#I NEED TO KNOW TALIESIN! PLEASE GIVE THIS TO ME

[fantastic-nonsense]

Taliesin Jaffe I am on my knees please write a book about the De Rolo family

[utilitycaster]

okay watched Cloak and Dagger and here are my thoughts in brief

I don't think showing Ripley's backstory is bad. Part of why Ripley is an interesting character to me in a way that, to use my favorite punching bag, Otohan, is not, is because we had hints of what made her this way - fleeing the Empire; a list of names on Animus that included Bertrand Dwendal. Part of why I mock Otohan relentlessly is because she is a one-dimension villain, and Ripley never was that, which is why she's an interesting villain. Tragic backstory, in my opinion, enhances one's villainy, rather than reduces it: what sort of monster suffers and decides to do the same to others, rather than is driven to work to improve the lot of others? That's essentially why Caleb is in the end a heroic character and Ludinus is the culminating BBEG more so than Predathos.

Glintshore is one of my favorite battles of Campaign 1 and it also would not, in my opinion, translate well to animation. There was a great line in the Midst Messages from Xen in reference to Moonward about how in most rules-heavy TTRPGs, when you enter a big battle, time stretches out significantly, but in a systemless game like Moonward, it goes very quickly, which gives it a very different vibe and makes players make very different decisions. The emotional weight derives largely from how the party enters combat already heavily drained and never regains their footing, and how the cast is well aware and the sense of dread (and belief that Percy might be permanently dead and Taliesin will have to roll up a new character) sets in long before the battle ends. [long tangent about good parasocial vs bad parasocial in actual play put off until I have time to actually read Watch Us Roll, but this is Good Parasocial]. It's actually an interesting test of the challenge we face for the finale of the series: you are not going to get as efficient an emotional punch as Sam saying "Nine" in a show that doesn't have a concept of spell levels. I had struggled with how one might recreate the Glintshore battle and the answer is "you don't".

Ripley's speech was great no notes, love her being fucking awful and consumed with vengeance to the end. I think just as the theme of "your resentment will destroy you" is an enduring one throughout Critical Role, so is "every mortal is in theory someone who could change and become better, but if you shoot the hand that's trying to help you, well, get rekt lol"

The music over Percy's death is corny as hell. However, I am already on the record as someone who mutes It's Thursday Night for being corny as hell and who pokes fun at Matt's more purple prose and I seem to have stuck around regardless. I have made my peace with the fact that a good chunk of the cast spent their formative years just absolutely immersed in anime, and given the Extreme Anime Vibes of Percy in TLOVM I can't say I love it, but I also can't say it's not sort of fitting. Please do cut that scene with different music though, because it would be funny as shit.

I need to watch episodes 8 and 9 (going to now!) but much as I love the glintshore fight, you know what I love more? Episode 1x69 (nice). Real Tragedy Enjoyers know the proof is in the aftermath. If 8 and 9 also suck then I'll be back here in like an hour but if they're good then it's whatever.

Grog is always on some level experiencing a Sitcom B Plot and if you ever find yourself disliking a TLOVM episode, remember you're watching a sitcom where Grog is dealing with a Bird that is Very Here (metaphorical).

[isamajor]

June of Doom : day 26 to 30

I'm really late for the end of @juneofdoom (so many IRL impediments "^^). So, here are the last batch of whump drabbles for June of Doom ! :D

26 . “Don’t lie to me.”

Taliesin stumbled backward, gasping for air as Nebarra's gloved hands tightened around his throat. His rage was palpable, his eyes were blazing through the narrow slits of his helmet.

"Don't lie to me!", Nebarra growled, his voice raw with fury.

Taliesin struggled, his hands clawing at the moonstone grip that cut off his breath. He tried to speak, but only strangled sounds escaped his lips. Nebarra's armor-clad body pinned Taliesin against the cold stone wall, threatening to crush his windpipe.

With a desperate effort, Taliesin managed to gasp "I'm... not...", before his legs gave out. (100)

•

27 . “Or what?” 

Kaidan hung from the damp wall of the abandoned prison, wrists chafed raw by the iron shackles.

"Tell us what you know.", the Justiciar demanded, sparks crackling at the tips of his gloved fingers.

Kaidan's eyes moved from the Thalmor's hands to his face. His gaze hardened with hatred and disgust. Despite the pain that ran through his body, despite his streaked and bloody back, he did not want to give them the pleasure of capitulating.

"Or what?" Kaidan spat, his voice hoarse. "You'll kill me? Do your worst."

Cyrelian's smile widened. "Oh, we will. But you'll talk first." (104)

•

28 . “Say something.”

Lucifer's eyes were vacant, his hands moving mechanically as he placed stones in the construction of the Temple of Miraak on Solstheim. His usual character was replaced by a hollow shell, enthralled by the voice of the First Dragonborn. The group watched in horror, their hearts aching as they saw Lucifer become a mindless worker. Xelzaz rushed forward, grabbing Lucifer's arm, trying to break through the trance. "Lucifer, say something!", he pleaded, concerned. "Please, snap out of it!"

The Argonian continued his work, but from his lips only comes out "...hands once were idle, now through them do I speak..." (102)

•

29 . “I’m so cold.”

Lucien's fever raged, his skin burning hot to the touch even as he shivered uncontrollably. Kaidan had managed to set up a makeshift camp in a cave, to try to bring his temperature down. The others undressed him, dabbing his burning skin with cold water, but Lucien's delirium made him fight against their efforts.

"No, no!" Lucien mumbled, his voice weak but frantic. "I'm so cold... please... so cold..."

Inigo's heart clenched as he held Lucien's shoulders, trying to keep him still. "Lucien, you're burning up. We need to cool you down, or the fever will kill you." (104)

•

30 . “Breathe, damn you!”

The Dragonborn's body lay still on the icy shore, washed up by the waves after they had fallen from the cliff above. Their skin was pale and bluish, all the heat having left their body after having stayed in the freezing sea. Spotting their leader, the group sprinted towards him, their hearts pounding with fear. The Dragonborn was unresponsive, their chest still, no longer breathing.

