#critical role episode 53

[onyxbird]

Vax: "I've seen you take other people, can I hang off the bottom of [the broom]? Can you carry me up?"

Vex: "I don't know, you're pretty heavy. You might fit–"

Vax: "I'm lighter than you!"

Vex: (gasps) "It's nothing to brag about, scrawny."

(The twins' "evidence" of their scrawniness is their Constitution numbers. I am deeply skeptical that that is actually supposed to specifically correlate to bodyweight.)

[thelavendersquid]

“Do not call me commander. Caleb Widogast is my name.”

“…That’s actually not your name.”

Ahhhh I love this scene. This moment where Caleb’s tragic backstory, the stuff in his past that he’s convinced people will hate him for, becomes an inside joke between him and his friends. For the first time, someone has brought up his horrible past without concern for it, just laughing about it. Laughing with him about it. That’s some powerful stuff right there. And it shows, in his little smile and blush and moving away from the group - so many emotions for Caleb in that moment, and I can only imagine that relief and joy and amazement and love are probably strong ones.

[exandrianpunk]

c3 e53 second half

my thoughts and favorite moments :)

strong opening ya'll

"if the gods are severed from us we have to be the gods now, we have to be the right and wrong of this world" oh so we're in full-blown martyrdom mode now FCG? tight tight tight

"you of all people know the bods of friendship and how it can affect the world and effect change" "yeah, you lose people" EXACTLY FEARNE

you know shit's going wrong when Fearne is serving as a voice of reason for the group

"the vibe is that it's dangerous and ahead of you" that tracks

is it looking for something or just trapped? i can't imagine i'd be in a great mood after being released from some sort of enchantment after who-knows how long...

"before FRIDA runs off, because I know they're gunna..." i need more backstory about their travels together

"Bell's Hells in a handbasket" sounds like an episode title to me

"i'm scared of my dice tonight" "you should be" "NATURAL 20!"

"it knocked you into a no-clip" exactly what we were all thinking

the open-mouthed disbelief around the table when it fails the save...

"I'm good at this don't let me die... aaahhh..."

"very maternal vibe" says the one who consistently freaks the group out introducing Mister as her child

Sam we all already knew Fearne doesn't wear underwear

Deanna riding Umudara is so cute I need art

"can I try something extremely stupid and cheeky?" I love Aabria so much

"you made me sit between my exes and my dice are nervous"

I wish I could have some calm emotions every once in a while it sounds so nice (yes I know there are *plants* for that they don't tend to vibe with my body)

Matt is rolling so terribly for all the NPC's today??

older battle-worn David Bowie sounds super hot...

this procession gives me the same sorta vibes as the parade of beasts from Calamity

things being "unnatural" seems to really irk FRIDA...

"they're all dead in here Mercer give me my shit"

talking about the Savalirwood has given me a deep desire for Fearne to meet Cadeuces, they could have so many delightful conversations

secret tunnel?????

secret tunnel!!!!!!!!!

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 83

Tights? Oh gods Sam, where are you going with THIS one? Ah ... yeah ... well, at least they got him a mike ... WHOA!!! Sam, what the hell are you doing to Marisha? Oh boy, he's getting so shrill ... and now he's passed out. At least we didn't have to see his arse ...

And now he's messing with Marisha again while she tries to do her plug ... Travis is doing an impressive job of maintaining a straight face this time.

Laura: "Speaking of March ..." Matt: "Yes, Laura?" Laura: "... speaking of MERCH ..."

Travis gets Sam in the crotch with a metal dice. Of course he does ... XD

Even though it's been SO LONG it's still too big of a cliffhanger I don't still remember EXACTLY what's going on right now ... oh boy ... finally we find out what's to come ...

Ruidus ... it's Ruidus ... they're on fucking RUIDUS ...

Oh shit ... are they still in the thick of it? Are they caught? Are they in deep shit right now?

No! No initiative! Please can we breathe first because it all kicks off?

Wait ... did Travis just land a massive lore drop? IS CHETNEY SCANLAN SHORTHALT'S DADDY?!!!

Oh yeah, I forgot about the possum ...

Crap ... they really AREN'T alone ... oh, this place is BIG ... this is NOT GOOD ...

Yeah ... put the possum in the bag! Suffocate it! Phew ...

Pass Without A Trace! Okay ... meanwhile Chetney's nose is instantly confused ... more Reilorans in the tent ... maybe do something?

The Thought Eater? Great ... and now one of the Juggernauts? Aaaaaaaah ...

Oh! Distraction! Do it, Laudna! Fool them Sith an illusion!

Crap ... time for Initiative, then ... great ... along with a Group Stealth Check? How does THAT work, then?

Orym holds to make an attack IF anything happens ... okay ...

Ashton, no longer Raging, ALSO holds his attack, taking Orym's lead.

No, I really don't think the bell is a GOOD thing.

Imog holds a spell ... what spell? Laura: "That's a good question ..." Ah ... oh, Lightning Bolt? Might be good ...

And now the bell is ringing ... great ...

Howls in the distance? Sam: "There's MOON WOLVES?!!!"

Laudna casts Darkness at the front of the tent ... cue arguments that this is a MAJOR giveaway ... snd it encompasses both Orym and Chetney ... ah ... Laudna grabs hold of Orym because she CAN see in this murk ...

