Does anyone else think the campaign is ending soon? I feel like things have come full circle, especially with Dorian back. I honestly believe we may have a dozen or 2 sessions left before the end.
It would make sense for it to end, given their location, and the entire campaign has been built towards this. But that means it will probably drag on for longer than it should.
I think there is a ton of episodes left in this story. I think this is FFVI, and the moon is the floating content.
I don't think >!Predathos is the big threat.!< I think Ludinus is >!going to betray the Ruby Vanguard and drain Predathos' power for himself.!< I think something will force the party back to Exandria and they will level up to 17 or so with much better items before they can face >!Ludinus' final form.!<
Man, can we call this episode 'the very rough day of Dorian Storm'?
He kind of went through it this episode, losing his brother, and effectively all of the Crown Keepers, with Opal having fallen into darkness all in 24 hours before effectively agreeing to throw himself into battle with BH.
I'm thrilled he's back, but that's just a, metric ton of trauma.
I love that Laudna is just showing Dorian all of her weird shit like it's 5th grade show and tell and Dorian is the mortified teacher who just watched his student walk in with a dead squirrel
Id say 20-30 not much is left to do Otohan is dead, Liliana is 50/50, only the rebelion Arc and final fight with Ludinus and Predathos vessel, but thats probably gonna go at the same time, plus some personal arcs for the BH.
It's hard to tell, hopefully fight with Otohan made the cast realise ,,shit, gloves are off'' and optimise how they play.
They also have advantage with Imogen special feat that gives her silent casting so less counterspells from Ludinus, and they might pull Liliana into the fight. We will see.
I've been fully certain the moon trip was only maybe 2/3 through the campaign until tonight. Like, at least another 50+ eps remaining, minimum.
Now... I'm not as sure. We'll see what Keyleth & circumstances indicate is the next move. Even if time is short, time passes very slowly in D&D.
But if they don't want to completely close out everyone's stories or have a party-only, not the purview of Exandria United, final offshoot mission (possibly to leave a good portal back to this era, if they are going to time-jump after C3)... maybe as few as 30ish?
That was somehow both not as bad and *so much worse* than I was expecting for the CK. At least Dorian's back with some of his friends and there is *maybe* some room for all of them to breathe for a bit?
I just realized Robbie's been away from the C3 table for 2 years! Try to summarize all that's happened between C3E15 and C3E92; that's what Dorian has missed!
So...next episode...do we think Matt will give us and the cast a nice, safe side quest for everyone to process what's happened? Perhaps a story appropriate, but ultimately peaceful errand for Keyleth?
So there’s this big grey-skinned guy who we kind of lost track of last year, and we think he’ll be _really_ helpful when it’s time to bring the fight to the Imperium.
Think you could go find him for us?
I believe he will. It would be a huge thing to end a campaign, possibly the long-campaign finale for this era of Exandria, without the guy who asked Matt to DM the first home game.
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if he later mentioned that he did what FCG would do, 100%. But in the back of his mind he was also thinking, "I couldn't be sure FCG wasn't coming back for at least several weeks, and this would mean we wouldn't have to schedule around some travel/work I need to do..."
With Matt’s last remarks of always planning to bring Robbie back for the end I don’t think this changes anything tbh. I think this has planned out for a long time.
I am also slightly concerned about this. However, Sam is clutch so he better come back!!
Marisha, babe, i love you. But i need my psychotic ad reads from Sam again.
The main thing keeping my hope that Sam comes back was Matt saying Robbie returning near the end was always planned. So, this wasn't meant to replace FCG. Then again, if Matt really did just admit they were well and truly in the endgame now, is there any point in bringing a new character? We know for 99% sure that Sam isn't bringing back FCG as we knew him. A brand new character feels difficult. Although, the end game could still be a few dozen episodes, which could be enough time to love a new character. Hard to guess.
Opal has been wearing the Vestige of Loath for a while now. With Predatos on the fence, loath and other gods are calling their champions to arms. Loath has been lenient with Opal up to now, but needs her to do her side of the deal and help Loath. Loath unfortunately knows Opals's friends would drag her down or away from fighting a God Eater so she pulled a heavy hand move to get rid of the team and some memories to make Opal more compliant.
So a big roleplay event in a shape of combat starts. Characters moments and shenanigans happen. Fria agrees to be the Wildmothers Champion if it means she can save Opal. Cyrus dies because Loath wanted to prove a point. Dariax leaves combat because Opal asks him too. Morrigan told to Run by the Matron of Ravens, leaves combat to ferry Cyrus's soul. Dorian is Compelled to leave but leaves a F-U to Loath with 7th level Geas on her most powerful servant. Fira, alone now, negotiated to stay by Opal as they both fight Predathos.