"Breathe, damn you!", shouted Kaidan, shaking them. Taliesin tore off his gloves, unceremoniously pushed Kaidan away and began performing chest compressions. The chance of saving them was slim, the thermal shock in the icy water may have been fatal. (105)

~~~~~~~~

I hope you liked all these drabble and all these tortured blorbos :D

You can find all my whump drabbles for the Skyrim Custom-voiced Follower here.

And if you want I expand one of all my drabbles into a longer fic, let me know !

[tangent101]

Orym and Laudna

Recently I've been rather critical of Orym (or hinting that Imogen might be less-than-pleased that Orym didn't stop Laudna). But after seeing a couple tagged comments... well, there's something that should be addressed. Orym did not use Laudna in seeking vengeance against Bor'dor. He just let her know he would not stop her in killing the broken young man.

First and foremost, this is an action that Marisha Ray chose to take for Laudna. And her hating this action was not in hating what she was having Laudna do. It was that she was about to kill a good friend's character in an act of vengeance.

The moment that Laudna cast Hunger of the Shadows, the connection to Delilah was reawoken. And it made sense for Laudna to do this, to lash out at betrayal. She did it to FCG when our silly little robot-man went nuts and lashed out at everyone. And she did it to Bor'dor with his screaming at the Hells for their actions. Each time it was a loss of control, of slipping into Delilah's grasp. It was a deeply traumatizing moment for her.

It was also a moment very much out of Orym's control. Orym had done what he always does in these moments... he put himself between a threat and a friend who was in danger. What's more, he gave a potion to Prism and possibly saved her life.

Prism was the next to attack Bor'dor, of her own free will and volition. Emily didn't realize that her attack would result in two failed death saves - in fact, she was shocked to learn that. But with Bor'dor's spell still burning her flesh, it made a lot of sense for her to attack his unconscious form.

Everything after that was people giving Laudna her choice. It was letting her have some semblance of autonomy. And ultimately? She chose a spell that created new life and beauty out of old. Wither and Bloom. In a way, it was a denial of Delilah, of crafting new life instead of just using Hunger of the Shadows again to further feed Delilah.

Orym chose to not act. But this was not an act of murder-by-proxy. He chose to let Laudna know that he approved of her. He would not take her autonomy away. He would not shame her actions. He accepted her, he loved her as the strange spooky older sister she was and always would be.

If Laudna had ultimately chosen not to kill Bor'dor, I think Orym would have accepted that. The damaged young man would end up bound and gagged and likely brought to Jrusar to face justice... and who knows.

I've been doing a lot of talking about Laudna here, and there's a reason for that. Laudna was hurt deeply by Bor'dor's betrayal. But what of Orym?

One thing that stands out was something Marisha said, that Liam and her had theories and were partly right. They suspected that Bor'dor was not a simple sheepherder. But this was them as players guessing, while Aimee used her own suspicions and built upon it in-character over a couple of games. (Delightfully, Taliesin, who played the suspicious one of the crew, never suspected a thing. I love that!)

Neither Laudna nor Orym had guessed at Bor'dor's perfidy. Both of them were open and accepting. Orym just sat ten feet away, listening and seeing where this was going to go. Laudna made and gave him tea to help him calm down. Ashton offered him booze for his nerves. And you know something?

If Bor'dor had said "I was a member of the Ruby Vanguard, I believed in Ludinus because of what happened to me in the past... but you are not the monsters I envisioned you of being. I cannot fight you" then I see those three accepting him and letting him go his own way. It was because of this act of spitting on their friendship and hospitality with an actual attack that left one of their new friends unconscious that had them fighting Bor'dor.

One other thing that comes to mind is this: Ashton struck Bor'dor twice. He weakened the half-elf to the point that Laudna's spell left him unconscious. But afterward he pulled Prism away and Taliesin said Prism doesn't need to see this. In short, Ashton chose to let Laudna choose what she would do. This is despite the mourning veil starting to form, the purple from Delilah's influence visible in her eyes.

Orym's inaction is not having Laudna murder the treacherous young man by proxy. It is his letting Laudna know that he will not try to control her, he will not try to guilt her or shame her, he will accept whatever she does. He will be there for Laudna. And afterward he took his personal feelings and views of these being damaged people who deserve a chance, folded them up carefully, and then put them away because even when shown friendship and love, even when given acceptance and a place of family, they still chose violence.

Bor'dor chose his fate. When he smoked Ashton's pipe, his proudest moment was when his new friends built him a target so that he could practice his magic. And despite that, he tried to kill them. Despite that, he embraced hate and anger and death. He intended on killing them, attacking them as they were teleporting away.

There were only three possibilities with Bor'dor. One, he murdered all of the Hells, looted their corpses, and fled. Two, he attacked them when they were teleporting to Jrusar and then fled so their reprisals would not hit. Three is what we saw... with him dead by the hands of the Hells. If Ashton had knocked him unconscious with his two blows it would have likely played out the same, with Bor'dor dying.

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 91

A long episode with an ominous title ... yeah, this can't bode well at all ...

Sam's a cat again. Great ... oh, Taliesin's a mouse? Of course he is. This is more like it ... Travis is loving this already ... ah, short but sweet, definitely ... oh yeah, I totally agree with Ashley, massive Donnie Darko vibes ... XD

Liam: "I want Sam and Tal to reenact that scene from The Shining." Um ... okay? O.O

So, picking up right where we left off, then ... chaos, and LOTS of craziness, with VERY heavy implications ...

Oh, so Liliana is HUNTING, now? For them in particular? Or just ... ANYTHING? Hmmm ...

Yes, SHUSH, Pate! You're REALLY loud right now ...

Chetney-wolf: "Hold onto my tail! Tighter!" Stop it, Travis ... XD

This is going to be a complicated getaway, clearly ...

PANIC!!! Great ... how long is it gonna be before they get spotted? CAN THEY get away from this?

Mystics? Crap ... "a Murder of Mystics" ... yeah ...

A little on-the-run healing and repair work ...

Balls, good point ... yeah, they have NO IDEA where they are or where they're going ... and now Ashley's cocking dice all over the place ... O.O

Oh, this can't be good ...mystical shenanigans ... FUCK!!! Invisibility is now GONE!!! Shit! Oh this is SO FUCKING BAD ...

PLEASE don't tell me they just lost their Telepathic Bond too ... oh for the love of the GODS, Matthew, you cruel bastard ... NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOO!!!

Hide! Just fucking HIDE, people!

Wow ... Taliesin rolled amazing, but Sam and Ashley rolled BALLS on Stealth ... that's so bad ... oh shit, and now they've got GLoamglut RIGHT ABOVE THEM!!! Ouch ... does it see them? Oh no, Fearne, PLEASE do not try to PET the fucking thing!

Marisha: "There are no dumb ideas in D&D!" Are you SERIOUS? OF COURSE there are!

AAAAAAAAAND now they're blown ... good one, Fearne! Now they're coming down ...

Ashton, WHAT THE FUCK are you doing? Oh, that's right, HE IS still in his powered state ... 32 points of damage on the wall? Holy fuck ... oh yeah, that's just a FANTASTIC distraction/escape ... nice! Just run. RUN!!!

Another wall? Oh yeah ... BOOM!!! Ashton's just a demolition MACHINE right now ...

NOW he's knocking down a building they're not even going into ... bit overly much for cover, isn't it? Jeeze, Ashton ... STOP ENCOURAGING THIS, Matthew!

Oh yeah, they're TOTALLY broadcasting their location now ...

Seriously, just HIDE while you got cover, seriously ...

Crap, Dex saves for the three of them? O.O ... oh hell, what's that fucking Fay dragon gonna do? Darkfire? Oh hell ... whoa, 16 points is HALF damage? Ow ...

Oh, NOW Imogen's casting Invisibility? Yes, do that ...

Evoroa gives directions ... yes, good move ... do that now!

Quart mile away? No, HALF of that? Hmmm ...

Back to the panicked chase ... RUN RUN RUN!!!

Can they fit through that? Ashton's going under, apparently ... just SQUEEZE guys ... yeah, shquish in those fantastic tits and that luscious butt, Fearne! Crap, it's coming again! I hate that fucking dragon!

Oh wow, the Sorrowlord speaks! He knows she's here! Crap!

Pass Without a Trace! Finally!

Fearne: "Do we need to cut off your wheels?" FCG: "127 hours!" Cue sawblade startup whir ...

Wow, Zathuda is actually MONOLOGUING ... Fearne: "Can you say all that again?" LOL ...

Fungus? Great ... Annihilation? Cool ...

"Pussy in Bio"? Nice flask nonsense this time, Samuel ...

PEG IT!!! Once it's clear, anyway ...

Polymorph, yes ... a "moon thing"? Hmmmm ... so she turns FCG into a Slither ... okay ... and then she Wildshapes into one too ... okay, get tunneling guys!

Ah, yes ... where ARE THEY going?

A Survival roll? Oh boy ... 28? Nice one, Ashley! Heading back towards their exit, then ...

And so back to the others ...

A Wisdom save IMMEDIATELY? Fuck, Matthew ... 15? Hmm ... wait, THAT'S not good enough? Shit! O.O

Laudna: "You're not like a sleeper agent, are you?" No, really, please don't even put that karma OUT THERE!

The Sprawl Grotto? Cool ...

Yeah, they don't know WHERE they're going right now ...

Bronze fountain! OKay ... oh hell, what's THIS shit?

And now they're very effectively TRAPPED. Great ... is this them SPECIFICALLY, or just general? Oh, it's DEFINITELY for them ... not good ...

SHIT!!! LIliana is now RIGHT ABOVE THEM ... "Did ... you ... KNOW?!!!"

Is Imogen REALLY gonna try and bluff this? Wow ...

Oh, so she has been THROUGH IT ...

The locket? Oooooh ... O.O

Can she talk her down? Get through to her somehow? COME ON ... Persuasion roll? Oh boy ... 16? Whoa ... um ... is that enough?

Wait ... DID THAT just work?

Yeah, just RUN ...

Oh, for fuck's sake ... NOW what? Damn it, more mystics? Crap ... oh yeah, they're proper BUSTED ... crap, this is the ACTUAL Weave Mind?

Oh, so this MIGHT be an illusion? Hmmm ...

Hold on, are they doing something to Chet? Crazy werewolf shit? Crap ... and Travis totally fails that save ... O.O ... bollocks, this is so bad ... Sam: "Quick! Distract them with a toy!"

Liam: "If we keep making these jokes for 30 minutes we won't have to deal with this problem!" LOL

Orym is choosing NOW to invoke Nana Morri ... oh boy ...

What just happened?

Nothing immediately around, but they're in the area ... just GO. Right now, just FUCKING GO. RIGHT NOW.

Back to the Burrowers ...

It's oh so quiet ... that CANNOT be good ... yeah, just BOOK IT ... nuts, more mystics ...

Oh, they FOUND THEM? Okay ... yeah, just FOLLOW THEM!!! Quick!

Going up? Yes, seems the smart way to go.

Yeah, they DO NOT speak Slither ... aaaaand they're finally back together ... in the most ridiculous way possible ... XD