A Nat1? Marisha, really? First major roll of the year ...

Just get to the fence! Get to the fence ... Chetney tries to guide the way ... and blunders right into the wall ... then holds Blood Curse of Binding? Can he fo that? Apparently so ...

Fearne bamfs Mister out, then runs into the Darkness and hits the wall right next to him, then holds Scorching Ray ...

Oh dear, they are most definitely rumbled now ...

The Reiloran totally just NOPED when he saw the Darkness ... LOL

Again with the Flat Earth ... XD ... Matt is annoyed ...

FCG uses the Staff of Dark Odyssey to jump himself make a hole in the wall before booking for it ... ending up IN THE DARKNESS ...

Orym feels his way to the hole, looks through with his ridiculous Perception ... safe enough, but probably not for long ... tries to be sneaky sneaky ... hmmm ... stealth check ... 232? Chetney: "That's my boy!"

Ashton grabs FCG mostly by luck, then follows Laudna's directions to the door ... now he's trying to just blend in ...

Imogen casts Invisibility on herself, finds the hole, goes through ...

The Thought Eater Psychic Slams some rocks into the Darkness ... CRAP!!!

Half damage to Chetney, full to Laudna, who BARELY holds onto her concentration ... Fearne takes full damage but ALSO maintains her concentration ...

Oh, so Mister's got LOTS of high points now? Cool ...

Laudna checks around, sees not but hears approaching trouble ... gets ready for whatever ...

Chetney goes through, joins FCG snd Ashton, then dashes to Orym ... and SOMEHOW manages to keep hidden as he does it ...

Lions ate in the SAVANNA, not the SAHARA!!! How did nobody else get that?

Fearne runs for Orym and almost knocks Imogen over ... whoops ... then crouches the best she can to avoid the Thought Eater's attention ... Fearne: "Don't perceive me!"

The Juggernaut's coming! Crap ...

There was ALREADY A DOOR?!!! SERIOUSLY?!!!

Oh crap ... what IS making the howling noise? They're mounts? Massive scaly panthers, no head, just a big gaping maw ... well that's just lovely ...

Maybe spotted? Crap ... FCG holds Banishment ...

Orym creeps up to a tent and gets ready to slash his way in IF it's necessary ...

Ashton RAGES and holds an attack, taking a big run to back up the others, somehow still managing to stay hidden ...

How they're pulling off the stealth is baffling ... oh wait, here we go, now what?

Imogen heads towards the tent too ... meanwhile Laura is AT A LOSS for what to fo next ... oh boy ... the casts Seething Storm on the Darkness as a distraction ... wow, that's ballsy ... but now she's visible again!

The Thought Eater chucks more rocks ... but FCG thwarts it! NICE!!! That's a miss ... znd now it's BLOCKING THEM FROM SIGHT?!!! Extra sweet ...

Laudna would not actually shit, instead she coughs up pellets. Apparently ... XD She runs to join the others and makes it unseen ...

Chetney scouts out ahead and again his unaccustomed nose fails him ... nuts ... more tents, it seems ...

Aha ... looks like the distraction IS working ...

Fearne keeps running ... oh no, maybe Thunderclap would NOT be a smart move right now ...

He's normal Chet in his head. He's DOING THE WOLF VOICE in his head. Chetney: "Just let me live my dream."

The Juggernaut's pulling a Here's Johnny ... then takes damage from the storm ...

Crap! Rumbled again! Can they bluff it?

FCG casts Command on the Reiloran ... Holy fuck, FCG has RIDICULOUS aptitude for Deception? Who knew? Like HOW, Samuel? O.O

Great, more bells ... now what can they do?

So what's the new plan? More stealth? Sneak out?

Sam sneezes SPECTACULARLY ... Taliesin: "Stop it!" Ashley: "What is HAPPENING with you?"

They're just gonna try a QUICK sneaky sneaky ... how's this gonna go? Roll good, guys! Sam: "It's not luck, it's FAITH, so it's okay." That was a pretty spectacular save, Samuel ...

They make it through well enough, it would seem ... just BARELY ... and then they're gone ...

Phew ... they find a supply tent and hide ...

Orym: "We need to queef out of here." O.O

Put the Telepathic Bond back up! Okay ... but also goodbye Banishment ... crap ...

Okay, time to become clouds. Fart on, guys!

Laudna checks the Treshi ball ... crap, Otohan's HERE somewhere!

They waft out in mist form, drifting up and over the camp ... crap, looks like this would be BAD in a storm ... hmmmm ... snd there are some rolling in? Nuts ...

Time for a break ... but ALSO time to LEVEL UP?!!! Awesome!

Okay, so what's Ashley gonna do? How cool is this gonna be? A 3rd in Rogue? ARCANE TRICKSTER?!!! That's pretty sweet ...

So ... floating up, up and away ... literally ...

Derailed by a belch ... XD

Oooooooh ... DOES anyone who's been here in the dreams recognise anything? Get rolling guys ... damn you, Ruidus dice!

Chetney's priapic virility helps him recognise his surroundings ... XD ... he knows where the city is! Okay ... let's GOOOOOOOO!!!

Looking for a place to shelter, then ... a mountain range? They MIGHT be able to get CLOSE before the storm hits. Or head for the city ... decisions decisions ...

