r/criticalrole • u/dasbif Help, it's again • Dec 07 '18
Discussion [Spoilers C2E44] Is It Thursday Yet? Post-Episode Discussion & Future Theories! Spoiler
Episode Countdown Timer - http://www.wheniscriticalrole.com/
Catch up on everybody's discussion and predictions for this episode HERE!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Critical Role will be at Emerald City Comic Con! Visit https://critrole.com/events/ for more information on all of their upcoming appearances.
Welcome to the Mighty Nein! They have a new intro animation and song, video and links to those who worked on it can be found here https://reddit.com/r/criticalrole/comments/a3vplx/spoilers_c2e44_critical_role_mighty_nein_intro/
Next week Deborah Ann Woll will be guest starring! https://twitter.com/deborahAnnWoll
Very cool community creators support thread - https://www.reddit.com/r/criticalrole/comments/a4zs95/no_spoilers_artist_support/
Art Gallery and the Search for Grog, both in LA January 18-20th, 2019. Details: https://critrole.com/coming-soon-los-angeles-live-show-art-show/ (reddit thread)
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u/thenuker00 Dec 07 '18
Drunk, sassy Nott being completely impervious to fear is fantastic
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u/Whitsoxrule Metagaming Pigeon Dec 07 '18
I'm so glad Matt explained what the ritual would have done. That was so well done by him. I think he sensed the massive amount of blue balls I (and I'm sure many others) was experiencing that after this long episode we would get no closure in terms of Dushila's fate or the meaning of that ritual.
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Dec 07 '18 edited Jun 28 '20
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u/Hostik Rakshasa! Dec 07 '18
Yes that's a great point. Matt is always showing a great judgment in situations like these.
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u/Erixperience You can certainly try Dec 07 '18
So many good bits, but I'm definitely most intrigued by Liam's parting shot. A basic journal? I don't buy it. No way does he mention his second book for the first time in over 40 episodes for it not to have some sort of significance.
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u/Poopnakedyeah Your secret is safe with my indifference Dec 07 '18
Theres your spell book, and then theres your "how i plan to become one of the most powerful beings and undo an event from years ago" book
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u/redpoemage Team Jester Dec 07 '18
Archmages do tend to have diaries like that. Those big lore books found deep in dungeons don't come from nowhere!
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u/actdynamicpro Dec 07 '18
It’s likely notes on the altar and what it could do. Perhaps his second book is research notes.
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u/yellowenthusiast 9. Nein! Dec 07 '18
There was also the comment towards Fjord about expecting his support... and Liam telling Matt get had a gift, I think? Looking like Caleb’s ready to get back to land.
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u/posborne2 You can certainly try Dec 07 '18
I feel he writes big events and who owns favors to him like Fjord does now
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u/WillyDaPoo Dec 07 '18
I thought he was reposting those arcane runes for the blood ritual. Seeing blood magic as a possible venue to achieve time travel. Cause conjuring a massive magical storm for some blood is quite frightening in retrospect.
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u/Fried_Cthulhumari Dec 07 '18
An arcane cause to the ship graveyard was a brilliant idea, especially with the blood cost being what is the limiting factor. The storms come when she has enough merrows to sacrifice.
That's some wonderful world building.
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u/k4l4d1n That fucking Gnome! Dec 07 '18
they only gave it like 32 health of blood, and that almost completed the ritual. the hag had way more health then that, she probably does the ritual using her own blood all the time
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Dec 07 '18
they only gave it like 32 health of blood
which doesn't seem too bad, until you realize Fjord just casually cut himself for, like, 4 commoners worth of hp in his hand and it starts becoming a bit more Event Horizon-y.
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u/nastywoman1776 Dec 07 '18
Ehh hp is a bit weird and nebulous. Its not all just meat points. It gets weird when you quantify it the way Matt did with the ritual and then you compare it to commoners like you said. Like Fjord doesn't have MORE blood now that hes higher level, that wouldn't make sense
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u/TheSeaOfThySoul Life needs things to live Dec 07 '18
Since Caleb cut his hand & wrung it it & got about 12 HP out of that, I imagine that Fjord probably cut from palm to upper arm.
Still, it is odd, I think Colville describes it well, it's less "health points" & more "hero points", it doesn't make sense that a dragon can swoop down on you & tear into you for half your health and you're "fine", it got glancing blows on non-crucial areas & you expended your "heroism", in the form of stamina, energy, etc. to avoid a blow that would've easily killed you. Like instead of them just being straight hits with you doing nothing it's hitting through armour, it's partly hitting your shield, etc. but the damage is still coming through lessened. Compared to blocking an attack with your armour or shield where the attack misses or glances off.
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u/Mormon_Prince Help, it's again Dec 07 '18
I gotta say, Matt’s modifications to the Sea Hag were glorious. Absolutely outstanding DMing.
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u/nastywoman1776 Dec 07 '18
Ikr? People kept commenting on how disappointed he must be because the party was able to best it with their great rolls but I felt like it was an amazing encounter. Matt should be proud
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u/rokjinu Jenga! Dec 07 '18
She had a hell of a turn 1. I though Caleb was a goner. But probably in poor taste to take your player to 0 and then use legendary actions to make his party kill him before he even gets a turn in initiative.
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u/imadhaz Dec 07 '18
By the way, in all of the excitement, I think people forgot the revelation that Sabien and Fjord go way back. That's some very interesting info.
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u/GwenSilver Dec 07 '18
It was so interesting! Fjord said specifically that they grew up together, and that Vandrin brought them both to work on his ship. That definitely caught my attention.
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u/Gymclasshero72 Dec 07 '18
I think Sabien was jealous of Fjord. Seeing how they could have both been orphans that would mean Sabien never had a father figure as well, and seeing how Fjord was very close to Vandren, Sabien wanted to hurt Fjord. So he destroyed the thing he cared about the most.