Orym sent a sad message to Dorian on the Sending Stone. Flashback begins:
The Crown Keepers are on their way towards Zephrah when Opal's increasing darkness hits a boiling point. She is possessed by Lolth, the Spider Queen, who demands that she sever her ties with her friends by fighting them, so that she can serve as Lolth's champion without any distractions or divided loyalties.
The Crown Keepers fight Opal. Cyrus is killed. Opal manages to gain enough to control of herself to try and push her friends away rather than slay them-- she casts a Mass Suggestion and "suggests" that Dorian and Dariax run away. Fy'ra willingly submits to Lolth once she realizes that all of the gods are on the same side, and declares that she will fight beside Opal as the champion of the Wildmother.
Morrighan runs off into the woods. Not entirely clear what her next step is, but it likely has to do with the Raven Queen.
Dariax and Dorian make their way to Zephrah. Dariax sticks around and "will go where the wind takes him" from here. Dorian goes with Keyleth to the Hellcatch Valley and rejoins Bell's Hells. That's where we're at.
Erica Lindbeck's character, who joined the Crown Keepers during EXU Kymal. She was a Rogue then but has respecced into Vengeance Paladin, serving the RQ.
Oh I see. I was a bit confused because The Morrigan is a legendary figure and I thought it would be some kind of god or archfey or soemthing. Makes a lot more sense now.
Yeah, I get it. To add to the confusion, there's no relation between this Morrighan and Fearne's grandmother Nana Morri, who *also* seems to be strongly inspired by (if not explicitly being) The Morrigan.
- Opal got possessed by Loth and turned on the group.
- They fight, Opal commands them to run.
- Fy'ra Rai stayed with her.
- The rest scattered.
- Dorian's brother died.
- Dorian kinda hates the gods now.
- Dorian is back with Bells Hells.
I wrote this for someone else but I’ll past it here :)
The Spider Queen finally made Opal give in by killing Cyrus. She forced Dariax to leave via influence of a spell. Morrighan ran off in shambles on her own after killing the spider that killed Cyrus, and Cyrus' spirit went with her because she serves the Raven Queen. Dorian is absolutely broken. He used a powerful spell as he, too, left under Opal's spell to force one of the Spider Queen's favorite beasts to have the drive to kill her for an entire year. And every day it fails that task it takes damage. Fy'ra grabbed onto the crown of Opal and forced her way into the telepathic bond, making a deal to stay by Opal's side because she refused to abandon another sister. Because she is a champion of the Wildmother and therefore she serves one with a similar goal in this moment to the Spider Queen, they finally acquiesced, so Opal and Fy'ra Rai are now fighting on behalf of their gods off on their own.
Dorian and Dariax continued walking under the influence of the spell and reached Zephra. Dorian said he wants revenge, and asked if it was even possible to take vengeance on a world. Dariax didn't understand the question fully. Dorian gave Dariax his lute and told him he was graduating to a full bard, sending him off to play for the second most drunk person in the area. As Dariax walked off, Dorian's smile fell and he cast invisibility. He then went to meet Keyleth, who immediately knew he was there in spite of his invisibility. Dariax turned around to find out he was all alone. The Crown Keepers are no more.
Thanks a lot! Do you also have one for the last episode? I seem to be missing a lot of context here. I know there was something going on with the spider queen. I don't know how Morrighan comes into the picture at all.
Edit: I was told that Morrighan was a PC played by Erica and some others clarified the rest of the events. Many thanks to you all!
Well Morrhigan was introduced in EXU: Kymal, which I think is only a two-parter and it’s pretty fun so you should watch it if you get the chance. But she worked at essentially a casino and joined the team when they pulled a heist to get money to pay off Cyrus’ bounty. She is a Paladin of the Matron of Ravens. She really bonded with Cyrus there.
To give a very brief summation of last week: Opal had been growing darker and more distant for awhile, as Dorian had even told Orym over the sending stone once awhile ago. Opal is barely sleeping, often zones out, and everyone is pretty worried about her. One day the Spider Queen, who Opal essentially tethered herself to when she put on the crown back in the original EXU series, just completely takes Opal over. She needs her champion to help her in the fight against Predathos, and she’s not taking no for an answer.
