeling this is how they really got to Liliana and all those people. Whatever Predathos is, it has some sort of pull on people that makes them want to give into it, specially the ruidusborn and even more specially the exaltants.

Do not listen to the robot right now

Laudna would be slapping yall in the face for even SUGGESTING IT

Do NOT let Imogen go into the freaking alien godeater hivemind or so help me GOD

See? This is why I get worried when they're separated they're like each other's emotional support pet, two days and Imogen is already considering going into the damn light

This scene with f.r.i.d.a is giving that scene from twilight without the homoerotic undressing

Why, why would he go to chetney alone like that?? He has almost taken half the party once this is BAD!

Tho we know robot boy is a heavy hitter so I guess it could go either way🤷

This is the only place where we can get heartfelt, beautiful monologues about the meaning of death and life and morning toot in the same episode and that's why I love this show

This fight is giving one of those old chihuahuas that keep snapping at your ankles but that has for some reason taken a burning passion rage against your robot vacuum

Also you can't convince me a dog wouldn't absolutely hate this thing

It would just feel like a threat, this weird human that isn't human and it can mimick stuff but also it sounds weird? My dogs would go NUTS

Listen. I'll be a chetney apologist for this one. I'm a wildlife veterinarian and animal behaviorist and idk where dude thought he was gonna get off approaching a wolf like that, or honestly approaching him alone at all

Surprising he survived all this time in wildemont tbh but I'll give him a pass bc it's is D&D

Love that Deanna is so horrified by them when this is not even the full party 😅 like, ma'am we're missing- *checks notes* one tree/cadaver/goo person, a magic rock rainbow sparkle barbarian and a 4ft tall widowed ballerina that is prob covered in monster blood as we speak 😀

Final thoughts:

Overall I loved this one, it was light and fun and everything I needed after all the stress from the last few weeks

I also enjoyed the split party dynamic more than I thought it would and I am hopeful it's gonna lead to some good things in the long run

It's a bold move ngl. One of the quintessential, funnest things about D&D parties is the found family, the unity of it all, it's seeing them spend time with each other and develop different dynamics, games, inside jokes

In any other situation it might alienate party members from each other and make it not feel as cohesive, maybe even jeopardize the forming of a tight bond.

But with Bell's Hells we have such close pairings that this almost feels like it has to be done

Fearne and Orym, FCG and Ashton, Laudna and Imogen are all pairings that came together and rely deeply on each other, to the point where it felt a little stiffening to the other members of the group bc these people very rarely sought deeper companionship and support from anyone other than their initial pairing

Also we can get a closer look at Chetney's backstory and hopefully Ashton's next episode when I'm hoping we'll see how the others are doing

I also was hoping there would be some time fuckery or realm travel and still kind of am, but it's sounding like the other half of the Hells were still in Marquet by the end of 52

If they are still in close proximity to the beam it's going to be a mess and I have no idea what to expect but chaos, specially since they can't call the others and I'm guessing shit is going DOWN over there

If they are indeed in the shadowfell, close to the key that Beau and Caleb tried to take down, I wonder if they could go after that connection and weaken whatever they are doing to Ruidus, hopefully even sever that connection completely.

#critical role #cr spoilers #cr3 #critical role spoilers #bells hells #critical role c3 #clara watches cr3

[gemstarstarlight]

I posted 996 times in 2022

That's 996 more posts than 2021!

61 posts created (6%)

935 posts reblogged (94%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@taketwoinink

@9-circles-of-l

@venusqq

@skyisverybored

@jinxneedssleep

I tagged 978 of my posts in 2022

Only 2% of my posts had no tags

#mentality love - 150 posts

#*checks for cameras* - 139 posts

#aroace - 117 posts

#asexual - 115 posts

#pretty pictures - 110 posts

#aromantic - 96 posts

#reblog for posterity - 92 posts

#ace - 87 posts

#aro - 74 posts

#philosophy takes - 66 posts

Longest Tag: 137 characters

#i am forever and always a humanities nerd who actually wanted friends but did not want to fit in and generally didn’t like people who did

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Them: I’m in love with you.

Me: No you aren’t you don’t even know me you absolute dingus *whacks over the head with a baseball bat*

24 notes - Posted September 1, 2022

#4

Matthew Mercer as a robot is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

27 notes - Posted October 5, 2022

#3

So, I’m watching EXU Calamity.

And I am going to discuss major spoilers, so be aware.

I was FURIOUS when Laerryn cast Blight on the tree. To me it seemed so obvious that it was a protection against something that to destroy it without any attempt to figure it out first was unconscionable.

And I realized I was angry. And I couldn’t figure out why.

