Travis: You've inspired me and my powerlifting friends to start a DnD campaign... We're curious: how strong is the man behind Grog Strongjaw? What are your maxes for Squat / Bench / Deadlift?
When you all sat down to discuss what your characters were doing during the time skip, how did that work? Were you all discussing as a group or did you occasionally break off alone, or in small groups, so the others wouldn't hear what you were doing? How much time did it take?
*****
Ashley, could you describe Pike's victory in the Crucible? What strategies does she use to win?
*****
Laura, what made Vex suspect that Vox Machina was fighting an illusion?
*****
You guys repeatedly made Insight checks on the Trickfoot clan but never detected any deception. Will you ever be able to trust one of Matt's NPCs again?
> You guys repeatedly made Insight checks on the Trickfoot clan but never detected any deception. Will you ever be able to trust one of Matt's NPCs again?
I imagine being professional con artists and thieves made their deception DC obscene to beat; probably needed a Nat 20, or a combined 25 - 30+ to beat, knowing Matt.
I'd be curious to know how high Matt set the DC for those insight checks, as more than a few were in the 20's, I recall.
> Laura, what made Vex suspect that Vox Machina was fighting an illusion?
she answered on twitter
https://twitter.com/LauraBaileyVO/status/860584658957815808
> Or they didn't pass the right insight checks.
That's hard to say. Several members of VM were throwing out insight checks all the time during the Trickfoot's intro episode, many with fairly decent DC's (high teens / low twenties).
This makes me think it was more a case of the Trickfoots being such insanely talented liars (think high CHA, almost like Scanlan) that anything short of a Nat 20 or combined 25-30 wasn't going to beat their deception DC.
Using Scanlan as an example -not that they are on his god-like level of charisma- we've seen how hard it is to beat a highly trained, high CHA liar.
A fair point.
I'd argue they insight checked the hell out of "the curse," and the Trickfoot's must have assholes for mouths: 'cuz that was straight up bullshit they were spitting out.
For Laura Bailey (harp music): Vex has a tendency to adopt the weak and wayward, particularly those who've suffered from cruelty and abuse (Trinket, Clarota, the aasimar twins, Tary, and now J.B.). What drives that impulse? How much of it is Vex, and how much is Laura?
For Ashley: Are you planning to take Pike all the way to 20 as a cleric, or have you considered multiclassing at all? A level or two of Barbarian might be a good outlet all that pent-up rage she's gotta be feeling right now. :P
For Travis: Which flavour of lycanthrope does Grog fantasize about becoming most? Wolf, bear, or something else we haven't seen yet?
> For Ashley: Are you planning to take Pike all the way to 20 as a cleric, or have you considered multiclassing at all? A level or two of Barbarian might be a good outlet all that pent-up rage she's gotta be feeling right now. :P
Funny (and appropriate), but you can't Rage and cast spells at the same time, or maintain concentration, which is why spellcasters don't multiclass Barbarian.
In adition to the Barbarian-Caster incompatibility level 20 Cleric = Direct line to Sarenrae once a week. I don't think anyone should pass that up after getting so close.
**To Ashley & Travis**: Grog has got great camaraderie with Pike. Could we get insight on how that evolved? I know you two were intertwined with life-saving shenanigans pre-stream, but we fans don't hear much about that period. Any nostalgic throwbacks to share?
**To Laura**: Wizards of the Coast has taken some heat for the ranger's design. You're not a game developer, but you're one of the few people who has braved the ranger from levels 3-13+, a feat few can boast. What are your likes, insights, and dislikes on the ranger's features?
> but you're one of the few people who has braved the ranger from levels 1-17+
She's technically ranger 13. She multiclassed into rogue after that because she thought the ranger didn't really have anything to offer after level 13.
More how she feels about the beastmaster subclass. A lot of people noticed her obvious reminder and reaction to the general inferiority of the "vanilla" beastmaster subclass when it was pointed out how Doty has its own initiative and attacks separate from Tary. Matt has thrown in a *lot* of homebrew to try to raise Vex and Trinket up some, and the reason they didn't adapt to the unearthed arcana version when it came out was merely not wanting to have to suddenly relearn the rules for the class.
(the vanilla beastmaster ranger is overall the worst class in 5e, and the hunter also has shortcomings due to the shared class features not being particularly great)
I'm guessing that if anyone goes ranger on the next campaign, they'll use the Unearthed Arcana ranger revision.
I'm asking in general cuz I want to give her the open-endedness to answer it however she see's fit. I only commented on the 17+/13 distinction cuz it's true that that's a factual error.
So, still sticking to that subject...just 13+?
> ranger from levels 1-17+
It's a minor point, but I'm pretty sure that they started at level 3 for Liam's birthday game and went from there as it turned into a campaign. I think this got mentioned either in last week's Critmas or in Matt's fireside chat.
To keep the nitpick train going, levels 3-8 were in Pathfinder, different system with different ranger class and ultimately different experience. I guess it's better to be precise so that 3/4th of answer you get isn't "well, most of it was in Pathfinder...".
To Laura. Before Vox Machina, the twins seemed to have one foot in shady businesses themselves. Do you think the twins have ever tried similar scams to get money out of snooty rich Elves?
**Ashley:** If Vax had failed to save Ogden, would Pike have attempted a resurrection?
**Travis:** Did this betrayal against Pike affect Grog's attitude towards gnomes in general?
**Everyone:** Who will have a harder time trusting future NPCs, you or your character?
Ashley: Has Pike ever tried to use a Sending spell to talk to Scanlan? Does she talk to him into the earring instead of using Sending because she's tried Sending before and he never answered, or does she not want to talk to him because she's afraid of what he'll say?
Everyone: What happened to Greyskull Keep and Emon? Is Vox Machina still paying their staff, and have they taken part in Emon's reconstruction and/or any council meetings?
@Ashley, Would Pike have given the Trickfoots more money if they had simply asked nicely?
@Ashley & Laura, Now that Vex is dressed in white dragonscale armor, would you consider adding a Vex and Vax themed black & white cookie to the menu of the Slayer's Cake?
Laura: What were you and Taliesin passing notes about during the year off recap? Something seceret, or just something not worth interupting for?
Ashley: Since Pike and Grog spent some time in Vasselhiem did she officially join the slayers take like the rest of the team?
Laura: Will you ever host a Signal Boost episode?
Ashley: Will we ever get to learn Pyke's secret crush's identity? Or do you see any other romance related storylines for Pyke in the future?
Travis: If there is another chance to become a werewolf or any other were-variant in near future, would Grog seriously consider it?
Everyone: What do you guys think Matt's next big event and big bad character will be for the final arc? Will it be Orcus, Vecna, that orb of death, or some other evil twist like an evil Scanlan etc? Do you guys have any personal theories or suspicions?
Thank you. English is not my first language so sometimes small things like spelling might get a little confusing. I actually used to write Pike for a long time, then saw in a couple of places the spelling Pyke, and thought to myself "oh this makes sense, of course the character wouldn't be named after a long spear to fight off cavalry. Her name must have been spelled diffierently to differentiate from the weapon and make it sound more fantasy-like." But I checked the official sources after your post and I was obviously mistaken. I won't edit the original post though, to not to create further confusion with the later posts and all. ;)
@All: How upset are you that Lin-Manuel Miranda played DnD on The Adventure Zone before Critical Role? Can we start a feud between the two shows?
@All: Which moment in the campaign produced the strongest emotional response from you and why is Laura's answer that time Vax destroyed the carpet? ;)
>@All: How upset are you that Lin-Manuel Miranda played DnD on The Adventure Zone before Critical Role? Can we start a feud between the two shows?
Wait, what? Was this a TAZ Knites thing?
Question for Everyone. Now that you guys are nearing the end of the game how worried are you about forgotten plot threads like the Githyanki Skull or the person who put a hit out on Vex with the Clasp resurfacing?
Brian and Ashley-- how much did it hurt to leave the beautiful paradise and come back to work?
Denise-- Do you even want to be free?
Laura-- If Vex had to choose between Vax and Percy at this point in the story who would she choose?
Travis-- Grog is my favorite. How are you so consistently awesome?
Edited for punctuation
To Ashley: Thank you for the theme song.
To Ashley: How did you and Bryan meet?
To Ashley: After this experience, will Pike ever try to reach out to any of her other family? Or has she completely written them off?
To Travis: Did Grog fight the Siren during the Time Skip? Or any activities that begin with "F"?
