themugcollector

[themugcollector]

What I'd like to see if we get Willow Vol 2...

1. Kit's armour now that it is on won't come off and she spends the season learning (hopefully from Willow) how to manipulate it, like when she made the blade, so it morph into something smaller.

2. Willow saves Mimms and she joins the party as love interest for Airk.

3. We see Boorman be the hero.

4. When they get back to Tir Asleen, Sorsha is possessed from her injury, possibly full on becoming her mother.

5. Elora's new problem with magic is that she is too overpowered to properly cast and has learns self control by using Graydons flute as her conduit.

6. Graydon is quickly saved.

7. Jade has a little magic. There has been A few times she's seem a little precient. Like when she KNEW they had the right door.

8. We actually get part 2 and part 3.

[themugcollector]

Episode 8 spoilers

Fun things to note

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Dream Arik at the wedding is growing Graydon-esque facial hair to make him more attractive to Elora.

[themugcollector]

An Open WIndow... 

[themugcollector]

The Beau and Caleb Snowman from the last episode. A great Empire sibling moment.

[themugcollector]

I must confess when the shipping backlash began I struggled to understand where the vocal minority of Beaujester fans were coming from but I have been thinking about it and trying to empathise. I think I get it now and I am very sorry for your loss.

I want to share my thought process to try and help fans in a similar boat.

I read a post a few days ago - which I haven’t been able to find again – about how there are two types of fan; the curatorial fan, who are focused on the truth and cannon of the media and transformative fan who can overlook the narrative to write the fix-it fan fics and ship for the aesthetic.

I am a curatorial fan and I follow beauyasha. I think a lot of beauyasha fans are – it is right there in the main text – two lesbians who flirt with each other, you don’t have to look for any subtext. When Beau confessed her crush on Jester I paused, mulled over at the uproar in the tags, and kept watching to see where the story went.

Beaujester started out as a Transformative fandom, shipping the chemistry of two friends, writing headcannons and looking for subtext in every interaction (They were roommates!). But then it became real. Beau admitted her crush on Jester and as the story trope goes when someone confesses their feelings then the recipient will eventually return them (especially as Marisha was doing such a good job at portraying said crush). Beaujester was cannon and thus the ship gained it’s own group of curatorial fans following the truth of this new love story, only the waters had been muddied by the transformative ship. Past subtextual friendship moments gleefully collated by the transformative fandom where suddenly key moments in an epic (and cannon) love story (They were roommates!). I am sure a lot of new fans joined the Critical Role fandom to follow this cannon lesbian ‘friends to lovers’ romance. It was only a matter of time for Jester to see how much Beau loved her and realise she loved her too. I’m sure a lot of fans also connected deeply with Jester and wanted to see her coming out story. Beau and Yasha moments can be dismissed as ‘Beau flirts with all attractive women’ (except Jester because she loves her). Jester moments with Fjord could be dismissed as friendship because she had actively stopped pursuing him. The Beau and Jester love story was end game and canon and true.

Cut to the latest episode. A big part of the Critical Role fandom have had their ‘Truth’ taken away from them. The thing that made them love this show and connect with it’s characters has not only gone but they are having to accept it was never ‘a truth’ to begin with. I’m sure those fans in the transformative corner of the ship will pull themselves together and start writing the fix it fics and go back to ignoring the narrative but the curatorial fans are grieving over losing something very real that they love (anger and denial are a part of grief). It is also understandable why they are calling foul and feeling cheated and lied to. What they loved was true and now it isn’t and they don’t understand why.

This is also why fans trying to reach out by offering their truths and giving other view points is not welcome in the Beaujester tag. They knew the truth, you are only telling them they were wrong to love what they love and want what they wanted.

So Beaujester I am sorry for your loss – all other fans, please be understanding and give them space to grieve. People keep saying shipping is harmless but it is moments like this that show it isn’t.

[themugcollector]

Okay - but ‘Arms’ by Christina Perri is the perfect Beauyasha song right now!

[themugcollector]

Mighty Nein To-Do List (Update)

As the Mighty Nein spent most of the latest episode struggling to decide their priorities I thought it might be a good time to update the to-do list I wrote a few months ago.

Nott

Become Veth again.

Keep Yezza and Luke safe

Protect Caleb

Protect the Mighty Nein

Help friends achieve goals

Sneak attack!!

Booze (except between 11pm – 11am - She promised Jester)

Steal something shiny

Check for traps

Make acid/explosive arrow/ tracer arrow/ something cool

Buttons!!

