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You know, last week, I wondered how the decision to go after Anna Ripley would turn out.

WELL, I HAVE MY ANSWER!

NOT GOOD.

That’s how it turned out. Not good in the slightest. Because not has Ripley gotten away, but Percy is dead.

Like dead, dead. Which, I just did not expect.

How many members of Vox Machina died during the campaign? Like what’s the total? I think we’re at three deaths right now and that’s just bonkers to me.

We had like one in campaign two. Molly. And then we killed Caduceus by accident at one point. But until the major fight at the end of the campaign, the deaths were fairly minimal.

There was Fjord once.

Molly.

Cad.

We had three total before the final fight if I’m remembering correctly.

The first campaign isn’t over yet and we’ve got three deaths just doing the most mundane shit. Even this was fairly tame. We’ve fought three damn dragons and a ran from a hell beast sent by Lucifer himself and were still standing. But this people die just touching something they shouldn’t and offering a second chance to someone they should not.

I mean, that moment was huge for Percy’s character growth! Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy that he’s learned, and grown.

Unfortunately, that growth led to his death.

Because while he has changed, Anna Ripley has not. She has made so many deals with dragons and is planning to just hand souls over to her shadow demon willy nilly because she can. She’s freaking unhinged man. You on the other hand were not.

You were in pain and seeking something to soothe that pain.

Ripley is seeking power.

You two are fundamentally different people. She was never going to take your hand.

The DC on that had to be impossible to roll.

Because it was a good speech. Kudos to Talieson for that one and whoever else wrote this episode. It was really good. I was convinced for a moment that everything would be okay looking at Percy. And then we switched to Ripley and I was like, oh no, she going to attack.

I mean, I did not expect the gunshot.

Nor did I expect Vox Machina to get there too late.

I was not expecting him to already be dead by the time they arrived. Like I was yelling no at my TV. Like, no, no, no. I know he lives. He and Vex get together and have a happily ever after. I know, I saw them in campaign three.

They’re together.

They have a lot of kids because they just can’t keep their hands to themselves.

Thus, for me, his death was just absolutely shocking.

Then! Then you have the absolute rockstar that is Laura Bailey drowning in grief over the loss. Right after the man confessed that he was completely in love with her. Something I think he felt he just needed to get off his chest.

I mean, I think the romantic part of him hoped that she would be ready to say it back once he said it. But I think the part that knows her so well, knew there was a bigger chance she would freak out and freeze.

For me, it felt like Percy needed to say it.

To remember who he has become before facing off against Ripley.

I don’t think he expected to be drugged and kidnapped and facing off with her without the rest of Vox Machina. But I do think Percy was doing his best not to get sucked into vengeance again. To remind himself of all the growth he’s gone through.

He’s no longer a scared kid being tortured by this woman.

He can defend himself.

He’s happy.

He’s in love and he wants to revel in it and cling to it. Honestly, it’s something I understand all too well.

It’s the strangest thing to me, to see things I completely get emotionally as a person, reflected in something that started as a game. Yes, the actors do a fantastic job bringing it to life, but at the end of the day, D&D is still a game.

However, that doesn’t mean the characters and what it creates is any less real.

For example, I completely understand what I think Percy was doing in that moment. Sometimes, in moments of great turmoil, it’s such a buoy to cling to something that brings you joy and comfort. A calm in the storm.

Facing off against something that brings Percy so much pain and anguish, he offset it by leaning into the love he feels for Vex. Holding tightly onto something good to center himself.

Ultimately, allowing him to try and redeem Ripley who did not deserve it. But it was good for Percy if nothing else.

Until the bullet.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group has completely caught on Percy and Vex sleeping together.

Not sure how anyone could have missed it. Much to Vax’s irritation people are talking about it. Thankfully, before completely scarring him for life they stop to get on with the mission.

We learn that Pike is made out of something that can heal.

I mean the dude in the underworld alluded that her blood was something powerful. However, I didn’t think it was powerful enough to just snap everyone out of their hallucinations. What was that? What is Pike? Is she a god? What’s happening?

I need to know!

Oh, and did the Everlight abandon her for going into the underworld?

What a terrible god if she did. I mean, you told her to walk her path with honor, and then once she does – you get pissed at her?

How is that fair? Oh wait, you’re a god. Nothing is fair with you people. Honestly, let’s just worship Pike instead. I think that’s a better idea.

So curious to see what’s going to happen there.

Oh and we got a bit of Ripley’s backstory. Which according to the wikia page appears to look like it was Trent Icky ruining someone else’s life.

Yeah, that seems about right.

So many assholes creating other assholes creating other assholes that create the heroes that have to deal with these assholes who are also assholes themselves. See all of the campaigns PCs, most especially The Mighty Nein – who often introduce themselves as a bunch of assholes.

Yeesh.

Ripley if you’re going to shoot anyone, I recommend Icky. Maybe save Caleb some pain and trauma. Oh, but then The Mighty Nein would be in trouble and Veth would still be Nott.

Ummm…

You know what, leave me alone. I just want everyone to have some freaking peace in their lives. Jeez.

Well, I’m so curious as to how we’re going to save Percy. Maybe Pike can bleed on him or something next episode. I really want to know what is up with Pike’s blood. Is Scanlan going to have a proper relationship with his daughter?

And will someone please kill Ripley!

Put her out of my misery. Please and thank you.

Well, let’s see what the next episode has in store for me. See you next week! And as always thank you for reading! If you enjoy my content, please consider supporting!

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