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[critterchatter]

Thursday CR Manifestations (in no particular order)

Dorian and Orym finally communicate

Dorian opens up about how Cyrus died

Fearne girlbosses Zathuda

Imogen and Fearne process what the Archheart said (and reflect on potentially being the vessel)

Someone asks Orym about the deal

Chetney talks about his deal

A GAME OF WTF IS UP WITH THAT

BH gets an 8 hour break (sleep doesn’t count as a break)

Someone cries and lets their emotions out

Laudna talks with the Raven Queen

Braius flirts with Ashton

Leeta shows up (I miss her)

Edit: Dorian bluescreening over Orym (can’t believe I forgot this) (I just want more flustered Dorian)

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[critterchatter]

In honor of our new extremely flirtatious and available paladin-bard Braius Doomseed, in good fun here are some possible very serious ship names for him with, well, everyone, with my personal very serious faves in bold:

Braius + Dorian: Stormseed, Doomstorm, Brorian, Doriaus

Braius + Laudna: Braudna, Loomseed, Skinny Cow, Black Ooze Inc, Doom & Dread

Braius + Imogen: Imogus, Brimogen, save a horse ride a minotaur, Doomult

Braius + Ashton: Greydoom, Doommoore, Brashton, Just Don't Me

Braius + Fearne: Bearne, Fraius, Callowseed, Doomway, Callowdoom

Braius + Orym: big doom little moon, Brorym, Seedseed

Braius + Chetney: Chetius, Brockopea, Doom Pea, Pock o' Seed, Chaius, Bretney (it's bretney betch)

Braius + Essek: Bressek, Doomshadow, Shadowseed

Braius + Teven: Doomklask, hero worship, Braiueven (sorry), Traius, HR Violation

Braius + Ludinus (look, he's here and being on a mission to defeat him does not preclude hotness): Brudinus, Da'Doom, Luaius (sorry)

Braius + Veth (she's not here but she would if she could be and I have to respect that): Breth, Doomatto, Vethseed, Doomveth, Broomvatto, seagull at the buffet table

Please pipe up in the tags/comments with your favorites and additions to this heavy-hitting discussion.

[critterchatter]

Derrig was his father figure. Derrig was the right hand to the Tempest. Someone more important, and he even said more powerful than him, and joked about why she even needed a guard. But he was there, as a blade of the tempest, to protect her at all cost. He laid down his life for hers.

This was Oryms role model. This was his oath. Their job is to protect those who are more important (and more powerful), to give them the best chance at succeeding, because that is what is best for Zephrah/Exandria.

Oryn feels that the others are special because of their magic and abilities. But also the Ruidous Born being particularly important. Plus, they are his friends and he wants to protect them. Not add to the names he morns.

And finally, if he does die (I don't think he wants to, but isn't afraid to), he gets to be with Will again.

Thinking a lot about Orym choosing a rabbit when asked what animal he would pick if cursed with lycanthropy.

Because, it makes sense. Orym is small, quick, agile, jumps well, and is highly perceptive. That definitely evokes rabbit imagery. But a lot of Orym’s identity is also tied up with being a protector – giving people AC bumps, the shield being as much a part of his fighting style as his sword, even his title: Saviour Blade of the Tempest. He wants to be a “Shield that protects Exandria”; his priorities about saving the gods are less about the gods themselves, and more about protecting the people of Exandria from the unintended consequences and bloodshed of releasing Predathos. And it would’ve been very easy to pick a large, strong predator to try and evoke the sense of a protector – a wolf, for example, an animal associated with loyalty and protecting its pack. Yet Orym chose a rabbit.

And I think that’s interesting, because rabbits are often seen as ‘cute’ animals – but they’re also a prey animal. In fact, they’re a common food source for many animals across several ecosystems: foxes, wolves, wild cats, dogs, birds of prey like eagles or owls, coyotes, stoats, and humans (and that’s just off the top of my head). Rabbits are skittish, easily frightened; to be rabbit-hearted is to be timid or cowardly. They are not generally associated with fierceness or prowess in fighting. Mice and rats are prey animals too, but typically seen as vermin (rabbits are sometimes seen as vermin too, but a farmer could eat a rabbit – they wouldn’t eat a rat). Deer are prey, but they have hooves and antlers that bring a danger to hunting them, for any animal – the difficulties of hunting rabbits are more related to their evasiveness, speed and good hearing than any life-threatening danger they might pose. Rabbits are, first and foremost, prey animals. They are killed and eaten, so that another animal might live.

