#ashton or orym please fuck talk to her

[antlereed]

if someone doesnt talk to laudna one on one tonight we riot

[dadrielle]

Top five 1-on-1 conversations I am DYING to have happen soon, about Myriad Topics:

*Laudna and Fearne: god I want them to talk about e v e r y t h i n g. Ask Fearne about how the split affected her beyond the threesome! Talk to Laudna about that rage! Check in with her about FCG's shit! Ask Laudna about Orym and Imogen and the way people's relationships are changing! Talk to her about guilt again! More fire lessons! Ask about her doggy!

*Imogen and Chet: Bro the fact that he's the only one of the Hells that Knows about the girls would make this conversation funny and interesting as hell. I think he'd also be an interesting one to check in with her about her mom since he's done it before. Also I just love them being bitchy combative friends soooo much.

*Ashton and Orym: Hey buddy what the fuck with the self sacrificing and the push push pushing. Conversely, hey buddy, why do you keep talking to strangers about your feelings instead of us and what's up with you calling yourself "of the Hishari" now?

*Fearne and FCG: Please please please keep being petty. I want her to call him out for his callousness, which is extra interesting coming from Fearne. I want her to be mad that choosing to do things that hurt the others doesn't make him feel guilty the way it does her! I want her to steal the coin. I want her to try to reckon with why doing things she feels are justified (like only healing him a little) still makes her feel guilty. Also I think Fearne being like, ok, explain to me exactly what your god is about, you don't even know do you? would be fun.

*Laudna and FCG: Confront him about how he treats you Laudna please do it oh my god give me the JUICE. Tell him about clerics chasing you out of towns! Tell him what you think the gods think of you and make him reckon with that!

[zeephyre]

CRITICAL ROLE CAMPAIGN 3 EPISODE 86 SPOILERS

RAHHH, SPOOKY LAKE MINI ARC!!!!!!

God. I fucking love you Matthew Mercer.

The back door is indeed a back door and while that is exciting, I honestly need us to table all theories.

First of all, Matt really did his big one with this campaign and all of the spooky horror elements that are scattered all over. The nightmare king, Laudna, Jrusar tbh, Uthodurn and the Savaliir woods, the creepy ass monsters and gjosts we keep running into, the GHOST PIRATES, the fucking shattered teeth as a whole, RUIDUS, and now this fuck ass lake.

The way Matt slowly built up the suspense and the intrigue of this odd abandoned town that started as just curiosity and location discovery to help us understand where in Exandria they were, and then slowly became an investigation into how...empty it was despite no signs of struggle or even a mass exodus to somewhere safe... and then the notes about the disappearances... how people were rumored to have just...walked into the water.

GOD IT WAS SO GOOD.

The way my heart dropped out of my ass when Liam used the stone to talk to Dorian (I don't wanna discuss that "I miss you" that definitely felt like an "I love you", I'm so upset rn Robbie please come home). I knew the stone wikldnt work because he'd already talked to Caleb (which !!!!! CALEB!!!!!!! AHHHH) but then Matt was like "you hear something outside, it's Dorian" and I just???? Almost shat myself when I understood what was happening.

It is...interesting that whatever is in that lake only affected FCG, Orym, Chettie and Ashton.... it can't just be that they weren't women because... that doesn't really make any sense so it must be something magic related? Because they were making charisma saves and the witches have either max charisma or amazing fucking charisma. (But so does FCG? I think? Whatever).

I loved everything about that battle and the lake but I especially loved Laudna's whole deal... Dread Pirate Queen Laudna fan art needs to flood my social media feed so much that I get sick of it (I wont). She's such a silly little guy I love her to bits. (We won't discuss she who must not be named except to say... she was kinda spitting during that whole later interaction)

FINALLY THESE DUMB FUCKS SLEPT BUT GOD. I WAS CONVINCED MATT WANTED THEM DEAD FR.

ANYWAY. JESTER. JESTER LAVORRE. JESTER HAS SENDING. SHE TALKED TO US. SHE TALKED TO IMOGEN. THEY’RE EITHER ON THEIR WAY TO THE KEY OR TO THE LAKE AND EITHER WAY I KNOW WE'RE GONNA SEE THE NEIN AGAIN IDC IDC

Kinda almost broke down in tears when Jester spoke to Imogen because I just??? love Laura Bailey so much??? AND WHENEVER THE OTHER PCS SHOW UP I JUST GET SO HAPPY

I know Jester is being a terrorist with sending rn, and I know she's gonna message Imogen constantly.

Did not want them to leave that lake until Kiki's group showed up the next morning but my hellians never listen to me so cest la vie.

(Also????? Fearne and Chetney romantic tension??? Let's discuss. Let's also discuss how bad Fearne wants to kiss Imogen)

[immeasurable-depths]

I’m having some feelings about Fearne. Fearne who doesn’t usually worry about consequences, who always wants to do the most chaotic, the most fun option without a second thought. Who in making that choice and going along with Ashton’s secret switching plan, had a front row seat to exactly how dire and catastrophic those consequences can be. And having to immediately deal with them, to be the one to literally hold Ashton together while they break and combust in front of her, to witness first hand someone she deeply cares about getting torn apart because of a choice she helped make. And how it seemed neither of them had fully considered just how wrong it could go - how making the fun, chaotic choice doesn’t always end well.

And then thinking about what would have happened if Fearne hadn’t been the one to help him - if she’d been outside Allura’s force field, if she hadn’t been close enough to cast Aura of Life, Ashton didn’t have a chance. Being both the cause and last desperate hope of salvaging the disaster - thinking about destiny, and being the granddaughter of The Fatestitcher…

What gets me most is this was one of the most honest and vulnerable we’ve seen Fearne (except at certain points with Orym, perhaps) - opening up to Ashton with her doubts about taking the shard herself, bringing up the ‘sister’ comment to find out what it meant. Earlier in the day, we saw this and then saw her run away after expressing that she thinks Ashton is hot - this was a new timidness, a vulnerability we so rarely see with Fearne. And then later, right before they do it, she’s once again open and honest for the first time, expressing her concerns, reconsidering that maybe this isn’t a good idea, that they should stop and think - a forethought we so rarely see with Fearne, she is met with a confusing kiss (the only one you get - what the fuck is up with that, Ashton?!), let’s herself go with it anyway, and it almost immediately blows up in her face.

