#now i just wanna know when imogen realized she was in love with laudna

[lessthanimpressedlesbian]

I feel so vindicated knowing that we all read those many microexpressions correctly. Laura was really playing an anxious queer woman in love with her best friend so accurately that we couldn't help but pick up on all the little nuances.

[12pt-times-new-roman]

"the lycanthrope form within chetney" is certainly a Choice Of Words

y'all what if Lilliana is in the same place as Evandrin?

Sending to Lilliana: "Are you alright? Where are you? Are you— is there— where have you been?" "I'm fine, Imogen. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how long I've been gone. I'm okay. Are you okay?" (she has a southern accent that's noticeably thicker than Imogen's.) "If I'm being honest, things are hard. You might know that already, though. Where are you? I wanna see you. Can I see you?" "I'm sorry it's hard. I'm sorry for cursing you with this burden. I left because I was a danger. I couldn't stay without knowing what I am. (She casts sending on Imogen.) You can't see me, because you need to stay safe. And the further from me you are, the safer you'll be. Far from me, in this destiny." "This destiny has caught up with me, regardless of where you are physically. It's all happening. I could use your help, and your knowledge." "I love you, Imogen. More than you'll ever know. And that's why you have to run away from me, Imogen. As far as you can. Run." "I'm tired of running, mother."

yo. the way Matt let that just linger for so long before Lilliana cast sending on Imogen? how Laura did that right back to him on that last reply? peak drama.

Imogen always thought Lilliana was telling her to run away from the storm. but her voice was always coming from the farmhouse. so what if she was telling Imogen to run into the storm and away from the farmhouse?

"it's not normally a problem for me, but I guess it... is now." as he gestures to Imogen. what the fuck does that mean? does Chetney think whatever Imogen did caused Ruidus to have more of an influence on him? is he right?

Laudna is so right. Lilliana hasn't seen Imogen in almost two decades. so how would she know that she's exhibiting abilities from being Ruidus-born? sending doesn't tell you who the person is, so how would she know it was Imogen at all, if she hadn't heard her voice in that long?

Orym's gonna snap. walks straight outta that discussion about people turning on each other to go sit on the front of the ship and look at the moon.

"I guess I just expected more... meaning." "Meaning isn't inflicted or pressed upon you, you have to carve it into yourself."

Orym uses the sending stone: "Hey. Yios-bound. Found 'em, their killers. Bigger than we thought. We're all rough, Dorian. Eshteross is dead. Glad you're not here. Wish you were anyway."

Ashton comes up to the deck and sits by him. and holy shit. their entire demeanor just..... changes. they're pacing their sentences and their voice is so low and quiet. "we keep calling you the good one — it feels a little unfair. I know you're not okay, but... I dunno. is this feeling like too much, all of this? // if we survive this, I definitely have some things in my life I'd like to ask your help with... and I hope we're at the point where you'd ask for help if you needed it." Orym is cautious when he takes Ashton's hand. Ash can't make eye contact and keeps looking down but they never face away.

Day 4: No issues. We're deep into the Hellcatch now.

Day 5: No issues.

Day 6: A freak wind storm adds another day of travel. Because the number on the d6 was 1-2, no one was outside when it happened.

Day 7: FCG asks the Changebringer for a sign, and immediately afterwards, a flock of 12 cockatrices attacks the ship.

that's bad. cockatrices petrify people for 24 hours (if they fail two con saves in a row), and they're on an airship thousands of feet in the air

.....is that the first time Ashton said "I would like to rage" instead of "I'm gonna rage"? given that they once said something like "no, I don't want to rage, I'm going to fucking rage," that seems like something

"That's when you realize they weren't attacking the ship, they were fleeing to it." and a fucking CHIMERA climbs up onto the ship.

awww Matt was teaching Ronan about d&d monsters and had him pick his favorite to put into the encounter :)

a rundown on chimeras — they're CE monstrosities with a 3-hit multiattack, and they can substitute one of those attacks with a fire breath weapon if it's available (recharge 5-6).

Laudna's form of dread is a gnarled, not-quite-dead tree. her skin turns to rotting bark, twisting branches grow from her shoulders.

Ashton's possibility rage build specifies that Ashton rolls the 1d4 that allies within range add to an attack or save. also, when a creature makes an attack against an ally within range, they roll 1d4 and subtract it from the roll.

Laudna has gift of the ever-living ones, an eldritch invocation that causes her to regain maximum hit points from any healing source as long as Pate is within 100 feet of her.