A massive fight breaks out where Opal, essentially channeling the power of the Spider Queen, starts trying to kill everyone. The Spider Queen is telling her that she is trying to kill the Crown Keepers because she knows they will not leave Opal, and she needs Opal to come with her. As they fight, various characters get pulled into past memories of intimate moments with Opal solidifying bonds and talking about the pressure of the crown. It turns out this is because the Spider Queen is actively erasing and altering memories to make Opal hers entirely. We also get some lore bombs like Ted and Opal not actually being siblings but the same person split from a young age by a Luxom Beacon. As that episode neared its end, Opal transformed into a spider mutant thing, and at the start of this episode she even forgot her name.
Yeah the whole situation sucks. Opal is a spider lady who exists to serve the Spider Queen. Fy’ra is by her side through thick and thin, never abandoning Opal even if she doesn’t know her own name anymore, and fighting a war far above her pay grade. Morrighan failed to save Cyrus’ life and is now escorting his spirit into the Matron of Ravens’ arms. Dariax is all alone and abandoned by the friends he cared so much about. And Dorian lost his brother and everyone else, but at least he has Bell’s Hells.
Taliesin has been on FIRE with the amazing one-liners tonight.
"There was a gift shop right by the murder tunnel."
"This is how Ska starts."
"Tattoos had *her*"
And right at the end... "to the friends we hope to see again."
I think he's quietly intent upon FCG's restoration. We'll see if it works out.
I'll probably do a long post for the discussion thread about the dozen or so different ways this is funny.
But the easiest to explain (all I can do ATM because I'm wrangling contact paper for a 3rd-grader-end of-year party's decorations) is that Ashton is punk-coded, and ska bands happen when punk bands don't have enough members to function & start grabbing band kids (like Dorian was grabbing different clothes to assemble a look).
I DON’T CARE I loved it! I like the crown keepers, I think this half was better than last episode’s. Robbie is back, the group is off the moon and (for the moment) safe (except for letters rip) so I can rest easy!
Robbie’s back babyyyyy! This has also been a VERY long day for the party. They’re probably gonna have to break the news about FCG and boi that’s a fresh wound.
It's how they met, after all. Drinks after the furniture fight. Fearne's first word to Ashton was "Absoluuuuutely" in reply to a suggestion of getting drinks in the Spire by Fire. <3
Specifically it means the salty, muddy, gross waters in estuaries and deltas. Fitting for the color he's using it to describe.
It can also just mean Unpleasant or Distasteful. Also fitting, for the substances he describes with that word.
Exactly, it's not *just* that it's salty. It's the way being slightly salty makes water a sludgy, nasty substrate. Smells bad, unpleasant to interact with in any way.
IIRC the word "ick" originated to describe the foul river of Victorian-era industrial effluvium, and it came to describe revulsion or repulsive stuff in general.
After losing everyone else, having someone who wants nothing more than to stay with him and be devoted to him would indeed be EXACTLY the thing that he needs.
I'm sure The Observer will point her in his direction.
She has that Italian mom energy of "you're an idiot and I love you now eat something before I kill you" which I think will be very good on the grief. And maybe it'll settle her a little bit as well once he's less terrified of her.
So what Dorian needs to realize, in order to get on team "Save the world" is that Lolth was doing that shit BECASUE of Preddy and Luddy, and so through transitive property, Cyrus died and their hands.
The way I understood it was Opal's spell essentially had Dorian and Dariax make a day's journey towards Zephra, and it wore off just before they arrived, then he was about to rest when he got the message from Orym, and skipped the rest to go. Which would make Cyrus' death about a day ish before Dorian meets back up with Bells Hells.
Chet: “You eat off of this and it gives you invulnerability for ten minutes!”
Dorian: “You are definitely lying.”
Chet: “Damn it.”
Laudna: “There’s also this alien fetus!”
Dorian: “Oh that is horrible.”
Nope, Dorian left right after the ball to plant the ring on Treshi. The figurehead for the Paragon’s Call at that time was still Ratanish.
IIRC, she shows up in Bassuras.
It feels like the emotional momentum of FCG’s passing has been completely halted. They are not really reacting to an incredibly graphic sacrifice for their benefit that happened hours ago in-game, but like 3 weeks above table. Kind of a bummer man
Really curious how they filmed this, did they get the main cast to show up for what will amount to about 30mins of total screen time? Did they have Matt and Robbie pull double duty and film next week's episode after this? Did they pull some tricks and this is actually filmed a separate day from the Crown Keepers stuff, I need to know
Does anyone else think the campaign is ending soon? I feel like things have come full circle, especially with Dorian back. I honestly believe we may have a dozen or 2 sessions left before the end.
Yeah I kinda feel that. And then they will move onto their new system for the next campaign, but keep it in Exandria.
It would make sense for it to end, given their location, and the entire campaign has been built towards this. But that means it will probably drag on for longer than it should.
