#OH MIGHTY NEIN HOW I'VE MISSED YOU

[flowersforvax]

The Mighty Nein picking Bell's Hells up by the scruff of their necks: you WILL show some vulnerability to your fellow adventurers that will leave you emotionally raw but ultimately bring you closer together and you [shake] will [shake] like it [shaking them violently like Imogen did to Pâté that one time]

[roninreverie]

Be careful, Laudna could be in there.

Genuinely I don't know how Dorym could have happened in a more perfect way. Both of them being practical and trying so, so hard to not be a burden on each other, but also finding a quiet solace together. And Robbie's narration, GOD. These men have me gnawing at my walls.

[nellie-elizabeth]

The Legend of Vox Machina: Cloak and Dagger (3x07)

My heart hurts! I've been waiting to get here!

Cons:

Small thing: I feel like I haven't heard anyone calling Keyleth by her full name all season! It's like... always Kiki. I liked that better when it was an occasional thing.

Big thing: What was that song at the end, when Vex is running to Percy? Like... that is the first time the music on this show has missed hard, and it's such a bummer that it happened over such an intense moment. I was scratching my head wondering how they could have ended up with such a tonally awkward and lyrically basic song here. They've always been so good about the music in the past! The song felt symptomatic of something I was noticing throughout this episode, that the dialogue was a little too on the nose and didn't allow for the audience to come to its own conclusions. Everything with Ripley and her motivations, and Percy choosing mercy over vengeance, it just felt a little more one-note than I would have expected, and that song was the capstone to it all in the worst possible way. It may be the single thing in this entire show so far that I've liked the least. A big, big miss in my opinion.

So like, there's this category of "criticisms" that I think everyone has about this show that isn't actually "this was bad" but more like "there was a very specific vibe or moment from the campaign that I loved, and this new version means I won't get to see it." And it's all a personal preference thing. There are a million little moments that weren't particularly precious to me, and so seeing them get altered didn't faze me in the slightest. But to someone else, that particular character beat might have been one of their favorite moments. For me, I think the big thing about Percy's death that they changed isn't a bad narrative difference for this particular show, but I do have to shout it out. I miss this being more of a group vibe, a group grieving, a group effort against Ripley. I will always remember the "Vox Machina, how do you want to do this?" the solemnity of Matt's voice, the way the group took on that mantle of vengeance from Percy in order to avenge him, because he was their friend and they loved him.

Now, we may still get that in some way, seeing as Anna is still alive? But the entire vibe of Glintshore, the stakes and the combat with the area of effect spells and the entire group unable to take her down in time to stop her from going after Percy... it's really just one of my favorite combats that the campaign ever did, and I'll never forget the way it made me feel to watch it! So again, this isn't a "what the show did was bad" complaint, it's a "this was one of those episodes in the campaign that I would have loved to see play out the way it always is in my head, from back in the day, and I don't get to have that. Oh well."

Pros:

But honestly, setting aside that weird as fuck song choice, I did still think this episode kicked some major ass. These people know how to make good TV and I cannot deny that.

Anna Ripley's backstory to start things off was I think a really smart move. Not just in the sense that giving villains a tragic backstory is the only way to make them more complex, but specifically as a way to underline the Percy and Ripley parallels. This could have been Percy. This was the life path Percy was on. His family dead at the hands of mages, and a burning desire to make the people who hurt him pay for what they've done. Orthax, the invention of fire arms, all of that: it comes from a place of deep bitterness and resentment. How is it fair that some people get to have all the power in this world? Why not make the playing field a little more even? It's not a good idea, but the perspective is totally reasonable and you understand why Anna would be seduced by this life, and why Percy, if he hadn't met Vox Machina when he did, might have become the same thing. Also! Was that a Trent cameo?? Man, I'm excited for the Mighty Nein show.

This season has been so focused on the romances, which I love, but I'm glad that we still get little beats of friendship and other relationships tossed in here. Since there's not a lot of time in each episode to cover the extensive plot and all the character beats, the show leans on very small indicators of this group and how their banter and friendship operates. We have Pike being a little dork about the investigation stuff, and Vax saying how cool it sounded. We have Vax with the nicknames, always. And then we have the more angst-y stuff. I really liked that even in the midst of a Percy/Vex focused episode, when Vex was first influenced by the mind-altering gas, she's hearing her mother, and she's calling out for Vax. Vax is her person, and has been for a long time. We get these hints of sad twin backstory here that I think are important setup for what's to come with the dragons, but also continue Vex's thread of being afraid that her love is dangerous. And then more angst when Pike wakes Grog up from his hallucinations and she's weakened by using her magic, and Grog says "Pike? Did I hurt you again?" Like... rip my heart out, my dude! That was so sad!

What is going on with Pike, though? It's so interesting to have this new plot thread just completely added to the story and weaving in with all these moments. She's got her Vestige, but now when she reaches for the Everlight, it's... something else, coming forward within her. She ends up using some sort of... devilish red spell to wake her friends up, something we're meant to understand in contrast to her usual Everlight healing magic. Also, got to see Zerxus being a sinister reminder of all that we do not yet know about Pike, so that was really cool!

But let's talk about the Percy and the Vex of it all. I love how just utterly and completely down bad he is for her, and how much he wants to find a way to make both of them happy. It's so interesting, because you'd think Percy would be just as angst-y and avoidant about love as Vax has proven to be this season, but on the other hand, this trajectory gels more with what we saw in the campaign. Percy knows his darkest inclinations, he knows the kind of man he has been and might become again. But he also knows he wants to be better, he wants to be happy, and he's not afraid to lean into the things that are helping, the things that make him grounded and successful at keeping that darkness at bay. It's refreshing for such a character type not to go ten rounds being too miserable to allow themselves to be happy. That's what we have Vex's insecurities for, in the end!

That "I'm in love with you" scene, with the sunlight washing over Vex's face? Contrasted with her broken cry of "No!" as she runs to Percy and cradles him in her arms... I mean, some A+ acting from Laura Bailey and some A+ work from the animators. They really sold me on Vex's whole messy avoidant deal. Every word out of her mouth in this episode was such delicious irony for those of us who knew what was coming, as she's talking about how Scanlan will tease her, Keyleth will call her a hypocrite, and Vax will... well, the implication is that Vax will beat up Percy for being with Vex, which is SUCH a fascinating little detail. Because, well, Vex has to know that's not true! She's banking on an earlier and incomplete version of their sibling relationship, this idea that her protective brother Vax will always stand in the way of other people's interference in their lives. But Vax has grown past that, and Vex is well aware. And then Percy is probably just sitting there going... "but in that very awkward hot tub scene, Vax basically gave me his blessing!" I loved the beat where the rest of the gang is looking on at Percy and Vex and rolling their eyes about how obvious it is that the two of them have been hooking up. Even Grog has not been fooled in the slightest.

Percy really gets to complete a journey of self-actualization here as he rejects Ripley's offer and then refuses to kill her, really cementing his turn away from vengeance. He wants to do the right thing. He wants to prove to himself and to the world that recovery and redemption is possible, even after terrible harm. It's so beautiful because in the last episode Percy was talking about how all he wants is to have a life in Whitestone, and then Whitestone is razed to the ground. And then here he just wants a chance to keep growing and changing and getting better, and that is seemingly stolen from him as well. But Percy is a good man and he's brave and he'll keep fighting for what's right, even when everything goes wrong around him. We love him for that!

Combat-wise, we have to talk about what a COOL battle sequence the Ripley (and Orthax) vs. Percy showdown was. I love the steam-punk-y vibes of these characters, I loved the red and black, I loved seeing Orthax taking over Anna the way we saw him taking over Percy in season one. I loved Percy jumping and tumbling around to escape from things and saying "Vax makes that look so easy." I loved him using his gauntlet "Diplomacy" to turn a handshake into an attack - that's the most Percy thing I can think of. And I love that he gets to be a bad-ass, he does the trick with the black powder, and then... No Mercy Percy does just the opposite of what his name implies, and he tries to offer Anna another chance.

It's such a tragic and poignant moment, and despite my personal mourning for certain aspects of Glintshore that didn't play out like they did in the campaign, I thought this was a wonderful moment of storytelling, and a truly tragic ending to the episode! Percy combines his true genius and cunning with a radical type of openness and hope. He truly is a Character of All Time for me.

So... yeah, this might be an episode that has some polarizing feelings from fans. I can imagine a lot of people a tiny bit outraged that Anna Ripley is alive and gets away again here at the end of the episode, which was frankly very much not what I was expecting. As for me, I had a great time watching this episode, and I will just do my best to forget that weird song at the end ever existed.

8/10

[waltwhitmansbeard]

20. “What were you like before I met you?”

Hmm… let’s make this interesting. Keyleth meeting the Mighty Nein and getting to know them.

20. "What were you like before I met you?" so this happened bc, not for the first time, i read "mighty nein" and saw "bells hells," and, not for the first time, saw "bells hells" and thought "orym." so basically, this in no way resembles the prompt, but it is what i have lol

All of the most important people in the world are leaving, scattering and coalescing into their various war rooms and private councils. The Hells are getting sidelong looks, which Orym can understand; yesterday, they were strangers, interlopers, nobodies—today, they're heroes.

He watches Dorian fall into conversation with his father and tries not to use his keen lip-reading ability to follow every word. He imagines a thousand different ways that conversation could go, but it's up to Dorian to tell him about which one it ended up being, if he wants to. Chetney's been flagged down by one of the Sanctuary's scalebearers, and Orym just has to see the phrase "C-POP" on his lips to know he wants nothing to do with whatever that is. Braius is being reconfronted by Highbearer Vord, but Orym has learned in their scant few hours together that if anyone can lie their way out of trouble, it's Braius Doomseed.

So he takes this moment to find the Voice of the Tempest. He appears at her elbow silently, making the Dwendalian representative she's speaking with jump, but the Tempest doesn't even flinch. "Hello, Orym."

"Tempest." He ducks his head. "Do you have a minute? I don't mean to interrupt."

"Of course." She bids goodbye to the Dwendalian and leads Orym away. "What's on your mind?"

"Well, uh, first I wanted to thank you for those titles, the ones you gave my friends. It...means a lot."

The Tempest snorts ungracefully. "You should have seen the first six drafts." She smiles down at him. "It was my honor, Orym. I know what it is to have the fate of the world on your shoulders. The very least we could do is acknowledge it appropriately."