I just really need them to have a serious chat afterwards. About trust, and vulnerability, and being allowed to change your mind if something doesn’t feel right. Because I think Fearne, sweet, loving, carefree Fearne, is going to feel responsible in some way, and she got a brief glimpse into how awful it could have been. I think this guilt thing that she has only recently discovered is going to eat away and consume her if she doesn’t get the chance to be mad, to be upset, to feel guilt and regret and come out the other side with the support of her friends.

Basically I really want there to be consequences from this. I hope Ashton sees what a horrible situation he put Fearne in (not that it was entirely their fault, but they definitely played a big part in persuading her and then didn’t listen to her concerns) and reckons with that, lets her be mad or angry or whatever that feeling is rather than being arrogant because it worked (entirely thanks to her).

Wow this ended up long! Also please note I say this as someone that didn’t like the choice Ashton made or how he went about it, but I am so here for the giant shift in relationships and group dynamic that should come from it. I just need them to talk about it properly and not just gloss over the trauma it caused Fearne and the rest of the group.

[renatogpadilla]

THOUGHTS ON CR3E92 IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

- FIRST EVER CR CROSSOVER EPISODE?!

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

- Dariax said "This Flute doesn't play itself anymore." Doriax canon offscreen?

- "After all the handjobs, this is what we mean to you?!" Damn... I mean, I'm glad Opal and Cyrus found a way to relieve stress, Gods know they're both stressed, but damn.

- Ending the episode on Opal Twice-Crowned hitting phase 2 of the boss fight was EVIL!

I love it, @quiddie ! I feel like when this gets animated in a decade or so, we'll get this fight and the fight with Otohan Thull overlayed one on top of the other for a Season Finale or something!

- Raven Queen going two for two on Rogues turned Paladin! Which is great, but now I have to replan Morrighan's moveset for that imaginary Critical Role fighting game that only exists in my head (somebody ask me about it please, I NEED to talk about it!) but at least she gets some Smite options out of the Bunny Hop command jump!

- Dariax is a Bard now too! That's honestly so perfect for Matt! And the fact that both Sorcerers and Bards are Charisma Casters makes me feel like the Synergies are gonna be great!

- Oh, Dorian, wonderful blue king... That's a lot of strength that your Dice will never agree to let you use for anything cool. I missed you SO MUCH!

- Speaking of that imaginary CR fighting game, this just solidified Opal as a puppet character. The tag combos with Ted would be WILD! Think Kenshi from MK1!

- Fy'ra Rai... Just... FY'RA RAI! Gods, I've missed Anjali at the table! Her memory with Opal, her tug-of-war with her thoughts about her sister... THE LAVA WHIP! Nothing sexier than Monks! Except a pissed off Wizard or Druid.

- On the other side of the table, I LOVE the moment the girls all collectively remembered they had to break the news to Frida... Oh, that's gonna hurt BAD!

- Anyone else noticed that Ashton is BURNT OUT and laying on the ground after his Titan form wears off, but Fearne just says she's really tired and just KEEPS GOING? Ashton is DONE for now, but Fearne needs to keep moving forward... Fuck, I love these two.

- Orym... Just... Orym. If you take a level in Barbarian after this, I wouldn't blame you.

- Side-Note: This means Dorian DID get Orym's last message before they went to the moon! He just didn't/couldn't answer! Which means, through the static and everything, Dorian COULD hear Orym! And now he's probably gonna get this message once the battle is over... Jesus, if they get to Zephra and Keyleth went to the Lodge next to the lake that's gonna be a problem...

- Side-Note Side-Note: Anyone else hoping to GOD that Allura called the Nein to help? Cause Beau and Caleb were involved, but now it feels like an "All Hands on Deck" situation, and we could use Kingsley's small army of pirates right about now...

- So much happened this episode between the grieving and the flashbacks and the rolling for handjobs that I didn't have time to process the splinter cell of Xhorhasians that split their soul in twain until I woke up... Opal may have forgotten, but maybe Ted hasn't? Though if they're the same person, maybe they both forgot...

- Aabria, the corrupting of the Memories was FOUL, I LOVE IT!!!

- Somebody needs to tell Essek about the soul-splitters. In fact, let's get to that while we deal with Ashton too!

- IF OPAL DIES, AMY CAN COME OVER AS DENI$E! Like, I don't WANT her to die, but Westruun isn't that far... 👀

- I just realized this is the first ever FULL episode of CR without Sam at the table... Fuck, man, when it hurts it hurts. Glad Marisha brought back the fan.

"Forgot the Consonants?" "No Letters." OUCH, MISS RAY, WHAT THE FUCK?!

- Raven Queen Paladins hasting themselves first thing in the fight. Vax is back, and he's a Bunny Girl now!

- I like that the Crownkeepers are a two-way Overwatch reunion (McCree Cassidy and Symmetra) and a three-way Persona 5 reunion (Yusuke, Ann Futaba and Akechi).

- Everything was so fucked this episode that everything with Liliana got knocked to the background for me, THAT'S how good it was!

- The SECOND Evoroa said Ludinos was on Exandria I knew EXACTLY where he would be! Now we HAVE to get the Nein involved, right? Unless the bastard makes the city float again...

I cannot WAIT for the next episode! And if Sam brings a new character when all the groups are together, it would be SPECTACULAR! I'm guessing he's going to play one of the moon races, because that just sounds cool... Either that or Tary!

[utilitycaster]

I agree what the cast says does not hold as much weight as what happens on stream. I think this is why I get frustrated by the 'Orym is to blame for Laudna killing Bor'dor' debates, using things Liam and/or Marisha have said on 4-sided dive that contradict the actual scene, where Marisha states Laudna barely notices Orym and Ashton, and *nothing* will stop her from doing what she wants to do. At worst, it's inaction. Have interviews and things like that always held so much weight in fandom?

I am absolutely the wrong person to ask here; I was not super in fandom when I was younger. I am going to, as I am wont to do, make some educated guesses but please take with a grain of salt.

