"I hope it doesn't end in a huge cliffhanger..." Oh, you sweet Summer child. When you say things like that, the spirit of Matt Mercer laughs just a bit louder.
@@JustSomeDudee You know it has been a great episode when the last thing you hear before the stream cuts out is just an outraged "MATTHEW MERCER!!" or a chorus of very vocal protests lmao
IRL when they did this dungeon crawl, Liam (Vax) was having a hard time. His mother had been diagnosed with cancer and Liam himself was having inner ear problems. He was world was spinning both emotionally and physically. Matt Mercer is one of the most empathatic people on the planet so he gave them the Deathwatcher's Ward as the first item quest as a chance to let Liam shine and give him a safe space to explore his feelings. Being DnD and the characters not doing what the DM expected (Percy being an idiot), Matt had to pivot and it literally changed his plans for Vax for the whole campaign. Liam has said repeatedly that DnD is what got him through the dark times. Liam now campaigns to use RPGs as therapy because of his experience.
Not exactly true. There were originally 7 vestiges, each one with a character/player in mind which were briefly mentioned before these events. The Deathwalker's Ward was originally created for Talisan which is why it had a raven motif to it. Talisan grabbed it knowing this which triggered the trap and accidently killed Vex. After this happened Matt had to make an 8th vestige so that Talisan could have one, and this is why Vax ends up with 2 vestiges.
Will Friedle, who played Kasha Vesh in the campaign and reprised the role in 'The Legend of Vox Machina', was Marisha Rey's teenage crush from his time on 'Boy Meets World' and 'Batman Beyond'. So Keyleth flirting with Kash is half in character, and half her geeking out over meeting her teen crush.
@@phoenixdzk That's kind of a spoiler. Kiki hasn't been in Vasselheim in the series, so it's probably going to happen in a future episode. They are definitely setting up for it.
Will Friedle also hosted a show for Critical Role called Mini Primetime. He teaches CR cast members how to paint mini figures while he interviews then and it is hilarious.
Because of the harder nature of the episode, here's some more light-hearted fun facts: Since you asked about the belt, in-game, it's called the Belt of Dwarvenkind. It gives a boost to Constitution (which I'm sure others have mentioned partially determines your health points/overall hardiness), the ability to see in the dark to an extent, resistance to poison (like some dwarves have inherently) and better chances on some charisma-based rolls when interacting with actual dwarves. And, of course, it has a chance of the wearer growing a beard, or a thicker, more dwarf-esque one if the wearer already has facial hair! And in terms of that specific interaction, the belt doesn't give the beard part to races that can't grow facial hair normally. Grog's race - Goliaths, or I think they called them Half-Giants to avoid D&D copyright - can't actually grow hair. Not the males, at least. But when Matt heard Travis (Grog's player) get super excited about growing a beard, he decided to let it slide anyway so Travis could just have fun with a beard. And as a result, we now have the most iconic look for Grog Strongjaw!
"I was gone for 30 seconds! What the hell happened?" is a quote from the campaign, which Liam said as soon as his character returned from scouting ahead, even though he was at the table and heard everything that happened - a great piece of roleplaying, staying in character an all that. In campaign, Percy made his saving throw, but Vex and Trinket failed theirs. Trinket's HP was reduced by 59 until he took a long rest, but Vex had less that 59 hp after the previous fight, so she went unconscious and because she was dropped to 0 hp she died as an effect of the spell - no death saves.
Additional context - normally if you drop to 0HP or less, you are "unconscious" and dying. You have 3 chances to save yourself with death saving rolls. Certain things can cause automatic failures, like taking more hits. There are two ways that you can automatically die with no saves. If the damage you take drops you to negative of your max (so if you have 105HP max, and you take 105 points of damage after hitting zero). The other is what happened here. There are different types of damage you can take. Things like fire, ice, acid, poison, piercing, bludgeon, etc. Getting stabbed by a sword would be piercing. Getting stabbed by a flaming sword would be fire and piercing. Necromatic damage is special. If necromatic damages causes you to hit 0HP, you're automatically dead. No saves. This is also why Keyleth, and Scanlan (and Pike, but we don't see that here) were able to heal Cassandra and Keyleth. They hit 0HP, but were only unconscious, not dead yet. Vex being hit with necromancy was just dead.
@@cryofpaine that's half-true, but its not a wrong assumption. Damage type is not the reason for automatic death, its a function of this trap/spell. Think of disintegrate (no idea how to spell it). But that details are not relevant. Im just typing this cuz when the rule lawyers show up they will surely go on about it :)
I generally think Liam is the best at staying in character of the CR cast. This does not mean the others are bad and more how great he is at that. Also it´s not only his speaking but also his mannerisms. Pretty much throughout all of campaign 2 he always looks broody and nervous just like his character is supposed to be.
@@JBasilix In campaign one, it seemed like that. It's when you get to campaign 2 and especially 3 that you can see others - especially Marisha and Laura - doing it too. I think that's one reason why Marisha got so much hate in the first campaign. They saw her acting like Keyleth and assumed that that's who she was. So they saw her as awkward and naïve, and combined with playing a mechanically complicated character, and making choices that might not be optimal for the sake of character, they got the impression that she didn't know what she was doing. There have been a lot of people who have said they didn't like Marisha in campaign one, but campaign 2 made them realize how wrong they were.
@@cryofpaine I don't know if you misunderstood me or just went on a tangent but just to clarify: As said in the previous comment I think Liam is the best at staying in character but that doesn't mean the others are bad at it. It's just that his performance is the most consistent throughout all three campaigns. I heard about all the "hate" Marisha got throughout campaign 1. I got into CR way later around when C2 was nearing its end I think. However all I thought when I heard about it was how dumb people are. Those are the same people that hate on Jack Gleeson for playing a fantastic Joffrey in GoT.
The Death of Vex hit us all so hard, watching it happen in real time. What really was the ultimate gut punch was Vax, Liam O'Brien's acting. He didn't know this was coming of course, and it was at a very dark time in his personal life, so he took it very hard. But like a true actor, he never broke character and channeled all his pain, grief, frustration and rage into one of the most moving and masterful performances I have ever seen at their table. I wept openly just watching it. 25:23 "A bit of an Indiana Jones vibe when they are going (through the tomb)". Well, the name of the game is *Dungeons* and Dragons. A lot of adventuring can take place in underground labyrinths, caves, tombs or caverns. Any underground adventure is termed "a dungeon" in game terms. Typically lots of traps, secret doors, etc.
When you were first reacting to Vex and Vax being co-dependant I was thinking of this moment. Liam O Brian is very very good at making me cry all the time. And to think they are twins because the actors have the same birth date and both wanted to play half elves :D
@@fan-i-amOk, but half of that was above the table feels. No less real, obviously, arguably more so, but Liam I think has the most "I want to crawl through my screen and hug this character" moments.
Grog setting off a bunch of traps constantly is both because Grog has 6 intelligence (average for a sentient being in dnd is 10, for reference) and because Grog's player/voice, Travis Willingham, is the type of player who wants to press every bright red button he comes across even if the button is labeled "trap" or "death".
No spoilers: When this happened during the livestream, several rolls were involved. One was important enough that Matthew Mercer took his phone out and took a photo of the dice to post online as proof of what just happened.
If I recall correctly, the cast was saying that designers were upset that the first grog design will be without a beard. Him with a beard is the iconic look for the streams.
Yep. Travis mentions it during a Watchalong. They did several pieces of concept art with the beard and although he loved them, they had to be scrapped until this season.
I remember many fans watching the preview of the first season, and complaining that Grog was beardless, and had to be reminded that Grog was originally beardless (though he did get it before this point) because it was how we all remember him.
The emotion evoked at the end of this episode I think is truly a testament to Laura Bailey and Liam O'Brien's talent as a voice actors. As you said, I think most fans (who didn't watch the campaign) probably were more annoyed by Vex and Vax's sibling relationship at this point. They turned that all around in the space of ONE episode. THAT'S TALENT.