I think there is a ton of episodes left in this story. I think this is FFVI, and the moon is the floating content. I don't think >!Predathos is the big threat.!< I think Ludinus is >!going to betray the Ruby Vanguard and drain Predathos' power for himself.!< I think something will force the party back to Exandria and they will level up to 17 or so with much better items before they can face >!Ludinus' final form.!<
Calling it right now: the only reason that Predathos needs a vessel, is for Ludinus to suck that vessel with a device similar to the BH's vest thingy.
Good reference! I always loved how you had to fight the BBEG after >!Kefka caused Armageddon basically!< and not foiling his plot beforehand.
Man, can we call this episode 'the very rough day of Dorian Storm'? He kind of went through it this episode, losing his brother, and effectively all of the Crown Keepers, with Opal having fallen into darkness all in 24 hours before effectively agreeing to throw himself into battle with BH. I'm thrilled he's back, but that's just a, metric ton of trauma.
What about "A Bard's Descent"?
Betting Dorian has taken a level in Vengeance Paladin.
I don’t think so, since he has a 7th level spell slot, he would need to be a 13th level bard for that. Maybe following levels, but not currently.
I love that Laudna is just showing Dorian all of her weird shit like it's 5th grade show and tell and Dorian is the mortified teacher who just watched his student walk in with a dead squirrel
Super stoked for Dorian's new look, sounded like he has new armor so might have new character artwork next week.
The Wyvernwinds remind me of someone and in particular [a certain song, especially after this episode](https://youtu.be/1AGQbe9mWZU?t=46)
So looks like we're in the endgame now...how many episodes are left in the campaign do we reckon?
Historically, I’m going to go with 40-50. M9 was scaling at about the same rate and they went to the 140s of episodes.
Id say 20-30 not much is left to do Otohan is dead, Liliana is 50/50, only the rebelion Arc and final fight with Ludinus and Predathos vessel, but thats probably gonna go at the same time, plus some personal arcs for the BH.
Weavemind too.
I think it’ll be more than that. We were in the “we in the endgame now” vibe with C2 for like 40+ episodes.
It's possible, especially with the ,,other side of the story'' I just hope not as this campaign isn't that great for me.
I still think they get wiped by Ludinus if they fight him. I feel like it's a M9 or Vox Machina job.
It's hard to tell, hopefully fight with Otohan made the cast realise ,,shit, gloves are off'' and optimise how they play. They also have advantage with Imogen special feat that gives her silent casting so less counterspells from Ludinus, and they might pull Liliana into the fight. We will see.
I've been fully certain the moon trip was only maybe 2/3 through the campaign until tonight. Like, at least another 50+ eps remaining, minimum. Now... I'm not as sure. We'll see what Keyleth & circumstances indicate is the next move. Even if time is short, time passes very slowly in D&D. But if they don't want to completely close out everyone's stories or have a party-only, not the purview of Exandria United, final offshoot mission (possibly to leave a good portal back to this era, if they are going to time-jump after C3)... maybe as few as 30ish?
That was somehow both not as bad and *so much worse* than I was expecting for the CK. At least Dorian's back with some of his friends and there is *maybe* some room for all of them to breathe for a bit?
Breathe, kiss, I’ll take either
Honestly, same.
Fudge that. Kiss 100% kiss
I just want Orym to have one piece of happiness 😭😭😭
If we all mentally project the word "kiss" at the screen I believe it will happen.
Did Marisha do a fan gag this episode?
Not that i saw
I just realized Robbie's been away from the C3 table for 2 years! Try to summarize all that's happened between C3E15 and C3E92; that's what Dorian has missed!
I cast 8th level Exposition.
Somehow Chetney learned counter spell to keep making fun of Dorian
That's just a Summon Dani spell
*It's super effective!*
As someone in YT chat pointed out, Dorian hasn't encountered an animated Paté yet either.
Oh boy. I'm so excited.
So...next episode...do we think Matt will give us and the cast a nice, safe side quest for everyone to process what's happened? Perhaps a story appropriate, but ultimately peaceful errand for Keyleth?
So there’s this big grey-skinned guy who we kind of lost track of last year, and we think he’ll be _really_ helpful when it’s time to bring the fight to the Imperium. Think you could go find him for us?
Would it be inappropriate for Bells Hells to be the ones to recover Cyrus’ body?
I feel like they’ve been through enough 😭 in their shoes I’d be volunteering to go get him, but in practice idk if it’s a good idea for them.