"What were you like before I met you?" Orym asks.

The Tempest laughs. "Orym, I've known you since you were the size of a housecat."

He flushes. "I know, I mean—what were you like when you were...like me? Part of a group with the fate of the world on its shoulders?"

She drums her fingers thoughtfully along her staff. "Hmm. Well, I was younger," she quips. "More optimistic, I think. Definitely more naive. I really thought that if we tried hard enough, if we cared enough, we could stop all the bad things from happening." She smiles again, this time wryly. "My secret, though, is that most of the time? I still think that way."

Orym's heart sinks a little. "So...you never had any doubt? You just always knew you were going to get the job done?"

The Tempest throws her head back and lets out a barking laugh that draws the attention of the surrounding dignitaries. "Oh, fuck no, are you kidding?" She crouches down then, gets to his eye level in the way that has never once felt to Orym like a parent condescending to a child, but rather someone speaking to their equal. "Orym, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the doubt is there literally all of the time. Even today, putting forth that plan with Vex and Allura, I had no idea how that was going to go, if the others would accept it, if it's even going to work. But the alternative is doing nothing, and I have never been good at that."

"Is that why you're so strong? Because there is no alternative?"

"I am strong, Orym, for the same reason you're strong." Her fingers dance briefly between them, and suddenly, she's holding onto the stem of a pearly white snowdrop. "I'm strong because there are people counting on me to be strong. People I love. People I couldn't bear to let down." She hands him the snowdrop. It is soft and alive in his fingers. "You have those people. I know you do." He doesn't miss the way her eyes flick over to Dorian, who is just now walking away from his father. "And a word of advice? From someone who waited and will carry the regret of that waiting for the next millennium?" There's a twinkle of something almost mischievous in her eye. "Do not take too long to let those people know how you feel. You and I know better than most that you never know how long you have with them."

She stands then, tall and regal, gives him a wink, and glides away, leaving Orym speechless and holding the flower. He watches her disappear into the throngs of the Platinum Sanctuary, and then his eyes catch Zeru Wyvernwind walking down the steps. He stuffs the snowdrop into his pocket and jogs after him, suddenly finding himself with quite a bit to say.

[grigori77]

The Mighty Nein: Echoes of the Solstice (Live Show from Mo-fucking WEMBLEY!)

Ah, a hype man ... okay then ...

My ... he's quite salty really, isn't he?

"All the bar staff are like: What team is this? I don't know, but none of them make eye-contact."

He's got a point, we are better at swearing ...

"In this country, the sentence: I twatted the twat in the twat ... makes perfect grammatical sense!"

Ah yes, the first ĺive show since the Pandemic ...

Oh, here we go ...

Fuck me, look at that FUCKING CROWD ... O.O

Ye gods, Ashley what the fuck are you doing to us AGAIN?!!! Bloody hell ... then Liam ... and Taliesin? Look at that SWAG!!! MARISHA!!! Incredible ... Laura! Wow ... that's like ... AND Travis ... basically Jester and Fjord in the flesh ... just a shame Laura's not blue ...

And then we we have SAM FUCKING RIEGEL ... never misses an opportunity, does he?

Matt's going nuts and I don't blame him ...

Ah yes ... what fresh hell is Riegel gonna unleash upon us THIS TIME? The audience are ahead of us already ... oh gods ... no, you really AREN'T Freddie Mercury, mate ...

Bloody hell ... that actually WORKED ... I'm extremely surprised ...

Ashley has an announcement? Blimey ... no wonder she's a little nervous ... oh, but she's getting into it already ... Nice ... and yeah, Crit Role Red Nose Day, always fun ...

Cosplayer nod! Nice! Liam: "Oh man, so many Sprinkles!"

Yay! Animated intro WITH AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION!!!

Liam: "I've had this dream!" Matt: "Thank you all so much for the trauma!"

Recap! Nice!

Oh, so they WERE just Shunted, then? Okay, so what happened then?

So we're about to find out ... where are they? Shush, sound effects problems! Blightshore? Intriguing ...

Ah, so he CAN talk ... Caleb: "It's been a while." No shit, mate!

Oh, so the magical disruption has knackered the collar too ... batter that thing off, Beau! "You know, your wife has shaved me with a greatsword, this should not be too challenging for you." Oh, NOW he's rethinking this plan? Minor Alchemy?

Sam: "No, I want her to punch you!" Liam (as Caleb): "I'm sitting right next to her, it's going to happen!"

Oh crap ... Matt, what are you saying? What the fuck is THAT shit supposed to mean?

Ah, Imogen ... Beau: "She was kind of cute." Caleb: "Don't cross the streams!"

SNAP!!! Thankfully collar not neck, at least ...

Yes! Get her to Yasha! Go! With Caduceus? Awesome ...

Hey! The Blooming Grove! They made it ... oh, this is PRETTY!!! Calliope! Awwwwww ...

BABYYYYYYYYY!!! :3 Ashley: "I touch her everywhere, make sure she's fine! Well ... maybe not EVERYWHERE ..." Caleb: "I've seen them like this when they've been apart for a few hours."

CADUCEUS!!! Yeah, boy!

Ooh! Munchies!

New armour? Sweet ... the "Oh no, I have to leave in a hurry kit"? Intriguing ...

Dream Beau can be an asshole, apparently ... Beau: "But if you felt like exploring, maybe ..." Yasha: "Oh, I didn't know that was on the table!"

Oh yeah, Veth has, like, PRIORITIES now ...

Beau's accidental kleptomania ... XD

A splinter from the Nein Heroes? Intriguing ... and they're on the ship! Yay ... docked? Oh, hey, Nicodranas! Sweet!

Good lord, what are they doing? Matt: "How did we start this so horny?"

REUNION!!! Yay!

Jester's been getting headaches from her Sending ... yeah, that's right, makes sense ...

Perception check? Oh, first roll ... Travis: "Nine!" The crowd cheers! Of course they do ...

ALL of the Assembly ... yeah ... Trent Ikithon, of course, I thought so ...

Yeah, get Veth! Yay ...

Weird dead seabeast? What is that shit?

Matt: "Interrupt MY story, why don't you?"

A Message to the Ruby ... and she has to roll a D100? Nuts ... 48? 14 points of Psychic damage? Oof ...

Yes, she COULD heal herself, but it's par for thd course, really ...

Blud! Hi!

Spooked seabeasts ... hmmm ...

The Brenatto residence ... here we go ...

VETH!!! Yay!

Veth: "The world has been turned upside down!" Beau: "What's wrong?" Veth: "I HAVE A FUCKING TEENAGER!!!"

Luc wants to be an adventurer? Of course he does ... yeah ... how old IS he? Veth: "Whatever feels right!"

Veth: "To be fair, I was drunk for most of his childhood." XD

So what's the plan?

Oh, Scrying? Yeah, try it!

I love how Jester's being do sweet about Ludinus, it's hilarious ... oh, NOW she gets it? Jester: "He's a douche, I hate him!" Yeah ...

Here we go then, go Jester ... Travis: "That's right, use the 5th Level, nothing can possibly go wrong ..."

Jester has a DICK COLLECTION now? LOL

Reminding Jester who Trent is ...

Oh hey, here's Artigan! Nice! Oh ... how rude!

Caduceus: "We're not big problem people." Jester: "Are you saying we're NOT going to push the Moon back into the sky?"

Oh wait ... is Veth NOT coming?

Jester: "Um ... the Lavish Chateau is NOT a whorehouse." Veth: "A speakeasy with benefits?"

Luc? Hi! Wow ... he's an EMO TEEN now? Interesting ...

Veth making fun of Fjord being the weakest of the Nein ...

UNCLE Caleb ... :3

Jester! DO NOT give Luc a tattoo!

Wow ... Veth REALLY IS bowing out ... that's so sad ...

Veth makes Jester take another 8 points of Psychic damage ... XD

Wow ... AWKWARD goodbye ...

To the Cobalt Soul in Rexxentrum? Okay ...

Everybody runs into the circle ... wait ... WHST THE FUCK?!!!

Luc? Seriously? Wow ... he even has a Character Sheet! He's do cute ... :3

Here we are, then ... and they've just realised they're not alone ...

Sam's doing an emo teen voice now ... I love it ... this is gonna be SO MUCH FUN ...

Are we EVER gonna learn howold he is?

Yasha: "Hit me!" Seriously?

Oh, so we're doing this ... and she CATCHES his punch ... of course she does. Adorable ...

And now he's in a huff ...

And now he's gonna try and hex Beau instead ... this really is getting funny now ... Beau: "I'll cover my eyes to make it more fair." XD

Ah ... Caleb gives him THE TALKING TO ...

Wow ... he's really good at THIS ... oh, totally working the heartstrings, definitely ...

Oh wow ... they're coming around ... oh, so they're giving CAD the deciding vote? This'll be interesting ... and he makes a good point.

Ground rules from Caleb ... as it should be ...

Caduceus casts Death Ward on Luc just to be safe ... Nice one, mate.

Ovedo? Okay ... apparently things are chaotic ... oh, this doesn't sound good ...

Matt once again using the feedback constructively ...

Ah, teenage bravado ...

Volither ... hmm, nice hair.

Aggy? Who's that?

Dark tunnel? Okay ... no, DEFINITELY not Luc in the lead ... an extra luck roll for him? Nice one, Caleb!

Oh shit ... the magic seals are DEAD. Not a good sign ...

Crap ... what the hell is THIS shit? Oh, that's fucking CREEPY ... scary monster monologue ...

Beau just closes the door on whatever the fuck THAT was ...

Oh, it's still going? He does love to go on and on ...

Hello who's this?

Wait ... a guest? Oh shit! It's Daniel! You sneaky bastard ...

A dwarf? Intriguing ... a blue kilt? Even more so ... and WINE? Hmmmm ... a bit tipsy, apparently ...

Whoa ... he bested Beau? Wow ... and then he offers her a DRINK ... of course she accepts. XD

Aggy: "Is that a little boy?" Luc: "I don't trust this guy, he looks over 30."

Luc: "Hey! Don't insult me and then explain it to me!"

Yes, Matthew, what HAS HE found?

"Unattended baggage" ... SNORT ...

See Invisibility ... oh, hello, Star Razor ...

Eldritch Blast! Yay!

Aggy HEADBUTTS the wall Fjord just attacked ... wow, and he just NUTTED a dozen open. Cute ...

Constitution check? 9? Oh, and what does THIS mean? Oh dear ...

