#I missed laudna's contribution

[elementalladymallorie]

"To the reunion of old friends." "To not being alright!" "Hey hey. And to Letters." "To Letters." "And Cyrus." "To the friends we will meet again."

-The Bells Hells toast.

[utilitycaster]

Going from that ask asking about Widobrave not having it's codependency discussed, i didn't watch untill the first 50 episodes started, so i missed most of it, but i was mostly a Nott/Veth enjoyer for the rest of the campaign, and one of the reasons why Widobrave wasn't dissected as much is in great part because it was not a popular ship, and the majority of the fandom's take was "she is like his adopted sister/daughter, wait no she sees herself as her mother? Let's not unpack this further as to why she says this to the group and take this as fact, also it doesn't matter because Caleb has a crush on (X character)"

And lets not forget that when she revealed to Beau her crush on Caleb, people here were going about how she is actually emotionally cheating on her husband, or how it's actually Veth not understanding her motherly affection, or "how dare she try and get in the way of Caleb and X's relationship!" Or worse arguably "oh Sam! That silly guy!" Undermining more of her character

I feel like, in it's own way, it's similar in that Ashton and FCG's relationship isn't discussed, it's not popular. I am aware that it's not in any shape or form an equal comparison, in that Ash and FCG's dependency isn't as deep-rooted as Widobrave's and i read it as mostly platonic, however i wanted to use it as an example because i have read extensive analysis for almost all BH ship dynamics, but maybe 1-2 posts last year lol

I mean, yes, I think that the popularity is a big part, and that's something I touched upon, and I agree that there was a lot of criticism of Widobrave that I suspect anon missed out on by perhaps not being in the fandom during Campaign 2, or perhaps they were but have since forgotten, or (like me) didn't follow the main tag as much during Campaign 2 but began doing so more closely in Campaign 3.

But more importantly I think that if someone feels like Imogen and Laudna's relationship is being treated unfairly in comparison to Widobrave...they should write a post about why they think Imogen and Laudna aren't codependent, or a post about why they think Veth and Caleb are! Like, I don't agree, and I don't think there exists the textual support to make this claim (at least, I don't think that there's a good argument for Imogen and Laudna having a healthy relationship nor that one can reasonably claim Caleb and Veth are codependent at the end of Campaign 2), but that doesn't mean someone can't make an effort.

It's just like...of all the ways of contributing to fandom out there, I feel as though meta is the most accessible! If you're not seeing your opinion out there...write it! Look, there's some opinions I see and I think are fucking terrible, but my response is to say "okay, why don't I like this? What do I think is wrong about it? Can I put that into words in my own separate post? Can I build upon that and make it go beyond just This Take Sucks but actually come up with a compelling argument in favor of my opposing view?" and then I do. It's fine to just complain - I love complaining - but on anon into the inbox of someone who already disagrees with you isn't the most effective place, and this is really a case where the power is with anon to be the change they wish to see in the world. Go forth and write the meta you think is missing! That's literally all I do and it rules. You can't write meta with the goal to change hearts and minds because you don't control other people, but you can at least put the opinion you wish more people understood out there and see if they go "oh yeah! great point!"

[noelanik-art]

Quotes from this episode that made me feel things:

“We miss you” Orym and Imogen at the same time to Dorian.

“Does he do this all the time, does he quietly suffer?” Orym about FCG

FCG stumbling over their concerns about everyone and the things they need to get done.

“This is not a one way street, okay? Your contributions are so appreciated, but I see you worrying about everybody else, and you’re not the only caregiver in this group and I want you to start caring about yourself a bit more. I was worried you weren’t going to get out of there.” - Orym to FCG

“There will always be stuff to worry about, it doesn’t go away,” “that’s life,” “it could go away!” Ashton, Orym, and FCG

“Hey, just shut down for a little while, take some time, and remember that anything worth doing, anything really complicated should not be done quickly. Step by step, don’t rush it. You had a good day.” — Ashton to FCG (Taliesin strikes again)

“There’s always a lesson to be learned, and I feel like it’s one of my favorite lessons today, which is sometimes there’s no lesson to be learned. Sometimes shit’s just fucked up, and the only thing you can do, because you didn’t do anything fucking wrong, is get the fuck back up and do the exact same thing all over again knowing that there was nothing to learn.” — Ashton to Laudna

“I feel oddly comforted and it disturbs me.”