Imogen summons a red immaterial spirit that appears through a portal. this is most likely a reskin of summon aberration, which she got as a sorcerous origin spell at 7th level. Matt calls it a "shade," but its abilities are consistent with the Star Spawn aberrant spirit conjured by that spell (namely the aura of whispers). which is certainly a Thing. because star spawn are very connected to elder evils, of which Tharizdun is one, and to cults formed around them.

Day 8: Thunderstorm! The ship needs to ride low to the ground, but they soon arrive at the Gloomed Jungles.

Chetney found another collection of lycanthropes in the northern part of the Savalirwood when he was traveling through. He was out in the woods surviving, having fled Uthodurn, when he came upon another lycanthrope and was infected; he was bitten, then killed the one who bit him, and the folks from that group found Chetney because they were hunting the one he killed. They took him in, but he got cast out for some reason.

He mentioned that one of the leaders of that community was Rudina. I feel like I remember reading that name in the Nine Eyes of Lucien, but I can't remember.

The Gorgynei arrive.

listen. we all know Matt's voices are fucking incredible. but this feels like another level. he's got accents going underneath this guttural growl thing, and he's doing higher and lower voices so they're all distinct, but what gets me is the way he's doing the growl. the were-panther has a high and reedy voice — panthers can't growl, they're one of the only big cats that can't, so they hiss or scream instead. the were-tiger keeps doing this thing where her voice drops into a straight-up chest growl — tigers actually have more threatening roars than lions because of their social structure, and their roars have that characteristic bass rumble.

The Bells Hells were led to Baronak, a "collection of elaborate jungle tree houses and huts, connected by rope bridges and ladders, with two or three dozen people gathering around a small fire pit."

"Ruidus does bring with it a particular itch. It always has. Stronger as its power grows in recent times, but no more than that... it's nothing to worry about, at least not for us. What is different about you?"

....oh. Chetney was a blood hunter before he became a lycanthrope. blood hunters enter into an order at level 3, but they take the Hunter's Bane at level 1.

The Gorgynei have an accord with the Court of the Lambent Path in Yios, who have allowed them to continue living in secrecy in the jungles in exchange for them maintaining the safety of the roads through the jungle.

The Court of the Lambent Path is the governing body of Ashanedoor, and were on the other side of the Apex War, opposed to the Stratos Throne. It is an erudite, primarily orcish society.

There's a statue in the middle of the village of Sahyaadon, Keeper of the Savage Heart. "Semi-humanoid, semi-bestial. An arched back, arms out, with multiple heads — three various bestial heads howling. In one hand, there is a heart resting in its claws. In the other, a growing sapling. It looks fairly old — looking at the weathering, the damage it's sustained, it's probably over 100 years at least." The three heads aren't actually separate heads more than separate jaws and snouts protruding from a singular face.

They are a powerful, ancient spirit of the jungles. They are the protecter of both hunter and prey to maintain the balance of the living jungle. They shun magic that harms the natural order, and has watched over this entire land, this entire region. Some say they have always existed, others that they are a vigilant spirit under Seratani (the Marquesian name for the Wildmother).

"When a person completely loses control of the gift, there's likely no other way to stop them from spreading it. There have been a few cases of outbreaks across Exandria, and the Gorgynei are dedicated to keep it under control... it's when people begin to embrace the beast without proper training that they become dangerous."

The guy with the vegetables has an accent very similar to Yeza's (though a bit thicker), and the orcish leader has an accent very similar to Vandran's.

(I'm just sayin', Matt has the opportunity to do something really fucking funny here by making Fjord's father a lycanthrope)

In the morning, they'll take Chet to a temple of Sahyaadon, where "the spirit might meet with you, and it could excise this itch, or excise you... you will be tempted, you will be challenged, you will be tested. All of you."

There are a handful of true blood hunters in this commune, and all the rest are civilians who carry lycanthropy. They all control it as best they can, and are (presumably willingly, and/or as a condition of living here) chained to the tree in the middle of the village during a full moon.

[samuraiko]

Reading your imodna betting vignette, and realized that the hells doing their best to wingman for the two of them in their own unique way so would be really cute as a vignette

Again, so sorry for the delay in responding to vignette requests (see my last one for explanations). And I'm glad you enjoyed "Wanna Bet?"! :D

"A Little Friendly Advice"

Ashton and Orym were relaxing on the deck of the Silver Sun as they headed toward Yios. A throaty laugh echoed down from the poop deck above, and they looked up to see Imogen and Laudna giggling about something.

"Good to see that things are looking up for some people," Ashton said wryly.