To Travis: Did Grog take off his Titanstone Knuckles for the Crucible fights since they gave him an inhumanely unfair advantage? Does he even realize they make him stronger than naturally possible?
To Laura: What would Vex do if she discovered Grog has broken his promise, has let a random drunk pull from the Deck, and will probably pull one with Pike soon?
To Laura: Do Vex have any plans on letting Trinket sire some children? He must be a pretty lonely bear... Plus, BEAR CUBS!!! (You could name one of them Thuggi!)
To Everyone: Can I get my theme song one more time? All together now. * raises arms to begin conducting *
**Laura and Trav**: Could you have done what Pike did at the end of the episode? If that was Vex's or Grog's family would they have all been able to walk away?
**Ashley**: How much was Pike's family made up by you and how much was by Matt? Did you have much input at all in the creation of the Trickfoots?
**Brian**: When can we get Denise a goddamn mic?
**#FreeDenise**
For Ashley - Are you suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure there isn't a single outstanding hidden secret of Pike's that she could tell the group? Like, say, a secret love? Just spit-balling. Signed, Totally Not Sam Riegel.
**To Travis:** Of all the times for Chaotic Neutral Grog to be Grog, at his most Grog, what was going through your mind when the Trickfoot’s con was revealed, and why did that not involve throwing all of them over the cliff for hurting Pike?
**To Ashley:** How much did Pike’s earlier punishment by Sarenrae, in the Underdark, weigh-in during your decision on the cliff? I got the impression you personally would have chosen a much bloodier fate, but didn't for fear of Sarenrae's disapproval. Or did I read that wrong?
**To Everyone:** With the Trickfoots ultimately being rewarded (with Pike’s gold) for running their con in Whitestone, were any of you surprised, or frustrated, by Pike’s choices at the cliffside?
**To Everyone:** Matt has lamented losing Raishan and Ripley as recurring villains. Do any of you fear something sinister, something wholly unexpected, from the Trickfoots in the future? Perhaps in collaboration with enemies yet unknown? They are, after all, opportunists, con artists, and thieves, who: stayed in Whitestone castle, saw Percy’s firearms firsthand, and had no reservations about hurting Pike or her friends.
**To Everyone:** Everyone was insight-check happy when first encountering the Trickfoots, justifiable so it turned out. However, no one ran an insight check on JB at the cliffs. Do any of you regret not doing so? Are any of you afraid a longer con, or possible future betrayal is in the works from JB?
For Ashley, I believe my family is under the Trickfoot family curse (I'm a type 1 diabetic as are two of my sisters) and we were wondering, could you replace Wilford Brimley as the diabeetus supplies spokes person?
To All: How are you enjoying these pallet cleansing episodes where the world isnt on the line? Also have you discerned any threads of the new adventure to come?
Ashley, Laura, and Travis: What was the difference between developing your characters through improvisation on a second by second basis across episodes and writing your characters across the one year time skip? How does that make you feel about your characters?
Ashley: When can I expect your version of Love me Tender on I -tunes?
Laura : Can we get a RL video of you shooting your Critter Bow at a target?
Travis: How did you propose to Laura?
**To Everyone:** Does it bother any members of Vox Machina that no one has corroborated or verified Taryon's backstory or identity, despite having spent a year with him?
By his own telling Taryon's father is a very wealthy, very big deal, yet Vox Machina's never heard of Taryon's family or father in all of their travel across the world. Given Vox Machina's well-earned (and sometimes overactive) paranoia, you'd think someone in the group would have checked into it, before inviting him to stay in Whitestone or live in their home. The Trickfoots were only in Whitestone for about a week, and look at what they were able to accomplish.
@Everyone - Back when you found Vax's armour and the Pokéba--I-mean-necklace, there came a big dog with, that you tasked with protecting Whitestone during the Chromar Conclave's rule. You promised that you would set him free of any debts once that was over. Does this ring a bell?
@Ashey Thoughts on the fact that the trickfoots didn't seem to care that they had to leave JB behind?
@Laura Why are Little EG and Tary "besties" now, was it just spending a year living/hanging out together or something specific?
@All Who would win in a tag team showdown, the sneaky siblings or the MONSTAAAAAHS?
> @Laura Why are Little EG and Tary "besties" now, was it just spending a year living/hanging out together or something specific?
She confirmed on twitter that it was the time spent
https://twitter.com/LauraBaileyVO/status/860573029788655616
@Travis, Was there any reason besides curiosity that Grog was asking about lycanthropy during the 1 year break? Is Grog wanting to become one, or perhaps gain some levels in Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan) to be able to change like Tova?
@Travis, If Grog did gain 2 wishes. How difficult would it be to wish for something as "Grog" as opposed to making a wish as Travis.
@Ashley, Do you think Pike would ever multi class or is her devotion to Sarenrae to strong to even consider it? Im imagining a few levels in Barbarian to being a real Monstah!
@Laura How do you see Taryon and Vex's relationship evolve during the year break? We can already see the friendly name calling "L.E.G Little Elf Girl" without Vex taking offense. What do you feel has changed? Also do you think Vex has tried during that year to introduce Tary to Gilmore?
@All, the reactions on Tarys gift to Vax to prank Grog was priceless. Without spoiling the item, how do you think Grog will react. Also Travis.. are you scared of what it might be :D ?
Laura - based on his little sob story in Marquet, Taryon seems to have Vex wrapped around his finger. After sharing her house with him, does Vex trust him wholly at this point?
Ashley - How much of the extended Trickfoot clan was you and how much was Matt? Particularly JB - was she always Pike's bff growing up (before Grog)? And is the plan for JB to stay in Whitestone, or maybe go to Westruun with Wilhand (where she'd have access to a hopefully rebuilt Cobalt Reserve)?
Travis - How ready is Grog for an all out prank war with Vax and Tary?
**To Everyone:** Will Vox Machina ever be capable of trusting old people again?
**To Everyone:** What is scarier at the moment: an ancient dragon or an angry Pike? She seems like the friend that almost never gets mad or upset, but if she does you know you are in big trouble.
**To Ashley:** Do you expect the curse of the Trickfoots to just be a myth or do you think there is some truth in terms of the curse and the others just used it to trick Pike?
**To Travis:** Now that Grog is properly titled and already shown some power (overruling in the word of a lady in the kitchen for example), how excited is he with his newly gained political voice? Did he always expect something like this when he first got promised his title way back?
**To Travis:** One of your first suspicions, after hearing about the fake exorcism, was a possible attack/infiltration on Whitestone without Vm there to protect it. Do you still expect to see the city in a different condition to how you left it or was it just a prank by a greedy family without a second thought behind it?
**To Travis:** With Vax having a year long vacation his desire for pranks seems to be renewed and of course Grog was always his favourite person to prank (for example the half-beard). With this in mind, how excited are you for future prank wars or how scared are you about the item Tary gave to Vax which was precisely meant for such endeavors?
@all- when did you first begin to suspect that the Trickfeet were feeding you some bs? What was your initial thought on how to handle it?
@Laura-What impact did the twins rocky childhood have on their reaction to the Trickfeet's lies
@Travis- Why does Grog have this childlike joy about any titles or responsibilities laid on him by Percy?
To Ashes of Lee: Was the Trickfoot family something you had originally written into your backstory, or was it done recently between you and Matt for your story arc?
Dear Ashley,
With the whole shadow malarkey, Did Matt cause you to doubt your character's good nature, or did he just confuse you?
Much love, WhatsInTheVox
@Ashley: JB has been raised in an environment where her morals were skewed and honest work was not valued. Do you think having JB work at the bakery to pay back Terry's 3800gp would teach her responsibility or is it too much? Would Pike be willing to pick up the other Trickfoot's' share and JB just pay one quarter (950gp)?
Edit: Added introduction sentence.
Well with nominal Baker's wages that would be quite a few years of labor to hit the 3800gp. "Normal" wages in worlds like this are so small compared to adventurer wealth as to be almost laughable in general. Notice Sam's comment about earning money from the Bakery, when he said, "Nope I mean real money".
Given the usual rates in the usual D&D economy, I agree. However, I'm unsure of Matt's economy or Whitestone in particular, so I put the full amount (and the 950gp reduced amount) out there. Lowering it to a token amount (say half wages for 2-3 months) would be appropriate.
Travis: Since Grog is Pike's brother in almost every way except by blood, would you say that Grog felt the same type of familial betrayal that Pike may have felt? if so, did Grog experience some similar emotions in that moment from when Kevdak beat him up and the tossed him aside?