Yeah, sending a merssage to the Volition would probably be the smart move right now ... maybe they could send somebody to find you ...

So, where to go now?

Imogen Sends to Rashinna ... so the safehouse is out ... hmmm ... so they're just going to have to find alternative digs ...

OOh ... yeah, do that! A giant mole sounds so cool ... like that one in City of Ember! O.O That'd be sweet ...

FCG's still a Slither? Oh boy ...

Crap! What's this? Oh no, what the fuck ... PLEASE don't be fucking Otohan! No ... NO!!! Fuck ... that bitch is SO FUCKING CLOSE now ... hell ... JUST RUN, guys!

Ashton pops up out the ground and SMACKS THE ROOF OF THE TUNNEL with his hammer once they're through ... smart and sweet ... oh fuck ... you mean he COULD collapse the whole thing? Thankfully not ... phew!

Bollocks, Otohan is COMING!!! Fuck ...

RUN!!! JUST FUCKING RUN!!!

Crap ... SHE'S FOUND THEM!!! They're in deep shit ... AND NOW he chooses to call a break? Seriously? Matthew!

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck ... and now he's producing a Battlemap ... AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! Cut Wizzkids plug! Also FUCK!!!

Fuck me ... is the rest of this episode JUST gonna be combat? Gods no ... I'm not ready for this ...

ROLL INITIATIVE!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

So ... Orym's up first ... he slips between her leags and turns round to attack her fancy backpack ... OKAY!!! A Crit! Go, wee man! 38 points of damage! Yeah! Another hit! Yeah! ANOTHER Crit! Sweet! 25 points ... anmd she's Hexed too ... nice ...

Legendry Action? Crap ... Telekinetic Control? Fuck ... and even with Indomitable Orym can't resist it ... she flings him like a ragdoll! Ouch!

Laudna unleashes her Hellhoud because she is FURIOUS right now! Yeah ... FCG names the pooch Caviar? Cute ... now she Banes Otohan ... goody!

Otohan dashes off ... giving the Hellhound an attack of opportunity ... which fails ... crap! She attacks Chetney ... oof ... 27 points of slashing damage! Ow! Plus the Psionic knocks him prone ... another 16 points with additional Force? Argh ... and another 13 plus 9 more ... AND another hit? 13 plus 10! Fuck ... he is BARELY alive now ... O.O

fuck, and she has ANOTHER attack with an offhand weapon? Fuck ... ACTION SURGE?!!! Matthew NO!!! PLEASE don't do this! Silvery Barbs from Laudna ... which fails? Shit! Fuck ... and now he's OUT!!! She keeps hitting him, 2 IMMEDIATE Death Saves ... argh ...

Fuyck ... she just straight MURDERED him ... LAST WORDS? What the fuck?

Sweet fuck ... CHETNEY'S FUCKING DEAD?!!! Are you serious, Matt?

Now she's going after Fearne? FUCK!!! No ... and now SHE'S on the ground too ... fuck!

Ashton pops up out of the ground RIGHT IN FRONT of Fearne to block the coming attack ... he swings at her with the hammer ... "Gosh, you got a punchable fucking face!" 23 points of damage and he knocks her back HARD ... Density Well? OKay ... he batters a nearby platform and knockd it RIGHT ONTO HER ... YES!!! She sort of dodges so it's just a glancing hit ... he's monochrome now ...

Otohan rushes Imogen ...

Fearne is FURIOUS about Chetney as she flames on like the Human Torch! Nice! Oh, nice fiery Fearne mini, Matt! O.O She comes in right behind the bitch ...

Oh, so Otohan's like doing MONK SHIT? Fuck ...

FCG goes to Chetney's corpse and casts Revivify at 7th Level ... please ... please please PLEASE let this work ... come on, Changebringer! Come thorugh in clutch ... please ... YES!!! THE WOLFMAN IS ALIVE AGAIN!!! Thank fuck ...

Caviar! Attack! Kill this bitch, you wonderful Hellhoud! 19 MISSES? Seriously? Fuck ...

Otohan attacks Imogen ... 14 points of Force damage ... she gets knocked BACK but not down, at least ...

Imogen Telkinetically grabs the backpack and tries to tear it right off her ... oh wow ... and it WORKS!!! Oh yes! Let's go! She pounds it into the ceiling and smashes it to fuck! BEAUTIFUL!!! She grabs her hand and casdts Shocking Grasp ... go go go ... 14 points of damage! Yes!

Orym Misty Steps to her and pulls a Bat & Switch with Imogen, then takes a swing ... NAT20!!! YEAH!!! 23 points of slashing damage! Then 14 points! A Crit! 28 points! VENGEANCE!!! YES!!! Go wee man!

Laudna drops a 5th Level Blight on the bitch ... oh fuck, Legendary RESISTANCE? Damn it ... whoa ... 51 damage? Even halved that is SWEET ... Eldritch Blast! Yeah! Hit! Hit! And another hit! SWEET!!! 13 damage, then 15, then another 15! YEAH!!!

Now Otohan goes for Imogen again? Oh for fuck's sake ... thankfully she fails miserably ... second hits though ... ouch ... Orym to the rescue! Nice defence! And Silvery Barbs from Laudna! Yes ...

She keeps going for Imogen ... she is just POURING the hurt on ... and now she's going for Orym? Hmmm ...

Three way attack of opportunity? Fearne CRITS IT!!! Nice! 16 damage! Yeah ... Orym gbets another 22 on her ...

Now she goes for Laudna ... just hits her Mirror instead ... and the second ... and the third ... but then gets her with a CRIT!!! Oof ... 14 slashing and 12 Force damage ... ow ... and she's knocked down ...

Chetney shakes off the rust ... as he flanks he Misty Steps to Imogen and pours a healt potion into her for 12 points back, then slopes back away to safety ...

Ashton powers up as close as he can to Otohan, then holds until she gets into range ...

Otohan uses anothe Legendary Action to attack Laudna ... 10 points of slahsing damage and 18 of Force ... ow ...

Fearne casts 6th Level Blight on her ... gah, only half? 39, down to 18 ... fuck's sake ... it's STARTING to take a toll, but still ...

She's going for Laudna AGAIN?!!! Fuck ...

FCG rolls towards Orym, then pulls a mass Cure Wounds on everyone. ALL OF THEM get 23 points back except himself ...

Caviar attacks again and it's another miss ... crap!

Imogen gets up AGAIN and hurls a Psychic Lance at her ... a Nat20 on her save? Are you FUCKING KIDDING? Argh ... 30 points halved to 15 ... nuts ... so so tries to Telekinetically Push her towards Ashton ... but it fails ... crap ...

Orym tries to jump on top of her and slash down into her ... it hits! Yeah! 9 points, then a Crit ... 18! Third misses, though ... then he backs off to give Ashton room to attack ... she gets an attack of opportunity ... OUCH!!! 16 slashing and 10 Force damage ... shit ...

Why does she KEEP attacking Laudna?

Destroy this bitch, Laudna! HUnger of the Shadow Shard? Oh sweet ... wait ... WHAT? That doesn't work? COME ON, Matthew! Argh ... so she Quickens a 5th Level Hunger ... which HITS ... 48 damage on this bitch! Yeah ...

Oh, she's FLARING? Fuck ... Exultant's Fury? Double fuck ...

But now she's been pulled into Ashton's Gravity Well and he attacks ... 23 plus 2 of fire damage! POW!!!

But now it's HER turn ... she goes for Ashton ... and hits him ... ow ... twice ... AND ANOTHER? Fucking hell ... I can't believe he's still up ... wait, he has Erratic Defence? Okay ... so he slams her right into the wall! Nice ...

She retreats ... and attack Imogen while she does it? Fuck ... Imogens's knocked down ... AND she gets an Action Surge? What? FCG takes half of the damage, BARELY saving her from going out right there ... second hit takes her out, though ... FUCK!!! Now she's going for Chetney instead ...

FUCK ME, CHetney's out AGAIN?!!! Un-fucking-FAIR!!!

Now she's going for FCG ...

Top of the round ... come on Ashton ... he charges her flat out while charging up ... Nat20 on the first hit! Yes! Chaos Burst ... 64 points of damage in a single hit? Wow ... how is she STILL UP?

Otohan goes for FCG ...

Fearne pulls Scorching Rays on her ... fuck ... that doesn't work out HALF as well as we'd expect ... wait, she's FIRE RESISTANT? FUCK!!!

She attacks Letters ... and he's OUT!!! Fuck! Death save ... 19 ... oh thank fuck ...

Wow ... Caviar is just COMPLETELY BALLS on this fight, isn't he?

Imogen Crits her Death Save ... SHE'S AWAKE again! Oh thank fuck ...

Orym picks himself up and draws Seedling, using it to pull himself to Ashton, bouncing off him to attack her ... first attack misses ... second hits ... 12 slashing damage ... next hits ... eight damage ...

Laudna casts Wither & Bloom at 3rd Level to get FCG up again ... spends a sorcery point to quicken qnd pours 12 Necrotic damage points into Otohan ... quckens again, pours an Eldritch Blast into her ... two hits one miss ... 16 damage altogether, halved to 8 ... oof ...

Otohan goes for Orym ... fuck, she is just KILLING It tonight and I hate it ... Orym is BARELY UP right now ... wait ... where the fuck ... she just DRANK A SUPERIOR HEALING POTION?!!! Son of a bitch! 66 POINTS BACK?!!! Fucking hell ...

Chetney succeeds his second Death save ...

Legendary attack on Fearne ... gods fucking DAMN IT ...

Ashton attacks ... first hit is a CRIT!!! 46 points of damage! Yeah ... next hit is a miss? Fuck ... what, is that ALL he can do? Shit ...

She hits him right back ... FUCK!!!

Fearne casts Aura of Life ... it helps, i guess ... zand there's NOTHING ELSE she can do ... O.O

Otohan hits HER ... nasty hit ... but she's got Armour of Agathys, so she burns her right back ... but Aura of Life is GONE ... fuck ... as if she NEVER cast it ...

FCG flips his coin and asks "Run or fight?" Hmmmm ... it lands on its side? Interesting ... so he casts a mass Cure Wounds ... 23 points back to everybody but Fearne ... and now his mood has turned RED?!!! Fucking hell ... so he's gone berserk again ...

Caviar tanks YET ANOTHER FUCKING ATTACK ... oh my GODS why is the Hellhound even OUT?

Imogen casts Sending to her mother ... REALLY?!!! Fucking hell ... and she's COMING?!!! Wow ... mothering instinct is STRONG. Otherwise there is NOTHING she can do right now ... so she's just gonna continue to play dead? Nuts ...

Orym is in shitty condition but pushes through ... makes an attack, small hit ... he's barely hanging in on this fight ... fuck ... so he downs a potion on the bonus action? Okay ...

Laudna casts Phantasmal Force to make Otohan see Liliana coming in to FUCK HER UP?!!! Wow ... and the bitch RESISTS IT ... shit ... that was almost so cool ... so she just Eldritch Blasts her instead ... a hit and a Crit ... 7 on the hit ... she Empowers the Crit ... 11 altogether ... not spectacular but it chips away at her ...

She attacks Orym ... and he's DOWN ... FUCK!!! Next on Fearne ... Shield protects her! Yes! So she goes for Ashton instead ... now an Action Surge on him too? Fucking hell ... and he's ALMOST down except that he's RAGING so he keeps 1 hit point ... fuck ... but her next takes HIM down too ... FUCKING HELL!!!

She attacks Imogen while she's down ... Deception Check? OMG ... barely makes it through ...

Is there ANYTHING Chetney can do? He pulls out Turmoil and casts Shatter ... 19 points of Thunder damage ... and that's all he wrote ... fuck ...

Now she attacks FCG ...

Fearne cuts her off and inflicts 48 points of damage on her ...

She attacks FCG again ... he is BARELY alive at this point and completely insane right now ...

FCG casts Guiding Bolt ... on HIMSELF?!!! Fucking hell ... what the fuck is he DOING? He's self-destructing? What the hell, Sam? Oh, this sounds SO BAD ... is this genuinely going to DESTROY him if he does this?

Oh my gods he is genuinely making a fucking MEAL out of this self-sacrifice ...

Fuck me ... is Matt CRYING? Wow ... whoa ... EVERYBODY IS LENDING HIM DICE to do this ... O.O ... what the epic FUCK, Sam? Oh my fuck that is A LOT of rolls ...

79 damage ...

Sam's description of FCG's death is BEAUTIFUL in the most heartbreaking way possible ... his eyes go white again? Oh my fucking gods ...