I think there's a few things going on. A lot of people have told me that Glee was the first fandom they personally recall where it became about winning more than like, having fun and sharing ideas, and I wouldn't be surprised if that is at least an influence. (The idea that two ships that do not conflict and indeed have incompatible sexualities are in some kind of deathly serious competition is truly so baffling to me that I have to chalk up that particular bit of, if I may use a yiddishism here, mishegos, to Glee for sure.)

I also think that there was a time and there are shows where interviews did (or do) carry more weight, namely, those with executive meddling, or loss of creative control, or, notably, queer ships until quite recently. I have a lot of friends in the Star Trek fandom even though I'm not knowledgeable at all and from what I am given to understand, there's been a few ships squashed or delayed by executive whim or homophobia that the actors would pretty openly and consistently confirm at conventions. (The ones I know are Riker and Troi; and Garak and Bashir; but I have only hazy recollections of TNG and know NOTHING of DS9 so this is second-hand). I've talked about this before, but Word of God used to carry more weight for me when you simply couldn't have same gender romances on network TV or most mainstream film without risking your career. Now? You're a coward and a panderer.

Anyway I think with actual play specifically, which is improvised (ie, intent can shift dramatically and unexpectedly) and which has a lot of talkback shows and also a disproportionately huge amount of content people get in the habit of cherrypicking, and in extreme cases this turns into cherrypicking themselves straight out of the actual narrative and into microexpressions and OOC interviews and side conversations from three years ago.

I also, and I am too tired and too many drinks in (two drinks in, to be clear) to articulate this tonight, find that actual play in particular has amassed a certain fandom that I think was attracted to things I like and support (queer characters, women/queer people/POC creating and driving their own characters, independent creator-owned productions, improvised and therefore at times really unique stories, not needing to have streaming services in some cases) but also doesn't actually like Actual Play as a medium (see: every single D20 fandom meltdown low-key boils down to "I have zero genre awareness of both whatever is going on narratively and also I high-key loathe D&D as a means of storytelling and particularly the existence of violence in narrative, yet I am watching the Violent Narrative D&D show, so dance or me, my puppets, wait why aren't you dancing.") So I think you get a lot of people who are just making dumb fucking arguments because they decide what they believe and then poorly reverse engineer the support instead of doing things in the proper order and I think the people claiming Orym is responsible for Bor'Dor's death are in that category and we should stop treating them as people who are adding anything of worth to the conversation.

[inconmess]

Now that I have some time to collect my thoughts after the exam, here are some of the thoughts that have been running through my head.

Ashton is straight up not giving any shit about Liliana

Orym tries but it is really hard for him and I loved watching the two of them snap and not cut corners today.

Other than that, I loved Imogen's stance on Liliana on a technical standpoint, not trusting her but at the same time cooperating enough to try keep her on your side as an inside man? Genius.

Liliana is in too deep on the other hand, maybe not about the motives of the Vanguard but on the release of Predathos in itself. Like Ashton pointed out correctly, she is self delusional and if she doesn't remove those tinted glasses, she's gonna lose her daughter.

Also, what the fuck is wrong with her??? Leaving them all in the state they are in at a very likely active warzone and vanishing? Yeah, I suppose it took some power but she could at least ensure their safety??

Orym with Otohan's sword and storming off *chefs kiss*

Finally some emotional check-ins going on, clearning the air out. Though I am curious about Laudna and her comparing them all to being creations. I mean, in a sense, it is true I suppose...

Imogen is "destined" to release Predathos as it is a part of her.

Chetney was turned into a werewolf

FCG was literally built

Fearne was specifically made to be born on one of the Ruidian flares. And Fearne taking up the Shard also, I suppose.

Ashton was in a ritual which made them Earth Genasi and then later on were literally patchworked by Milo

Laudna was merged with Delailah and is technically kind of her vessel of sorts

I think Orym isn't the only one who wouldn't fit under the "creation of destiny" or "has been created" thing unless I am missing something...

Orym and Imogen's convo and how the two of them talk about family and his partial breakdown at the situation (I miss FCG too 😭)

And finally the sending and Orym's cry for help 😭😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 Someone give that man a hug?!!!

Speaking of Dorian, I love how the episode cut to the Crown Keepers after the sending and personally, it made sense for it to come at that particular point.

Listen, I would've loved to have some more time with the Bells Hells and their grieving but. But.

Orym, in his last message to Dorian (which he had received and is headed to Zephrah as a response btw) asked him to meet Keyleth, so chances are, at the time the Hells came back, Dorian is at least halfway, if not having reached Keyleth.

If that were to be the case, there is a high possibility that the Crown Keepers are with Keyleth when the Hells are meeting up with her. and narratively, there is some shit going on with the Crown Keepers that are still unaddressed and just can't be brushed off lightly.

Maybe, maybe Matt had been planning on introducing them much later in the episode. But Orym's sending also gave a perfect opening because Matt (or Robbie) cannot send a reply as Dorian without knowing the outcome of whatever is going down with the Crown Keepers, as seen in this episode.

Therefore, the sudden cutback to the Crown Keepers made total sense in a narrative manner because at this point, if Dorian is going to be actively involved henceforth, the Crown Keepers are dragging along. Opal and the Spider Queen influence what will happen in the future quite a lot more than I think many may expect because

a) Opal has personal ties with Orym and Fearne and

b) the way the Spider Queen is going about the fight, if something bad happens and if someone is hurt super bad, Orym and Fearne have to know too, just like Dorian needs to know about FCG.

and c) Well, most of the Crown Keepers are involved with the Gods. Fy'ra with the Wildmother, Morri with the Duskmaven and Dariax with the Observer.

And with the recent lore bomb pointing towards Aeor, I am pretty sure the hells are going to follow up on that just for FCG's sake (maybe even call in F.R.I.D.A for the ride, please call in F.R.I.D.A!)

I am pretty sure I am spiralling at this point but at the end... all I want to say is, I love the way the episode went and ended. I cannot wait to see more! If it airs on Tuesday or Thursday alongside the Crimson Mirror finale or the Thursday after that? I can wait patiently for that arc of the Crown Keepers to end cuz I am pretty sure at the end of it, at least 2 of the Keepers are going to join with the Hells and one is going to be Dorian. Mostly.