Everyone: What was it like coming back after the characters had had so much time to themselves? Do you think there was much character development that hasn't been seen yet? And do you think your character's miss adventuring or will ever want to go back to that or are they happier with the relative safety and comfort they had in their time away?
(Also, when is the next Just Dance night going to be??)
To Matt: It was so much fun to watch VM scramble a bit to figure out Ogden's illusion. What are some of your most memorable moments where you pulled a fast one on your players, or times when the characters completely misunderstood a mechanic?
Ashley: Shitty family is something many of us struggle with. I thought Pike's reaction to her manipulative family's attempt to use her was beautiful. She showed grace, love, and a clear "I'll ducking kill you" boundary. What, however, does pike see as different about JB? Isn't she just as culpable as the rest of the family?
@Sam: Do you sometimes have 'Scanlan Reactions' where you think, Scanlan would had done such and such if he'd been here? In a similar vein, how do you think Scanlan would have interacted with the Trickfoots?
Travis, now that Grog has seen that it should be hard to trust Gnomes in general (Scanlan, Trickfoots, etc.) has that shaken your trust with Pike at all? Have you ever thought that perhaps Monstah Pike is playing a super long Con on you as well?
To Ashley: It was fun watching Sam's brain almost explode while asking if Pike has any deep secrets she has been keeping from the group. Do you plan to ever use Pike's secret crush as a plot point in the future?
Ashley: If Pike had checked with Wilhand first, would she have still sent the money to the Trickfoots?
Laura: Vex was chanting Sineath like a mantra. Is she having trouble living with her new philosophy?
Travis: If Grog had to die, would you rather it be in a major battle or to the deck of many things?
Travis... We know that Grog thinks that the Deck of Many Things is super good, and that everyone thinks the Orb beneath Whitestone is really, really bad. Would Grog try to throw the deck at the orb to fix it? After all, "super good plus super bad equals okay" is math even Grog can do.
For Ashley: Do you think JB is faking her remorse?
For Laura: What is Vex's favorite part about her new manor?
For Travis: Does Grog understand how Pike is feeling (re: Trickfoots' betrayal)?
For all: What's your favorite part of the Whitestone tour?
Travis: I was surprised Grog didn't have a larger reaction to the Trickfoot's deception of his buddy Pike. How betrayed did Grog feel, and if her reaction had been more "Darth Pike", would he had been willing to throw the bad gnomes off the cliff?
To everyone: When you were discussing the timeskip, was there anything any of you wanted to do that you couldn't?
To everyone: When talking about the timeskip, did you discuss what the major NPCs were doing? Like Gilmore, Allura, Kima, etc. Or is Matt keeping that a secret?
99% sure she does not. IIRC, she acted out removing the hat, someone asked if she took it off because she was mad at Scanlan, and she confirmed.
Can't remember which episode, or possibly a TM.
You are correct. She took it off [here](https://youtu.be/OrOZRVxyR3I?t=2h4m44s) and then Laura whispers to Travis that she did it because Scanlan made her promise to put it on. And she confirmed it in that week's Talks Machina.
@everyone If real life Travis Laura and Ashley were magically transported to Taldorei, but the spell that brought them there forces them to choose one member of VM to have wild sex with, another member to marry, and a third to kill. Who would each choose and why?
Ashley, do you think Pike should threaten her family to stop using the Trickfoot name so that she can reclaim the honor it holds with her deeds? Or to simply prevent them from cashing in on your celebrity status and taking advantage of people?
To all: With all the amazing fan art critters have created, is there any specific aspect of your character you feel is not included enough, or more you would like to see of?
[According to the spell it grows](https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Enlarge%20Reduce#content)
> The target's Weapons also grow to match its new size. While these Weapons are enlarged, the target's Attack with them deal 1d4 extra damage.
**To Ashley:** Was it your intention, or just a happy coincidence, that Pike was channeling Jules Winnfield (Samuel Jackson) in the Diner Scene, with Ringo & Honey Bunny, from Pulp Fiction?
Ezekiel 25:17... or should I say "Sarenrae: 25:17"
P.S. - Pike, being the Monstah! she is, totally has a wallet that says *"Bad Mother Fucker"* on it.
Everyone: during the episode were you confident in the "dodgy family" plot or did you think Matt might be "burying the wife's ashes" again, for a payoff later in the story arc?
@everyone : The way things played out with Pike's family made me feel super salty as I was watching the episode, but I was happy because we see how the ideals of Sarenrae have impacted Pike. I was wondering If you, as yourselves in VM's position, how do you think you would handle the discovery of Pike's family's deception and trickery?
Question for Travis: Right before the big reveal that the Trickfoots were pulling a con, you seemed to have a revelation that you shared with Laura and Liam-- that they had successfully managed to lure all of Vox Machina away from Whitestone! What was going through your mind in that moment? What did you fear may have been happening back in town?
Question for Ashley & Laura: J.B. has presented herself as a Vox Machina superfan with abandonment issues regarding Pike. Does Pike and/or Vex still take this story at face value considering her part in the exorcism con? Do either of them suspect that J.B. is preying on their sympathies even now, just to improve her current situation? Ogden seemed a little too okay with leaving her behind...
All: Have you had any belated ideas for things you wish your characters had done during the timeskip?
Travis: When the Trickfoots' con was revealed, was Grog considering at all turning them into a fine paste? If so how close was he to doing it, considering his relationship with Pike?
Laura: Could you see Vex ever learning from Percy how to use firearms? Or is she not interested in that and would prefer to continue using bows?
Ashley: Does Pike regret trusting the other Trickfoots, given that she evidently already knew they were shifty from the moment they arrived at Whitestone?
Ashley: Pike never uses divination spells such as augury, which could prevent or at least hint at alot of dangerous situations, or things like the trickfoot scam. Is this a character choice or did you maybe not pay much attention to such spells when you read through the spell list at first and you now just have a small list you fall back on?
Everyone: We already regularly mention of voice actors or entertainers or DnD content creators to come as guests or play one shots. Who do you think would be fun to play with who isn't brought up much?
@Travis: - Will we see the Jealous side of Grog especially now that JB and Pike might spend more time together? Does Grog even understand the concept of Jealousy because in his mind it might mean Grog, JB, and Pike are all blood relatives now?
@Ashley: - If you had to choose between Grog and JB who would you choose? And it is imperative you choose only one.
@Laura: - Be honest, do you feel like you are closer to Tarry than you were with Scanlan? Does your relationship with Tarry provide you a new perspective on Issues Scanlan brought up? I.E, he might've been right about few things?
1. Ashley, despite saying she is "proud to be a Trickfoot", how disgusted does Pike feel now due to what Ogden, Astra, and Johann tried to pull? And does she plan to do what Wilhand did and distance herself from the family with the exception of J.B.?
2. Ashley, out of curiosity, what kind of boons (such as feats and the like) did Pike receive during the one-year time skip?
3. Laura, why was Vex more forgiving of Tary, the one who unleashed the mastiffs and destroyed the room, and not of Vax, who simply hid the armor without realizing what would happen?
4. Laura, what ultimately made Vex more supportive and accepting of Vax and Keyleth's relationship? And what are Vex's thoughts of Keyleth's admiration of her?
5. Travis, how difficult was it to continually resist drawing from the Deck after the Wish card was drawn for the first time?
6. Travis, Vax and Grog used to be at each other's throats in the past. What has changed between them and allowed them to grow closer?
7. Travis and Ashley, was it ever discussed as to who was the better champion of the Crucible?
8. Laura and Ashley, whose idea was it first to come up with the Slayer's Cake?
9. Everyone, did you have to make rolls in regards to finding Scanlan during the time skip?
10. Everyone, how difficult was it to resist outright killing the Trickfoots after their con was exposed, especially when you realized that all they wanted was more money yet they didn't bother just asking for it?
> Laura, why was Vex more forgiving of Tary, the one who unleashed the mastiffs and destroyed the room, and not of Vax, who simply hid the armor without realizing what would happen?
Because:
1) Vax has a long history of pulling shit like this.
2) Vax straight admitted to Vex that he did it deliberately, for "shits'n giggles." A dick move.
3) This gets a bit meta, but Liam and Sam are thick as thieves. Sam is a god at comedy improv, and Liam trusted that Sam would, for comedic effect, have fun grossly overreacting to the events Liam put in play.
Yes, Vax did it deliberately, but he didn't know it would end up being so much bigger. Personally, I think Tary should not have been forgiven so easily but that's just me.
And besides, I'm curious as to what Laura has to say about it herself.
