#also to those who say us rat grinder fans are upset because our headcanons didnt come true or something equally stupid: fuck you

[calciumcryptid]

I am trying to collect my thoughts on the route the campaign took with the Rat Grinders, and I think I have come to the conclusion that the reason I am upset is not because I think the cast are bad players or Brennan is a bad dungeon master or that I didn't know the Rat Grinders where most likely to die (I went into the episode knowing the likelihood was above ninety percent).

The reason I am upset about the ending for the Rat Grinders is that I know all they will be is a footnote in the Bad Kids' history, a tragedy that will be forgotten and doomed to be repeated because there will be no narrative consequences to their deaths.

At the end of the day, whether some sections of the fandom want to admit it, is that we have several things confirmed about the Rat Grinders. They were freshmen (fourteen to fifteen) when Porter and Jace scoped them out and started the grooming/manipulation. They were sophomores (fifteen to sixteen) when corrupted. Their real selves were buried under the rage (Ruben's dream sequence), and in Kipperlilly's case actively seeking out help before being taken advantage of (sessions with Jawbone).

But there will be no lesson learned here because there will be no consequence to the decision to let the Rat Grinders die.

Henry Hopclap will continue teaching Gorgug, despite losing his nephew to Fig (Gorgug's friend) who psychologically messed with him before she had any confirmation of his wrongdoing. Not to mention, he will continue being on the same staff as Jawbone who the Bad Kids helped obtain a normal life despite his beginnings.

Lucy Frostblade will (most likely) be resurrected as some sort of cosmic justice, but her party will be gone. They may have killed her, but there was evidence they were her friends (or at least Kipperlily was). She might be resurrected, despite the fact she no longer has any party and will be failed instantly and wrapped up in grief.

Then, there will be the way the Rat Grinders will be footnotes. Ivy, reduced to her looks and not sleeping with Fabian in a display of blatant misogyny. Oisin who they clawed to chop the head off of to prevent his chances at resurrection for the crime of Adaine potentially inferring his intentions wrong (something we will never get the confirmation on). Ruben, dragged to hell and his corpse charred in lava after being psychologically messed with. Buddy Dawn, who couldn't leave the cult as easily as Kristen. Mary Ann, who was the one they wanted to save while treating her in a way that read as kind of ableist [others words not mine] (and even if they do save her would she want anything to do with them knowing they saved her and not her other party members?). Then, finally, Kipperlilly who will have egg on her face for wanting something despite the confirmation that before everything she was getting help.

The reason I am upset about the Rat Grinders is because they'll be reduced to pawns in Porter and Jace's schemes, and not as the manipulated minors they are. But it is alright I guess, because the Bad Kids saved the world and they get to write the ending.