“Thank you.”

“That was good advice.”

“THANK you.”

“For pretty much no fucking advice.”

“Honestly I feel like that’s kind of my brand.”

Ashton and Laudna

“I don’t know, this group feels different.”

-Ashton

“You have two feet, two legs, whatever, you’ve got means to leave. It’s a little strange, I think, that people put so much value in feeling like if they walk out of the city limits that certain doom will encroach them. From my experience, sometimes staying out insures certain doom far more than leaving.” — Laudna to Ashton

“You’re not wrong. Sometimes you just don’t want to find out that maybe the problem isn’t the city, that maybe the problem’s you.” — Ashton to Laudna

“Maybe we can learn something about ourselves together.” -Laudna to Ashton

“It can be different on different nights, right? Sometimes you don’t remember anything, it’s just like a bip of times go by, but sometimes stories happen.” — Orym about dreams, to FCG

“Nightmares are just fun dreams, they’re inspiration, right?” — Laudna

[grigori77]

Critical Role Campaign 3 Episode 38

Matt, attempting to pick between a French and Cajun accent as Gambit ... oh dear ... on the other hand, Taliesin for the Mr Sinister love, nice one mate. Then there's Laura, looking PARTICULARLY cute as Rogue, which is nice. And then there's Marisha, who genuinely IS Jean Grey in that outfit ...

Meanwhile Sam clearly didn't get the memo since he turned up as Mr Fantastic. WHO ISN'T AN X-MAN!!! As the others continually remind him ... also those ridiculous extendo-arms are CLEARLY gonna be an issue going forward. I foresee considerable dice chaos with THAT shit.

Mighty Nein reunion? Really? Oooooooh ... sweet!

Liamreally committing to the Cyclops goggles might be a mistake too. We shall see ...

More whispers of U'kotoa ... XD

IT'S THURSDAY NIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT ...

Damn it ... yet again Marisha is missing from the table. I really am starting to hate this.

Okay, come on ... come on ... this really is gonna be weird if we get super emotional with everybody in fancy dress like this.

FCG: "Lady Vex, is your husband gonna be okay with this?" Vex: "He'll have to be."

Pike says to stay hydrated, kids!

Friend or a fight ... hmmmm ...

Fearne complimenting Pike is still some meta weirdness. That ain't going away any time soon.

Yeah, Delilah's kind of like herpes, really ...

FCG: "You need to hold my hand?" Sam shoves an extendo-arm into Matt's face. He accepts the joke with impressive grace, actually. Somehow Sam does not derail the solemnity of the moment.

Come back to us, Laudna. Please come back ...

Orym making red poppies bloom in Laudna's hair, that's so sweet. ONE SUCCESS!!! YES!!!

FCG: "You may not have been perfect, but you have loved, and a soul that loves at least TOUCHES perfection." Cast Compel? Seriously? NATURAL 1?!!! SHIT!!! Did he ... did he lose her?

Imogen, you're our BEST HOPE. You got this ...

Fuck, Imogen's contribution ... that's just ... fuck, she's crying and I'm crying and we're all crying ... persuasion check ... oh fuck, no ... 7? Shit ...

Gods, please, PLEASE let this work anyway ...

Wait, Pike's all floaty, that's a good sign, right?

Matt, get this resurrection roll right, man ... damn it, he's taking a picture again ...

Oh no ... what ... what does that mean?

Pike slaps Laudna awake! Wait ... MARISHA IS BACK!!! SHE'S BACK!!! YES!!! Everybody's so happy and everything is right with the world again.

Oh gods I love that Laudna's first thoughts are to ask after IMOGEN. That's love, baby!

FCG casts Detect Thoughts on her ... tiny emotional roller-coaster, man!

Vex is aiming a bow at Laudna! Yeah, that's about right ...

Seriously? Sam's gonna take a piss NOW?!!!

It's Laudna. Pike says it's JUST Laudna ... so is she gone? Insight check? Pike seems honest ... phew.

Yeah, they're in Whitestone. Chetney, to Laudna: "It's not like it was!"