I personally think their sibling relationship was written realy good. For me the point where it turned from good to realy good was the episode where Vax was under the spell of Lord Briarwood. The line "dont ever to that to me again, I was ready to kill you just now" was delivered so perfectly it gets me every time.
@@thefiendish186 It was written really well, yes, but that is because it was built on really solid source material - i.e. the relationship that Laura and Liam created through their actual play in the campaign. They played it so well you could be forgiven if you thought they actually were siblings IRL.
Critical Role is amazing for stories that hit you where your heart is…but the cast has said before and I will share with you gently here- please be sure to take care of yourself when these stories hit too close to home. Your reactions are delightful and I enjoy them but I hope they never come at the cost of your well-being. All the hugs your way.
1000% this. As much as I love this series, if it's going to negatively affect someone, absolutely be willing to step away if it's for your best interest and well-being!
Now imagine what Percy’s going through mentally. HE egged her on. HE didn’t wait. HE set off the trap. The Cursed Heir. Unable to be trusted. The sphinx’s words are probably screaming through his mind. And the best part? He just got his sister back! And now he just cost one of his best friends theirs!
Hindsight being 20/20, I think Percy and Vex could have clued in that going to a temple for the goddess of Death to retrieve her champion's artifact could, you know, involve some specifically deadly traps. Vax was being overprotective as usual, but was also very much clear about how the place would have lethal traps to look out for and that he was their best first line of defense against them. Now, we have Vex dead on the ground, and you have to believe Percy is going to feel tremendous, overwhelming guilt over his rash decision. With him already feeling cursed and like he couldn't possibly make up for his past failings and the burdens he's placed on his friends, this won't make it any easier to bear. Can't imagine the storm of emotions rushing through Vax's head in that moment. And kudos to Scanlan in calling for him, knowing he would want to know immediately what happened to Vex. And yeah, can't wait for Pike to be able to talk to Grog about what's going on with the sword. That thing's bad news.
IRL it was such a perfect example of players letting their guard down while looting after a fight. Can't imagine anyone not being guilty of that at least once in a game.
As I recall during the campaign, at one point it got mentioned that Percy did feel extreme guilt over her getting killed by his brash move. I can't remember if it was in character it was mentioned or in one of the Talks Machina episode or campaign wrap up.
In the campaign, Liam kept telling everyone that they are going into the domain of death and they couldn't do their normal shennagins not fearing the consequences. If I remember right, he stepped out of character to say let me do my thing this one time. Matt would nod his head "you need to listen to him".
@@lokithecat7225 too bad it lasted barely a half story beat. *😉* Until it got her killed. Dead. Right? Or what exactly are you meaning in these episodes so far? Because she's dead, you must mean the free stuff at Gilmore's? Or did I miss something?
I think your sweatshirt says it all about you. I'm so sorry that this was particularly difficult for you. I'm new here, but from what I've seen, you are a very genuine and kind soul. Your channel is great!
That's exactly the vibe that draws me. You should check her Last of Us if you haven't! She's watching that blind, too. Since I know very few, even my parents played the Last t of Us 1 and 2, so blind series reactions are awesome!!
Grogs beard had a long history to it in the original campaign. It took him a while to actually grow it, and at one point Vax snuck in on Grog while he was sleeping and shaved off half of it. (Travis actually broke a mechanical pencil because of that.😂) So it was a really nice Easter egg to have that in there, even though he grew it right back.
Purvon Sul was not Matt's FIRST reminder to really workshop how immature minds might see an NPC's name but probably the most hilariously long-running and famous one. Kash very much channeling Matt with the "You guys suck." Kash and Zarha aren't terrible people, maybe just a little TOO like some of the Vox Machina members at times. In the actual campaign there was a little less rivalry so I find it a bit weird here, but curious where it'll go.
There was a pretty big rivalry right at first, but it felt different. Like more challenging each other than the outright antagonism, if that makes sense.
Its probably because they are mostly meeting each other for the first time here. in the original campaign they went to vassilheim before the whitestone arc and met them then.
This reaction was what finally got me to subscribe. “Do not go far from me” wrecks me utterly every single time I hear it, and it always has ever since I first heard it in the stream. Great reaction. Please self-care as well ❤️
I feel your pain. I've watched 20 (literally) reactions to this episode and it still makes me weep openly EVERY TIME. I still cry watching s1e4 and s1e11 reactions every time as well, its crazy how much you grow to love these characters.
God this is gonna sound mean, creepy, and weird, I promise it's not, but I love it when you cry when watching shows. It's so raw, genuine, and emotional, and it enhances the emotions I feel for an already emotional scene and makes you stand out from other reactors. It's why I subbed back when you reacted to Arcane.
I genuinely worry about you for s5 of Expanse. You are entirely human, and respond to things that happen. You get hit hard, and it brings out my response. Love your channel, love your responses.
Yeah I’m gonna chime in and say that I’ve been waiting for THIS channel’s reaction to THIS episode. The raw real emotion is nice, and I love that it is supported by intelligent and thought out explanation.
I don't think the facts about the belt are particularly spoilery, but I'll put them behind a cut just in case for spoiler sensitive people (I'm one myself!) . . . . . . . The belt is a Belt of Dwarvenkind, and does have other effects (including making the wearer able to read Dwarven writing, which doesn't help Grog because he can't read at all). The beard is really more of a fun flavor on the item, and the other effects are typically more useful, but Travis was especially excited about Grog getting a beard (and my experience of the Critter community is that we all generally prefer him with a beard as well). As a half-giant, Grog typically would not grow facial hair, but the power of the belt made it possible (in game after the characters would take a rest, he would roll a d100 to see if the beard would grow), which is why he's so excited. Most members of his race would not have a beard, and certainly not such a glorious one!
@@dam_ly Yes, you're right, for the most part. A few of them can sometimes grow a little bit of hair on their heads and/or faces, but it usually takes them a long time to grow any, and even then, any hair that manages to grow at all usually grows in very thin, scraggly, and patchy.
It also gives him Advantage on all Charisma rolls with all other Dwarves (basically, Dwarves find him more charming, and they can be more easily swayed to believe what he says)
The way Matt crafts a story so that his players think they have all this slack to fuck around in when in reality he is weaving an intricate web and waiting for just the right moment to pull it all taught is really amazing. There is more to Grog's belt, but the key thing, for him at least, is that it lets him grow a beard. Grog's race is Goliath and Goliaths can't naturally grow facial hair. So even if it did nothing else this belt is truly a wondrous item to him.
The reaction to Purvan Sul's name was genuinely taken straight from the reactions at the table during the livestream. The twins are half elven, their father took them away from their human mother to Syngorn to try and give them a proper education, but the elves never treated them equally. By the time they grew up and travelled back to their mother's town of Byroden, it had been razed by a dragon, hence Vex's obsession with studying them. Syldor 's played by Troy Baker (Joel from the last of us games), and is a very close friend of the main cast, especially Ashley (Pike) who played Ellie
I find it interesting how the flashbacks from this episode completely recontextualizes that exchange from season 1 between Vex and Vax. Vex: "I keep thinking about when we left Syngorn." Vax: "Hmm. Yeah? Screw that place. And Father. Whole thing nearly broke us." Vex: "Nearly. But it didn't. Because we stuck together. We didn't let ourselves get distracted by pretty things." While Vex was referring to Keyleth in that moment, she was also personally relating to being "distracted" by the trappings of elven nobility and the desire to belong in that world. She is relating her own vulnerable blind spot to Vax's, and we couldn't possibly notice until a whole season later. Good fucking -bear- writing.
@@darksydedigital well yeah, but that hasn't happened yet. When talking to folks who haven't watched the campaign, I want them to have the same experience that I had, which is a completely blank slate. The internet is a minefield of spoilers already, I don't want to contribute to it.
@@thehikingviking2049 and the way I put it those who have seen the campaign know what I'm talking about and for those who havent or will not see campaign 1it ruins nothing.