Because it’s a story! A great story, a beautiful story, a moving story, but a story nonetheless. Why did I care so much about Laerryn’s choice? I’m normally pretty good at getting invested in a story but not letting it emotionally affect me. I don’t cry in movies. I suspect when I finish episode 4 I’m not gonna cry when everyone dies.

But I was so angry at Laerryn I had to pause the episode and do something else.

Why?

I’ve done some thought, and I think I know why.

Deeply connected to and caring of her work, above relationships. A deep desire to leave a mark on the world, to be remembered after leaving this earth. Talented and, more importantly, aware of her talents. Clutching to her work, her abilities, thinking, “It was worth it, it was worth it, it has to be worth it.” The people she’s left behind. The loves that she lost. Showing people that she cares through her abilities more than what they actually want from her (to stay, to be available, to need them). And worst of all, that single-minded drive that wants to get the most of what she needs and excluding everything else.

I saw way too much of myself in Laerryn Coramar-Seelie. And I’m not sure I loved what I saw.

If I had been in her shoes—me, who ditched my family and friends to see the world, have always been looking for more in life than simply what works, who feels fundamentally different from most people, who truly deeply cares about others but somehow can never put them above my own dreams and hopes, which is the very definition of love in most books—if I had been there, would I have done any different?

Or would I, too, in my own hubris and desperation, made the choice that seemed most right to me, and so completely missed the point?

I think I was angry because I wanted her to make the right decision, and when she didn’t, I felt afraid.

30 notes - Posted August 2, 2022

#2

Wereanimals that aren’t just wolves. The leader is a WereTiger.

I am living.

35 notes - Posted November 11, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Okay, I’m not one for crackships as a general rule, but Fearne and Chetney are too batshit insane hilarious to not get behind. An almost-canon crackship that references Hulk and Black Widow. The wildest will-they-won’t-they between two weird old people. A 100+ year old hippie faun druid and a 400+ feral gremlin werewolf with really strong Chihuahua energy. God bless.

730 notes - Posted November 4, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #I love the massive jump from 35 notes to 730 notes

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 40

Got him again, clearly. Wow, he looks ESPECIALLY frustrated with this time's intro.

Sam's new skit being styled like THE WORST RADIO PRESENTATION EVER is absolutely priceless. Letting Sam loose on the sampling board was a trip, the others are dying of laughter. Marisha in particular is just paralytic ... I love it.

Ugly Christmas sweater! Matt: "That us delightfully ugly!" And A CHETNEY HAT!!! I WANT ONE!!!

Love them geeking on the action figures too. So adorable!

Sam us clearly getting too enamoured of that soundboard, by the way ...

Ah ... AAAAAAAAAH!!! That's right! Imogen's mum's alive! Okay! Here we go!

Yes! Talk to her again! Come on, girl! No time to waste! Yes, I know it's a lot but SERIOUSLY, this us a big deal! And Laudna's just being SO SWEET about it ...

She's being so evasive ... I mean loving and concerned but also really evasive ... one more chance at a message ... yes, force the point!

She "couldn't stay without knowing what she is" ... that is LOADED. She sends too ... yeah, I thought so, she's trying to keep Imogen safe by staying incognito. Yeah, she ain't budging on this, but then neither is Imogen. Wow, she really is her mother's daughter.

Come on Laudna, cheer our girl up! That's it! Yes! God this undead lady's just so lovable. :3

Stop sleeping in the supply closet you two!

So they go up on deck and walk STRAIGHT INTO the aftermath of that crazy Chetney scrap ... Imogen's reaction I'd priceless and totally understandable.

Boy is this a night for EXTREME REVELATIONS or what?

Oh yeah, Orym and Fearne still need healing too. Like all this heart to heart is goi g on and they're just stood there bleeding on the deck.

Fearne STILL likes the idea of becoming a werewolf faun, that's so wild ...

Orym continues to be the warm calm centre to this whole thing snd I love it.

Chetney's like FALLING DOWN exhausted on his feet ... oof ... they wake FCG and Ashton up znd Ashton's just ANNOYED he missed it all! XD FCG heals Chet and he wakes up SO HIGH ...

Ashton: "Raise your hand if you think you might turn on all of us." Fearne insists she wouldn't. NOBODY believes her. No, I don't either. She's like a TOTAL chaos gremlin, that's only gonna get MORE dangerous ...

Pate! Okay ... the now living Pate is giving FCG a massive existential crisis. XD "Am I just THAT but with a wheel?"

The group wonder who's gonna be next to glair up ... once again votes are cast for Fearne. No surprise there ...