Laudna has NOTHING to be sorry for ... hey, stop messing with her, stop telling her it's been YEARS!!! I mean yeah it's funny but still!

Whoa, riflemen? Fascinating ...

Yeah, that's right, WOULD SHE know who either of these women are? Intelligence of 6? Really?

Laudna: "You're very pretty." Vex: "So are you." Okay ... more meta weirdness.

Holy shit, the place is SURROUNDED!!! Yup, that's gotta be Percy. Yeah, it is. I am not even remotely surprised.

Laudna remembers what it used to be as she sees what is now ... oh, the Sun Tree, that's gotta be a hell of a thing. Laudna wants to go to it and I do not blame her at all.

Raise Dead ... yeah, that's right, she's gonna be a mess for a while after that.

Travis continues to roll like shit and I love how enthusiastic he is about it. XD

Laudna wondering if this isn't just one of Delilah's tricks hurts so much ... she's just TRAUMATISED right now, isn't she? She's still imagining the OLD Sun Tree with the hanging bodies ... the kids! Oh ...

Wow, the kid actually getting that she's FUN scary is so sweet ... oh man, Pate is gonna just blow this kid's mind fight now! "He smells funny!" Laudna: "He knows, he's a little sensitive about it."

That is SUCH a different thing from the scared kid's in the first episode, it hits SO HARD ...

Laudna hugs the Sun Tree ...

New Form of Dread ... wow ... she's embodying the Sun Tree in its life cycle! That's so awesome! Like magical therapy!

Uh oh, here comes Percy ... be nice, please ...

Holy fuck ... is he actually APOLOGISING?!!! My gods he is ... wow ... growth, man! Nice one!

Laudna: "I named my pet rat after you." Percy: "I'm sorry?"

The Sun Tree is warm ... EVERYBODY TOUCH IT!!! Ashton: "I'm just enjoying the view right now, I don't know if I can. It's just hilarious." Meanwhile Chetney gets wood ...

Yeah, Keyleth talks to the tree, everybody knows that. Laudna: "Hello, tree."

Vex continues to twist Percy around her little finger and I love it. To be honest I think he's mellowing in his old age ...

Ooooh ... Vex takes them on a tour of Whitestone.

Pike REALLY has to look up at Fearne. I love it. Seriously, Ashley are you REALLY gonna pick your old character's pocket? Whoa ... the holy symbol? Oh boy ... yeah, that wasn't gonna work, was it? Nice she gave her a pass, though. XD

Sam sneezes during Laudna's big emotional revelation. For once Ashley doesn't tell him to stop it ...

Ooooooh ... Find Familiar? Is this gonna work? Oh please let this work, the possibilities for chaos are GIGANTIC.

Fuck, it speaks! That is BRILLIANT!!!

Matt doing Familiar Pate is so fucking mental, I love it! XD this is gonna ne a riot.

Fuck, this just keeps getting better ... and Travis is DEFINITELY creeped out ... Laudna is starting to rethink this and realising it won't actually end ... hmmmm ... oh, yes, he hides in her hair, that could work ...

FCG is reminded of Shithead ... Laudna suggests he use it as therapy. Yeah, that's actually smart.

Awwwww ... Vox Machina memory lane ...

Okay, fancy dinner, this should be entertaining.

Guide Osly Kamida. Okay.

Okay, is FCG actually offering Percy some THERAPY right now?

Oh sweet, a reminder of Taryon and Doty! Awwww ... yeah, actually that might be a smart port of call for FCG actually.

Oh boy, Fearne is actually really asking for a tiny pistol for Mister. A Gunkey! Adorable ... XD Flaming shit, yes ... Holy shit, this is actually gonna work ...

Percy: "Certainly the most interesting dinner we've had in a while."

Imogen's quick thinking helps Vex avoid a Laudna triggering lobster course crisis ... Nice one. Then she checks for invisible guards with Detect Thoughts. Smart.

Mister gets his tiny pistol. Okay ... this could be problematic ... Percy advises Fearne wait until AFTER they leave the city before giving it to him, which is definitely for the best ...

Rapidly prepared potato soup ... yeah ...