"Oh yeah, that reminds me..." Orym lightly poked Ashton in the ribs. "You owe me ten gold."

"For what?"

"Our bet... Imogen said it first."

Ashton frowned for a second, and then gave a rather lopsided grin. "Yep, you're right." He reached into his money pouch and pulled out ten gold, which he handed to the halfling. "But that's a bet I don't mind losing."

"I know what you mean," Orym replied, pocketing the gold. "As long as they're happy together, that's the important thing."

"Question is if they're gonna take the next steps or not." Ashton leaned against the railing and looked thoughtful. "It's kind of a tossup right now, really. Either they embrace the idea of going for it because they nearly lost her once... 'make haste while the sun shines' and all that shit. Or they're gonna wuss out because they're afraid of being hurt like that again if something happens. Which, because it's us, it likely fucking will."

Orym was quiet for a while, watching the clouds go by while his thoughts were far away. "What would you do, Ash? If you were in their position?"

"Never been in love before," the earth genasi said bluntly. "But I care. I care a fucking lot. So based just on caring? I'd fucking go for it. If I'm gonna be miserable afterward regardless, I'd rather be miserable having had some awesome times beforehand."

The halfling gave him a rather wistful, sad smile. "Yeah, I know how that goes."

Ashton rested a hand on Orym's shoulder and squeezed it hard. "I know you do. That's why I can talk to you like this and not some of the rest."

"But what about them?" Orym waved a hand vaguely in the direction of Imogen and Laudna. "Do we help them along?"

"On the fence about that one, to be honest. I don't have the best track record when it comes to relationships, but fuck knows I have no problem being there if Laudna needs to talk to someone."

"You two do have your own kind of close," Orym commented. "Different, but still close. And that's good."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You gonna help out Laudna or Imogen? I know they're both important to you, but you seem to get along better with Imogen in your own way."

"Well, if she wants to talk to me, I'm always willing to listen. But she's... not always great about advice. She gets kind of headstrong that way." He shrugged and went back to looking off into the distance. "What about the rest of the gang?"

"FCG doesn't exactly give the best romantic advice, Fearne would just probably shove them in a room at an inn and tell them to have at it, and Chetney would probably offer to show them how it's done by practicing in front of them with Fearne."

Orym choked on his laughter, and Ashton had to pound him on his back until Orym could get his breath back.

[ship-ambrosia]

Top Ten CR Romance Arcs

Heyyyyy!!! How are you? 🥰

10. Imogen/Laudna

- Nothing in campaign 3 is canon yet, but I think this one is so obvious it’s smacking everyone in the face. Would genuinely be surprised if it doesn’t happen and I know it’s gonna be beautiful but that’s why it’s at the bottom of the list.

9. Ashton/Fearne

- As I just said there is no canon ship in campaign 3 yet but the flirting between Ashton and Fearne is literally killing me they’re both so hot and I really just want big strong barbarian Ashton to carry their soft femme girlfriend around. So I’m hoping to get more and more of this ship and if it does continue to develop I can see it easily be one of if not the fave

8. Percy/Vex

- Probably a little controversial with how far down the list this ship is. Idk why, I adore Percy he’s one of my faves, but I just never loved this ship as much as everyone else. That being sad they’ve some absolutely incredible emotional scenes, like all the stuff during the Briarwood arc and the Feywild, and absolutely killer witty ones. The bathtub one is probably my favorite. Haven’t watched the wedding one shot yet, maybe it’ll change my mind and move them up higher.

7. Kashaw/Zahra

- Ngl I always wanted more of Kashaw and Keyleth, but Zahra is so fucking funny and sassy that I love the way their relationship developed. Kashaw is such a tragic character but he gets a (somewhat) happy ending.

6. Beau/Yasha

- Beauregard is easily one of the best characters in CR, hands down. She has flaws, but they make her interesting. She’s a monk (and they’re just incredible) for the pursuit and protection of the truth. Yasha’s story is tragic but hopeful, and I thought their epilogue was incredibly compelling.

5. Scanlan/Pike

- I thought the progression of their relationship was incredibly sweet. Scanlan always struck me as someone who used sleaziness as a defense, so I like the idea that his relationship with Pike was purely sweetness.

4. Allura/Kima

- I don’t wanna say this relationship came as a shock; it was more like, when it was revealed, I was like, “Duh! Of course I should’ve seen that coming!” Kima is one of my favorite allies of Vox Machina and to see them together years later in the Mighty Nein was so wonderful!