Orym sends a message to Dorian through the Stone ... oh man ... come on Liam, don't do this to us right now.

Ashton and Orym have a heart to heart ... angry rock man trying to be sweet snd supportive is weird but also surprisingly effective. And it's kind of working too, Orym is OPENING UP to him! Oh man ... little man SEEMS LIKE he has it so together and yet ...

Ashton really just hopes he gets to punch a werewolf sometime. Yes, mate. We hope you will too.

And Orym hugs Ashton. :3

Matt's gonna have Robbie record a message back to Orym ... that's so cute, I can't wait ...

Next day ... Laura rolls 7 ... mild turbulence but otherwise all us well. Phew ...

Oooh ... beautiful scary country ...

Day 5 and Liam rolls the Ruidus dice to get them bad times ... but he rolls WELL. Smooth sailing.

Next day ... Bassuras again ... familiar ground ... Taliesin rolls a 3 ... Matt has him roll again ... 2. OOF!!! Bad wind! Not good!

Okay, they are now in A FLAT SPIN!!! But they get out of it ... once again still no MAJOR problems ...

Desk comes and Chetney wants somebody to TIE HIM UP!!! XD He gets some manacles ... here we go. Oh boy, this us getting all kinds of kinky all of a sudden ...

New day ... 3 ... okay ...

Dog sized bird creatures ... hmmm ... not good. A dozen or so ... Laura: "Sam doesn't know what a dozen is." Sam: "So that's like twenty?"

FCG attempts to communicate with them to ward them off znd they don't respond, instead attacking ... argh, 3 points of piercing damage! AND HE'S POISONED?!!! Shit!

Okay, COMBAT!!! Here comes OH MY GOD THAT IS ANOTHER AWESOME BATTLE MAP!!! Matt's craft powers have done him proud this time!

Roll initiative!

Top of the round and it's Orym! Yes, DASH MAN!!! DASH!!! Bait and Switch! Action Surge! Goading attack, and the creature fails to resist znd he DECAPITATES IT!!! Nice!

Fearne summons Mister and conjures her Flame Blade, then holds action. One of them moves into range and she ATTACKS ... ooop, rule check ... roll a D8 ... Ashley: "Oh, that's so terrible!" Still does dome damage, though ...

Oh shit ... Fearne is hit and POISONED!!! AAAAAH!!!

Orym takes a hit but gives as good as he gets ... and he manages to NOT get poisoned? Sweet!

Ashton swings and HITS!!! Holy fuck, he just PUNTED that fucker into oblivion! And ANOTHER HIT! He Gallaghers it's head!

Imogen uses a Sorcery point so she can Witchbolt TWO AT ONCE!!! But misses one ... bugger ... inflicts 21 points of damage on the other one, though!

Oh fuck ... turns out these things AREN'T attacking the ship, they're just RUNNING AWAY from something? Oh gods ...

Wait ... RONIN chose the monster? Really, Matt?

A CHIMERA!!! HOLY FUCK!!! This is SO BAD!!!

Chetney and Laudna are now SERIOUSLY messed up ALREADY!!! Oh gods ... and Imogen takes 9 points of slashing damage! Nooooo ...

Oh nice, FCG halves her damage ...

Laudna goes STRAIGHT into her Form of Dread! Crazy scary tree Form again, nice, she's totally adopting a holdover from Whitestone! Spiderclimb! AND Bane! Sweet!

Aha! Chetney unleashes the Scythe! Nice! Blood Curse of Bloated Agony? Holy fuck that sounds CRAZY ... and then he goes invisible! Nice, and no attack of opportunity cuz it can't see him!

FCG uses their sawblade on one of the creatures ... wait how does he get an advantage when his OPPONENT rolls a Nat 20? Hmmm ... clerics, man! Attack of opportunity ... MISS!!! Healing Word on Laudna for 13 points! Nice!

Whoa, do because she's within 100 feet of Pate due gets FULL HEALTH POINTS BACK?!!! Nice.

What? He's RESTRAINED? So NONE OF THAT HAPPENED? Seriously, Matt?

Okay, so he's no longer restrained ... but still messed up ...

Orym fucks ip another creature then makes a pushing attack so he PUNTS IT over the side ... doesn't kill it but it's MESSED UP.

Ah, so Fearne has magical resistance ... Nice, straight 20 means she shrugs off the effect! Goody ... THREE HITS on the Chimera! Okay, ANOTHER rule check ... Ashley's getting SO POWERFUL she doesn't know what she's capable of now! I love that ...

66 POINTS of fire damage! Sweet!

Mister gets to use his crazy little Percy pistol! Yay!

Now the Chimera's distracted the other beasties are BOOKING!!! That's helpful at least ...

