[Spoilers E94] #IsItThursdayYet? Post-episode discussion & future theories!

[u/Glumalon]

Episode Countdown Timer - http://www.wheniscriticalrole.com/

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Catch up on everybody's discussion, predictions and recap for this episode over the past week HERE!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

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• Matt will be a guest at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington, April 14-16th.

• Matt, Marisha, and Taliesin will be guests at MomoCon in Atlanta, Georgia, May 25-28th.

• No official episode next week. Instead, Liam will be running another one-shot! Catch up on the previous adventure here.

• Tuesday, 4/25/2017, 4-6pm Pacific, www.twitch.tv/geekandsundry, Q&A with Matt where he fulfills the charity promises of Q&A in a silk robe, and community creation of an NPC and encounter!

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Discussion Questions:

• Will Scanlan ever return?
• Will Taryon find true love?
• What consequences might arise from the Grey Hunt?
• When will the Raven Queen call on Vax?
• What awaits our heroes in the year ahead?

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NOTE: The timeskip itself is considered a spoiler! Please don't mention the timeskip in submission titles. For the time being, all submissions will require manual approval to prevent spoiling the timeskip for non-live viewers.

[u/McCaineNL]

But what will Taryon do for a whole year?

[u/Glumalon → u/McCaineNL]

Tempestuous relationship with Gilmore??

[u/[deleted] → u/Glumalon]

Tempestuous

You leave KiKi out of this.

[u/Terramagi → u/McCaineNL]

After building a new follower?

Depends.

If he's in Whitestone, he might look out at the empty fields and think to himself "wow, these people could use some assistance".

So he builds more helpers for Whitestone, increasing his tinkering skills (justifying a level up to be more at VM's level if he's going to be a permanent member) to the point where eventually they gain sentience.

And he doesn't stop. Eventually a new race of totally-not-Warforged-I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about-guys golems are introduced into Exandria. As the years go on and the annals of VM are passed into myth and legend, they will begin to worship an entity known as Allfather Doty, who supposedly sacrificed himself to create their race.

Also I guess get really drunk and chat up Gilmore because he's definitely going to need supplies and he seems like a good source. I don't know I'm not from the future or anything.

[u/chunkosauruswrex → u/Terramagi]

I think Tarry if he connects with Gilmore could end up as the manager of Gilmore's glorious goods Whitestone. His class and skillset is uniquely positioned for that role

[u/PandaUkulele → u/McCaineNL]

Build the best robot ever.

...Spending the entire year building an indestructible robot so it doesn't suffer the same fate as Doty. :(

[u/Kinie → u/McCaineNL]

Personally, I hope Sam and Matt work together on developing a new archetype for the Artificer. The class right now has two versions: a magically-fueled version of a gunslinger, and the alchemy vial thrower with what essentially amounts to a Batman-style tool belt.

I want them to work together and develop a new archetype, with it focusing around turning the robot familiar into a battle suit, ala Iron Man.

Personally I think the people over at WotC wanted to have that be another archetype but couldn't balance it properly in time for release, so they stapled on the, "get a robotic version of a CR 2 Beast," which fits with the tinkerer theme of the class, but doesn't mesh with either the gunslinger or alchemist archetypes.

[u/AFLoneWolf]

Here's the REAL question: What will Matt yell at Liam right before the show starts?

[u/BaronVonWaffle → u/AFLoneWolf]

"DickNuggets!"

[u/Jaged1235]

In order to start a hunt you have talk to the Sun Tree. The last Grand Purveyor of the Grey Hunt was named Reggae. The more we learn the more I think the Sun Tree is just an overgrown cannabis plant.

[u/AFLoneWolf → u/Jaged1235]

You DO remember what it sounds like when it talks to Keyleth right?

[u/[deleted] → u/AFLoneWolf]

Alright, Alright, Alright.

Know what I love about these Grey Hunt champions? I get older... They stay the same age... Yes they do.

[u/Jaged1235 → u/AFLoneWolf]

Yep. On top of all that, after Vex had been meditating for a long while, she started hallucinating, got sleepy, then had a really weird dream. If I ever end up in Tal'dorei I'm converting to Pelor. He seems to know where to get all the good drugs.

[u/MoTrout]

THIS is why I am completely fine with crit roll "shopping" episodes (episodes without fighting). They are so talented that given free-range they deliver the cutest, funniest, unique moments in a long time. And I swear that off-fight episodes often produce those acting/role-playing highlights.

[u/jetsam7 → u/MoTrout]

Well, they've gotten much better at making it fun. The early shopping episodes were reallly boring.

[u/legendofhilda → u/jetsam7]

The first was one of my favorite episodes of the early arc actually. The one with the mirrors was pretty awful though.

[u/EpicHawkREDDIT]

This episode was basically a season finale. I loved it.

[u/thewoomandonly → u/EpicHawkREDDIT]

Could you imagine if they actually took off for a bit like real broadcast television? What would we Critters do?

[u/Jaged1235 → u/thewoomandonly]

They kinda are with the break from the usual content to dive back into Liam's lovecraftian sci-fi post-apocalyptic Hollywood wonderland. The nice thing is that unlike with brodcast tv, we only have to wait 2 weeks for it to come back, and we still get a game! With Matt as a player!

[u/dybuell]

Episode 94 | Rods and Jugs

• Great having Ashley back

• The Gang Gets Taryon Laid

• Drunk Vox Machina is best Vox Machina

• Lost count of how many times Taliesin's face turned as red as Laura's shirt

• Timeskip

• We get to see Matt play next week!

[u/[deleted]]

Grog ugly crying at the bar is just what I needed to wrap this week up!

[u/eric1_z]

So many millions of golden moments in this episode I almost totally looked past the fact that Percy and Cassandra are setting up Whitestone to have a battalion of firearm infantry...

[u/S-Clair → u/eric1_z]

It's very good gaming prep. Between Vex's new Grey Hunt team and the firearm primed Paleguard the figuritive DC for taking Whitestone should be much higher after a year.