He thinks Caduceus is a horse ... I love that ...

Daniel: "I look like a very small, short John Wick, by the way." XD

Aggy just walks RIGHT IN ... and now there's more illusory nonsense ... wait ... the Shadowhand? Ooooh ...

Ah, so ... going down, then? Hmmm ...

Oh dear, this doesn't look too good ... what now, then?

Wow .. clearly Aggy is NOT particularly bright ...

Whoops? Holy shit ... Nice dodge! He's now tumbling down the stairs and FLASHING EVERYBODY ... oh dear, what now? Another dexterity roll? NAT20!!! Nice ... he is UNSCATHED ...

Daniel: "I am just sucking the Dice Gods' dick!"

He is almost ACCIDENTALLY good at this ... oh, here we go ... CRITICAL FAIL!!! Finally ...

Oh dear, what has he gotten into now? 76 points of Force Damage? Holy fuck ... is Aggy DEAD ALREADY?!!! Fuck ... a DISINTEGRATION TRAP?!!! Shit ... so that's it? Aggy is DUST ...

Farewell, Daniel ...

Oh yes, that's right, technically he IS an Admiral ... Admiral Tusktooth. Nice ...

DO NOT let Luc check for traps ... oh yeah! Mage Hand ... and Jester Guides him too ... :3

Wow ... that's a lot of traps ...

Another magic mouth ... for the gods' sake ... he's so full of himself ...

Another door? Okay ... check for traps again ... and ANOTHER mouth ... even MATT is now acknowledging that Trent is full of himself ...

Oh you ARSEHOLE ... not cool to taunt Caleb like that ...

Ah yes, the Tower? Sweet ... yes, rest.

The Aeorian Security Cannon ... and a FLUFFERNUTTER?!!! Holy fuck ...

True Seeing ... oh dear ... now Caduceus has Beau tripping balls again ... fuck, a Nat20 for a full 27 perception ... sweet fuck ...

Athtiri Menthal ... huh?

Beau has a +16 to her Arcana? Fucking hell ...

Ashley once again Stop It-ing Sam when he sneezes. VERY LOUDLY this time, too ...

They're fighting Trent AND a thing, or Trent AS a thing ... lovely ...

Okay, so rest and regrouping, then ... back to Caleb's tower, then head out in the morning ...

Mahogany? Hmmm ... certain dirty minds, I swear ...

Okay, then ... and time for a break! Well then ...

Aaaaaah ... Welcome To Wildemount returns ... always fun ...

And we're back ... Heroes' Feast! Nice ...

Caleb has a personal talk with Luc, and gives him his Luck stone? Wow ... oh fuck, WISH?!!! Seriously? 5th Level Simulacrum ... so he's now CLONED himself ...

Yasha: "Whoa! There's no riding going on! Except on me ..."

"Beth"? Hmmmm ... typical teenage boy, clearly ...

Beau and Yasha and AT IT ... of course they do. And Fjord and Jester. Liam: "No-one more competitive than Laura Bailey."

Good night's rest ...

Beau finds TWO Calebs TWICE as insufferable ...

Luc chugs the weird Potion ... oh boy, what's this shit gonna do? Oh crap ...

Whoa ... wait, what ... oh no ... extra confidence? Oh that's not good ... crap ... Luc is DEFINITELY gonna be even more reckless now ...

Death Wards on both Luc AND Fjord, then ...

Crown of Stars? Crazy ...

Caleb 2 is now a sabertooth cat ... of course ...

And so now Caleb has come home ... group stealth check! Blessing of the Trickster to Yasha? And she doesn't even need it ... but Beau TANKS it ... at least everybody else rolls spectacular ...

Now what?

Ring of Telepathy ... and Trent is still insufferable ... and fucking NASTY with it too ...

This is just gonna be a fucking RECKONING ...

No ... Caleb, DO NOT say your fucking goodbyes right now ...

Assault of memories ... ouch ... this is just CRUEL ...

Two undead presences? Oh you fucking evil bastard ...

Jester goes in with Caleb ... Beau and Yasha go round back ...

"Uncle Deuce" ... Caduceus: "Oh, I'd forgotten about that ..."

The bastard REALLY HAS brought Caleb's parents back ... that's fucking monstrous ...

Insight check ... oh yeah, they're not right, definitely ...

Jester just goes STRAIGHT to Turn Undead ... and they BOTH fail? Fuck ... that's effective, at least ...

I'm sorry ... the house just EXPLODES?!!! Fuck ...

34 points of Fire damage? Oh wait ... no, Fjord has some protection! Nice ... just 17, then. Same for Jester, too ...

Well, they're definitely NOT his parents anymore ...

BATTLEMAP!!! YAY!!! Cue Sam's plug for Wizzkids ...

And ROLL FOR INITIATIVE!!!

Jester Invokes Duplicity! :3 Awwwww ... tiny voice Laura doing the Jester voice is adorable as she directs Matt ...

She attacks Trent with her Spiritual Weapon and HITS!!! Nice ... but it just MISSES him? WHAT?!!! Meanwhile while the duplicates scatter, she bolts out the door ...

Yasha Rages and bamfs out her wings for Radiant Soul! Nice ... charging in to get ready for attack next turn ...

Beau POWERWALKS inside ... and attacks Trent from behind ... but the punch does NOTHING?!!! Seriously, what the hell?

She attacks the dad ghoul instead ... POP POP!!! But it resists the Stun ... Flurry of BLOWS, then ... and Patient Defense.

A METEOR SWARM?!!! Seriously?

And that is just OUCH all round ... crap ... thank fuck for saves for most ... Caduceus takes THE FULL DAMAGE ... and so does Luc? Crap ... but he has Evasion? Oh, so just half, then ...

Fjord casts Hexblade's Curse on Trent, then throws FOUR Eldritch Blasts ... a miss on Trent, first misses on the dead dad, but the other 2 HIT!!! Boof-boof!

The undead back off but Beau gets an Attack of Opportunity ... daddy is FUCKED UP ...

Mind of Mercury? Nice, Beau! And she gets the first HDYWTDT! On the dad ... oh dear ... well, it's a mercy, really ...

Rapid Cast of Chain Lightning from Trent ... oh no, Caleb just Counterspells ... but he can't actually see him, so it misses? Ow ...

Shit ... Caleb is DOWN ...

Caleb 2 turns into a T-Rex! Okay then!

Death Save 1 fails? Oof ...

Luc casts See Invisibility ... Trent is ACTUALLY hiding behind the tree ... Laura: "Like a little bitch!"

Caduceus casts Mass Heal ... 100 each? Holy fuck ... that is all round a SWEET FUCKING SAVE!!!

Jester runs to find Trent ... Fortune's Favour? Nice ... something that doesn't need line of sight? So she just casts Anti-Magic Field his magic! Nice ... that's it, he's now REVEALED!!!

Yasha charges in best she can ... but she can't attack now ... crap ... so she just casts Zealous Presence and YELLS in his face while flowering everybody else ...

Beau charges in too and just SWINGS for him with her staff ... and TANKS the attack roll! Okay ... second strike ... Fortune's Favour! Oof ... Flurry of Blows! FINALLY hits ... 14 damage plus Stunning Strike ... but he shrugs it off ... then 17 and another Stunning Strike ... but he uses Legendary Resistance even though he Crit Fails ... Extract Aspects ... he's resistant to ALL magic? Interesting ...

Fuck, is he running? What is this thing? An artifact ... oh shit, is he changing? What's he doing?

Sam: "Guys, we're fighting Trent Ikithon in Wembley Stadium!"

Everybody's blasted back ...

An orb of black shadow is just growing ... and now he's just a great horrible black shadow creature ...

Whoa ... a SECOND Battlemap? Fuck ...

It's the whole town ... Trent is a FUCKING KAIJU!!! He's suckimg the life out of people and stuff ...

Hexblade's Curse! Go, Fjord!

Caleb stays prone, jnstead turns into Gelidon the Nightmare in Ivory? Whoa ... and Matt has the miniature ready! Wow ...

Caleb 2 charges in with Luc still on his Dino back ... but they keep a safe enough distance ...

Luc casts Enlarge on the T-Rex! Fuck ... Matt doesn't have a larger model for THAT ... Godzilla is now loose in the streets!

It attacks Fjord with a tendril ... Liam: "Keep your hentai out of this!"

Caduceus runs to Yasha ... Holy Weapon to her, so she has boosts to all her weaponry! Nice ...

Jester casts Gate to pull Artigan through in front of the creature. SHIT!!! And he is suitably SHOCKED by what she's got him into!

Arty casts Chain Lightning on it ... 38 points of lightning damage! Nice ...

Yasha charges in and attacks! Lots of damage maths, apparently ... 101 points of damage in ONE FUCKING HIT!!! The crowd goes wild! She attacks again! Another hit! 59 points this time! Bloody hell ...

Beau rushes in znd attacks ... Nat20! Yeah! And another hit! 19 damage, then 16! Flurry of Blows ... 20 misses? Oof ... Debilitating Damage? Oh, okay ... and now it's vulnerable to Ice Damage? Nice, Beau!

Oh fuck ... EVERYBODY takes 31 points of Necrotic damage? Ouch ... now it concentrates on Yasha ... Ire of Oblivion? Oof ... a Nat20 save? So she only takes 70 damage? Oh great ...

There's a weak spot? Okay then ...

Even Sentinel with a Nat20 doesn't stop it? Crap ...

Fjord takes 2 swipes with the Star Razor ... both hit! 42 points of damage, snd a Divine Smite for an extra 16! Nice ...

It responds with a Void Claw ... Fjord just hits the brakes and it just MISSES him ... phew!

Caleb just brings his whole dragon mass down on it and vomits ice into its face! 77 points of Ice Damage! Nice ... and he has a Frightening Presence? Okay then ...

Caleb 2-zilla bites the thing's arse ... no joy! Claw strike! Hits! 21 points, then 14!

Luc looks for the egg ... he casts Brenatto's Voltaic Bolt, then shoots the gun into the egg! 26 points of damage to the artifact! Okay ... that looks to be the sweet spot!

Caduceus prays to the Wildmother, makes the creature's ichor turn into ice ... now he can see through it to find out how it works ... he pulls out Yasha's Holy Weapon and inflicts 26 points of Radiant damage on the creature! Cool ...

Jester teams up with Arty to hold her spell with him ... Guiding Bolt with his Enhancement ... balls ... shit roll spoils the shot ... crap ...

