#sorry taliesin never do that again

[mayapapaya33]

We all know Taliesin made the poor life choice to treat C2 as a learning opportunity to work on his Irish accent, right? And we all know what happened to Molly and everything to do with Lucien. If you don't that's your cue to stop reading this and go finish campaign 2. So, for the Mighty Nein animated show, I have several questions.

Is Taliesin going to voice Molly? I assume yes but he might give it to Matt considering he never gets to play main characters, and Tal has Caduceus and irish pains him so. That's almost certainly not going to happen, but it's a fun thought and they're all pretty generous with the spotlight and their characters so you never know.

Is Molly going to have an irish accent? Again I assume yes but not necessarily lol. Taliesin has had years to work on it and he'll be in a recording studio not a live situation so it's totally doable, he'll be fine, the others will only roast him a little bit if and when he fucks it up.

When the story eventually gets to Lucien is it going to be voiced by Taliesin or Matt? Here's the one I'm genuinely not sure about, I can see great arguments for either choice honestly. Taliesin because it's the same body and the same voice box so people will recognize the character's voice, Matt, because come on, it's Matt! Fun, give him something to play with! Though I suppose he's probably going to be Essek so at least there's that for the Aeor arc. (And his accent is better sorry Taliesin love you!) I'm leaning towards it probably being Taliesin just for logical narrative consistency reasons more than anything else. It would be a little weird if it went Taliesin as Molly then Matt as Lucien then Back to Taliesin for Kingsley lol. But Matt's a good mimic so who knows!

[cassafrasscr]

I continue to have so many thoughts about Ashton.

I've seen a handful of posts accusing Ashton of being selfish and power-hungry, and I don't think that's completely inaccurate, per se. I don't think it's fair to frame it as Ashton just wanting power for it's own sake without considering the larger context of the threat they're facing.

Let's look back on the Hells' first battle with Otohan.

Ashton was almost completely useless in that fight. He got knocked out twice in the space of a few rounds. Which, no shade. With her Echoes in play, Otohan was almost able kill Keyleth (a level 20 Archdruid, plus her elemental Wildshape) in a single round.

Ashton's whole job is to tank hits and deal damage. With an enemy that can deal out enough damage in one round to put the tank out of commission, his ability to mitigate damage to the rest of the party is severely hampered (if not cancelled out completely).

The only reason Ashton didn't also die in that fight is that his friends healed them enough that they could get back up again, and they were able to make a run for it before Otohan started going back to kill the PCs she had already knocked out.

And that was just Otohan. One of Ludinus' right hand generals, sure, but still nowhere near as strong as Ludinus himself (or even Predathos, if it gets released). Even once they defeat Otohan, the fight that's still in store for Bell's Hells is near insurmountable.

Taliesin has said in a previous 4SD (don't remember which one, sorry) that this fight was the moment that Ashton realized just how invested with this new group they had become. The moment he couldn't protect his friends was the moment he realized that he finally had the family he'd been missing... and by then three of them (Orym, Laudna, and Fearne - probably the PCs Ash was closest to at the time) were dead.

Not only could Ashton not protect his friends, he also ran. He left his friends behind and half of them ended up getting killed. I think Ashton may feel they left their friends for dead in that moment, the same way the Nobodies left him for dead after the Hexum Heist.

Now, I'm not sure I would necessarily equivocate these two situations - this is just where I think Ashton's head might be given recent events. I don't think he would see any significant difference between the Nobodies leaving him after his fall, and him running for his life during the Otohan fight. If I'm remembering correctly, this is also around the time that Ashton really started to double down on their "Nobody gets left behind" rule.

Now that Ash is aware of how much he cares about the other Hells, he will do absolutely anything to keep them. Bell's Hells is too invested in the fight against Ludinus to turn back, and Ashton is never going to leave them again. So if the Hells won't abandon the fight, and Ash won't abandon the Hells, their only option is to get strong enough to keep their friends safe.

So of course Ashton took the Shard of Rau'shan when Fearne didn't want it. No one else seemed able or willing to take it, so Ashton charged ahead with his decision the way he tends to do.

Was it arrogant and hubristic? YES. Was it a power-hungry thing to do? YES. Was it wrong to keep it secret from the rest of the group? YES. But there's not a single force in Exandria that will make Ashton regret taking that shard if it helps him protect his friends even a little bit.

It also feels fitting to me that one of the few things Ashton can't protect them from is his own poor decision making.

[artlasjc]

I UNDERSTOOD THE REFERENCE!!

I know it hasn't been an easy month so far for most of the fandom, so I'm going to say a little fun reference that I caught in the last episode that aired this Thursday. Kent Puckler from Dr. Drazel's troupe in episode 113 said a line that when I heard it I thought there was something more to it.

At minute 30:00 of the last Live while Scanlan says goodbye to "The boys" and Grog says "Watch out for Bears" Kent Puckler says: "I, I have a Thing with Bears"

Of course, it was a loose sentence in the middle of a special episode with the cast playing with Vox Machina again, but I (as I do with a lot of things in this fandom) thought deeper about it and remembered a fact that I almost missed if I hadn't been glancing at Taliesin at that moment, just glancing at it.

Because when I looked at Taliesin and at the same time Sam by his side, I remembered the One Shot Choose Their Adventure...Again! From Red Nose Day, where after Liam couldn't appear as Bard for this one-shot (He escaped again!!) Sam had to replace him at the last minute and since Sam didn't have another character he instead played a younger and I would say "innocent" version of Scanlan Shorthald before Vox Machina was even formed and still lvl 5.

Oficial ART from Annalise Jensen here is on Tumblr too from @may12324 amazing ART

I lost focus a little, sorry, ADHD,

Returning to the Subject in this One-shot we are introduced to another character who interacts with both Scanlan and Kent, the character of Taliesin Bobby Socks the SON of Kent Puckler

Again same artist Annalise Jensen

Well, if you've read this far, you must be wondering what Bobby has to do with Kent Puckler's phrase. Well, it's simple because Bobby Socks is a DRUID class, a Shepherd subclass.

With a BEAR TOTEM Call Bauble.

So since this came to my mind I've been wondering if this means that Kent Puckler has a bear problem because he has a son who is a Druid and is a good child that when Bobby talks about his father the Bears bother him, or because Bobby's own Bear Totem OR even Bobby himself turns into bears to scare his father thinking it's a joke???

We'll never know because I'm probably overthinking a joke I made at the moment about bears being scary to a troupe of musicians being Centaurs on a Road Trip.

Anyway, I just wanted to bring a smile to the face of the person reading this and take away some of their worries about the world. <3 <3

So if you can go watch 2023 Red Nose Day One Shot and have a laugh about Bobby Socks and a young Scanlan Shorthald.

thanks for reading this far

Good morning, good afternoon or good evening to you reading and it's Thursday yet?

[gingersnaptaff]

Most chill to least - Welsh mythology and Arthurian edition. Inspired by a convo @gwalch-mei and I had last night. Seriously I was severely sleep deprived so yeah.

0. Culhwch. He just exists in his own story like I can't say much else. Sorry, mate.

1. Manawydan / Brân (they're brothers but like Manawydan is legit usurped by a guy who kills his nephew and just completely fucks off to Dyfed to live in peace with his horse goddess wife and her rash son. Brân, before he gets his head cut off, is super chill but also nearly gets the whole of the Britons wiped out. (Long story)

2. Rhiannon. Unproblematic. Never done anything wrong in her LIFE.

3. Palomides. (I know he has beef with Tristan but like SAME.)

4. Honestly, Gwalchmai is super chill.

5. Aranrhod. Wants to be left alone by her stupid idiotic brothers. Or smash Gwydion's head in. Either really.

6. Branwen. Chill, yes, but I do also headcanon that she wanted to kill her half-brother as well as her husband and raze Ireland to the ground for all she endured.

7. Peredur / Percival. More Peredur because he is the most chillest and unfazed lad ever but still.

8. Galahad. Just... the vibe gives is super chill war criminal in a way I cannot explain.

9. Arthur. Except for the time in Welsh myth where he just casually kills a dude for necking one of his mistresses. Or y'know the May Day massacre.

10. Gwenhwyfar. (Guinevere is also chill but she would hunt those who wronged her down for sport if necessary. Gwenhwyfar, in contrast, would maim if needed. Seems largely content with the fact her husband is in love with his boat. Also just... yeah.)

11. Bedwyr. Puts up with Arthur's crap so it necessitates he would Have To Be Chill.

12 / 13. Lancelot and Gawain. They're together because their shenanigans are unmatched.

14/15. Lludd and Llefelys. They near killed each other because of some magical imps they have NO CHILL. Tbf they also immediately made up but like ugyftci

16. Dylan Ail Don, my beloved. He is the god of the waves. (Also, Llŷr too because as god of the sea, he would go off if he was not imprisoned somewhere.)

17. Kay. A lil more hot-headed in certain interpretations. Would, I think, also smack the shit out of Arthur if pressed. (Kay is also here for me because he is a cantankerous bastard but, like, wouldn't u be if u had to deal with half the shit he did.)

18. Fuckin Mordred man endjsjdjx CHILL MY DUDE PLS.

19. Arawn and Pwyll. Just the entirety of branch one of the Mabinogionmakes me think they just are both chill and terribly not.