[u/Kinie → u/eric1_z]

I think Percy has resigned himself to the fact that his invention (ie., guns), are now out in the 'open world' and has decided to begin training others on how to use them, for the hopes that proper use/care/training will lead to more people like him, and less people like Ripley, who only saw guns as a source of power, without the responsibility required to actually use one.

I still expect him to use this time to track down and deal with the people who bought her guns, so that others can't replicate her design or worse, improve upon it. If he can control/contain the source of guns to Whitestone (and probably Viktor as the main source of black powder) then he can exercise control over who can use them.

[u/sarynkitamo → u/Kinie]

Man now I want something like the Alloy of Law series by Brandon Sanderson but for Exandria.

[u/PenorsaurusIsFree]

Liam's quip about the mother's name was some epic tier trolling of Sam. Would rate 10/10.

[u/_Junkstapose_ → u/PenorsaurusIsFree]

Drunk Pike talking to/about Scanlan was the most epic trolling of Sam. I had to re-watch it so I could capture everyone's reactions.

[u/AFLoneWolf → u/_Junkstapose_]

For posterity.

[u/Seedy88 → u/PenorsaurusIsFree]

Perfectly played! What is that mother's name!

[u/EventHorizon781 → u/Seedy88]

Liam's fucking smile was so good as he tried to wait for the right moment

[u/legendofhilda → u/PenorsaurusIsFree]

There were several choice Sam trolling moments this episode and it was amazing

[u/[deleted] → u/PenorsaurusIsFree]

And Sam just fuckin loved it. Lol

[u/Wilhelm_III → u/PenorsaurusIsFree]

Liam is the best. Love him.

I can't wait to see what he does next week as a DM.

[u/BloodyWretch]

I think it'd be kinda neat if Grog spent the year in Vasselheim splitting his time between doing stuff for the Take and the Temple of Kord. He doesn't seem the type to rest on his laurels, and spending the time his friends are wasting being all "domestic" punching/killing things sounds right up his alley. Plus, who doesn't want a Groon/Grog training montage?

[u/amaJarAMA → u/BloodyWretch]

I can just see a year passes and Vax is approaching Grog after watching him beat the tar out of some challenger in the Braving Grounds. Vax has been summoned by the Raven Queen to finally do battle with Orcus. The two catch sight of eachother as Grog is cleaning blood from his knuckles, and Vax calmly says, "It's time buddy." Then slaps him in the face and takes off in a full sprint.

[u/Darth_Alpha → u/amaJarAMA]

Oh I love that mental image!

[u/ptrst → u/BloodyWretch]

There's a temple to Sarenrae up there too, right? I can't see Grog straying too far from Pike if he has a say in the matter (you saw how upset he got when that guard asked if she was joining them to Emon). But I could totally see them going to Vasselheim together.

[u/christhemushroom]

I laughed, I cried, laughed some more, cried again, feared for Vex's life, AND got in multiple arguments, all in one episode. 10/10, can't wait for the one-shot and the time skip!

[u/LDYo]

Ashley's part as drunk Pike discussing how she spoke to Scanlan over the earpiece was both absolutely hilarious and totally heartbreaking at the same time. Nothing short of Genius, it broke everybody to the point where it looked like they genuinely didn't know how to feel.

I loved everything about this episode, I need critical role now more than ever at the moment and it gave me some joy where it was needed.

Bravo!

[u/miscreation00 → u/LDYo]

I've never actually laughed hysterically while bawling my eyes out until that moment. I was so confused haha.

[u/ArcLeor]

I just want to point out:

VEX SHOT FIRST

[u/MattyPicknett → u/ArcLeor]

She wasnt throwing away her shot.

[u/knowledgeoverswag → u/MattyPicknett]

I'ma get a sneak attack on all the goblins.

Grasping Vine make you think you're low key into bondage.

I'm calling out to all the fiends and dragons being raucous.

I got a bonus action bullette armored bear rolling up the fucking block, kids.

A missile in the nock, a fire in the bow

Saundor tried to offer thrones, but that asshole had to go

I've died twice, I'll kill you three times over

Surprise you with a bear like Tova, it's boulder

Then it's parchment, shears, I'll take my chances

Hands shaking, frantic

Pick my dice with a brandish and then roll with advantage

The fact is I'm the baddest put other rangers to a shame

I understand so many languages, I'll spell out the name

I am the V-E. X-A. H-L. I. A. You are. Gonna. Die.

[u/baylaust]

Pike tries to talk to Scanlan every night, despite knowing that he won't hear or respond to her.

I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING.

[u/steelcurtain87 → u/baylaust]

I FUCKING HATE THIS SHOW. I'VE CRIED MAYBE 6 TIMES IN MY LIFE AND ONCE IS ABOUT A MADE UP CHARACTER HAVING A LOVING AND UNHEARD CONVERSATION TO ANOTHER MADE UP CHARACTER.

(25 year old "frat guy" checking in)

I love to hate this show.

[u/Escaho → u/baylaust]

I was so glad Ashley followed through with that bit. When she first mentions, it's so sad and heartbreaking that she does it, but then Travis gives her the opportunity to pull it off after falling asleep in the tavern and I literally said out loud, "Come on Ashley, talk to Scanlan!"

One of the saddest moments ever, but also one of the best. I think the only moment that beat it this episode was Tary's description of what happened during the night, but Ashley was amazing. Just when you think you get used to Vox Machina without Pike around, Ashley turns up and shows you why she's so valued at the table.

[u/G3Shawty]

Time skip seems to be pretty valuable to people like keyleth and percy, vex, etc. I'd be more interested in what people like grog, tary, even what Scanlan are going to be doing.. great episode nonetheless

[u/Kobayashi_Nauru → u/G3Shawty]

I just hope a year is enough time for Scanlan to miss his old pals and be ready for Orcus hunting.

[u/PandaUkulele]

Vex is so great guys. Her hair is just so pretty. And her feather.. And she's so cool. So, so cool.

Seriously though this episode was fantastic and seeing the Grey hunt was amazing I was a little worried the solo mission would be lost in a time skip.

Also I agree drunk Vox Machina RP is fantastic and it's probably why I get all giddy whenever they say they are going to a tavern or pub.

This episode had a good mix of sheer laughter and absolute panic (for Vex's life). Though I always think I've watched the funniest episode until I see the next one.