City, then. Okay ... cue various fart cracks (ahem) ...

Making a beeline in that direction which comes close to the mountain range ... storm front coming head on ... hmmmmm ... Travis: "The Reynolds Pamphlet." Marisha: "It's been a while since we had a Hamilton reference." XD

They have a plan. A RISKY plan.

Sam's flask: "What's Robbie looking at? Wrong answers only." Oof ... Matt disapproves.

Incoming? We have Incoming!

13 big-arse buffalo with SIX LEGS EACH?!!! Hmmmm ... tons of horns too ... and they're going INTO the Storm? Hmmm again ...

Beast Sense? Could be fun ... or might be DISASTROUS ...

Best to just jeep going ... Fearne znd FCG are unconvinced and continue to investigate ... Animal Handling? Really?

They're weirdly cute, but VERY LARGE ...

Get back to the group, guys. You're heading RIGHT INTO A STORM right now ...

Laudna is now suggesting they hide UP THE BUTTS of the beasts as farts ... yeah ...

Reform and regroup in a cave for a short rest. Smart move, definitely ...

Not SUPER comfortable, but it'll serve, at least for now.

Good point ... WERE they followed? Orym has a look ... doesn't look like it.

"Be queefed." LOL ... They torture the DM for few minutes ... Matt: "The scy-ball's dark." Travis: "Like your heart."

Ah, so they're not the first to shelter here? Interesting ...

Matt (after accidentally making a gynaecological joke without realising it and being mercilessly ribbed): "My friends are dirty."

Grim Psychometry!

Wait ... are there fucking GRABOIDS on this moon? Seriously?

Imogen considers trying to sense the presence of Predathos ... oh boy ... instead decides to rest first ...

Short Rest, then ...

Pate! He's back! Nice ... meanwhile the possum ... "Dork the Ox"? Hmmmmm ...

So IS the possum dead? Is it s Reiloran again?

Imogen senses something ... something in the air ... some Ruidusborn connection to Fearne? Fascinating ...

Imogen: "We have a Bloody Bridge between us!" Fearne: "Wow!" Cue jokes about them being "in sync" ...

They have new feats? Cool ... oh, they really ARE connected now? THEY CAN SHARE IMOGEN'S SORCERY POINTS AND VICE VERSA?!!! That is awesome ... Fearne: "We're just settling into our ... bloody power." Snort ...

Of course, Laudna's not Ruidusborn. Laudna: "Maybe I'm Ruidus-Dead."

Oh shit ... this could also be exploited by OTHERS? Not so good ...

Imogen now attempts to connect to Predathos ...

It is AWARE OF HER PRESENCE ... great ... a WISDOM SAVE?!!! Seriously? Crap ... 14? Is that good or bad? Aaaaaaaah ...

Oh shit ... it's GOING INTO HER ... a network? Hmmmmm ... a choice? RESIST, Imogen! RESIST!!!

Another Wisdom Save ... 18? Is it working? Oh thank fuck ... her lightning marks actually FLARE for a moment ... oh, that can't be a good sign ...

That's right, it's NOT Imogen specifically, it's ALL OF THEM together ...

Wow ... way to make this REALLY HEAVY, Orym ... meanwhile Chetney's got a much more hopeful theory ...

Oh yeah, the GOOD Reilorans ... a Rebel Alliance, so to speak ... cool ... yeah, that's smart. Find them ...

She could actually SENSE where all the other Exaltants are? Cool ...

Travis: "Our orders are clear. Beat up Fearne until she levels up." Ashley: "Nothing's happening!"

The storm has passed! Yay!

Pate is wowed to discover they're on the Moon. And now he's excited that he's getting sent into the Bag of Holding to look for the Reiloran snd then report back. And here we go ...

No joy ... hmmmm ...

They try to pill the Reiloran out ... oh, it is VERY DEAD and they can't get it out ... so they dismember it to get it out ... Laudna has the time of her life and it's not at all surprising ...

Ooooh ... weaponry swag! Sweet ...

FCG baked apple fritters with FOUR TEMPORARY HIT POINTS EACH!!! Awwww ...

Re-queefed and once more they float off into the air to continue their journey. Night is now approaching! Hmmmm ...

A village? Fascinating ... a "moon ranch"? Fascinating ... oh, it's for those buffalo aardvark things. Cool.

Ashton wants to meet the locals. Smart, but best be careful about it ...

Whoa! New race! Intriguing!

Oh! So this village looks to be UNDER OCCUPATION by the Imperium ... now THAT'S interesting.

Ashton attempts to turn himself into a dust devil in order to disguise himself. It DOES NOT go well. It goes VERY BAD in fact. He genuinely embarrasses himself.

Night is now falling ... what is the plan?

Yeah! Sorcerers are max Charisma! Send in the Witches!

All right, they have a plan and some likely candidates in relatively safe isolation. Jumping in then. Two staying as clouds to keep watch.

A storage shed? Yep, best bet.

Somebody's coming ... and now they're rumbled ... Imogen: "Don't scream!"

Persuasion check! Nat20? For a total of 33? Wow, nice one, Laura!

Oh, they speak Common? Phew ... oh, so they're like s bigger, stockier version of the podlings in Dark Crystal? Cute ... :3

And that's it for tonight! Yeah, good place to call it for now. Just good to be back at last ...