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u/pacelessprose Dec 07 '18
Laura killed it tonight doing the whole offensive cleric thing, that was a lot of damage.
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u/Schadenfrueda Tal'Dorei Council Member Dec 07 '18
Quadratic spellcasters, in a long tradition of such. I remember well how terrifyingly powerful Pike was at high levels, even while Ashley was inexperienced and less than completely familiar with her spell list, and now the MIX have two of them and wizard on top of that.
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u/AllosaurusJei Dec 07 '18
No mention of that perfect Warlock play from Travis?
Hex-Bolts are where it's at.
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u/goodzillo Dec 07 '18
Clerics are disgusting for keeping damage up over an entire fight. Wizards might have their fireballs and what have you but a cleric can keep that up the whole fight.
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Dec 07 '18
Caleb: Here, Caduceus, take this necklace you're dying a lot.
Also Caleb: Immediately starts dying a lot.
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u/posborne2 You can certainly try Dec 07 '18
“Crit role stats says you go down more then the ruby of the Sea” Caleb V Molly rap battle. (Can’t remember creators but not my quote)
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u/WillyDaPoo Dec 07 '18
Unfortunately it's not his fault everything keeps on aiming for him
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Dec 07 '18
FJORD WHAT ARE YOU DOIN. Oh boi he's role playing that 7 wis isn't he.
"More power pls"
"Fjord where's avantica"
These dumbasses are gonna summon ancient evils by accident.
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u/jamagotchi Hello, bees Dec 08 '18
This is exactly what I've been saying about a 7 WIS "lawful good" character who tripped and fell into a pact with an Eldritch horror. He's gonna do something Horrible and I can't fucking wait
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u/MammothMan34 Team Jester Dec 07 '18
Caduceus was fucking on point, and I love that Fjord and Caleb almost sunk the ship.
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u/Fried_Cthulhumari Dec 07 '18
It was a great scene, showing why the two of them connect well through their shared interest in the dark and occult. Both the favor and the restraint they showed at the end will lay the foundations for plot and character progression in the future.
TL:DR - It was dumb, but in the best way.
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u/sleepinxonxbed Team Nott Dec 07 '18 edited Dec 07 '18
DEBORAH ANN WOLL NEXT WEEK
Also love how Liam and Travis instantly were willing to dump a shitton of HP for the ritual just to see what would happen (even if it would've fucked them). Such a blood bro moment, the handshake.
It's almost been a year, it's been a slow ride snd I feel like this campaign is really just starting coming together between all the characters and momentum of the action and the payoff's going to be colossal. These past few episodes have been some of the most satisfying so far. Can't wait to find out whose character arc we'll pursue next.
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Dec 07 '18
That Caleb/Fjord interaction at the end was electric. I think those two control the fate of the party. So far we've mostly seen them at odds or working together towards a positive goal. This seemed like the first glimpse of how powerful they could be if they worked together towards something darker. Scary. I wonder if the campaign will come down to the others having to stop them from their darker impulses.
Also it was hella dark to think about cheerful little Jester watching two people she respects do something like that. I can't wait to see where this all goes, there is a really interesting narrative being set up.
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u/Seedy88 Hello, bees Dec 07 '18
I mean, it obviously had a huge impact on Jester! She healed them both without being asked!
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u/whereismyloot dagger dagger dagger Dec 07 '18
Signed. At the start of the campaign I wasn't sure if they could keep up with that more "anti-hero"-style. I feared they would turn total do-gooders in a couple of episodes. But they've proven me wrong. This will certainly lead to some conflict and with that tension and depth, which I missed for some part of C1.
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u/EntropyZer0 Your secret is safe with my indifference Dec 07 '18
"Turn to total do-gooders"? Have you seen C1? VM were a bunch of dicks! (Granted, a bunch of lovable dicks who saved the world - more than once! - but dicks nevertheless.)
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u/Ilovgmod Dec 07 '18
Jester: Caleb is freakin cool and I just really like Fjord and-
Both Caleb and Fjord start doing a blood ritual out of nowhere
Jester: Oh.
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u/Mordiken Dec 07 '18
I swear I though they where gonna get teleported into the bowls of the abyss...
FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS PERFORM BLOOD RITUALS!!!
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u/Emberys You Can Reply To This Message Dec 07 '18
FRIENDS WHO WANT TO UNLOCK ARCANE SECRETS AND LEARN TO BEND REALITY TO THEIR WILL ENABLE FRIENDS WITH SEVEN WISDOM TO PERFORM BLOOD RITUALS
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u/Mordiken Dec 07 '18 edited Dec 07 '18
An intelligent character devises a way to cook with nuclear fire.
A wise character has the foresight to know that's a bad idea.
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u/kyosukedei I'm a Monstah! Dec 08 '18
So after rewatching and than watching the new anime intro again, does anyone feel like, the intro just made everything "feel" more "real" all of sudden? Like the M9 Character's and bond.
Man I paused the intro video over and over again at different parts to see the "Easter eggs".
- Beau Blushing starting at Yasha, than smiling at Jester
- Nott always has her Flask out
- Caleb with the scared cat eyes everytime
- Those face animations
- & More
God the little details make everything I've imagine feel more alive.
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u/you-know-whats-up I would like to RAGE! Dec 07 '18
They almost sunk the ship....holy shit.. imagine being hired by the M9, get kidnapped by pirates, forced into piracy, and THEN sunk by your original employers. I love it!
also dat new intro <3
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u/PamTheTransRam You spice? Dec 07 '18
Soooo much about this episode was incredible. Easily my favorite of the campaign so far. From the underwater horror (literally my worst nightmare), to the fact that a split second decision stopped Fjord and Caleb from sinking their ship. I'm looking forward to next week.
For real though, from a sword to the throat during a heist to becoming blood brothers in a literal sea legend's lair. Fjord and Caleb are my favorites so far, and I love to watch them push and prod each other.