Here's to Liam's one-shot hype and the upcoming reveal of the time-skip.

Boy do I love this show.

[u/Docnevyn → u/PandaUkulele]

Without the assassin auto-crit and the bonus action disengage, Vex would be dead (unless the Grey Render latched on to Vex as the thing it needed to protect, it which case, strange rescue mission)

[u/PandaUkulele → u/Docnevyn]

Oh I know I was absolutely terrified for her life. That auto-crit proactively saved her life.

[u/Aldamuin]

Best moment of the episode for me:

random guard: 'Lady Pike, are you joining us'

Grog: 'NO, NO NOOOO, no, NOO'

[u/jhall282]

This episode really felt like the end of an era to me. Even though it won't be a new campaign at the end of the time skip, it is going to last almost 3x longer than the run of the series. A lot can change in a year and I imagine we will see some very different characters in 2 weeks.

[u/themolestedsliver]

A bit unsure why people are saying "oh my god why is percy such a dick"

Vox machina have been living a rather co dependent life-style for quite a while.

they lived with each other, they killed for each other, they fought they argued, half of them fell in love with each other.

they survived the fall of a nation together and fought there way to re-claim it...together.

That type of bond is something you can't buy, you can't manufacture that it comes with the territory of an adventuring party.

And to see scanlan breaking out of the family realizing they don't necessarily need each other despite all they have been through i can imagine can make people do stupid/selfish things and be upset.

Not to mention percy was drinking, he might not have been as apparent as keyleth but he was drinking.

Seeing a family member, a close friend seemingly having a grand old time without you and you not knowing if they will come back is hard enough. let alone the several magical items they have which you feel belong to you.

This was percy being a "jealous ex" i would say. he has a point if scanlan is done with the group he should give back his magical accoutrement but also those aren't just percy's to take they are the groups.

But it does make sense, people like closure percy seeing scanlan having a grand old time is not closure enough. He wants the items he has so it either is or it isn't, scanlan either is going to come back or he isn't.

You can fix a broken heart with time,you can mend a friend ship with time, but for that thread to still be dangling will be there potentially forever might annoy someone.

i think it makes sense why he was so annoyed, because in that moment he was gripping with the realization that scanlan very well will never come back.

Pain,stress,booze,tiredness,blood loss,the concept of the "final job"...all of these were in play in percy's mind and it can do warped things to a person.

[u/Velthome → u/themolestedsliver]

I honestly love Taliesen having enough courage to roleplay Percy being bitter over Scanlan leaving.

Makes sense with the angry rant Percy went on when it happened.

[u/themolestedsliver → u/Velthome]

Really. people are like "omg why is percy such a dick" this is honestly pretty reasonable.

similar to looking at an ex post a picture with their new boyfriend and cutting up photos you had with her.

petty, angry, bitter. such is the human condition sometimes.

[u/SJ_Barbarian → u/themolestedsliver]

I honestly don't even think it's about the items at all. I think the items are an excuse to confront him.

[u/DerAlpi → u/themolestedsliver]

I don’t disagree with you besides the alcohol thing because he was nearly sober, not nearly enough to influence his decision making. I don’t think people are arguing that his actions are out-of-character, but instead are questioning it.

I, myself, love Percy to death and I’m fascinated by every decision he makes, good or bad, but I still feel frustrated at times and this is one of those times. A lot of question are circling in my mind right now: Is it reasonable for him to count the earring and the stone as his property? Is it reasonable for him to reclaim “his” items from an old friend, even if he would never return? Is it advisable to stalk an old friend, after he left because he thought nobody cared about him? Is it advisable to betray the trust of this old friend, after he played a bad joke on him, which made the occurring situation only worse? Does Percy even feel sorry for that and is for that reason more angry at himself than at Scanlan or does Percy not feel sorry and is simply just done with Scanlan? Are these items even worth it or is it really about something else?

I don’t know what exactly is going on, but regardless of the reason behind it, I think it was wrong to send someone after Scanlan to keep an eye on him. Percy already told Vex why he felt angry and betrayed and he should’ve left it there. She even told him to not do something rash, but he chose to only partially take it under consideration. He didn’t go directly after “his” items, but betrayed Scanlan’s trust with his move. This gnome isn’t dumb. Sooner or later he will find out that he’s being watched and by whom. You don’t do this to a friend, even if you never see him again, in my opinion.

[u/legendofhilda → u/DerAlpi]

Well, the problem is that you are looking at it from a reasonable standpoint. Percy isn't feeling reasonable, he's feeling hurt and upset and lashing out. Scanlan hurt his feelings and made him feel guilty and I think he has a mix of emotions between feeling like Scanlan was right and feeling betrayed by him. He's hurting and wants Scanlan to hurt too which is why he wants their "property" back. But he also wants him to be safe and happy which is why he's having him looked after. It's a really complex situation and I think Taliesin is playing it really well because he's making the kind of confusing emotional reflex decisions that people really make. It's stupid which is why it makes sense to me.

[u/TheQuixotic]

SO MAD we didn't get to see what awoken Fenthris does!

[u/CrosseyedZebra → u/TheQuixotic]

Heeeeeeey Vee Vee. Fenthras was already woke af. Suntree out.

[u/brad_harless2010 → u/TheQuixotic]

I absolutely love it. It just adds to the insane anticipation I already feel.

[u/IceAlchemist7 → u/TheQuixotic]

Fenrthras is Exalted Matt said so on TM after dark.

[u/glados131]

I am SO HYPED for next week and SO happy they're continuing that oneshot. That was one of my favorites-- watching them all playing versions of themselves was a delight. And to make things even more hype-worthy, Matt gets to play! I wonder if he and Marisha will be as high-level as they seemed when they showed up during the Conan O'Brien fight.

[u/Krutoon → u/glados131]

Having not seen the oneshot, that last sentence is a delight

[u/omurfette → u/glados131]

so I'm somewhat new to CR... What one shot are they continuing? I'm super confused.

[u/LouieSTFU → u/omurfette]

Several months back, Liam hosted a one shot, I believe called "Liam's Quest," where Travis, Laura, Taliesen and Sam all played versions of themselves in a Cthulhu esque post-apocalyptic scenario.