20/21 Gaheris and Gareth are also a package deal. I know gawain and lance are quite high up the list whereas the rest of the Orkney aren't but like it's a big fat lie. They're just better at hiding it.

22/23. Gwydion and Gilfaethwy

24/25 Blodeuwedd and Lleu. They need couples therapy and QUICKLY

26/27. Owain and Morfudd (they are grandkids of arawn so u THINK THEY CHILL?))

28. Gwyn ap Nudd (no chill. Cut out a man's heart and then made the man's son eat it. Get some therapy, Gwyn, plîs.)

29. Bors and Hector ngl

27. Tor and Lamorak. Just. I mean.

28. Efnisien. oh God oh fuck oh boi

29. Pryderi, in all honesty. Like for having a mum who is legit super chill (apart from when she chews Pwyll and Manawydan out) he is remarkably rash.

30. Fuckin GERAINT

31. Agravaine. Man is just... he just... well, y'know.

32. Cerridwen. She chased Taliesin down and I bet she was fuming the entire time. Literally ate him and gave birth to him.

33. Enid. She is not chill and honestly I know she seems like she is but I bet she wanted to kill geraint cuz I would. Let her fly off the handle holy shit.

34. Morgan. I think she is allowed to be as unchill as she can and wishes to be.

35. Iseult / Esyllt. Nothing more than vibes honestly but still.

36. Olwen. Again nothing but vibes but she is a giant's daughter and like cyvyvuvh

[utilitycaster]

In the end, it is misogyny but in the form of that Imogen (and most of the female cast, if we are being fair) gets reduced to just being a woman to the point that criticizing any real flaw, wrong doing, or "hey i personally maybe perhaps don't like that she did this" is turned into an attack on her because she is a woman, because after all, all women are perfect and so so dainty they must be protected (sarcasm)

Without mentioning the attacking real women in the name of the fictional one

It really is the "God forbid a woman do anything" but in it's worst form

Sorry for venting, been having thoughts about the fandom for the past 5 years

YUP. I do recommend Unlikeable Female Characters by Anna Bogutskaya which I devoured in like, one sitting over my winter break and posted a bunch of excerpts from but this discourse is extremely not limited to the CR fandom. I mean, think about all of the endlessly churning nonsense about the women of Gone Girl and Midsommar. I am going to see Love Lies Bleeding tomorrow and have steered well clear of really any discussion because I simply would like to see buff lesbians in a crime drama but apparently the discourse is rancid.

Of course there are people who assume ill of female characters while excusing men. That is absolutely a big problem. But again, we can barely talk about that. I recently made a post about how Laura is not a particularly chaotic player, and indeed is one of the most cautious players in actual play, and again I think there is a serious and important conversation to be had about how there's probably a reason why, say, Travis and Taliesin are more likely to make extremely bold moves, because they didn't get raked over the coals during C1 for stealing a cool broom from a guest character! I actually think Marisha has managed to hang on to some of her boldness and it makes her a stronger player but I would not have been surprised if she retreated after the hate she got from Keyleth. But yeah, in actual play, bold moves are pretty important. We can't even talk about how real-world misogyny holds back the actual actors without some moronic wretch being like "FIGURES THAT A MISOGYNIST CUNT LIKE YOU LIKES A MALE ACTOR."

When a character who is a man - or in some cases, characters who are not men but are played by men - does something people don't like we can say "wow, I didn't like this, but it was an interesting choice by the actor!" but we aren't allowed to either talk about the reasons why a real world woman might hesitate to play a character who does ugly things - because of the misogynistic backlash that will land specifically on her as a real person - nor can we compliment her for going for it and playing a complex flawed character, because how DARE you say a woman is anything less than some kind of Divine Feminine ideal. At best you're allowed a two-dimensional caricature of She's So Sweet And Good But Sometimes Gets Angry (this also happened to my friend Keyleth).

And this might reveal my own biases but like. I as a woman don't love being called self-centered, but that, personally, would probably lead me to some reflection. If you call me a girlfailure, even jokingly, I am going to break your nose. It's really telling that like...one of the absolute no-brainer "hey stop calling grown women girls" feminist tenets has gone by the wayside particularly with the set of people who think that meta that fails to put women on so high a pedestal they are untouchable is misogynist. They are awful towards women, fictional and real.

A line that always stuck with me from, bizarrely, a book about wordplay, was that Victorian men would treat women of their same classes as their superiors, but never their equals - they would coddle them and protect them but they wouldn't actually engage with their thoughts and foibles. (This happened to my friend Jester).

Anyway my personal solution is to keep going. On some level, as my previous post indicates, while I don't want the harassment it also only underscores my point, that a lot of these people are way more invested in being a dick to women on the internet than writing meta about the pretend women they think they like. I have to imagine they're doing this because either think they're entitled to meta they like from people who can actually fucking write it because god knows most of the people making this complaint have the most "if you can't dazzle them with brillance, blind them with the most purple-prose bullshit you can muster" attitude; or because they literally are just champing at the bit to attack women online with the ostensible veneer of "but it's FEMINIST to call THESE women cunts because they said my blorbo wasn't saintly and flawless." However, again, I know that I'm pretty bullheaded and forcibly unlearned the uh, patriarchal idea that women should not be confrontational. I do not blame people who look at this whole situation and say "I'm going to keep my thoughts to myself because this is so unpleasant."

[isamajor]

Whumptober 2024 : day 11 to 15

No. 11: SEEING DOUBLE (loneliness)

Nebarra staggered through the scorching sands of Hammerfell, the sun beating down on his armor he has wrapped in cloth in the hope of protecting himself from the heat. He was alone, hiding from the Thalmor’s gaze, a deserter in the desert. The air shimmered with heat.

In the distance, he saw her. Twice. There were two Camias, standing amidst the sand. Nebarra's heart leaped, but as he stumbled closer, everything vanished. Nothing but a mirage.

Nebarra’s chest tightened, his throat dry. Camia was gone. Dead. And all that remained was the ache of her absence and the heat of the desert. (105)

•

No. 12: STARVATION (underground caverns / cannibalism)

The group had ventured into deep, labyrinthine caverns, their torches casting a dim light on the endless stone. Days of wandering had depleted their food supplies. Despair and hunger set in as they eyed the glowing mushrooms on the walls, admittedly an alchemy ingredient, but dangerous in large quantities.

Auri glanced at the corpses of the Falmer they had just defeated. "Falmer are still meat, though it tastes like slimy chicken.", she suggested. Her kind had no problem with eating flesh.

But the others backed away. Cannibalism, even that of the Falmer, was too taboo for them, unlike the Bosmer. (100)

•

No. 13: TEAM AS A FAMILY (multiple whumpees)

The Dragonborn’s companions lay scattered around the ancient tomb, each nursing wounds from the battle. Lucien had a deep gash along his arm, hastily bandaged. Auri's legs were swollen and bruised. Inigo wheezed, ribs cracked evident in his labored breaths. Taliesin had his hands burned with Magicka, Gore was holding his head in pain, Kaidan’s face was bloodied from a draugr’s strike.

The Dragonborn knelt, voice heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry you’re all hurt... again. I dragged you into this."

Kaidan grunted. "Only death could part me from you. Don’t apologize. We’ll fight until the end, together." (105)

•

No. 14: LEFT FOR DEAD (blackmail)

Taliesin had run, heart pounding. It was all true in that letter : the details, the secrets... When he fled into the night, he didn’t expect to be caught. But they found him. They beat him until he could no longer fight back, leaving him bloodied and barely breathing on the moor. They stripped him, replacing his robes with a hunter’s outfit, masking the crime.

At dawn, his companions, worried about his sudden disappearance, went looking for him. They finally found it on the moor. Xelzaz knelt by his side, pressing trembling fingers to Taliesin’s neck. "He’s alive," he whispered in relief. (105)

•

No. 15: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA (painful hug / I did good, right?)

Taliesin stood trembling before his father, the man’s cold eyes filled with disappointment. “Too soft.”, his father spat. “You’ll never be a Thalmor like this.” Young Taliesin swallowed the knot in his throat, forcing his emotions down. He understood, even then, he needed to become what they expected. He has to put a mask. He stiffened his back, raised his chin, and mimicked what he’d seen in other officers.

“Did I do well, Father?” he asked once, voice hollow.

For the first time, his father smiled and pulled him into a tight embrace. Pride glinted in his eyes. But Taliesin felt only a bitter emptiness. (104)

[liamobrienlove]

My MCM Comic Con Experience

Oh y'all, i have been wanting to talk about this to anyone who will listen haha Sorry this post is a bit late but it's been busy at work since i got home.

Where do i even begin? I met Liam! Still seems surreal even though i have photo evidence haha Let's just start with meeting him!

First up on the Saturday morning was meeting up with the amazing @formulares - who is amazinnnng btwwwww! had so much fun! 10/10 would recommend being friends with him lmao

Next it was time to get in and get in line for the Liam autograph! CR had their own section for autos which was great because the queues were SO LONG. Luckily, we were like 5th in line! When they all came out, the whole room erupted and the cast looked utterly amazed and completely taken a back with the turnout. Here starts the whole Liam experience haha I made Ares go first because i just couldn't and to watch is conversation with Liam was special. Liam is a special guy, i'll say that.