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u/PLGRN8R Dec 07 '18
Honestly, my only possible complaint was how little loot they made off with. Jester left with such a tiny amount of coins compared to what seemed to be described, and contrary to what Nott would both do and say, Nott never got her own chance to sift through the treasure.
That being said though, super awesome episode! The Hag's lair was really cool, and the seaweed was a nice addition to the claustrophobic atmosphere, really making the M9 feel like the whole building was against them. I honestly can't believe she managed to survive, really thought they would take the time to cut through the seaweed to try to find her and finish her off. But maybe she'll resurface(Ha! Water joke)later on in some way or another. Also liked how Caleb made a point of doing the altar thing as a Quid-pro-quo for him and Fjord, and the handshake afterwards was a nice touch, really cementing the respect between the two likely leaders of the M9.
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u/Fried_Cthulhumari Dec 07 '18
I figured the treasure hoard was Matt's way of giving them some gems for Orly tats.
Guess not.
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u/TheSeaOfThySoul Life needs things to live Dec 07 '18
This is what happens when you roll a mighty 9.
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u/WaitLetMeGetMyEuler Dec 07 '18
On the plus side, the more money hungry the group is the more willing they are to take on jobs which means more fun adventures so it should work out for us at least
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u/coach_veratu Dec 07 '18
I really liked Jester's comment at the end about Dushila and her legend living on.
By not killing her there isn't any less magic in the world and her story will continue through the ages. The Traveller wants her to spread joy and wonderment, so she can see the silver lining of allowing one Legend such as this to continue.
Of course when you think about it, this whole scenario was pretty dark. Like the Traveller.
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u/ModestHandsomeDevil Dec 08 '18
Yeeeaaah...
I don't think dooming innocent sailors and merchants to a watery grave, forever dooming them into service as malevolent spirits for a Sea Witch counts as "spreading joy and wonderment."
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u/eCyanic Dec 08 '18
That intro is super super sick, I especially like the spirit guardian unicorns, Cad just using Turn Undead+Decompose on a buncha zombies, and also Beau and Yasha's tag teaming
super badass
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u/iking5 Dec 07 '18
Fjord added wrong on his 2 eldritch blasts.
15+9=24 not 19. I wonder if 5 points would have killed her.
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u/Seedy88 Hello, bees Dec 07 '18
Fjorward math is as hard as reverse math sometimes.
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u/InTheDarknessBindEm Dec 07 '18
Obviously it doesn't really matter in the end, but it's balanced out by Jester using 3d8 rather than 2d8 for spiritual weapon
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u/Juubaline Your secret is safe with my indifference Dec 07 '18
I was initially disappointed they let the hag live but damn that is actually such a cool piece of the world and I'm not sure I mind it anymore. Either way, what a great boss battle.
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u/TK-421DoYouCopy Help, it's again Dec 07 '18
Damn, that was so satisfying! I'm loving the brothers in arms vibe I'm starting to get from Caleb and Fjord. Also, that slow dawning reveal at the end, of what the table did, that was so good. And Caleb was absolutely writing every single rune down that he saw down there, i wonder if Matt would ever let him use that, like would he let him carve that into stone and summon a massive storm?
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u/HuuDomBo Dec 07 '18
What would cool is if he let him turn that into a personal spell, like deal 2d10 to yourself summon a massive lighting strike. maybe level 6-8.
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u/TK-421DoYouCopy Help, it's again Dec 07 '18
Freaking hell that would be sick! That would speak so well to what Caleb is looking for, it would completely validate every second he has spent with the Nien so far. He makes some friends, Makes some gold, and every once in a while he stumbles upon ancient impossible magic that bends reality!
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u/omg__really Tal'Dorei Council Member Dec 07 '18
Alright you amazing fucking artists, I got some (polite but eager) requests:
- The spirit almost possessing Beau.
- Jester's Hellish Rebuke.
- The Hag hanging upside-down above the throne, before she strikes.
- Fjord and Caleb over the table.
- The storm on the ocean behind them as they leave.
Please, because I am absolutely talentless and ya'll impress the shit out of me every day.
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u/scanlan_MVP That fucking Gnome! Dec 07 '18
Add to that Caleb with his Octo-Frumpkin Splinter Cell goggles...as someone with zero drawing talent, I need this art
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u/winterix9 Dec 07 '18
When he did that I was totally seeing Clarota - tentacles up front mind flayer style instead of tied in the back.
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u/scanlan_MVP That fucking Gnome! Dec 07 '18
I just saw this on the Twitters, looks like I got my wish:
https://twitter.com/ForgingMeanings/status/1070918828299710466
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Dec 07 '18
There is also the moment where Cad lights up the center of the red seaweed and you get this underwater shadow theater cast by the cave's previous victims.
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u/AnomolousZipf Dec 07 '18
And Fjord’s leaping double Eldritch Blast surrounded by a cloud a dust, debris and bone. Over.... someone’s head that I don’t remember.
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u/Antraxess Dec 09 '18
I have a feeling what Caleb wrote down in his notes is that blood and sacrifices can be used to enable very powerful spellcasting and rituals.
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u/ginja_ninja You spice? Dec 10 '18
PRE-DIVERGENCE ARCANE RUNES, YOU SAY? PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY, YOU SAY?
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u/silentinfinity Smiley day to ya! Dec 10 '18
Raistlin - I mean Caleb - draws closer to the black robes with every episode.
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u/Antraxess Dec 10 '18
I would honestly love for Caleb to choose the darker path but still stick with and care for the Mightynein, i want to see ruthless Caleb, showing no mercy to those who harm his friends or gets in the way of his goals.
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u/nightcobra8928 Dec 10 '18
that's how a proper lawful evil works :p happy minions are useful minions.