Yasha flies up and goes RIGHT for the egg ... and misses! Agh! Reckless! Go again! Another miss! FUCK!!! Oh Fortune's Favour! Okay ... balls! That was ALMOST awesome ...

Beau RUNS UP the creature! Holy shit ... she tries go reach into the chest snd tear the egg free ... strength check! Marisha: "WITNESS ME!!! NATURAL 20!!!" The crowd EXPLODES!!!

Matt: "Beauregard Lionett, how do you want do this?" AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

She tears the egg free, which pulls Trent into it, throws it into Caleb's mouth, and he BITES IT TO FUCK!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Caleb has his vengeance at long last ... the survivors of the town applaud (as does the crowd). Nice ...

Jester congratulates Arty for saving the day ... oh flattery ... he gushes in response ... then she drags him into helping with the clean-up ...

The Calebs return to normal, Caleb sends what's left of the egg into some kind of nether realm. Then they big Luc up a bit, while still zlso grounding him.

Fuck ... Fjord just PROPOSED TO JESTER!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! Matt: "You motherfucker!" Jester OF COURSE accepts ...

Caleb's cats prepare a feast for all, and there is celebration, but only a small victory against the larger backdrop of CHAOS from the Apogee Solstice ...

And that's it! Everybody takes a bow!

Well, this was a whole hell of a lot more epic than usual ... but altogether just the AWESOME reunion we wanted. I just hope it won't be the LAST time ...

[bambinella]

Day 6 - Hiding

Critical Role - Jester x friends

A/N: I've never written about the Mighty Nein before, and I'm aware this is a crime. Therefore I decided to change that now because I don't wanna go to jail. Enjoy!

“Hey, have you seen my blue ribbon? You know, the one I put on my staff?” Beau said as she walked into the living room of the Xorhaus. Fjord looked up and shook his head.

“Can’t say I have. When was the last time you saw it?” He asked, earning an eye-roll from the monk, as if he’d asked the dumbest question ever.

“If I knew that, I wouldn’t be asking you,” She retorted, earning a chuckle from him. She had a point.

“Come to think of it, I was looking for my captain’s hat this morning too. I haven’t touched it in a while, but I’m sure I left it in my room and didn’t move it someplace else,” He said, rubbing his beard with his thumb. Beau raised an eyebrow at that, leaning her shoulder against the door frame.

“Some of the trinkets I put in my hair are also missing,” Yasha suddenly piped up from where she was reading, momentarily startling Beau and Fjord. Sometimes she was so quiet he would forget she was there to begin with.

“Okay one item missing is fine, but two or three things from different people missing at the same time? Now that’s suspicious,” Beau commented. A smile slowly spread on Fjord’s face.

“I think I have an idea where our items went. Follow me, ladies,” He said. The three of them went towards Jester’s room, and he gently knocked twice on the door.

“Come in~!” The familiar voice sang from inside, prompting them to enter the room. Jester sat on her bed and was busy sketching as usual, looking up as she saw the trio. Her eyes brightened at the sight of her friends, yet Fjord could also see a twinkle of mischief in them. He knew that twinkle all too well.

“Oh hey there Jester, what have you been up to?” He asked with a smile, folding his arms as he slowly walked up to the bed. Jester closed her book and sat up straight, looking at them with a big grin.

“Oh you know, the usual! Drawing tiny dicks, chatting with the Traveler,...” She summed up, her tail moving across the bed. Beau seemed to catch on where Fjord was going with this, standing next to him as she smirked.

“Some of our items have gone missing. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, right?” She questioned, and Fjord noticed how Jester’s smile grew a little.

“Beau! Are you accusing me?” Jester gasped playfully while putting a hand on her chest, earning another eye-roll from the monk.

“Actually I am, because you’re not answering my question. Did you take our stuff, Jes?” Beau questioned again, taking a step closer while putting her hands on her hips. Jester huffed. “I have NO idea what you’re talking about Beau! Maybe you should take better care of you– hey!” She squealed when the human suddenly reached forward and jabbed several times all over her torso. Now Fjord had seen Beau stun many enemies during their travels, and those hits always seemed very precise and to hurt quite a bit. But with how much Jester was giggling, he figured that these jabs probably tickled a lot. Beau’s hands were weapons in multiple ways, he realized with a shiver.

“Well what are you waiting for? Get her!” Beau said as she straddled Jester’s lap. Fjord crawled onto the bed and trapped her in a tight hug, which made both Jester and him blush, and Yasha sat herself down on her shins.

“Beheheau! That was mehehean!” Jester protested with a wide smile as her movement returned, looking into the brunette’s eyes. Fjord grinned and placed his chin on the tiefling’s shoulder.

“Last chance, Jester. Where did you put our things?” He questioned, his breath tickling the shell of her pointy ear. She let out a squeal and moved her head, and he had to avoid getting stabbed by one of her horns.

“You’ll never make me talk!” She declared, no longer playing dumb as she stuck out her tongue at them. It was all the confirmation they needed. Beau reached forward and scribbled her nails over Jester’s stomach, making her throw her head back with a loud squeal. She instinctively reached forward to stop Beau’s hands, yet found herself stuck as Fjord used his arms to hold her’s away from her body.

“Oh is that so?” Fjord asked teasingly, sending a shiver down her spine as he gently rubbed his beard against her neck, which sent her in another fit of giggles.

“Fjohohohord stohohohop! Thahahahat’s cheheheating!” She shrieked, scrunching up her shoulders to hide her neck. As playful and mischievous as she was, Jester was reeeeally bad at handling tickles. And it was, of course, the group’s favorite way of punishing her for all the pranks she pulled on them. And they all knew it was her favorite way too, so they had zero compassion right now.

“You can easily make this end Jes,” Beau grinned, playfully jabbing between her ribs with a single finger. Each poke got a squeal from their blue friend, and Fjord had to use all his might to keep her arms trapped.

“Whehehere’s the fun in thahaha– OHOHO! OHOHO YASHA NOHOHOHOO!!” Jester suddenly cried out, making Fjord and Beau look up at their friend. Yasha had casually reached back with one hand and was gently tickling along Jester’s toes, giving them a shrug.

“What? She looks like she’s having fun,” She said, a sly smile playing on her lips. Fjord suppressed the urge to shiver again. But she was right, Jester was having fun.

“It looks like Yasha is winning by making her laugh the hardest, you better amp it up a little,” Fjord teased, causing Beau to playfully grumble and glare at him. Her hands moved up and started fluttering under Jester’s arms, eliciting a shriek of laughter from the tiefling.

“EEHEHEHEE! OHOHOHO GUHUYS STOHOHOHOHOP!” Jester cried out, shaking her head side to side, a blush covering her cheeks. Beau chuckled and merely shook her head.

“Now we all know you don’t really mean that,” She teased, noticing how Jester’s tail had been wagging side to side on the bed, just like Nugget when he was excited. This only caused her to blush harder, the teasing and the tickles really getting to her.

“Now if you really want it to stop, you just need to tell us where the it– hey!” Fjord protested as he got interrupted by a sneaky tail prodding at his side. He returned the favor by blowing a raspberry on her neck. 

“AHAHAHAHAA! OKAY OKAAY OKAHAHAY!” Jester finally cried out – the raspberry and Yasha continuously tickling her toes had been enough to make her give in – and they immediately stopped, giving her a well-deserved break.

“Well?” Yasha asked with a raised brow, playfully wiggling one of her big toes. Jester squealed at the playful threat, giggling softly.

“They’re under my bed,” She relented and sat up as Fjord released her from the hug. Beau dropped on the floor and retrieved the ‘stolen’ items, ruffling Jester’s hair afterwards. Fjord was pretty sure he heard her say ‘little gremlin’, yet due to Jester’s loud giggles he wasn’t sure. When both Yasha and Beau left the room, he tilted his head.

“Why did you take our items, exactly?” He asked, actually curious for the reason. Jester would often prank them, but not usually multiple people at the same time. She shrugged.

“Everyone seemed a little more gloomy recently, so I wanted to prank you guys to cheer you up!” She declared with a smile, and while it seemed a very reasonable explanation, Fjord knew there was more to it by the look in her eyes. He could tell that rather than cheer them up, she had been needing some cheering up for her own. As playful and happy as she was, even she needed a laugh from time to time, especially in these times. He cursed himself for not noticing earlier.

“You know I’m here for you right?” He blurted out before he could stop himself, and he could feel his cheeks heating up a little. Jester looked at him with a soft smile, before nodding.

“Of course Fjord!” She declared. He smiled at that.

“And you know I’m gonna tickle you to death the next time you touch my hat, right?” As expected she started giggling.

“Of course!” She said again, this time with a wide grin. He chuckled.

“Good. Because I haven’t forgiven you yet, and you have about five seconds to run away before I get my hands on you,” He said with a smirk. Jester’s eyes widened as she squealed, immediately hopping off of the bed to dash out of the room. He grinned and didn’t even bother to wait five seconds to chase her, because if he was really honest?

Her laughter brightened his day.

[utilitycaster]

I saw your post about Bor'Dor and people wondering if there's a Twist of some kind and you mentioned Veth being one of the least popular characters for CR in passing. I think you talked about it elsewhere as well, and I had recently realized *why* I never really gave her a lot of thought. Because on paper she should be one of my favourite characters that I relate to the most--I read her comic and had a moment of "oh, I should really go back and reevaluate this character because damn". I took some time to think about it and I realized that, for me at least, the reason I never really gave her a lot of thought was kind of because of Sam, or at least the way he plays at the table. I find his antics distracting at best and grating at worst. I still mute his section of the ads whenever I watch because something about his energy just doesn't vibe with me. And like, I do love the moments where he does get serious and has a really good dramatic scene, but then a few minutes later he does something that takes me out of it again. This is of course, something that's a me thing, not a him thing. I'm fully aware of the fact that it's his game and he gets to play however he wants. Hell, if the others had an issue with it, they wouldn't have played with him in the first place. So I fully understand that it's just my own personal preferences regarding the type of humour and energy I respond to. But it is something I noticed after giving it some thought. I have hope with the Mighty Nein animated series I'll get to enjoy Veth's story a little more, since that was what happened with Scanlan (I went back to watch campaign 1 after watching LOVM, and I am having a hard time getting past the stark differences). So yeah, that's kind of the reason I never connected with Veth as much as I probably should have. I don't know if other people have the same views, but I'd be interested to hear why you think other don't like Veth (or at least don't respond to her as much as they do the other characters/players).