3. Caleb/Essek

- Not exactly canon, yes, but I think close enough there that it works. I’m also obsessed with Caleb and Essek. It’s so incredibly beautiful the way Essek is a perfect foil to Caleb’s journey, and how Caleb basically worked to redeem Essek. I adore all the possibilities of a future for them, one that I think leads to much less strife than their lives had been up to the point that they met.

2. Fjord/Jester

- Jester’s development from an infatuated crush to true, deep, meaningful feelings was such a sweet story, as well as Fjord realizing just how important she is to him. There’s so many possibilities for more stories that I wanna see from the two of them.

1. Vax/Keyleth

- As soon as Vax started developing feelings for Keyleth, I was sold. First of all, my favorite trope in the whole wide world is the guy catching feelings first. Vax is so gentle and so patient with Keyleth while she figures out her feelings for him; and then she becomes protective as HELL over her boyfriend. I like to imagine Keyleth had little references to him all over her life now during Bells Hells, and not that she’s moved on but that she’s found a melancholic happiness.

[scurvgirl]

I’m having a pain flare up so here are some CR thoughts as I get further into this Chroma Conclave business because I need a distraction from the fact that my back is structurally unsound:

- I fucking adore Percy. I love the bitchiness, the snarkiness, the excitement and nerdiness he gets over his ability to make things, the deep rooted pragmatism that gets misinterpreted SO FREQUENTLY as being morally compromised when no, he has morals but those morals are NOT as important as the facts of the situation and needing to solve the situation. It’s a dynamic I really really enjoy.

- Vex is a QUEEN. I love how dragons being her favored enemy and being against dragons is so ironic given her greed. A greed that is born out of deep financial insecurity (girl, I fucking GET IT).

- I am still surprised I like Scanlan. I was FULLY anticipating hating him. Nott/Veth is still my favorite Sam character because that whole story just ripped my heart out. I’m just surprised I like him. 

- Every time Pike makes an appearance, there needs to be that child cheering sound effect. Pike is just so good, so clutch. CLERIC SUPREMACY!!!

- Grog has grown on me! I have a greater appreciation of Travis’s roleplaying now seeing more of Grog vs. Fjord vs. Chetney. 

Okay, character comparisons thus far! I love everyone, this is just for fun :)

Laura: Love Vex but...Jester, Jester is just...the leetol blue tiefling is just too strong. Jester --> Vex --> Imogen

Marisha: Laudna --> Beau --> Keyleth. This is probably the one most likely to change just because Beau sits where she is here because her progression was so incredible to me, and I haven’t seen much with Kiki yet. Laudna wins because she is EVERYTHING is loooove.

Liam: Caleb --> Vax --> Orym. I wanna see Caleb and Percy have a conversation, I feel like they would...get along like a house on fire *hides*

Ashley: Fearne --> Yasha --> Pike. This is PURELY based on how much I’ve seen of each. But each Ashley character is a gift we must cherish and protect at all costs.

Travis: Ugh, this is hard because I love werewolves but Chetney...grates on my nerves sometimes. I want that good good character development! So...Fjord --> Grog --> Chetney

Sam: Nott/Veth --> FCG --> Scanlan. FCG is before Scanlan because I feel like the potential for FCG is sooooo high and after his haywire moment, I had to watch Iron Giant which is ALWAYS a good thing. I know about Tary, but since I haven’t met him yet, I can’t judge him. 

Taliesin: I put this one off because...it’s hard T__T But here we go... Percy --> Mollymauk --> Caduceus --> Ashton. AGAIN, I love ALL of these characters they are WONERFUL. Ashton is my FAVORITE of Campaign 3. Idk how he manages to make these incredible characters time and time again, but hats off Mr. Jaffe, kudos to you good sir. 

Matt: Hey! The DM is playing too and deserves fun. Essek Hot Boi Thelyss --> Shaun Gilmore --> Pumat Sol  --> Eshteross 

Animal Companions: Trinket (BEST BOY) --> Frumpkin (’m a cat person) --> Sprinkle --> Pate --> Mister --> Professor Thaddeus 

Antagonists/Villains: Trent Ikithon for Fuckin’ Meet Me In the Pit You Piece of Shit Stain Dickweed (insults continue for another 20 minutes), Delilah Briarwood for I’d Let Her Finger Me to Death Sure Why Not and Sylas Briarwood for Bite Me Daddy, Obann for Oh That is Eeeeeevillll (Scott Pilgrim), Lucien for Baby I Love to Hate You Hate to Love You, Otohan for You Realize This Will Only Go Poorly for You Right?