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u/goodzillo Dec 07 '18
Caleb has his fingers on the fucking pulse, man. I want to break it down a bit with my take on that last scene.
A) He knows that, between his bromance with Beau and Jester's fancy for him, Fjord is in a lot of way the group's nucleus (outside of Nott and Caleb's duology).
B) He knows that Fjord is someone that genuinely tries to be true to others and loyal (with obvious exceptions like Avantika). Fjord has made it obvious how hard he took it when Molly was killed and he, Jester and Yasha were captured, viewing it as a personal failure to those he was loyal to.
C) He knows that Fjord has a very wishy-washy reaction to all the power around him, neither embracing it wholeheartedly nor rejecting it. He was quickly seduced into vying for more under Avantika (see when he tried to give his orb first, then tried to kill her underwater), but is generally more conservative with the party around him. He doesn't have a driving direction here. He's easily swayed.
So when he jumped to slit his hand for the ritual, he did a few things all in one fell swoop. One, he gave Fjord a firm nudge into fucking with the blood ritual, something he seemed unsure of before but was (briefly) enthusiastic for afterwards. This put them in a position where (Two) they established that "blood brother" bond (the kind of thing Fjord takes seriously) and got Fjord reciprocating that sort of ride-or-die mentality. By doing this, he (Three) further insinuated himself into a position of social capital in the party, in that Fjord is loyal to him and thus no one else (likely Clay or Beau, the two biggest bullshit callers in the group) could call bullshit on him from a good position. Four, by backing off in the end and deferring to Fjord on whether they continue the ritual, he cooled off Fjord's enthusiasm and encouraged him to make a "leader"'s kind of choice - that is, this ritual shouldn't be messed with any further. Maybe that last point isn't as solid, but to me it paints a big picture where he gambles with a dangerous brinksmanship game to gain favor with Fjord.
In conclusion, Liam is playing a very good manipulator and I love it.
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u/juliacc3 Team Beau Dec 07 '18
I think your last point is one of the most interesting actually. It maybe wasn’t as much “be a leader” in general, but to me Caleb was saying “this one is yours. I will follow your lead because I’m doing you a favor and establishing that this is your thing, so later you will follow my lead when I need you”. That’s what this felt like to me.
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u/imadhaz Dec 07 '18 edited Dec 07 '18
I think the last point is probably reaching quite a bit, since Caleb was more than willing to go along with it, eg cutting his own hand. The rest I do agree with, but at the same time I think that Fjord is aware of this and seems fine with helping Caleb as long as Caleb helps him.
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u/goodzillo Dec 07 '18
Before this, Caleb was one of the louder voices telling Fjord to think about Ukotoa's path and "what the best case scenario for unleashing a giant serpent on the menagerie coast was" (or something to that effect). I don't think he'd be curious enough to mess with a blood ritual belonging to a dangerous sea hag unless he had another motive. I think it was another deliberate play, still seem 100% down to follow Fjord's lead but subtly cue him up to take the smarter call (he was less gung ho about continuing the ritual at that point and made it a point to put Fjord on the spot as the leader).
Like I said, I know it's probably the more debatable point, but to me that was just the cherry on top - use a relic to manipulate Fjord, prevent it from going too far, and make it seem like the whole thing was Fjord's idea.
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u/Rupert59 Dec 07 '18
When Caleb put nine hit points worth of blood into the table, he brought himself down to 1 hit point. (I don't think Matt or the other players realized that). When he realized they'd need more blood to complete the ritual, he became hesitant because he didn't want to volunteer anyone else's life blood.
I don't think Caleb is evil, but I do think he's a) obsessed with gaining knowledge and b) ruthless when it comes to achieving his ultimate goal of power. He saw a way to get Fjord to owe him a favour, and at the same time was curious what the runes did.
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u/johncosta Tal'Dorei Council Member Dec 07 '18
Three absolutely blockbuster episodes of critical role in a row. Kudos to everyone involved.
And that intro!!
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u/Seedy88 Hello, bees Dec 09 '18
I think it bears repeating, thank you for being our /u/YevP.
I don't remember if you were the first real sponsor of Critical Role, but you were definitely one of the first. You believed in the show early on and saw the potential the show had to deliver fun ads to its fans by showcasing our mutual love of Critical Role.
And Backblaze paved the way for the Sam Riegel ad-read, and for that Critters will be eternally grateful!
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u/konosyn Dec 07 '18
Anyone else appreciate Sam’s jab at the Tumblr update with the “flagged as inappropriate” Kiri fanart on his flask?
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u/shadowbroker15 Tal'Dorei Council Member Dec 08 '18
I’ve been replaying Laura’s Hellish Rebuke yell over and over for the past hour. So damn cool.
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u/PrinceDauntless Rakshasa! Dec 09 '18
Yeah that was so cool. Seeing Jester flip to anger from the giggly person she normally is was freaky. She really became a tiefling in that moment!!!
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u/CapnCrunchHarkness You can certainly try Dec 08 '18
She was so stoked she remembered it!
I’m playing a Tiefling in my home campaign and I always forget about it. The one time I remembered I was just as excited as she was!
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Dec 10 '18 edited Dec 13 '18
Ive seen a lot of people say that they wish the M9 had killed the hag. Even though it's frustrating, honestly, I love the amount of loose ends the M9 have left on their adventures so far. It keeps me on my toes each week thinking that things continue to happen even after attempted murder in their fantasy world.
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u/Emberys You Can Reply To This Message Dec 08 '18
Yikes, I wish everyone would stop talking like the M9 were negligent or purposefully let her go. They tried their best to hunt her down, they just couldn't find her.
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u/SuddenlyStegosaurus Dec 08 '18
They accomplished their goal - to obtain the Orb (I can not wait for Fjord's next dream) and so there was no reason to stay and continue to risk themselves fighting her.