When i got to him, i was so nervous and he just made me feel like we were old friends. I gave him some letters i had to give and then the dice i'd brought him and he was so happy and rolled them! got a Nat 1 on his first roll but rerolled because halfling luck hehe and got a much better number! i then was able to tell him how much his characters and he have helped me through a lot in recent years and he was so grateful and wrote a lovely message on my print i was getting signed (which i'm not going to share yet as i will most likely be getting it as a tattoo) and then that was the end of the auto portion! when i went in for my photo with him, he remembered me! ahhhh and then we had the cutest picture and he gave me a bug cuddle as i was leaving. Liam is an amazing human, so kind, sweet and humble. I'm hoping i get to meet him again in the near future because truly, one of the best moments i've ever had.

Then i had photos with Travis (who was making sure to ask everyone their names and shake their hand before the photo) and was thanking everyone as well once they were done. it was so sweet!

I did have a Sam photo op but because i was anxious about not making it to my Taliesin one (sam's was the same time as Travis), i gave my photo ticket to Ares who had a great picture with Sam (who is really tall!). Next it was time to have my photo with Taliesin who is just a super sweet man and was wonderful! i love my photo with Taliesin so much! he was so excited to meet everyone!

Now, onto meeting Matt! Bear in mind i queued for three and a half hours to meet him. One thing i will say is MCM need to work on their queuing system because the line for matt was 4 people wide and just didn't seem to go down! By the time i got to the front i was emotional and overwhelmed and i think Matt could see that right off the bat. He shook my hand and asked my name and then we jumped into what was a very amazing and sweet conversation, where when i started to get emotional, Matt took hold of my hands (he's an utter sweetheart) and when i told him how much this show, this world had changed my life, he was just so receptive and so humble about it all and just amazing. Then he got up to give me a hug and it was so sweet of him - that man just adores every single person/fan. He spent time talking to every single person and stayed late to make sure everyone got to meet him.

i cannot begin to put into words how amazing they all were. From seeing Travis, Laura, Ashley, Marisha, Sam and Tal interact with everyone when standing in line, to how they were in photo ops - this cast are genuine and amazing. I count myself lucky to have been able to see them in person and cannot wait until i'm able to again in the future. I just adore them and it's an experience i will never, ever forget.

[wellthebardsdead]

Wyrm: here! Can you translate my book for me??? I’ve been trying my whole life and I only just got one page to become readable but I needed to use these gloves- *holds up wraith guard a little too close to her*

Evalien: *eyes flashing from blue to red as a loud ringing suddenly fills her ears turning into an echo of pained screaming as she picks up the hive minds frequency again* S̵̥̈T̵͓̕R̶̖̆U̵͙̒H̷̙͒ ̶͎̋ṭ̶͝i̸̺͌ ̶̺̓ṣ̶̚ẗ̶͇́ṟ̶̃ṷ̵̍ḧ̷̩́ ̶̢̉t̶͚̐i̵̲͒ ̷̱́s̴̡̛t̸̙̅ṟ̸͘ǘ̷͕h̴̻͋ ̴̦̓t̸̍ͅi̷͇͂ ̴̱̀g̴̖̅n̶̲͝ï̴͈m̶̠̋a̵̢̐é̶͓r̴̥͂c̸̼̒S̷̛͍ ̴̜͌e̸̤̾r̶̡͠’̷̙̚ý̸̝e̴̺͐h̶̽͜t��̪͝

*staggers back gripping her head and clawing at the headset behind her mask, flicking the noise cancelling function sending white noise over the signal* ughh-

Wyrm: wh-what happened? I- I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to- *steps forward*

Kaidan: *steps between them* not another step you little creep-

Marigold: *slaps his arm* Kaidan, that was uncalled for it was an accident- whatever- it was…

Evalien: *voice switching between frequency and volumes as if someone’s playing with a soundboard in her throat before returning to normal as the connection severs and she focuses back on the song of the land around her* It’s, alright, Kaidan. It… *shakes her head as her eyes flick to green, then blue again* it wasn’t his fault… Wyrm, put those down, immediately. They’re dangerous.

Wyrm: *tears already pricking at his eye from potentially hurting her, then Kaidans jab at him* th- they are? *looks at the gauntlets remembering the visions they gave him, quietly sets them on his desk and backs away from them*

Evalien: *grips onto Taliesin and pulls herself up with his help* Do you know what they are? What they were made for?

Wyrm: I… had a vision when I put them on, I saw them, and a hammer and knife… and three other figures. *pales remembering blood and a peeled face, but strangely no sound, only his pulse thrumming in his ears*

Evalien: the foul murder. The tribunal used those gloves and two other tools that day. But it wasn’t nerevar they struck with them. It was the heart of lorkhan. For your sake… I suggest you keep them locked away.

Wyrm: n-nerevar? Foul murder? The heart of lorkhan? What- how do you know this from just my vision??

Evalien: there’s a great deal I know. A great deal I know about you too… let me see your book.

Kaidan: I don’t think that’s a good idea you started speaking backwards just from those gauntlets-

Evalien: I’ll live. *takes the book from Wyrm and opens it. Seeing mostly what everyone else does when they look at it, encryptions from a living god guarding his secrets* for being the most straight forward and honest of the tribunes he was the most secretive, Vehk fancied himself the replacement of Mephala, but he was an open book compared to seht- *traces her hands over the pages and blinks as text reacts to her touch, swirling over her fingers in patterns and shapes, like they’re responding to her presence with familiarity* but every secret can be found out, and every code can be cracked- *feeds her magic into it and drops the book in shock at what she sees* …

Taliesin: Eva?

Kaidan: love?…

Wyrm: A-Alma?…

Evalien: *breath shakey as she looks from the book, then to Wyrm as tears cloud her vision* And I thought… his decision to kill nerevar was the extent of his cruelty… you can never go to the clockwork city.

Wyrm: I?… why?…

Evalien: *shakes her head* a heart transplant is something I really don’t want to explain…

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 109

Matt: "I-I am ... scared." Yup. Great start, guys.

Where we going with this, Sam? Oh! It's these guys again. Go off Liam and Tal! I love these skits. Even if Taliesin is practically just playing himself ... XD ... wow, Liam ... that's some GENUINELY crazy overacting you're doing there, mate ... a new companion? Wait ... yeah, that's right, Ashley and Laura ain't here ... oh yeah, that's the stuff. Perfect ... and GODS DAMN Ash, I like that look on you A LOT ... AND THAT LAUGH ... LOL ...

Yeah ... wow ... O.O

Matron dice with LITTLE GOLD THREADS in them? SWEET!!! O.O I want some ...

Zathuda's stretched fleshy face ... thanks for THAT reminder, Matthew ...

Okay, then ... morning ... have they been eaten by the dragon in the night? No ... he's just comfy, like a happy kitty ... awwwwwww ... :3

He's waking up ... okay ... is this gonna be interesting? Ooof ... well that's ... nice ... all right then, moment of truth? Awww ... oh, he likes her ... yeah, that's the stuff ... okay, then ... oh, a little keepsake? That's so cute ... :3 Does it have family? DOES it? Hmmmmm ... no, do not do the fake scaring it off thing ... that never ends well ...

"Go, spread your legs!" XD ... yeah, I had a feeling that was gonna come back tohaunt us, but not THAT soon ...

And he's OFF ... okay, then ...

Ashton (to Fearne): "Fuck, you're weird." (affectionate)

Nans Morri, creepy shit like always ...

Wow ... they really DID do the nasty ... Braius, you salty dawg ... and apparently they were VERY LOUD ... yeah, you've all got VERY DIRTY MINDS and you should all be ashemed ... XD

A tally of favours? Oh, why does that make me all kinds of nervous? O.O

Wait, Travis forgot to roll for Chetney's overnight survival? Is he about to die on the spot?

Oh yeah, the time dilation ...

Was that a Galaxy Quest Thermian joke, Marisha?

"A fickle bitch"? Wow, so Nana really ISN'T a fan of the Matron ... this should be interesting ...

Laudna likes rattails? Hmmm ... oh, Laudna REALLY likes rattails ... lovely ...

Birdy! Awww ... time for goodbye, then ... and Olly too ... really hope this isn't a BIG googbye ...

Yay! Hugs! Always good ...

The Sorrowlord's sword? Okay ... is this Orym's speed or maybe another Craven Edge style situation like the last one?

"Beer bongage"? Hmmmmm?

Oh, give it to Fearne? Yeah, that might work better ... or at least hold onto it in case somebody else might make use of it in the coming madness ...

Duskhunger ... wow ... and it LIGHTS UP WITH BLACK FLAMES?!!! Awesome ... O.O ... it's considered a "LEGENDARY FAE WEAPON"?!!! Oh yeah, no DEFINITELY hold onto THAT then, Fearne ...

Could Ashton wield it? Well THAT'S an interesting possibility ... well, we'll see ...

Ottohan's sword? Oh gods ... here we go, then ... definitely put THAT horrible shit on the "soul suck list" ...

I'm sorry .... HOW MANY times have you lost your wee halfling member, Orym? O.O

Chanting begins ... "EAT THE HARP!!! EAT THE HARP!!!" Dorian: "I yield to peer pressure IMMEDIATELY!!!"