Apart from that, I am just gushing about how the battle went between Opal, Ted and Spider Queen vs the rest of the CK!

The crystal shard memories that are liable to corrupt or shatter? Opal being related to the Luxon shit? The sheer memories and the Spider Queen's insistence on Opal leaving or killing her friends and forcing her to make an option? So much drama! So much fun!

I might have to catch the 2nd rebroadcast to truly appreciated the second half but. But *chefs kiss* loved it today

I got introduced to C3 with the Crown Keepers and hell if I don't love those babies.

[quietblueriver]

It is very Bells Hells to find a way to literally stop time so that you can go have a bonding and communication retreat, not talk meaningfully at all on that retreat, and instead have multiple members of the party use the retreat to make secret deals with the Fatestitcher, one of which implicates every member of the party and their mission.

And like of course Orym, big brother of the Hells with the biggest martyr complex of them all, lost his shit when it looked like they weren't going to even be able to complete that mission. (Also I genuinely think he didn't understand what Imogen was saying, which is fucking perfect. LOL communication.) He gave up the rest of his life to ensure their safety, and now Imogen wants to quit.

But Orym, buddy, nobody knows you made a deal with Morri for their safety because y'know, you did it in secret, so all Imogen really sees is her big brother figure being like "I don't care if you're scared or you might get lost to this massive terrifying thing or die. You need to do it because it's why we're here." Not a good look.

Meanwhile Ashton, who also values their life so little that it's basically impossible for him to value the lives of others in a real way, is obviously like, "Yeah, fuck it. It's gonna happen either way so might as well be in control." As if they didn't just literally almost explode himself and the rest of the Hells by getting real cavalier with power he didn't bother to try to understand. Think on it for a second, friend! Think about the words coming out of your mouth! And any recent learning opportunities you may have had!

Again. These people went to another realm to fuck with time so that they could learn to trust and communicate and be honest like two days ago. Morri and FCG's Band of Brothers Adventuring Party Rehabilitation and Trust-Building Services--0/5 stars. Bells Hells' ability to use their words and/or think critically--0/5 stars.

I love it and them and also please don't kill Imogen. Please.

[awaytobeunshaken]

Life's Around the Bend

“Hang in there, help is on its way." He'd seen Orym on death's door far more often than he'd like to, but not like this. Not since that day in Bassuras when they'd seen him lying lifeless in the sand. "Don't worry, Letters'll get you patched right up." 

"No," he said weakly, between labored breaths. "Please... let me go... it's done... wanna see Will again..." 

Yeah, of course he did. But much as Orym threw himself into danger, as much as he seemed to think death was inevitable, he never struck Ashton as someone who was seeking it. "I know. And I'm sure he wants to see you. But maybe not yet, okay?" Where the fuck was Fresh Cut Grass? 

Orym shook his head frantically, seemingly with the last of his strength. "No, it's to be now. It was supposed to be now." 

"What the fuck are you talking about?" 

"I made a deal... With Nana Morri... That if we all came back safe... I'd stay with her."

If Orym weren't already bleeding out Ashton would have slapped him. Instead they just gripped his hand hard enough to break and leaned in close. "Then we don't fucking let her take you."

To think that Orym had dared to lecture him, tell him to take care of himself because people cared about him, only to turn around and do this. How dare he? How fucking dare he? And that was the only thought Ashton could muster as he listened to the life leave the halfling's body. 

"It's okay. I'm here," F. C. G. said as he finally rolled up beside them, after what might have been seconds or might have been hours, Ashton couldn't be sure. 

Ashton shook their head. "It doesn't matter anymore." 

"It might. With the barrier back in place I should be able to--" 

"He doesn't want it. He won't wanna come back. He's with his husband now. He got what he wanted."

"Well, if the soul doesn't want to come back then it won't. But I'm still gonna try." 

Suit yourself, thought Ashton, shrugging. He noticed Orym's hand now, still nestled in his own. It was warm; he hadn't been gone for too long yet. They found themself wondering if they even wanted Orym to come back or not, if they had any right to want it. After all, Ashton didn't have anyone waiting for him on the other side, not yet. How could he even start to understand what that was like?

continue reading

[grigori77]

Critical Role, Campaign 3 Episode 94

One Shot Wonders? This should be interesting ... oh ... right, Robbie being RIGHT THERE is ... interesting ... we know full well what a chaos gremlin he is, we have been missing that ... and then there's Laura who can't even BEGIN to hold it together long enough to become a problem ... XD ... that was ... a STRANGE skit, to be honest ... but interesting ...

Wow ... that was the most thinly-veiled dig at Youtube I've EVER HEARD, Travis ...

Bells Hells live show? Intriguing ...

I swear, though, seeing FCG on the title sequence is ... INTENSE. We miss you already, Letters ...

It already feels SO GOOD that we got Dorian back, though ... and I mean it, I love having Robbie back at the table ...

Given the mood, I can't even get enthusiastic about any possibility for Ashton x Fearne stuff ...

Laudna: "What's harder? Expecting the worst, or being surprised?" Dorian: "Good question." Oof ...

Ahston (to Fearne): "Dou you want some company tonight?" HOLY FUCK ... I'm Travis right now ... he's all of us ... oh yeah, ANYTHING is good with these too, I'll take the crumbs ... and it's sweet. It really is ...

Oh yeah, so Orym TOTALLY heard all of that ... XD

LONG REST!!! LONG REST!!! Gods, they need this SO BAD ...

Travis rolls AGAIN ... oh shit, how do I keep forgetting about that? Is Chetney dead?

How is Fearne arranged wit Ashton in theit sleep? Why is this a WORRYING question right now, MATTHEW?!!! O.O

Okay ... what the hell is THIS thing? Why is this more creepy than cute right now? I don't trust this shit ... be careful, Fearne, please ...

33 Passive Perception ... fucking hell, Orym ...

How DOES she squeeze through that? Wildshape? A cockatiel with a peach plume? Awwwwww ... Ashley doing the wobbly birdwalk ... :3 ... oh wait ... so it's leading her AWAY? Yeah, I really DON'T trust this shit right now ...

Yes. Keep following her, Orym ... do not lose that bird ...