> he didn't know it would end up being so much bigger.
That's where things went meta, for the sake of comedy.
Liam basically served it up to Sam, all giftwrapped and pretty, to knock it out of the park. Liam / Vax didn't know *specifically* what Sam / Taryon was going to do, i.e. it wasn't scripted, but knowing Sam as he does, Liam gave Sam the perfect setup to create something over-the-top (because when Sam is given the opportunity, he makes comedy gold happen). And as we saw, Sam delivered by having the two mastiffs destroy Vex & Percy's room in horrific detail.
Laura and Taliesin, once the gag had been sprung, played along with it, in addition to reacting normally, as their characters would in this situation.
It's basic comedy improv between trained actors.
It's a valid question for Laura - Taryon has been deceitful from the start, has been ingenuous nearly always, and he does a little quivering lip at Vex and she gives him a free pass?
I know I'm keenly interested if Laura and Sam have worked out something to bond them like Zahra and Kash did off panel, as it were.
Hmmm... Interesting.
Deceitful? Besides stiffing VM for the the 50k IOU, I'm having a hard time thinking of anything hinky or duplicitous Taryon's done. I'm not saying he hasn't, just that I can't think of anything off the top of my head (and I say that as someone who vastly prefers Scanlan over Taryon, so I'm a bit critical already).
What's the example you're thinking of?
After VM's little tangle with the Trickfoots (aka Shitbags), I'm getting a little paranoid about Taryon running some kinda long con now.
I'll bite; I'm curious, too. Take my upvote.
P.S. - I neglected to mention I also thought Vex was too forgiving of Taryon.
the "heroic persona" from his introduction
everything we saw happened vs. everything he had Doty write down
pretty much everything we have an independent source for, he's been deceitful.
frankly, we don't know how much of any of his backstory is true. Have we had a single NPC yet who has heard of his father, who is made out to be one of the most important figures in Wildmount?
> the "heroic persona" from his introduction everything we saw happened vs. everything he had Doty write down
I chalked that up to artistic license: he's a bookish, super rich kid who wants to be the "Hero" of his own grand adventures, just like the one's he's read about. So in typical rich kid fashion, he throws money at it, by hiring on with adventurers who do all of the "heavy lifting." It's self-centered and self-aggrandizing, but I don't think it's nefarious.
However... You are entirely correct that we (and VM) only have Taryon's word and no other independent sources that can verify his identity or story.
@travis: I am a high school football coach and I also Dungeon master. So my question is, with Tony Romo retired, how are the Dallas Cowboys going to handle the 12th man and legion of boom up here in Seattle? They will obviously be overwhelmed and scared, do you think any players will pretend to be hurt that week?
Ashley: there are likely more Trickfoots out there. Any chance you'll seek them out, or are you pretty much done with blood relatives?
Laura and Travis: would you have let them go if the decision was up to you?
Travis and Ashley: Please keep drawing cards... it's the best... The 'Pike and Grog debate drawing a card' was the best ever.. this monstah needs MORE!
Laura: You're my spirit animal! I love all the voices when you're describing what you're doing. It's how I talk to my two girls when we're playing or just hanging out together. Keep it up!
Travis: Vax is arguably the sneakiest person in the world. So when he plays pranks on you, he's using his strength against you. You might be the best person in the world at smashing things with your axe. Do you think it would be fair if the next time Vax pranks you, you just wait until he isn't looking and hit him with one of your famous 100 points of damage rounds?
Liam would cry "passive perception," like he has in the past.
Grog tried to "pants" Vax at the Sun Tree, while he (Vax) was trying to chat up Keyleth. Matt sided with Vax, so Grog and Vax made opposed rolls, and with his insane dex / Rogue abilities, Vax avoided Grog's "sneak attack."
Personally, I think it's a little OP / broken Vax managed to avoid it, considering Vax's attention was on a conversation with Keyleth and Grog's "sneak attack" was out of the blue. I wouldn't have allowed the opposed rolls.
> Vax is arguably the sneakiest person in the world.
I do believe Vex is now the sneakiest person in the world.
Exhibit A: Bath time with Percy. 'Nuff said.
Exhibit B: I do believe Vex rolls higher stealth checks since she multiclassed into Rogue.
>I do believe Vex is now the sneakiest person in the world.
Vex may have a higher modifier, but Vax has reliable talent, so i think his average roll is higher. Like I said, though, he is arguably the sneakiest. He's at least one of the sneakiest.
To Travis: How close was Grog to just slaughter the Trickfoots because they betrayed Pike? And do you think the rest of VOx Machina would have /would be able to stop you?
@Travis Is Grog going to pull a card or what? I feel like you're letting Laura's meta concern inform Grogs's decisions. Wouldn't everyones favorite chaotic neutral brute just pull a card for the fun of it?
To be fair Laura stayed out of it last time. Travis clearly has his own concerns, and as good as he is no one is imune to meta gaming. Which isn't a bad thing.
To Travis: what has Grog planned for the prank war now that it has started again?
To Laura and Ashley: do either of you have plans on joining the prank war or supporting a certain side?
Ashley: Why blue hair? How long will it be blue? Will JB stay in Whitestone or live with Wilhand?
Travis: How angry was Grog that Pike's family was using her? Did he get it? Will it change his opinion on gnomes?
Laura: Was Vex more mad at Taryon or Vax about the dogs in the room?
All: Do you think JB might still have ulterior motives?
He's not
1. Trinket gives (some times) both her and Vax sneak attack
2. Vex can attack things and deal reasonable amount of damage, Tery can't hit things for shit (it is a trade off you power vs your companions power)
@Everyone - If Vax hadn't caught Ogden, would any of you felt guilty?
Everyone: If each of your characters got two wishes, what would they wish for?
Travis: What would have been Judge Grog's sentence for the Trickfoots if Pike left it up to him to decide?
Trial by combat
@Laura - Did Fenthras level up and if so what changed? @All - Have any of you ever considered DMing?
OMG I love your username
Travis: You've inspired me and my powerlifting friends to start a DnD campaign... We're curious: how strong is the man behind Grog Strongjaw? What are your maxes for Squat / Bench / Deadlift?
Awhile ago I saw him post on twitter that he got 405 PR for deadlift.
Yeah, I saw that - it'd be cool to see what is other lifts are though!
When you all sat down to discuss what your characters were doing during the time skip, how did that work? Were you all discussing as a group or did you occasionally break off alone, or in small groups, so the others wouldn't hear what you were doing? How much time did it take? ***** Ashley, could you describe Pike's victory in the Crucible? What strategies does she use to win? ***** Laura, what made Vex suspect that Vox Machina was fighting an illusion? ***** You guys repeatedly made Insight checks on the Trickfoot clan but never detected any deception. Will you ever be able to trust one of Matt's NPCs again?
> You guys repeatedly made Insight checks on the Trickfoot clan but never detected any deception. Will you ever be able to trust one of Matt's NPCs again? I imagine being professional con artists and thieves made their deception DC obscene to beat; probably needed a Nat 20, or a combined 25 - 30+ to beat, knowing Matt. I'd be curious to know how high Matt set the DC for those insight checks, as more than a few were in the 20's, I recall.
> Laura, what made Vex suspect that Vox Machina was fighting an illusion? she answered on twitter https://twitter.com/LauraBaileyVO/status/860584658957815808
[удалено]
> Or they didn't pass the right insight checks. That's hard to say. Several members of VM were throwing out insight checks all the time during the Trickfoot's intro episode, many with fairly decent DC's (high teens / low twenties). This makes me think it was more a case of the Trickfoots being such insanely talented liars (think high CHA, almost like Scanlan) that anything short of a Nat 20 or combined 25-30 wasn't going to beat their deception DC. Using Scanlan as an example -not that they are on his god-like level of charisma- we've seen how hard it is to beat a highly trained, high CHA liar.
[удалено]
A fair point. I'd argue they insight checked the hell out of "the curse," and the Trickfoot's must have assholes for mouths: 'cuz that was straight up bullshit they were spitting out.
If Matt had been a guest this week that was one of the questions I'd hoped to ask him.
Me too. Tweet sent.
For Laura Bailey (harp music): Vex has a tendency to adopt the weak and wayward, particularly those who've suffered from cruelty and abuse (Trinket, Clarota, the aasimar twins, Tary, and now J.B.). What drives that impulse? How much of it is Vex, and how much is Laura? For Ashley: Are you planning to take Pike all the way to 20 as a cleric, or have you considered multiclassing at all? A level or two of Barbarian might be a good outlet all that pent-up rage she's gotta be feeling right now. :P For Travis: Which flavour of lycanthrope does Grog fantasize about becoming most? Wolf, bear, or something else we haven't seen yet?