So here we go, then ... Dorian is now going to ABSORB THE HARP ... this should be interesting ... goodbye Harp of Valour, then ... and this is a FIRST TIME interacting with the Harness for Dorian ... oh boy ... this is gonna be QUITE the crash course for the boy ...

A PERMANENT ADVANTAGE on Performance checks? Oh that is SWEET!!! The rest of it's very impressive too, but THAT is properly AWESOME for the Bard ...

Nana: "When all is said and done, I'd love to take a look at that." Braius: "At the Harness or Dorian?" Nana: "YESSSSS!!!"

Holy shit ... that is some FREAKY fucking power the Fatestitcher's got ... jump through, guys! Do it quick! Oh ... yeah, okay, wait for it to actually CLARIFY first, then ...

And Braius is up for maybe doing THAT again ... yeah ... O.O

Through the portal, then ... back to Vasselheim!

So ... things are TENSE in the city right now ... hmmmm ...

Off to the Duskmeadow, then ... okay ...

Marisha's overwhelmingly comprehensive notes ... I mean that could take A WHILE to find THAT particular piece of information ... Travis: "Your handwriting is UNREASONABLY legible." Marisha: "Really?" Travis: "Yeah. I can read it." Taliesin: "It's like a FONT."

Oooooh ... THIS lady looks pretty awesome ...

Well THIS is a seriously GOTHIC monolith of a temple, definitely ... sounds like JUST THE PLACE for their requirments ... The Raven's Crest ... cool ...

Dorian: "Seems a little on the nose ..."

Oh ... so they're already expected? That's ... maybe a little disconcerting ... O.O

What, so NOW you guys are trying to work out your plan? Isn't it a little LATE for that, now?

Wow ... you guys really don't know WHAT you're doing right now and IT REALLY SHOWS ...

Now THIS is more like it ... yeah, this is REALLY PRETTY ... I could get used to a place like THIS ...

Going UP then? Yeah, I agree with Imogen, that's a surprise.

Pate HAD TO make the place echo "DICK!!!" didn't he?

Laudna's nervous about how she looks ... that's actually ADORABLE ... XD

Marisha: "Saviour of the realm, can't knock on the door!" LOL

Yeah ... that is a BIG KNOCKER ...

A kaleidoscope? Oh, that is BEAUTIFUL ... O.O

Three figures? Oh, is it those old women again? Yup ... looks like it is ... and they REALLY ARE expected ...

Monocle of True Essence? Hmmmmm ... yeah, this place is SERIOUSLY powered up ... Arcana check? Hmmmm ... Dirty 20? Nice ... so this is all basically INTRINSICALLY integrated into the structure itself ...

Another big pool of blood? Whoa ... like back when Vex did his whole thing back in Campaign 1 ... that's ... great ... O.O

Laudna STRIPS OFF on the spot and just skips right over ... yeah, I mean what else did we expect?

Oh boy, this is gonna be interesting ... oh, it's COLD? Great ... So who's going in, then? Aside from Laudna?

Yeah, of course Imogen follows her ... Dorian casts Unending Breathe? Smart ... but maybe not really necessary ... Chetney's going in ... Hunter's Bane? Interesting ... this blood is CELESTIAL? Crazy shit ... and now he's BREATHING OUT as he goes down. As is Ashton ...

Okay, so looks like EVERYBODY'S going in, then ... although Orym is SERIOUSLY debating it ... awwww ... Braius is being supportive right now ... that's quite sweet ...

Orym CUTS HIS HAND and adds the blood to the pool? Blimey ... so they're going in too, then ...

Fearne's the last holdout? Hmmmm ... oh my gods she TASTES IT ... O.O ... Matt: "It's very bloody." NO SHIT!!!

So everybody's in, then ... now what?

Does this mean EVERYBODY has to drown in order to transition through this? To DIE a little? Wow ...

And then there's Dorian ... who doesn't NEED to breathe right now ... NOW what does he do? He lets go and breaks the spell ... oh fuck ... O.O

And now everybody's just DROWNING in this shit ... and NOW it warms up? Comforting? Familiar? Oh, that's unsettling ... and now finally they've touched down somewhere ... somewhere OUT of the blood now ... okay, then ...

A "spiderweb of gold"? Oh, yeah, we know what THAT is ...

It's feathers? Of course it is ...

Yup, here she is. The Matron of Ravens.

Time for a break? Yup ... that's about right ...

WHY are they here? Is this a test? Is she suspicious? What's up? Meanwhile Laudna seems unusually ... starstruck ...

Crap ... did she just drop the Arch Heart in the shit? O.O ... oh dear ... yeah, Laudna's just digging a hole for herself right now ... I have NO IDEA where this is gonna go, but I don't think ANY way is GOOD ...

The "natural arrogance of mortal life"? Hmmmm ... okay, so ... it sounds like she's NOT ACTUALLY INTERESTED in helping them ... is she panning on just LETTING THIS HAPPEN?

Hey now ... chill out, Ash ... and Fearne, too! Come on guys, don't antagonise the SUPREMELY SCARY GODDESS OF DEATH!!! O.O

Ashton: "Don't think I don't know how small I am." The Matron: "Very." Ashton: "You're not the first to remind me."

Invoking Liliana? Hmmmm ... now Opal? Oh man ... and she looks SO BAD ... O.O ... and this is THE FIRST TIME Fearne or Orym have seen her like this ... ouch ...

Vespin Chloras? Oof ...

Prove themselves worthy? HOW?!!! How could ANYONE truly prove something like that?

Imogen gives it a go anyway ... bigging everybody up ... once again, she proves that if ANYBODY could really be considered their leader it's HER ... more so because I really don't think she wants it AT ALL ...

The Matron: "And what of you?" Imogen: "Me? I have a storm inside of me, and I can't wait to let it out."

The vision of Opal ATTACKS Fearne as she approaches it? Fuck ... and it HURTS ... O.O

ROLL INITIATIVE?!!! WHAT?!!!

Matt LEAVES THE TABLE ... oh, a Battlemap ... great ... and it is FUCKING WEIRD and all kinds of abstract ... that is a TRIPPY setup ...

Braius is up first, then ... and he goes for Liliana ... taking a swing with Poison Pen ... yeah, she just floats away and his misses ... oh, that one hits, though ... with Divine Smite at Level 2? Oof ... and SHINING Smite? Wow ... that's new ... sounds like this is gonna be A LOT of dice ... IT IS!!! 39 points of damage, and attack rolls against her have advantage for an entire minute? Cool ...

Dorian is OFFENDED so he just goes straight for Opal ... attacks with his father's sword ... only 8 points of damage, but 11 on a second, then arms his Lute, with the little blade ... and POKES her ... another 5 points? Okay, then ... and she doesn't respond AT ALL ... that's unsettling ...

Laudna Banes ALL THREE OF THEM ... O.O ... wow ... then she heads toward the Thread of Fate ... interesting ...

Liliana floats up, giving Braius an attack of opportunity, only for her to Shield and foil him ... then she dumps a ton of purple lightning on EVERYBODY!!! Ouch ... and now they're all IN THE AIR!!! Not good ... O.O ... so only Orym and Chetney are still on the ground ... crap!

Opal's going for Chetney, then ... Hexblade's Curse? And she CRITS it ... 12 and then 16 points of Piercing damage ... ow!

Chetney WOLFS OUT and starts swiping at her with his claws ... two just miss, and the third is just DEFLECTED by her magical armour ... WOW!!! She just OWNED his arse there ...

Orym Hexes Opal before trying to disarm her ... oh nice, he is ON IT right now ... one knife gone, plus 22 points of damage ... second one gone too ... Goading attack now ... 22 points ... and NOW SHE'S A HORRIFIC SPIDER CREATURE ... gods, that's just LOVELY ...

Fearne bamfs Mister out, then casts Aura of Life on herself ...

Vespin Chloras casts Time Stop? HOLY FUCK!!! That's not good AT ALL!!! I saw what that shit did in Honour Among Thieves! And now there's THREE OF HIM?!!! Great ... Con saves across the board, then ... that's a FUCKTON of Necrotic damage, thank fuck for Fearne's quick thinking ...

Ashton Rages just to see what happens ... yeah, he's too high up for much of any effect ... but he COULD hit Liliana ... he holds his actin to coordinate with Imogen ...

... who casts Fly on herself, then turns herself INTO LIGHTNING before floating down towards her mother ... before blasting Vespin? Hmmmm ... interesting choice ... he fails his save, so that's 4 D8 of Lightning damange! 23 points! POW!!!

Meanwhile Ashton chucks his hammer through a portal to materialise just in front of Liliana ... AND IT HITS!!! She's still Shielded, though ... crap ... so it just passes through another portal and THIS TIME it hits her! Okay ... 22 points of damage! Which breaks her concentration and EVERYBODY DROPS!!!

Laudna casts Featherfall on everybody to prevent them from being PUMMELLED when they hit the ground ... phew! Meanwhile Dorian grabs hold of her as he drops, pulling her down but not all the way so now he's still 30 feet in the air ...