@@darksydedigital it reveals that two characters who most would never expect to meet did, in fact, meet, and it reveals that their exchange was meaningful
If you’re enjoying the brother/sister dynamics now, I recommend reading the novel they put out about the twins, Kith and Kin. It’s a nice exploration of the two, both together and apart.
This episode really does shake people. I’m not far enough into the campaign yet to know how they fix this, but as a twin brother, if I ever lost my sister like that, I’m pretty sure the world would burn. 🥺
Mortals can wield the vestiges, like they physically can. They were just deemed too dangerous to let anyone pick up and use. So they were only given to the gods' chosen champions. After the Divergence the gods hid them away.
In the campaign, when the death ward triggered and they had to make a Dexterity roll, Laura B. rolled a natural 1 while Taliesin rolled 21. When Matt described the consequences, Laura's hand went to her chest and her mouth and eyes went wide.
@@mavoc3094 They means there was a spell on the death walkers ward. I don't think they are talking about the spell Death Ward. They're talking about the armour the death walkers ward. But couldn't remember the full name of the armour... And it is a bit of a mouthful, so I don't blame them.
I really got emotional during the death scene. Especially that the score was so familiar. Then I saw the end credits. The music was written by Neal Acree. I always listen to his music when doing some art stuff.
C1 ep 44 the Sunken tomb, was the moment I became addicted to Critical Role, I made my first CR highlight afterwards. I think you found this moment too in this ep, We love you Vexy much and keenly await your reaction to the next eps. You are a Critter now ❤❤
wonderful, empathetic reaction. the answers to all your questions are coming - including one that is far more important than you know right now. they really will be giving every member character the same opportunities that Percy and Pike had last season, and I can't wait to see how you respond this coming week.
It’s funny how long it took Travis to get that beard on Grog. He had to roll once an in-game day and hit the right score. Goliath’s, such as Grog, normally have no body hair, but Travis wanted to have a beard. Matt basically created that belt in the game just for Travis. This episode shows why it’s so, so important to have someone on your team who’s proficient with ‘check for traps.’ Bigger the dungeon. The more serious the traps.
Liam O’Brian showcase episode. What a performance As an aside….if all of this talk of gods and calamity picques your interest, Critical Role did a four-part miniseries called C A L A M I T Y that runs about 20 hours of live dnd play featuring a mix of Critical Role’s voice actors (Keyleth’s Marisha Ray, Scanlan’s Sam Riegel & Grog’s Travis Williamham) and Dimension 20’d Aabria Iyengar and Lou Wilson and an actor, Luis Carazo. It is run by Brennan Lee Mulligan (Professional dungeon master and comedian). Set 1000 years before Vox Machina, it explores a time when gods and mortals coexisted and magic was ever present. It’s the finest DND you’ll ever watch, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll fall in love.
Worth noting that people who haven't seen the campaign should be careful watching the actual broadcast as the events from the stream do not end with Vex dying, and will cover some things that will happen in the next episode.
@@RenegadeGamerr For sure! I think the discussion the players all have at the end of the streamed session processing Vex's death is really interesting, and will be fun for folks watching the show for the first time to see. It's interesting how they broke this up (though not at all surprising that they wanted to have this be the cliffhanger going into the week long break) because it makes us fans who want to share clips to friends and reactor channels who haven't watched the stream need to be a bit careful how we refer to it. I agree it's a great moment to watch happen on stream, but might be worth waiting until next week after the next few episodes have dropped if you're not familiar with how the story goes. Really looking forward to next week!
Being a Twin myself, that is as close as Vex and Vax. This episode broke me. I wouldn't know what I would personally do if I had saw that. and I am sorry you have dealt with a loss.
To clarify about the vestiges, they can be wielded by anyone, but they're incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands, so many were intentionally hidden away. That's why Osysa smacked Vox Machina around before telling them about them, to make sure they were worthy heroes and not selfish mercenaries who would use the vestiges for evil.
It’s not that the Vestiges of Divergence cannot be used by mortals, it’s that they are so powerful and destructive that they were deemed too dangerous to be in the hands of average people. Too dangerous to be wielded by mortals, even though they CAN be wielded by mortals. Side note, Percy is the only full human in the group.
I scrolled too far to find someone who brought this up. Yes, the vestiges aren't so powerful they cannot be wielded by mortals. They can be wielded by mortals. And any race can use them. They are just extremely rare items.
The vestiges were designed for mortals during the age known as the calamity, a time when the gods waged war against one another. One side fighting for humanity, one set on destroying humanity. Vasselheim is the only city left standing from before that time. The vestiges were created, typically weilded by that gods champion, to help defeat the gods known as the betrayers
when laura started to make fun of "purvan" (which was in the same critial cole episode, including sams pedobear joke) matt said "oh boy your on the way to a tpk" so it was just the most karma thing that SHE died later xD (also fun when laura did roll a 1 as save vs the damage, sam joked "instant death" and yes it was xD)
I just love Liam and Laura's relationship and how they transferred it into and explored it in the game. They're soulmates and DnD gave them an opportunity to act like actual twins, including a shared past as young siblings. The relationship was pretty meta, but made it very immersive and believable. To me it's one of the main reasons why campaign 1 will always stand out. Liam is the one who got me into Critical Role in the first place. I was intrigued by these adults playing play-pretend, but I wanted to know how immersed they could get, as in not just them goofing around, but being so invested, that they might even drop a tear or two. Because to me that just makes it more real and the fun and happy moments all the more wonderful. When Vax was close to dying after their first encounter with the Briarwoods, he described what essentially were his last thoughts and thus turned an "oh shit"-moment into something melancholic and beautiful. That's when I knew I'd stick with them. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is something I look for in reaction videos as well. People who are invested and empathetic like you. Everything else sometimes seems so dull and soulless to me.
I've been really enjoying your reactions and just wish I could give you a hug watching this. Thank you for being comfortable enough to share these raw emotions with us. I hope you are well and look forward to your future reactions.
The moment that changed fucking everything. As if the dragons were not enough, this added GRAVITY. As amazing as the adaptation is, holy crap did this moment hit in the campaign. When you truly see how close and how bad the rolls are, it’s so much more dire. God I love this show, and god I love Liam O’Brien
21:38 Well, at least your shirt was very fitting for this episode... 🥲 That moment during the campaign was definitely a heartstopper. And the way they animated here with the flashbacks to Vex and Vax's childhood was really heartbreaking. Even though I knew it was gonna happen, it was really hard not to get emotional. I've been really enjoying your reactions and I can't wait to see next week.
Fun fact! The Calamity Osysa talked about last episode, which reshaped Exandria, and some of the events that led up to it, were at the centre of the third Exandria Unlimited spin-off mini-campaign (with a different DM and a mix of regular and guest star players). Well, in EXU: Calamity (NOT a spoiler), Perv-On (the dead guy in the tomb) makes a (very minor) cameo appearance. Sam Riegel's (who plays Scanlan in Campaign 1) gut reaction at Perv-On's surprise appearance? " _F@€# that guy!_ " 🤬
22:53 (Can't remember the name Kashaw aka: Kash for short) calls him "Flirty McFlirtface" Hahahaha. Actually, IIRC, when he guest starred in their campaign and flirted with Keyleth, I think that was actually one of the first times romance had been introduced into the story.
19:30 No matter how many times I watch this episode or the moment in the campaign, I get teary-eyed every single time. 😢 Liam’s emotion is just gut-wrenching (he was going through it in his personal life at the time in the campaign).
19:01 The true brilliance of why this entire episode hits like a ton of bricks in the feels is because of Neal Acree's score. The swelling strings, the urgent but lethargic pace as Vax admits that he needs Vex in the flashback, and then there are no sounds but three piano chords and some interspersed lead in notes, and Liam O'Brian's excellent voice acting as he sobs over Vex's death.
Yeah, the original campaign hit just as hard, and you can see why so many have fallen so in love with these characters, actors, and the story they wove.