Ashton slides in and rages as he tries to smash it in the leg ... 13 points of damage! And another 15! Nice one! Chimera is trashed but still kicking ...

Imogen ... whoa, super red glowy craziness? Whoa ... WHAT DID SHE JUST SUMMON?!!! SERIOUSLY, that thing is TERRIFYING!!!

Laura is doing some crazy scary stuff that we can't fathom while still wearing THAT HAT!!! It's so surreal ... 0.0

Chimera tries to attack the Shade (so THAT'S what it is) and fails ... but HITS on Imogen! Ooof ... but Laudna uses Silvery Babs and reduces the attack roll and it MISSES Imogen after all! Beautiful!

Laudna rolls a NAT 20 and FUCKS UP the goat head! Nice one! She dispatches Pate to deliver Shocking Grasp on it! Ooooooh! But rolls 12 ... miss! Bollocks ...

Chetney licks Turmoil's blade ... okay ... but now the blade's ON FIRE!!! Double hit! 23 points of damage? Ooof ... and TWELVE POINTS OF THUNDER DAMAGE!!! Holy shit ...

But Chetney's within range if the Shade, is he affected by its range effect? Oh thank the gods, he saves ...

More Spiritual Weapon badassery from FCG!

Stay Puft flaming hand escape! I love it!

Orym gets 14 points if slashing damage and one of the heads is just HANGING OFF right now! Sweet.

Fearnd gets a POING BLANK shot on the Chimera with the ballista ... 19 points of damage ... Matt: "How do you wanna do this?"

She KEBABS IT. Fearne: "Get off my airship."

Chetney tries to touch the Shade and takes 2 D6 of psychic damage! Oops ...

Imogen doesn't know how to get rid of the Shade ... so she just asks it to go away AND IT WORKS!!! Okay ... they're all concerned and I can't blame them. Although Ashton thinks it's cool, so ...

Ashton asks what it felt like to Chetney and he says it was like all the children jn the world were giving him their toy orders at the same time. "As if one mind could handle that all at once ..."

Another day down and they get a long rest do they're healed up again ... phew ...

Weird coloured jungle ahead ... oh, so THIS is the Gloomed Jungle? Okay ... creepy.

Matt: "And that's where we're gonna take a break!"

Laura was trying to draw it and it ended up just looking like a mouth with loads of pubes ... hmmm ...

Wait ... I don't think I've seen that Matt Mercer figurine before ... that's a new bit, I swear! Ashley: "Loot his corpse and take his vest!" XD

Back to the game ... and Matt is once again having to deal with their unruliness. "Look, I'm hollow inside."

Shit roll ... okay, this should be fun ...

Ooooh ... it's getting all dark and moody ... this is not a good sign, is it?

Chetney needs some new clothes, it seems ...

Lightning? Eep! Not good ... the rain's making the deck all slick, too. They lose half a day's travel because of this. Nuts.

So just ... "land in the jungle and howl?" That's it? Seriously? Oh, at dusk. Okay ...

Wow ... Chetney's getting SO EXCITED about this, it's kind of adorable but also a little disturbing at the same time. Hmmm ... Travis coming up with all this poetic stuff for how they all smell to Chetney. I love that.

This is a moody place, but also kind of beautiful. I might actually start liking this place.

Fearne just looks over Chetney's head and spots EXACT signs of civilisation ... or maybe not. Hmm ...

Oh, so they're landing at the ruins. Okay ...

Wait ... so this might not actually go how they want? I mean these guys are WEREWOLVES, people! Are you still set on this plan of action?

Whoa, so Chetney KILLED the werewolf that turned him ... crazy backstory goodness! XD

Hahaha ... Chetney clearly has NO IDEA how old he is. Did Travis just ROLL to see how old Chetney is? Ah ... apparently he is 700 YEARS OLD now ...

The return of Recognise The Alpha ...

I love how Fearne is just humouring Chetney on his building himself up, it's really quite cute.

Matt says the top of the tower FEELS STABLE ... oh, he's making THAT FACE again, what are you planning, Matthew?

FCG still has no sense of smell, of course ...

Ashton casts Pass Without A Trace and then they make a shit load of noise climbing down so it's kind of negated ...

Oh, so this is a FUNGAL jungle, then ... ba-dum-tish! XD

Chetney: "Okay, we're gonna light this candle." He tears off his skin at his Adam's apple and FCG casts Eagle's Splendour on him ... yeah, that is a MAGNIFICENT howl.

Okay, this is taking a little while, clearly ... AN HOUR?!!! Really? This is NOT looking good.