Braius charges Opal, pulls an Ensnaring Strike on her with his black balls ... plus a Divine Smite ... 21 points of damage, and now she is comprehensively RESTRAINED!!! He batters her again, with another Divine Smite, inflicting a further 45 points of damage! Holy shit!

Dorian give Imogen Bardic Inspiration, then casts Thunderwave on Liliana ... she's battered down towards the ground, while he flies as close to Imogen as he safely can in her present form ...

Laudna summons her Hound of Ill Omen and sends it towards Chloras ... then she chucks a blazing purple Fireball at his face ... BOOM!!! That's 36 points of damage! Ouch! Then she tells her dog to "Sic him!" and the phantom pooch starts to maul him for 13 more points of piercing damage!

Liliana Psychic Lances Dorian, and he fails his save ... but Imogen succeeds hers ... 36 pointsd of Psychic damage? OH MY GODS it's a miracle his head doesn't explode in mid air ... O.O ...

Opal rematerialises her blades? Are you kidding me? Now she tries to attack Chetney, but he's still entangling her, and she's slowed from the poison of Braius' barbs ... almost none of it hits until she finally CRITS at the last ... 8 points of piercing damage thanks to his wolf form soaking most of it up ... and now she seems to be snapping out of her trance? WHAT?!!!

Chetney Inflicts Wounds on her ... that's 19 points of Necrotic damage! Opal is SERIOUSLY MESSED UP right now ...

Orym flanks Opal and attacks, dealing another 14 points ... and that's it! HDYWTDT!!! Laura: "You punched the highlights out of her hair!" The corpse starts to sink before RED HANDS reach up to drag it down into the blood pool ... O.O ... that's just UNSETTLING ... then Orym Misty Steps up to Chloras and BARELY CATCHES HIMSELF before dropping into a TERRIFYING BOTTOMLESS DROP directly under him that nobody saw ... Goading Attack! 17 points of damage and he TANKS his wisdom save, which is SWEET!!! Next hit is another 12 points, and he is now looking REALLY FUCKED UP.

Fearne Flame Strikes Chloras at 4th Level, hitting him with 17 points ot Fire damage together with 16 points of Radiant, the latter of which is a good deal MORE effective ... then Mister chucks flaming shit at him, but misses ... nuts!

Chloras blasts a bolt of black Lightning at Chetney and Braius ... that's A LOT of dice ... O.O ... 51 points of Lightning damage, but thanks to Braius' proximity Chet only takes HALF ... then he flicks an ember at Laudna, inflicting 40 points of Radiant damage? OUCH!!!

Ashton goes to greytone as he continues to Rage and CHARGES Chloras ... barely catching himself to avoid dropping into the pit too ...

Imogen blasts her mother with a Lightning bolt ... only for her to make her save, meaning she only takes half of 22 damage ... meanwhile Imogen pulls some fancy flying to avoid getting into range of a response ... then she quickens a spell to blast a 7th Level bolt at Chloras ... oh boy ... he FAILS his save, so it's FULL FORCE ... that's A LOT of dice, Laura ... 43 points of Lightning damage, and he is now SERIOUSLY CRISPY ...

Braius rushes for Chloras, using Misty Step to get into melee, taking a swing with his balls ... Divine Smite means it's 34 points of damage on the first, the second is a duplicate, but that's DESTROYED ...

Dorian's just spinning vaguely in the air because his head is still FUCKED ... ow ... so he just drifts into one of the Threads of Fate ... and it SHOCKS HIM WITH MEMORY?!!! Intriguing ... oh my gods is that an Opal infodump? O.O Fascinating!

Laudna assumes her Form of Dread, this time mirroring the Matron as she looks up at her visage and addresses her directly ... casting Spirit of Death in the form of a mirror? Whoa ... what even IS THIS right now? Can this even DO ANYTHING?!!!

ALL THE THREADS shudder at once ... whoa ... O.O

That makes her drop her Bane, but she sends the Spirit to attack Chloras, slashing at him with a reapiing scythe ... ooooooooooh ... O.O ... 10 points of Necrotic damage! Finally the Hound mauls him again, but doesn't inflict any real damage ...

Liliana tries to reason with Imogen ... "Do you trust me?" Oh hell, Imogen ... DO NOT believe this is real ... Power Word Stun? SHIT!!! Yeah, now Imogen is OUT OF IT for the rest of the turn ...

Chetney slashes as Chloras, inflicting 20 points of slashing damage on him, and that's the HDYWTDT!!! Yeah, Chet just OPENS HIM, finishing him with a witty burn ...

Orym Hexes Liliana, runs up towards her and jumps up to try and close some range, using Seedling to whip at her with Windblade ... Goading attack! 25 points of damage! Second hit is fouled by a Shield, but he gets a Nat20 on the next, another Goading attack, with 34 points of damage this time. And THIS ONE finishes her? Wow ... that's it, then ... fight's done ...

Suddenly the Matron's there with them again ... okay ... maybe they've won her respect now?

Oh shit yeah, I'm right, that WAS a test ...

Holy shit, she really IS in league with the Arch Heart! O.O Does this make her a threat? An ally? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!!!

SHE'S TAKING HER MASK OFF?!!! O.O

The Matron: "Welcome to the conundrum."

Oh! Vax! Great Matt, just rip our hearts out why don't you ...

So ... does she REALLY just want to be put out of her own misery right now? Does she really just want to DIE?

There's a cetain sense in what she's saying but it still feels awful nihilistic ...

Okay ... it sounds like maybe she's seeking someone to take her place, to succeed her in the workso she can just obtain this "peace" she speaks of, which her predecessor achieved ...

Oh yeah, give us info, Matron ... spill on Predathos, anything you can tell us about that thing would be really helpful ...

Why am I starting to feel like she might be looking at Laudna as a possible heir? Maybe it's just me, but ... I mean, she WOULD be a perfect choice for this. The more she speaks about herself, the more it feels like they're somewhat alike ...

Ooooooooh ... yeah, a boon from the Matron, that would be helpful too ... wait ... is she offering up HER MASK?!!! O.O Wait, she's giving it to BRAIUS? That's interesting ...

"At the right time, someone will wear it and call ..." Hmmm ...

Good point! What DOES happen to Vax if she's destroyed? This is REALLY IMPORTANT to our sanity, Matthew!

Dorian: "When was the last time you were suprised?" Yeah, OF COURSE it's Vax again ...

Orym: "Do you ever miss your mortality?" The Matron: "Every moment." Oof ...

Destroying the Malleus Key would free Vax? Yeah, I figured something like that would do it ... a Luxon? There's a Luxon powering that thing? Of fucking course there is ...

Oh NOW she's addressing Laudna's ... unique condition? Interesting ... a SILVER thread? Oh, that's interesting ... the thread CONNECTS HER TO IMOGEN?!!! Shut up! And the rest of them too? Okay, then ...

Does this SERIOUSLY mean that Laudna could COME BACK TO LIFE if they actually succeed in this? The Matron: "Anything's possible." AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! I swear, the internet is gonna EXPLODE after THIS ONE ...

And that's it, then ... just like that she's giving them the boot ... back through that unpleasantness ... and they're back in the temple again ...

Yeah, they're all just a load of gory messes right now ...

And THAT'S IT ... yeah, about right.

I swear, I used O.O A HELL OF A LOT this session ... that was VERY MUCH how I was feeling the whole time, I swear to the gods ... that was an EXHAUSTING episode ...

[quicksilverdrabbles]

At Rorikstead

Gaia: We have arrived.

Lucien: Your digital map really is something to behold, Gaia. Even though the landscape and civilization is completely different from the first era, you can navigate it so efficiently.

Gaia: That would be thanks to my Observers. *two small drones materialize at both of her shoulders, round and much smaller than her head* They fly about Skyrim, invisible, and send me the data they find about the land's people and cities. They are very advanced compared to normal Observers, much like myself against typical Gynoids. I made them myself.

Xelzaz: How interesting. Are you able to speak to them at all?

Gaia: Yes. On a certain level, I can communicate with all Dwemer machines. I can only control the ones I create with my own hands and technology.

Taliesin: How does that work on a moral level? A machine controlling other machines, I mean.

Gaia: Similar to a general commanding her warriors. They are well aware of what they fight for. They fight for me, because I gave them life.

Taliesin: I see..

Lemkil: *in the distance, his crops, he shoves Sissel to the ground* Stupid brat! Look at you! Snivelling in the dirt when you're supposed to be working!

Sissel: *crying, sitting on the ground at her father's feet* I-I'm sorry, Papa! B-Britte took my- *hic* my shovel and I-I couldn't do what you wanted me t-to without it!

Lemkil: I don't want to hear your excuses! Time and time again you waste daylight standing around doing nothing but cry and survive off of what I earn!

Gaia: *turns toward the source of shouting, spotting Lemkil* Hostile Lifeform Detected...

Lucien: What? In Rorikstead?

Kaidan: Look there. Bastard.

Xelzaz: Indeed. What should we do, Gaia?

Gaia: ... Wait Here.

Inigo: You are going to confront him alone?

Gaia: If I must. Kaidan, when I direct his attention, see to the girl.

Kaidan: Aye.

Gaia: *nods, walking towards Lemkil and Sissel, her irises fading from yellow to red as her expression falls to a glare*

Lucien: ... *breaks away from the group and walks alongside her* If I may.. You look upset, Gaia.