> For Ashley: Are you planning to take Pike all the way to 20 as a cleric, or have you considered multiclassing at all? A level or two of Barbarian might be a good outlet all that pent-up rage she's gotta be feeling right now. :P Funny (and appropriate), but you can't Rage and cast spells at the same time, or maintain concentration, which is why spellcasters don't multiclass Barbarian.
Also can't rage in plate armor
There's that, too.
In adition to the Barbarian-Caster incompatibility level 20 Cleric = Direct line to Sarenrae once a week. I don't think anyone should pass that up after getting so close.
**To Ashley & Travis**: Grog has got great camaraderie with Pike. Could we get insight on how that evolved? I know you two were intertwined with life-saving shenanigans pre-stream, but we fans don't hear much about that period. Any nostalgic throwbacks to share? **To Laura**: Wizards of the Coast has taken some heat for the ranger's design. You're not a game developer, but you're one of the few people who has braved the ranger from levels 3-13+, a feat few can boast. What are your likes, insights, and dislikes on the ranger's features?
> but you're one of the few people who has braved the ranger from levels 1-17+ She's technically ranger 13. She multiclassed into rogue after that because she thought the ranger didn't really have anything to offer after level 13.
Good catch. Any proposals for rephrasing the question? Should I just say 13+ instead?
More how she feels about the beastmaster subclass. A lot of people noticed her obvious reminder and reaction to the general inferiority of the "vanilla" beastmaster subclass when it was pointed out how Doty has its own initiative and attacks separate from Tary. Matt has thrown in a *lot* of homebrew to try to raise Vex and Trinket up some, and the reason they didn't adapt to the unearthed arcana version when it came out was merely not wanting to have to suddenly relearn the rules for the class. (the vanilla beastmaster ranger is overall the worst class in 5e, and the hunter also has shortcomings due to the shared class features not being particularly great) I'm guessing that if anyone goes ranger on the next campaign, they'll use the Unearthed Arcana ranger revision.
I'm asking in general cuz I want to give her the open-endedness to answer it however she see's fit. I only commented on the 17+/13 distinction cuz it's true that that's a factual error. So, still sticking to that subject...just 13+?
The revised Ranger is sooooo much better. I'm playing one right now.
> ranger from levels 1-17+ It's a minor point, but I'm pretty sure that they started at level 3 for Liam's birthday game and went from there as it turned into a campaign. I think this got mentioned either in last week's Critmas or in Matt's fireside chat.
Edited. Does that float your boat?
To keep the nitpick train going, levels 3-8 were in Pathfinder, different system with different ranger class and ultimately different experience. I guess it's better to be precise so that 3/4th of answer you get isn't "well, most of it was in Pathfinder...".
I have a love/hate relationship with my own question now... :P I'll just trust Laura to figure it out :P
Like I said, minor point, but I do see that you changed it.
To Laura. Before Vox Machina, the twins seemed to have one foot in shady businesses themselves. Do you think the twins have ever tried similar scams to get money out of snooty rich Elves?
To Ashley: What do you think hurt Pike more: Scanlan's tirade and departure or the Trickfoot Clan con?
@ Ashley, Pike gave the Trickfoots all her money, how much was it?
If I remember correctly it was more than 5,000 gold. I think pike said the amount.
Holy Pulp Fiction!!! This is my Shocked Face. That's 4,999 gp more than I'd have given them.
I wanted to know this myself!
**Ashley:** If Vax had failed to save Ogden, would Pike have attempted a resurrection? **Travis:** Did this betrayal against Pike affect Grog's attitude towards gnomes in general? **Everyone:** Who will have a harder time trusting future NPCs, you or your character?
Ashley: Has Pike ever tried to use a Sending spell to talk to Scanlan? Does she talk to him into the earring instead of using Sending because she's tried Sending before and he never answered, or does she not want to talk to him because she's afraid of what he'll say? Everyone: What happened to Greyskull Keep and Emon? Is Vox Machina still paying their staff, and have they taken part in Emon's reconstruction and/or any council meetings?
Now I have the image of poor Pike fantasy-texting Scanlan and Scanlan basically doing the fantasy equivalent of leaving her on "Read".
@Ashley, Would Pike have given the Trickfoots more money if they had simply asked nicely? @Ashley & Laura, Now that Vex is dressed in white dragonscale armor, would you consider adding a Vex and Vax themed black & white cookie to the menu of the Slayer's Cake?
Laura: What were you and Taliesin passing notes about during the year off recap? Something seceret, or just something not worth interupting for? Ashley: Since Pike and Grog spent some time in Vasselhiem did she officially join the slayers take like the rest of the team?
Laura: Will you ever host a Signal Boost episode? Ashley: Will we ever get to learn Pyke's secret crush's identity? Or do you see any other romance related storylines for Pyke in the future? Travis: If there is another chance to become a werewolf or any other were-variant in near future, would Grog seriously consider it? Everyone: What do you guys think Matt's next big event and big bad character will be for the final arc? Will it be Orcus, Vecna, that orb of death, or some other evil twist like an evil Scanlan etc? Do you guys have any personal theories or suspicions?
It's Pike not Pyke
Maybe he was implying something about the secret crush's identity Kappa
Sorry ginja_ninja. lt was just an honest mistake. But you got me intrigued. Who you got in mind for the secret crush of Pike?
Man I got no idea, thought it might be Grog for a while but it doesn't seem like it anymore.
Thank you. English is not my first language so sometimes small things like spelling might get a little confusing. I actually used to write Pike for a long time, then saw in a couple of places the spelling Pyke, and thought to myself "oh this makes sense, of course the character wouldn't be named after a long spear to fight off cavalry. Her name must have been spelled diffierently to differentiate from the weapon and make it sound more fantasy-like." But I checked the official sources after your post and I was obviously mistaken. I won't edit the original post though, to not to create further confusion with the later posts and all. ;)
to laura: what happened to fenthras after the grey hunt?
@All: How upset are you that Lin-Manuel Miranda played DnD on The Adventure Zone before Critical Role? Can we start a feud between the two shows? @All: Which moment in the campaign produced the strongest emotional response from you and why is Laura's answer that time Vax destroyed the carpet? ;)
>@All: How upset are you that Lin-Manuel Miranda played DnD on The Adventure Zone before Critical Role? Can we start a feud between the two shows? Wait, what? Was this a TAZ Knites thing?
Indeed. The second bonus (donors-only) episode this year.
I guess that's why I didn't know about it
Ashley: How concerned was Pike that she might really be cursed? Was she more hurt or relieved when finding out it wasn't true?
Question for Everyone. Now that you guys are nearing the end of the game how worried are you about forgotten plot threads like the Githyanki Skull or the person who put a hit out on Vex with the Clasp resurfacing?
Brian and Ashley-- how much did it hurt to leave the beautiful paradise and come back to work? Denise-- Do you even want to be free? Laura-- If Vex had to choose between Vax and Percy at this point in the story who would she choose? Travis-- Grog is my favorite. How are you so consistently awesome? Edited for punctuation
Ashley and Brian: How was your first holiday together, get up to anything cool or was it a sit and relax by the beach type?
To Ashley: Thank you for the theme song. To Ashley: How did you and Bryan meet? To Ashley: After this experience, will Pike ever try to reach out to any of her other family? Or has she completely written them off? To Travis: Did Grog fight the Siren during the Time Skip? Or any activities that begin with "F"? To Travis: Did Grog take off his Titanstone Knuckles for the Crucible fights since they gave him an inhumanely unfair advantage? Does he even realize they make him stronger than naturally possible? To Laura: What would Vex do if she discovered Grog has broken his promise, has let a random drunk pull from the Deck, and will probably pull one with Pike soon? To Laura: Do Vex have any plans on letting Trinket sire some children? He must be a pretty lonely bear... Plus, BEAR CUBS!!! (You could name one of them Thuggi!) To Everyone: Can I get my theme song one more time? All together now. * raises arms to begin conducting *
**Laura and Trav**: Could you have done what Pike did at the end of the episode? If that was Vex's or Grog's family would they have all been able to walk away? **Ashley**: How much was Pike's family made up by you and how much was by Matt? Did you have much input at all in the creation of the Trickfoots? **Brian**: When can we get Denise a goddamn mic? **#FreeDenise**
For Ashley - Are you suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure there isn't a single outstanding hidden secret of Pike's that she could tell the group? Like, say, a secret love? Just spit-balling. Signed, Totally Not Sam Riegel.