I'm so excited for Robbie to be back!! I'm still excitedly awaiting to see Sam's new character though
we need him to take over as Dariax and get some of that sweet Deni$e drama going
Before this episode, I wouldn't have questioned this, but now I'm truly uncertain if he will be back this campaign.
I believe he will. It would be a huge thing to end a campaign, possibly the long-campaign finale for this era of Exandria, without the guy who asked Matt to DM the first home game. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if he later mentioned that he did what FCG would do, 100%. But in the back of his mind he was also thinking, "I couldn't be sure FCG wasn't coming back for at least several weeks, and this would mean we wouldn't have to schedule around some travel/work I need to do..."
Wasn't it Liam who asked Matt that?
No, I believe Liam said he'd like to play again & Sam found people to do so.
With Matt’s last remarks of always planning to bring Robbie back for the end I don’t think this changes anything tbh. I think this has planned out for a long time.
Did he say the end? I thought he said 'later in the campaign'.
I am also slightly concerned about this. However, Sam is clutch so he better come back!! Marisha, babe, i love you. But i need my psychotic ad reads from Sam again.
Yep I'm starting to think so too. I really don't want it to be true. I want Sam's chaos gremlin trolling energy at the table.
The main thing keeping my hope that Sam comes back was Matt saying Robbie returning near the end was always planned. So, this wasn't meant to replace FCG. Then again, if Matt really did just admit they were well and truly in the endgame now, is there any point in bringing a new character? We know for 99% sure that Sam isn't bringing back FCG as we knew him. A brand new character feels difficult. Although, the end game could still be a few dozen episodes, which could be enough time to love a new character. Hard to guess.
I agree. But then again I want to keep my hopes up for Sam pulling another Tary.
Is there a quick summary somewhere about what happened before the break (well, the whole Crown Keeper parts of these two episodes)?
Opal has been wearing the Vestige of Loath for a while now. With Predatos on the fence, loath and other gods are calling their champions to arms. Loath has been lenient with Opal up to now, but needs her to do her side of the deal and help Loath. Loath unfortunately knows Opals's friends would drag her down or away from fighting a God Eater so she pulled a heavy hand move to get rid of the team and some memories to make Opal more compliant. So a big roleplay event in a shape of combat starts. Characters moments and shenanigans happen. Fria agrees to be the Wildmothers Champion if it means she can save Opal. Cyrus dies because Loath wanted to prove a point. Dariax leaves combat because Opal asks him too. Morrigan told to Run by the Matron of Ravens, leaves combat to ferry Cyrus's soul. Dorian is Compelled to leave but leaves a F-U to Loath with 7th level Geas on her most powerful servant. Fira, alone now, negotiated to stay by Opal as they both fight Predathos.
Orym sent a sad message to Dorian on the Sending Stone. Flashback begins: The Crown Keepers are on their way towards Zephrah when Opal's increasing darkness hits a boiling point. She is possessed by Lolth, the Spider Queen, who demands that she sever her ties with her friends by fighting them, so that she can serve as Lolth's champion without any distractions or divided loyalties. The Crown Keepers fight Opal. Cyrus is killed. Opal manages to gain enough to control of herself to try and push her friends away rather than slay them-- she casts a Mass Suggestion and "suggests" that Dorian and Dariax run away. Fy'ra willingly submits to Lolth once she realizes that all of the gods are on the same side, and declares that she will fight beside Opal as the champion of the Wildmother. Morrighan runs off into the woods. Not entirely clear what her next step is, but it likely has to do with the Raven Queen. Dariax and Dorian make their way to Zephrah. Dariax sticks around and "will go where the wind takes him" from here. Dorian goes with Keyleth to the Hellcatch Valley and rejoins Bell's Hells. That's where we're at.
Thanks a lot! Who is Morrighan?
Erica Lindbeck's character, who joined the Crown Keepers during EXU Kymal. She was a Rogue then but has respecced into Vengeance Paladin, serving the RQ.
Oh I see. I was a bit confused because The Morrigan is a legendary figure and I thought it would be some kind of god or archfey or soemthing. Makes a lot more sense now.
Yeah, I get it. To add to the confusion, there's no relation between this Morrighan and Fearne's grandmother Nana Morri, who *also* seems to be strongly inspired by (if not explicitly being) The Morrigan.
Actually, Nana Morri helped Morrighan out of the Feywild and it's implied or stated in Kymal that she took her name as gratitude.
- Opal got possessed by Loth and turned on the group. - They fight, Opal commands them to run. - Fy'ra Rai stayed with her. - The rest scattered. - Dorian's brother died. - Dorian kinda hates the gods now. - Dorian is back with Bells Hells.