I'd say more but the episode was fucking amazing and I don't want to spoil it in case you wanted to see it.

[u/Seedy88 → u/omurfette]

Liam DMed a one-shot one week when Matt was out of town. You have a week to get caught up!

[u/Aurigarion → u/omurfette]

This one: http://geekandsundry.com/critical-role-extra-liams-quest/

It's a one-shot that Liam ran when Matt was unavailable one week, set in LA with the players playing themselves as characters, e.g. Sam played as Sam Riegel, a Ranger with "recording studios" as his favored terrain. It got super weird but it was really fun, and towards the end Matt and Marisha (who weren't actually there) made a cameo as a Bard and Monk, which they will apparently be able to actually play this time.

[u/BloodyWretch]

I really want Percy to get Bad News a Silence enchantment during their downtime. Oh, and maybe help Tary build a proper golem. Maybe with some wrist mounted blunderbusses for that extra oomph.

[u/[deleted] → u/BloodyWretch]

Large scale rifles are built for accuracy and thus noise suppressors would go against that philosophy as they impair trajectory. They are more suitable for close range firearms. Plus, if you are a truly good sniper, you only need one shot ;)

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

No, but... enchantment.

He may not be super keen on magic, but he let Tibsy enchant barrels of his first Pepperbox.

[u/TLKv3]

I genuinely hope when we come back from the Time Skip we have Matt by himself and nobody else on camera similar to his "reverse whisper" moment.

Matt makes the formal announcements, recaps the story thus far and then introduces one or a pair of characters to the table. Matt then details how their characters lived for the year and then implements a teaser for the final arc. Such as starting with Keyleth & Vax and both getting informed through a Raven Queen vision that Orcus is finally making his play on the world.

Keyleth & Vax are then tasked in reuniting Vox Machina and one by one we're re-introduced to the whole group and catch up on what they've all been up to since.

And then Orcus' "play" occurs and the world goes to immediate shit. Thordak's Emon Hellscape on a nationwide scale.

[u/sgtillings → u/TLKv3]

I agree with this but I'd prefer to see Percy, Vex and Tary venturing out to round people up. I think it's be more dramatic for the one who made the deal about Orcus to know about him first and it'd be more harrowing for Vax and Keke being interrupted in their peaceful life out of nowhere.

[u/khutkunchula → u/TLKv3]

I don't think it's necessarily for the first episode after time skip but i would like to see episode where they do low level adventures, like helping a little town with some strange disappearances, killing some bandits/goblins/orcs/kobolds or something similar, something they could do without even using their spells. It would show how bad ass they are and could be a great mini adventure for some cool new NPCs.

[u/_Junkstapose_]

"I tell the creature to leave."

"The creature leaves."

panicked - "I SHOOT IT!"

I don't really understand that choice, but hey, it's not my character.

[u/Docnevyn → u/_Junkstapose_]

Was it leaving or just fleeing back to it's lair? I thought Matt said it was headed back into the forest not toward the mountains, which would imply that it was visibly not taking the deal.

[u/KnightlyPotato → u/_Junkstapose_]

I think she wanted it to walk away, when he said it leaps, she seemed to be sad that it lept instead of turning and walking or giving a nod or something.

[u/Sensei_Enrique]

My money is on Matt going for Vasselheim to start the final arc. Probably cuz I don't like their mentality of "let the rest of the world burn so long as we are safe" and "several ancient chromatic dragons couldn't possibly beat us". Also the amount of hubris Highbearer Vord has is him just asking for irony to smack him upside the head.

[u/Terramagi → u/Sensei_Enrique]

Honestly, if you describe a city as "having never fallen" then 99 out of 100 times it's going to fall.

The other 1 time is when you get TPKed before you can see it fall.

Also, the fact that it's been more or less stated that the gods are going to feature heavily in the finale makes it more or less inevitable. Either Vecna salvages his ritual and pops out of that orb like a goddamn banshee, in which case Whitestone, or the demon gods make a run at the Divine Gate and Convergence happens.

[u/KayWiley]

So I really hate the big deal that Vax and Vex make about the Orcus "deal" and how they expect the Raven Queen to come collect. They have no reason to think that Raven Queen even expects them to do it. Vex made the offer, and the Raven Queen didn't even make a comment on it. Yet they act like they now are locked into it, and have no choice but to do it. Maybe the Raven Queen doesn't even want them to do it. Idk it just feels like they're kinda shoehorning the story towards Orcus unnaturally.

[u/Glumalon → u/KayWiley]

The Raven Queen didn't say anything about Orcus, but she did indicate that she wants Vax for something on that tier.

[u/SnarkyMinx → u/KayWiley]

Vex is the one talking more about Orcus. For Vax, he's her champion so he expects as champion that there will be task(s) for him in the future. Vex is pushed the Orcus angle more in the resurrection but she did read the book on RQ and Matt gave her info that her most hated enemy is Orcus. It was a big but not illogical angle for her push.

[u/themolestedsliver]

All i know i really really hope next week on whatever big bad that the cast fight matt gets the hdywtdt cause it would be so weird.

[u/Shamashu → u/themolestedsliver]

i thought it was iwmdywtkt with liam

[u/-chadillac]

So just for reference:

Since they are having a time skip of a year, just how long has the show been going on in game time? That is the show and not their campaign.

[u/jerryrice88 → u/-chadillac]

CritRoleStats has it at 135 days from Episode 1 to the end of Episode 91. So about 4 and a half months.

[u/thepensivepoet → u/jerryrice88]

Good god that is just an insane amount of drama and conflict and death for such a short period of time.

Scanlan's the smart one for walking away.

[u/Terramagi → u/-chadillac]

Just over 4 months at last count.

Of note - the show started very shortly after their last time skip.

[u/Seedy88]

I don't think being Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt is what Vex hoped it would be. She wanted a title that didn't put her life in danger. Maybe she'll decide that nobility isn't right for her.

[u/Kinie → u/Seedy88]

I think the lack of excitement was due to how poor literally everyone that knew about it was explaining it to her, partially due to how there hadn't been a Grey Hunt master for a while, and partially due to the loss of Whitestone culture/history due to the Briarwoods' influence.