Gaia: I am not upset. That Nord is a threat to the people of this settlement. He must be detained. Go back with the others.

Lucien: What if you need backup?

Gaia: I never do.

Lucien: Really? What about that one time with the Dunmer-

Gaia: *grabs Lemkil's shoulder, pulling him back just as he slaps Sissel across the face* Pardon me.

Lemkil: Huh? And who the hell are you?

Gaia: My name is Gaia. It has come to my attention that your are mistreating this child. Please step away from her.

Lemkil: What does it matter to you, huh? You some sorta hired thug? I bet that screwy wizard hired you into scaring me away from this worthless brat, eh?

Gaia: No wizard has done anything of the sort. I am here of my own accord. *her grip on his shoulder tightens* And I recommend you follow your given orders and Step Away. Or else I am afraid I will have to use force.

Lucien: I quite think you're already using force.. *watches as Lemkil winces under the pressure of her grip*

Lemkil: Get the hell off of me, you bitch! This has nothing to do with you!

Gaia: On the contrary, your endangering of a human life, especially a child, has everything to do with me.

Kaidan: *sneaks behind the group and lifts Sissel up, shushing her when she cries* C'mere, let me see. It's okay.. *brushes the red mark on her cheek with his thumb* ... Gaia-

Gaia: Yes. Take her somewhere safe.

Lemkil: Wait! You son of a bitch, don't you dare touch my daughter! Get your hands off of her!

Gaia: Please do not refer to my companion in such a vulgar manner.

Lemkil: I'll say whatever the hell I want! You aren't guards! You have no authority to do this to me!

Gaia: Perhaps not. All laws in this era, however, are.. very loosely enforced.

Xelzaz: Gaia.

Gaia: Xelzaz.

Xelzaz: I took a moment to ask some of the townspeople about this man and his two daughters. It seems to be a relatively common occurrence. Why nothing was done about it is beyond me.

Gaia: I see. *switches her grip from his shoulder to his neck, grabbing him by the base of his throat and forcing him to the ground* So this is merely a regular day for you, hm? To abuse your children?

Lemkil: It's none of your business, I said! What I do to my daughters is my business!

Gaia: Wrong Answer. *her free hand grabs the arm he slapped Sissel with, tightening her hold until a loud snap comes from his wrist*

Lemkil: AGH! What are you doing?! St-Stop it! Please!

Gaia: How quick you are to beg. Would you like me to break it? As of now your wrist is only dislocated.

Lemkil: N-No! Let me go!

Gaia: Why do you hurt your children?

Lemkil: T-They killed my wife! She-she died bringing them into this world!

Gaia: Should you not have cherished what your wife left behind, then?

Lemkil: I-I-

Gaia: Too Slow. *the hand around his wrist rises to his bicep, closing around the middle and squeezing, the limb snapping quickly*

Lemkil: A-AAAHH!! STOP! PLEASE- LET ME GO!!!

Gaia: Goodness, you're loud. Have you learned your lesson?

Lemkil: YES! Y-Yes I swear! Please, you don't have to do this! I-I'll be better, I promise!

Gaia: Good. Now listen here. *pulls him forward, her face inches from his. Frost creeps up from her fingertips and spreads at every point of contact between them* You are a disgusting man, incapable of caring for and protecting what your wife gave her life to bring into this world. You do not deserve to be a father. You did not deserve to be a husband. If your wife could see what you have become in her absence, she would take her daughters and leave you.

Lemkil: ...

Gaia: And if you ever harm this little girl again- *stops, staring into his eyes. Sees fear, but not remorse. Panic, but not guilt.*

Lemkil: *whimpers, gripping the hand around his throat in terror, broken arm dangling uselessly at his side*

Gaia: ... No. That is an outcome I cannot risk. *drags Lemkil up by the throat* Taliesin.

Taliesin: Yes?

Gaia: Cover our tracks. Ensure the guards to not follow. *turns and walks away, avoiding the main roads and routine patrols. Lowers her arm and drags Lemkil behind her, unwavering despite his struggles to escape*

Taliesin: ... Of course. Please do try not to make too much of a mess, though

Lemkil: N-No wait- please-!

Gaia: Shut up.

Lemkil: I-I swear! I won't hurt her anymore, I promise! Please you can't- You can't kill me! PLEASE!

Kaidan: *sitting in the field covering Sissels ears as Gaia drags her father away, cradling the trembling girl to his chest protectively*

Inigo: *trailing close behind her passively* I know a good place some ways away.

Xelzaz: *walking at her other side* I'll have to make a potion that eliminates the stench.

Lucien: *walking at Inigo's side, looking unnerved, but unopposing* What of the other girl? She was mistreated too..

Gaia: Britte was a victim as much as Sissel was, but she weaponized her pain. She shouldn't remain with her sister. It is better for both of them.

Lucien: And the father?

Gaia: ... Some things are better off eternally gone.

~

*distant screaming*

Rorikstead Guard: Hm? What on earth was that?

Taliesin: *changed back into his Thalmor robes, a hood covering his dark hair* Nothing to be concerned with, citizen. Move along with your patrol. To investigate would be to interfere with official Thalmor business.

Rorikstead Guard: O-Oh, I see. Forgive me.

Taliesin: *watches as the guard walks away* Gods, I've always hated saying that.

Kaidan: *carrying Sissel, now asleep. Walks out from behind a nearby house* Guess it does have some uses, though.

Taliesin: Yes, I suppose so. *sighs, wiping gently at a streak of dirt on Sissel's face* She's filthy. Makes me wonder if he made her sleep in a pigsty...

Kaidan: Should we wait for the others?

Taliesin: ... No, let's go back home and wait for them there. I'm of a mind to think if we wait they'll just return covered in blood. We don't want to risk her waking up to that.

Kaidan: Worst possible outcome, aye?

Taliesin: Hmph, you really are starting to sound like Gaia.

[kagedbird]

TESSDE AU (+ Lucia :]) (??? part 2)

Everyone walks out to the front doors where the priests have been waiting. There are three total, one Imperial, one Breton, and one in the front, an Argonian.

Allora: *clears her throat and nods, looking them all over* …Hi. You wanted to see me?

Argonian: *bows with the other two, smiling wide* Honoured to be in your presence, Great One. I am Athrodite, thirteenth generation of Jeelius, priestess of Arkay. I now run the Temple with my fellow priests, Hilio, and Elona.

Hilio + Elona: *dip their heads reverently* Honoured to be in your presence, Great One.

Allora: *strained, uncomfortable, giving a very awkward smile* …Nice to meet you too. What can I do for you? I apologize for the, ah… sudden destructive stuff that happened yesterday, if that's what this is about.

Athrodite: Your actions yesterday were only a fragment of why we are here. It has been a long time since a chosen of Akatosh has been on our doorsteps. We would be most honoured to have you pray at our Temple, in your draconic scaled form.

Lucien: *blinks, frowning* I… with all due respect, I don't think she should do that.

Allora: *looks to him curiously* Yeah?

Lucien: It's not as if there's a fantastic history of those going in there with monumental status such as Pelagius Septim the First and Calaxes Septim being assassinated in there, as well as Martin Septim's sacrifice, turning him into stone.

Allora: *wrinkles her nose* Yeah. No, I don't feel like having another attempt on my life again so soon. Sorry.

Hilio: Please, Great One, we promise you nothing will come of it! We merely wish to have Arkay's light shine upon our once beloved Temple again.

Allora: I don't really worship Arkay though. I helped Auriel out with vampires and stuff, and got his bow. I guess I'm his champion as well… but Akatosh has my soul. *pauses* …And two others, but it's not that important right now.

Elona: Arkay's blessings have reached you, and He is of Akatosh's closest kin! Please, Great One, we implore you!

Davidicus: *furrows his brow* Are you referring to her as the great ‘One'? As in what the Temple is named after?

Athrodite: Never have we felt this magnitude of power radiate from one so clearly. It is She who must be given such a title.

Allora: *waves a hand, shaking her head* I'm really not… all that…

Athrodite: So humble, Great One. Rarely do we meet anyone such as you with your sense of ease in self.

Lucia: *frowning, looking up at Kaidan, who was carrying her* Papa? Can we go with her if she goes?

Kaidan: *frowns, shifting from foot to foot* …I don't know if we should bring you there, or if it'd be worse to leave you behind…

Allora: *frowns* Yeah, no. I'm not leaving Lucia anywhere. If you want me to go pray, we all go.

Athrodite: *perks up, tail swishing* Yes, yes, of course! The Temple has not seen so many people in ages, it will be most pleased!

Lyra: *crosses her arms, frowning* I should report this to the head of the Imperial Guard before we go. Some added protection couldn't hurt.

Inigo: Should we really bring armed forces to a prayer? Mr. Dragonfly thinks that is like mixing Sweetrolls with vinegar. It just does not work. I agree.

Taliesin: Yes, I have to agree with the dragonfly on this one as well. If we just go in and get out, then the process will be much smoother, and far less contrived.

Allora: *turns and takes Lucia in her arms, feeling anxious* Let's just go all ready. I want this over with, so I can focus on relaxing. As is what we were here to do, but never seem to be able to anywhere we go.