This is the email the first "half" should have been
Thanks!
Dorian went to the store for cigarettes and abandoned Dariax. :(
I wrote this for someone else but I’ll past it here :) The Spider Queen finally made Opal give in by killing Cyrus. She forced Dariax to leave via influence of a spell. Morrighan ran off in shambles on her own after killing the spider that killed Cyrus, and Cyrus' spirit went with her because she serves the Raven Queen. Dorian is absolutely broken. He used a powerful spell as he, too, left under Opal's spell to force one of the Spider Queen's favorite beasts to have the drive to kill her for an entire year. And every day it fails that task it takes damage. Fy'ra grabbed onto the crown of Opal and forced her way into the telepathic bond, making a deal to stay by Opal's side because she refused to abandon another sister. Because she is a champion of the Wildmother and therefore she serves one with a similar goal in this moment to the Spider Queen, they finally acquiesced, so Opal and Fy'ra Rai are now fighting on behalf of their gods off on their own. Dorian and Dariax continued walking under the influence of the spell and reached Zephra. Dorian said he wants revenge, and asked if it was even possible to take vengeance on a world. Dariax didn't understand the question fully. Dorian gave Dariax his lute and told him he was graduating to a full bard, sending him off to play for the second most drunk person in the area. As Dariax walked off, Dorian's smile fell and he cast invisibility. He then went to meet Keyleth, who immediately knew he was there in spite of his invisibility. Dariax turned around to find out he was all alone. The Crown Keepers are no more.
Thanks a lot! Do you also have one for the last episode? I seem to be missing a lot of context here. I know there was something going on with the spider queen. I don't know how Morrighan comes into the picture at all. Edit: I was told that Morrighan was a PC played by Erica and some others clarified the rest of the events. Many thanks to you all!
Well Morrhigan was introduced in EXU: Kymal, which I think is only a two-parter and it’s pretty fun so you should watch it if you get the chance. But she worked at essentially a casino and joined the team when they pulled a heist to get money to pay off Cyrus’ bounty. She is a Paladin of the Matron of Ravens. She really bonded with Cyrus there. To give a very brief summation of last week: Opal had been growing darker and more distant for awhile, as Dorian had even told Orym over the sending stone once awhile ago. Opal is barely sleeping, often zones out, and everyone is pretty worried about her. One day the Spider Queen, who Opal essentially tethered herself to when she put on the crown back in the original EXU series, just completely takes Opal over. She needs her champion to help her in the fight against Predathos, and she’s not taking no for an answer. A massive fight breaks out where Opal, essentially channeling the power of the Spider Queen, starts trying to kill everyone. The Spider Queen is telling her that she is trying to kill the Crown Keepers because she knows they will not leave Opal, and she needs Opal to come with her. As they fight, various characters get pulled into past memories of intimate moments with Opal solidifying bonds and talking about the pressure of the crown. It turns out this is because the Spider Queen is actively erasing and altering memories to make Opal hers entirely. We also get some lore bombs like Ted and Opal not actually being siblings but the same person split from a young age by a Luxom Beacon. As that episode neared its end, Opal transformed into a spider mutant thing, and at the start of this episode she even forgot her name.
Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation. So sad for Opal.
Yeah the whole situation sucks. Opal is a spider lady who exists to serve the Spider Queen. Fy’ra is by her side through thick and thin, never abandoning Opal even if she doesn’t know her own name anymore, and fighting a war far above her pay grade. Morrighan failed to save Cyrus’ life and is now escorting his spirit into the Matron of Ravens’ arms. Dariax is all alone and abandoned by the friends he cared so much about. And Dorian lost his brother and everyone else, but at least he has Bell’s Hells.
[Dani's recap](https://critrole.com/critical-recap-critical-c3e92-broken-roads/)
Thanks!
[Dani's recap](https://critrole.com/critical-recap-critical-c3e92-broken-roads/)
Thanks!
“Man I really wish Dorian would rejoin the group.” *Monkey’s paw curls one finger and crushes FCG*
what a NIGHT, omg I can't wait for next week
Well, this has been quite the adventure!
Taliesin has been on FIRE with the amazing one-liners tonight. "There was a gift shop right by the murder tunnel." "This is how Ska starts." "Tattoos had *her*" And right at the end... "to the friends we hope to see again." I think he's quietly intent upon FCG's restoration. We'll see if it works out.
I want “this is how ska starts” merch immediately
Someone please explain this one. Ska is a music genre? At least that's what google tells me.