FLUFFERNUTTER!!

Tease Fjord

Fjord

Serve the Wildmother

Listen to Caduceus

Workout with Beau

Hope U’katoa (U’katoa) will leave him alone

Protect the Mighty Nein

Find Vandren

Help friends achieve goals

Stay alive

Fight demons

Touch shiny things

Find Sabien?

Yasha

Escape Oban’s grasp

Fight

Survive

Mourn

Pray the Storm Lord will save her

Jester

Worship the Traveller

Make everyone happy

Help friends achieve goals

Make new friends

Protect the Mighty Nein

Do cool spells and stuff

Worry about Traveller Con

Visit momma

Find out if the Gentleman really is her father

Save Yasha

Worry about Nott’s drinking

Do pranks

Pastries!!

Healing

Flirt with Fjord

FLUFFERNUTTER!!

Feed Sprinkle

 Caleb

**REDACTED** 

Hide

Destroy Trent Ikathon

Tear down the Cerberus Assembly

Save the Empire

Protect Nott

Books

Stay alive

Protect the Mighty Nein

Learn about Dunamancy

Pet Frumpkin

Help friends achieve goals

Stop the rifts

Caduceus

Trust the Wild Mother

Trust in Destiny

Find the Kiln Menagerie

Cure the corruption at the Blooming Grove

Help friends achieve goals

Keep friends alive

Miss family

Fight the undead

Meditate

Make tea

 Beau

‘Make places better than you find them’

Stop the rifts

Stop the war

Protect and support her ‘family’

Trust Dairon???

Stay Alive

Tactical research (or as Caleb calls it ‘Books’)

Train

Save Yasha

Ask questions

Root out corruption

Flirt with women

Keep secrets

Be patient

Listen

[themugcollector]

A random question about Beau...

So I know tieflings can have human parents but can tiefling parents have a human child? 

I only ask, because in the city of beasts Beau specifically asked to be a red skin male tiefling and I keep wondering why. We know she was a disappointment to her father because she wasn’t a son, but what if they were expecting their child to be a tiefling too?

[themugcollector]

Just a thought - So a level 10 monk is immune to poison... does that mean that last night was the last time Beau could get drunk?

[themugcollector]

After the forge.

A story set later in the morning after Fjord and the forge. Fjord and Beau have a moment.

...

Despite the empty void in his chest from the loss of his Warlock magic there was a new strange warmth in his chest. Fjord had ripped out the evil thorn of Uk’otoa. Was he free now? Is this what he wanted?

His greatest fear was that the Mighty Nein would despise his weakness and his lies. He had expected them to abandon him. Now he sat contemplating his recent gifts.  Jester’s magic axe and whip rested on his lap, Caleb’s fire glove on his fist, a dagger from Nott on his belt and a shield he did not really need from Caduceus at his side. They had all gathered around him offering their support.

He did not know what was going to happen next. Caduceus was putting all his faith in his broken sword and the Wildmother and Fjord wanted to share his hopes, but his constant doubts haunted him still. He was weak, he knew it. It was his weakness that brought him into Uk’otoa’s hands to begin with.

His contemplation was disturbed by the crunch of gravel behind him. He looked up alarmed, jumping to his feet, gripping his axe and holding out the glove of blasting. There was Beau, looking startled by his reaction, holding her arms up in apology.

“Dude… sorry… I just… um… I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Beau.” said Fjord, slowly trying to regain his cool - as his first mate lost hers in her embarrassment. “What’s wrong?”

Beau took a breath. Her nose wrinkling slightly at the unfamiliarity of his real accent.

“I-I-I feel bad I had nothing to help and I was thinking…” She trailed off struggling to find her words.

“Beau?” Fjord prompted.

“Do you want to fight… spar… A sparring partner? I was thinking maybe… in case you are rusty. Now you don’t have magic I could maybe help with training… You fought before you ate the magic sword, right? As a sailor?”

“Sure.” said Fjord.

Beau took another breath, finally looking up to meet his eye. She looked a little relieved that her suggestion hadn’t been completely dismissed and her words came faster with more confidence.

“An axe isn’t the same as a sword and it can take some time to master. If you want practice I’m here. Us non – like – magic users have to stick together, right?”

“Right now?” Fjord asked.

Beau shrugged, her hard, constant scowl, softening slightly.