Man, as a day 1 critter, this show is such a joy to have. Having people like you, that had never heard of their stories before, react and share the laughs and tears that all the critters did years ago is so dam satisfying! It's so cool to finally get to share these with more people, considering how niche their DnD campaign is. And the best part is that it only gets better (worse) from here, I swear! Oh and the things that are yet to come.... I just CANNOT wait to see your reactions to those, it will be a ride! Love the content, keep it up (very please). Welcome to the critter community, it won't be easy, but it will be dam worth it! In the words of our prophet Matthew Mercer: "Is it Thursday yet?"
She never said mortals can't wield the vestiges, she said they were deemed too dangerous for mortals to wield, ie mortals would be too dangerous wielding them. They were so powerful they were scattered and hidden so that these god-killer weapons wouldn't fall into the wrong hands.
They're all such amazing voice actors, while I've only watched parts of the actual campaigns (I tried to keep up with the new one but 4 hours every Friday is hard to follow!), I find that each of the campaigns they showcase some amazing depth in their acting. While I'm loving Vox Machina, I'm even more excited for The Mighty Nein.
Virtual hug from an internet friend. We know this is tough for you. You are brave with being open in talking about it being tough, and it is one of the many reason many of us keep coming back to the channel. We are here waiting for episode 4-6 with you, and for your reaction.
I know what it's like to feel certain things so strongly, I have had a lot of loss and a lot of trauma, and a lot of these things brings back a lot of my trauma but thats why I watch those things it lets me let it out and I just love this story from the first campaign to this series. what does hurt more is seeing others emotions and I'm glad we can get through it and still enjoy this stuff. I'm new to your channel and just your personality alone made me hit that subscribe button
We feel you love. For a lot of us this is the second time we cried to vax losing vex. Ive watxhed 3 or 4 reactions to this now and ive cried each time.
I’m coming in late, but in case nobody cleared things up for you, humans can wield the vestiges just fine. Humans aren’t any less magical or capable than any of the other “humanoid” races. Elves, gnomes, tieflings, half-orcs, etc are all just different races with different origins in the world of critical role. What the explanation of the vestiges meant last episode was that the gods thought they were too powerful for mortals to wield (meaning all of the non-god races) and so hid them away from the mortals. The “calamity” that they were made in was actually something like a mortal uprising against the gods and several of the vestiges were made to kill the gods. Hence why the gods aren’t keen on them being used. It’s a little more complicated than that and the gods also made vestiges for their champions, but I hope things are a bit clearer now.
@funnylilgalreacts Liam is known for being the master of being low key for a good chunk of the beginning of a campaign, then when he sees his moment he flips the switch and becomes the most depressing character. Which for some campaigns is saying alot.
Def agree on the facial hair point, men look great with it as long as it's kept under control and out of my way lmao Great reaction as usual, it was gripping watching that scene for me too. Watching it back, the foreshadowing in the episode is on point, really sets you up for the big moment. Even with the little things like the scene at the start and Grog's shenanigans with the dungeon layout there was definitely some underlying hidden themes there.
I work in dentistry and wear magnifying glasses (loupes) and beard and mustache hair in the way it not only annoying but GROSS. Well maintained facial hair is such a turn on 👀
_Hey, team, we just had a character death this episode. How do you want to roll credits? I know, we'll just hear Liam O'Brien cry for two minutes._ - said a monster
Quick correction, it's not that mortals *can't* wield the vestiges, it's more that the gods felt it was too much power to put into mortal hands. Like giving a child a loaded gun. The entire party consists of mortals (with one potential exception, but we won't get into that yet).
Grog finds an obvious pressure plate "That's dangerous. I don't want anyone to stumble over this" STOMP He's so dumb, but so precious as well (and handsome with that beard) xD
When Matt Mercer is the dungeon master, you can't count on death not being permanent. It is a possibility in his games, he has a special set of rules for it. Love your channel.❤
"I hope it doesn't end in a huge cliffhanger..."
Oh, you sweet Summer child. When you say things like that, the spirit of Matt Mercer laughs just a bit louder.
😂😂😂
@@funnylilgalreacts Matt Mercer is the King of cliffhangers. Funny thing is he does it on stream too. The cast hate it as do we all.
@@JustSomeDudee You know it has been a great episode when the last thing you hear before the stream cuts out is just an outraged "MATTHEW MERCER!!" or a chorus of very vocal protests lmao
"So that's where we're gonna end up for tonight guys"
@@JustSomeDudee Nah, you just hate that you love it. As does the cast.
IRL when they did this dungeon crawl, Liam (Vax) was having a hard time. His mother had been diagnosed with cancer and Liam himself was having inner ear problems. He was world was spinning both emotionally and physically. Matt Mercer is one of the most empathatic people on the planet so he gave them the Deathwatcher's Ward as the first item quest as a chance to let Liam shine and give him a safe space to explore his feelings.
Being DnD and the characters not doing what the DM expected (Percy being an idiot), Matt had to pivot and it literally changed his plans for Vax for the whole campaign. Liam has said repeatedly that DnD is what got him through the dark times. Liam now campaigns to use RPGs as therapy because of his experience.
I truly love Liam O'Brien. He is an inspiration. Him, and his nerdy-ass friends. ❤
And Matt took that sudden redirect and MASTERFULLY and seamlessly weaved it into the overall story.
@@testfire3000 Without Liam there would be no Critical Role. His birthday wish in 2012 is what started their regular homegame.
@@Quotenwagnerianer Yep, he and Laura shared a birthday and the rest is history. Love it!
Not exactly true. There were originally 7 vestiges, each one with a character/player in mind which were briefly mentioned before these events. The Deathwalker's Ward was originally created for Talisan which is why it had a raven motif to it. Talisan grabbed it knowing this which triggered the trap and accidently killed Vex. After this happened Matt had to make an 8th vestige so that Talisan could have one, and this is why Vax ends up with 2 vestiges.
Will Friedle, who played Kasha Vesh in the campaign and reprised the role in 'The Legend of Vox Machina', was Marisha Rey's teenage crush from his time on 'Boy Meets World' and 'Batman Beyond'. So Keyleth flirting with Kash is half in character, and half her geeking out over meeting her teen crush.
Not to mention Kash was Keyleth's first kiss before the Briarwood arc!
I didn't know that, that's adorable!
@@phoenixdzk That's kind of a spoiler. Kiki hasn't been in Vasselheim in the series, so it's probably going to happen in a future episode. They are definitely setting up for it.
That’s awesome
Will Friedle also hosted a show for Critical Role called Mini Primetime. He teaches CR cast members how to paint mini figures while he interviews then and it is hilarious.
Percy, the world's most guilty man, getting his crush killed. Dude is going to wallow in self loathing.
I hope they have him showering her in apology gifts like he did in the campaign. He felt SO bad.
Because of the harder nature of the episode, here's some more light-hearted fun facts:
Since you asked about the belt, in-game, it's called the Belt of Dwarvenkind. It gives a boost to Constitution (which I'm sure others have mentioned partially determines your health points/overall hardiness), the ability to see in the dark to an extent, resistance to poison (like some dwarves have inherently) and better chances on some charisma-based rolls when interacting with actual dwarves. And, of course, it has a chance of the wearer growing a beard, or a thicker, more dwarf-esque one if the wearer already has facial hair!
And in terms of that specific interaction, the belt doesn't give the beard part to races that can't grow facial hair normally. Grog's race - Goliaths, or I think they called them Half-Giants to avoid D&D copyright - can't actually grow hair. Not the males, at least. But when Matt heard Travis (Grog's player) get super excited about growing a beard, he decided to let it slide anyway so Travis could just have fun with a beard. And as a result, we now have the most iconic look for Grog Strongjaw!