Otohan is RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ... holy fuck, she is DEAD ... and so is Letters ... oh my fucking gods I don't believe it ... what the fuck, Samuel?

Holy shit, the whole table is just IN SHOCK right now ...

Just like the rest of the party ... slowly they start to pick themselves and each other up ... those who are down are nursedc back enough to get them on their feet ...

IS THERE anything left of FCG? Ashton finds the coin ... Chetney collects Otohan's backpack ...

They throw what's left of Otohan in the Hole.

Ashton POUNDS an exit into the wall with his fists. They're on the surface again ... and here comes Liliana ... she can already tell they just lost someone ...

So is she with THEM now?

That's it for the night ...

Fuck ... we're all exhausted and completely devastated and SO FUCKING SAD ... oh my gods ... seriously though, NOW what?

[dent-de-leon]

If Molly is as short as his silhouette appears, then the wall pin in the sewers is even funnier tbh. Remind me of those viral Japanese memes of people recreating the kabedon in ridiculous ways. Like having a really short person do it. 🤣

Yes!! I love their height difference it's just so fun to me. I've just always headcannoned Molly as being shorter for some reason so seeing his little silhouette makes me happy. Even with the added height of Molly's horns, he's still shorter than Caleb, I can't get over it.

Please imagine Tealeaf being this small when Molly leans up to give Caleb a tender kiss on the forehead, helps Beau carry him back out into the sun. Or Caleb calling Lucien a good boy. Molly holding onto Caleb when he's still bloodied and exhausted, helping him walk while his Magician gives him a fond little pat on the cheek and says, "The only magical thing here is you, friend."

And man, that one moment...I'm so curious to see how they play the sewers scene, because it is this instance when Molly deliberately gets up close in Caleb's face, gives him a little warning about hiding loot from the group. Caleb doesn't look up at him, doesn't say anything at all in response. I remember it was interesting to hear Liam and Taliesin talk about that scene after; they both referred to it as being one of their favorite moments of the campaign at the time.

And I'm pretty sure Tal said that Molly thought Caleb concealing coin was something he could "just fix" with their little talk. Like how he tells Nott not to steal from them, or tries to convince her that she and Caleb need to trust the rest of the party more. It's this moment where he and Caleb are at odds, where Caleb maybe resents Molly a little for it. But. We also have all these moments like the forehead kiss, Molly helping Caleb to his feet when he's injured, Molly gently telling him, "Mr. Caleb. There's only so many burdens we can bear, before we're asking for failure."

Mollymauk is someone who often seems to think he knows what's best for someone, and he'll tell them so. But I think it's also a character flaw that stems from a place of care. The sewers incident might be petty, but then there are moments when he sees a glimpse of just how self-destructive Caleb can be--and you can see Mollymauk just hates having to watch it. Molly telling Nott, "So do you think it would be a good idea to explain to him that he almost got himself killed tonight? Turning on a bunch of people he was working with, he almost got himself killed tonight. For nothing."

I really wonder how the scene would translate to animated nein, especially since everything is so condensed for time. Would they keep Molly more teasing and playful? Or would it focus on Caleb's perspective, and come off as more intimidating? Would we get little glimpses of Caleb's conflicting feelings on the Circus Man--charming, but at times abrasive? Caleb being so closed off and hiding away, not knowing how to react to such an outgoing, affectionate peacock. Being bitter after their encounter in the sewers. Thinking back fondly on a warm forehead kiss and gentle words.

I'm just so excited to see them both interact again, I really hope we get enough time with Molly to really explore their dynamic ;; More than anything, I'd love to see some implication of the moment when Molly started thinking of his Magician as, "softness and light--"

[quicksilverdrabbles]

Morana: *staring at the gates of Whiterun from the stables, noticeably maskless and anxious*

Xelzaz: *was unable to find her mask in the river* And so come the consequences of your own actions.

Morana: Shut up..

Kaidan: *worried* We don't have to go into Whiterun today, Morana. We can put it off until we can get you a replacement.

Morana: *frowning as she writes in her notebook, mouthing the words while she does* We have stuff we need to do in Whiterun. Getting another mask will take too much time.

Inigo: ... It is strange seeing how you act under the mask, my friend. Not unwelcome, but unfamiliar.

Morana: Oh. *turns to Inigo* Do I make a lot of faces? I'm sorry, I'm not used to having to manage my expression..

Inigo: Hehe, it is fine.

Morana: .. Let's just go. Get this over with and get out of the city before too many people notice.

~

Team Dragonborn: *walking past the city guards at the gates*

Whiterun Guard: *nods at them as they pass into the city*

Whiterun Guard (2): ... Hey, that was the Dragonborn's group, wasn't it? I didn't see her.

Whiterun Guard: D'you think something happened?

Whiterun Guard (2): And who was that Dark Elf with them? Had a sick look about her.

Whiterun Guard: Maybe they're escorting her to the Temple of Kynareth. They do those sorts of odd jobs often enough.

Whiterun Guard (2): Ah, maybe.

~

Immediately after they walk through the city gates

Idolaf: Hm? Oh, it's you lot again.

Kaidan: Idolaf.

Idolaf: Who's this?

Morana: *trying to walk past Idolaf without having to speak to him*

Idolaf: *stepping in front of her* I asked who you are, lass. I don't just let anyone in my city.

Taliesin: Who she is is none of your business, human.

Lucien: Please stop calling people that.

Idolaf: I'll ask her whatever questions I deem necessary. Any suspicious characters are a danger to Whiterun, and she's about as suspicious as they come.

Inigo: I wonder if you are making such accusations because she is a Dark Elf. You do not have to be a Stormcloak to be a racist bigot.

Idolaf: Say what you will, Khajiit.

Morana: *rolls her eyes, mouthing a repeat of his words mockingly*

Idolaf: Huh? Are you mocking me, Elf?

Morana: *eyes widen, staring at him in shock* Shit.

Kaidan: *standing behind her, crossing his arms* I don't know what you have against my companion, Battle-Born, but I suggest you walk away now before I get angry.

Idolaf: Hah! No way, not now that this little one has insulted me.

Morana: *walks past him, avoiding his attempt to grab her arm*

Kaidan: Oi, Morana-

Inigo: Wait for me, my friend!

Taliesin: *grabs Idolaf as he tries to chase her* If you wish to continue your pursuit of my raven, you will find out very quickly what actually happens to prisoners and offenders of a Thalmor Justiciar. Do you want that, Battle-Born?

Idolaf: I-I-

Taliesin: That's what I thought.

~

Morana: *hiding crouched behind Carlotta's stall, covering her face with her hands* Gods just kill me now.

Lucien: Oh, there you are! What happened, Morana?

Kaidan: You scared me, I thought he hurt you when I wasn't looking-

Morana: I forgot I wasn't wearing my mask.

Taliesin: What on earth does that have to do with this?

Morana: *lifts her head up, cheeks flushed red* I.. Find that I make a lot of faces at people that irritate me. And I mock them when they can't see. I'm not used to having to stop my expressions.

Lucien: I suppose you could say you have a horrible poker face, haha.

Morana: *deadpan stare* Ha.

Farkas: Ah, there they are.

Kaidan: Farkas, Vilkas! How are you gits?

Vilkas: Better than your frostbitten arse, I'd say.

Kaidan: Oi!

Farkas: Hello, Morana.

Morana: ...? You guys know it's me?

Vilkas: Aye. Your scent hasn't changed, despite your lack of mask. Vanilla and honey.

Farkas: And river water. That's new.

Morana: I jumped in a river.

Vilkas: Ha! I'd love to hear that story. Care for a drink, friends?

Xelzaz: Maybe later. We've a few errands to run first.

Kaidan: Actually that gives me an idea. Farkas, Vilkas, d'ya mind tagging along with us for a bit? Idolaf's got it out for us right now and I'm really not in the mood for his bullshit.

Farkas: The Battle-Born whelp? Count me in.

Vilkas: Aye. Lead the way, raven.

Morana: *nods* We can stop at Jorrvaskr when we're done. Thank you two.

Farkas: Don't mention it.

~

Morana to Idolaf:

[sbrn10]

Look, I apologize for being the hyperfixate on Laudna and Imogen all the time person (actually, I don't, sorry not sorry, this is my whole personality now) but:

Marisha has fucking weaponized the phrase "I like/love children" and I want her to stab me with it 37 more times. It's the most fucked up, precisely because her (Before Imogen state) idea of appealing to children is so horrifying, of course they run from her.

Can you BELIEVE that the primary thing standing between Laudna and Delilah's manipulation is Laudna's extremely low sense of self-worth? The fact that Delilah tries to tell Laudna "you deserve it, take what's rightfully yours" and Laudna refuses because it's not meant for her -- nothing is meant for her. Even Imogen isn't meant for her -- after all, she's a dead end, and Imogen should be able to live. The fact that Delilah still doesn't know any other way to entice someone than offering power because it's the only thing she understands -- and Laudna doesn't want it.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make everybody worry. *weak laugh* This is the second time you all have trotted through these woods to save me." vs. "the crippling obligation that [I] feel to everybody for risking themselves to save [me] ... still haunts me." (From fucking e49 when Laudna and Ashton were having one of their "Ashton is projecting their experience onto Laudna super hard" conversations, fucking christ) Excuse me, I'm going to go scream into the night.

"What did he do to you? Did he hurt you? Did he manipulate you?" Laudna's immediate assumption that Ashton somehow coerced Fearne in order to take power meant for her, because she's lived with a voice in her head doing nothing but that for 30 years. I am lying dead in a ditch.

Look, I know everyone has already said it. I know. I know. But. Laudna: Will you hold me? Delilah: Always. "You swear you feel the shadows around you in this corner grow a little thicker, like a cloak of darkness that wraps itself around you." "You wake up cold and alone." Laudna: I miss Imogen. Laudna: Love is pain. But it is also warmth. I was so cold last night. Imogen: I go hug her again. Marisha. Girl. What the FUCK.

Laudna: You can give [the doll] whatever voice you want. Ashton: I'm not good at voices. Laudna: You can find a voice. What if I just died. Right here. What if, Marisha.

Can we talk about Imogen going through Laudna asking her to move on if something happens to her, like she's readying herself to leave, and then she left for real and didn't come back. Can we talk about how fucked up that was for her. Can we talk about how she didn't even get to be angry at Laudna for it because Laudna was visibly fucked up so bad it was something she'd never seen before. Somebody please give that girl a hug, like so many hugs, also my kingdom for Imogen getting to be angry at Laudna at some point (please also read Time Running Out).