One last little talk before retirement ... here we go. Oh yeah, Everybody Loves Manners ...

Oh fuck yeah, the residuum ... hmmm ... AND the Potions of Possibility ... yeah, this is gonna unsettle them a bit.

Yeah, nobody like the Cerberus Assembly much ...

So Percy already hashish eye on the Apogee Solstice, makes sense. Yeah, tell him about Ruidus. The cage, AND the city ... whoa, he doesn't seem surprised at all. That is FASCINATING. Does he know something already? Holy fuck HE DOES!!!

The Divine Gate. The post Calamity boundary between this world and that of the gods. Oh ... so the thing with Ruidus MIGHT be something else, then ...

Bloody hell Sam, what the fuck are you doing with your flask this time? Bloody hell, way to derail the whole episode ... XD

Friends in Vasselheim ... oh yes indeed ...

Fearne: "So this ... I'm sorry, I don't know anything." XD

Chetney compliments Percy on his clock tower. Uh huh ... years of intensity. Yup ...

No Chetney, the world is NOT flat. Percy sets him straight. I doubt it'll take ...

Oh yeah, call up Eshteross' friend to open the tree up for them. Smart.

Oh boy, the moment Percy leaves Chetney starts flirting with Vex. That's adorable.

D'awwwwwwww ... Laudna and Vex bonding ... it's gone beyond just a shocking reminder for her now, she really has become find of her now, hasn't she?

Did Fearne just invite Vex to some bedroom shenanigans?

LIKE a real family? They ARE a real one now, surely. XD Taliesin's costume makes the group hug a bit weird.

Camping trip out by the Sun Tree. Perfect. Oh, and it's warm there too, that works.

Matt: "And we're gonna go to break!" Everybody cheers when they realise the group are FINALLY back together, and NOW they're doing the mTh on JUST HOW CLOSE they came to failing ... oof ...

Yeah, that 2 part Mighty Nein reunion special sounds pretty frickin sweet, my man ...

Oh fuck no not another FUCKING RUIDUS DREAM for Imogen! And she's just IN THE STORM straight away ... FCG is with her, okay, that worked. Interesting ...

Is Otohan there? 16 on a Perception roll ... there's SOMEONE here, moving around in the dust. They go to follow them ...

Not Otohan, someone BIGGER. Hmmm ... ah shit, they're gone. Oh, so they were a ghost ... like with Bertrand ... someone just died? Oh fuck, who is it? Please not Eshteross ...

Really? You guys are gonna try to FLY in this? Well, at least that means they CAN use their spells here. But what kind of spell slots do they have? Ah ... FCG can't use HIS magic here, then. Hmmm ...

Oh, well THAT didn't work ... now they're just getting CHUCKED AROUND something awful.

19 Perception check ... Imogen is the same, but indistinct. Because it's a dream of course, surely. FCG thinks it makes her look cool.

Imogen tries to Message Eshteross through her dream ... no joy? What does THAT mean?

Oh, so it's not her magic, just her WILL that makes all that work. Okay.

And now they're in SPACE. FCG: "Where are we?" Imogen: "We're on the moon, bitch!"

Wake up ... well, at least they got a long rest.

Liam: "Orym's been doing crunches for 20 minutes."

Does Fearne have Speak With Plants? Technically since she just woke up, she could ...

Laudna lets Imogen keep the necklace. She will get a lot more use out of it, after all.

Matt: "So Fearne, are you doing this?" Cue laughter ... arexwe gonna get Sun Tree?

Oh cool, we are! XD I have totally missed that voice ... I love stoner Sun Tree ...

Fearne asks Sun Tree if he has any plans for the Solstice ... Nd he gives her consent to open him up, too ... that's so adorable ...

Oh fuck ... no response from Lord Eshteross ... no. Please no ...

Okay, maybe he's just sleeping. But they need to get back ... they need to contact Shania Twain or whatever her name was ... but first, BREAKFAST!!! It is awful early still over there.

That IS the only face he can actually make, so ...

Chetney in Imogen's dream ... not sure that would be the smartest move.

More flat earth humour ... XD I swear that is not getting old.

Goodbye to Vex, then? Chetney tries to drum up a little extra business.