Anon, I am...not sure why you sent this. It feels like it really misses my point, and it's not something I can address. I've brought this up before but like, I don't always connect with the themes Sam tends to engage with, but I feel that when I've criticized his characters on other bases someone always brings up how they don't vibe with his sense of humor and like, cannot relate, can never relate, I actively enjoy the ASMR ad, and I don't know why I get unrelated Sam criticism - especially about his sense of humor, which is like...not even particularly weird or unusual nor excessive for the table. This is something that really needs to be a post you make on your own blog rather than an anon ask to someone who is getting a little weirded out that this keeps happening.

But I think more importantly my point is not "everyone needs to love Veth". There are plenty of reasons why Veth might not be someone's favorite character, and also it is completely valid to dislike a character based on your pet peeves! If you don't vibe with Veth as a character or Sam as a player, you are not obligated to try to rewire your brain to make it happen. But I do find it incredibly telling that "this character is secretly another race" pops up constantly as a popular theory, and then when a player actually took care and built a character based on that premise with all the implications it entailed, it was a comparatively unpopular choice. My point is "a lot of theories that hinge on there being some Big Twist Reveal really boil down to 'waaaah i think humans are boring and I play a kalashtar so I want someone else to play a kalashtar' without actually engaging in what the narrative would necessarily need to be to support this," and I find that a very, very strong argument against many of those theories as a result.

[thequeenofmyownscreen]

Twenty-four things I noted about the The Mighty Nein Reunited Part 1 “Unfinished Business” :

May I suggest the unofficial title of this one-shot : The Mighty Nein : Horny On Main

Can I first just say that everyone looks so hot. And by that, I mean the cast AND their character with new art (Yasha's hair oh my god)

Veth is ready to open her kids camp, which may or may not be a front for money-laundering quote-unquote "blood-money" from the Gentleman. I LAUGHED SO MUCH, IT'S SO ON PARR

Marisha is describing Beau as exhausted from work and ready to go home to Yasha and very respectful of work/private life boundaries. Liam, coming for Marisha's throat : "Have you started role-playing ?"

MARTINA STEWARD i love Ashley with all my heart

Oh my god I have missed Jester & Fjord's relationship so much, I love how Laura and Travis's banter is done.

I loved the prequel of the adventure so much, just slices of life of the Mighty Nein.

Love that Caleb finishes his lectures with good philosophy and a barely veiled critique of the Academy ways : "Make time in your studies for history or you will be doomed to repeat it. History is littered with sharp-minded individuals like yourselves who bit off more than they can chew, and it somehow always comes back to bite them in the butt !"

Travis choosing to play Fjord still having no dignity cleared my skin, cleared my crops, etc etc. Marisha, wheezing : "Even the NPCs are hazing you !!"

the popcorn SAM WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS

oh my god I thought for sure Jester was going to die again

WELP. WHAT AN INTRO !!

YEAAAAAAAAAH THE CREDIIIIIIITS I'VE MISSED THEM SO MUCH. longest prologue ever, but worth it

the envoys of Uk'otoa : "Where is the traitor ?? Where is the key ??" Fjord's face :

Fjord sacrificing the key to save Jester's life (and Travis doing it to move the story ahead), is something that can be so very juicy.

Jester and Sendings, a gift for the ages

oooh my god, tears, tears of laughter, Sam you cheeky bastard. "Veth is coming, too." SHE SURE IS !!

I love that Fjord and Jester are in a relationship, and Kinglsey is just casually observing them be awkward and in love on the side, eating popcorn.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand more tears of laughter as Marisha double-downed of that. I blushed so hard. Oh my god, that was graphic and great, I am in awe.

Zadashian in the streets, Xhorassian in the sheets ? I need that apron NOW

"Should we contact Caduceus ?" "...Naaaaaaaaah, he was sort of useless most of the time". Poor Caduceus. At least Yasha is in kind-of-contact with him

I love how Jester described her and Fjord's house, it's basically an art studio that they began to transform into a house, but they're not enough around to completely transform it.

Amazing shenanigans of Beau, Veth, Kingsley and Yasha just taking off from their respective eagles and just do amazing acrobatic shit amongst the tree jungles.

Caleb, renamed 'Ceagle' when he was an eagle, now Caleb again : "Oh... I can't tell if my back hurts from the fall, or from Beauregard kegeling me like a vice for the entire trip." Beau, very proud of herself and her vibrant sexual life : "Sorry, I got a good grip." (Bonus Travis, exasperated by the lesbians : "... okayyyyy...") (Bonus Matt : "This is a horny episode. And that's saying something !)

The Mighty Nein being obsessed with one random monkey and feeding it and then of course the monkey is following them loudly and distract Beau enough that they fall into a poisoned fungus trap : honestly, so on brand.

[rhyske]

I haven't heard of any of those but I'll definitely check them out if they catch my interest. I have heard of Xiran Jay Zhao tho, I think I've seen some of her youtube videos and I've heard that Iron Widow is supposed to be good. don't remember if I have it on my to-read list haha ^^

oh, I miss Campaign 2 so much! TT_TT I have a hard time even considering who's my favourite character because they are all amazing. but YES speaking of Jester talking with her dad… it reminds me of one of my favourite things about the campaign. it's just amazing how you can get a glimpse into what conversations between characters are actually like. sometimes important conversations or other times when they are just checking in on each other. I love it so much!

I finished LoVM S2 today and wow it was great! what made me teary-eyed was when Vex kinda died for a moment, I knew it was coming but still… oof 😢 but what really broke my heart was the flashback of Vax being lost in the woods after Vex left him and he cried, poor baby TT_TT IT HURTS MY HEART AAA

I think I am already accepted to the course I applied to because not a lot of people apply to it, but I won't know for certain until later this month.. I AM SO NERVOUS!

if you don't mind my asking, are you studying or working? ^^ 💜

Yeah I've seen some of the videos Xiran has posted and follow their Tumblr, and I really like them as a person, so I really hope I like their book too!

Mighty Nein screams found family and I absolutely adore it. They all started out as shitty people and have all tried being better for each other and it's just so wholesome 😭 I'm so glad they do the heart to heart talks and funny quips and teasings. It's so good.

I had NO IDEA that was going to happen and legit my face was like :O when it did. I knew all of Vox Machina died at least once throughout their campaign but damn! Yeah, those flashbacks where it was Vax that needed Vex was just 😭 Actually made me really adore Vax, and I love the inverted trope too.

I really hope they eventually animate the Keyfish death. It's so funny.

You've got this!!! It sucks you have to wait almost a whole month though, that's the WORST.

Working! For a time I wanted to go to school for foreign language and to maybe be a teacher or something but the classes I would've had to take weren't worth it. Nor was the expensive price.

[tieflingtea]

"How are you still using your hands right now?"

Caleb glanced up at the muffled question, biting back a smile at the sight of a very disgruntled Essek buried in a mound of furs. Only his eyes were visible, and they glared at where Caleb was furiously scrawling down his recollection of the day's events in Aeor. Only a very dim orb hovered above his journal, casting the barest amount of light. They had both agreed that a fire would be too dangerous after the events of the day. The beasts of the fallen city were patient things, and they had already proven keen enough to wait out the dome if they found it.

"I am used to a fair amount of cold, this is bearable for a while longer," Caleb said ruefully, recalling many nights huddled beneath nothing but his shabby coat and the fine layer of snow dusted over him. Essek drew him from his memories with a faint noise of disgust.

"Well good for you then," he sniped. Caleb did smile then, unable to stop it from creasing up his face. "Oh, yes, I suppose you would find it funny."

"Only that you remind me of Jester, in the early days," he explained. Essek perked up as much as he could in his current, amorphous state.

"Jester?"

"Yes, she also came from privilege and wasn't used to slumming it with us commoners."

Essek drooped. "I see."

"I did not mean it as an insult, I find it endearing."

There was a long silence after that, Caleb found that his smile was easy to keep on his face and so he let it stay as he worked and Essek stewed on whatever was making his eyes dart back and forth in thought. Eventually the other man shuffled closer to peer at his journal, a muffled noise choking out of the depths of the blanket when he finally caught sight of the detailed drawing Caleb was writing around.

"Mmm, Jester again, I'm afraid. It's remarkable really, I think there might be a dick for each day of notes I've written so far."

"You let her use your journal to draw dicks?"

"Let? No. But now that we are here and she is off terrorising pirates, I am glad that I have these reminders."

More silence, and the slow building pressure of a body leaning itself up against his side. In the part of his mind that wasn't replaying the rooms and artifacts they had come across that day, Caleb remembered a dorm room, two bodies leant up on his instead of one, and the burning pain of his mutilated arms. The cold helped ground him in the present. As did the faint, subtle scent of his companion. A hint of some spiced cologne, a hint of magic. And that crisp, nothing smell of prestidigitation that couldn't quite eliminate the stale sweat it was used on.

"You miss them." Essek said, and it was not a question.

"As much as you likely did when we would run out of your life and towards the next danger."

"It's different."

Caleb paused in his writing, "Is it?"

"I didn't have the right," there was that bitterness again, turned inward and poisonous. Caleb jostled the man a little, as if knocking his body would knock the thoughts from his mind. He counted it as a win that Essek only readjusted his lean rather than pulling away completely. At the beginning of their journey, Caleb had found Essek's careful distance disconcerting, used as he was to the Mighty Nein's casual and frequent touch.

"I think you were allowed to feel any way that you did about us, Essek."

"I did miss you," he confessed, barely a breath, and then a little louder, "I missed you all very much when you would leave, it was concerning at first. I thought I was ill."

Caleb snorted, and mentally filed that away for Beauregard next time they talked. He could imagine her face as he told her Essek thought his emotions were digestion. He could imagine the gentle ribbing she would give their mage, and Yasha's awkward, quiet defense of him.

"And then I figured out what was happening and I wished that I had been ill instead."

"We have that effect on people," Caleb agreed.

"Did you know my brother caught me whistling once after one of Jester's sendings. Whistling." Caleb felt him shake his head, "I am a fool for you all."

"Love is not foolish," he said. Essek stiffened against him for a moment, tensed as if to bolt, but slowly he relaxed again and Caleb let out a relieved sigh.

"And yet the word makes me want to throw myself off one of these readily available cliffsides," Essek eventually replied. Caleb closed his journal.