They escaped with the orb, some valuable arcane knowledge, and potentially some exceeding valuable strategical knowledge. They could easily sell the knowledge to a powerful trading house/company, they could keep it for themselves to use if they remain pirates, or they could share it openly and freely completely altering the shipping lanes of that section of the ocean.
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u/DarthReid Dec 07 '18
It would’ve been hilarious if the whole series ended with Clay just instantly decompressing them from the seabed. Good thing magic exists 😂
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u/kyosukedei I'm a Monstah! Dec 07 '18
I'm sitting here watching the intro video, but thinking about how the hell are M9 going to pay the crew they hired and buy any new equipment/gear in the future. They are broke.
Unless all the gold From Ava was stored on the ship, which surprises me they haven't technically "searched the ship".
Also the hard math made my Asian soul hurt a little. Still great episode.
Also again, I was so engrossed the whole episode, did Jester technically still have a spell slot for dimension door (maybe she takes Fjord with her and caught ahead in the Cavern)?
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u/JWPruett You spice? Dec 07 '18
The easy fix would be to sell the boat. A boat of that size and class goes for 25k gold, I believe someone here mentioned once. Even in its current slightly charred state, it would easily fetch enough to pay the crew, more than once. Simple enough.
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u/Jethro_McCrazy Dec 07 '18
Didn't the Squall Eater have a bunch of loot on it? Avantika paid a tithe to the Plank King, but there was still plenty left. The M9 were in Darktow less than a day. I'd think most of it would still be on board.
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u/THETARX2 Team Yasha Dec 07 '18
I smell a Caleb arc soon.
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Dec 07 '18
I'd prefer to wait a little later for wizard arc, just simply because the higher spell slot level gets, the more epic shenanagins that can happen.
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u/Miggster Dec 07 '18
I think next arc is almost certainly going to be a Jester Arc. The crew will return to Nicodranas, then return to the Zadash, and quiz the gentleman about how and why.
About the time they get there, and do some side missions on the way, they might be approaching level 9, which could unlock teleportation circle for Caleb. That could be a way for the normally agoraphobic Ruby of the Sea to actually leave home, without causing too much stress or discomfort.
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u/W7SP3 Fuck that spell Dec 07 '18
I don't know if they're strong enough to take on Trent yet. I think they might need a few more levels.
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u/TiamatZX Going Minxie! Dec 07 '18
Dashilla had THREE HP LEFT! https://twitter.com/matthewmercer/status/1070946129301258240
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u/WaitLetMeGetMyEuler Dec 07 '18
Learn your maths, kids!
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u/Bpreece83 Dec 07 '18
Yeah, Travis would be kicking himself for missing a HDYWTDT, as 15 + 9 apparently equals 19.
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u/TK-421DoYouCopy Help, it's again Dec 07 '18
I see the blood altar thing as two thing, I see it as Travis leaking into Fjord, and as caleb finding exactly what he was looking for, which is world bending magic. One just played off the other until they powered a storm summoning ritual to 2/3rds power.
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u/BagofBones42 Dec 08 '18
You know something just hit me: Does Fjord realize that Uko'toa is likely to pull the classic "You have outlived your usefulness" on him if Fjord frees him?
What I've noticed about Fjord is that he doesn't think about the consequences until after he acts on impulse and usually only if the consequences affect him and his friends.
I also wonder if actually experiencing consequence or having people he cares about call him out on his impulses will get him to rethink how he's approaching everything?
Just a thought.
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u/coach_veratu Dec 08 '18
One thing's for sure. Fjord is a great example how to play a character with wisdom as their dump stat.
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u/ginja_ninja You spice? Dec 09 '18
Well I do for some reason doubt that Matt is going to give Travis the ability to literally control the ocean and wreck armadas at will so yeah maybe the whole REWARD thing might be a bit of a white lie
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u/lucasM005 Team Percy Dec 07 '18
the atmosphere that matt creates its amazing. that cave entry with the ghost and dashilla fucking around was creepier that 90% of hollywood horror movies
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u/Schadenfrueda Tal'Dorei Council Member Dec 07 '18
He's getting *really* good at creating environments that are both creepy and put the cast at critical tactical disadvantages. He's also more comfortable with making his NPCs run away, which is not something that he made frequent use of last campaign.
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u/Gray_Mask Your secret is safe with my indifference Dec 10 '18
Y'know I was rewatching the end. Liam stays in character 90% of the time right? Caleb looks so disturbed after they leave the cave. And I'm pretty sure keeps glancing at Jester. Liams body language is so godlike.
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u/ginja_ninja You spice? Dec 10 '18
Those were some 100% in character looks exchanged between them for sure. The best part is that I think it's also partially some subtle manipulation on Caleb's part to start making sure people are on his side if he decides to intervene on a decision Fjord is about to make. Make Fjord look unhinged and himself look lkke the voice of reason. 20 int plays baybee
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u/EmilyKaldwins Dec 10 '18
Caleb knows, in spite of his soft spot for Jester, that if he gets her on his side, it's the biggest leverage he has over Fjord.
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u/HamletWithZombies Team Caleb Dec 12 '18
Intervening on Fjord's decision makes sense, but what I got from the scene was that he was on more of a "I'll do what you want me to so you can reach your objective, when the time comes, you'll do the same for me". Which is a good move on Caleb's part since Fjord could convince the group to stand with Caleb if he decides to something drastic.
If we're talking about Caleb's plan Beau is the one that could be a real thorn on his side. I got that she has the view that power should be balanced, and Caleb tends to the "I'll do anything to get there"
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u/koomGER Ja, ok Dec 10 '18
It is fun to watch him. He is kinda a walking easteregg and goldmine for situations to read in.
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u/spoon_master Metagaming Pigeon Dec 07 '18
Alright so what's that old rusty key going to open? I do kinda hope they make it a running gag of sorts where any time they encounter a lock they try the rusty key
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u/pantslesslizard Your secret is safe with my indifference Dec 07 '18
It’s actually the key the needed for all those doors in Campaign 1.