Which made me think a lot about one of Orym’s other key traits: self-sacrifice. Bait and switch doesn’t just bump up his ally’s ACs, it specifically switches their place to put him directly in harm’s way. Goading attack is meant to encourage enemies to attack him instead of his friends. He literally made a deal with a hag, essentially exchanging his own life for power to protect his friends. How many times has he gone down in a fight? He’s not the only tank – but unlike Ashton (and Chetney, who also uses ‘self-sacrifice’ in his fighting style with his blood curses) he has no abilities to reduce the damage from the hits he takes (barbarian rage and the werewolf form).

(Side note: I think it’s pretty interesting that Chetney, the wolf, has attacked Orym, the rabbit, more than anyone else when losing control. That Orym’s facial scar was given to him by a friend, not a foe).

Of course, Orym isn’t the only character with self-sacrificial tendencies (FCG wins by a landslide), but I just can’t stop thinking about how weirdly perfect it is that he chose a rabbit for his animal. Rabbits are prey animals. They are eaten, so that other animals may live. Orym takes the hits, he goads and switches with his team mates to put himself in danger, he makes a deal with a hag at the cost of his own life. He’s a soldier, throwing his life away for a cause over and over again because Ludinus must be stopped, because Keyleth has put her trust in him, because it’s the only way to protect his friends, to protect everyone, because it’s the right thing to do. Orym is a rabbit. He’s always been a rabbit. That day in Zephrah, it could have easily been Orym who died instead of Will and Derrig – “unfortunate but necessary sacrifices”, as Ludinus viewed the attack. It’s unfortunate they had to die, but it was for the greater good, according to Ludinus. It’s unfortunate that a rabbit has to die, but it will feed a family of foxes, or stoats, or even a hungry human, so it’s acceptable, right?

Orym is a rabbit. He is giving himself to a greater cause that could very easily kill him – he already willingly signed his life away to Nana Morri. Because that’s what rabbits do. They die to feed others.

And the theme of being disposable is present across the entire group, not just in Orym – Bell’s Hells has been called a “party of NPCs” before. Aside from FCG’s death, I’d say Laudna perhaps fits this theme the best: she was literally murdered and hung from a tree simply because she looked similar to Vex, acting as a warning to adventurers she had never met before. But FCG’s death was – rightfully – viewed as a terrible tragedy by the group. Laudna’s decision to remove Delilah, finally freeing herself from her abuser and emphasising she is more, and deserves to be more, than just some disposable puppet – this was rightfully viewed as a very good thing! But Orym seems to be embracing this identity of self-sacrifice instead, rather than this mindset being properly challenged or acknowledged as a bad thing. After all, there’s no time. There’s too much at stake. Keyleth, Bell’s Hells, all the memories of those who have died in this fight, all the people who might die if Predathos is released and kickstarts a second Calamity – they’re all relying on him, right? A rabbit feeding so many animals with his sacrifice. And it’s not malicious compared to the way that, say, Delilah killing Laudna was an incredibly evil, fucked up and unnecessary thing to do. If Orym died to save everyone else, well, at least everyone else would be saved, right? Saving lives is good, isn't it? How could he complain?

Because rabbits are prey animals, and Orym is a rabbit too. Destined to die so that another animal may feed.

Except, that’s not true. Rabbits are more than just prey. They’re highly social, and thrive best living with others. They’re playful, they enjoy running around and kicking their legs just to show their enjoyment. They’re inquisitive and mischievous, even being associated with tricksters in some folklore and stories. They’re also associated with innocence, playfulness, spring, youth – all manner of things, depending on the story or culture. And they’re not helpless, either, even if they might be thought of as such. They can bite and scratch and draw blood quite easily if they want to! In fact, freezing up isn’t their only response when being attacked by a predator, they are known to fight back if cornered. They can sprint quickly, they have excellent hearing and senses of smell, they know how to evade predators.

Rabbits are prey, and they are also survivors. They have their own social dynamics, their own habits and dislikes and preferences. They are more than just a wolf’s meal. And Orym is more than a soldier, too. He’s more than a “necessary sacrifice”, he’s more than just a shield and sword. He deserves more than to die for a cause. He deserves a happy ending, just like everyone else. I hope he remembers that.

Orym is a rabbit. And the message isn’t that he shouldn’t be a rabbit. It’s that rabbits are worthy of surviving, too.

[critterchatter]

[critterchatter]

Maybe it's just me but I did not have any strong emotions about Orym saying that the Wildmother was not "his god". My thoughts during that were just "well ya of course." I didn't see it as a moment where he showed a change of heart. I wasn't surprised or caught off guard. Nothing about it seemed new.