She's going to continue following this INCREDIBLY SUSPICIOUS critter becausde it's cute ... yeah, classic Fearne ... I just can't with her ...

Floating IN THE AIR? How the fuck? Yeah, that definitely can't be a good sign. A DARK ARMOURED GAUNTLET? Fuck's sake ... damn it, it's FUCKING Zathuda. FEARNE!!! Gods damn-it!

She's just PANIC FLAPPING. Of course she is ...

The whole time Ma\tt does this character I'm just seeing Sean Connery in Highlander ... it really doesn't help to create the menace due the moment ...

Crap ... he intends to use Fearne to unlock Predathos' prison ... yeah, that's not much of a surprise ...

Yeah, there's NO WAY she's gonna come with you, you Scottish CREEP ... but she wants his wyvern ... yeah, of course she does. LOL ... oh boy ... he's actually really taking that as encouragement, isn't he?

Yes girl. Insight check this asshat ... WHISPERS!!! Cue Beacon plug by Travis ...

"Fearne Zathuda?" Come ON, you evil fuck, don't you dare ... YES FEARNE!!! School the man ... Calloway all the way ...

A MIRROR? Oh balls ... please not THAT shit again ... last thing we need right now is Dark Fearne ...

Bollocks ... it really IS happening ... damn it, I saw that shit coming ... fuck ... fuck fuck fuck fuck ... she's loose, she's free, this is SO BAD ...

Wait ... SHE'S MULTIPLYING?!!! Fuck, that's not good ...

Orym messages Dorian through the Sending stone ... PLEASE let this work ... talk about a desperate Hail Mary ... PLEASE PICK UP, DORIAN!!! Oh thank fuck that worked ...

Laura has to roll for everyone to see if this WAS a long restor not ... YES!!! Thank fuck ... so only Fearne and Orym are still short, at least ... but that's not so good right now ... balls ...

YES!!! Chentey's nose! Sniff them out QUICK old man!

Ashton says: "Find. Them. NOW!!!" with SUCH exquisite intensity, I love it ...

Over the wall! Quickly!

No guards? No help? REALLY?!!!

Roll initiative! Uh-oh ...

Shit! A Battlemap! Bollocks ... this means he's SERIOUS ...

Yes! Orym! Bait & Switch for the win like always! Way to go, Wee Man!

Earthbind? Hmmm ... could she fuck this up for them before it even starts? That would be helpful ... yes, stay put, Fearne ... be careful ...

Boy, Faux-Fearne is SO CREEPY ... SHADOW CLAW attacks? Oh fuck ... COLD DAMAGE?!!! Ouch ... wait ... oh, so Fearne can become RESISTANT to Cold damage? Nice ... plus Psychic damage? Argh ... not so good ...

And now the extras ... I really hope they're pale imitations ... balls, looks like they might NOT be ... shit ... a NAT20?!!! Come on Mercer, PLEASE play nice ... O.O

Orym pulls another Bait & Switch ... okay ... oh, is he planning on invoking Nana Morri? Yeah, do it, any port in a storm ... meanwhile GET SWINGING, Fighter! HOLY SHIT, Liam, you are rolling ROCKS tonight! Keep THAT up, please!

Fearne activates the Spark! Yeah! She'll pay for it later, but right now ... SO BADASS, I swear ... and here comes Mister! Yay!

Oh, they take Fire damage when they hit her? Nice ... Voice Thief? What the sweet FUCK?!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaargh ... 17 poijnts of damage? Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck ... it cuts her throat, with no blood ... BUT HER VOICE IS JUST GONE ... fucking hell ... oh fucking fuck ... she is just getting SO MESSED UP right now, I hate this ...

Come on, Orym, fuck these bitches UP!!! Nice! Nat20! But it's A SHIT damage dict roll ... balls ... Second Wind! Yeah, right now he really needs it ... yeah, he's done what he can ...

All that Fearne has left is VERBAL spells ... fuck ... Mister takes some shots with his flaming shit gun instead ... she's going to DROP her flaming form? REALLY?!!! That was the ONLY ADVANTAGE she had right now ... but it does cause a big BOOM so maybe it'll work ... yeah, at least it gets TWO of 'em ... 41 points of damage! YEAH!!! Wow, and she just TAKES THOSE TWO OUT entirely ... yes! And now she's at FOUR POINTS OF EXHAUSTION ... oof ...

Dark Fearne jumps up on one of the rocks ... what's THIS SHIT?!!! Oh nice ... BOTH HITS MISS ENTIRELY?!!! Sweet ... but the third hits ... 6 points ... AND SHE'S DOWN?!!! FUCK!!! Another hit while she's DOWN? Fuck!! Autocrit means TWO FAILED DEATH SAVES!!! NO NO NO NO NO!!!

Orym pours a healiong potion down Fearne's throat for 17 HP back, then crouches over her to protect her, shield up and ready ... ORYM!!! Sweet ...

At least Fearne's got her voice back ... SCORCHING RAY!!! GO QUEEN!!! Four attacks ... roll good, Ash! 2 hit, but she rolls BALLS on the damage ...

But it was JUST enough to finally take out Dark Fearne? Oh thank the fucking GODS ...

Mister shoots more flaming shit at thew remaining copy ... and hits it! OKay ... come on, you sweet flaming monkey ... meanwhile Ashley gets stuck reading rules and Laura gets REALLY upset with her about it ... NERVES, PEOPLE!!! And it WORKS!!! That last bitch is DEAD!!! Thank fuck ...

Is it over? Thank fuck ... oh for ... NOW what? Gloamglut? Fucking ZATHUDA!!! You fucking ASSHAT!!! Just piss off already!

The NEXT LESSON? Oh, I hate him so much ...

NOW the alarm's raised? As he's already leaving? IS HE leaving? What's happening?

Thank fuck that's over with ... yeah, NO MORE solo nighttime excurstions, ANY OF YOU ... you're making me go grey here ...

Cure Wounds? Yes. Thank you, Dorian. Heal Fearne ...

Yes. Seriously, Fearne, NO MORE FOLLOWING CUTE CREATURES ... I agree, take a buddy next time! Smarter, at least ...

Ah, yes ... because Dorian REALLY DOESN'T know a whole lot right now, this is true ... seriously, time to fill our poor boy in!