[nochiquinn]

campaign 3 episode 7: ceaseless walltcher

sam ran off so many advertisers they're resorting to basic podcast sponsors

"I've lost control"

"DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM"

my kid is just starting to get old enough/good enough at reading we can do shit like munchkin and I'm excited to try when we can get a set

I Would Like To Read The Book

Christmas is coming up, I'm just saying

vexnvax

I almost never like the art prints but I love this one

"this is going in my HOUSE. not the NERD OFFICE, my HOUSE"

....christmas is coming up. just saying.

TWINCEMBER

INTRO

LET'S GOOOO

oh no I'm gay

have to play this for my kid tomorrow, she loved Your Turn to Roll

ROBBIE CREDITS

HELP I'm GAY

no you can't roll into the episode after that, I need a minute

my hands are literally shaking what the fuck

"and nothing bad happens"

I just realized that prerecording potentially means no laura ditching the game awards early for dungeons and dragons

taliesin is travis' new character

("nochi will anyone even get that" only if they've put up with me for two campaigns now!)

fantasy backstage pass

please picture orym's feet dangling as he pulls himself up to look over the balcony

lauDNA

mods are asleep post fires

"fractured tailbone" "end the game"

fcg's dedication to consent makes me so happy

maybe this is just because I've been in psychonauts hell recently but. donnatella aquato vibes.

("have you ever NOT been in psychonauts hell" you shut up back there)

laudna and orym. friends.

imogen's messages having dueling banjos playing in the background

I love imogen's "don't think about pink elephants" skill

s a m

is it normal that I STILL have adrenaline tingles from the intro

"to kill a god: scanlan shorthalt one-man show"

why is this tma vibes suddenly

this bitch: you look patchwork imogen: excuse u we prefer DIVERSE

"gorgeous" "rotting" "beautiful" "has a rat"

BORYM

"I leave my headshot on the way out"

matt: remove us from this as soon as possible

matt says no unnecessary gender divisions in my fantasy world

"it's not like we want to decide you smell bad" oooooh

"he always seemed like a nice guy, too bad he ate the neighbors"

I fucking love laudna

"macveth" "I ATTACK"

"gently injure the table"

SAM

LAURA

this is just a cats movie roast session

"don't touch that table"

"a punch of sephora"

[psychonauts hell] bonita soleil

is this the brothel matron from arcane

oh I am Uncomfortable

matt you cannot use the word "aroused" in this situation

I'm laura hiding behind her notebook

this is anti-marion

laura you cannot use the word "probe" in this situation

fearne

"everyone think randy thoughts" "PLEASE DON'T"

"we have to find the bone zone"

"cast blacklight" "do NOT do that"

oh no

laudna no

Limbs in Places

DEEP CUT

who let these two go off by themselves

orym climbing up there just to keep an eye on imogen ;-;

gay

"without laudna" lesbian behavior

this alley is an scp

rooftop gays

so no orym princess carry??

the static is travis' character

"an eye" ceaseless watcher

"the fuck??"

matthew they are children

matt asks "wanna see a flesh building monster" and doesn't wait for an answer

whorym

"where's the gnome" don't you manifest that

c h r i s t

they have laudna can we just GO

lesbian behavior

(I still don't know if I ship it, I'm just weak)

oop, we have marisha perch

YEET THE BEAST

stonky has failed us

YEET THE SEED

"occasionally emerges and screams" me

"next enemy is the ground"

"all I wanna do is go help orym but I CAN'T 'cause I'm FUCKED"

"are you alive?" that's a loaded question for laudna

please just run

share travis' texts

I would watch the travis commentary track

"I'm heRE"

you leave her ALONE

we've gotten both marisha chair perch and marisha journal hat, shit's bad

YE

thank GOD

hdywtdt machine robbie daymond

"it's the wailing wall" sam

Patron Gobbler

"we broke the fourth wall" "how DARE YOU"

"poke it, I'm pretty sure it's dead but there's only one way to tell"

ashton

"don't do that" "dOn'T dO tHaT"

"wardens if you wouldn't mind fucking off"

fantasy acab

fcg segway

please heal my boy

they will never come back for that contract

"a crime scene that I MADE"

kjdfsl he hasn't has to shush them in a while

"keep taunting the dm, motherfucker"

YEEEEEEE

HE BACK

oh god

travis you cannot possibly

you cannot be the veth of this campaign

mental mind bullets

"I'm short, motherfucker" me

"you're in MY head, I should insight check YOU, INSIGHT CHECK"

"travis is like a drummer for spinal tap!"