Fearne transforms into a wolf to help him. Fearne: "Okay ... I'm a wolf." Everybody cracks up. XD

They ALL howl ... and NOW they get a response. Okay, they're A LONG WAY off fight now. They're gonna wait, it seems.

Night falls but the shitty weather continues. Laudna says a fire. Orym sits with Wolf Fearne to keep an eye out ... and Imogen uses Mage Hand to keep the rain off them! :3

Oh, okay ... somebody's coming. Something, anyway ... hmm ... is it stalking Laudna? Oh dear ...

Laudna asks Pate to do an interpretative dance ... oh my gods Marisha is beatboxing and Matt is dancing like a lunatic. That's love, baybee! XD

Okay, now there's TWO of them ... fuck, this guy is BIG. Ooh ... okay, he's definitely got a big barbarian thing going on ... WERETIGER?!!! Holy fuck ...

Divasheela ... cool name. Wow, she's pretty awesome ... oh, now there's a PANTHER one too! And another werewolf. A WEREBOAR!!! AND A WEREBEAR!!! Fuck, this is so cool ...

Chetney does a Magic Mike and wolfs out! XD

Divasheela is ... less than impressed, it seems. Hmmm ... that said, they seem receptive enough.

Whoa ... did Chetney really just almost make them all attack the airship? Oops, I guess?

Okay, so they're going into the woods, then ...

Now Imogen is RIDING THE WEREBOAR. Okay ...

"The Zigzag Return?"

Awwwww ... Orym is riding Fearne. :3 and Laudna is riding the panther. Okay ... is he FLIRTING WITH HER?!!! Laudna turns herself into crazy creepy bark armour on him and he finds it scary but he's also into it. XD

Aaaaaaaand now they're lost. Or maybe not ...

Okay, normal forms! Here we go ... yeah, they seem like a nice, likeable bunch now, actually. Oh, so here we are. Barinak. It's pretty cool here, actually.

Yeah, from the look of it this is just PEOPLE. Like a regular community, really. I can see why they're so dead set on keeping it secret, then.

Ah, so Divasheela was originally Annaline. Okay.

Oh boy ... so Chetney's not the only one who's having problems with Ruidus of late. Hmmm ...

She recognises Chetney as another Blood Hunter. Cool. Oh, so this training is gonna take WEEKS?!!! Yeah, that's not gonna work ...

Okay ... so Chetney losing his cool is Zbigniew deal ... but NOT a deal breaker, at least. That's good, I guess. FCG suggests they leave him here for a few weeks ... ummm ... okay, is that an option right now?

Court of the Lambent Path? Okay ... sounds fancy ...

Oooh, statue symbolism ... hmm ... is this a major clue? Sayhaadon? Okay ...

Orym is currently just sizing everybody up - Know Your Enemy - as potential opponents, and some of them look pretty dangerous ...

Ah, so Sayhaadon is an aspect of the Wildmother. Cool. I wonder if FCG can do something with that, then.

Tiny Steve Brule gnome ... okay ... is this someone I should know about? ^^; What do you want? I'm not the most well informed person ever, guys ... oh, Tarad. Okay.

Ah ... yeah, so Imogen's like YUCK over this food, then. Backstory ...

Not three heads but three SNOUTS ... well that's just even weirder, then.

Ashton wants a drink. They offer him water ... oh, is he going to kick off about that? Oh, so they have wine? Yeah, all right. That'll do.

So if someone completely loses it the Gorgynei are charged with making sure they don't become a danger to others. Yeah, kind of figured as much. And chains! Yeah. Also makes sense.

Chetney is really making out that he's more confident than he is. "Willpower is 10 out of 10!" Yeah ...

Divasheela asks if they're willing to take Chetney out if he becomes a threat ... oh boy, this doesn't bode well. Oh, so they're gonna stick around for him to do the training after all? 2 and half weeks ... oh yeah, that could work, actually.

Ashley rolls high for insight and gets whispers! Sam has a plug prepared for once! Much better!

Yeah, it's getting LATE. Find somewhere to sleep. They call for Tarad ... FCG, what the hell was THAT noise?

Treehouse guest houses? Sweet! Oooh, and furs! Cool.

Okay, I really don't know if I KNOW that particular quote actually ...

Bedtime, then. Tree cave Tweecave? Cue Matt pretending to have a speech impediment.

Matt: "And THAT'S where we're gonna call it a night."

So what IS Tarad's were form? Damn it, now I'm curious. Votes are being cast for weresquirrel, apparently ...