Ashton: I thought it would make me better, and I thought a better me would-- [help you]. Imogen: You don't need power to be better, Ashton. Imogen is just so fucking tired, my god. Imogen is the Ben Affleck smoking meme about the people she loves being stupid.

Okay, a few not Imogen or Laudna things: - My god, Travis, what an episode for Chetney. "Plus, if you need it, just say you need it." / "Okay, I kind of need it." That is my emotional support old man and I just want to give Chetney and Fearne so many hugs. - Percy and Ashton being mirrors for each other across 30 years and 3 campaigns: truly the most Taliesin of all time. - FCG was so good at talking Ashton through his decisions and pushing back on the surface-level excuses to dig deeper but also staying open and trying hard to allow Ashton some grace despite it all. Growth dot gif. - FCG as a counselor at Wildemount Wildlings when.

[wellthebardsdead]

The loved & the forgotten pt28

Part 27 here

———

Vivienne: *wrapped only in a sheet after waking to the commotion and his husbands both running out of the bedroom* c-can you at least move your leg?!

The lurker blocking the door: *groans and nudges him back into the manor with its leg*

Vivienne: *huffs and peers past it’s other one to see voryn and nerevar both step into view before the lurker suddenly stands aside, and Taliesin walks past it* l-love what’s going on out there? I-

Taliesin: *gently scoops him up bridal style* shhh, don’t worry yourself over it darling. Voryn and nerevar have this covered. *smiles reassuringly at him as he carries him back down the steps to their room*

Vivienne: don’t worry?? I woke up to the ground shaking, miraak shouting, mannimarco crying, and you and Kaidan running out of the house with your weapons drawn!! I watched inigo get flung past the door before the lurker blocked me from leaving! Please tell me what’s happened? I want to-

Taliesin: *lays him on the bed and unfurls the sheet as he leans down pressing his lips to his, his dark hair draping over the pillows and tangling with Vivienne’s soft white locks* Please darling… it’s our wedding night. We’ll talk about it in the morning once voryn and nerevar know what’s going on…

Vivienne: *face flushed staring up at his husband* you- you don’t know who attacked? It was an attack right-

Taliesin: *silences him with another kiss* no, I don’t know who they were. But voryn didn’t seem bothered by them, nor did nerevar. Please my love, don’t worry yourself over it…

Kaidan: *steps into the room wiping himself clean with a wet towel* Voryn and the guards are handling it now, they think it’s just a group of reavers that thought our place would be a good target. *tosses the towel aside and walks to the bed, smoothing his hand up Taliesins back and tucking his hair to the side as he reaches his neck, planting a soft kiss there before laying on the bed and giving vivienne a kiss too* are you alright love?…

Vivienne: *blinks hearing the tone to their voices and realising they’re both telling the truth* I… yes, just… just startled I think… *reaches up his hands gently pulling Taliesin down for another kiss before pulling Kaidan in for one too* I was scared it was something worse…

Kaidan: *smiles kissing his cheek* hey, no matter how bad it might be, I know we can take ‘em~

Taliesin: *chuckles and lays beside them both* don’t encourage him ro run into trouble again~

Vivienne: *pouts* I said I’d stop doing that… intentionally at least…

*meanwhile outside*

Miraak: *dismissing his lurkers and seekers before heading back inside after the others to comfort mannimarco knowing full well the state the high elfs still in*

Nerevar: *watching him go* should we ask him to keep some of those beasts active until we’re certain the stragglers are taken care of? *glances back at voryn as the remaining cultists are thrown before his feet*

Voryn: *face bearing a stoic expression as he stares down at the mer before him, his assassins forcing them to their knees and holding their heads back by their hair to face him* no need… *quietly sizes each one up before settling on the one in the middle and gesturing to his men, smirking slightly as they cut the throats of all the cultists minus them* judging by your armour and defiant disposition im inclined to believe you’re the one heading this operation, this, plan, to attack the home of my student and attempt to kidnap him? Rape him? Murder him? All because you believe him to be vivec? Correct?…

Cultist: *bloodied and bruised but glaring up at him with a defiant hatred in his eyes as he spits at him* how dare you speak to me whore! We came here to save him from you! From the bastard who dethroned our lord and claims himself king! We’ll return him to his rightful seat of power! The tribunal will rise again and we’ll dance on your corpses as we cut your faces of-

Nerevar: *watches his head roll away slowly after cutting it off* …

Voryn: … *nods to his assassins, dismissing them before walking to nerevars side and smiling as the Hortator pulls him into his arms by his waist* shhh. It’s alright my lo-

Nerevar: *cuts him off with a deep and strong kiss, pulling away only after he’s sure he’ll leave voryn breathless* I won’t allow anybody to speak of you like that…

Voryn: *panting softly and following after his lips as he pulls away from him* it’s fine love… I was more insulted of what he said of you… and more concerned on their intent towards vivienne… *glances over watching captain Veleth and his men clean up the bodies* captain, have your men found anything noteworthy on their bodies?

Captain Veleth: not yet my lord. I’ll inform you once we do. We’ll work to get this cleaned up before the morning.

Nerevar: *nods* thank you captain… *looks up at voryn before gently ushering him back to the councillors estate* what do we tell vivienne?…

Voryn: the truth… he’s still in danger.

[kagedbird]

TESSDE AU (+Taliesin teehee)

Team Dragonborn (Kaidan, Inigo, Lucien, Taliesin, and Allora) walking through the forest west of Morthal after checking in with the Jarl; suddenly hear a dog barking

Taliesin: Gods, that sounds far too close. Mangy mutts are everywhere in Skyrim.

Allora: I'm not the biggest fan of dogs myself, but that sounds especially harsh. What if someone is in trouble?

Taliesin: Of course they are! They have a dog. There's bound to be trouble with that.

Kaidan: *nudges Taliesin roughly with his arm, smirking* Afraid of a simple hound, ey? I'll be sure t'keep that in mind next time you start spoutin' off some heinous shite.

Taliesin: Do anything of the sort, and I'll sooner feed you to one of those disgusting creatures.

Lucien: *leaning close to Allora* Did you want to go check it out?

Allora: Yes please. Be my guard?

Lucien: Erm... of course! But, uh, perhaps Inigo would like to join us?

Inigo: *meanders closer to the two, ignorining Taliesin and Kaidan's bickering* Gladly. Those two are giving me a bit of a headache. Not that the barking is much better.

Allora: Sorry. Let's see what the puppy is up to. Hopefully it's not injured...

The trio make their way into a shack, and see a long (?) dead individual on a bed, with a journal nearby. A dog sits at the side of the bed, whining and barking at its previous master to get up.

Lucien: Oh, poor thing... wonder how long he's been alone like this.

Allora: *gently picks up the journal and reads through it, flinching a little as the dog noses her leg* A-ah, hi... puppy... one second, okay? *awkwardly smiles at the dog before reading and frowns*

Inigo: Is something the matter?

Allora: No, the owner just mentions something called Rockjoint. I don't know what it is, but it seems to have killed him. The dog's name is Meeko, I think.

Meeko: Bark! *happy tail wag, noses her leg again*

Allora: *awkwardly laughs and just as awkwardly pats Meeko's head* Hi... Meeko. I'm sorry to say, but your owner... isn't getting back up.

Meeko: *sad dog whines*

Allora: *beyond stunned* ...Can you understand me?

Meeko: *tilts his head curiously*

Allora: ...huh. Well, uh... *turns to the boys* I don't feel right leaving him here...

Lucien: I'm sure we can find some child in need of a trusty, flea ridden companion!

Inigo: *frowns* Yes, and the spot for this group has been taken.

Allora: *laughs momentarily before freezing* ...you're not joking are you?

Inigo: Not at all. We... are friends and companions, yes?

Lucien: I think she meant the fleas...

Taliesin: *shouting outside* We are not taking the dog!!

(Narrator: They took the dog. Both he and Inigo got a flea bath from Allora. They were very fluffy and poofy afterwards.)

[night-market-if]

Paper Moons Part 4

Remember, we are thirteen parts ahead over on Patreon. Join the Courtesan tier ($10) to get the rest of the story, or the Baron tier to get access to all of the choices.

Enjoy!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |

“Wait!” My heart thudded in my chest as I stepped around Gabriel. There was a wildness to the goblins eyes. A sense of amusement at our predicament that I knew was only a mask for sinister intentions. “Just wait,” I said, placing my hand on Gabriel’s arm. It shook with the effort to keep the blade leveled at the intruder. “I will go with you.”

Gabriel’s arm faltered as he turned to look at me.  While the blade still hovering in the air, he blinked at me, confusion clearly filtering through the muzziness of his mind. He really shouldn’t have been out of bed. Not so soon and not with how sick he had been.

“Interesting,” the goblin said. “You would freely sacrifice yourself when this man so clearly wishes to sacrifice himself for you?”

Turning back to the goblin, I raised my chin. “It is my job as a Graceling to protect the children of the Knowing.”

“He is fallen,” the goblin pointed out.

“Yet he is no less deserving of care.” Stepping forward, I placed myself between the goblin and the blade. “You may take me. If this is to be my last act as a Graceling, then so be it.”

The goblin cackled loudly, not waiting for another opportunity before it lunged forward. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the rough embrace and when its glass nails scraped across my skin in razor edged lines, I felt myself cry out. Because even though I expected it, it still hurt and I was still terrified. But this was what was required of a Graceling. The Knowing had deemed me worthy and I did not want to disappoint.

My body was lurched forward, and I could smell the rotting scent of peaches upon the goblin's breath as it laughed in my ear.  “If I had known it would be this easy to catch a Graceling I would have volunteered to get one of you years ago.”

Opening my eyes, I looked towards Gabriel, trying to tell him how very sorry I was.  This was the last thing he needed to see and I could only hope that the grace I had given him was enough to ease his pain. At least for a while.  He had collapsed backwards against the night stand, holding his blade limply at his side while his other hand pressed against his chest. I could see his dark skin turning grey and cracked once more. Even this was exerting far too much energy.

“It’s okay,” I tried to assure him. I wanted to say something more, something to ease the guilt that I was sure would come with a child of the Knowing, but the goblin was already dragging me through the open window.  And really, what was I supposed to say to this man I had just met?