Oh, here we go ... he finished Imogen's wooden horse ... with no metal of any kind! Special rare wood ... is it called "plastic", perhaps? "By the way if you wind it the wrong way it WILL EXPLODE!!!"

Ah yes ... SHOPPING. Might be a good idea.

Trying to get the horse to work ... Taliesin: "The tension is killing me."

Sam making podcast narration jokes ...

Is it just me or is Matt's Vex getting increasingly camp?

FCG's message to Shania is a total mess ... I am NOT surprised she hasn't got a clue who she's talking to ...

Matt: "THERE IS A GIANT CLOCK ... LITERALLY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN!!!"

Oh gods ... second message is WORSE ... they're all dying of laughter and so am I ...

Two hours ... REMEMBER THAT, people!

Gilmour's Glorious Goods! OMG!!!!

Oh man ... it's not ACTUALLY Gilmour, though. Just Jerry ... guess he'll have to do.

Ah, the in-game abridged version ... yeah well since it's not Gilmour it's probably best.

Ashton seeks a bigger stick ...

Healing Potions, always a sound investment.

Magical trinkets ... Laudna makes Jerry show off his inner nerd. Oh wow ... NOBODY speaks Elven? Really? Fancy little magic flying griffon toy ...

FCG beelines to Horizon Temple. Ooh, this place is really pretty, sweet statue ...

Ah, here's the Guide himself, he seems nice. FCG seeks answers of the Changebringer. I still suspect he's finally found his goddess. Sounds like I may be right.

Ah, the tongue ... the tongue ... witness Matt die inside a little again ...

FCG tries praying to the Changebringer ... and now he's lost in the town ...

Sam continues to play around Sith his extendo-arms. Cue chiding from Liam: "Samuel!" Laura: "Ooooh, full name!"

Back home through the tree. It's only six in the morning there ... might be all right after all ... whatever, back to Eshteross' place. But CAREFULLY ...

House looks fine ... 18 perception check from Orym ... seems okay ...

Imogen tries another message ... still nothing? Damn it, this is making me crazy now ...

FCG is going to try Locate Creature on Eshteross ... it works, it senses Eshteross. But DOES THAT mean he's still alive?

Cue in depth discussion about whether they can send Pate in to check without him getting destroyed?

Now Chetney's going in invisibly. Is he not worried about the traps?

29 to pick the front door lock ... nice. Now Time for the flying undead rat ... here we go ...

Pate continues to be hilarious. He's ridiculous and it's adorable. Given Marisha's still learning how to have a familiar it's extra fun watcher go mad trying to work out what she's doing ...

Shit ... DOES Pate have Dark Vision?

Signed of a struggle ... oh fuck ... yeah, Eshteross' traps have clearly wreaked havoc on whoever came calling. Not good.

Chetney smells blood ... oh boy ...

Oh, I have missed Laudna's creepy whispers, even under the circumstances they're still fun.

No ... no ... Eshteross is down.

That perception check is BALLS. Chetney is going to get WRECKED going in this room.

Man, Eshteross is a MESS. Perception check for familiar scents ... NATURAL 20!!! Yup. Smells like Otohan WAS here. Thought so.

Chetney tries to move a lockbox and triggers a trap, gets himself AND Eshteross hit. Ouch ...

Nope, Eshteross is OFFICIALLY dead. Argh ... why can't we have nice things, Matt? WHY?!!!

The lockbox opens. Travis: "And I die." Matt: "Game over." Travis: (imitates explosion)

Lots of letters ... oh, there's one for Bells Hells ... noooooo ...

Oh man ... he really did like them. That makes me so sad ... HE LEFT THEM THE COOKIE RECIPE?!!! SERIOUSLY?!!!

Holy fuck he left them the Silver Sun! THEY HAVE A FUCKING AIRSHIP OF THEIR OWN!!!

Matt, being a sadist, makes Travis roll for stealth to make sure he's not tracking through the blood ... 21! Nice ...

They can NEVER remember that bloody name ... the Soot and Swill, good call. Go see Pretty! Yes!

The blood smell on the cane makes Orym remember his husband's death ... and THAT'S IT for tonight! Oh man!

Eshteross, nooooooo ... just when we got Laudna back, too ...