[aimless-otter]

[tangledbean]

So uh, magical restraints on prisoners are failing huh?

Trent Ikithon is *definitely* free again isn’t he.

[c-kiddo]

design for umudara (from cr3 episode 53) + the happy ending everyone wants for him :'-) ✸✨

[ID: Two digital illustrations of Umudara from Critical Role. he is a giant 9 foot tall bull with an orange body dotted with bright red stars, purplish colouring down his legs, long horns and a star between them. The first image is of him on a pale green background, meeting Caduceus and Clarabelle Clay. they are dressed in combinations of loose green robes, trousers and skirts. Caduceus is holding his staff in one hand, his other hand reaching out to Umudara's snout as he exhales a cloud that blows both their hair back. He has a tired, relaxed expression. Caduceus is smiling, saying "Hey, guy" to him and Clarabelle is saying "Hallo!" and grinning. The second image is a design of Umudara on a black background, notes from the episode and smaller drawings of him in orange and blue around it. he has a decorative banner draped across his back with blue tassels and embroidery. End ID.]

[eldritchpalette]

100% needed that Bells Hells helped Umudara, the Sentinel Beast of Veluthil Forest.

C/O Critical Role campaign 3, episode 53. Deanna, a character played by Aabria Iyengar (welcome back!). Umudara, the Sentinel Beast, played by Matthew Mercer

[littlebosslady7]

Critical Role Schedule for the week of November 18th, 2024

Monday, November 18th: — Re-Slayer's Take season 2, episode 10 for podcast streamers, 11 for Beacon.

Tuesday, November 19th: — Critical Role Abridged Campaign 3, Episode 31 for YouTube, 53 for Beacon.

Tuesday, November 19th: — Fireside Chat with Liam O’Brien at 7PM PST, only on Beacon.

Wednesday, November 20th: — Narrative Telephone episode 2 returns to Beacon with lead guest narrator Luis Carazo, YouTube VOD: December 4th at noon PST.

Wednesday, November 20th: — UNEND continues with episode 7 on Midst.co and Midst YouTube, 9 for Beacon at 10AM PST.

Wednesday, November 20th: — Queen by Midnight Quarter Past game play return for Everything is Content with Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Aabria Iyengar, and Aimee Carrero at 7PM PST on YouTube, Beacon, and Twitch.

Thursday, November 21st: — The Mighty Nein returns with Campaign 3, Episode 115 at 7PM PST on Beacon, YouTube, and Twitch.

Thursday, November 21st: — Critical Role Cooldown airs directly after the latest episode, only on Beacon.

[teachingmycattoread]

Things We've Yelled About This Episode #4.2.5

Once again we spent most of a Discworld episode quoting the book, so all the quotations get their own post! The page numbers are from the 1990 Corgi Books edition.

"'[Duke Felmet] said he died of natural causes.'

'Well, being assassinated is natural causes, for a king," said Granny. 'I don't see why he's so sheepish about it'". p. 53

"The Fool jingled miserably across the floor." p.56

"'Witches just aren't like that,' said Magrat. 'We live in harmony with the great cycles of Nature, and do no harm to anyone, and it's wicked of them to say we don't. We ought to fill their bones with hot lead.'" p. 219

"The storm was really giving it everything it had. This was its big chance. it had spent years hanging around the provinces, putting in some useful work as a squall, building up experience, making contacts, occasionally leaping out on unsuspecting shepherds or blasting quite small oak trees. Now an opening in the weather had given it the opportunity to strut its hour, and it was building up its role in the hope of being spotted by one of the big climates.

It was a good storm. There was quite effective projection and passion there, and critics agreed that if it would only learn to control its thunder it would be, in years to come, a storm to watch." p. 6

"As the cauldron bubbled an eldritch voice shrieked: 'When shall we three meet again?'

There was a pause.

Finally another voice said, in far more ordinary tones: 'Well, I can do next Tuesday.'" p. 5

"'I hate cats.'

Death's face became a little stiffer, if that were possible. The blue glow in his eye sockets flickered red for an instant.

I SEE. he said. The tone suggested that death was too good for cat-haters. YOU LIKE GREAT BIG DOGS, I IMAGINE.' p.12

"He rubbed his dagger hand, although the word was becoming inappropriate." p. 133

"'It's the witches,' whispered the duke, to no-one in particular. 'We must tell the world about the witches. They're evil. They make it come back, the blood. Even sandpaper doesn't work.'" p. 67

"[The voice] apparently belonged to a large fat man who had been badly savaged by a moustache. Pink veins made a map of quite a large city on his cheeks; his nose could have hidden successfully in a bowl of strawberries." p. 32

"'Mrs Vitoller,' [Granny Weatherwax] said eventually, 'may I make so bold as to ask if your union has been blessed with fruit?'

The couple looked blank.

'She means-' Nanny Ogg began.

'No, I see,' said Mrs Vitoller, quietly. 'No. We had a little girl once.'" p. 36

"Witches are not by nature gregarious, at least with other witches, and they certainly don't have leaders.

Granny Weatherwax was the most highly-regarded of the leaders they didn't have." p. 7

"The calendar of the Theocracy of Muntab counts down, not up. No-one knows why, but it might not be a good idea to hang around and find out." p. 190

"...he was also one of those rare individuals who are totally focused in time.

