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The tree we were going to was not adequately described to Keyleth nearly causing all of Vox Machina to plummet to their death. Despite Scanlan’s best attempts to warn them.

Which I’m not sure what good it would have done.

They only have so much time to get through the portal. Could they go back in the middle of the spell? Because I’m fairly certain staying in the middle of the tree once the spell ends isn’t going to end well either.

I think that’s a first-class ticket to becoming a tree yourself. Food for thought.

Thankfully, they managed to not plummet to death.

Keyleth saves a couple of them as a bird and everyone else lands in… Nope. Not going there.

Either way, they all survive to see that Percy’s name gets them nowhere and that he’s not as smooth as he thinks he is. Nor does anyone care about his title.

Failed persuasion or charisma check? What do you think?

Trinket must stay outside which is just rude, frankly. Who doesn’t want a giant well armored bear in their city? I think you’re missing out.

All of this to end up in a bar with people who may or may not want to kill several members of the group for past misdeeds and current bounty. Maybe we should have thought this through a bit more?

Make sure we’ll all still friends?

Just a thought.

Oh, and I forgot to mention it during the last review – but I do find it hilarious that we raided the magic shop for anything we could that they might need. Only for Scanlan to end up with a seemingly useless broom.

I’m so happy that the broom appeared because that thing nearly cost Travis his life. Or Matt did. You know what? It doesn’t matter. This is the broom that Laura nearly killed Travis over out of character. Ashley even shoved him off stage when they weren’t certain the broom was going to continue working to save his life.

Iconic broom.

And I cannot believe I forgot to mention it.

Moving on.

Keyleth gets flirted with. Vax is annoyed by this.

The Take decide to collect the bounty on the twins to which Pike responds that they have a Grog. Except they don’t.

Grog has meandered away with his brand-new sword that he for sure should get rid of because that thing belonged to a villain. It cannot possibly bring anything good.

Inside the Stormlord’s temple he’s beaten up pretty good despite the evil blade while the guy asks him what his true strength is.

I love that Grog tries the stereotype answer both wrong and correct only for both answers to be wrong.

I love Matt.

He continues on with this lesson until Grog admits that he does not know where his strength comes from. The lesson comes to an end, and he has cryptically already given him the next step.

Which I think is asking a lot from Grog.

I’m just saying. He is clearly not the brightest bulb in the group.

You might want to get more specific with him about the next step.

Otherwise, he’ll fall into old habits like just wanting a drink after that beating.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group is vying for their lives. But you know – Vex burned that bridge by stealing a bounty from them. Now they’d like the equivalent of it or they’ll the bounty on them.

Yep, definitely seem like old friends.

Who needs enemies and all that?

Before they can be dragged off, their patron would like a word with Vox Machina. They’re dropped into a crazed pit of darkness.

While the Take firmly believe they’re patron is planning to murder them herself, Vox Machina is actually being tested to see if they’re worthy enough.

They’re all picked apart and Osysa carefully attacks each of them. Poking at their fears and feared shortcomings to make them feel less than they are.

Each of them fear something different.

Percy fears he’ll never be trusted again.

Vax cannot live without his sister.

Vex wants her father’s love, but knows she’ll never have it.

Scanlan loves no one but himself.

Keyleth is avoiding her responsibilities and afraid she’ll fail.

Pike doesn’t even believe she can save her friends, never mind the entire world.

Honestly, all of them are so valid and perfect to each character. They’re true and hurtful and the things they keep in the deepest parts of themselves. Rubbed raw and exposed for all to see. Osysa tells them to leave with whatever dignity they have left before they embarrass themselves trying to save the world.

I f*cking love this.

Matt does such an excellent job of screwing with everyone’s minds for the best storylines for them to overcome.

Beating them down. Never to the point where they give up, but enough to make them want to fight back. To prove the character he’s created telling they can’t, that they can. They will.

I love these types of stories, and this cast is truly masterful at bringing them to life. Just getting better and better as they go. The Mighty Nein animated series is a prime example of how they just keep getting better.

Even being beaten down and showed the door, Pike finds the strength to stand up and promise they won’t go quietly. Even if they lose. Even if it’s hopeless. They won’t go down without a fight. Without trying. Without making as much noise as possible to try and save the world.

They’re going to try.

With that, Osysa tells them what they need to know, where to go, and who to speak to. They must find the Vestiges of Divergence. Which sounds a lot like things from pre-calamity and oh dear. That’s some powerful stuff we’re off to grab.

Vox Machina (I almost wrote The Mighty Nien – damn it) leaves her domain all smug, leaving the Take gob smacked as their patron sent them off to fetch something for her.

To be fair, I’d be gob smacked too.

I’ve seen bits and pieces of campaign three where Vox Machina appears several times. Everyone is in awe of them and they’re considered heroes – legends – and are quite powerful.

That Vox Machina doesn’t exist yet.

They haven’t gone through enough to come out the other side with that level of cool, calm, and respect.

No, currently, they’re a bunch of assholes who won’t be ignored no matter how hard anyone tries. And they tried.

To be fair, this is exactly the sort of thing that will make them heroes and legends. They’re willful belief that they have to try. Regardless of the outcome.

Surviving is a bonus.

Overall, I like this episode. It digs deeper into the characters, giving us their fears front and center. This is one of the reasons I love Critical Role’s campaigns. They’re very character and relationship driven. Everyone has their problems and everyone gets a chance to shine or share or fall on their face while their friends help as best they can.

It’s a wonderful way to tell a story and these guys are exceptional storytellers.

The only thing I would like more – is if these episodes were hour long like Mighty Nein’s are. It’s just too damn short!

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