"It is like with anything, at first it feels clumsy, ungainly. It will not fit because you have yet to grow into it. But love suits you, Essek Thelyss, you will wear it well one day."

"Oh," Essek said faintly, curling up into himself as if he had been physically struck. "Well, fuck me."

Caleb sat in silence with his arm around the pile of furs as the drow inside silently shaked apart, and then silently pieced himself back together again. He knew that feeling, that gnawing pit inside that threatened to swallow, to consume. He knew that the process of self forgiveness happened in quiet moments between the chaos. That it often hurt more than the hatred did. At one point he had begun to stroke where Essek's head ought to be, Zemnian unbidden at the tip of his tongue.

"What does that mean?" Essek finally said, voice scratchy but firm. "That word? Leepling? You have used it before."

"Ah, liebling," he corrected gently, "It means... It means I like you quite a bit to be saying it without realising."

"Leebling," Essek tried again slowly, rolling it around as if to see how it tasted. Caleb felt a blush bloom across his cheeks and huffed a small laugh at himself.

"Hmm, maybe one day I'll tell you the exact translation."

Essek turned his head so that the small portion of his face still visible was buried against Caleb's shoulder, "I look forward to it."

[jinxknight]

Not me starting a re-watch of the pirate arc after last night's one shot... oh Mighty Nein how I've missed you.

[flowersforvax]

how was the liveshow btw? was it everything you hoped it would be? i've been living vicariously through other critters' tweets and posts lol

It was so fucking good

I kid you not, I left the train and immediately saw a Beau and Caleb and like, attached myself to them until we got to the venue - the closer we got to Wembley the more people we saw in cosplay and cr merch and like, the air was just filled with joy. Incredible vibes all around. Then we got to the square in front of the venue and everyone was so excited, not just for the show but to see so many people enjoy this same thing! If this is how sportsball fans feel all the time, I get it now.

I love your cosplay! Oh I love your cosplay! Do you want a crochet dick? I would love one, thank you so much! Oh my god did you see the person in the crayon costume? They have a sign saying "I smell like yasha"

And the show itself was. Wow. The stage, the costumes, the MIGHTY NEIN. I missed them! And they're back! And when something good happens we scream and clap and when someone rolls a nine we all yell NEIN and when something fucked up happens (and ohhhh boy hahaha) we gasp.

When we chanted someone's name I could feel the whole row of seats shift with the rhythm. I could feel the way people would stomp their feet and I could feel the base and drums from the background music and we screamed so loud I could feel the echoes of it in my throat even when it was quiet again.

I admittedly had to switch between looking at the actual table and the screen on top because the guy in front of me covered Sam Laura and Ashley but they were right there. And I could see reactions they weren't showing on screen, because the close up was on a different person. But also OH BOY when they did those really dramatic close-ups?? Phew

Anyway I don't want to spoil the actual show (IT WAS SO GOOD) so you get this because I guess i'm not done raving about it.

IT WAS SO GOOD, ANON.

[omniscientwreck]

Hi🖤 Omni! If you're looking for a fic request I've got one.

Okay so Essek is Feeblminded by remaining Volstrucker at his tower. Verin came to visit later that day and has been taling care of Essek, as they both would be scared of the Umavi's wrath should someone find out.

Well Caleb comes to visit a few day's later and Certainly gets a surprise.

Fluff ensues.

I'm talking the Unicorn from Despicable Me level Fluffy😁😁😁

Hi Umbra! Sorry I'm incredibly late answering this, life is weird but I hope the length makes up for it! I know I said drabble but like this just turned into a whole fic so I hope you enjoy!

Verin had worried when Essek’s door hadn’t opened of its own accord, usually he knows when he’s arrived. Deciding something was certainly wrong he barges his way into his brother’s tower. He finds it silent which is normal but unnerving and the unnatural stillness as he calls for Essek has his hackles up.

His knuckles pale as he grips the hilt of his sword and searches methodically throughout the tower. Finding the main floor empty he heads up the stairs to the library. There’s a shuffle, a falling book, a whimper. He draws his sword, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The door is ajar and he can hear shuffling. He thrusts it open is momentarily relieved to see his brother. His hair is tousled and white is stained with flecks of red, his robes are torn and his mantle is askew.

He’s never seen him like this before and his heart lurches. Surprise and fear are plastered across his features, far more freely than Verin’s ever seen him feel. He doesn’t talk and he seems to not even recognize him. Checking the rest of the room, the sword is returned to its sheath and Verin crouches, reaching a hand to Essek.

“Brother, what happened?” Silence, a whimper. “Essek? What’s wrong? It’s Verin, your brother.” His brows unknot, and the tension in his jaw slackens. There’s a looseness to his demeanor and as he stands he waves his hand as if to float, but nothing happens. He tries again and again. The first try was decisive, after watching him for so long Verin knows what it looks like when he casts it. The second time it’s not quite right, the third time it gets looser still. By the time Verin has stopped counting and Verin has grabbed Essek’s hands to calm him it seemed like Essek didn’t know what he was attempting to do.

“Is this some kind of spell? What happened?” His brother looks up with the face of a stranger. His eyes are open and sad, his ears fall just a touch and Essek leans in to hug Verin. He’s never wanted to do that before.

Verin hugs him back. “Oh Essie, what are we going to do?”

Caleb approaches Essek’s tower and is struck by immediate concern when the door doesn’t open for him. Essek always lets him in when he arrives, and with everything that’s happened he immediately panics. Caleb tries to tell himself Essek must be busy and has missed him tripping the wards. So, he lifts the knocker and gives the door a few raps.

He’d asked Caleb to meet him here to assist in the transport of his most important items after their trip to Aeor. He needs to run, he knows it and Caleb knows that turning himself in to the Dynasty would mean certain death so he’s agreed to help. No amount of good will from the Bright Queen would let them bargain for his favour. Selfishly, Caleb won’t allow him to get caught, so he will harbor Essek for some time, helping him stay out of the eyes of the Dynasty.

Eventually he knocks again, beginning to hold a firebolt just in case. “Uh, just a minute,” calls a stranger’s voice from behind the wood. “I’ll be right there.”

The door opens just a crack, “Who is it?”

“I am Caleb Widogast of the Mighty Nein, who is this?” His hand is up and encircled in flame.

“Oh thank the Light, one moment.” Whoever he is, he’s clearly relieved. Caleb’s firebolt stays held.

As the door opens Caleb is greeted by a tall drow, muscular with long braided back hair. He looks familiar but Caleb cannot place him. His features are slowly fading into relief from what must have been a deep concern. “Hello Caleb Widogast, I am Verin Thelyss and I am so glad you’re here. Your the wizard yes?”

Nodding, bewildered as he’s being dragged into Essek’s home by his brother, Caleb can hardly remember to respond, “Uh ja, that’s me. Where is Essek?”

“Well so I came by a few days ago and he didn’t let me into the tower which was weird. There have been some rumors going around and when our mother said he was back I had to ask. I don’t know if you know but… well it’s bad.”

He’s leading him upstairs as he explains and the back of Caleb’s neck is on fire. Verin doesn’t know, but there are rumors that are most likely true. Is he too late?

“So, I’m hoping since you also practice the arcane you might know what’s happened here and how to solve it.”

He leads Caleb into the library and Essek is seated on a chair idly flipping through a book far too quickly. It doesn’t even look like he’s reading, Caleb knows what he looks like when he’s reading. The quiet concentration and the tension it brings his jaw is completely missing. When Essek looks up at him there’s recognition but no words and when he rises to make his way to Caleb, he walks.

He’s wide-eyed and has a sweet smile across his face, it’s difficult to look away but if he doesn’t the heat rising in his cheeks will show. “Essek, what is it mein Freunde?”

No words. Why can’t he talk and why isn’t he floating?

“Essek?” A gentle hand reaches up to rest on his cheek and the heat takes over at the abrupt contact. Especially with Verin standing over his shoulder observing them. “Verin how long has he been like this?”

“About 2 days. I didn’t really know what had happened and if the Umavi found out well… I’m unsure what she would do.” Verin is a little more easier to map out than Essek had been initially and he’s been told enough stories about Dierta to understand the undercurrent of Verin’s words.

“Ja, I understand.” Verin starts at that and Caleb just continues past it, “I believe he has been affected by the spell Feeblemind. I - ah - have experience with this kind of thing. We have friends that can cure him but I will have to contact them, which I will not be able to do until tomorrow.”

Essek’s hand has wound its way into Caleb’s and he tries and fails miserably to contain the blush that he knows is spreading to his ears. Memories of little touches in Aeor flood back and Caleb pushes away thoughts of conversations he’d promised they’d have later, after Essek was safe. To call to attention this thing between them and get it out in the open before it drives him mad. Even if Essek’s feelings do not align with his it will be better to have it in the open.

“So this isn’t hurting him?”

Caleb turns to Essek, “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He remembers a blur of time, when his mind had failed him. He remembers terror, looking down at his hands and not knowing whose they were. He didn’t have an anchor, nothing but his own thoughts, with someone there it might be different. Essek can’t understand him but the tone of voice seems to elicit some positive emotions and Essek squeezes his hand, a contented smile across his face, “He seems alright to me. It is unpleasant to be cut off from your casting, but he isn’t in pain and he isn’t alone.” It’s difficult to mitigate the emotion bleeding into his voice.

He pushes down memories of the years he’d been locked away and squeezes Essek’s hand back, reassuringly. “Have you gotten him to eat?”

Verin nods, “Occasionally. Probably not as much as he needs. I’m not exactly an excellent cook and nobody can see him like this so I’ve sent his staff away.”

“Alright, well I’ll just do this then.” he begins casting the tower, “I understand if you want to stay but if you need to go I can care for him.” he wants Verin to leave, he wants him gone so badly, to just take care of Essek properly without the shadow of somebody who doesn’t know hanging over them.

“I should be back to Bazzoxan soon. They’ll begin asking after me.” Caleb finishes casting the tower and leads Essek in. Just before he enters, Verin stops him, “You mean something to each other. I’ve never seen him act this way before, granted there’s an arcane influence but genuinely he has never smiled like he did when he saw you. I trust you with this because I think he would. Do not betray that.”