You also get one of the best on-stream pranks done between cast members... :)
And true understanding of the phrase "is it Thursday yet?" Sets in as we wait another week lol
"I was gone for 30 seconds! What the hell happened?" is a quote from the campaign, which Liam said as soon as his character returned from scouting ahead, even though he was at the table and heard everything that happened - a great piece of roleplaying, staying in character an all that.
In campaign, Percy made his saving throw, but Vex and Trinket failed theirs. Trinket's HP was reduced by 59 until he took a long rest, but Vex had less that 59 hp after the previous fight, so she went unconscious and because she was dropped to 0 hp she died as an effect of the spell - no death saves.
Additional context - normally if you drop to 0HP or less, you are "unconscious" and dying. You have 3 chances to save yourself with death saving rolls. Certain things can cause automatic failures, like taking more hits.
There are two ways that you can automatically die with no saves. If the damage you take drops you to negative of your max (so if you have 105HP max, and you take 105 points of damage after hitting zero).
The other is what happened here. There are different types of damage you can take. Things like fire, ice, acid, poison, piercing, bludgeon, etc. Getting stabbed by a sword would be piercing. Getting stabbed by a flaming sword would be fire and piercing. Necromatic damage is special. If necromatic damages causes you to hit 0HP, you're automatically dead. No saves.
This is also why Keyleth, and Scanlan (and Pike, but we don't see that here) were able to heal Cassandra and Keyleth. They hit 0HP, but were only unconscious, not dead yet. Vex being hit with necromancy was just dead.
@@cryofpaine that's half-true, but its not a wrong assumption. Damage type is not the reason for automatic death, its a function of this trap/spell. Think of disintegrate (no idea how to spell it). But that details are not relevant. Im just typing this cuz when the rule lawyers show up they will surely go on about it :)
I generally think Liam is the best at staying in character of the CR cast. This does not mean the others are bad and more how great he is at that. Also it´s not only his speaking but also his mannerisms. Pretty much throughout all of campaign 2 he always looks broody and nervous just like his character is supposed to be.
@@JBasilix In campaign one, it seemed like that. It's when you get to campaign 2 and especially 3 that you can see others - especially Marisha and Laura - doing it too. I think that's one reason why Marisha got so much hate in the first campaign. They saw her acting like Keyleth and assumed that that's who she was. So they saw her as awkward and naïve, and combined with playing a mechanically complicated character, and making choices that might not be optimal for the sake of character, they got the impression that she didn't know what she was doing. There have been a lot of people who have said they didn't like Marisha in campaign one, but campaign 2 made them realize how wrong they were.
@@cryofpaine I don't know if you misunderstood me or just went on a tangent but just to clarify: As said in the previous comment I think Liam is the best at staying in character but that doesn't mean the others are bad at it. It's just that his performance is the most consistent throughout all three campaigns.
I heard about all the "hate" Marisha got throughout campaign 1. I got into CR way later around when C2 was nearing its end I think. However all I thought when I heard about it was how dumb people are. Those are the same people that hate on Jack Gleeson for playing a fantastic Joffrey in GoT.
Man Liam can just rip your heart out of your body with his words...
The Death of Vex hit us all so hard, watching it happen in real time. What really was the ultimate gut punch was Vax, Liam O'Brien's acting. He didn't know this was coming of course, and it was at a very dark time in his personal life, so he took it very hard. But like a true actor, he never broke character and channeled all his pain, grief, frustration and rage into one of the most moving and masterful performances I have ever seen at their table. I wept openly just watching it.
25:23 "A bit of an Indiana Jones vibe when they are going (through the tomb)". Well, the name of the game is *Dungeons* and Dragons. A lot of adventuring can take place in underground labyrinths, caves, tombs or caverns. Any underground adventure is termed "a dungeon" in game terms. Typically lots of traps, secret doors, etc.
When you were first reacting to Vex and Vax being co-dependant I was thinking of this moment. Liam O Brian is very very good at making me cry all the time. And to think they are twins because the actors have the same birth date and both wanted to play half elves :D
Liam is the big "make the audience cry" guy if you ask me lol
@@justjester5682 Yeah.....true....but not as much as when the clown cried. (you know who, & you know when ;)
@@justjester5682 Snowdrops ;)
@@fan-i-amOk, but half of that was above the table feels. No less real, obviously, arguably more so, but Liam I think has the most "I want to crawl through my screen and hug this character" moments.
SPOILERS (SORT OF)
I'm only grateful this isn't Campaign 2 Liam making me cry. Lol
Grog setting off a bunch of traps constantly is both because Grog has 6 intelligence (average for a sentient being in dnd is 10, for reference) and because Grog's player/voice, Travis Willingham, is the type of player who wants to press every bright red button he comes across even if the button is labeled "trap" or "death".
Oh. I’m part Grog. Never saw a button I didn’t want to push…
Matt Mercer puts "red buttons" in at times specifically because he knows Travis will push them.
Well, Grog can’t read so… haha
No spoilers: When this happened during the livestream, several rolls were involved. One was important enough that Matthew Mercer took his phone out and took a photo of the dice to post online as proof of what just happened.
I’m going to watch the whole thing after the next set of episodes drop. I watched what happened. But not the aftermath.
The group actually laughed at Matt's naming of Purvan at the table as he hadn't clicked to what it sounds like... and Laura (Vex) is a huuuge child.
Laura and Sam. 🤣😂 If you don't think your names through, those two will roast you forever.
@@ShadowyFox_86 100% Matt needs to sit alone and speak them out loud... if there is a joke... they will find it.
Laura is frequently referred to as the "resident 13 year old".
They're in campaign 3 now and they are still finding ways to make fun of the names he comes up with xD
@@alanjhargreaves I love watching Travis look at her when Matt says something dodge.
If I recall correctly, the cast was saying that designers were upset that the first grog design will be without a beard. Him with a beard is the iconic look for the streams.
Yep. Travis mentions it during a Watchalong. They did several pieces of concept art with the beard and although he loved them, they had to be scrapped until this season.
I remember many fans watching the preview of the first season, and complaining that Grog was beardless, and had to be reminded that Grog was originally beardless (though he did get it before this point) because it was how we all remember him.
The emotion evoked at the end of this episode I think is truly a testament to Laura Bailey and Liam O'Brien's talent as a voice actors.
As you said, I think most fans (who didn't watch the campaign) probably were more annoyed by Vex and Vax's sibling relationship at this point.
They turned that all around in the space of ONE episode. THAT'S TALENT.
I personally think their sibling relationship was written realy good. For me the point where it turned from good to realy good was the episode where Vax was under the spell of Lord Briarwood.
The line "dont ever to that to me again, I was ready to kill you just now" was delivered so perfectly it gets me every time.
@@thefiendish186 It was written really well, yes, but that is because it was built on really solid source material - i.e. the relationship that Laura and Liam created through their actual play in the campaign. They played it so well you could be forgiven if you thought they actually were siblings IRL.
Critical Role is amazing for stories that hit you where your heart is…but the cast has said before and I will share with you gently here- please be sure to take care of yourself when these stories hit too close to home. Your reactions are delightful and I enjoy them but I hope they never come at the cost of your well-being. All the hugs your way.
💓💓💓🙏🙏🙏
1000% this. As much as I love this series, if it's going to negatively affect someone, absolutely be willing to step away if it's for your best interest and well-being!
The way they set this episode up... is just... masterful. I've seen it 3 times already and the cliffhanger still feels like a gut-punch.
Now imagine what Percy’s going through mentally. HE egged her on. HE didn’t wait. HE set off the trap.
The Cursed Heir. Unable to be trusted. The sphinx’s words are probably screaming through his mind.
And the best part? He just got his sister back! And now he just cost one of his best friends theirs!
That is heartbreaking.
Hindsight being 20/20, I think Percy and Vex could have clued in that going to a temple for the goddess of Death to retrieve her champion's artifact could, you know, involve some specifically deadly traps. Vax was being overprotective as usual, but was also very much clear about how the place would have lethal traps to look out for and that he was their best first line of defense against them.