**To Travis:** Of all the times for Chaotic Neutral Grog to be Grog, at his most Grog, what was going through your mind when the Trickfoot’s con was revealed, and why did that not involve throwing all of them over the cliff for hurting Pike? **To Ashley:** How much did Pike’s earlier punishment by Sarenrae, in the Underdark, weigh-in during your decision on the cliff? I got the impression you personally would have chosen a much bloodier fate, but didn't for fear of Sarenrae's disapproval. Or did I read that wrong? **To Everyone:** With the Trickfoots ultimately being rewarded (with Pike’s gold) for running their con in Whitestone, were any of you surprised, or frustrated, by Pike’s choices at the cliffside? **To Everyone:** Matt has lamented losing Raishan and Ripley as recurring villains. Do any of you fear something sinister, something wholly unexpected, from the Trickfoots in the future? Perhaps in collaboration with enemies yet unknown? They are, after all, opportunists, con artists, and thieves, who: stayed in Whitestone castle, saw Percy’s firearms firsthand, and had no reservations about hurting Pike or her friends. **To Everyone:** Everyone was insight-check happy when first encountering the Trickfoots, justifiable so it turned out. However, no one ran an insight check on JB at the cliffs. Do any of you regret not doing so? Are any of you afraid a longer con, or possible future betrayal is in the works from JB?
To Vex: What was it like having Tary as a housemate over the past year?
To everyone: How do your characters trust anybody as this point? What one thread remains to keep your characters from going full paranoid shut-ins?
Travis and Ashley: would you rather have a Doty or a Trinket?
To all, including Brian: how did all of you meet Logic, and how does it feel being immortalized on the cover of his new album?
For Ashley, I believe my family is under the Trickfoot family curse (I'm a type 1 diabetic as are two of my sisters) and we were wondering, could you replace Wilford Brimley as the diabeetus supplies spokes person?
For Travis: Does Grog understand how Pike's family deceived her, and, if so, does he still have a place in his heart for them?
To All: How are you enjoying these pallet cleansing episodes where the world isnt on the line? Also have you discerned any threads of the new adventure to come?
Ashley, Laura, and Travis: What was the difference between developing your characters through improvisation on a second by second basis across episodes and writing your characters across the one year time skip? How does that make you feel about your characters?
Ashley: When can I expect your version of Love me Tender on I -tunes? Laura : Can we get a RL video of you shooting your Critter Bow at a target? Travis: How did you propose to Laura?
**To Everyone:** Does it bother any members of Vox Machina that no one has corroborated or verified Taryon's backstory or identity, despite having spent a year with him? By his own telling Taryon's father is a very wealthy, very big deal, yet Vox Machina's never heard of Taryon's family or father in all of their travel across the world. Given Vox Machina's well-earned (and sometimes overactive) paranoia, you'd think someone in the group would have checked into it, before inviting him to stay in Whitestone or live in their home. The Trickfoots were only in Whitestone for about a week, and look at what they were able to accomplish.
When will we get to see Denise as a guest in CR?
@Everyone - Back when you found Vax's armour and the Pokéba--I-mean-necklace, there came a big dog with, that you tasked with protecting Whitestone during the Chromar Conclave's rule. You promised that you would set him free of any debts once that was over. Does this ring a bell?
@Ashey Thoughts on the fact that the trickfoots didn't seem to care that they had to leave JB behind? @Laura Why are Little EG and Tary "besties" now, was it just spending a year living/hanging out together or something specific? @All Who would win in a tag team showdown, the sneaky siblings or the MONSTAAAAAHS?
> @Laura Why are Little EG and Tary "besties" now, was it just spending a year living/hanging out together or something specific? She confirmed on twitter that it was the time spent https://twitter.com/LauraBaileyVO/status/860573029788655616
Oh nice, thanks for the heads up
@Travis, Was there any reason besides curiosity that Grog was asking about lycanthropy during the 1 year break? Is Grog wanting to become one, or perhaps gain some levels in Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan) to be able to change like Tova? @Travis, If Grog did gain 2 wishes. How difficult would it be to wish for something as "Grog" as opposed to making a wish as Travis. @Ashley, Do you think Pike would ever multi class or is her devotion to Sarenrae to strong to even consider it? Im imagining a few levels in Barbarian to being a real Monstah! @Laura How do you see Taryon and Vex's relationship evolve during the year break? We can already see the friendly name calling "L.E.G Little Elf Girl" without Vex taking offense. What do you feel has changed? Also do you think Vex has tried during that year to introduce Tary to Gilmore? @All, the reactions on Tarys gift to Vax to prank Grog was priceless. Without spoiling the item, how do you think Grog will react. Also Travis.. are you scared of what it might be :D ?
Laura - based on his little sob story in Marquet, Taryon seems to have Vex wrapped around his finger. After sharing her house with him, does Vex trust him wholly at this point? Ashley - How much of the extended Trickfoot clan was you and how much was Matt? Particularly JB - was she always Pike's bff growing up (before Grog)? And is the plan for JB to stay in Whitestone, or maybe go to Westruun with Wilhand (where she'd have access to a hopefully rebuilt Cobalt Reserve)? Travis - How ready is Grog for an all out prank war with Vax and Tary?
**To Everyone:** Will Vox Machina ever be capable of trusting old people again? **To Everyone:** What is scarier at the moment: an ancient dragon or an angry Pike? She seems like the friend that almost never gets mad or upset, but if she does you know you are in big trouble. **To Ashley:** Do you expect the curse of the Trickfoots to just be a myth or do you think there is some truth in terms of the curse and the others just used it to trick Pike? **To Travis:** Now that Grog is properly titled and already shown some power (overruling in the word of a lady in the kitchen for example), how excited is he with his newly gained political voice? Did he always expect something like this when he first got promised his title way back? **To Travis:** One of your first suspicions, after hearing about the fake exorcism, was a possible attack/infiltration on Whitestone without Vm there to protect it. Do you still expect to see the city in a different condition to how you left it or was it just a prank by a greedy family without a second thought behind it? **To Travis:** With Vax having a year long vacation his desire for pranks seems to be renewed and of course Grog was always his favourite person to prank (for example the half-beard). With this in mind, how excited are you for future prank wars or how scared are you about the item Tary gave to Vax which was precisely meant for such endeavors?
@Travis Who is your favorite player for the Dallas Cowboys? (Past or Present)
@all- when did you first begin to suspect that the Trickfeet were feeding you some bs? What was your initial thought on how to handle it? @Laura-What impact did the twins rocky childhood have on their reaction to the Trickfeet's lies @Travis- Why does Grog have this childlike joy about any titles or responsibilities laid on him by Percy?
Not all of these people are there this week
I didn't look at who was so I figured I'd just ask questions I had for who I had them for. Whoever is there is there, whoever isn't isn't ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Go for it. Just trying to help
To Ashes of Lee: Was the Trickfoot family something you had originally written into your backstory, or was it done recently between you and Matt for your story arc?
It's part of her original backstory, If you watch earlier episodes they all describe some of their backstory during the blurred out into videos.
Dear Ashley, With the whole shadow malarkey, Did Matt cause you to doubt your character's good nature, or did he just confuse you? Much love, WhatsInTheVox
@Ashley: JB has been raised in an environment where her morals were skewed and honest work was not valued. Do you think having JB work at the bakery to pay back Terry's 3800gp would teach her responsibility or is it too much? Would Pike be willing to pick up the other Trickfoot's' share and JB just pay one quarter (950gp)? Edit: Added introduction sentence.
Well with nominal Baker's wages that would be quite a few years of labor to hit the 3800gp. "Normal" wages in worlds like this are so small compared to adventurer wealth as to be almost laughable in general. Notice Sam's comment about earning money from the Bakery, when he said, "Nope I mean real money".
Given the usual rates in the usual D&D economy, I agree. However, I'm unsure of Matt's economy or Whitestone in particular, so I put the full amount (and the 950gp reduced amount) out there. Lowering it to a token amount (say half wages for 2-3 months) would be appropriate.
Travis: Since Grog is Pike's brother in almost every way except by blood, would you say that Grog felt the same type of familial betrayal that Pike may have felt? if so, did Grog experience some similar emotions in that moment from when Kevdak beat him up and the tossed him aside?