Out in the dew misted fields, I stumbled to keep up, the goblin dragging me with a bruising grip around my wrist. The cottage was shrinking on the horizon as I was taken from the small house, trying to keep our movements as quiet as possible. I wanted no trouble. With any luck, this little family would be able to find another Graceling within the Market. But when I fell, my feet stumbling on an odd rock, I cried out. The goblin sunk its claws into the locks of my hair, twisting gnarled hands into the unwashed strands and pulling me across the wet field. I clawed at their skin in hopes of making them release me or at the very least loosen their hold. Sticky wetness was gathering at my temple and I knew that chunks of hair were being torn from my scalp.

“Lord Taliesin will be most pleased,” the goblin said.  “He doesn’t have a Graceling in his collection.” They yanked hard and black dots began swarming my vision. “I’m sure he’ll put you up all pretty on his pedestals first. He does like looking at his wares.  You’ll do so nicely. That pretty silver glow of your hand will amuse him for years to come.”

My foot slipped in the mud beneath me as I tried to gain purchase, giving some relief to the grip they had on me as they continued to drag me across the field. I could feel my breath stuttering in my chest and tears streaking my cheeks as small whimpers escaped me. I wasn’t even going to die.  I didn’t know if that was something I should be relieved of or fear more than anything.

When the pressure released from my scalp I fell flat on my back. Above me, the goblin screamed. Blinking, I tipped my gaze upwards, seeing the creature holding his now bloody stump of a hand.  Frantically I searched my surroundings, wondering if the Knowing had seen fit to save me once more.

A bright light appeared though, bolting across the field and slashing across the goblins face.  Looking up, I watched as Gabriel tore from the cottage, his skin shifting in the moonlight as he held out his hand, a pulse of silver light emitting from him. His eyes were lit pewter, his steps even and sure, and I knew with a sinking feeling in my gut that this was going to be far too much for him.

When another bolt shot out, it tore the goblin in two, bisecting it in slow motion as it fell to the grass, its eyes wide and staring up at the sky above.

Scrambling away, I stared at the now dead creature. Blood clouded my vision and the pain that bloomed against my scalp left me dizzy. But as I turned to where Gabriel was, I watched him standing there, the light of the Knowing vibrating across him as he stared, unseeing, at where the goblin had been.

Then, as if a candle had been snuffed out, the light disappeared, and slowly, he fell to his knees.

Scrambling forward I maneuvered him, so his head laid in my lap.  The cracks in his skin were worse than before, ripping across him in a web of fissures.  The color drained from his lips and his eyes turned pale and milky as he began to crumble in my hands. Dying breathes rattled in his chest.

“Why did you do that?” I asked him frantically. He was going into shock. I could feel it in the rigidity of his body. In the way he felt brittle in my hands.

“Because it was the right thing to do,” he croaked back.

“I can’t heal you, though. I can’t…” The door to the cottage banged open and immediately I began to yell. “We’re here! We’re over here!”

Elias was the first to our side, dropping to his knees and staring at the man in my lap.  Skin began to peel away like beautiful fractals of light, dissipating on the wind.  I looked at Elias, the raw pain crashing against his eyes as he tried to gather the pieces to him and press them back to Gabriel’s dying form.  When Reese appeared behind him, he was nothing more than a shadow looming over the three of us.

“Heal him,” he told me.

“I don’t have enough grace for that,” I told him quickly. Tears tracked down my cheeks. How could I have failed so quickly?  “I used it already. I–”

Elias leaned forward, his eyes glowing in a flickering silver.

“Elias!” Reese snapped. “No!”

“It’s not her responsibility,” Elias whispered, brushing twisted locks of hair from Gabriel’s face.  “He’s our boy.  I’ll save him.”

Part 5

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[captainsspnanon]

C3E75 - reaction

WHAT an episode!!!

Starts off 'strong', what with the party trying to figure out how to get to a cave entrance....that turned out to be 150-200 feet away. XD AKA - like 30 seconds of walking, a minute if it's consider difficult terrain. Obviously it was more than that considering the vertical climb, but the reveal of the distance was very funny to me.

Honestly, the climb down the tunnel ended up being easier than I expected it to be! I was expecting a few more checks at least, but there were good tactics to get down.

I appreciate that Sam is using Message the way it's intended. I remember at the beginning of the campaign he used it to just send a feeling, rather than words. I think the latest 4SD may have helped him feel more comfortable with reusing things that previous PCs have done without feeling like he's stepping on their toes. I definitely don't think it was WRONG the way he was doing it before, but it's also good that he doesn't feel like he has to Do It Different, even if it makes things More Difficult.

The little fire creatures were so adorable, I can't wait to see the fanart of it! (My mom likened the voices and short lives with Spurt, RIP 11 days)

They got the shard of Rau'shan! Seems like the cast has a similar idea of having Fearne be the one to integrate the shard, but they've got a bit yet before they figure out how to do it (and especially how to awaken both of them).

I miss the more devastating consequences of lava/magma. Vax melted his foot after just a brief dip, meanwhile Ashton is absolutely fine after 18 seconds being fully submerged, same with Fearne even though she was only in for 6. I wonder if this was discussed out of game as feeling too punishing, but I would have loved to see some long term consequences for the trip, rather than just losing some clothes and briefly superheated skin.

I will admit, I do not understand at all why Ludinus is here. What does he need the shard for? The Hells are getting it because of Ashton backstory purposes, how does it tie in to the Ruidus stuff? Also why was Ludinus scrying on the party to begin with? Aside from at the initial combat, they really haven't done anything else to mess with his plans, right? This totally might just be a me thing of missing something obvious.

EPIC combat!!! Liam's turn with the pushing attacks deserved all the table energy it got, and the counterspell-off was PERFECT. (Side note, I'm a bit sad that I know the rules better now. Ludinus didn't need to roll at all for his counterspell, right? Because Laudna only cast at third level, so it should have instantly worked. BUT IT WAS STILL AN EPIC MOMENT even if I'm pretty sure it's against RAW)

also LOL Ashton's just fully Donald Ducking the combat XD I am also looking forwards to fanart of this.

I really appreciated the fact that the table was very tactics heavy with this combat, even if it didn't all play out the way they wanted. Actually, Travis seemed a bit off this entire episode - being a lot more against the first whole initial journey down the tunnel and into the cavern way more than expected, and then getting very upset once he realized he was trying to do two bonus actions. Nothing bad about this, but just off from him typical behavior.

The bit below is going to be a bit negative towards Taliesin, so only click if you want to read it. It definitely gets a bit discourse-y.

Sadly, this episode ended up hitting a lot of my personal pet peeves with Taliesin's play style. Please note that these are my PERSONAL SUBJECTIVE feelings, not some objective truth. They are play style aspects which very much clash with how I play, and so bother me even though I'm not the one playing at the table.

First - I rewatched the section to make sure I didn't miss something. Going down the tunnel, Marisha talks to Matt that she's using Spider Climb, rolls, and gets a bad result. Then Matt turns to Tal to get his number, Taliesin gives his idea of using rage and widening the tunnel (a great idea, don't get me wrong!), Marisha indicates that she's already climbing, and then Tal goes "I thought I was going first"

No. He didn't say before that he was going, I watched the second again! He saw Marisha go, get a bad roll, and then try to make it so that he actually went first so her bad roll wouldn't have impact. I've said this during my C2 rewatch for stuff with other players, including Liam, but if he wanted to go first, he should have interrupted at any point BEFORE Marisha announced her result of failing.

Second - Someone sees something, I think it was Orym with his 31 passive?, but Ashton/Taliesin is the one to react about seeing it. Matt even shut it down this time, making it clear that Ashton didn't see it. He's done this now every campaign, and I'm pretty sure multiple times. It just really hits me the wrong way.

Third - He has Ashton just stand up and go to the lava pool on his own without getting input or waiting for the other players. 100% fine! Everyone does this, and it's in character to do so. BUT then he's like 'i'm doing it, i'm just going off on my own and doing it! but if you wanna help! yeah i'm going off on my own no waiting but yes help me help me cast spells and benefits but i'm just going off of my own no waiting'. Yes, that is clearly exaggerated, but when players go off and do things on their own, I want them to be going off and doing things on their own! Multiple times in all three campaigns, a player will have their PC go off and do something, and usually the verbal conversation is "too late i'm doing it" or "can't stop me I already said it" or something to the equivalent. This? Honestly it doesn't feel like a PC going off and doing something on their own, it feels like Taliesin interrupting the stuff going on at the table and demanding front and center.

And the thing is that Taliesin has had MANY times in the campaigns where his PC has gone off and done something on his own WITHOUT this feeling! But just how it was portrayed here really got to me.

I recognize all of the above is personal nitpicks, and it is their table, and many people will disagree with me. But I just wanted to vent.

[peach-the-owl]

Good grief that last post! So cute! I NEED more Matt interacting with the child reader that dynamic seemed so cute and wholesome. So if your comfortable I'd like to ask please, please for a Matt x child reader. Maybe just little kiddo being a regular crew member, attending comic con and being asked who their favorite cast member is and almost everyone at the panel responding with Matt. When Matt's like um?¿? They remind him of cute moments that support their claim. Like a clip show. Just an idea, really I'd be happy with anything. Thanks! Love your writing.

I had fun with this one 😊 Now is this an older ask? Yes. Is this cheating because Matt is a real person and not an npc? Well, Matt’s the DM which by extension means that he plays every npc so therefore I’m saying it counts.

Who’s Your Favourite?

Crit Role Cast & Child!Reader

(Mostly Matt & Child!Reader but you get the idea)

Disclaimer: I do not speak on behalf of any of the actual cast. This is just a fictional scenario meant to be for fun

You loved Comic Con, the sights, the cosplays, the merch, the panels, just everything. You skip around the con taking everything in.

“Hey, don’t be wandering off too far without me.” You hear Matt chuckle as he walks over to your beaming face.