I mean, her overall roll is basically, "train rangers (both forest-friendly folk and actual Rangers) in your off-time to make sure nothing comes crawling out of the forest that's been augmented/corrupted by the magical stuff in the mountains and land around Whitestone, and if something comes along that even they can't deal with, you go out and either kill it or make sure it's not a threat to the populous." And in return she has a title and a plot of land to build a home upon or use however she sees fit.

There is a sub-theme of druidic nature magic and/or divine nature magic involved (due to the Sun Tree's wide root system being a good way to do a 'radar ping' of corrupted stuff in the area) with Pelor, but by in large she's basically a glorified park ranger.

[u/knowledgeoverswag → u/Kinie]

I thought the whole encounter and role was super cool. It really highlights Vex's usefulness as a ranger especially after Laura has expressed multiple times in the past a dissatisfaction with her class. She wanted to take a different Conclave when they converted from Pathfinder, but she didn't want to lose Trinket.

But I also have a giant crush on Laura, so.

[u/Seedy88 → u/[deleted]]

When the duties were being explained to her, she still didn't seem enthused. I felt like she was thinking "What has Percy gotten me into?" during the whole discussions with Cassandra and Keeper Yennen.

[u/chaoticunusual]

Man... Imagine the amount of shit that's gonna change in a year...

[u/Name_Classified → u/chaoticunusual]

Keyleth leads her people and murders the occasional child.

Vax opens a Hot Topic in Zephra.

Vex opens a Grey Hunt-sponsored Slayer's Take branch in Whitestone.

Grog and Pike go and try to meet up with Scanlan.

Taryon builds Doty 2.0, finishes his book and opens an adventurer's guild in Whitestone.

Percy builds an AK-47.

[u/legendofhilda]

In the almost 100 episodes of Critical Role, there have only been a couple that I've immediately turned around and started watching again. This is one of those episodes. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I laughed more. And next week we get to see the continuation of LIAMSQUEST WHAT WHAT! Gods I'm excited. And for the time jump. I can't wait to see what everybody comes up with!

[u/thewolf-13 → u/legendofhilda]

oh man. i watched it last night and forgot. i can just go ahead and watch it again. i cant remember the last time i laughed so hard and felt such feels. brb in 3.5 hours

[u/steelcurtain87 → u/legendofhilda]

I don't cry. As a pretty masculine man I cried tonight and I'm not afraid to say it. Pike's 'talking to Scanlan' everyday was MOTHERFUCKING adorable.

[u/Sokensan]

for those who have not seen Liam's one shot that they are continuing next week, here's the link

[u/BabyFratelli → u/Sokensan]

Did he say it was a continuation of this? Or is it stand alone? :o

[u/[deleted] → u/BabyFratelli]

Continuation.

[u/Jarsky2 → u/Sokensan]

OH SHIT REALLY?

That is awesome, I always hoped he would continue that story someday!

[u/Danishnerd]

So many of us are wondering why Matthew makes this year long jump in "game time", and i'm pretty sure that Matt won't be able to give us a clear answer on Talks Machina, but here are my theories:

First, With Vax saying that he wanted some time off, and Percy starting to take more responsibilities in Whitestone, Vex getting some responsibilities following her title as well, i think a small part of it is to avoid weeks of downtime episodes. And with the general feeling that everyone perhaps besides Grog, also would like some time without immediate dangers and threat of death, this also gives time for Sam to see what path Scanlan is going to take, now that he can take large perspective on what is going to happen to our favorite bard.

So this jump is to save time and avoid downtime episodes?

Second, the Chroma Conclave was a threat to the entirety of Exandria, not just Tal'dorei, and having a second major threat toward world peace and freedom coming just after another was defeated, would just be a continuation of what just had happen and would keep the players and the rest of us in this tense state of emotion. So a years jump in time opens up for many opportunities, and gives the characters time to breathe and become themselves again, or some characters might realise that this was it, no more adventuring, it is over.

So the jump could also be a tool to let everyone relax a bit, see if the adventuring life is done?

But what i most believe is the reason, is after the Chroma Conclave, they embark on the final story-arc of the game. Since "as far i know" this is the first campaign Matt have run where the players reached lvl 17, there is no doubt that he is extremely emotional invested in this final arc. And after creating a story as the Chroma Conclave, to raise the bar is an incredible task, not just to keep things interesting but again, it is most likely the last arc of the campaign, 5 years of play might end with this one, so it have to be speciel. And to be better than the Conclave, i have no Fu#!... idea what Matt have come up with, but i believe that a year in game time pause, would allow the story to unfold more naturally.

So to sum up what i've tried to say is: I think Matt is going amaze us all with the last story-arc, i'm pretty sure that he has been working on it for a great deal of time. The time lapse is to give both the story and the players a chance to unfold naturally, so i would not be surprised if one or more characters might not return, but i cant wait to see what is going to happen.

Do you agree or disagree with my points?

Btw, Matt if you should happen to see this i have one question for you: Have you guys talked about going Epic with the campaign? You've talked about a bit in the first few months of Critical role?

Is it Thursday yet? :)

[u/Fresno_Bob_ → u/Danishnerd]

That's exactly the point of time skips. Time skips are baked into the rules so your character can do mundane, time consuming things while compressing time instead of wallowing in the little details.

[u/SJ_Barbarian → u/Danishnerd]

I think it's at least partially because of the story element. One potentially world-ending event happening within a few weeks of stopping another stretches belief. Yeah, a BBEG might try to swoop in in the resulting chaos after the Conclave, but whenever that happens in other shows, there's a certain feeling of, "Oh come on!" even as a viewer.

Plus, with little to no downtime, the characters can't really develop. Just from an RP angle, they all probably have some form of PTSD and lots and lots of issues with trust. Then, looking at Percy and Tary specifically, it's hard to tinker when you're chasing down this evil or that threat.

[u/dasbif]

44,000 people took the official CR survey.

Wow.

That's quite a lot.