Now, we have Vex dead on the ground, and you have to believe Percy is going to feel tremendous, overwhelming guilt over his rash decision. With him already feeling cursed and like he couldn't possibly make up for his past failings and the burdens he's placed on his friends, this won't make it any easier to bear.
Can't imagine the storm of emotions rushing through Vax's head in that moment. And kudos to Scanlan in calling for him, knowing he would want to know immediately what happened to Vex.
And yeah, can't wait for Pike to be able to talk to Grog about what's going on with the sword. That thing's bad news.
IRL it was such a perfect example of players letting their guard down while looting after a fight. Can't imagine anyone not being guilty of that at least once in a game.
As I recall during the campaign, at one point it got mentioned that Percy did feel extreme guilt over her getting killed by his brash move. I can't remember if it was in character it was mentioned or in one of the Talks Machina episode or campaign wrap up.
In the campaign, Liam kept telling everyone that they are going into the domain of death and they couldn't do their normal shennagins not fearing the consequences. If I remember right, he stepped out of character to say let me do my thing this one time. Matt would nod his head "you need to listen to him".
>Percy is going to feel tremendous, overwhelming guilt over his rash decision.
Add it to the pile.
@@lokithecat7225 too bad it lasted barely a half story beat. *😉* Until it got her killed. Dead. Right? Or what exactly are you meaning in these episodes so far? Because she's dead, you must mean the free stuff at Gilmore's? Or did I miss something?
the first minuite-ish of the video, tiny Percy pops up like "Am I a joke to you?" is brilliant and 100% speaks for his inhumanly sassy win-itude.
I think your sweatshirt says it all about you. I'm so sorry that this was particularly difficult for you. I'm new here, but from what I've seen, you are a very genuine and kind soul. Your channel is great!
🖤🖤
That's exactly the vibe that draws me. You should check her Last of Us if you haven't! She's watching that blind, too. Since I know very few, even my parents played the Last t of Us 1 and 2, so blind series reactions are awesome!!
@@chipsalom Thanks! I'll definitely check that out!
Grogs beard had a long history to it in the original campaign. It took him a while to actually grow it, and at one point Vax snuck in on Grog while he was sleeping and shaved off half of it. (Travis actually broke a mechanical pencil because of that.😂) So it was a really nice Easter egg to have that in there, even though he grew it right back.
Purvon Sul was not Matt's FIRST reminder to really workshop how immature minds might see an NPC's name but probably the most hilariously long-running and famous one. Kash very much channeling Matt with the "You guys suck."
Kash and Zarha aren't terrible people, maybe just a little TOO like some of the Vox Machina members at times. In the actual campaign there was a little less rivalry so I find it a bit weird here, but curious where it'll go.
There was a pretty big rivalry right at first, but it felt different. Like more challenging each other than the outright antagonism, if that makes sense.
Its probably because they are mostly meeting each other for the first time here. in the original campaign they went to vassilheim before the whitestone arc and met them then.
This reaction was what finally got me to subscribe. “Do not go far from me” wrecks me utterly every single time I hear it, and it always has ever since I first heard it in the stream. Great reaction. Please self-care as well ❤️
🖤🖤
I feel your pain. I've watched 20 (literally) reactions to this episode and it still makes me weep openly EVERY TIME. I still cry watching s1e4 and s1e11 reactions every time as well, its crazy how much you grow to love these characters.
Oh my god me too.
@@testfire3000 me three
God this is gonna sound mean, creepy, and weird, I promise it's not, but I love it when you cry when watching shows. It's so raw, genuine, and emotional, and it enhances the emotions I feel for an already emotional scene and makes you stand out from other reactors. It's why I subbed back when you reacted to Arcane.
Ditto!
Agreed! 😃 I refeel all the feels when I'm watching Angela react. ❤🧡💛💙💚💜
I genuinely worry about you for s5 of Expanse. You are entirely human, and respond to things that happen. You get hit hard, and it brings out my response. Love your channel, love your responses.
When we 'enjoy' seeing reactors cry it's because it's an emotional connection. It's nice to see someone feeling what we feel...
Yeah I’m gonna chime in and say that I’ve been waiting for THIS channel’s reaction to THIS episode. The raw real emotion is nice, and I love that it is supported by intelligent and thought out explanation.
I don't think the facts about the belt are particularly spoilery, but I'll put them behind a cut just in case for spoiler sensitive people (I'm one myself!)
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The belt is a Belt of Dwarvenkind, and does have other effects (including making the wearer able to read Dwarven writing, which doesn't help Grog because he can't read at all). The beard is really more of a fun flavor on the item, and the other effects are typically more useful, but Travis was especially excited about Grog getting a beard (and my experience of the Critter community is that we all generally prefer him with a beard as well). As a half-giant, Grog typically would not grow facial hair, but the power of the belt made it possible (in game after the characters would take a rest, he would roll a d100 to see if the beard would grow), which is why he's so excited. Most members of his race would not have a beard, and certainly not such a glorious one!
It also grants a +2 to Constitution, which for Grog means a +1 to AC, too.
Aren't Goliths incapable of growing any bodily hair? Long time since i played
Grog with a beard, omg I can't believe i'm saying this looks like Kraytos. lmao
@@dam_ly Yes, you're right, for the most part.
A few of them can sometimes grow a little bit of hair on their heads and/or faces, but it usually takes them a long time to grow any, and even then, any hair that manages to grow at all usually grows in very thin, scraggly, and patchy.
It also gives him Advantage on all Charisma rolls with all other Dwarves (basically, Dwarves find him more charming, and they can be more easily swayed to believe what he says)
Onysa called Percy the cursed child begging to be trusted. Now, he’s done this.
The way Matt crafts a story so that his players think they have all this slack to fuck around in when in reality he is weaving an intricate web and waiting for just the right moment to pull it all taught is really amazing.
There is more to Grog's belt, but the key thing, for him at least, is that it lets him grow a beard. Grog's race is Goliath and Goliaths can't naturally grow facial hair. So even if it did nothing else this belt is truly a wondrous item to him.
That one that he pulls with Vecna is the ultimate and cruelest instance of him tricking the players.
The reaction to Purvan Sul's name was genuinely taken straight from the reactions at the table during the livestream.
The twins are half elven, their father took them away from their human mother to Syngorn to try and give them a proper education, but the elves never treated them equally. By the time they grew up and travelled back to their mother's town of Byroden, it had been razed by a dragon, hence Vex's obsession with studying them.
Syldor 's played by Troy Baker (Joel from the last of us games), and is a very close friend of the main cast, especially Ashley (Pike) who played Ellie
I find it interesting how the flashbacks from this episode completely recontextualizes that exchange from season 1 between Vex and Vax.
Vex: "I keep thinking about when we left Syngorn."
Vax: "Hmm. Yeah? Screw that place. And Father. Whole thing nearly broke us."
Vex: "Nearly. But it didn't. Because we stuck together. We didn't let ourselves get distracted by pretty things."
While Vex was referring to Keyleth in that moment, she was also personally relating to being "distracted" by the trappings of elven nobility and the desire to belong in that world. She is relating her own vulnerable blind spot to Vax's, and we couldn't possibly notice until a whole season later. Good fucking -bear- writing.
As always, great insight.
It also gives some extra emphasis to the exchange later in the campaign between Percy and the twins father
@@darksydedigital well yeah, but that hasn't happened yet. When talking to folks who haven't watched the campaign, I want them to have the same experience that I had, which is a completely blank slate. The internet is a minefield of spoilers already, I don't want to contribute to it.
@@thehikingviking2049 and the way I put it those who have seen the campaign know what I'm talking about and for those who havent or will not see campaign 1it ruins nothing.
@@darksydedigital it reveals that two characters who most would never expect to meet did, in fact, meet, and it reveals that their exchange was meaningful
02:06 I love that Victor mentions "business is booming" because he's had two customers in a week.
If you’re enjoying the brother/sister dynamics now, I recommend reading the novel they put out about the twins, Kith and Kin. It’s a nice exploration of the two, both together and apart.