[critterchatter]

Me too, but he still brushed it off yet offered no proof. I am itching for them to discuss it after to see how each character reacts.

cant help but notice abu/the archheart never actually answered orym’s question of whether or not mortals could get caught in the crossfire by accident. he repeated that predathos doesnt care about mortals but he never actually answered the question

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Since liam said Orym doesn't know he likes him, we know that much...

I'm not sure Dorian knows Orym likes him either. Orym watches him but he may not know or understand. He can ge a little clueless at times.

So I agree something big needs to happen.

I kinda want one if thr witches or maybe chet to be more blunt (when Fearne left them together they may have each felt like she was trying to wingman them, but that the other didn’t feel the same and felt awkward).. like, "it's clear to all of us you both like each other. Kiss or talk or something already."

Or one of them telling Orym that it's clear Dorian likes him.. but Orym saying how he's always flirting with Braius/others and them convincing him to try?

At least convince them to all do a big group cuddle at night... then after a few nights abandon them together lol. Come on crew!!

@disastertourwaterdeepedition

Sorry for the weird fucking post but like tumblr straight up ate your ask?? I had to search and screenshot from my email??

Its like super fine I love big rants and big feelings (especially about the blorbo of the month).

Whoa buddy if you wanna talk about a rant. This got so long I'm putting it under a read more.

I'm not sure any of this is above board conscious thought process. When he looks to Orym, when he thinks about how he feels about Orym, I think Dorian, king of compartmentalizing, gets a rush of all three of the things in the post. He gets a little too lost in thought looking at the way Orym's hair now tries to curl against his ear or how well tailored the armor is to his body, he first gets hit with the Will guilt. Then he thinks about "ohmygodtheresawaron" and he'd shovel all of that down. Because its not time to think about Orym and him. But he knows by the way Orym watches him "sleep". He knows by the way Orym refused to be princess carried in Aeror. (Seriously dude Dorian princess carries everyone. It would have been less suspicious if you let it happen). He knows because Orym didn't see his husband when they were in Zephrah. But when he dares himself to actually think about a possible future together, he uses the big three to shove it down. And no, he has no clue that Orym thinks he doesn't return his feelings. (Wow you're right. Pronouns are hard)

Lol to finally answer your question: I'm not sure! Because the thing is! Orym has gone down twice in a battle with Dorian there! And honestly if Orym being on death's door doesn't make either of them confess, i'm not sure what will! (thats a lie I do have an idea). But like Orym went to the moon and back and almost died on the moon and all the count communicate to Dorian was "I miss you"!! Orym nearly died twice in one battle and he didn't think to give Dorian a sloppy, "If I die again I want to have kissed you once" kiss before going in for another round of getting hacked on. Dorian watched him go down and had to bring him back from death's door (one failed save scared the shit out of me) and he didn't think to give Orym a "We need you, I need you" kiss.

My unfortunate thought process, which I can't decide if I want it to come true or not, is that Dorian has to get hurt. Like when I say hurt I fucking mean it. Taken down in a round or two, two failed death saves, hurt. Because then Orym will have to face losing Dorian again. Face losing the man he loves, again. He pours a healing potion into Dorian's mouth because warlocks don't have a single healing spell. (Just checked). Orym feels so helpless in saving Dorian, because a healing potion isn't nearly enough to keep him up. He starts to cry over Dorian's (now conscious) body. He whispers between sobs "Not again, not again. Dorian you can't leave me. I love you, please, I never got to tell you, please stay alive." and Dorian, having heard all of that, reaches up to cup Orym's cheek and says. "Alright, just for you though."

Or something like that.

As much as I would love for them to be adults and just talk to each other. I know thats not going to happen. (Please, Robbie, Liam, prove me wrong.) So I think major tragedy will be the reason they confess to each other. Because they're idiots in love with a lot of weight on their shoulders.

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They are lucky to have Orym.

C3E19: Orym assists by smiling

C3E106: Orym has Bountiful Luck

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YES!!!

Braius, start flirting with the handsome little halfling warrior more!

I don't think Orym is a jealous man. I don't think Braius flirting with Dorian is really doing anything. Besides making him insecure.

Orym will definitely convince himself that Dorian would prefer Braius. He's more on Dorian's level both physically and class wise. Hes only 3 inches taller than Dorian and they can bond over art. To Orym it'd the obvious choice, to choose Braius. It'd make sense that the tall beautiful bards would fall for each other. He doesn't see Braius' flirting as a threat because he doesn't even know he's in the running.

And because he's not a jealous man, if he truly saw Dorian show genuine interest in Braius, Orym would accept it. He'd understand. He'd swallow his feelings and keep them to himself. Because he doesn't think he should have these feelings in the first place. BECAUSE he doesn't want to get in the way or impose or ruin what they already have.