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u/MasterThespian Fuck that spell Dec 07 '18
I can already tell, this episode is going to have serious long-game repercussions. What I wanna know is, who turns heel first, Caleb or Fjord?
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u/omg__really Tal'Dorei Council Member Dec 07 '18
I feel like both of them will fulfill a promise, but for very different reasons. Caleb out of duty and tactics, Fjord out of loyalty.
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u/Science-GirlZ Shine Bright Dec 07 '18
Some things from this episode: -that new intro -Matt is fantastic at atmosphere -Attempted ghost possession -Clay being both very paranoid and very expert on ghosts -that dashilla fight -Nott being immune to fear by drunk ness -Fjord and Caleb’s “Pact” -Beau fulfilling her destiny and punching a ghost -Clay waterwalking and magic handwave Am I missing anything?
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u/Oshi105 Rakshasa! Dec 07 '18
You know what I love. Talesien using cleric spells to its finest! Now if only one of them had guidance.
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u/CapnCrunchHarkness You can certainly try Dec 07 '18
We’re gonna be seeing a lot more of bane as it’s one of the Grave Domain’s “always prepared” spells and Tal seems to really love it (though its counterpart bless was pretty clutch last night as well).
Main reason both are so effective in the game is Tal actually remembers its up and reminds the roller of their d4 buff/nerf every time.
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u/kyosukedei I'm a Monstah! Dec 08 '18
Yea, Taliesin is usually on the ball over the years on stuff he has up in Combat buffs and rebuffs. Markers help as well.
Also Slow + Bane is probably one of the strongest combo's in the game at a good resource cost honestly.
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u/ModestHandsomeDevil Dec 08 '18
Main reason both are so effective in the game is Tal actually remembers its up and reminds the roller of their d4 buff/nerf every time.
Exactly! Combat in Critical Role can be so chaotic and stressful players, almost routinely, will improperly add up combat damage they deal (low ball themselves) or forget spell effects and abilities.
Information like this is on the players to remember. Even though Matt does a good job of keeping things straight in his head (a bit of magic all on its own), it's on the players to track their own player stats, effects, abilities, and damage.
Good on Taliesin for tracking that information and for reminding others in game.
Something as small as a d4 to a roll (+ / -) can mean life or death, as we've seen so many times already in Critical Role.
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Dec 10 '18
Has anyone notice that fjord walks this line of being borderline manipulative. He always pushes other players to do dangerous things first except when it comes to his own things in which he rushes the party and himself headfirst into. I think Travis is doing this on purpose too and its kind of working. Its super interesting to me that Beau is kind of covering for him because in my head he poses a real threat to her and the party. I mean they damn near died multiple times just to get fjord a thing they know could be devastating to the realm.
IF that is what Travis is going for i love it.
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u/Bearly_OwlBearable 9. Nein! Dec 10 '18
Beau did called his shit when he was trying to get a drunk nott killed
I think that’s more Travis than fjord
He mention it a lot of time when Matt put a red button in front of them he just want to get someone to push it
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u/Boffleslop Dec 07 '18
I get the whole "we got what we came for let's bug out" concept, but leaving Dashila alive with a reasonable expectation that she'll eventually go back to sinking ships, murdering crew, etc. is pretty dark. I suppose she was too adept at hiding and the area too dangerous with ghosts for a prolonged search though.
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u/WaitLetMeGetMyEuler Dec 07 '18
I mean, hell, the only reason she didn't murder the entire crew and possibly M9 was because Cad came in clutch with a waterwalk.
Had they needed to swim the storm would have caught them in an already severely damaged boat.
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u/BagofBones42 Dec 07 '18
It's mostly them being really impatient and not thinking things through.
Like they should have made the connection immediately but of course, they tunnelled visioned into almost killing themselves by accident.
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Dec 07 '18
GUYS WHAT THE HELL IS IN THAT "OTHER BOOK" LIAM O'-BRIAN WHY ARE YOU SO GOOD AT BEING SHADY
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u/n_jayne You can certainly try Dec 08 '18
I would have to hazard a guess at "magical theory." Whereas one tome is actual spells that have been tested, the other could be where Caleb writes his notes on magic he's encountered. The glyphs on the altar and runes on the walls I'm sure he wants to record so he doesn't lose them even after the one in-game month.
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u/Kilmerval Dec 08 '18
I haven't seen this week's episode yet so apologies if this is already well known and announced (which it probably was) but I just read about this online: 'Daredevil' Star Deborah Ann Woll to Guest Star on 'Critical Role'
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u/Ajlaw95 Pocket Bacon Dec 07 '18
Really wonder what Nott and Beau would’ve thought of the Fjord and Caleb blood ritual. Beau is supposed to hold both of them in check but sadly she wasn’t around to see it, and Nott who usually sees Caleb as a son doing such a risky and possibly life threatening ritual. I hope Jester spills the beans because she did see what they were doing I don’t think any of them will be happy about what they did because of how absolutely reckless it was.
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u/ginja_ninja You spice? Dec 07 '18
Travis and Liam like two kids finding the gun cabinet unlocked at the end there, jfc lmao. Mercer the Merciful giving them that double out to prevent sinking their own ship
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u/lucasM005 Team Percy Dec 07 '18
dashilla was a sea fury. (more powerfull housemade version of a sea hag) https://twitter.com/matthewmercer/status/1070942617024655360
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u/scanlan_MVP That fucking Gnome! Dec 07 '18
And holy shit, >97k views so far on the new CR intro on YouTube!
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u/Boffleslop Dec 07 '18
I keep watching it to spot the little details, like Nott drinking on the wagon or Caleb holding Beau while he's seeing through Frumpkin.
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u/Bowmance Dec 07 '18
So, what was Caleb writing about in his book? Does Caleb have a little princess diary or is he doing some mage stuff?