Most people aren't. They live their lives as a sort of temporal blur around the point where their body actually is - anticipating the future, or holding on to the past. They're usually so busy thinking about what happens next that the only time they ever find out what is happening now is when they come to look back on it. Most people are like this." p. 10

"Like most people, witches are unfocused in time. The difference is that they dimly realise it, and make use of it. They cherish the past because part of them is still living there, and they can see the shadows the future casts before it.

Granny could feel the shape of the future, and it had knives in it." p. 42

"Granny Weatherwax didn't hold with looking at the future, but now she could feel the future looking at her.

She didn't like its expression at all." p. 17

"'Goodie Whemper did a recipe,' she confessed. It's quite easy. What you do is, you get some lead, and you -'" p. 219

"'A magic sword is important', said Magrat. 'You've got to have one. We could make him one,' she added wistfully. 'Out of thunderbolt iron. I've got a spell for that. You take some thunderbolt iron,' she said uncertainly, 'and then you make a sword out of it.'" p. 188

"Totally mad, the Fool thought. Several bricks short of a bundle. So far round the twist you could use him to open wine bottles." p. 65

"'What I'm saying is,' said Granny firmly, 'that we've got a king who is no worse than most and better than many and who's got his head screwed on right - '

'Even if it is against the thread,' said Nanny." p. 250

"When the giant growled, and turned around, an arm like a couple of broom handles strung together with elastic and covered with red fur unfolded itself in a complicated motion and smacked him across the jaw so hard that he rose several inches in the air and landed on a table." pp. 166-167.

[onyxbird]

Pike: "Vax? Would you mind? Maybe you'll get some luck with this door."

Matt: "Technically, Pike, you do have the keys to the home. You lived there."

When all you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail. When you travel with a lock-picking rogue, you forget that keys are a thing you could have.

[ludinusdaleth]

the message of c3 that certain other survivors of exandrian history are meant to hear

-Critical Role Campaign 3, Episode 53

[exandrianpunk]

c3 e53 first half

my thoughts and favorite moments :)

"I gouge out my eyes" Aabria is all of us

"ya'll are so dangerous"

"half fucked up half fuckable"

FRIDA is held together by tongue straps = canon

"i hope that they're around to worry about us" *sob*

"can i have advantage? DM to DM? homie to homie?"

"the death ward stings like a sunburn today" that is such a beautiful way to portray Deanna's mixed feelings and tension in the moment

i had so many thoughts last week while Chet and FRIDA were fighting about the fact that Deanna had given the death ward to Chetney and how awful it would've been if it had come down to that... the amount of guilt Deanna would've felt...

FRIDA seems so unconcerned for their own wellbeing, worried more about how their coat got damaged during the fight than about getting bitten...

is it an Aeormaton thing of wanting to have all these new experiences and opportunities for new recordings?

is Deanna used to having to put the death ward on FRIDA because they are so willing to throw themself at danger?

i desperately want Deanna to knit clothes for Pâté

it's the house her family lived in oh hon

"too much stuff in my brain, sometimes it just leaks out" i feel that

"it's bad to make checks when you're sad" correct

it's been a while since we've heard the whispers of Uk'otoa (Uk'otoa)

guys i'm begging you please just ask one of the guards wtf is going on

"mass magical disenchantment" hmm good sign

"a deep diminishing of divination" *gulp*

"Scribewarden Ressia Uvesic" weren't they in campaign 2?

"you're worried about money during an Applebees solstice?" a very American take

"every new detail is bad" vibes

laura stop talking about Keyleth in the past tense right this instant that's not okay

VAX'ILORB

"magically bound prisoners who escaped" that has so many wildly awful implications my dudes

ominous ground-shaking rumbling is never a good sign

"have you ever heard of fear-reading before?" why yes Mr. Mercer i have engaged in fear-reading multiple times myself

Laura nearly killing Aabria with an M&M was beautiful

Travis "i might not be able to help myself" Willingham

why are all the Aeormatons so habitually self-sacrificing?

bad things are happening downstairs...

knocking coming from inside the basement is never a good sign

the way Taleisin predicted FCG's death-wish impulsivity getting the group into trouble on 4sd...

"this is bravery... we're going to overcome it and prove our worth" now is not the time for martyrdom FCG

weeping angel vibes...

was the statue something that was petrified?? or some sort of golem they thought was disenchanted?? like something they were keeping as a trophy, but now with all the dispelled magic it's 'back'

"Great Beasts of Veluthil" sounds like the name of a very friendly ally for sure

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 53

What the ... Sam is OUT OF THE STUDIO ... why is it suddenly gone all Spinal Tap? This is a strange skit ... but chaotic fun too ... XD

Xandis! Yay! Cool D&D movie plug ... and WHY os he going all FRENCH all of s sudden, Matt? Travis (cry laughing): "Wha ... he's evolving!"

Oh my ... Laura, your voice is sounding SO MUCH BETTER!!! :3 I'm so happy for you ... and yes, that IS so cool ... whoa, AABRIA IS LAYING CLAIM TO IT!!! XD D'awwww ...

Okay, so are we FINALLY gonna get to know what's happening with the others? Please, they have no healers, it's not safe for them right now ... HELP THEM!!!