And now for a break ... yeah ...

Creeeeepy Beacon ad ... hmmm ...

An uneasy morning, clearly ... salvaging what's left of the mirror ... is that really a good idea?

Yes, indeed ... what ARE WE going to do now? What's the plan? Decisions need to be made ...

Kayleth first ... yeah, smart.

Okay, big meeting. Time to unload all the information ...

Oh, is Fearne going to fill them in on the WHY that all just kicked off? This should be interesting ...

So ... the Hallowed Cage rings a bell? Interesting ...

Yes, I figured Evoroa would be a valuable teaching resource for this lot ...

Growing discord from Ludinus' propaganda across Exandria? Great. Just what we need right now ...

Oh yeah, the machinery ... the piece of Malleus Key tech ... okay ... so it's definitely Arcanum era technology ... all of it keeps pointing back to Aeor ...

Someone who knows Aeor? Who's that, then? They're on a mission? Hmmm ...

A mission for US, then? Okay ... so they're going to meet with this individual? And potentially stop Ludinus, if he IS out there too? Sounds smart ...

Yeah, I mean Dorian does have a particularly fresh and unique perspective on this right now that's bound to be useful ...

"Scrappy fuck-ups"? I mean, he ain't wrong, but ...

Whoa, Chetney ... O.O ... HEAVY WORDS, man ... careful ...

Laudna: "He was just a snow Ludinus!" Um ... yeah ...

Chetney's like a "fart in the wind" ... XD ... cute ...

Imogen tries to show them what the Five Minds looked like ... okay ... yeah, Chetney's right, there's definitely some serious POWER in their Psychic game compared to ours ...

Weeks? I really doubt we actually HAVE that much time ...

Sent by a WIDOGAST? What?

Seth Domade? An archivist of the Cobalt Soul? Interesting ... so he's one of the Aeor experts? Cool. He's actually BEEN THERE? Even cooler ...

The furniture? What? Chetney ...

Finding an individual? WHO?!!! He'll tell them on the way? Damn it ...

The globe! Cool ... XD Keyleth finds it somewhat terrifying. As she should ...

Laudna's fetuses in jars ... yeah ... calm down, Dead Girl!

So, off to find this mysterious Assembly member first, then ... yeah ... and they're going to be using Domade as the means of transport? Teleportation? Hmmmm ...

Imahara Joe? Yeah ... he really should know what happened to FCG ... best to wait until they can tell him themselves, then. Yeah ...

So, to Zadash first, then ... oh, war chest funds? Yeah, that'd be really helpful too ... 10,000 gold pieces? REALLY?!!! Wow ... that's ... IMPRESSIVE ...

Yes. Ashton's giant magic Hole ... oh yeah, Dorian's not seen that yet ... Chetney: "Are you turned off by our dep dark Hole?" Well I mean it does STINK or rotting corpses right now ... oh, they're just cleaning all the nasty stuff out of it RIGHT NOW? Holy fuck ... LOL

Wow ... this conversation just became surreal and oddly unpleasant ...

Domade is intrigued by his first impression of this group and I don't blame him in the slightest ...

Yes. Fearne IS exhausted. FOUR TIMES right now ... yes, Keyleth PLEASE help her right now ...

She took away TWO WHOLE POINTS of Exhaustion? Cool ...

The Champion of Asmodeus? Oh boy ... O.O

Yeah, Keyleth continues to be awesome, like always ...

Wise words from Orym, yes ... and some advice from her to him, too ... oh boy ...

Dorian likes the Mythtaker. Yeah ... :3

Okay, heading out with Seth, then. Introductions all round first, though. Yeah ...

Oh right ... this looks like a SERIOUS Teleportation spell ...

Yeah, Liliana was able to STOP TIME. It was very intimidating.

Ah, so where ARE THEY then, Matthew? The Sprawl in Zadash. Okay ... interesting, it seems that something has been amiss recently ... oh, recent BATTLE? Hmmm ...

So Chetney's been here before, long ago ...

Ah, the Tri-Spires, yeah ...

Invisibility? Yeah, that's viable for some ... yea, timely indeed since they're being followed ... yeah! Do it now ...

Oh, so they're gonna BLUFF IT, are they? Group Stealth check ... great ... NAT1?!!! Ashley NO!!!

Smells like deer shit ... XD

Dodge the guards? ANOTHER Stealth check? Oof ... oh, yeah, MUCH better ...

Walk with confindence ... Chetney just starts Connor McGregor-swaggering ... LOL

The Gilded Willows? Nice ...

"Do not panic"? So that's the keyword to GRAB ... okay ...

Chastity's Nook? REALLY?!!!

Oh boy ... this is gonna be WILD, I can already tell ... yeah, Dorian finally gets it ... XD ...

Iva: "How can I help you?" Imogen: "Oh, we're here for the ... uh ... PORN."

TUSK LOVE!!! YAY!!!

Ah yes ... ye olde sex shoppe ... LOL

Erma? ERMA?!!! SHE'S the target? Really?

Blood Cursxe of Binding? Wow ... straight to it ... meanwhile Imogen casts Command and tells her to: "Freeze!"

Oh, nice grapple, Ashton ... if he pulls this off it's gonna be SWEET ... 23? NICE ...

Laudna Counterspells before Erma can work her magic ... 21? YES!!! Nice one! Success! Unsettling Presence ... YEAH!!!

Dorian puffs Ruby Dust in her fast and casts a 7th Level Forcecage on her ... WHAT?!!! Holy fuck, bard! She tries to Counterspell it ... and it works? BALLS ...

Orym glues her hand to the wall with Sedling's Grasping Vine ... meanwhile Ashton just grabs her arm ... and Imogen tries to hold her in place with her mind ...

Seth pulls something that just deadens LL MAGIC IN THE ROOM ... oh, nice, I see what he did there! Yes, sweet move, Cobalt Soul! That';s perfect. Time to just dogpile her, then ...

Wait ... no more illusion for Seth, then ... HOLDY FUCK!!! YES!!! I KNEW IT!!! Essek fucking Thelyss! YAY!!!

She's fucking ASTRID?!!! Seriously?