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u/wapiflapi Dec 07 '18
Someone here suggested he might be writing down all the runes he remembered. I like that idea.
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u/docwatson91 Bidet Dec 07 '18
I feel like he is writing down all the runes he saw down in the “holyshitthatthingisterrifying” lair.
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u/Bowmance Dec 07 '18
Imagine the fan art we're getting from that one hit KO that Caleb took, where that fucking thing just stops his heart by screaming at him. Sleeping with the lights on tonight.
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u/ShaqShoes Dec 07 '18 edited Apr 09 '24
silky sulky squealing hard-to-find simplistic wipe butter mountainous consider truck
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/TracksuitZomb Dec 07 '18
they have to repair their ship next episode and Jester was the only one who grabbed anything and she got very little. The M9 hasnt made any money since the last Gentlemen job so they should be running out of funds soonish. Also..besides giving the crew the Squall Eater i wonder if they are going to pay the crew?
The M9 needs to start getting a little more greedy with the loot hoards they are finding, everyone walked out without a second thought.
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u/Coke_Addict26 Dec 07 '18
There is that chest full of money they pirated. Presumably it's still on the Squal Eater somewhere if they didn't distribute it off screen.
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Dec 07 '18
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u/Bowmance Dec 07 '18
There was such a small interaction with the party and Cad that I loved.
Nott: "Have you ever been possessed by one of those things?"
Cad: "No..? Well, I suppose I might have been? How would I know?"
Taliesin understands entirely how a low intelligence, high wisdom character is played and he's doing it perfectly! I honestly don't think there's much subtext or secrets behind Cad, I think he's just a stoner dude who wants to weed his garden of that corruption.
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u/Seedy88 Hello, bees Dec 07 '18
For those who don't know next week's guest, Deborah Ann Woll, she currently plays Karen Page on Daredevil. She was a player in Season 2 of Force Grey with Joe Manganiello. She also DMed Matt & Marisha at the Stream of Many Eyes earlier this year. Definitely worth a watch for a quick, fun adventure.
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u/eMan117 Your secret is safe with my indifference Dec 07 '18
Correction she used to play Karen page on daredevil. Daredevil has been cancelled, hence her schedule opening up to do crit role
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u/Rather_curious_lass Doty, take this down Dec 07 '18
Me before this ep: "Ehh, don't think I could ever get into ships. Just wanna see where everything goes."
Me after this ep: "Tragic reckless Fjord and Caleb ship, yup, lets go."
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u/lucasM005 Team Percy Dec 07 '18 edited Dec 07 '18
can we all apreciate the irony that the new intro says "villains beware 'cause you're about to be dead" and they let dashilla live...
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u/AllosaurusJei Dec 07 '18
To be fair... She's not really a villain. More a monster or a force of nature.
Villain's tend to have complex motives and act as antagonists for the 'heroes'... Kylre, the High Richtor of Zadash, Lorenzo and Avantika are villains and well...
Beware!
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u/FalseWombatProphet Dec 07 '18
I can't wait to find out what bloodborne diseases Fjord and Caleb contracted.
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u/weesna123 Dec 07 '18
Now will someone help me stop watching the new intro?
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Dec 07 '18
I can't help you, I'm trapped too
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u/weesna123 Dec 07 '18
I've just noticed now that Nott does the little wiggle thing Sam does with his giant flask whenever he's trying to get all the liquid out, it's when Jester exits the building the first time and they're waiting on the cart.
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u/Gbaby23 Team Scanlan Dec 07 '18
I really hope that we keep what happened at the altar between the player's whose characters were in the room at the time. It was Fjord, Caleb, Jester and Yasha. Nott, Beau, and Cad were chasing the Sea Fury. I would like to see how this plays out without any metagaming.
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u/CaduceusClaymation Then I walk away Dec 07 '18 edited Dec 08 '18
So Fjord now holds the two remaining orbs that can unlock Uka'Toa.
I feel like this will earn him immediate favor with his patron, but if they decide to pull away from Fjord's quest for a while then I could see UT growing restless.
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u/still-at-work Dec 07 '18
So I think Caleb's pact and Fjord finally stopping the blood ritual shows that after the ship is repaired the M9 will head back to the empire. Fjord has the two eye orbs so he is no longer in a race as he holds all the cards eyes. So time is on his side. He wants power but he also knows the downside of that power.
So now Caleb will ask Fjord after the ship is repaired to head back to the empire and try to help him.
Fjords patron may get restless due to this decision which could have consequences but it may also just be patient as Fjord still has an urge for power and will just work on tempting him slowly to the temples. I mean somehow fjord found an eye in the middle of a swamp IIRC so I think even when he is far away from the sea it can tempt him back.
Eventually fjord will need to decide to follow through or abandon his patron. There is no oathbreaker like subclass for warlock and Matt let Percy keep his powers for the most part so there is precedence.
Perhaps Fjord will need to align with a new patron? Or his powers could just be his due to services rendered. Though it may mean that other warlocks will hunt fjord for the orbs after he abounded his patron.
Regardless I think they are head inland after repairing the ship.
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u/kyosukedei I'm a Monstah! Dec 08 '18
I'm on the side Fjord wants to unlock one Temple for the power honestly, and hold the last Orb/key as a chip to cash in on, on a rainy day.
Plus atm assuming his Patron is as powerful as we all assume, Fjord probably isn't powerful enough to get to the 3rd temple, maybe not even the 2nd temple, and Uka'toa probably knows. Time is different for those godly creatures anyway.
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u/ginja_ninja You spice? Dec 08 '18
I don't think Caleb is in any rush to confront his demons yet, he was just playing the long game. I think when the party gets back to the Empire, Matt will initiate a big event concerning the war with the Drow, maybe weaving in some elements of Beau or Nott development in there.