What? NOOOOOOO!!! I mean SURE, I'm loving Aabria and Christian, but STILL ... come on guys, we can't just LEAVE the others like this! Orym must be going NUTS right now ... and LAUDNA!!! Not fair!

Chetney doing a feral murder hobo walk of shame ... yeah, FRIDA ... yeah, the shame is heavy and we feel for our boy right now ...

And there we go. Now he's thinking between his legs and it's all fine again. XD

Hmmmmm ... this is the question, is she REALLY all right with this or is she just humouring him?

Ah yes, Chetney's kinky thing again ...

Chetney's in a permanent condition of "half fucked up and half fuckable" ... yeah ...

It's the Solstice, it's fucked EVERYTHING up ...

FRIDA actually ENJOYED that? That is WEIRD ... Chetney: "You SHOT ME?!!!" FRIDA: "A few times, but I missed you more than I hit you."

Matt is STILL VEHEMENTLY AGAINST the tongue thing, Sam! XD

Okay, so we have A PLAN!!! Excellent. Let's get to it, there!

Fearne you unapologetic chaos gremlin, don't toy with our boy like that! XD

Deanna: "Do you think we BANGED IT OUT while you were asleep?" LOL

Come on, is there really ANY chance that FRIDA would actually become a robo-werewolf? Seriously? Meanwhile OH MY GODS these two are so adorable, FRIDA thinks this is fun and Deanna's having a mental HEART ATTACK ...

Smooth journey, at least. I thought 11 was supposed to be a less than stellar roll ...

Fearne going totally googoo about the goats ... :3 I love how it almost gets her shot as well XD ... good thing she's do strange, it's a good distraction.

Oh, here we go, these guys look a bit ... problematic ...

Under the jacket? Oh ... wow, that is actually REALLY COOL ... AAAAAAND he's asleep. XD

Oh wow ... Uthodurn is GORGEOUS ...

The Volition Disc ...

Knitting ... cool.

Okay ... clearly SOMETHING is off. Is this anything to do with the Solstice? Yeah, if in doubt just cast a Light spell. :3

"The Temples"? Hmmm ... that's ominous ...

Matt: "There's too much stuff in my brain! Sometimes it just leaks out!"

Good reminder, Chetney is EXHAUSTED, he NEEDS TO roll with disadvantage right now ... good roll anyway, though.

Ah yes ... that's true, Deanna and FRIDA don't really know about the baggage ... oh yes, and there we go, Imogen's breaking. I was expecting that at some point ... yeah ... Fearne hugs are good, yeah. I'm sure Laudna's fine ...

Wow ... Sam is REALLY walking a fine line with THAT flask ... XD

Titanic style gates ... and HERE WE GO, the Deliberation Disc ...

The varying scents of fear, according to Chetney Pock O'Pea ...

Oh ... the way is BARRED?!!! Hmmmmm ... yeah, this seems like a major thing ...

Ah, Chetney backstory! Yeah! Nice ... ooh, metal toys, not a good thing. I can see why it's a trigger for our gnome. Hmmm ...

The Vellum Steeple ... okay then ... and it's OPEN!!! Thank the gods ...

Shit. Once again something is OFF ... not a good sign.

Oh, this guy is clearly a bit much ... or maybe he's just overwhelmed, it certainly sounds like it.

Matt: "One of you make a deception check." Fearne: "I AM a professor!" XD

Ah yes, here we go, sneaky Chetney. Meanwhile 200 gold to Deanna! Awww ...

Chetney: "Can you hear my thoughts?" Imogen: "Yes." Chetney: "Balls. Wang."

The flask gets WORSE! Aabria is amused, in sn exasperated way. Matt: "Welcome to my world."

Dope ass Elven pompadour ... aaaaaah, Tilda Swinton, good choice!

Wow ... that revelation is NOT impossible for her to swallow? Damn ...

Oh, so it's not JUST the god-based stuff ... it sounds like this is BIG ...

Ressia? Yes, that's good, because the rest is a MOUTHFUL.

"Applebee's Solstice?"

Okay, here we go, the big rundown. Yup ...

Oh yeah, the Keyleth and Vax development, yeah ... that was SO BAD ...

FCG: "Can you nake magic work again?" Coin flip. Oh my gods ... "Nope."

Ancient bindng enchantments are now failing ... oh, now THAT is a MAJOR problem, isn't it?

Oh boy ... so what is THAT about out there?

Meanwhile invisible Chetney's just eating Skittles ... XD

Ah ... "fear reading" ... yeah ...

More sneaky Chetney ... yeah, he just can't help himself ...

Funky little vial ... headache medicine? Yeah, sounds about right.

Chetney (to Imogen): "The delay on your mind shit is WEIRD."

XD Chet being a scary ghost troll on Ressia ...

Is the rumble coming from BELOW? Southward ... hmmm ...

Cinnamon raisin bagels from FCG's magic oven ... crazy ... XD

FRIDA's arcane core? Hmmm ... sounds potentially useful, but also potentially DANGEROUS ...

They've SEALED the gates to the Grand Disc? Oh, that can't be good ...

Oh ... so they're EVACUATING the Disc? Okay ... so this is actually REALLY BAD ...

FRIDA takes up a snipers roost ... cool ...

Okay, this is getting crazy ...

A warning shot? REALLY?!!! Whooo ... but it clearly WORKS ...