DORIAN HOWEVER is super jealous. As a younger sibling to a golden child I know how possessive someone can get over attention. That's why it was all shy smiles and biting pencils when Braius was flirting with him. But the moment Braius flirted with Orym he was immediately at attention. Because that's his little warrior. If anyone is going to flirt with Orym it will be him.

I think if Brauis (Sam) changed up his technique and started flirting with Orym more, we'd have Dorym love confession in like two weeks. I don't think Dorian can handle competition. Not about this. Not with Orym's heart on the line.

[critterchatter]

I feel like Matt jinxed himself with his response to the new shirt....

How the last episode 'begin' and less than 2 hours later...

To be fair I would have made many many more bloopers than Matt has done over the past (almost) 1o years. As Liam said, so many words!

[critterchatter]

The deal:

Orym: "That’s if we see it through. Every one of Bells Hells makes it back, and we see it though. That’s an easy trade. Back alive. Happy, safe, and healthy."

Morri: "Well, you have to start happy to return happy, and I think health is in varying states. Return, at least, as you are."

Orym: "Return alive."

Morri: "Very well."

My take:

She knows FCG died, but his journey (mission) isn't done. Thus, to me, she's saying he won't be on the hook. They didn't agree that everyone would make it back to Exandria alive, just BACK. They are not finished and back yet.

What shes saying is since his mission isn't complete she still has to help him!

Orym still has the powers she gave him, but will possibly still lose them once they return from the complete journey they are on.

"Your journey is not yet done."

I don't know if I'm taking this the right way, but, I don't think Orym's release from the deal is as assured as we hoped...

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You could tell they had strong feelings, and the adrenaline was flowing... but I think that's the difference between being mad and being MAD.

They were mad... but they were not MAD. They were upset that they had made such a major move that could affect the story without discussing it with the others... kinda like the characters who were mad at Ashton (although worse since his life was at steak for him).

...but not 'why are we even friends, I don't want to talk to you ever again!' kind of MAD.

It sounded like they cleared a lot up the same night right after (except Sam who prefers to create drama not dwaddle in it), and at the end of the day, they know it's a story and they are friends.

i actually love the confirmation that they (the players) were genuinely mad at taliesin after the shard debacle (and had to have an after-game conversation) because i remember there was an entire populus of the fandom who were attacking people who mentioned how uncomfortable all of the players looked and some of y'all need to realize that sometimes friends get mad at one another and it's OKAY

[critterchatter]

Travis: blames Dani

Travis after dropping absolutely wild lore that the cast doesn't know: It's in these books!

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dorian: [shows up with a slutty shirt, a magic dragon horse, and an approximation of how hot he'll continue to be in 20-30 years] orym: I'm about to mcfreaking lose it

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the thing is that Dorian told Orym that he didn't have to save everyone. But it was too little too late, now wasn't it? (I'm not blaming Dorian for that. I'm just saying)

By the time Dorian tells him that he has already sold his future. He's already thought extensively how to kill his entire family if he has to. He's tied in so many knots.

Then he keeps getting hit by these freak outs. Chetney gave him a scar across his face. Letters went after him first. Laudna attacked him then proceeded to gaslight the absolute shit out of him for defending himself.

He sold away his future for these people and they couldn't be bothered to ask him about the deal he made with Nana Morri. Ashton stood between Laudna and Orym. Defending Laudna. And no one stood beside Orym. No one got in between them in defense of Orym.

They hovered. Dorian said Orym should keep the sword. Chetney told Laudna that Orym lost more than the rest. But when Orym started back tracking. When he started to second guess himself. NO ONE fought for what he wanted. NO ONE told him it was okay to want to keep the sword and that he should if it was important to him.

Orym is constantly bending. He is constantly being the bigger person. He has forgiven so much and the poor thing is falling apart at the seams about it. It just isn't fair. He is getting the brunt of the damage because he's a tiny tank. He's constantly goading enemies to attack him and not anyone else.

And idk whens the last time he breathed. The last time he relaxed. When's the last time he felt truly safe with the people around him? Because he was sleeping in an inn surrounded by the people closest to him and he felt his life force being sucked away from him

IDK I just think orym deserves a nap and another spa day. I JUST THINK ORYM DESERVES EVERYONE GATHERING AROUND AND SAYING EXACTLY WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT HIM AND HOW HE MEANS SO MUCH TO THEM AND THE GROUP

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"O'Brien, meanwhile, says fans should 'strap in' for some heartbreaking moments because season three is 'going to hurt real bad.'"

Um, the Heartbreak Prince is warning us it's going to be heartbreaking....