Athrodite: *bows with the other two again* Thank you, Great One, thank you. This way, if you please…

[sbrn10]

Look, I apologize for being the hyperfixate on Laudna and Imogen all the time person (actually, I don't, sorry not sorry, this is my whole personality now) but:

Marisha has fucking weaponized the phrase "I like/love children" and I want her to stab me with it 37 more times. It's the most fucked up, precisely because her (Before Imogen state) idea of appealing to children is so horrifying, of course they run from her.

Can you BELIEVE that the primary thing standing between Laudna and Delilah's manipulation is Laudna's extremely low sense of self-worth? The fact that Delilah tries to tell Laudna "you deserve it, take what's rightfully yours" and Laudna refuses because it's not meant for her -- nothing is meant for her. Even Imogen isn't meant for her -- after all, she's a dead end, and Imogen should be able to live. The fact that Delilah still doesn't know any other way to entice someone than offering power because it's the only thing she understands -- and Laudna doesn't want it.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make everybody worry. *weak laugh* This is the second time you all have trotted through these woods to save me." vs. "the crippling obligation that [I] feel to everybody for risking themselves to save [me] ... still haunts me." (From fucking e49 when Laudna and Ashton were having one of their "Ashton is projecting their experience onto Laudna super hard" conversations, fucking christ) Excuse me, I'm going to go scream into the night.

"What did he do to you? Did he hurt you? Did he manipulate you?" Laudna's immediate assumption that Ashton somehow coerced Fearne in order to take power meant for her, because she's lived with a voice in her head doing nothing but that for 30 years. I am lying dead in a ditch.

Look, I know everyone has already said it. I know. I know. But. Laudna: Will you hold me? Delilah: Always. "You swear you feel the shadows around you in this corner grow a little thicker, like a cloak of darkness that wraps itself around you." "You wake up cold and alone." Laudna: I miss Imogen. Laudna: Love is pain. But it is also warmth. I was so cold last night. Imogen: I go hug her again. Marisha. Girl. What the FUCK.

Laudna: You can give [the doll] whatever voice you want. Ashton: I'm not good at voices. Laudna: You can find a voice. What if I just died. Right here. What if, Marisha.

Can we talk about Imogen going through Laudna asking her to move on if something happens to her, like she's readying herself to leave, and then she left for real and didn't come back. Can we talk about how fucked up that was for her. Can we talk about how she didn't even get to be angry at Laudna for it because Laudna was visibly fucked up so bad it was something she'd never seen before. Somebody please give that girl a hug, like so many hugs, also my kingdom for Imogen getting to be angry at Laudna at some point (please also read Time Running Out).

Ashton: I thought it would make me better, and I thought a better me would-- [help you]. Imogen: You don't need power to be better, Ashton. Imogen is just so fucking tired, my god. Imogen is the Ben Affleck smoking meme about the people she loves being stupid.

Okay, a few not Imogen or Laudna things: - My god, Travis, what an episode for Chetney. "Plus, if you need it, just say you need it." / "Okay, I kind of need it." That is my emotional support old man and I just want to give Chetney and Fearne so many hugs. - Percy and Ashton being mirrors for each other across 30 years and 3 campaigns: truly the most Taliesin of all time. - FCG was so good at talking Ashton through his decisions and pushing back on the surface-level excuses to dig deeper but also staying open and trying hard to allow Ashton some grace despite it all. Growth dot gif. - FCG as a counselor at Wildemount Wildlings when.

[blogberthday]

Chapter 7 - Sense of Humor

Click here to read the previous chapter! -> Chapter 6 - Frostbite and Flames

To read this chapter, click or tap the 'Keep reading' button. You can also find this chapter on AO3!

"Even with a couple of healing potions and a visit from a priest of Mara, it took me a few weeks to get back on my feet," Lorelai said, running her hand along her left shin. "My nose never really healed right and I still have some pain in my foot, but I got to keep my leg. Thank Kynareth for that."

She was careful to leave the amulet out of her story. It was tucked safely under her armour, but she would have to find somewhere safe to keep it while they travelled together.

Lorelai looked out towards Lake Ilinalta. The rain had slowed, and the clouds were beginning to clear.

"Nobody in Dawnstar recognized the name of the ship, and, not having any coin, I wasn't able to afford passage back to High Rock. I've been working as a courier since then, trying to save up the fare.

"You don't remember anything else? Your name, your family? Any memories of who you were?"

"No. Just the bit before the ship went down and a few glimpses here and there. There's a big gap between getting hit by the boom and waking up at Thardan and Hargi's hut a couple days later, too - not that I really want to remember the rest of that night, even if I could."

Taliesin smiled sadly, letting out a chuckle. Clearly the gods enjoyed a little irony. He wished that they would focus more on being merciful.

Hearing his laughter, Lorelai scowled at him. "What? Is that so funny to you? A little bit of concussion humor?"

"Oh! No, I didn't mean it that way. It's just… Ironic. You can't remember who you are, your family, or where you come from, and wish that you could. Whereas I…" He looked away, as though he had said something he shouldn't have.

She wanted to press further, but Taliesin stood up and put a hand out from under the overhang.

"The rain has stopped. We'd best be headed to Falkreath if we want to make it there before nightfall." He moved to the other Justiciar's body and, sitting it up, began to peel off the agent's robes.

"What are you doing?!" Lorelai looked away, scandalized.

"Agent Sanyon died of a blow to the head. My robes are ruined, but his are only a little bloodied. We might have use for them in the future. Him," Taliesin looked down at Sanyon's corpse, "Not so much."

He finished his work and stuffed the rain-soaked and bloodied robes into the now-empty knapsack Lorelai had found. "We left our horses down near the main path. You can take Sanyon's."

. . .

"She's beautiful." Lorelai stroked the horse's nose. "What's her name?" "Sanyon called her 'Peaches', after the fruit. They grow in Cyrodiil, mostly, and in the southern parts of High Rock."

"Peaches…" Lorelai repeated. "It suits you," She said to the horse. "Sweet and fuzzy."

Peaches whinnied, pushing her nose towards Lorelai. Lorelai continued to stroke the horse, gently scratching the top of her head. "And your horse?" She looked to Taliesin, who was standing next to a beautiful stark white mare.

"This lovely creature," Taliesin put his hand on his horse's saddle, "Is called Naomi." He looked over to Lorelai, watching for her reaction.

Lorelai snorted, then covered her mouth with her hands, laughing. "I'm so sorry," she wheezed, "it's just. Naomi?" She giggled again. "I didn't expect a Thalmor Justiciar to have a sense of humor like that."

"I'm one of a kind." He smiled. He had been waiting for someone to appreciate that pun for years - since he'd arrived in Skyrim.

Perhaps being presumed dead wouldn't be so bad after all.

[arsontastic-fandom-takes]

Drabble time! Words: 491

Pairing: Taliesin & my dragonborn oc, Massacre.

Dwemer ruins are the spawn of evil.

This entire fucking mission was a bad idea from the start. 'Oh, it'll just be a quick in and out. The ruins can't be *that* bad.' Massacre had thought. They could not have been more wrong.

Now, mere hours later, they were hopelessly lost in these fucking ruins and they had lost Taliesin what felt like a few minutes ago, but for all they knew it could have been days since they last saw him.

The only thing that lended any sense of direction was the gods-damned bodies that they found. These ruins looked so identical everywhere they looked and Massacre was half-certain they were going crazy.

The sound of steam was so loud they want to scream. They had never thought a gas could be so loud, but here they were, close to clawing their ears off of their head so that the sounds could just *stop*.

As they stumbled into another room, Massacre had almost started crying from relief when they saw Taliesin.

Until they noticed the position he was in.

Around him were the bodies of slain Falmer. He was curled into a ball and his breathing came in short bursts. Shit. Massacre knew what was happening. It had happened a lot to them when they were younger. All of their discomfort forgotten, they crossed the room and kneeled beside him.

What did Pa always do when this happened?

He didn't even register when they put their hand on his shoulder. Shit, shit, shit!

"Taliesin? Can you hear me? I need you to look at me." It took a moment, but he eventually turned his head to face them, his breathing still too fast to be getting enough oxygen. "Good. Now, I need you to focus with me. It's hard, but we need you to breathe right. Follow my lead. Breathe in... breathe out."

A while passed where Massacre just repeated the breathing demonstration, but eventually Taliesin was breathing normally again.

They both just sat next to each other for a moment after that, a comfortable silence having settled over them.

After a long while of sitting together, Taliesin finally broke the silence."I'm sorry you had to deal with that."

Massacre shrugged. "It's not a problem, I'm just glad you're okay."

"...How did you know what to do?"

"I used to have those too. I haven't in a while, but when I was younger, I really struggled. My Pa usually helped me through them."

"From what I've heard, your dad really loves you."

"Yeah... He does. He was the only person in Winterhold that believed in me. He could get stern, but I always knew he loved me."

Talisesin stayed quiet for some time after they said that. Although Massacre was curious about their new companion's life up until they met him, they didn't want to force him to talk about things before was ready.

Trust is earned, and Massacre found themself looking forward to earning his.

[nochi-quinn]

campaign 3 episode 58: brb flying to la to steal matt's shins

I got sick again today but I'M TRYING

they got him!!

