#CR2E71

[justalittlebluetiefling]

Essek Thelyss & The Mighty Nein

I have not cared for anyone but myself for the century that I've been alive.

[revvethasmythh]

few things entertain me more than Laura's face when Nott is contemplating staying with her family instead of sticking with the Nein

HEADS are about to roll

[essek-hotboi-thelyss]

Fun fact: the spell Essek cast is probably Teleport, which is a 7th level spell. That means Essek is at least a 13th level Wizard (although he’s probably even higher considering his high ranking position in the Dynasty).

Another fun fact about Teleport: if Essek has actually seen the volcano, there was a 33% chance of mishap, but if he was only going on description, there was a 43% chance of mishap. Mishaps cause 3d10 force damage and a reroll, and yes, it is possible to cause another mishap. That means it would’ve been entirely possible (though not likely) for Essek to have accidentally TPK’d the Might Nein instead of actually Teleporting them, and I think that’s very spicy of him.

[lavender--cake]

episode 71 was so pure and wholesome you guys

also pride version

[joalenko]

beach day + matching sunhats 🍭👗🌊 (comm info & ko-fi links in bio!)

[fjord-mustang]

Dammmn Mark, you really worked hard on Calianna's packages and letters, it's impressive!

On another hand though, does anyone know the full contents of the letters?

[lordzenos]

calianna’s letter to caleb

(spoilers for episode 71)

Dear Mister Caleb, 

I wanted to write something for you because I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to you when I left this swamp. I wanted to say thank you for helping me, for trying to reassure me, and be nice to me as we travelled. You also taught me a lot.

I’m sorry you and Miss Beau had to fight because of me. I hope things are okay now? It's so strange to me... I was obviously grateful that she trusted me and stuck up for me, but I also know why you had to be sure, and why you didn’t trust me. In a way, it felt kind of good to have to prove my intentions to you, it made me realise how important this task is to me. Even though it is hard, even though it is dangerous, telling you what I intended to do reaffirmed it in myself.

I had been hurt and betrayed by a lot of people, Mister Caleb. I’m not very good with reading people. I’m not used to being lied to. I think I’ve learned a little from you, and will be more careful in the future.

The last thing I want to say: on our journey, you kept saying how you and the Mighty Nein were assholes, were not good people. I don’t know much, Mister Caleb, but I know that is not true at all.

My blood, the way I look, make people hate me. They fear me, they try to kill me, call me a monster, a freak. Even the people I try and help sometimes turn on me when they see me for what I am, but when I met you, and Jester, and the Nein, you didn't do that.

You helped me, you made me laugh. You apologised and assured me. You were kind to me. You're not assholes. Mister Caleb, you're strange and a bit weird, you protect the people you care about. I'd give a thousand treasures to have people like that in my life. 

My friend Magda tells me that every time I say something bad about myself, I am putting iron weights in my pockets: sooner or later, you'll drag yourself down and not be able to get up.

Be kind to yourself, Mister Caleb. I don’t want your pockets to get too heavy.

Thank you. Calianna

[jmercedesd]

I paused ep71 just as Dairon is asking for one of their symbols of Bright Queen favor and caught Taliesin's expression at Marisha. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen someone trying SO HARD to telepathically blare warning sirens into someone’s head. XD

EDIT: Seriously, his expressions during that entire scene are GOLD. Start at 29:01. XD

[bellowsthebard]

Fjord didn't wake Jester up because, while she would have been proud of him throwing his sword in the lava, the "I stabbed myself in the chest to bluff my betrayer God suger daddy into giving me my powers back" would not have played so we'll.

[albino-boa-constrictor]

My attempt at Beau in a dress YALL THIS WHOLE EPISODE HEALED ME THANK YOU MATT

[epicureanstyle]

Hottub Mentor Conversations w/ Your Best Friend Third-Wheeling

[justalittlebluetiefling]

So, Essek uses Teleport when he takes them places, which means he’s at least level 13. *Campaign one spoilers following this* I think I remember him saying Gilmore was around level 15 when he went to fight Thordak with Vox Machina, so I think that’s likely the same for Essek, but I want to see him cast more spells so that we can have a more accurate guess.