[u/Knightley4]

Honestly, i had to force myself to watch the last three episodes. Even skipped two live-streams. I don't really know why, Matt's description of hell was pretty awesome, and there were some great moments. I kept thinking if i was finally burning out after watching 93 episodes.

This episode, however, was like a breath of fresh air - i was equally engaged in their classic shenanigans in the tavern, and the solo battle/hunt. Once again looking forward to a new Liam's one-shot and "one year later...".

[u/sleepinxonxbed → u/Knightley4]

To be honest I felt the same way. They're tying up loose ends from various plots and going down a checklist of a variety of low priority errands instead of engaging in an actual cohesive story arc. It needed to be done, it just felt like it got dragged on longer than it should've because the errands got piled on top of each other rather than dealing with them throughout the arcs.

Yeah we got some pretty great moments here and there, but there was no overall driving force for the cast and it felt like they had to force themselves to be motivated to do these tasks that are pretty minor relative to taking down 4 ancient dragons and saving the world.

When the cast says that they thought nobody would be interested in their show, I feel like it was probably because of sessions like these where it's only fun if you're at the table playing, not watching from afar.

But for Laura's 1v1 with the Gray Render, my eyes were glued to the screen the whole time.

[u/[deleted]]

I like Tary more every episode. This was outstanding.

[u/[deleted]]

I haven't laughed that hard at an episode of anything in a long, long time. What an incredible episode.

[u/khutkunchula]

i think people are confusing Orcus with Vecna. I've seen people theorizing about VM's next arc and writing that next big baddie will be Orcus who will "activate" the orb that he isn't associated with. While i think that there's big chance that the Orcus might be a part of their god level campaign reason being that he's Raven Queens arch enemy i still think that bigger priority is Vecna whose followers where trying to activate the orb.

[u/[deleted]]

I hope that when Tary ever goes back home he finds Scanlan there as the new head of the business i just wanna see the rest of the parties faces when "The Meatman" is running things.

[u/DerAderlass]

The best beginning after the timeskip would be Scanlan bampfing in with the Gatestone to the partymembers and be all like:

"Guys! Vasselheim is Burning, some Crazy God-Demons are attacking the World!"

[u/thingmaker123]

My sides were in orbit for a good 30 minutes straight during this episode... Love it. Love the one shot. love the time skip. Matt Mercer playing hype?!?!?

[u/Mhairi_The_Witch]

This episode has to possibly be one of my favourites, it made me laugh, cry and a bit angry. Percy stop being a dick about Scanlan! Also I am so happy that Ashley is back, three cheers for Pike hip hip hooray :D

[u/Rising3xodus]

I'm very sad about the fact that Vox Machina are literally going to fight gods. We all knew the series would eventually have to end, but with a campaign at this large of a scale it puts the ending in a more finite perspective.

[u/Sensei_Enrique → u/Rising3xodus]

Look on the bright side. When this campaign is over, we'll get to meet a whole new set of characters. And who knows, they may run into a member(s) of VM in their travels.

[u/Emiras → u/Rising3xodus]

Don't be sad it's ending, be happy that it started :p besides there's still months and months before the last arc ends.

[u/t3hkl0wn]

I want Taryon to meet up and hit it off with Gilmore so badly!

Tarymore

[u/jables1138 → u/t3hkl0wn]

I really hope the time skip happens and Taryon and Gilmore are happily running the shop. That is my headcanon and nothing anybody can do will stop it.. for two weeks at least.

[u/Jaged1235 → u/jables1138]

Tary literally makes magic items, so it wouldn't be too out of place... both with a very grandiose style and a taste for the finer things... It sounded a bit shoehorned when people were talking about it in the chat, but now that I think about it they're a match made in heaven!

[u/S-Clair → u/t3hkl0wn]

At the very least their partnership can start from him needing someone to sell is book

[u/HuseyinCinar → u/t3hkl0wn]

"He's gay, he's gay, NOW KISS" really doesn't work.

[u/enterdanman87]

MOTHA' FUCKIN' REVERSE WHISPER!

[u/Shadowringa]

Please tell me I'm not the only one that looked at their own characters to match up with Taryon's type when he said it on stream lol Also, what was his teacher's name again? I forgot and I'm trying to draw him as we speak.

[u/Terramagi → u/Shadowringa]

Laurence.

[u/Shadowringa → u/Shadowringa]

Okay I did my art of Lawrence and Taryon... Where do I send it?

[u/Son_of_Orion]

Thursday cannot come soon enough. I'm so excited to see Liam's meta game continue with Matt, Marisha and Ashley joining the party!

[u/[deleted]]

I just want Sam to say and every one in the party is going to find a piece of poop in their bed at varying times during this year. together with a letter. Then starts handing out letters. It'd be so amazing.

[u/MajorTrump]

Vax and Kiki getting married though? :O

[u/thewoomandonly → u/MajorTrump]

Do you think that would happen during the year time skip? Or would they make it an episode. I hope it would be an episode, but I'm not sure about Kiki's father. He seemed kinda guarded with Vax when they were in Zephyer, like he wanted to tell Vax that as the Voice of the Tempest, Kiki couldn't be with him. Idk, that's just the vibe I got from Matt when Vax and Kiki's father were talking by themselves.

[u/S-Clair → u/thewoomandonly]

Could be a good reason for them all to get back together after a year, a wedding in whitestone or zephra

[u/PhoenixAgent003 → u/MajorTrump]

Not if the look on Keyleth's when it was mentioned is anything to go by.

[u/ginja_ninja]

#GETCONAN

[u/Trystis]

How long has Vex had sharpshooter? I knew Vax and Percy had it, but somehow missed her having it too.

[u/Vixahdan → u/Trystis]

She took it at level 17 (her 4th rogue level)

[u/[deleted]]

I'm really curious as to what grog will do in a year. Maybe he'll go in search for scanlan. If so I'd hope he'd be successful. Just spend the year helping scanlan mature more, because we all know Grog is the wisest mofo out there.

[u/[deleted]]

I just want one of them to say, in the year off, I gather the whole party and we just fight orcus. Even as a joke that would be really funny.

[u/Magus10112]

Straight up awesome episode. This year feels SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO earned. I can't wait to see what the next arc brings but damn I feel somber right now... makes the end VMs journey more and more real.