“I can’t help it! Look at all the cool stuff.” You gesture to everything around you.

“I know, believe me I know, and we’ll have plenty of time to look around but we need to set up for our panel.” Matt reminds you.

“Oh yeah! Let’s go! Let’s go!” You bounce in place. Matt let’s out another chuckle as Marisha finally joins the two of you.

“Whhaaat, are you two having all the fun without me.” She teases.

“No, never… maybe a little.” Matt teases back. The three of you finally making your way to where you’ll be holding your panel. You sat and watched while everyone scrambled around preparing the last few touches for your panel, being joined by Matt who sits next to you acting over exhausted.

“Whew! Boy am I beat!” He sighs, you giggle at his antics.

“No you’re not, the staff did most of the work.” You point out matter-of-factly.

“And it was exhausting watching them.” He jokes. You give him a light shove, the both of you laughing before having to be called back while they open the theatre for fans to be seated. You wait in impatient anticipation to start, and finally, once the audience was seated you all took your seats at the table to start the panel.

The panel had be going really well and it was now time for any audience members to ask you guys any questions they had, you listened to fans questions and answered any as best as possible.

“Uhh hi, I have a question for (y/n).” You perk up and look to the dark auditorium. “So I was wondering, who is your favourite member of the cast.” You hesitate, genuinely trying to think of how to answer, you liked everyone and being put on the spot like this made it extra hard.

“It’s Matt!” Everyone says in near unison, except for you and Matt himself.

“Ummm… what?” He looks to everyone confused.

“Don’t act like it isn’t true. (Y/n) follows you everywhere around the studio.” Liam starts.

“Not to mention that time when they came running to you first during a blackout. (Y/n) could’ve gone to anyone else but they specifically sot you out.” Taliesin adds.

“And I haven’t forgotten when they shared their snack with you and not me.” Travis ‘accuses��, some people in the audience giving a soft laugh at the memory.

“This goes both ways just so you guys know.” Laura jumps in, talking directly to the audience.

“Yeah, don’t think we didn’t notice the rolls you’ve fudged for (y/n)’s sake. There have been plenty of times you gave them a free win.” Marisha gives Matt a smug side eye.

“You mean those cool moments weren’t real?” You speak up confused and everyone quickly goes a into a little bit of awkward silence.

“Of course they were kiddo, they’re all just jealous they couldn’t be you in that moment.” Matt encourages, giving a small but playful glare to the rest of the cast. A few more fans got to ask some questions before the panel officially came to a close and you were free to roam the con again, getting some food to re-energize yourself before going around and admiring the different cosplays people had.

After a few more scheduled panels and meet and greets with fans the day was coming to a close and you were exhausted. You try and fail to fight back a yawn rubbing your eyes in an attempt to shake the feeling away.

“Someone tired?” Marisha asks, you shake your head stubbornly. “Awww, I think you are.” She crouches down to meet your eye level, seeing the obvious exhaustion in you eyes. You look away from her with a small pout, you didn’t want the day to be over just yet and you certainly didn’t want to miss any fun activities that could take place. Marisha gives Matt a side look.

“What?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Well you are the favourite, so do something.” He gives her a playful eye roll followed by a chuckle.

“Am I really your favourite?” He asks you. You don’t respond, instead lifting your arms up to him and making grabby hands, he lets out a content hum. “Alright, alright. Come here.” He lifts you up and adjusts you so your head is resting on his should, instantly you pass out. The two adults almost laugh at how fast you gave up trying to stay awake.

“Told ya so.” Marisha lightly teases.

“Yeah yeah.” Matt waves off. “You head over to restaurant with the others, I’ll drop them off at the hotel and meet you all there.”

“Sure thing.” With that the two head in separate direction.

You’re placed in bed and handed your favourite plushie you unconsciously snuggle into, Matt whispers a quick goodnight to you before heading out leaving you to dream away in wonderland.

[councillor-roland]

Clearly this was not what Adrasia had expected. He gave off a sense of unease and almost wariness, though Roland thought he might have proven by now that there was nothing to fear from him. Well, apart from giving into his own desires. The thought normally would have made him smirk but it had very little impact on him now. He sighed instead at Adrasia's wariness. "You have nothing to fear. You should know that." It was dull as chastisements went, more weary than truly annoyed or flippant. Would Adrasia be so disconcerted that he couldn't take him to bed either? Roland sinceerely hoped not. He needed...well, he just needed.

The vampire walked over slowly, pulling his hands from his pockets. The first time had been a rather slow, drawn out seduction. The second, with Taliesin, Roland had been mischievous and playful though still in no hurry to rush things along. All of that was forgotten this time as he cupped Adrasia's face, slid an arm around him and leaned his forehead lightly against the celestial's. "I would have you." He murmured softly in response, his thumb tracing Adrasia's chin and his bottom lip. It wasn't planned, it wasn't coy or manipulative, just a desire for contact more than anything, even maybe a desire for tenderness that had been denied him with Rhys' departure. "Please." There were hints of feeling that broke through the dullness with that word, traces of sadness and longing. Roland moved his thumb down and kissed Adrasia, soft and almost sweet, like he was asking permission, though behind it there was a desperate sort of need. In a way, he supposed he was asking. He'd turned some of the other slaves away because he didn't have the energy to seduce and he couldn't stand the thought of just being endured for however long, not right now. Any other time he could rile up desire in just about anyone, even the initially reluctant, but right now? He longed to be wanted without all the work, to be touched and desired, to fill the void for even a few moments with someone else's lust, with pleasure that chased away the other things for a time. He pulled back after a moment, head tilted slightly, an almost pained look in his eyes. "Let me?" He clearly needed the answer to be yes, though it seemed at the same time like he was asking for so much more than just that.

After two very memorable encounters, Adrasia's feelings on Belgium's councilman had evolved into tangled, contradicting things. Being summoned to Roland's suite still brought with it the typical trepidation, but after the past few weeks Adrasia would have liked to think he had settled into his own steel again, not so easy to bait or shake. That, at least, was his hope -- and with Roland unlike many of the other masters, the celestial thought he knew what to expect. He had reluctantly grown to trust the vampire's mystifying personal code of conduct. Looking beyond his coy manipulations, Roland was perhaps one of the best masters any slave at Krovs could hope to fall into the hands of, Adrasia was willing to admit that. Keeping that in mind, he approached the councilman's suite that night resolved to hold his own this time around - for the sake of his pride, if nothing else.

Adrasia's first steps into Roland's rooms undid some of that determination, however. Even had there not been the obvious mess on nearly every surface, the celestial would have known something was wrong just by the scent of smoke and ash hanging in the air, not to mention a truly concerning amount of old, dried blood. Adrasia knew many of the slaves, himself included, could lose a shocking amount and still live if allowed to heal, but... he had not thought Roland the type to make such a scene. This not even mentioning the crunch of broken shards underfoot as he was marched through the sitting room, Adrasia's eyes widening as he took in the full extent of the disarray, remembering how immaculately the place had been staged when last he had stood there.

The guards didn't linger long after herding Adrasia into the bedroom, perhaps a bit disquieted themselves, leaving the two men to stare at each other in brief silence. Adrasia was only further confused as he took in Roland's rumpled appearance, the celestial almost neat by comparison: hair pulled back for the rest he'd expected before his summons, issued clothing clean and nondescript. "Hello..." Adrasia replied, calm but cautious, brows furrowed in deepening uncertainty, "Here I am." He felt somewhat on edge considering the scene he'd witnessed walking through Roland's chambers, but there was little suggesting potential violence in the flat look in Roland's eyes. After all the celestial's mental preparations, he found himself thoroughly thrown off-guard again. "What would you have from me tonight?" Perhaps the safest question.

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 76

Wow ... just wow ...

This is a good one, actually. Love LOTR, so yeah, this is great fun.

Ah yes ... Marisha is clearly NOT in the mood for his shit this week. Oh, the water spray! Yeah ... that's right ... typical Sam ... oof, this is a BAD skit ...

Laura and Ashley failing spectacular to live up to their respective character's classic accents is quite charming actually ... oh wow, has Pate FINALLY got his own t-shirt? Sweet ...

Sam: "I am Gimli, son of ... what was it?" Oh gods ...

New intro? Really? Oh shit ...

Fuck me ... I am SHOOK ... I dunno what I liked more, the lashings of Imodna or the way Fearne has such a cute and innocent smile on her face while wreaking bloody havoc ...

Matt's already having trouble with the beard. Wonderful ... Happy Halloween indeed ... XD

Aaaaaaaaagh no ... NOW he makes them roll ...

Oh, he rolled a 100? Oh ... shit no ... not a 5 ... SAMUEL FUCKING RIEGEL!!!

Ow! OW OW OW OW OW!!!

66? Please ... Taliesin: "Whose foot is coming out of my arm?"

Yeesh ... that was hairy ... but HELLO!!! Hi there, Sun Tree! Nice ...

Ooh, a greeting. Sweet ...

Marisha freaking out about hearing the Chetney voice coming from Travis dressed like Aragorn, son of Arathorn is so on point for how this session is destined to go ...

Oh man ... Laudna having traumatic flashbacks walking through Whitestone ... ouch ...

They're geeking out about being back in familiar surroundings ... ah yes, Percy's workshop. :3 Sweet ...

Tinkering? Oh, okay ... hey! Verna and Joe ... and Dancer! Yay! And Pussy 2 ... XD

Percy! Yay again! And he's just as crotchety as ever ...

Ah, so Percy and Dancer are NOT getting along, apparently ...

Whoa ... you are KIDDING ME ... NO ... NO ... IT IS NOT ... yes, it is, Allura! Sweet! All we need now is Kima showing up too and the full set is COMPLETE ...

So he has MORE of these simulacrum things. Cool ... but also not. Yeah ... crap ...

Allura knows Ludinus? Great ... but yeah, she thinks he's a douche too. Par for the course ...

The Harness is now largely RETROFITTED? Whoa ... sounds quite sleek and sexy, in fact ...

Way to go, Allura ... nice work there, clearly ...

A power still? Interesting ... the Quintessence Array? Even more so ... yeah, I figured this had the potential to be something NASTY ... yeah, good plan ... oh for ... CHETNEY!!!