And THAT'S where we're calling it? I mean FUCK but also NICE! I mean it's kinda perfect, really. MY BOY IS HERE!!! YES!!!

[catsandrandomness]

Alright I've had too many thoughts about episode 78 so now they are getting typed out today. Everyone was so fucking hard on Ashton and it felt only like... half deserved.

Laudna was understandable because she was having a bad time in Whitestone to begin with and left because she didn't want to do anything she would regret later.

Chetney told them to leave and never come back because they could've hurt Fearne, and everybody else, with this bad decision. Then he says he would have left if he didn't think he had his own stuff under control. Chetney you DID hurt your teammates. More than once! And I know it was weird circumstances and all that but you BIT someone, the number one rule you were given by every other were-person you interacted with! When FCG tried to kill you your response was "oh cool, can we make that happen on command?" So I don't think Chetney should be the one saying Ashton should leave because he put Fearne in danger.

Fresh Cut Grass was very out of line. Telling Ashton that they don't care about anyone or anything. And I know Letters wasn't always around when Ashton was showing care but all I had in my head was a series of scenes that showed how much he actually does care. Ashton was the one guarding FCG's unconscious body after the little robot went murderous and everyone else resorted to violence and Laudna was ready to KILL. Ashton pulling Orym out of fights and jumping in the river to grab Laudna and trying to keep the attention of danger off the more fragile party members in every battle. Ashton walking Prism away when Laudna killed Bordor because this was her first real adventure and she didn't need to see that. Ashton talking with members of the group that seem to be having a rough time. Ashton going on a rant that Letters makes him happy so please stop treating yourself as expendable because I know you like making me happy. Fresh Cut Grass saying "No, I don't think you do care about me" after asking Ashton to list even one thing they care about. Using Ashton's words against them from back when they wanted to keep a safe distance, despite it being very clear Ashton was over the "I don't make friends" stage.

Ashton made a big mistake, but they were the one who proposed taking a little time to remind each other that despite any stupid decisions in the future, they all "if not like, then love each other."

[cranesofibycus]

Edit: Please don’t send me spoilers for later episodes. This includes “you are right/wrong about xyz interpretation”. Thank you!   

Episode 17 has so many incredible, heartbreaking, heartwarming, hilarious and frustrating moments; it’s one of my favorite episodes thus far for sure. A friend of mine told me that he fell in love with the Bells Hells in this episode and I’m inclined to agree. 

Between episode 14 and 17 I feel like the rest of them have really come together and have had the opportunity to show some of their softer, less silly sides. I love the silly, but sometimes it can get in the way of genuine character moments and those episodes are full of both, which is great. 

Here’s a little roundup of my impressions of the characters so far:

Ashton: This guy is so dumb. Like, can’t get any dumber. They are so preoccupied with being the unattached one, that every of their actions just screams “I don’t deserve to be loved and I will show you why!” - I love his short temper, I love his reluctant admiration of the others and I particularly love that Taliesin gets to play someone who is queer as fuck, yet determined to be disagreeable. That is just peak Taliesin PC design and I think he is having a blast with Ashton so far.

Fearne: This fawn is so smart. And I mean that genuinely. Fearne knows exactly how she can utilize her charm and her assumed innocence to get away with the most outrageous lies and actions. I’m sort of glad that Little Mister has faded into the background a little. I feel like Fearne needs nobody to help her shine. And it’s fascinating to me that it had never before occurred to me that Ashley would be perfect at playing a fey, since Ashley exudes heaps of fey energy even when she is just being herself. I’m curious how she will handle more dramatic scenes in the future. Fearne has shown that she can genuinely care about others, but there is a clear sense that she - as any fey creature - struggles with the dark grey morals of her heritage.

F.C.G.: Sam is a menace. It is known. But I wonder how much of a menace he is being with F.C.G. I think there is a very good chance that Sam knows very little of their backstory, or how much of it is true. The memories Imogen saw in him could’ve been placed there or altered. I adore that Sam chose a race/class/subclass combination that doesn’t cater to his usual dry sarcasm as Nott’s and Scanlan’s builds did. Instead he gets to experiment with humor that stems from F.C.G.’s genuine concern and their unawareness of certain social cues. I’m sure the other Riegel shoe will drop soon enough, but until then I’m just happy to receive puzzle piece after puzzle piece of this robit’s tragic past. 

Imogen: Until recently I really thought Laura had built a sweet, soft horse-girl sorceress. Oh what a fool I was! Not that she isn’t all of those things, but Imogen is so much more multi-facetted than I had originally understood. She is driven and curious. She is intrigued by power and convinced of her own abilities. She apologizes to people for invading their minds, but she also enjoys learning other people’s secrets. She is confident! She knows her worth! She understands how to get people to do what you want (not in a strictly manipulative way, but she has definitely learned that showing compassion is a way to get people to talk). I’m super intrigued by her and thus afraid to delve too deep into fandom interpretations of Imogen, because Laura’s track record is 1. build intricate, layered character, 2. fandom builds one-dimensional fanon version of said character, 3. fandom gets mad when Laura dares to stick to her original design for said character (one of the reasons why I’m not massively into glasses!Imogen - it just triggers a fight or flight response in my brain).

Laudna: What a ballsy character design! What a choice of a backstory and a patron! I love that she came up with this and Matt said “yes, and” to all of it. I agree with Orym that Laudna is fascinating not because of her backstory, but rather because she is who she is despite of her backstory. I’m a big believer that great tragedy functions like a fork in the road of your capacity for compassion. Either you become the least or the most compassionate version of yourself, and I adore that Marisha went with the latter. And for some reason I keep thinking of Laudna’s connection to Vox Machina and that she feels like the rebirth of Kerrek’s line in his letter to Keyleth: “Did you know that there are some seeds that cannot sprout unless they are first burned?“ I wish Laudna could’ve had the life she deserved, but I think her capacity to love and feel deeply is informed by the tragedy of her past. 

Chetney: Detective!Travis and comic-relief!Travis are two of my favorite Travises, so of course I adore Chetney. I’m so glad he finally gets to live his lycanthropy dreams! I’m curious about Chetney’s backstory and how much of it will activate the other kind of Travis I love, which is the what-makes-a-good-man!Travis. I love when he gets to explore the themes of masculinity, bravery and worthiness and I feel like Chetney might give him the opportunity to examine them from a very different perspective. Or maybe the wolf will die in three sessions, which is also entirely possible. Travis doesn’t trust Sam and I don’t trust Travis. C’est la vie!