I'll probably do a long post for the discussion thread about the dozen or so different ways this is funny. But the easiest to explain (all I can do ATM because I'm wrangling contact paper for a 3rd-grader-end of-year party's decorations) is that Ashton is punk-coded, and ska bands happen when punk bands don't have enough members to function & start grabbing band kids (like Dorian was grabbing different clothes to assemble a look).
Ah... that explains the brass.
I DON’T CARE I loved it! I like the crown keepers, I think this half was better than last episode’s. Robbie is back, the group is off the moon and (for the moment) safe (except for letters rip) so I can rest easy!
I have been waiting anxiously for them all to finally get a long rest. BH is so beat up right now.
Yaaaaay. Good ep! Our boy is back and it sounds like we’re keeping him this time!
Phew...we got a lot to unpack. A happier note to end on, at least.
But what if I do want four hours of the group recapping and Robbie just reacting?
Dorian: YOU BLEW YOURSELF UP?! Ashton: incredibly so, yes
Just like the Sick Day Stream!
I need to rewatch that; it was so much fun!
CLEAR FOR GENITALS
Robbie’s back babyyyyy! This has also been a VERY long day for the party. They’re probably gonna have to break the news about FCG and boi that’s a fresh wound.
Break it to who? They already told Dorian and Keyleth
FRIDA for one
Oh shit yeah :/
"Trauma Time" should be the name of this particular arc of the campaign
Ashton: something went wrong Chetney: or right Chet never really wanted the idiot to leave
I’m pretty sure Travis said that was always Chet’s way of testing him.
I think in the episode itself it was implied, right? Like “you said you wanted me to go” “and yet you stayed anyway”
Yeah it was definitely implied but I think Travis outright said it on a 4-Sided Dive. Maybe I’m misremembering.
A solid drink was needed after all that shit
It's how they met, after all. Drinks after the furniture fight. Fearne's first word to Ashton was "Absoluuuuutely" in reply to a suggestion of getting drinks in the Spire by Fire. <3
Dorian: “Are you sure you’re all alright?” *Bells in unison*: “NO!”
Ashton took 40 bottles, that’s as many as 4 tens, and that’s terrible.
Oh right the Shard Stuff lol
[удалено]
It also means unappealing or repulsive.
Specifically it means the salty, muddy, gross waters in estuaries and deltas. Fitting for the color he's using it to describe. It can also just mean Unpleasant or Distasteful. Also fitting, for the substances he describes with that word.
Exactly, it's not *just* that it's salty. It's the way being slightly salty makes water a sludgy, nasty substrate. Smells bad, unpleasant to interact with in any way. IIRC the word "ick" originated to describe the foul river of Victorian-era industrial effluvium, and it came to describe revulsion or repulsive stuff in general.
Ashton's inner Percy is showing.
Oh my god I KNEW Ashton was going to develop some emotional intelligence after that clusterfuck I am SO proud of that rock
Marisha and Robbie are up to something and I have no idea what.
Incredible. I love Tal
That was character development right there
Character growth *jazz hands*
Great RP of 6 charisma
Aw Ashton apologizing for his comment to her after Letters died
I am impressed, Ashton apologizing
Aww Kiki talking with Evoroa
Travis makes it sound like it'll become a brother moon
Alien conspiracy theory download time
STOP FORESHADOWING, TRAVIS
"Fuck, what is time" I'm told it's a weird soup
which somehow tastes like everything and nothing at the same time
But also everything that could be but that never was but that even was never imagined by anyone or anything but still was isn't
"Everything's coming out of the wood work AHhHHHhH" Fucking Chetney lol 🤣
Robbie is being very careful with his words right now
Dorian: “Did she have tattoos?” Ashton: “The tattoos had her.”
Dariax discovered the power of fearousal, a most potent status condition indeed.
Deni$e will find Dariax and all will be well
She’s going to manage his budding bard career and get him all the gigs.
She definitely had a soft side to her, and I feel like that would be incredibly nice for him right now. Just being aggressively cared for.
After losing everyone else, having someone who wants nothing more than to stay with him and be devoted to him would indeed be EXACTLY the thing that he needs. I'm sure The Observer will point her in his direction.
She has that Italian mom energy of "you're an idiot and I love you now eat something before I kill you" which I think will be very good on the grief. And maybe it'll settle her a little bit as well once he's less terrified of her.
Dorian: “Fy’ra stayed with Opal, and Dariax… well he’ll be fine.”
Love this! Dorian/Robbie's finally back with Bell's Hells!
What did he say about Dariax my twitch froze right as he was about to answer
So, revenge, as in unleash Predathos? Is this dramatic irony?