[thequeenofmyownscreen]

Ten things I noted about CR2E71 “Family Gathering” (no real Talks Machina about it and I don't watch live Q&As) :

The master debate is here ! Baby Bailey-Willingham is asking the though questions, and is the best thing ever.

I love how Dairon pops in and out of the Mighty Nein, in a span of like weeks, and two times now she has received a fuckton of information dumped on them by a very agitated Beau, in a Charlie Day kind of way.

Oh interesting, Beau is basically asking Dairon to let her be a free agent, with the Mighty Nein.

Beau, like a very good spy, trusts Dairon enough to tell her almost all and feed her precious info, while at the same time keeping the very important fact that the Might Nein basically managed to reverse the attacks on Bladegarden and Kryn people... As a fan of spy shows (The Americans was the best goddamn show of these past 5 years), I'm impressed with her intelligence. And this small oversight is also rooted in the sense that yes, their action saved the Dynasty and gave them trust of the Bright Queen, but in return provoked death in Empire ranks, and had others ramifications...

Jester, about maids : "Be nice ! They are people that are at the house that are helping !" Nott, dismissively : "Yeah, ok, we learn their names or whatever..." Marisha : "Your Scanlan is showing." Sam : "My Sam Riegel is showing !"

Beau and Marion are discussing how Jester was saved by the Mighty Nein numerous times and is saving the Mighty Nein numerous times. Marion : "It's a cycle that some would call...I don't know, friendship ?" Beau : "Oh ! I was going to say unhealthy... Yeah ok." (Deeply funny but also deeply revealing of how Beau works)

I was worried that Nott had no reason to stay with the Nein, but it's silly, she still wants what she wants since the beginning, more so now that she has her family back and safe. This make Caleb's mission to find a spell for her that much more heartbreaking : she wants it, he wants her to be happy, he is interesting in knowledge... and she will probably quit the Mighty Nein after.

These dumbasses nearly died because of teleportation gone wrong. What a group

[mapleandgingeroatmeal]

CR2E71- Family Gatherings

Skipping 70 just to not get too behind where I’m listening, but it was very good and maybe I’ll come back to it some time. But for now, here comes 71!

DAIRON. The more I see of this character the more I like. Matt’s started to give them the more interesting personality stuff that comes with a return npc. The idea that Beau picked up so much of her abrasiveness from them is so sweet to me! That moment when they just. Stole Jesters snacks out of her hand sent me. It was so bizzare and unexpected.

Also I am LIVING for the gender fluid rep. I hope people continue to switch up the pronouns that they use.

Poor Yussa, the m9 has no manners. I can’t believe they managed to avoid admitting to working w the Bright Queen. I wonder what the inevitable fallout of that will be. I hope it’s not too bad, I love this character!

Everything with Nott and her family is so sweet. The awkward tension that still kinda exists between her and Yeza is heartbreaking. As much as he must try for her, I’m sure there IS a lot of internalized prejudice and also trauma associated with looking at Nott as a goblin. I mean, Yeza’s wife looks like the beings that tortured him and that he’s been conditioned to see as barbaric monsters his whole life! You don’t just get over that in an instant, and I totally get why she isn’t showing Luc anything.

Also: where is the fic about the journey to nicodranas with Luc and Shekasta and Edith. I want to hear that story v badly. Am I gonna have to write that one? Maybe I’ll write that.

This ep is Big Widowbrave Hours. The HEARTBREAKING bittersweet look on Caleb’s face as Nott gets her family back, the one thing Caleb can’t have and doesn’t think he deserves. The convo where Nott is finally upfront about her original intentions and hopes. The devotion Caleb has to getting her what she needs some day, the honest objective way he presents her options to her even if it means she leaves him. THE FLOWERS TUCKED BEHIND HER EAR JSDGIUDEWKJCKBC. I’m love them.

Everything about Calianna’s letter and package was so sweet? I don’t remember his name but that was a great guest. I think there was a photo of him cosplaying his character that happened recently? It’s obvious he loved the show so much. And the letter to Caleb was just. So well done? I wish we could get more of that character, she seriously has such a fascinating story.

[joalenko]

that’s love, baby! 👗 (comm info & ko-fi in bio!)

[fjord-mustang]

"Vax couldn't make it through the first campaign, and neither will you Liam."

Being poured gasoline and set on fire would hurt less Sam, Jesus.