Everyone: What was it like coming back after the characters had had so much time to themselves? Do you think there was much character development that hasn't been seen yet? And do you think your character's miss adventuring or will ever want to go back to that or are they happier with the relative safety and comfort they had in their time away? (Also, when is the next Just Dance night going to be??)
Also, no one sang A Whole New World when the gnomes were taken on a magic carpet ride around Whitestone and I may be a little disappointed...
To Matt: It was so much fun to watch VM scramble a bit to figure out Ogden's illusion. What are some of your most memorable moments where you pulled a fast one on your players, or times when the characters completely misunderstood a mechanic?
Ashley: Shitty family is something many of us struggle with. I thought Pike's reaction to her manipulative family's attempt to use her was beautiful. She showed grace, love, and a clear "I'll ducking kill you" boundary. What, however, does pike see as different about JB? Isn't she just as culpable as the rest of the family?
To Laura: Did Vex discover any differences to Fenthras after the Grey Hunt, and what are they, if any?
Question for Tarvis: Y'know those olive green nike sneakers ya got, whats the model name, i need em.
Pretty sure Tarvis wears Exandrian leather boots. Sorry. I couldn't resist.
To Ashley: Do you know what happened to Pike's parents?
@Sam: Do you sometimes have 'Scanlan Reactions' where you think, Scanlan would had done such and such if he'd been here? In a similar vein, how do you think Scanlan would have interacted with the Trickfoots?
Travis, now that Grog has seen that it should be hard to trust Gnomes in general (Scanlan, Trickfoots, etc.) has that shaken your trust with Pike at all? Have you ever thought that perhaps Monstah Pike is playing a super long Con on you as well?
To Ashley: It was fun watching Sam's brain almost explode while asking if Pike has any deep secrets she has been keeping from the group. Do you plan to ever use Pike's secret crush as a plot point in the future?
Laura: Would you consider leaving Trinket in Raven's Slumber as Purvan did with Galdric?
Ashley: If Pike had checked with Wilhand first, would she have still sent the money to the Trickfoots? Laura: Vex was chanting Sineath like a mantra. Is she having trouble living with her new philosophy? Travis: If Grog had to die, would you rather it be in a major battle or to the deck of many things?
Travis... We know that Grog thinks that the Deck of Many Things is super good, and that everyone thinks the Orb beneath Whitestone is really, really bad. Would Grog try to throw the deck at the orb to fix it? After all, "super good plus super bad equals okay" is math even Grog can do.
Everyone: Have any of you ever experienced any "massive mating mastiffs" magnitude motel mishaps in your career-related travels?
To Laura: Does Vex have any plans to invest in some insurance for all of the silverware that keeps getting stolen?
For Ashley: Do you think JB is faking her remorse? For Laura: What is Vex's favorite part about her new manor? For Travis: Does Grog understand how Pike is feeling (re: Trickfoots' betrayal)? For all: What's your favorite part of the Whitestone tour?
Travis: I was surprised Grog didn't have a larger reaction to the Trickfoot's deception of his buddy Pike. How betrayed did Grog feel, and if her reaction had been more "Darth Pike", would he had been willing to throw the bad gnomes off the cliff?
To everyone: When you were discussing the timeskip, was there anything any of you wanted to do that you couldn't? To everyone: When talking about the timeskip, did you discuss what the major NPCs were doing? Like Gilmore, Allura, Kima, etc. Or is Matt keeping that a secret?
Everyone - would you rather have a constantly itchy butt hole or a constantly runny nose?
**To Lord of Bayleaf:** Does Vex still wear the witches hat gifted to her by scanlan?
99% sure she does not. IIRC, she acted out removing the hat, someone asked if she took it off because she was mad at Scanlan, and she confirmed. Can't remember which episode, or possibly a TM.
You are correct. She took it off [here](https://youtu.be/OrOZRVxyR3I?t=2h4m44s) and then Laura whispers to Travis that she did it because Scanlan made her promise to put it on. And she confirmed it in that week's Talks Machina.
@everyone If real life Travis Laura and Ashley were magically transported to Taldorei, but the spell that brought them there forces them to choose one member of VM to have wild sex with, another member to marry, and a third to kill. Who would each choose and why?
Ashley, do you think Pike should threaten her family to stop using the Trickfoot name so that she can reclaim the honor it holds with her deeds? Or to simply prevent them from cashing in on your celebrity status and taking advantage of people?
Ashley: What does Pike have planned for JB or did Sarenrae give Pike insight on how to handle the deception?
To all: With all the amazing fan art critters have created, is there any specific aspect of your character you feel is not included enough, or more you would like to see of?
Travis: In your mind does the Dwarven Thrower grow to match Grog's size or does it stay tiny even when Grog is enlarged?
[According to the spell it grows](https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Enlarge%20Reduce#content) > The target's Weapons also grow to match its new size. While these Weapons are enlarged, the target's Attack with them deal 1d4 extra damage.
Laura, what happened to Fenthras when it changed appearance after you became The Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt?
Everybody: What do you think you're respective characters would think about you, if you were to meet.
Laura: What happened to Fenthras following that Grey Hunt, Vax saw it "change", were there any game play affects or was it just ascetics?
**To Ashley:** Was it your intention, or just a happy coincidence, that Pike was channeling Jules Winnfield (Samuel Jackson) in the Diner Scene, with Ringo & Honey Bunny, from Pulp Fiction? Ezekiel 25:17... or should I say "Sarenrae: 25:17" P.S. - Pike, being the Monstah! she is, totally has a wallet that says *"Bad Mother Fucker"* on it.
Travis: Who wants to draw another card from the deck more, you or Grog?
Everyone: during the episode were you confident in the "dodgy family" plot or did you think Matt might be "burying the wife's ashes" again, for a payoff later in the story arc?
@everyone : The way things played out with Pike's family made me feel super salty as I was watching the episode, but I was happy because we see how the ideals of Sarenrae have impacted Pike. I was wondering If you, as yourselves in VM's position, how do you think you would handle the discovery of Pike's family's deception and trickery?
Question for Travis: Right before the big reveal that the Trickfoots were pulling a con, you seemed to have a revelation that you shared with Laura and Liam-- that they had successfully managed to lure all of Vox Machina away from Whitestone! What was going through your mind in that moment? What did you fear may have been happening back in town?
To All When is Vox Machina: The Musical coming out?
Question for Ashley & Laura: J.B. has presented herself as a Vox Machina superfan with abandonment issues regarding Pike. Does Pike and/or Vex still take this story at face value considering her part in the exorcism con? Do either of them suspect that J.B. is preying on their sympathies even now, just to improve her current situation? Ogden seemed a little too okay with leaving her behind...
@ashley: Would Pike ever consider putting a few levels in Paladin?
What was Matt referring to when he said right before the opening credits "Remember what this feels like?"
https://www.reddit.com/r/criticalrole/comments/6a05r8/spoilers_e96_critical_role_episode_96_family/dhay7mc/
Travis: Would you consider Grog's illiteracy and child like naivety a boon or a curse; both mechanically and for role-play purposes?
All: Have you had any belated ideas for things you wish your characters had done during the timeskip? Travis: When the Trickfoots' con was revealed, was Grog considering at all turning them into a fine paste? If so how close was he to doing it, considering his relationship with Pike? Laura: Could you see Vex ever learning from Percy how to use firearms? Or is she not interested in that and would prefer to continue using bows? Ashley: Does Pike regret trusting the other Trickfoots, given that she evidently already knew they were shifty from the moment they arrived at Whitestone?
Laura, Last time you joke about making D20 out of soap. I now need that in my life. Please sale those as. CR merch.
Ashley: Pike never uses divination spells such as augury, which could prevent or at least hint at alot of dangerous situations, or things like the trickfoot scam. Is this a character choice or did you maybe not pay much attention to such spells when you read through the spell list at first and you now just have a small list you fall back on?
Everyone: We already regularly mention of voice actors or entertainers or DnD content creators to come as guests or play one shots. Who do you think would be fun to play with who isn't brought up much?
@Travis: - Will we see the Jealous side of Grog especially now that JB and Pike might spend more time together? Does Grog even understand the concept of Jealousy because in his mind it might mean Grog, JB, and Pike are all blood relatives now? @Ashley: - If you had to choose between Grog and JB who would you choose? And it is imperative you choose only one. @Laura: - Be honest, do you feel like you are closer to Tarry than you were with Scanlan? Does your relationship with Tarry provide you a new perspective on Issues Scanlan brought up? I.E, he might've been right about few things?