Caleb nods, “Of course not. We’ve faced the most difficult challenges of my life together and with our friends. I will care for him.” Verin seems satisfied with that and makes to leave, and Caleb enters the tower to find Essek waiting in the centre of the tower. He has an idea of where he wants to go. As the tower door closes behind Verin, he and Essek begin to drift upwards. Essek opens his mouth as if to reflexively murmur ‘up’ as had become their custom in their long travels together and his brows knot in distress, as if he’s realized again that his voice will not come. Caleb reaches for his hand, to comfort him and says it for them both, to which Essek smiles.

The drow releases Caleb’s hand and begins to swirl around, never leaving the central column and Caleb is forced to mirror his motions lest they collide. He flashes back to a moment of levity when they’d first come to Aeor. They had showboated then, dancing around each other as their works often did. This Essek is less restrained and his eyes and nose crinkle into a genuine smile when Caleb joins his frivolity.

They stop at the ninth floor which Caleb had known to be Esseks’ destination and immediately Essek lays on the pillows he always places in the corner. Usually, on their research expedition, he tranced in his room but on particularly emotional days they both preferred an expanse of stars above them as they rested. It became tradition and over time they’d drifted closer and closer together, until they would sometimes come to consciousness to find that through the night Essek had curled into Caleb’s side or that their hands had wound together unknowingly.

Now, Essek’s eyes are wide and his mouth hangs open in wonder as though it’s his first time seeing it all over again. Caleb stands over him, following his gaze up to the idly shifting starscape above. Caleb is quickly distracted by the versions of them that traverse different paths. Sometimes in each other’s company, other times in solitude. In a few they hold hands or make contact at the shoulders. Those are the ones he likes the most.

When his gaze is pulled back downwards, Essek stares up at him with a tenderness that quickly turns to expectation. He’s arranged burgundy cushions across the floor beside him for Caleb and so he obliges. As he stretches out across the crude bed slender, cool fingers interlock his own and he lays back and tells Essek of the constellations he’s hidden among the stars.

When Caleb himself was in this state he remembered lacking familiarity. Nothing around him made sense and the upheaval of his life only moments prior had only amplified the disorientation of the magic that kept him prisoner for 11 years.

Essek has someone to watch over him, he’s in a place that evidently brings him much joy and in recent months he’s found himself halfway to peace. Caleb finds his heart swell at the idea of making this experience bearable.

The silence was always the worst so he points to guide the elf’s eyes as he tells them the stories behind each constellation. He tells him of Nila, gentle and fierce. Of Twiggy, ever optimistic and wholly delightful. He tells him about Reani who Essek has spent some time with. Brief recognition flashes across his face, though it’s quickly replaced with frustration. Caleb remembers. He remembers knowing that someone was there who he should recognize but not having the words to know he had forgotten their name. He was in terror and treated everyone as a threat. Essek treats everything with wonder and discovery. The innocence is sweet and a syrupy feeling pools in Caleb’s throat as he’s again confronted with the way his heart swells when Essek looks at Caleb with that same contented smile.

He scoots closer and this is entirely too much. The idea that this version of Essek may curl into his side willingly, while they were fully conscious where the other version cannot unsettles him. Instead he stands, offering his hand, “Why don’t we get you something to eat ja?” There’s a momentary droop of his ears, much more pronounced than any movement he’d seen before before he lifts Essek and they go down to the dining room.

If there is to be anything significant between them it cannot be spurred under these circumstances. Caleb has to know he means it. As they wait while he cats prepare what had become their usual fare while traversing Aeor, he defaults to telling stories. First he tells him of the tunnels they traversed to reach the Dynasty, crafting an illusion as well as he can of the crystalline caves they made camp in. Food arrives and he continues weaving story and image as Essek picks at the well spiced soup comprised mainly of squash and potato. As he crafts an illusion of the dragon turtle they’d fought just after the peace talks out of amber and morphs its shape to a smaller turtle and then a sea slug, laughing to himself at the absurdity, he notices the clink of Essek’s spoon has long subsided.

Glancing over electric eyes focus on him instead of the illusion, so he drops it. “Ah, Es tut mir Leid, I know I tend to get carried away.” A little contented noise bubbles from Essek’s throat and his heart squeezes. In a desperate attempt to try and get Essek to eat more he turns back to his own soup and looks expectantly over to his friend.

Giving him a look of exasperation, he mirrors Caleb and eats most of the soup. Caleb rips up bread and encourages him to dip it in what’s left of the soup and finally, the bowl is empty. They leave the cats to clean up and Essek’s hand grasps Caleb’s again and squeezes. He knows he shouldn’t draw conclusions or let himself be taken by these gestures that the man wouldn’t make if he’d had the presence of mind, but it’s turning into a losing game.

With the time spent on the ninth floor and the prolonged battle of coaxing Essek to eat they only have a few hours until sleep. Essek takes his customary seat on the couch in the study and Caleb withdraws some of the lighter fiction that now populates the shelves. Lying back on the sofa, feet resting on the armrest, head by Essek he holds up the copy of Der Katzenprinz to show the illustrations. “You seem to like hearing me talk so why don’t I share this with you? Either way you won’t understand what I say so I will read it to you as it was originally intended.”

He begins, in Zemnian to tell him the fairy story that had brought him so much joy as a child, and the cats bring them hot chocolate as instructed. Warm mug in hand, Essek sits patiently through the story and as it turns to a close, picks up another of the books Caleb has gathered and thrusts it upon his chest. A real laugh bubbles up at that and he obliges.

As the night winds on and the mugs are emptied, Essek’s hand winds its way through Caleb’s hair, gently combing. When he looks up at Essek he’s met with soft, drooping eyes and a plain smile laced with nothing but care. He tries to stop Essek over the course of the book but finds that the drow always goes back to his hair so eventually, he leaves it. When Essek’s breaths even and elongate and he’s having trouble keeping his eyes open, Caleb sends him to trance.

He’s met with a slightly mournful look as Essek settles into the cushions he’s provided for trancing, but Caleb squeezes his shoulder, “If something goes wrong the cats will know to come get me. This is for the best.” Looking not at all reassured, but staying in place, Essek lets him leave without protest.

In the middle of sleep, dreamless and warm, there’s pressure. Then a caterwaul cuts through his subconscious followed by several more. He awakes with a start and immediately the cats gather around his feet as he pulls on slippers. They lead him to Essek’s room, where through the closed doors he can hear the sounds of furniture being disturbed.

Barging in, heart pounding, he finds Essek with tears streaming down his face. “Essek Schatz what’s wrong?” He kneels, abandoning any sense of propriety or boundaries and as he collapses into Caleb’s arms with nearly silent sobs he’s struck by how small the other man is.

“It’s alright Essek, whatever it was it cannot hurt you. I will keep you safe as you have done me.” They’ve never talked about the nights when the cats would do the same to Essek as they’d done to Caleb. When he’d been awoken from nightmares with angry red scratches down his forearms and a friend to bandage them. They’ve never quite discussed the comfort in Essek trancing just beside Caleb’s bed on difficult nights and he’s tried to stifle contemplation about the safety the man brings to his subconscious. The timing wasn’t right and despite his own longing he couldn’t make that step towards Essek. Not then.

Now, however, the elf shudders in his arms and he brings him into his lap, lighting soft amber globules of light to examine Essek. When he finds no physical harm he puts them out again and draws him in tighter as Essek clutches at the sides of his nightshirt and curls into his chest. He sings gentle lullabies his mother had once used to soothe him, voice cracking slightly as he flexes it in a long forgotten way. Eventually the shaking stops and breath becomes more solid, but hands stay grasped into his shirt so, with assistance from the cats, he maneuvers them into an easier sleeping position. Ever determined, Essek stays in his arms the whole time and when he tries to encourage him to trance beside him, arms wind around his waist.

“Okay, okay. If this will help.” Caleb resigns himself to creaky joints the next morning and sleeps with Essek in his arms, pushing away any indulgent thoughts of future nights spent with him in the same orientation.

When he awakes Essek is gone from his lap, though their fingers are laced and his head rests atop the drow’s on his shoulder. “Guten Morgen Essek.” He startles and smiles over at Caleb. Open, honest, vulnerable. They need to fix this. “I just need to prepare and then we will see Jester ja?” He receives a blank stare in return and nods to himself. “I will be back in a few moments and then we will go to Nicodranas. Just wait here.” He leaves and dresses quickly, returning to find Essek essentially where he’d been left. He takes a moment to glance over his spellbook and concentrates as he casts Sending, “Hallo Jester, I need your assistance with a pretty big restoration. Can you help today?”

She sounds half-asleep as she responds, “Caleb? Oh hi! Yeah I can help, just come to mama’s, we’re in Nicodranas. Oh my gosh I have to tell you, the dragon turtle-” her word economy same as ever.

“Okay Essek, Jester can help. I don’t know where you kept your parasol but I’m sure she can make you another.” With that they head out the door and Caleb transports them safely to the Lavish Chateau. Essek’s hand never leaves his.

Upon arrival they’re beset by a shouted greeting and Jester crushes Caleb in a hug before even realizing the other man is there. “Ohmigod Essek hi! I missed you!” Instead of awkwardly patting her back as he usually does, he wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her in. “Hey Caleb, what’s going on with Essek?”

She pulls back and sees his broad smile and dancing eyes and looks at Caleb distinctly concerned. “Ah- I’m afraid he is a victim of the Feeblemind spell. It’s what they used against me in… well.” Her face clouds with understanding. “He’s okay physically though, whoever attacked him clearly just needed him out of the way. If you can use Greater Restoration that will undo the effects. He’s been ah - rather clingy.”

She waggles her eyebrows at him, making suggestive noise, and gets out the required diamond dust, sprinkling it delicately over Essek who watches in wonder. She puts both hands on her shoulders and green radiant energy emanates from her and passes to him. Before long he’s shaking his head and stepping back, voice hoarse from disuse, “Where- Jester? Thank you oh my gods thank you.”

She grins back at him, “I’m glad you’re back Essek! It’s a good thing Caleb brought you here you were acting so weird-”

She’s cut off as he chokes out, “Caleb.” and looks over with a deep violet flush and wide, apologetic eyes. “I ah- I am sorry for putting you through that. I-”

“Nein, do not apologize. Maybe we should get back to your tower to try and piece together who did this to you and what they were after ja?’

Essek nods and casts his levitation cantrip, shoulders sagging with relief when it works. “Yes, of course. Thank you Jester, I’m sorry we can’t stay but-”

She hugs the both of them again, “It’s okay, you have lots to talk about probably I don’t know bye!” she gives Caleb a wink as he begins casting the spell again and to his surprise Essek’s hand winds itself in his as they vanish.