"we really should give all our producers a raise"

marisha that top

I believe the trope is magipunk but obvs I haven't seen it yet

HOWEVER magipunk is one of my favorite tropes so I'm hoping

game now called Taliesin's Baby

I hate literally every second of this

"teeth, tentacles and terror" hate that too

mapphew strikes again

"the trees have bones"

"we had a real estate agent but they ghosted us" BOO

"it's a bit much"

"I think you grabbed the one that was too big"

augh the wolf snouts coming out of it

"six :D"

HATE THAT NOISE

matt's noises are also hurting my brain so this tracks

nobody gets freaked out by legendary actions like travis gets freaked out by legendary actions

"BUT THAT'S METAGAMING"

"he's actually half butts"

matt says Make Expensive Choices

why does laura sound like she's on Old Timey Radio

I WARNED YOU ABOUT STAIRS BRO

it's a Wet Monster it should take double from lightning

Chew Again

BIT IT AND QUIT IT

"how many of its butts fell off"

guiding bolt upp the butt(s)

FEARNE

"matthew how DARE you roll a natural 20"

NINE

FRIDA

somebody curse matt's dice

trade matt's dice with laura's

frida pulling every available feat out to throw at the meat tower

Action Surge Sharpshooter Grit Point is the fighter version of Reckless Great Weapon Master

"please gif that"

"aRe YoU uSiNg ThE sAmE dIcE"

"say parmesan if you want me to hit him" "PARMESAN"

"OKLAHOMA SAFE WORD"

a whole lot of rules just got flung around and I zoned out in self-defense

"a weird divacup for this massive period stain"

AUNT FLOW

"does it have eyes" "occasionally" "you can't SAY THAT"

hey I hate it

"a roll I wish I had failed"

gay

"tree trunk of skin" [lenny]

"it's not the holy grail!" "if you read enough dan brown - kinda!"

liam is here in spirit

AND ON SAM'S GAS CAN APPARENTLY

"GIVE HER BANGS"

"no, we just got the art"

oh hate

oh HATE

please run. please leave.

it is going to Eat You

"I rolled a 1 but it comes out to 23"

this is the closest we've gotten to matt breaking out an hourglass in a while

"paper - not being humanoid - because it's a piece of paper - "

"it's nOT A DILDO"

"frida - take this down"

CHRISTIAN

"and then I burn the notes and leave" okay arkhan

"just be a little smarter, okay?"

and then it WORKED

"this gargamel motherfucker stealing smurfs"

"I've never read a book. I'm actually older than books."

not the dot matrix printer

"be careful, link….the yuck moon rises once again…"

"I only saw her from the back but my god was she beautiful"

"abs for days"

COBOSO

"I don't know why wizards would have abs"

"it was very sad, he died, clearly"

irl gifts IRL GIFTS

SHIRTS

"I invented polyester"

and in the COLOR SCHEMES

"it's segmented, sepratated" sasha nein's mindscape

"you're a mess"

don't chase the rabbit!

if there are stars when you look down -

everybody gets presents

"it's a sweatshirt made out of wood"

YOU ARE WHO YOU CHOOSE TO BE

"one more?" "…….ka-put"

EVERYBODY GETS PRESENTS

eabria come get your smut

their collective quest to get travis to turn into a tomato

I can't believe this is canon

they almost have to swap back now right. right? this is such a good place to wrap up. please return the other half of the table.

thank you for not being That Guy matt

;-;

HEY MATT??

YOU'VE SUFFERED A TERRIBLE FATE HAVEN'T YOU

the RED END

did fcg just become a champion?

IS DEANNA BEING MADE A CHAMPION?

gods going through their whole rolodex sending out SOSes

I forgot how much of a dick pelor is

I'm sorry, the ~dawnfather~

wait is the spider queen freaking out at opal? is this a disaster on both sides of the aisle?

where's opal, I wanna talk to opal

imogen is the kid who grew up secular and heard about every different religion from pop culture osmosis

(imogen is me)

it's a Stuff-Doing-Coin

see in scripted media her giving him the ring would be an enormous death flag. it still kind of is because I'm a paranoid panda but still

you have to give travis the inventory it's the rules

SDKJFLKSD

matt

THE RTA

sam sploded

this is tonight's real lore drop

just throw a dart at the map

it does DAMAGE?

"why does he say it like that"

MATTHOLOMEW MERCER

"WHAT'S NEW JERSEY"

liam's not even here to do the accent

"that's more fun" FOR WHO

NO FUCK YOU

LAURA

MATT

I HATE EVERYONE HERE

"I can't tell if she's doing a bit"

BEEN A WHILE SINCE I WANTED TO FIGHT THEM IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER THE SHOW BUT HERE WE ARE

[aspiringsophrosyne]

Episode 5: Fate's Journey Pt. 1

Banter.

For my money, this is probably one of the weakest episodes of Season one, if not the weakest. This is primarily due to the pacing; episode five plays out a lot slower than it needs to. This makes for longer post this time, but I've split it into parts to hopefully make it easier to swallow. This is part one of four. I hope you enjoy.

Now let's get into it.

Vex and Percy's talk on the wagon is...imperfect. On the one hand, Laura and Taliesin are fabulously natural as usual, and I greatly appreciate the attempt at banter (more on that in another post). I also appreciate that Vex and Percy get a moment to themselves. But the lines themselves are wonky.

For one, you don't practice a resting bitch face. That's why it's a resting bitch face. For two, Vex's inquiring about Percy's bad mood upon returning home is.....a little strange. Vex is a savvy woman; she's got to know that the Briarwoods, known murderous sexy evil power couple, are not going to be awaiting Vox Machina's arrival with open arms and gift baskets. For the same reason, she's also got to know, even without being an expert on the subject, that heading back to the sight of his family's murder is not going to be fun for Percy.

And on top of all that, there's the fact that Vex should know something about not being happy to go home, given Syngorn. What she's saying to Percy could've made sense if they'd used this to set her up as a low-key hypocrite who's in denial about her own issues, and then have that come to fruition in The Echo Tree. But that isn't what happened.

On multiple levels this talk isn't as good as it could be.

So let's try another possible take:

Percy: Please stop that. I'm trying to concentrate.

Vex: Is that what you're doing? Or is that just your resting bitch face?

Percy: My resting bitch face?

Vex: You look terrible, Percy.

Percy: And why shouldn't I? You saw for yourself. The Briarwoods were outnumbered and still fought us to a standstill after they nearly killed your brother. They're not exactly going to be rolling out the red carpet for us....unless it's a carpet soaked with blood...if a vampire wouldn't consider that wasteful-

Vex: I know it can't be pleasant for you, after everything that's happened....but I was hoping you could take comfort in the fact that we'll be with you this time, darling.

Percy: Yes I...thank you. I'll try to remember that. And to be fair, I do have a magnificent resting bitch face.

Vex: You do.

Percy: I didn't used to. I have you all to thank for that.

Hey, Anjali Bhimani as a Cleric of the Everlight! Anjali is fantastic; she's been in Exandria Unlimited and the Ravening War, and deserves all the love.

The talk around the campfire was a lot of fun, and I liked that it gave the show a chance to squeeze in some references from the stream we're probably not going to see in the show. (I'm still wondering if Hotis is going to show up again, or not, or if we'll still get the encounter that we did with him in the stream but instigated by a different character.)

However...one exchange in particular bothers me more than a bit. It's this one, with Keyleth and Vex:

Keyleth, upon setting Vax on fire a little: Oh, my gosh. Oh, sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry!

Vax: You're fine. You're fine. No worries.

Vex: Yeah, no worries. You'll probably get your shit together eventually.

...

Keyleth, later: Vex is right. Maybe I'll never get my shit together.

That is....pretty much the exact opposite of what Vex said, which is kind of remarkable. Let's try something else:

Keyleth: Vex is right. I don't have my shit together. I can't even get into the same time zone as any of my shit, let alone have it together. And what if she's wrong? What if I never do? What if I fail my trial and then I'll fail the Ashari and then I'll fail Vox Machina and then I'll-

Vax: Whoa! Calm down. It's alright. Don't listen to my sister.

Maybe a little heavy on the Keyleth freak out here, but I think you get the idea. Also, structured this way, we can set up a parallel between the couples' talks. That's always fun.

I wouldn't see much need to point this kind of thing out if it weren't for the fact that....well, as we go along, we're going to see similar clumsy and even contradictory writing show up. Repeatedly. And I think it's at the heart of one of the biggest things holding TLOVM back right now.

In the same vein, the twins' talk was a nice set up for things to come, but it gets a little clunky when Vex mentions that they got out of Syngorn because they didn't get distracted by pretty things. This isn't just weird in the moment because she's the goldbug, but it's weird now, in hindsight. Specifically because of what we've seen in S2. She was the one who pushed her brother to get that tiara for her. And she was the one who wanted to stay when Vax stormed out. Presumably for the last time.

She was the one distracted by pretty things, and it almost kept her in Syngorn.

Again, this could've been used to (compassionately) set her up as a hypocrite who's in denial, but...if that was the plan, I think the moment to put it into effect was the twins' family reunion. So the opportunity for that seems to have passed. I would be happy to be proven wrong in a future episode, though. We'll have to see.

That's it for part one. Onto part two: Travel And Chase.