I loved the audiobook.
@@Viehdieb
Me too!
This episode really does shake people. I’m not far enough into the campaign yet to know how they fix this, but as a twin brother, if I ever lost my sister like that, I’m pretty sure the world would burn. 🥺
Mortals can wield the vestiges, like they physically can. They were just deemed too dangerous to let anyone pick up and use. So they were only given to the gods' chosen champions. After the Divergence the gods hid them away.
I think I feel the show more when I rewatch it through your reactions. Thanks for being this vulnerable to a bunch of strangers
In the campaign, when the death ward triggered and they had to make a Dexterity roll, Laura B. rolled a natural 1 while Taliesin rolled 21. When Matt described the consequences, Laura's hand went to her chest and her mouth and eyes went wide.
Death Ward is a spell that protects you from death. Matt described it a a "burst of death energy".
@@mavoc3094 If I understand correctly, there was a spell on the death ward? Touching the death ward triggered the spell?
@@spf4yt I think you mean Glyph, not Ward.
@@mavoc3094 They means there was a spell on the death walkers ward. I don't think they are talking about the spell Death Ward. They're talking about the armour the death walkers ward. But couldn't remember the full name of the armour... And it is a bit of a mouthful, so I don't blame them.
I really got emotional during the death scene. Especially that the score was so familiar. Then I saw the end credits. The music was written by Neal Acree. I always listen to his music when doing some art stuff.
He also did season 1s music.
This episode of the stream was the big "oh crap, this show is different" for a lot of us.
C1 ep 44 the Sunken tomb, was the moment I became addicted to Critical Role, I made my first CR highlight afterwards. I think you found this moment too in this ep, We love you Vexy much and keenly await your reaction to the next eps. You are a Critter now ❤❤
wonderful, empathetic reaction. the answers to all your questions are coming - including one that is far more important than you know right now. they really will be giving every member character the same opportunities that Percy and Pike had last season, and I can't wait to see how you respond this coming week.
It’s funny how long it took Travis to get that beard on Grog. He had to roll once an in-game day and hit the right score. Goliath’s, such as Grog, normally have no body hair, but Travis wanted to have a beard. Matt basically created that belt in the game just for Travis.
This episode shows why it’s so, so important to have someone on your team who’s proficient with ‘check for traps.’ Bigger the dungeon. The more serious the traps.
Been looking forward to this all day. Really enjoying your channel.
"Edit" Grogs new sword is named Craven Edge.
I was going to say that is a spoiler (kinda is) but in the credits they do show Matt Mercer as the voice of Craven Edge... so...
@@testfire3000 And it is in the subtitles...again
Liam O’Brian showcase episode. What a performance
As an aside….if all of this talk of gods and calamity picques your interest, Critical Role did a four-part miniseries called C A L A M I T Y that runs about 20 hours of live dnd play featuring a mix of Critical Role’s voice actors (Keyleth’s Marisha Ray, Scanlan’s Sam Riegel & Grog’s Travis Williamham) and Dimension 20’d Aabria Iyengar and Lou Wilson and an actor, Luis Carazo. It is run by Brennan Lee Mulligan (Professional dungeon master and comedian). Set 1000 years before Vox Machina, it explores a time when gods and mortals coexisted and magic was ever present. It’s the finest DND you’ll ever watch, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll fall in love.
I tried watching it once and couldn't get past the first 20 minutes. I will take another run at it.
@@testfire3000 it heats up quickly. Peak storytelling
@@OptionZero Good to know! It is on my menu for this week then.
It is one of the greatest storytelling in all mediums for me, along with FMAB: Brotherhood.
Loving all the Critter comments. Thanks guys! Angela - did you call him Groggles?
POSSIBLE SPOILER (A clip from the Actual Campaign containing the end of this Reaction from the Cast)
ruclips.net/video/KHsA0R_GovU/видео.html
Worth noting that people who haven't seen the campaign should be careful watching the actual broadcast as the events from the stream do not end with Vex dying, and will cover some things that will happen in the next episode.
@@wyverntark Which is why I added the Possible Spoiler, but thanks for adding the disclaimer as well!
@@RenegadeGamerr For sure! I think the discussion the players all have at the end of the streamed session processing Vex's death is really interesting, and will be fun for folks watching the show for the first time to see.
It's interesting how they broke this up (though not at all surprising that they wanted to have this be the cliffhanger going into the week long break) because it makes us fans who want to share clips to friends and reactor channels who haven't watched the stream need to be a bit careful how we refer to it. I agree it's a great moment to watch happen on stream, but might be worth waiting until next week after the next few episodes have dropped if you're not familiar with how the story goes.
Really looking forward to next week!
Sending all the hugs before I watch this one! Rough way to end the weeks arc of eps , especially when you don't know what is coming
Being a Twin myself, that is as close as Vex and Vax. This episode broke me. I wouldn't know what I would personally do if I had saw that. and I am sorry you have dealt with a loss.
To clarify about the vestiges, they can be wielded by anyone, but they're incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands, so many were intentionally hidden away. That's why Osysa smacked Vox Machina around before telling them about them, to make sure they were worthy heroes and not selfish mercenaries who would use the vestiges for evil.
She kinda swooned a little when Grog got a beard 😂
"Oh-Oooh..." 😂
That beard is VERY swoon worthy 😈
@@funnylilgalreacts He does look really cool with a beard 😂😎
Like Drax and Kratos put together
It’s not that the Vestiges of Divergence cannot be used by mortals, it’s that they are so powerful and destructive that they were deemed too dangerous to be in the hands of average people. Too dangerous to be wielded by mortals, even though they CAN be wielded by mortals.
Side note, Percy is the only full human in the group.
I scrolled too far to find someone who brought this up. Yes, the vestiges aren't so powerful they cannot be wielded by mortals. They can be wielded by mortals. And any race can use them. They are just extremely rare items.
All the hugs! Another great reaction. Grog has to be my favorite of all of Travis's characters.
The vestiges were designed for mortals during the age known as the calamity, a time when the gods waged war against one another. One side fighting for humanity, one set on destroying humanity. Vasselheim is the only city left standing from before that time. The vestiges were created, typically weilded by that gods champion, to help defeat the gods known as the betrayers
when laura started to make fun of "purvan" (which was in the same critial cole episode, including sams pedobear joke) matt said "oh boy your on the way to a tpk" so it was just the most karma thing that SHE died later xD (also fun when laura did roll a 1 as save vs the damage, sam joked "instant death" and yes it was xD)
I just love Liam and Laura's relationship and how they transferred it into and explored it in the game. They're soulmates and DnD gave them an opportunity to act like actual twins, including a shared past as young siblings. The relationship was pretty meta, but made it very immersive and believable. To me it's one of the main reasons why campaign 1 will always stand out.
Liam is the one who got me into Critical Role in the first place. I was intrigued by these adults playing play-pretend, but I wanted to know how immersed they could get, as in not just them goofing around, but being so invested, that they might even drop a tear or two. Because to me that just makes it more real and the fun and happy moments all the more wonderful.
When Vax was close to dying after their first encounter with the Briarwoods, he described what essentially were his last thoughts and thus turned an "oh shit"-moment into something melancholic and beautiful. That's when I knew I'd stick with them.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is something I look for in reaction videos as well. People who are invested and empathetic like you. Everything else sometimes seems so dull and soulless to me.
Tears were definitely shed this episode, can’t wait for next week!
8:30 Apparently Grog's beard took him from maybe a 6 to a solid 9 in your eyes judging by the reaction.
I mean beards elevate an aesthetic 🤌🤌
Always hard to be real on social media, so thank you for talking through that and being real with us! And thanks for more reactions and talk through!
fun fact Vax is the older Twin, he is 2 minutes older than Vex
He's also VERY slightly taller than her which is why his nickname for her is Stubby. Lol
I've been really enjoying your reactions and just wish I could give you a hug watching this. Thank you for being comfortable enough to share these raw emotions with us. I hope you are well and look forward to your future reactions.