#critical role #campaign 3 spoilers #crit role campaign 3 #campaign 3 episode 40 #matt mercer #marisha ray #laudna #travis willingham #chetney pock o'pea #laura bailey #imogen temult #liam o'brien #orym of the air ashari #ashley johnson #fearne calloway #taliesin jaffe #ashton greymoore #sam riegel #fresh cut grass

[hurlumerlu]

Also throwing critrole s3 at you for the fandom ask thing, I wanna hear your opinions

thank youuuuu (though given the recent spoilers I kinda feel like you just gently placed a landmine at my feet)

The first character I fell in love with: I mean, Ashton ? I just saw their character art and immediately went "oh shit" because I'm easy like that, but I also really loved their introduction so I was on board with them from the start.

A character that I used to love/like but now do not: FCG I guess ? But it happened pretty fast.

A ship that I used to love/like but now do not: RIP Orym/Bertrand you could have been something, if only in my head.

My ultimate favorite character: right now it's Chetney, I feel like there's so much to explore with him, and it's always nice seeing Travis flex his sense of comedic timing.

Prettiest character: Imogen.

My most hated character: I don't hate anyone yet ? maybe that will change next monday.

My OTP: I still don't have any, but I ship Ashton with literally everyone but FCG and Imogen, and Fearne with everyone but Orym.

My NOTP: way too strong a word, but I don't jive with Orym/Dorian. Idk, I just don't feel it.

Favorite episode: Heart to Heartmoore : so many good late-night conversations ! Absolutely love it.

Saddest death: Well. I guess I'll tell you next monday ? (it will probably be orym's)

Favorite season: Loved the whole Heartmoor mini-arc to bits.

Least favorite season: The whole thing with Yu should have been super exciting but for some reason it didn't work for me ? Same with Fearne's parents, and since the two are linked I guess this is my least favorite mini-arc.

Character that everyone else in the fandom love, but I hate: I don't hate them, and I don't think everyone in the fandom love them, but I mostly dislike FCG. Like, I love Sam's jokes, but I find FCG irritating a lot of the time. But then, it was the same for Scanlan when I first watched Cr1. (also I'm. very ambivalent about the Greenseekers. and a bit surprised that the fandom latched onto them like that)

My "you're a piece of trash, but you're still a fave" fave: Miss Jiana Hexum please call me back <3 <3 <3

My "beautiful cinamon roll who deserved better than this" fave: no clue ! None of them are cinamon rolls and I can't think of a NPC who fits the bill.

My "this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul but I still love it" ship: hahaha so. Fearne/Birdie is a thing. that I wondered about. I wouldn't say I love it though, it's more of an idle thought.

My "they're kind of cute, and I low-key ship them, but I'm not too invested in them" ship: pretty much everyone still ? I'm gonna say Laudna/Asthon because while I think the ship has a lot of potential, I'm still more interested in Laudna/Imogen.

aaaand that's it ! I do feel like the fact that I had a truly hard time answering many of these questions at like, episode 32, tells something about the show, but I'm still not sure wether it's a bug or a feature (would love your take on that btw). I'm still curious to see where things go, but that may change with episode 33 and the next. We'll see !

#critical role #ask game

[the-punslinger]

Exandria Unlimited Quotes and Memorable Moments - Series 1 (30/?)

Fy'ra Rai: "Dariax." Dariax: "Yeah?" Fy'ra Rai: "When you... made your writing, rubbing, rub-writing." Aabria: "We didn't have to do that." Dariax: "When I rubbed my writing, yeah." Opal: "Okay, well, my sister was saying... who's inhabiting my body, I guess, too... was saying that she kept seeing a purple lady? I just, I don't know." Fy'ra Rai: "A lady in purple or a purple lady?" Opal: "That's a good question."

Fearne: "Wait, I'm so sorry. What did you just say? Your sister is in your... Inhabiting your body?" Opal: "Yeah, it's really weird. And she doesn't even know where her body is. Can you imagine being that irresponsible about your possessions?"

Aabria: "You do remember a squad of people that were clad in all purple. The elves from Syngorn." Dariax: "A squad in all purple. The Purple Man Group out of Kymal." Aabria: "I hate you. Hate you."