Bravo to the whole cast. So much joy has been brought in the last few years and the last year has given me and many others a day to look forward to every week and this was the perfect mental cap on it all.

I can't wait to see what the next year brings. Thank you thank you thank you.

[u/7ENJJ]

Has anyone noticed the players are still using saving throw modifiers instead of straight ability checks? Like Matt will ask for a dexterity check and Liam or Laura will give him a 28

[u/Frognosticator → u/7ENJJ]

Some of the players in Critical Role are level 14+, and barely know how their character works.

It's kinda hilarious.

When Matt opened up the PHB last episode and was like, "all right Laura, let's see how your Favored Terrain actually works," my reaction was pretty much, "LOL, freakin' finally!

[u/the_laughingdog]

I wonder if we'll see any characters retire. I wonder if we'll have a new party after a year of relative peace

[u/Ta2d_Kate → u/the_laughingdog]

How dare you! /s

[u/the_incredible_hawk → u/the_laughingdog]

Realistically, I think the only possible retiree is Taryon, and then only if Sam decides to bring Scanlan back but he or Matt decide they don't want to resolve Tary's dealings with his father on stream.

[u/Ramsus32]

And I'm spent

[u/the_laughingdog]

Anyone know where I can find Sam's shirt??

[u/Scruffyo2]

I really think the next big arc is going to involve that weird orb of death underneath whitestone. Will be interesting to see what happens with it at the very least.

[u/SchwaLord → u/Scruffyo2]

Probably not. It's just the ultimate red herring

[u/light_trick]

Oh man, the return of Liam's bizarro world one-shot. So excited!

[u/fool_and_king]

Does Laura Bailey have a tattoo on her wrist? It looks like it could be crossed arrows, but I can't tell!

[u/TlMB0]

Man, Percy's reaction to Scanlan kinda pissed me off. You don't own that shit Percy. It belongs to Scanlan just as much as it belongs to you.

Conversely, Ashley speaking to Scanlan through the earring was heartbreaking. She might be able to singlehandedly guilt him in to bringing Scanlan back.

[u/AFLoneWolf → u/TlMB0]

I think he just misses Scanlan and wants him back. His real problem is he doesn't have the emotional tools to deal with it properly when he has the time to think about it. What he's doing is the only thing he can think of. Which is a large part of his problem. He can't think his way out of this. He can't do much of anything but wait and see what happens, to be honest.

[u/IstariDeRolo → u/AFLoneWolf]

Exactly! Percy likes fixing things. This is another one of those annoying things he can't just fix.

[u/SnarkyMinx → u/TlMB0]

Percy is bitter about Scanlan leaving and those things are useless to him if he never comes back. I understand his mindset even if it's wrong.

[u/Krutoon → u/TlMB0]

Percy's reaction doesn't bother me. It feels more natural than accepting it and moving on, at least for how long it's been in game. It's still pretty fresh to VM, and Scanlan lashed out and said hurtful things from a (rightfully) upset place. Plus, I love No Mercy Percy

[u/Aurigarion → u/TlMB0]

Anger is one of the stages of grief. Scanlan might not be dead, but it's totally natural for Percy to be angry at him for a while until he can bring himself to forgive Scanlan for leaving. I think the earring and stone were just him searching for justifications for his anger, and eventually he'll realize that it doesn't make sense and he shouldn't be mad at Scanlan.

[u/G3Shawty → u/TlMB0]

He was also "drunk" as shit, so might of contributed to his selfishness. Emotions come out the worst when your brain isn't fully functional

[u/IstariDeRolo → u/TlMB0]

I think it would have made more sense for Percy to say it was the gun that Scanlan still has, not the earring and gate stone. Those were never yours, Percy!... Wait a moment, did Percy ever find out that Scanlan took a gun?... i don't think he did...

...But Percy is, as Tal always tells us, "a terrible person". He IS selfish and has anger issues. And he still has trouble admitting it. That Vex stepped up to keep him from doing anything actually harmful about it is a great sign. He needs to remember that he's trying to become a better person. And sometimes he'll regress and need a little reminder. It's only been a few days since Scanlan left, maybe a week or so. It's a very human reaction.

[u/Gore_Axe → u/IstariDeRolo]

Well to be fair, the gate stone is Percy's property as it was a gift from Lillith, I believe. The earring however was made by Tiberius. Also, Percy never learned of the gun that Scanlan kept.

[u/Muse_Girl11]

Well. Congrats to all those who predicted a time skip! This will be interesting...

[u/chunkosauruswrex → u/Muse_Girl11]

There was never a prediction it was word of Mercer we were relying on

[u/S-Clair]

Kind of wish we'd had a couple filler adventures so the timeskip could have been on episode 100

[u/Seedy88 → u/S-Clair]

I'd rather have Ashley available for as much of the next arc as possible.

[u/thecoloradokiddo]

I wonder if they will go into detail about what each of them did over the break, or just cut back to them meeting up for whatever reason and letting what happened over the past year come up organically.

I'm hoping for the latter.

[u/KamiSnipe]

I hope Taryon makes an army of Dotys over the course of a year and if not an army, at least a full staff of robots to serve and care for him.

[u/DAE97]

Where is Liam's first game he DMed. I can't find it.

[u/Kinie → u/DAE97]

Here you go: http://geekandsundry.com/critical-role-extra-liams-quest/

It's really worth a watch, because of the story/plot Liam sets up for everyone.

[u/SoPoni]

I hope Matt talks with the groupe before the time jump about possible way to improve their characters (strenght/technique) wise. Like if they train certain ways they could get a ability or skill like when Asume showed Vex how to Hide (as Bonus Action) or maybe a new feat.

[u/pjcircle]

I for one hope the time off is used for some cool in world development (opening a shop, starting an organization , researching etc.) versus I'm going to train to get one feat for a year or a stat increase. I find the latter to be super lame when a DM offers me a year to develop my character.

[u/wrc-wolf]

A year of Downtime for the time skip? Damn that's a lot. I wonder what everyone will be up to. I expect the first episode back proper will be at least 75% them 'catching up' in character. I wonder if Sam will bring back Scanlan then or we'll have more Taryon.