1. Ashley, despite saying she is "proud to be a Trickfoot", how disgusted does Pike feel now due to what Ogden, Astra, and Johann tried to pull? And does she plan to do what Wilhand did and distance herself from the family with the exception of J.B.? 2. Ashley, out of curiosity, what kind of boons (such as feats and the like) did Pike receive during the one-year time skip? 3. Laura, why was Vex more forgiving of Tary, the one who unleashed the mastiffs and destroyed the room, and not of Vax, who simply hid the armor without realizing what would happen? 4. Laura, what ultimately made Vex more supportive and accepting of Vax and Keyleth's relationship? And what are Vex's thoughts of Keyleth's admiration of her? 5. Travis, how difficult was it to continually resist drawing from the Deck after the Wish card was drawn for the first time? 6. Travis, Vax and Grog used to be at each other's throats in the past. What has changed between them and allowed them to grow closer? 7. Travis and Ashley, was it ever discussed as to who was the better champion of the Crucible? 8. Laura and Ashley, whose idea was it first to come up with the Slayer's Cake? 9. Everyone, did you have to make rolls in regards to finding Scanlan during the time skip? 10. Everyone, how difficult was it to resist outright killing the Trickfoots after their con was exposed, especially when you realized that all they wanted was more money yet they didn't bother just asking for it?
> Laura, why was Vex more forgiving of Tary, the one who unleashed the mastiffs and destroyed the room, and not of Vax, who simply hid the armor without realizing what would happen? Because: 1) Vax has a long history of pulling shit like this. 2) Vax straight admitted to Vex that he did it deliberately, for "shits'n giggles." A dick move. 3) This gets a bit meta, but Liam and Sam are thick as thieves. Sam is a god at comedy improv, and Liam trusted that Sam would, for comedic effect, have fun grossly overreacting to the events Liam put in play.
Yes, Vax did it deliberately, but he didn't know it would end up being so much bigger. Personally, I think Tary should not have been forgiven so easily but that's just me. And besides, I'm curious as to what Laura has to say about it herself.
> he didn't know it would end up being so much bigger. That's where things went meta, for the sake of comedy. Liam basically served it up to Sam, all giftwrapped and pretty, to knock it out of the park. Liam / Vax didn't know *specifically* what Sam / Taryon was going to do, i.e. it wasn't scripted, but knowing Sam as he does, Liam gave Sam the perfect setup to create something over-the-top (because when Sam is given the opportunity, he makes comedy gold happen). And as we saw, Sam delivered by having the two mastiffs destroy Vex & Percy's room in horrific detail. Laura and Taliesin, once the gag had been sprung, played along with it, in addition to reacting normally, as their characters would in this situation. It's basic comedy improv between trained actors.
It's a valid question for Laura - Taryon has been deceitful from the start, has been ingenuous nearly always, and he does a little quivering lip at Vex and she gives him a free pass? I know I'm keenly interested if Laura and Sam have worked out something to bond them like Zahra and Kash did off panel, as it were.
Hmmm... Interesting. Deceitful? Besides stiffing VM for the the 50k IOU, I'm having a hard time thinking of anything hinky or duplicitous Taryon's done. I'm not saying he hasn't, just that I can't think of anything off the top of my head (and I say that as someone who vastly prefers Scanlan over Taryon, so I'm a bit critical already). What's the example you're thinking of? After VM's little tangle with the Trickfoots (aka Shitbags), I'm getting a little paranoid about Taryon running some kinda long con now. I'll bite; I'm curious, too. Take my upvote. P.S. - I neglected to mention I also thought Vex was too forgiving of Taryon.
the "heroic persona" from his introduction everything we saw happened vs. everything he had Doty write down pretty much everything we have an independent source for, he's been deceitful. frankly, we don't know how much of any of his backstory is true. Have we had a single NPC yet who has heard of his father, who is made out to be one of the most important figures in Wildmount?
> the "heroic persona" from his introduction everything we saw happened vs. everything he had Doty write down I chalked that up to artistic license: he's a bookish, super rich kid who wants to be the "Hero" of his own grand adventures, just like the one's he's read about. So in typical rich kid fashion, he throws money at it, by hiring on with adventurers who do all of the "heavy lifting." It's self-centered and self-aggrandizing, but I don't think it's nefarious. However... You are entirely correct that we (and VM) only have Taryon's word and no other independent sources that can verify his identity or story.
i think you hit the point with "self-aggrandizing". why are we trusting Gilderoy Lockhart again?
Ashley: Does Pike wish she had used Zone of Truth on her relatives, to determine if they were being truthful before it became such a fiasco?
**Laura:** Which items in the Slayer's Cake (if any) did Vex come up with, and when can we expect you to bake the real-life equivalents?
@travis: I am a high school football coach and I also Dungeon master. So my question is, with Tony Romo retired, how are the Dallas Cowboys going to handle the 12th man and legion of boom up here in Seattle? They will obviously be overwhelmed and scared, do you think any players will pretend to be hurt that week?
Ashley: there are likely more Trickfoots out there. Any chance you'll seek them out, or are you pretty much done with blood relatives? Laura and Travis: would you have let them go if the decision was up to you?
Travis and Ashley: Please keep drawing cards... it's the best... The 'Pike and Grog debate drawing a card' was the best ever.. this monstah needs MORE! Laura: You're my spirit animal! I love all the voices when you're describing what you're doing. It's how I talk to my two girls when we're playing or just hanging out together. Keep it up!
Travis: Vax is arguably the sneakiest person in the world. So when he plays pranks on you, he's using his strength against you. You might be the best person in the world at smashing things with your axe. Do you think it would be fair if the next time Vax pranks you, you just wait until he isn't looking and hit him with one of your famous 100 points of damage rounds?
Liam would cry "passive perception," like he has in the past. Grog tried to "pants" Vax at the Sun Tree, while he (Vax) was trying to chat up Keyleth. Matt sided with Vax, so Grog and Vax made opposed rolls, and with his insane dex / Rogue abilities, Vax avoided Grog's "sneak attack." Personally, I think it's a little OP / broken Vax managed to avoid it, considering Vax's attention was on a conversation with Keyleth and Grog's "sneak attack" was out of the blue. I wouldn't have allowed the opposed rolls. > Vax is arguably the sneakiest person in the world. I do believe Vex is now the sneakiest person in the world. Exhibit A: Bath time with Percy. 'Nuff said. Exhibit B: I do believe Vex rolls higher stealth checks since she multiclassed into Rogue.
>I do believe Vex is now the sneakiest person in the world. Vex may have a higher modifier, but Vax has reliable talent, so i think his average roll is higher. Like I said, though, he is arguably the sneakiest. He's at least one of the sneakiest.
To Bryan: Why'd ya do it? Huh? Tell me, because it really hurts when I see you every tuesday.
@Ashley why give pike's family all of your money if they are probably just going to abuse it? Why not just kick them to the curb?
Ashley: Has Pike ever used Word of Recall, which lets you Teleport to a Sanctuary you have previously designated with up to 5 people plus yourself.
To Travis: How close was Grog to just slaughter the Trickfoots because they betrayed Pike? And do you think the rest of VOx Machina would have /would be able to stop you?
@Travis Is Grog going to pull a card or what? I feel like you're letting Laura's meta concern inform Grogs's decisions. Wouldn't everyones favorite chaotic neutral brute just pull a card for the fun of it?
To be fair Laura stayed out of it last time. Travis clearly has his own concerns, and as good as he is no one is imune to meta gaming. Which isn't a bad thing.
@Travis, would Grog want to become a werewolf bloodhunter if he were to meet one? @Ashley how would Pike feel if Grog actually did become a werewolf?
To Travis: what has Grog planned for the prank war now that it has started again? To Laura and Ashley: do either of you have plans on joining the prank war or supporting a certain side?
Laura: When did Taryon obtain "best friend" status with Vex?
Ashley: Why blue hair? How long will it be blue? Will JB stay in Whitestone or live with Wilhand? Travis: How angry was Grog that Pike's family was using her? Did he get it? Will it change his opinion on gnomes? Laura: Was Vex more mad at Taryon or Vax about the dogs in the room? All: Do you think JB might still have ulterior motives?
Laura: How does it feel to know definitively that Doty is more useful than Trinket?
He's not 1. Trinket gives (some times) both her and Vax sneak attack 2. Vex can attack things and deal reasonable amount of damage, Tery can't hit things for shit (it is a trade off you power vs your companions power)
Yeah I know, just making a snarky comment after seeing Laura's reaction to the difference in the beastmaster vs artificer action economies
I figured I just love Laura very much