The main course? Oh ... okay then ...

2 points of Fire damage AGAIN ... and a little inconvenience for Percy, too ... XD

Oh gods ... the hat ...

Children ... they're all still children ... EVERY TIME he mentions Pussy 2 ...

Allura: "This is extremely intense and extremely dangerous." FCG: "Like Chetney?" Travis (flipping his wig): "Oh baby ..."

Ashton (to Percy): "Adults are talking. Shush now." LOL

Oh, so Orym knows Allura already? Well it does make sense, of course ...

Whoa ... that was it? Oh boy ... IT'S ALIVE!!! O.O

SOMEONE ... to try it? Really?

The Vial of Cleansing Flame? Really? You're gonna start with THAT?!!!

Chet has 69 hit points ... OF COURSE he does ...

So we're really doing this ... okay then ...

Percy really is getting the short end of the stick in this at every turn and I love it ... XD

Enchanted Dishwear ... that cleans itself? Wow ... that is spectacularly crap ...

It's actually working ... oh boy ... five temporary hit points? And ... WHAT does it do Travis?

Holy fuck that us pretty choice actually ... also a little scary ...

Sam's flask ... oh my gods ... the ultimate ...

Table of Smart People ... yes, very true, Ashton ... ask the experts ...

Let's NOT Rend Ashton into a thousand pieces ... YES!!! Give it to Fearne!

Are they suggesting that Ashton and Fearne ... mate?

Allura's really gonna try going into Ashton's head? Seriously?

Aaaaaaah ... this is getting trippy ...

Dunamancy? Oh, here we go ...

Oh boy ... more Ashton backstory lore dumping! Yay! I love this stuff ...

The Luxon? Hmmmm ...

Oh shit ... the Malleus Key ... oooooh fuck ... wow, this is some heavy shit ... he DREAMS ABOUT this shit? O.O

:3 Laura mimicking the Merry waddle as she comes back to the table is adorable ...

Oooh ... is that a Mighty Nein namedrop there?

Ashton: "Wanna put a weird fire emperor in you?" Fearne: "Well, I mean it wouldn't be the first time." XD

Marisha: "Shirtcocking through Whitestone ..."

Long suffering Percival De Rolo ... XD

Laudna uses Pate to do some magical eavesdropping ... hmmm ...

A heart-to-heart with Dancer? Oh this'll be interesting, and likely really tough too ...

Wow ... this is really refreshing ... this is GROWTH ... awwwww ... yeah, we really needed this ... FCG definitely needed this ...

Ooh, some fresh info on D? Yeah, that would be helpful ... a mask? Hmmmm ... I wonder what Matt's setting up with THAT little detail ...

A hug? Really? Awwwwww ... awkward, but sweet ... :3

So Pate's listening in on Percy and Allura ... here we go ...

It's true, WE ARE currently being invaded by aliens ...

Crap, he's been discovered! Oh boy ... that is hilariously embarrassing ... he's doing the Worm? Yeah, I can imagine it's a bit disturbing ...

Oh, I love that little undead rat thing ...

Ah, food? Nice ... meanwhile the LOTR quotes continue apace ... XD

Orym is a very pretty bride, apparently ...

Discussing the particulars of the Harness ...

Large antlers? Oh! Hey! It's Keyleth! Yay!

Ah yes! The War Room! It's been a while ...

Paintings? Oh wow ... the adventures of Vox Machina! Sweet ...

Whoa ... Keyleth's MUM?!!! So cool ...

Time for a break, then ... yes, then we can concentrate on the really COOL stuff ...

Okay, here we go ...

Ah, so, the bigger picture is revealed ... hmmmm ...

The Reilora have special and specific powers against Divine magic ... ooooh ... interesting ...

Whoa, so the ongoing thing with Ruidus is making things continuously WORSE for all of magic in Exandria? Shit ... that's even worse ...

Imogen's dreams, yeah ...

Good girl, Imogen, you go ahead and mess with him telepathically ... XD

Yes. She IS very capable ...

Travis actually rolls to see if Chetney just drops dead right now ... apparently it's LOW ... oh boy ... Travis: "I'm flirting with it ..."

They are still kind of the Bumbling Fucks, but now they're becoming more powerful and important Bumbling Fucks ...

Marisha + that wig = Tilda Swinton ... fuck, once you see it, you really can't unsee it, can you?

This is what makes a bunch of heroes, right here ...

Matt: "We are not rolling for pregnancy."

Oh yeah, Caleb and Beau ... what HAS happened to them?

No teleportation to the moon ... yeah, probably not a smart move ...

Keyleth sends her mum to rally the troops and everybody grins as they quietly geek out ...

Insight check on Legendary Weapons? LOL

Oddly specific scrounging for treasure from FCG ... Percy: "Why does that sound so familiar?"

Bells Hells giving Keyleth such adorable nostalgia ...

Matt's beard is becoming comedy gold, it really is ... XD

A moment for Orym and the Voice ... :3

Keyleth advising Orym to keep an eye on Imogen due to her mother ... Keyleth: "Family ties can be ... confusing." Hmmmm ...

Does FCG know about devils? Religion check? Oh boy ...

Going on a tour of Whitestone? Hmmm ... what, go call oh Whitestone Andy? Throw some rocks at him? He was a big douche to her ...

Oh yeah, Vex was pretty fond of them all in the end, wasn't she?

They're being watched? I think I already know who this is ... Orym goes looking ... yeah, it is her, isn't it? Hello there cuteness ...

I love Gwen so much, she's such a sweetheart ...

She thinks Chetney's 4,000 years old? Awwww ... :3

Laudna introduces Gwen to Pate ... oh gods ...

Pate: "I'm very friendly ... in the presence of children." Oh gods indeed ...

Now she's showing her the Hound ... and she loves it ... ye gods even more ...

Fucking hell Ashley, how do you get 32 on an Insight check? Damn right she gets Whispers ...

Oh, she sensed something when she touched Laudna? Hmmmmm ...

Imogen, Laudna and Fearne follow her up into a room ... and now they're playing a game to try and coax her out? A group Persuasion Check? Hmmmm ...

Well this might still work ... just be honest with her ... and Laudna does just that ... then leaves? Oh ... that's really sad ...

A hatred? Oh man ... was that fucking Delilah? Damn it, it was ... bollocks ...

Planning a little Witchy Adventure after dark? Okay then ...

Ashton is wandering about with the other boys ... what, Changebringer's temple? Hmmm ...

Splitting up, now off to the Matron of Ravens' Temple ... nice secluded spot for it, definitely ... here we go ... a graveyard? Interesting ...

Oh, the Dawnfather? Interesting ... more modest and homely, at least ... here we are, Altar of the Raven ...

A statue of Vax? Oh wow ... that is awesome ...

Looking for an entrance ... oh, that was surprisingly easy ... and now it is PITCH BLACK ... hmmmm ... going downwards ...

Scrawny hairless ancient dwarf? How the hell does THAT work?

Othinon? Okay then ...

Five stone sarcophagi ... right ... so they're more symbolic, then?

Oh gods Ashton what are you doing? Dear fucking gods do not open that ... oh, very good joke there, Ashton ... but seriously, what the fuck is he doing?

And now he is SEALED INTO THE SARCOPHAGUS ... now Othinon is directing them to go into the others? Hmmmm ... Chetney and Orym and SHARING one ...

Nothing's happening so far ...

Oh shit, are they starting to trip out? Yeah, here we go ... it's very subtle but it's happening ...

Each having their own separate but similar experience, it would seem ... or ARE THEY sharing communication after all? Seems to be both ...

Oh okay ... hello there, Raven Queen ...

Now they're floating in a black shapeless void ... the Matron looking down upon them ... oh, so Ashton's going to try climbing out using one of the chains ... and it works? Now they're ALL doing it ...

The chains break? Now they're falling and she just explodes into a mass of ravens ...

Wait ... so what, was that actually some kind of blessing? Weird ...

That was quite the trip ... for all of TWO MINUTES ...

Meanwhile FCG has gone to the Horizon Temple ... oh, hello Osli! Nice to see a familiar face ...

Oh fuck ... Letters saying if something IS going to go bad he asks the Changebringer to maybe make it happen just to HIM and not to his friends ... come on, FCG ... don't destroy us emotionally like that ...

FCG really does have a very healthy relationship with his goddess, all things considered ...

So business has been particularly brisk at the temple lately ... par for the course, really ...

Sam: "Thank you, Cat Stevens." Matt: "It's the least I could do, ZZ Top."

Reconvening at the crepe stand ...

Holy shit, the guy there IS Whitestone Andy? Motherfucker ... Laudna is being magnanimous in her anonymity ...

Meanwhile Imogen is just subtly messing with him ...

Fuck, did FCG REALLY just Banish Andy? XD

Oh, NOW he finally remembers ... oh, maybe it's NOT him? Gods, I'm so confused ...

Closure ... nice ...

Back to the castle, time for rest and turning in ... Nice place go finally get some overdue PROPER rest. Reflecting on what's to be done, and what's to come ...

They almost don't let him, but Matt calls it a night after all ...

So that's that for the night ... and Happy Halloween ...

[dent-de-leon]

Screaming and yelling at Taliesin Jaffe about always throwing his characters directly at death cuz it gives me a heart attack and cradling King so tenderly in my arms and telling him if he wants to avoid old mistakes then to maybe realise that he is LOVED and treating himself like he's expendable is hurting the people who love him and risked their lives so he could be born

aHH YES YES!! IT'S AN ABSOLUTE FEAR OF MINE. IT STILL PAINS ME SO MUCH, THAT MOMENT WHEN KINGSLEY NEARLY TAKES A BETRAYAL GOD'S DEAL BECAUSE "WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE?"--WHAT ABOUT THE FAMILY THAT LOVES YOU!

I can at least take some comfort in other little moments--King saying in the reunion he doesn't like risks--which is very different than how he was before. And even the way he fights--the dueling style of fighting as opposed to duel-wielding, the levels of rogue that allow him to easily disengage from combat and make a quick escape. King saying he's trying to learn a bit from the past and, "make different mistakes." I think he does have a bit more self-preservation now, which is a little more comforting.

But I still wish he'd realize that he will always be loved by the Nein--even though he's still trying to reconcile with the past, and even though he's worried he can't be what the Nein need him to be--uncertain if he even deserves their affection. "Thank you, I--I'm looking forward to the future, and I hope I deserve to have woken up surrounded by such people."

And then, later on, he's plagued by nightmares of, "when your heart found the strength, giving all that you are to help those who gave you purpose in return. It was worth it. It was worth it. Yet, on a rare occasion, that odd memory continues to return. The moment you gave yourself and broke your prison." The fact that Kingsley remembers being Molly, and choosing to sacrifice himself, fully believing that it was all worth it.

I hope that, as memories start to return, he realizes he's still worth as much to the Nein as they always were to him. That he still has so much time to grow and adventure and explore this world he fell so in love with. That his life is nothing short of a miracle, and he is so beloved. The fact that Caleb told Tealeaf, "Please don't give up. You can still find your own life again--there'll be time for that later." I hope he knows how true that still is. And I hope he's been able to make peace with his lives and memories over the years, open up more to the Nein and realize that they will always want him to be a part of their lives--