Wow ... THAT is a bold bluff indeed ... FAST FRIENDS?!!! SERIOUSLY?!!! I can't believe that actually works ...

AAAAAAND now they're all going inside ...

FRIDA has WINGS?!!! Holy shit!

Oof ... this is gonna be a SQUEEZE ... and now they're just HANGING there ... oof ... oh, that was a BAD ROLL ... crap ... and that must HURT.

Oh wow ... saved by a bluff ... okay ... of course now FRIDA's clearly stuck OUTSIDE ...

Oh, this could work ... just let the robot through! OH FUCK, now Imogen's getting pulled OUT!!! CHARGE, FRIDA!!!

That was INSANELY hairy, I can't believe it actually WORKED ...

So ... this is NOT good place to be right now ...

Wow ... so there's like something REALLY nasty in here then?

Ouch ... poor kid ... CAN THEY help her?

A STATUE did this? Ooooh ... whoa, it's still here? Scary ...

The Great Beasts? None of that sounds ar all good right now ... oh boy, does that actually suggest there might be MORE THAN ONE of these things in here?

Time for a break ... okay ...

D&D Movie trailer getting me in the mood fir Saturday night ... I can't wait!

Matt: "And we're back!" Sam belches ... oh, you can just FEEL the DM's disapproval ... XD

"The power of friendship"? REALLY?!!! Oh, AND the element of surprise? Oh, well then it might work, then ...

Pass Without A Trace? Good ... FRIDA rolls a 36 on stealth? Holy fuck ...

Ah, Hamilton ... melting into George Michael ... hmmm ...

Oh shit ... is this thing like some kind of gigantic stone bull? Is that it?

Oh my fucking gods, that is so cool ... the Citadel is HANGING DOWN from the CEILING if the cavern! Awesome!

So there are still people here ... great ...

Yup, I was right. GIANT FUCKING BULL. Yikes. And it's strangely ethereal? It gets worse ...

And it's looking at them ... crap ...

Aren't they all talking awful loud for folk who are trying to be stealthy right now?

They're gonna try and READ about what this thing is ... yeah, that's gonna work.

And now it's back in the Citadel. Okay ... time to evacuate the survivors ... and they're all some very selfish bastards ain't they? Typical. And now they're all being noisy too ... oof ...

Guardian of Faith? Cool ... cute little mini Dawnfather avatar. Awwwwww ...

Into the Citadel, then ... and it's a fucking maze in here. With a bull monster ... huh, Labyrinth, cute ...

Throne room, okay ... and there it is.

Imogen tries to sense its thoughts ... hmmm ... it is WEIRD, purely emotional ... so this thing is just CONFUSED, it sounds like. Interesting.

Is there a plaque? Oh my god THERE IS ONE!!! But it's in elvish ... CRAP.

Fearne is seriously suggesting Imogen try PETTING IT. Right ...

Oh ... that was INCREDIBLY bad timing ...

Gloomscale Breastplate? Sweet.

Trying to creep in ... with really crap stealth rolls ... bugger ...

ROLL INITIATIVE!!!

Oooh ... another sweet Battlemap! And ZEE BOOL is there! It's all sleak and shiny! And BIG!!!

Shit, the Bull goes FIRST?!!! Crap ... and it just charges STRAIGHT into Fearne ...

That protective thing would have been SO COOL, such a shame the rules are MEAN right now ...

Oh fuck that is A LOT OF DICE ... 42 points of damage? OH GODS ... AND she goes flying back 20 feet! Ouch!

Deanna manages to deflect the back-kick but she's STILL driven onto her back ... oof ...

Dominate Beast? Go Fearne! Please nake this work ... Holy shit, Matt rolled an 8? It counts as a CELESTIAL?!!! Ooooooh ... Holy fuck, it WORKS!!!! They have one minute where it's just docile ... cool ... time to do ... SOMETHING ...

Fearne starts PETTING the bloody thing. Crazy.

FRIDA finds its heart and sets up for a killshot fir the moment it's NOT charmed ...ruthless!

FCG casts Tongues ... okay ... here we go ...

Ah yes ... send it to Wall Street ... XD cute ...

I love that Fearne gets an advantage on Animal Handling because she's Fearne ... LOL

It speaks! Sort of ... it really is just lost and confused and doesn't know WHY it's here ... wild ...

Yup, it's definitely MALE ...

Deanna reads the plaque ... "in memory of Molaesmyr"? Hmmmmmm ... that's entirely useless right now.

Wow ... this might actually GENUINELY be working ...

Oh thank the gods ... that Nat1 could hsvd been SO BAD ...

Dominate Beast is gone ... but it's calm now ... it wants to be shown how to get out ... hmmm ...

Umudara ... cool ...

Seriously, they need to clear a path for them yo get out without trouble ... OH!!! The Gusrdian! Yes! Try that!

A Nat1? NOOOOOOOO!!!

Okay, it might still work ... Imogen and FCG go ahead to warn them about all of this ... okay ... now communicating through the gate ...

Yeah ...this is gonna take a BIG persuasion check ... 29? Fuck ...

I can't believe this ACTUALLY works ... Calm Emotions? On TWO HUNDRED soldiers? Hmmm ... Matt rolls a 2? Wow ...

FCG: "It's the power of friendship! We just talked to it!"