They’re back in the tower and Caleb looks down, Essek’s hand still in his. Essek drops it and there’s a flush set deep into his cheeks and it spreads to his cheeks as their eyes meet. “Caleb I-” he swallows “I remember most of what happened, though not very clearly. I um-” his eyes are downcast and Caleb braces for what he believes to be coming, “Thank you for your patience. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable it is very difficult to explain but I think you’re aware of the feeling. I didn’t exactly have my full faculties and I fear I broke boundaries that may have encroached too far on your hospitality and our friendship.”

It’s difficult to see him so apologetic for the affection displayed. This thing between them has gone unspoken quite too long and before he realizes it he’s speaking, “Don’t apologize for that Schatz, I ah- I didn’t mind. There’s something I think we ought to discuss fairly plainly because I do not want to mince words about the way I feel anymore, it’s tiring.”

Essek looks up to meet him, steeling himself and as Caleb is about to speak he cuts him off, “I am aware enough of how I acted to realize I cannot properly hide my feelings further.” He takes a deep breath, the back of Caleb’s neck is burning and time has all but frozen, “I care deeply for you Caleb. It is difficult to bring myself to those words for I know this is the last thing I deserve but here I am, a fool for you. I know that there were moments in Aeor, I hold them close to my heart as precious things in a life of solitude. If you do not do the same, if you do not feel the same I will remain your friend if you’ll allow it, your research partner, anything. But-” he looks down almost sheepishly, “I owe it to you to be forthright and so I will tell you that if you’ll have me, I would very much like to see where this takes us.”

A smile breaks across Caleb’s face as their eyes meet, “May I kiss you?”

Essek draws in a sharp breath, eyes wide, and nods. It takes Caleb only a moment to close the gap, hands sliding around Essek’s waist and over the back of his neck as he leads them together. Essek’s hands hold his shoulders and his eyes flutter closed as their lips meet, electricity and heat mixing. When they finally pull back they’re both flushed. Essek lets out a huff of a laugh and Caleb wraps him tightly as he brings him in again, smiling into another kiss.

[tempestvoice-arch]

Head dips in a nod as he stands over his kettle. It has been some time since he could enjoy nature. Though it wasn't his own personal grotto, this would do. Perhaps the world wasn't so horrible, at least Tal'Dorei hasn't tried to kill him. And it's got moss. Moss doesn't lie. "Care for a cup? It's my own personal blend, you see, and I've made it a habit for new friends to have a cup before continuing on their journey. Keeps the soul as it should be." -Caduceus

{ All I’ve ever wanted in life is this | @absclutezerc }

She’s never met a firbolg before! Jeez...are they all this tall? Wait! Don’t ask that, it’s rude! The Voice of the Tempest is clearly excited--and a little in awe--meeting the newest member of the Mighty Nein.

And he’s so chill...how does he do it?

“Oh, I’d love some tea, thank you!” Keyleth smiles as she watches him, breathing in the fragrance of the tea he was making. It’s incredibly homey--earthy, fragrant...very comforting. And nothing like any tea she’s ever smelled before.

Keeps the soul as it should be. Yeah, she can definitely see that. She’s already starting to relax. Though, there’s not really a journey for her to continue; she’s done her journeying already, and it’s led her here. Not that she minds! But she does miss traveling, sometimes.

“It smells amazing--what kind of tea is it?”

[thequeenofmyownscreen]

Thirty-five things I noted about CR2E141 “Fond Farewells” :

SEVEN. HOURS. LONG. EPISODE.

Ok, fair. The Mighty Nein did deserve that.

Veth multi-classed ! She has one level in wizard !! I love it !!

Oh yeah Essek kinda abandoned his post up in Aeor, huh... what will he do

Caleb : "Thank you, Jester." Jester : "For what ?" Caleb : "Oh, the last couple years... Thank you for being such a good friend."

Jester, to Fjord who is nearly asleep : "Hey, Fjord ? ... I love you. (panicked) Don't say anything ! I'm just going to bury my head in his arms." Fjord, befuddled : "What ??" Jester, regretting everything : "Don't say it, just shut up, go to sleep !"

I will miss Jester's Sendings

Ah, an insight check against a PC, this truly feels like early CR2 episodes !

Ah, there he is. The Irish-accent bastard of a purple tiefling. Kingsley. A person different from Mollymauk, for sure, but still with the accent, the attitude (kinda), and the immediate attraction to Caleb 'magic man' Widowgast.

THE PARENT TRAP WORK ! LOVE IS REAL ! JESTER'S MOM HAS GOT IT GOIN ON !

oh yeah that's right, the Mighty Nein left Aeor : with a robot whose plan was to wake others up, and with a functioning inter-planar portal that seemed to pass right through the Divine Gate (according to Matt's description of their return). I'm sure this is fine

THE BITCH IS HERE - and by 'the bitch' (NOT affectionate) I mean Trent

immediate Sam reaction : "I just got my family here" oh my god is it cruel of me that I kinda laughed, thinking it may very well go like the Fire Plane all over again ?

I'm excited to see what plan Caleb, Beau and Veth had obviously been cooking in the eventuality of Trent Ikithon, because they seem to have a very clear intent

Yes !!!! CHAINED COUNTERSPELL HERE WE GO I love it.

Eodwulf attacked Caleb, and the words exchange had kind of a sexy undertone to them ! I support Liam when he said "Is it hot in here ? or..." just after that. Even Fjord going up to Eadwulf and attacking him right after had some powerful homoeroticism, really enjoyed it

I love Travis' expression of "he's double-bagging it" about Trent having at least 2 shields of invulnerability cast around him, because I now pictured Trent with 2 bags over his head, like he was hostage

oh, I'm sad Laura missed Matt's 'you both have him cornered right there' about Eaodwulf, Caleb and Fjord. She would have snickered like I have snickered !

The Veth and Beau plan was incredible. It has multiples steps, it took a little bit of time (two rounds) but man, the visuals !!!!! Beau pulling out the collar, Veth and Beau hiding behind a tree, Veth gluing the collar, Beau escalading a tree while Veth was pulling out the magic fan, Beau jumping in the air towards Trent and ALMOST MISSING... if it weren’t for the fan !! Like Travis said last episode, I want to see this shit animated, and I will, because the world is good actually.

Oh man, Trent's end... Liam was crying and so did I, when Sam once again flexed his "I'm going to make a simple action so moving you will cry" muscles

How beautiful that Astrid was the one to do it, and help Caleb silence Trent forever

Caleb, to Trent : "You know, for the longest time, I thought this would be impossible. But I still dreamed about it, of taking your life. But death is too good for you. You are to be exposed, humbled, and brought low. Settle into that idea."

Oh, I'm so glad I've seen Beau and Caleb appear in Campaign 3, still fighting and trying to stop Ludinus' plans, because when Beau said this will take time, she was right : this will be a horribly long road for then, and the Cerberus Assembly's machination would prove to run deeper than they, right here in the Blooming Grove, know... But they're still here fighting the good fight !

Awwwwww Fjord said "I love you too" !!! Under the rain he created, like the romantic that he is !!

Caduceus is pissed. Using magic to force empathy on Trent is COLD. Love that Matt basically said "this man can feel no empathy and no magic can make him that's how rotten he is"

Astrid and Eodwulf came back ! They're helping for Trent's case (but not naming the other mages at the Assembly... maybe that's why, decades later, Beau and Caleb are still pursuing Ludinus).

From Caduceus' goodbyes to the end, just imagine me crying the whole time.

Essek : "What have you done ?... This world was so much easier when it was black and white." Beau : "But it's so much more beautiful in all the shades of colors."

Kingsley heard the Mighty Nein had a ship and immediately wants to be a pirate, I love him

ARE YOU KIDDING ME IS THIS THE SIPHYLIS BANDITS ????!!

Oh shit ! Ludinus offered a position within the Cerberus Assembly to Caleb, who respectfully declined (the power !!)

Vandren ! at last

Beau : "Are you wanting to be my housewife, Yasha ?" Yasha : "I mean... I think I would look pretty good in an apron." Beau : "I think you would look fantastic in an apron, especially if you weren't wearing anything under it."

Caleb's time-travel plan was pretty tight. He must have seen hundred of episodes of Doctor Who to avoid time paradoxes and such. But what a powerful image that he ultimately chose to destroy the thing he wanted most at the beginning of the campaign : "I drag some dust up my arm, and disintegrate everything in the room, and burn what's left."

THARIZDUN ??!! (me like the Beyonce ??!! meme)

"A tale of seven friends, who became eight, then nine."

Liam : "Thanks for a good story, Matt." Sam : "It was pretty good." Travis : "Let's do it again." (the callback the callback from Campaign 1 finale ok i'm gonna go cry for 3 hours now goodbye)

[flowersforvax]

I've seen a lot of people say Essek will outlive the MN and how sad that is - and I agree (with my admittedly limited understanding of that), it's always sad to lose people; I've also seen some very good meta on the grief of the person left behind and the grief of the person dying (particularly this one by cranesofibycus)

But what I've also seen is people saying it's sad that he will be left alone for the rest of his life and..... that's just not how I see Essek.

Because the beauty of the Mighty Nein breaking through Essek's walls and becoming his friends is that they showed him how beautiful friendship can be.

Essek grew up surrounded by consecuted people with very long lifespans, in his "first" lifetime. I think over time the people around him have gotten so used to being around the same people for decades and centuries they might have forgotten how to let new people in and getting to know them - including their own family members.

If you grow to several hundred years, and reach maturity at a hundred, what sense does it make to pay attention to the first twenty years of someone's life? At which point they'll probably remember a previous life and you'll know who exactly you're dealing with? And at the point where you realize "Oh, this is a new soul" the damage might already have been done, in the years you didn't realize were formative. And at that point that child might have already started coping with the emotional isolation by withdrawing, by isolating themself.

And Essek lived like that. And then he met the Mighty Nein. And they forced themselves onto him and into his heart and they showed him how close companionship can feel and what he was missing.

And they've known each other for such a short amount of time in-game but he will forever be changed. He has years and years with all of them to look forward to, and he has years and decades and centuries without them. And that will be sad when he loses them, yes.

But he will never be alone again, I don't think so.

Because they taught him how to have a friend, they taught him how to be a friend, and they will teach him over the years to come how to make new friends.