It doesn’t matter how many times I see that I cry every freaking time.
They're half-elven. Their mother was human and killed by a red dragon when they were young which led them to live with their father for a short time.
The moment that changed fucking everything. As if the dragons were not enough, this added GRAVITY. As amazing as the adaptation is, holy crap did this moment hit in the campaign. When you truly see how close and how bad the rolls are, it’s so much more dire.
God I love this show, and god I love Liam O’Brien
21:38 Well, at least your shirt was very fitting for this episode... 🥲
That moment during the campaign was definitely a heartstopper. And the way they animated here with the flashbacks to Vex and Vax's childhood was really heartbreaking. Even though I knew it was gonna happen, it was really hard not to get emotional.
I've been really enjoying your reactions and I can't wait to see next week.
Much love and big hugs to you
Fun fact!
The Calamity Osysa talked about last episode, which reshaped Exandria, and some of the events that led up to it, were at the centre of the third Exandria Unlimited spin-off mini-campaign (with a different DM and a mix of regular and guest star players).
Well, in EXU: Calamity (NOT a spoiler), Perv-On (the dead guy in the tomb) makes a (very minor) cameo appearance.
Sam Riegel's (who plays Scanlan in Campaign 1) gut reaction at Perv-On's surprise appearance?
" _F@€# that guy!_ " 🤬
The cruelest cliff hanger in all of media 😭
Liam went too hard on this performance 😭😭😭
You're going to love the broom :)
22:53 (Can't remember the name Kashaw aka: Kash for short) calls him "Flirty McFlirtface" Hahahaha.
Actually, IIRC, when he guest starred in their campaign and flirted with Keyleth, I think that was actually one of the first times romance had been introduced into the story.
19:27 Same, girl. Same. The tears in any case.
19:30 No matter how many times I watch this episode or the moment in the campaign, I get teary-eyed every single time. 😢
Liam’s emotion is just gut-wrenching (he was going through it in his personal life at the time in the campaign).
19:01 The true brilliance of why this entire episode hits like a ton of bricks in the feels is because of Neal Acree's score. The swelling strings, the urgent but lethargic pace as Vax admits that he needs Vex in the flashback, and then there are no sounds but three piano chords and some interspersed lead in notes, and Liam O'Brian's excellent voice acting as he sobs over Vex's death.
Yeah, the original campaign hit just as hard, and you can see why so many have fallen so in love with these characters, actors, and the story they wove.
It wasn't the ward that killed her. it was a trap on the coffin itself, the trigger was linked to the ward. thats why you saw the symbols appear
The flashbacks with Vex and Vax are actually from a prequel comic called "Kith and Kin"
*novel
"actually Grog's a six" Let's not bring his Intelligence into this.
Man, as a day 1 critter, this show is such a joy to have. Having people like you, that had never heard of their stories before, react and share the laughs and tears that all the critters did years ago is so dam satisfying! It's so cool to finally get to share these with more people, considering how niche their DnD campaign is. And the best part is that it only gets better (worse) from here, I swear! Oh and the things that are yet to come.... I just CANNOT wait to see your reactions to those, it will be a ride!
Love the content, keep it up (very please). Welcome to the critter community, it won't be easy, but it will be dam worth it! In the words of our prophet Matthew Mercer: "Is it Thursday yet?"
She never said mortals can't wield the vestiges, she said they were deemed too dangerous for mortals to wield, ie mortals would be too dangerous wielding them. They were so powerful they were scattered and hidden so that these god-killer weapons wouldn't fall into the wrong hands.
Pain. This scene is always so painful. But so beautifully portrayed by the characters
I don't know if they can call it by it's name, but Grog's belt is a "Belt of Dwarvenkind".
its not that they were too strong for mortals to wield - its more of a 'such power should not be wielded by mortals'.
someone needs to cover that ending piano piece NOW
They're all such amazing voice actors, while I've only watched parts of the actual campaigns (I tried to keep up with the new one but 4 hours every Friday is hard to follow!), I find that each of the campaigns they showcase some amazing depth in their acting. While I'm loving Vox Machina, I'm even more excited for The Mighty Nein.
Virtual hug from an internet friend. We know this is tough for you.
You are brave with being open in talking about it being tough, and it is one of the many reason many of us keep coming back to the channel. We are here waiting for episode 4-6 with you, and for your reaction.
I know what it's like to feel certain things so strongly, I have had a lot of loss and a lot of trauma, and a lot of these things brings back a lot of my trauma but thats why I watch those things it lets me let it out and I just love this story from the first campaign to this series. what does hurt more is seeing others emotions and I'm glad we can get through it and still enjoy this stuff. I'm new to your channel and just your personality alone made me hit that subscribe button
We feel you love. For a lot of us this is the second time we cried to vax losing vex. Ive watxhed 3 or 4 reactions to this now and ive cried each time.
I’m coming in late, but in case nobody cleared things up for you, humans can wield the vestiges just fine. Humans aren’t any less magical or capable than any of the other “humanoid” races. Elves, gnomes, tieflings, half-orcs, etc are all just different races with different origins in the world of critical role. What the explanation of the vestiges meant last episode was that the gods thought they were too powerful for mortals to wield (meaning all of the non-god races) and so hid them away from the mortals. The “calamity” that they were made in was actually something like a mortal uprising against the gods and several of the vestiges were made to kill the gods. Hence why the gods aren’t keen on them being used. It’s a little more complicated than that and the gods also made vestiges for their champions, but I hope things are a bit clearer now.
Liam O'Brian: Well, I'm warmed up after season 1, time to depress the sh*t out of everyone.
He was amazing
@funnylilgalreacts Liam is known for being the master of being low key for a good chunk of the beginning of a campaign, then when he sees his moment he flips the switch and becomes the most depressing character. Which for some campaigns is saying alot.
Liam I’d a master of poetic tragedy
No matter how many times I watch the last scene I still get teared up
Anyone else notice the edit at 1:14? Had to do a double take and rewind to make sure i wasn't seeing things.
😬
Def agree on the facial hair point, men look great with it as long as it's kept under control and out of my way lmao
Great reaction as usual, it was gripping watching that scene for me too. Watching it back, the foreshadowing in the episode is on point, really sets you up for the big moment. Even with the little things like the scene at the start and Grog's shenanigans with the dungeon layout there was definitely some underlying hidden themes there.
I work in dentistry and wear magnifying glasses (loupes) and beard and mustache hair in the way it not only annoying but GROSS. Well maintained facial hair is such a turn on 👀
_Hey, team, we just had a character death this episode. How do you want to roll credits? I know, we'll just hear Liam O'Brien cry for two minutes._
- said a monster
this team really knows how to lean on a moment. This one and the tree moment in s1 man.
@@zippomage
[ ropes creaking ]
@@CliffSedge-nu5fv *crying softly*
Quick correction, it's not that mortals *can't* wield the vestiges, it's more that the gods felt it was too much power to put into mortal hands. Like giving a child a loaded gun. The entire party consists of mortals (with one potential exception, but we won't get into that yet).
Yeah, they made fun of Pervon in the tabletop game too...
Auw... huuuuugs...
This is what TTRPG does to you. But it also helps you heal. I hope you heal more. Hugs.
Grog finds an obvious pressure plate
"That's dangerous. I don't want anyone to stumble over this" STOMP
He's so dumb, but so precious as well (and handsome with that beard) xD
During the game, Laura rolled a Saving Throw of "1" and then took 56 points of Necrotic Damage, which was more than Vex had available.
When Matt Mercer is the dungeon master, you can't count on death not being permanent. It is a possibility in his games, he has a special set of rules for it. Love your channel.❤
Grog's new belt is a belt of dwarven kind. It not only makes him grow a beard but it also allows him to understand the dwarven language
Flirty McFlirtface lmao
😂 apparently Kash was too hard to remember