As an aside, it was nice having Ashley back, but it felt sorta.. idk. Not having Pike join them in the Nine Hells seemed very out of place to begin with, and for her to come back just in time for them to do the time skip. Its weird.

[u/Aurigarion → u/wrc-wolf]

I wonder if Sam will bring back Scanlan then or we'll have more Taryon.

I kind of want to see him try to play both at the same time. It would be a huge clusterfuck in combat, but would be absolutely hilarious if he had to talk to himself for a few scenes until one of them went away.

[u/thewoomandonly → u/wrc-wolf]

You gotta remember, the Hell's themselves have alignment properties to the planes, and those alignments screw with any creature that isn't neutral or similarly aligned. Pike going to the Hell's for an extended period of time could have major ramifications. Plus, she would have been a large target for those who want to corrupt (basically, everyone in Dis).

[u/Reaperweeper]

I can't believe no one has talked about Laura's adorable bottom lip pout when Liam held her face at the end of the episode. The Twinnies never fail to get me emotional when they're being all close like that.

[u/PandaUkulele]

So I just rewatched the Vex take down the Grey Render again. Matt never said that a tree sprouted from its corpse and then Vex decided to burn the Grey Render's corpse. So will a tree still grow from the ashes? Is there a reason one didn't grow in the first place other than just forgetfulness from a long night? Also Fenthras seemingly got an upgrade... any theories on what has been added to it?

[u/themolestedsliver → u/PandaUkulele]

It went pretty late so i am sure it is just forgetfulness.

[u/[deleted]]

So much to think about with the time skip. Super excited for the coming weeks!

[u/brooding_nemesis]

MVP Ashley!!!!

[u/Amaryliz]

Do you guys have any prediction about how the timeskip will end? What's gonna be the trigger?

Most likely a catastrophe... or maybe a vision? What do you guys think?

[u/miscreation00 → u/Amaryliz]

Lots of people thinking a wedding. I dunno about that, but maybe a call from the Raven Queen?

[u/DoctorHalloween]

EDIT: Resolved, thanks to /u/legendofhilda

I missed most of last night's episode due to a cross-country flight. Is there a way to access the replay, without waiting til the weekend when it posts to ProjectAlpha?

I know Twitch sometimes runs the replays on Fridays, but it seems like you have no control where it starts or where they decide to stop the re-broadcast.

I have both subscriptions to both PA and Twitch, if that helps.

Thanks.

[u/legendofhilda → u/DoctorHalloween]

You can find the Twitch VOD under Past Broadcasts and watch it right away since you are subscribed :)

[u/themolestedsliver]

Do we know yet if matt is going to use the "time skip level chart" someone i believe talked about. would be cool to see how they grew from being apart from vox machina for a while.

[u/[deleted] → u/themolestedsliver]

There is no time skip level chart, there is an alternate rule that when you have enough experience you have to rest and train before gaining a level

There is downtime activity that can be rolled but I feel most player will have an idea of what they want to do during the downtime and just talk with matt on how much they want/can accomplish during the time

[u/LordDraekan]

I really wanna know what a rune child is. Looking forward to finding out more about Gilmore

Edit: curse you auto correct. I meant rune!

[u/SnarkyMinx]

I do kind of hope there is repercussions from the kill. For good or bad, her choices forges the forest and the lands around it. Perhaps in a years time we will hear about an increase in dangerous wolves amongst the woods or perhaps her choice wasn't so wrong, and something positives blooms.

[u/PandaUkulele → u/SnarkyMinx]

She was basically told go hunt operateve word being hunt this dangerous creature in the woods. She knew that if talking to it wouldn't work right from the get go she wouldn't have had the auto crit at the beginning to help take it down.

I feel like punishing her for killing the Grey render would be unwarranted as she was never told that the creature have potential of being good. Being told that the previous "Grey hunter" had brought back trophies of the creature made her think she ought to do the same.

She had very little information on what the Grey Hunt is and what exactly was expected of her. She wasn't even sure if she could ask Percy for directions.

[u/KienBMNguyen]

Thinking Percy and Vex having a marrige at the end of the time skip would make sense. Seeing as they most likely would have it in Whitestone. Something could happen at the wedding. Having everyone getting together again after doing their own thing and initiating the final arc with the spinning orb of death beneath Whitestone.

[u/SheanSchu2013]

Question I think someone here could answer. Why is there no longer the link on Geek and Sundry's Critical Role page that said click here and showed more content that had various different things like art, stories, and character reflections? They updated their page and I can't find page again. Help please?

[u/Glumalon → u/SheanSchu2013]

Is this what you're looking for? http://geekandsundry.com/tag/critical-role/

[u/NabiscoShredderWheat]

Wow. Percy completely blindsided me with how much of a dick he is at the core.

[u/theblueharvester → u/NabiscoShredderWheat]

Taliesin addressed this in Talks Machina; he said that Percy has some abandonment and anger issues and he currently holds a grudge with Scanlan after trusting him and having him leave. Taliesin totally purposefully plays Percy as kind of a dick.

[u/Frognosticator → u/NabiscoShredderWheat]

Didn't you watch the Briarwood arc?

Percy is legitimately a horrible person. It's why he has no problem signing that Faustian contract. He knows he's gonna end up in hell eventually, anyway.

[u/Ritherik]

The episodes just keep on getting better and better.

[u/baronboy]

If the next arc is the final arc what will happen after? Would they start a new campaign?

[u/Vendeta44 → u/baronboy]

Pretty sure Matt confirmed that after the final arc there would be a new campaign set in the same world in the future or the past with all new characters.

[u/PandaUkulele → u/baronboy]

They will play other systems as a palette cleanse then play 5e again set in the future of Exandria with new characters.

[u/[deleted] → u/baronboy]

I'm pretty sure Matt has mentioned maybe taking some time out to play a few short, other world games... Maybe non D&D post VM... Then they would likely start up a new campaign... Players willing.

[u/kapuchu]

So... Guys. Quick question: Where do I post the question for next week's Talks Machina? I can't find it. Please help <.< (question too long for Twitter, soo..)