I'm assuming it's a gorgeous waterfall and it's... somewhere." Aabria: "Amazing." Fy'ra Rai: "Follow me. And I go a different direction." Aabria: "Oh, okay." Fy'ra Rai: "Towards the sound of the water, but not where he is pointing." Aabria: "Yeah. Respect." Dariax: "I will swallow my pride and follow her." Aabria: "Respect." Dariax: "Is there an entrance way?" Aabria: "Give me perception check." Aabria: "There's a low fog. I would hope so! I've been building to this shit for a second! If you were like, 'Anyway!...'" Opal: "We want to know!" Aabria: "All right, let's go to the river!" Opal: "Let's go to the waterfall!" Aabria: "Yeah. I think it's beautiful!" Orym: "It's 14." Dariax: "I am looking at the waterfall with a zero." Aabria: "Oh my god." Opal: "What!" Dorian: "It's so pretty, though!" Dariax: "It's like: I asked if you're thirsty! I'm just filling up my wine skin. Like: Oh, where'd that wall come from!" Opal: "I half-expected you to just dive off the cliff." Dariax: "Yeah. I'm just skinny-dipping right now." Aabria: "Explodes out of the clothing. " Fy'ra Rai: "Okay, great. So I'm just going to turn around and free climb down." Aabria: "Cool." Fy'ra Rai: "And then I look up and I think about the folks behind me and I take my rope and I toss it up to one of them and I say: Secure this! And then I jump down." Aabria: "I'm not going to make you roll for it. You absolutely do that. It's 12 feet." Fy'ra Rai: "I can do that in these heels." Aabria: "Yeah!" Opal: "You can!" Matt: "That is the definition of dope monk shit." Fearne: "You absolutely can." Aabria: "100%." Fearne: "I kind of want to jump in." Dariax: "I'm already in. I'm skinny-dipping." Fearne: "Oh, great!" Dariax: "I wasn't joking! I rolled a zero! I don't give a shit about this town right now!" Aabria: "Did you just go?" Dariax: "I just went like: Wah!" Aabria: "Amazing." Dorian: "Just a butt-naked dwarf diving off into..." Dorian: "Does the river go into the city?" Aabria: "You see points at which it does go in, but you've got a lazy river situation. It's going around." Dorian: "He's lazy rivering his way into the city?" Aabria: "Possibly. Depends on if he keeps going." Dariax: "I'm fighting the current because I still want to get my clothes. I'm just enjoying the drop and it's like: Hey! Dorian, can you throw my stuff down? I didn't think this through!" Dorian: "Has naked Fearne jumped in as well?" Fearne: "Yeah, I gave you my clothes." Dorian: "Oh, I'm mothering everyone's clothes together. I've got it, all right, cool." Fy'ra Rai: "Your cloak works so well for the glitter shitter!" Aabria: "Mister takes a little poop and puts it in your hand. We're handing you stuff." Opal: "Oh my god!" Dorian: "I'll bundle it all in my cape." Fy'ra Rai: "Don't forget the rope!" Dorian: "I'll one-hand slide it down the thing with all of their sopping clothes and set it gently by the shore until they're done." Opal: "I definitely think Opal would also jump in, but she'd take off her jacket and fashion it into some sort of hair protector." Aabria: "Respect." Opal: "Because she does not want to get it wet. But it's a 12-foot drop, so she probably gets it wet. But she's trying." Opal: "Oh, natural 20!" Aabria: "Oh, snap!" Opal: "Maybe her hair doesn't get wet!" Aabria: "Your turban game is so strong you hair does not get wet!" Opal: "No!" Aabria: "Absolutely not. This is power-gaming for me. You didn't want your hair to get wet and it didn't! Yeah!" Opal: "Opal takes her sateen jacket off and she makes it look like a very nice protected hair covering. And then she does a thing that a lot of girls do when they're like, 'No, don't push me in! No, don't push me in!'" Liam: "Don't make me sing." Opal: "Don't make me sing!" Fearne: "Don't make me dance!" Opal: "Don't make me dance. But is kind of sad no one pushed her in. Don't push me in! Looks around, no one's there to push her in. So then she just goes, okay..."

#epi6 #series1 #exandria unlimited

[risingroseart]

[Please don’t repost, use, edit, NFT, claim as your own or otherwise steal.]

Hello!! I’m alive and well. 

I haven’t had much to post as most of my art has been unfinished and/or private worldbuilding stuff or figuring out people’s designs. However I have fallen into a deep critical role hyperfixation on campaign 3, Ashton’s design and Campaign 1 Percival (etc etc) de Rolo and his whitestone arc, so I’ve been doing a few doodles of some designs here and there - specifically for c3 since I’m still new to c1. This is the first proper colored one however, so yay! It’s Ashton in pretty much the same outfit Taliesin wore during Ashton’s introduction bc I haven’t been able to get that visual out of my head :] I love their laugh, whenever I hear it is when I can best visualize them in my head, it’s so distinctly their sound. Might be my now pfp, maybe! love them a lot. Also hi critters! I’m new in this corner of the internet! any fellow newbies out there? :> 

[Reblogs help the artist! Comments and tags are very much appreciated as well!]