David Bowie ... wait, so this guard is LITERALLY Jareth! I love it! XD

Oh my gods ... Fearne is tying a fucking RIBBON around its neck to make it look cute ... and it LETS HER!!! OMFG!!!

This is one truly BIZARRE entourage ...

Travis: "This thing killed Carl!" XD

And now it's turning into this whole bizarre event as they parade through the city ... this is CRAZY!!! Still can't believe it's STILL working ...

I mean honestly this us actually turning into something quite beautiful. Nice ...

So they're going to direct it to the Savalirwood? Cool ...

Meanwhile Chetney's still in the Palace throne room ... hmmm ... and he is stripping anything he can from the throne. Of course he is ...

Chetney shreds himself as a cover before going down into the secret passage ... it's a hidden escape! Nice ... so he uses it as intended! XD

Nat1 on a stealth check? Oof ... at least he's a bloody mess so he just BRAZENS his way out of getting caught ... XD

Nice place to end ... and that wasn't even a battle! Nice way to circumvent any real combat, guys!

"Power of friendship!" Holy fuck YES!!! LOL ... yes it really was ...

[bixbiboom]

The weekly schedule is out!

✨ Tuesday, March 21st, 7pm PDT: Ashley, Taliesin, Marisha and Liam will be playing Moving Out and answering questions on 4-Sided Dive.

✨ Thursday, March 23rd, 7pm PDT: Campaign 3, Episode 53 of Critical Role streams on Twitch and YouTube.

Check out the details »HERE«!

[utilitycaster]

CRITICAL ROLE ASK MEME 2023

(with significant inspiration from, and some questions directly taken or lightly updated from this 2020 end of year ask meme by @cranesofibycus; had it not been very Nein specific I'd have simply reblogged it, it's a good meme!)

Retrospective:

44. Bawdy Basement Belligerence: What was your favorite episode this year and why?

45. Ominous Lectures: Did your opinion on specific characters change over the course of the year? If so, how?

46. Night at the Ligament Manor: What did you think of Candela Obscura?

47. The Fey Key: What is your favorite Critical Role (or Candela) fanwork you created?

48. An Exit Most Fraught: What was your favorite One-shot other than Echoes of the Solstice (there's a question for that specifically!)?

49. The Aurora Grows: Has the fandom changed over the last year? If so, how?

50. Red Moon Rising: Which plot development surprised you the most this past year?

51. The Apogee Solstice: What is your favorite meme (yours or someone else's) about Critical Role (or Candela!) this year?

52. Far from the Others: What was your favorite and least favorite part of the Solstice-induced party split?

53. Ripples: What was your favorite ship at the start of the year? Has this changed?

54. Treacherous Toys: Are you more or less (or the same) level of interested in Critical Role now as you were at the start of the year?

55. Hope Within History: Who was your favorite NPC that appeared this year?

56. By Goat or by Boat: What was your favorite line of dialogue from this year?

57. The Sorrow of Molaesmyr: What was your favorite Critical Role (or Candela) fanwork someone else created this year?

58. Escape from the Past: If you could change anything about what happened during the main campaign this year, what would it be? 

59. Somewhere Out There: Favorite new piece of lore learned this year?

60. Faith or Famine: Place you most enjoyed seeing for the first time this year?

61. Crisis of Faith: What are your thoughts on the Echoes of the Solstice live show?

62. A Long Walk of Reflection: Have you listened to Midst? [Are you going to listen to Midst? When will you listen to Midst?] If so, favorite episode?

Prospective

63. A Haunted Past: If there is one main PC death this year (whether or not resurrection is fixed by then), who do you think it will be? (Extra credit: if it's not Chetney or if there's multiple deaths of which Chetney is one, who else?)

64. Reunited: What plot thread do you need to see resolved this year?

65. A Path of Vengeance: If you had to come up with a Critical Role related resolution this year, what would it be?

66. Aid of the Tempest: What are you most excited to see on the moon?

67. Bloody Flowers: Give me three Bells Hells hopes/predictions/theories for 2024!

68. For the Tempest: It's December 2024. How did Ludinus Da'leth, Liliana Temult, and/or Otohan Thull die?

69. Nice: What are your hopes for the fandom (or, if you'd prefer, the channel) in 2024?

70. Embattled in Bassuras: Do you think the campaign will be over a year from now?

71. Mist and Whimsy: Which ships do you think will sail next year? Which will sink?

72. Phantasmal Parley: Which mentioned but as-of-yet unseen character are you hoping to meet in the new year?

73. Kindling the Spirits: Who would you most like to see as a guest on Critical Role this year?

74. Roots Between Worlds: Which past campaign PC do you think Bells Hells are most likely to meet?

75. An Ancient Flame: Which deities do you think might reach out to Bells Hells (or Bells Hells reach out to them) (other than the Changebringer since that's pretty established)?

76. A Gathering of Heroes: Which theory from 2023 are you happiest to have seen debunked?

77. The Promise and the Price: What is Fearne's boon from Captain Novos?

78. Fractures: What spells do you hope to see characters take next year? Or, if you prefer, what feasible (per stats) multiclasses?

79. To Hurt is to Heal: What is a new EXU season you'd like to see?

80. A Test of Trust: What do you think Delilah's ultimate fate will be?

81. Eve of the Red Moon: Who do you want to see GM a future Candela season?