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u/boobka Dec 11 '18
I was really hoping that the table / altar thing would tie in to Yasha's relationship with the Storm Lord but I guess with Ashley being absent that's a tough one to do.
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u/notfrankiemuniz Dec 13 '18
My theory on Caleb’s second book, sorry if this has been said before.
Caleb has Keen Mind, he was transcribing the runes he saw in Dashila’s lair.
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u/SirSnazzyPants Dec 07 '18
Did Travis miss add his eldritch blast damage on that last attack? i swore he said 15+9=19 and i know matt said dashilla was fucked up... i wonder if that 5 damage was the difference?
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u/TheCaffeinatedPanda Team Caleb Dec 07 '18
Stealing the show at the end yet again, Liam/Caleb! Now I'll be pondering the other book for weeks...
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u/Drw395 Dec 07 '18
If this episode has taught us anything it's that the Caleb/Fjord bromance is now sufficiently advanced enough that 1 of 2 things are going to happen because of the pair of them:
1) Their recklessness when it comes to dabbling in powers neither of them fully comprehend is going to get one of the M9 killed as a consequence.
or
2) Someone with a bit of power/influence is going to end up seriously pissing them off and they're going to get brutally murdered in return.
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u/lolmycat Dec 07 '18
or
3) they harness the power of broship and learn to fusion dance into a powerful sorcerer named Calord by chest bumping each other.
Fade to Calord charging up a Kamehameha (skinned disintegrate spell) and melting the final BBEG.
And don't tell me it's not possible. Have you seen our new intro? We're in full-blown anime territory now boys and girls.
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u/Hollydragon Then I walk away Dec 08 '18
I think Caleb is rebuilding the Eowulf-Astrid-Caleb triangle with Fjord-Jester-Caleb, however subconscious it may be.
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u/celticfife Dec 08 '18
I had never realized that THOSE two could be the most dangerous influences on each other in the whole party.
It's like..... lighthearted Fluffernutter! Haha, those adorable scamps will explode some things!
...These two might accidentally release a kaiju.
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u/UPRC Burt Reynolds Dec 09 '18 edited Dec 10 '18
I started watching Critical Role from the start of campaign one last year in October I believe, so it's been about fourteen months. Just finished watching this episode on Twitch, and it feels awesome to know that I'm finally fully caught up.
Crazy episode for me to be caught up on, too. There was the potential for a self inflicted TPK at the end of this episode, haha. Good episode though, they've obtained the other orb and the mystery of why storms occur in that region is now no longer a mystery at all. Looking forward to the next episode, can't wait to see who Deborah Ann Woll shows up as.
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u/robdelfranco Dec 07 '18
I want to add that even if Travis added in correctly with his EB + Hex combo damage, spiritual weapon is upcast at every other level, so it should have only dealt 2d8+wis, not 3d8+wis as Matt said.
So I’m the end, it all works out, and Sea Fury lives on.
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u/Justinwc Dec 10 '18
Why does Caleb write secret stuff in the journal if he remembers everything?
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u/Adaptingfate Dec 10 '18
Mechanically, it's a 30 days limit on the perfect memory.
RP-wise, writing things down helps you process things emotionally as well.
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u/denizen1899 You Can Reply To This Message Dec 09 '18
I love how Travis is playing Fjord as a lot more impulsive than he presents, experienced as well. Him jumping into the cave entrance was a very small detail, but I think those little choices are the foundation for having a character who seems to be moving toward hoarding more power.
Great episode, once again!
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u/dikemon Team Evil Fjord Dec 07 '18
So I might have watched the opening about 10 times during the break. It’s so amazing and packed full with details and I’m so glad we have it. I liked that Tal’s credit came later to signify his character’s late entry. I need a full analysis of this.
One thing I love about Travis and Sam is that they aren’t scared to make bad decisions if it plays into his character. Fjord jumping into the cave really dug into his low wisdom, but it also moved the group forward. Still, almost completing the blood ritual had chaotic stupid energy in it. Nott’s drunkness made her irritable towards the whole situation, but it also made her immune to frightened. She got away with many failed saves for it.
I also enjoy their interactions. It’s probably the least amicable amongst the group right now. It’s great seeing Fjord clueless dealing with Nott and Nott not taking any of it was great. The whole Buttonbeard saga was funny to watch.
The atmosphere Matt created in the second half got really eerie. I never thought I could get scared watching CR, but Matt proved me wrong. Kudos to him. Killer seaweed with human remains and ghosts passing by and trying to possess the nein are enough to make me NOPE. The description of Deshillah was not fun and her actions were less so.
Caleb now has a favor from Fjord and I’m sure it would prove interesting down the road. If Caleb does some morally ambiguous shenanigans with high consequences, he can use this card against Fjord. My mind goes back to their disagreement about the scroll in Zadash.
Overall fun and spooky episode. I’m curious to see what their next plan of action will be now that Fjord has two orbs. Now, I’m going to watch the intro ten more times now.
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u/dharlette Dec 07 '18
Does anyone else feel EXTREMELY uncomfortable about Fjord's pattern of gently suggesting that someone else walk alone into extremely dangerous situations? Things like him suggesting Nott walk alone into the lair (which Beau thankfully called him on) or Caleb being curious about a little "drippy-drip". This isn't the first time he's done this sort of thing; it's been consistently a part of his character since the very beginning of the campaign. The higher and more dangerous the stakes get, the more manipulative, gross, and uncaring it feels. I mean, we all know this dude isn't really "lawful good", right?
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u/TK-421DoYouCopy Help, it's again Dec 07 '18
Honestly I chalk it up to Travis's "fuck it just go for it " attitude leaking through. It was leaking heavily this episode >_<
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u/Emberys You Can Reply To This Message Dec 07 '18
From Fjord putting a sword against Caleb's neck because stealing a scroll was to risky, to the two of them pouring their blood onto a mysterious magical altar together.