#ashton greymoore #hello critters im new here #critical role #critical role campaign 3 #cr3 #critrole #critrole fanart #critical role fanart #critical role ashton #cr fanart #my art #risingroseart #digital art #doodles #artwork #fanart #love this character sm man #fearne was absolutely right they really are beautiful

[joycrispy]

Y’know what? Instead of a prediction post, I want to make an appreciation post.

So, in no particular order, here are the things I PERSONALLY love best about each player at the Critical Role table.

Sam -- Sam’s ability and willingness to GO THERE. He takes creative risks, in the sense that he well and truly lets the dice get final say, but also in being true to his character in ways he MUST know will be controversial. Scanlan chewing everyone out and leaving the party was ballsy as hell; it is also, now, one of the most iconic moments in CR1. And Veth was such a dark, complex, rich character because she was allowed to be a woman who wasn’t always aspirational; her feelings were allowed to be selfish, allowed to be messy, allowed to be gross. He is absolutely fearless as a storyteller, and we get some of the best plotlines for it.

Laura -- Everyone knows what I’m going to say here, because everyone and their dog has sung this particular praise for Laura Bailey already, but; the woman is a MASTER of improv. To use Travis’ wording, she catches the ball and throws it back harder and better than anyone else at that table. A lot of the time it’s hilarious. Some of the time it’s heartbreaking. All of the time it adds something so lively and dynamic that I actually can’t watch dnd shows that don’t have a bit of this quality. They need at least a fraction of what Laura brings in spades, to be worth the time. Like. It’s amazing that she can just do that. (also I’m going to miss Jester so much I can’t stand it).

Travis -- Travis is a. TEAM. PLAYER. In-game and out, and you know what? THAT’S IMPORTANT. He goes out of his way to make sure everyone is getting their moment in the spotlight, and even beyond that, he keeps things calm on the game side of things. It was SO SWEET in the M9 finale when he told everyone else to take their time, to not get overwhelmed, because the stakes were so high and they were starting to freak out. Not Travis. He was their rock. He is always their rock.

Ashley -- Ashley is go-hard-or-go-home for the aesthetic of her characters, which is GREAT because her particular sense of the beautiful is unusually rich. Yasha and Fearne were both such a careful balancing of elements to achieve particular (and distinct!) effects, but she threads that needle with such precision. Complete control and poise. But then also she busts out hot nonsense like “I smell like a crayon” and somehow it doesn’t contradict any of the rest of it. That is some impressive character-work.

Liam -- Have you ever noticed that, almost no matter what game they’re playing or who the other players are, Liam will always construct his characters in relation to another? The sibling relationship with Vex. The best-friendship with Nott. Hell, even in the Darrington Brigade or Honey Heist, he did this -- when he was Macaroni’s “Buddy,” or when he and Taliesin played a pair of brother bears. It’s a great instinct to have; it gets us some more complex social scenes right out of the box, it’s free motivation for everyone involved, and it’s a way of reaching out to one of your friends to play together all in one. I love it. (can’t wait to see who he’s picked out to be his buddy this go around :3)

Taliesin -- Oh, boy, Taliesin is a man after my own heart. He approaches this game with a writer’s sensibility, you can tell from the quality of the dialogue that just drops out of his mouth sometimes, but that’s not my favorite thing. My favorite thing is how generous a player he really is. He is on the lookout not just for his own character beats and moments, but everyone else’s too, and he is always willing to give up looking cool or competent if it would be more meaningful/story-rich for someone else. THIS IS A QUALITY EVERYONE SHOULD EMULATE, IMO. DND is a collaborative storytelling game, not a competition to make the bestest most awesome guy ever, and you can tell he’s really internalized this fact. Also. He said he made Cad to be an OP healer specifically so that everyone else could still have fun and not be gun-shy after what happened to Molly. A little ‘don’t worry, it’s going to be all right’ but in the form of his entire character. That’s...that’s so good you guys. Dang.

Marisha -- On a really bone-deep level, Marisha clearly understands her characters and why they are the way they are, and then she takes that understanding and just lets it go wild. Her roleplay feels GENUINE in a really rare and wonderful way --it’s easy to watch her play Beau and forget that that’s not actually Marisha’s speaking voice, not actually Marisha’s body language...until you turn on CR1 and witness firsthand how she embodies Keyleth so completely differently. Like...Gif of Patrick Stewart saying ‘acting.’ She’s amazing.

And Matt probably would need a whole post to himself lmao. Feel free to reblog with additions about him or anyone else.

#Critical Role #Taliesin Jaffe #Marisha Ray #Travis Willingham #Laura Bailey #Liam O'Brien #Ashley Johnson #Sam Riegel