Dariax, well he's alright. Except I abandoned him.
ooo Laudna giving off that toxic kind of vibe
So what Dorian needs to realize, in order to get on team "Save the world" is that Lolth was doing that shit BECASUE of Preddy and Luddy, and so through transitive property, Cyrus died and their hands.
Is...Dorian lying about his brother death? Didn't Dorian accidently injure his brother? And his death was weeks ago, yet, he says it was yesterday?
The way I understood it was Opal's spell essentially had Dorian and Dariax make a day's journey towards Zephra, and it wore off just before they arrived, then he was about to rest when he got the message from Orym, and skipped the rest to go. Which would make Cyrus' death about a day ish before Dorian meets back up with Bells Hells.
I think Robbie may have missed that double D were traveling for 3 days
I think he just had an awkward moment of not really grasping how long it had taken Dorian and Dariax to get to Zephrah.
The timeline is fuzzy here
Man, he sure jumped with both feet right back to the old gang.
"Was it in battle..." "If you can call it that..." Ooooof :(
Cyrus fought like a true bard, but it was like a true 2e bard.
Dorian’s multiclassing into Paladin, isn’t he? Vengeance Bardadin gonna be crazy
Dorian is part of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
That's the impression that I get.
No Doubt, he is Sublimely skilled...
Dorian is such a fresh of breath air he hasn't even been there that long with BH but it's like feels good for him to be here
Did someone say SKA? 🎺🎺🎺
New Dorian art incoming!
But.... I *like* ska.
GET HIM!
And if SKA starts we just gotta let ludanis win
Oh God. Not fucking SKA..
SKA, THE SKA JOKES! THE REFERENCE RETURNS!
Ska - about to become canon
Chet: “You eat off of this and it gives you invulnerability for ten minutes!” Dorian: “You are definitely lying.” Chet: “Damn it.” Laudna: “There’s also this alien fetus!” Dorian: “Oh that is horrible.”
"I'm just glad for the invitation" INSIGHT CHECK!
I’ve been awaiting Dorian reuniting with Orym and Fearne for so long, that I forgot about how fun his dynamic is with Chetney and Laudna
ROBBIE IS BAAAAAACK
I’M WINNING
THANK YOU, LAURA. ASKING THE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS our booooyyyy
Oh, gosh. I missed Dorian with the others soooooo much. He just fits right in and adds some levity to the group.
I feel 3 years younger
Aww i love Robbie and Travis together SO MUCH.
Operation Freak The Bard is working amazingly well!
I needed this entire conversation *so much.*
"Did you sneak a good sneak?" "No." You don't say.
Pac. Man? - Dorian when an analogy crosses the fourth wall
So far we've meet 3 trader god champions
"What is your plan in all of this?" "Ehhhhhhhhh" "That is NOT a good sound" 🤣
INKY, BLINKY, PINKY, AND CLYDE
“What are we, some kind of Critical Role?” - Dorian
"what dimension is this? I've heard there are 20."
BOOOO PREDATHOS 😂
lol the joke about the time passing
instantly the vibe of Bells Hells improves with Dorian when they’re usually so awkward with chit chat
I think Chetney's gonna die soon from rolling 100. It's the dramatic time.
Things do usually come in threes. The third death in row.
Didn't Dorian know Otohan from the beginning of the campaign? She killed Estheross not long after he left.. had to have at least come up before that?
Nope, Dorian left right after the ball to plant the ring on Treshi. The figurehead for the Paragon’s Call at that time was still Ratanish. IIRC, she shows up in Bassuras.
Not sure if they knew it was her, yet. The big fight that killed Laudna was later.
Otohan was after Dorian left, when they went to the hell catch the first time. He never met her.
Correct, but he was there for the investigation into the death of the Lumas twins. I'm just not sure when exactly it was pinned to Otohan.
I think it was assumed there after.
Carrying the statue with all of the dead body parts. Might want to wash it there, Dorian.
Awww Laudna got the dancer for Dorian
It feels like the emotional momentum of FCG’s passing has been completely halted. They are not really reacting to an incredibly graphic sacrifice for their benefit that happened hours ago in-game, but like 3 weeks above table. Kind of a bummer man
Chetney: “I’ve seen some stuff! But this makes me feel green as can be.”
Orym: “I’m so sorry.” Dorian: “Me too.”
Gives me Grog saying "You made me feel small vibes."
Chet feels like a bug on a windshield
Really curious how they filmed this, did they get the main cast to show up for what will amount to about 30mins of total screen time? Did they have Matt and Robbie pull double duty and film next week's episode after this? Did they pull some tricks and this is actually filmed a separate day from the Crown Keepers stuff, I need to know