“Sure… I found a good beach just beyond the lava flow, looked a good spot for sparring.”

Fjord looked at the axe, an unfamiliar weight in his fist.

“I’d like that.”

…

They didn’t fight right away. Beau was surprisingly professional marking out a training circle on the gravel beach and then she had him work through his hold and stance. It took him back to his days as a sailor, running sword drills on the deck with his crewmates.

Once she seemed satisfied, they squared up.

“Try to hit me, if you can.” she said plainly. “We won’t be trying to hurt each other, just knock the opponent from the ring.

Fjord looked down at his friend. The young awkward human woman who struggled to express herself but has always had his back… Had clutched him away from certain death at the risk of her own life.

“Beau.” said Fjord. “thanks for this.”

“No problem Captain.” She said.

Fjord paused, filled with seriousness.

“You’re not mad that I lied?”

“No dude. I totally get that. You’ve got to protect yourself. A liar doesn’t judge another liar.”

“But I know you value honesty, Beau.”

Beau scrunched up her face as she fought for the right words.

“But you didn’t lie about helping me to, like, talk to people… You didn’t lie about being my captain… You didn’t lie as we fought side by side… You didn’t lie about the good stuff. Just how you talk and… like… that’s it right?” There was a pause. “Man, faking an accent for so long that must have been exhausting… That is dedication to a lie and I can admire that, man.”

“Thanks,” said Fjord crisply. “And thanks, Beau I appreciate this.”

As a grin widened on her usually stoic face Beau took a martial stance that looked vaguely familiar.

He gripped the axe, and he held Caduceus’ shield against his side.

“Come on Fjord, lets go. And don’t be afraid to hurt me. I can take it.”

Fjord charged forward and swung.

Beau stepped cleanly away and swung her own fist.

Fjord swept up his shield for protect himself but she reached easily past his defence and just gave him a light tap to his side; his own momentum sending him out of the ring.

She stepped back with a nod.

“Again.” she said squaring up.

They danced around each other for an hour or so. Without the magic, fighting was tiring but his orc blood kept him battling. He’d hit Beau once or twice but most of the time she dodged his blows and pushed him from the ring. Any axe strike that did hit was just a nick, but she had shaken off the pain and ignored the blood and just kept fighting. Her own strikes came in fast but just tapped him lightly not really trying to strike him back. Gradually he got better at finding his rhythm, got better at planting his defence; his old sailor’s grit coming to the fore.

Beau knocked his chin with her fist and Fjord struck back with his shield pushing her back towards the edge of the ring and swung his axe expecting her to step back finally seeing a chance to trick her from the ring. But he was, for the first time, quicker than Beau. It was an unlucky blow. The axe dug deep into Beau’s side.

This time she did stumble, clutching her wound and hopping away.

“Ow! Ow… fuck… ow! Okay I think we’re done for the day.”

Fjord dropped the axe and caught her elbow.

“Sorry. Lucky hit.”

“Right.” said Beau through gritted teeth. “No problem. I’m fine - it’s fine. I’ve had worse. And we’ll need that luck.”

Fjord sighed, filled with an odd contentment that he hadn’t really felt for a long time.

“You are a good friend, Beau.”

Beau shook her head and patted his shoulder awkwardly with a bloody hand.

“Nah. I’m a piece of shit. But I can fight… And now so can you it seems.”

[themugcollector]

I had a dark thought.

So Beau’s childhood... it’s generally assumed to be abusive - there was a line early on when Dairon smacked the back of Beau’ head in their first training fight that it reminded her of her dad.

Then I was thinking in a world of magic there are worse ways to stifle and control your child, beyond physical violence. The spells Charm Person, Command, Compulsion, Dominate Person, Enthrall, Friends, Geas, Hold Person, Modify Memory and Suggestion, all take away self control in one way or another. If you want to mould your daughter against her will that would be a horrible but effective way to do it.

Beau’s father was into divination but we don’t know if one or both parents practiced magic...

[themugcollector]

Random thought - if the ‘Laughing Hand’ only grew new mouths from cutting and piercing damage could a deaf, divine, hasted Beau have theoretically punched it to death??

[themugcollector]

Well the good thing about the twist at the end of episode 69 is that Yasha’s command/possession was to avenge Oban. Her focus will be hunting down the M9 to destroy them - So when Ashley is back Yasha can just turn up as well brandishing her sword. 

Then they just need to Greater Restoration her or Disspell the brand(?) on her neck and all will be good...

Meanwhile we’ll get angst, abandonment issues, doubt and fear...

I love this show!

[themugcollector]

My thoughts on the latest episode 2.66

SPOILERS!!!!

   Despite the threat of the monstrous Roc, the start of the episode turned into comedy gold… A panicked Fjord teleporting onto the back of the Roc and then getting flung a few hundred feet when it was polymorphed… Caleb loving being a Giant Eagle and his interaction with Beau and the 12ft baby Roc in that nest (I need to see some art of that!)… Jester in a leaf costume fighting off a tiny bat-shaped polymorphed Roc that kept escaping her cloak… all of it priceless.

Then the humour was instantly countered by the sheer tension of waiting to see if the Roc found them again when they fled and hid in a cave with barely any spell slots left…

Then Nott blew everyone up by not checking for traps!?

Then they pretty much wiped out an entire Orc warband without missing a beat.

When they got to town they spent way too much money on the things they needed (The Mighty Nein really don’t know how to budget) but Cad has all he needs to find out about his sword now.

Nott’s behaviour is getting worse. She is becoming almost suicidal in her recklessness with or without the booze – She needs a friend talk about her drinking and her family, but of her two closest friends Caleb is an enabler and can barely manage his own feelings and Jester is too young and clearly doesn’t know what to say to her. Jester secretly stealing Nott’s flask to stop her drinking seems to have made Nott even more unstable rather than less and it’s not clear if Nott is even in a place where she will listen to anyone now.  Sam knows Jester took the flask even if Nott doesn’t so I think he’ll make it hard for the sake of the juicy RP.

Fjord talking to Cad about his dream and finding a link to the Wildmother via the ocean was a nice moment. If he swaps his patron his water warlock aesthetic has no need to change. He just gains a kinder benefactor but keeps his magic - the part of him that makes him feel special. Cad also gains an ally for his lone mission to find the forge and fix his sword which the rest of the group have paid little attention to – The sword maybe becoming Fjord’s new Hex-blade in the process.

The three ladies sharing the last watch in Bazzozan (sp.) was also a great moment. Establishing the Jester, Beau and Yasha friendship group that must have existed outside the story since their days together as pirates - only Ashley wasn’t really there to share it. The fact that Yasha has a sense of humour along with her rage helps flesh her out so much more as part of the group.

The last part of the episode was dominated by the scary scary tomb - with the imagery of the angel statues with bloody tears watching a partly open black gate to darkness hiding the secret of the Angel in Irons... Everyone (I think except for Nott) vocally or magically expressed their concern for Yasha and their determination to help her though. I think she was stacked with four or five spells (plus her new ring of protection) by the time they entered the gate at the end of the episode.

Is it Thursday yet?

[themugcollector]

Quick thought... If Fjord changes his allegiance to the Wild Mother and loses his sword... They’re gonna have to change the theme song!

[themugcollector]

That Beau and Yasha Convo

I think it is interesting that although Beau was reaching out to Yasha she wasn’t actually flirting. She was trying to find a connection (a little like she did with Jester after the Dragon) but she also seemed to be trying to rationalise her attraction – Yasha’s ‘gravitational effect’ that draws powerful people to her.

Yasha meanwhile in all seriousness has considered digging up her dead wife she loved her so much… But she is beginning to realise moving on could be a possibility. She is also the one to flirt with Beau for a change – ‘I see you…’

But I have questions about Tori the older woman. Was a neglected and unloved Beau seduced into a life of crime? The fact that she fully expected to get punched in the face if they ever saw each other again may suggest it wasn’t the most healthy relationship…

Does Beau have a parallel with Caleb as well - manipulated by someone more powerful into doing bad things?

[themugcollector]

Okay so this is maybe coming from left field... 

Yasha was recognised as ‘Orphanmaker’ by the ‘Drow’ (who is more likely a demon - maybe even the same one in her dreams) and his Hobgoblin bodyguard... 

These dudes are linked to Blondies rift anchors - he supplies the anchors for them, maybe, rather than runs the show... 

Blondie has ties to ‘possibly’ the king... who allies with the Cerberus Assembly... but we don’t know if the king is sending the anchors...

But we do know that Trent was interested in Yasha after the festival in Zadash. Did he recognise ‘Orphanmaker’? Is that why he wanted to talk to her? 

Also also does that mean Trent is a demon too... 

And also also also did he use the same magical control the Drow displayed on Nott to control young Caleb?????