Orym: This little guy! What a wee man! In ExU I was not super into Orym because I felt like he faded into the background next to so much color and character, but it is always the quiet ones who worm their way into my heart in the end. In one way or another Liam’s characters always carry an unspeakable amount of grief with them and that grief usually is for a future that was stolen from them. Vax, Caleb and Orym all had to come to terms with the loss of a version of themselves/their lives that they didn’t get to see or live. But with Orym there is a new kind of twist to this baseline of grief: There seems to be an immense amount of hope stored in this tiny dude; a hope for a life that’s worth living or a future that’s worth fighting for or a revenge that is worth pursuing. There is not a lot of Orym (physically), but every inch of this small man is full of love and hope and a deep sense that there are things worth fighting for. 

I thought about listing my favorite relationship dynamics so far, but the truth is that it is... all of them. I genuinely enjoy all of their interactions and how the characters mesh with each other. Eleven more episodes until I’m caught up and can laugh about my naïve impressions of them as of episode 17. 

[masterqwertster]

Have you ever done an AU of what if the starting pairs were different? Like if Laudna found FCG instead somehow, or Chet had been in EXU crew with Orym?

I've seen a brief fic where Fearne and Ashton were a starting pair (because Fearne pulled him out of Hexum's courtyard and Ashton ended up with flower filled cracks instead of gold), so FCG got thrown in with Orym and Dorian (it just went to initial Bells Hells meetup), but I can't say I've given that sort of thing much thought myself before (besides the slight Ruby Hells AU reorganization), so...

Partner Swap AU

Bells Hells starting mini-groups are organized differently.

Ashton & Dorian

That time Dorian got his purse stolen in Jrusar? It was Ashton. There was absolutely no fucking way that fancy-pants blue boy couldn't afford to lose his coin

Except the next day, they see him performing on the street as a simple bard, and when they pass by again later, Ashton sees some thugs trying to take everything the guy's got because they're not satisfied with Dorian's earnings for the day

Feeling kind of bad that he put Dorian in that situation, Ashton steps in, kicks ass (with some help because Dorian is not completely helpless, just a bit clueless), and somehow ends up taking the other genasi under his wing

Look, the blue boy is just so clueless and anxiety ridden that the suppressed sibling instincts kick in

And Dorian is so lost in this big, strange world outside the Silken Squall that another genasi, even a surly earth one, is a comfort (even if Ashton is an asshole and a criminal. Please stop involving me in your crimes. Please. Never!)

Orym & FCG & Laudna

Dancer, FCG, and the Division of Public Benefit manage to adventure their way out of Marquet, and instead set off FCG's murder-mode somewhere in Tal'Dorei

Laudna just sort of stumbles upon the scene by accident, but FCG is conscious and greets her. They talk, becoming fast little friends, and Laudna takes them with her (which isn't easy because FCG is probably a little heavier than her and their wheel is bent out of shape)

With some collaborative work between Laudna's fixer-upper skills and FCG's basic knowledge of automata (and a little bit of input from Delilah on advanced arcana) they get him back in working order

Laudna and FCG become part of the Crown Keepers alongside Orym (Laudna gives Opal advice on making goo work)

Laudna may not have put together Keyleth being part of Vox Machina by the time her, Orym, and FCG bounce through Zephrah for marching orders to Marquet

Fearne & Chetney

Fuzzy be(a)sties!

Morri gave Fearne a little more direction than just shoving her through Artagan's Gate, instead directing her to head to Marquet to find her parents

Somehow, Fearne and Chetney end up on the same ship to Marquet (maybe Artagan's Gate wasn't the fey rift Fearne was sent through? or a layover in Tal'Dorei for a ship from Wildemount to Marquet)

Anyways, the two chaos gremlins make eyes at each other, possibly some pickpocketing (at least by Fearne to Chet, not sure if he steals back), and decide to keep going together since Marquet is a big place and Fearne doesn't actually know where her parents are to be found beyond that

Imogen

Finally got sick of Gelvaan and decided to hop a caravan (circus?) out of town. At least strangers won't look at her funny until she actually does or says something

Heard about the Starpoint Conservatory in Jrusar and decided looking for research/answers to her powers was as good an idea as any

Runs into the same lack of clout problem to gain access, and ends up running with the Hells to get Lord Eshteross's patronage

[samuraiko]

For the vignette, I think it would be funny if orym has reduced casted on him. If O’brian wants orym to be the littlest guy then I think orym deserves to be a pocket sized halfling for a little bit.

Okay, gotta do this one before calling it a night, Anon. :D

"Oops"

Imogen was frowning, her tongue sticking slightly out of her mouth as she tried to concentrate.

"What's the matter?" Orym gave her a concerned look.

"Well, ever since that whole thing where I found I was able to fly, I'm wondering what else I can do."

Laudna also gave Imogen a concerned look.

"Well, whatever you're going to do, don't hurt yourself in the process. Or anyone else for that matter."

"Should we be taking cover?" Chetney snarked and he moved to stand behind Fearne.

"Why are you hiding behind me?" she asked, glaring at him over her shoulder. "What if I want to hide?"

"You could always stand behind Ashton," Fresh Cut Grass offered.

"But he's just a smidge shorter than I am."

"But I'm a hell of a lot more durable," the barbarian pointed out to her.

"That is true."

"Nothing's going to happen, you guys-"

No sooner than the words out of Imogen's mouth than a wave of pinkish-purple energy gushed from her body. Orym instinctively threw himself between Imogen and Fearne, and the energy washed over him...

"Um... why is everything so much bigger all of a sudden?" he asked.

"OH NO!" Imogen's distressed cry was quickly drowned out by five other voices howling with laughter.

"How the fuck did you make Orym even shorter than he already was?!" Ashton gasped, doubled over in hysterical laughter.

Orym looked down at himself, then back up at everyone else. He was already used to barely reaching Ashton's waist, but now he barely came up to Ashton's knee.

"Um... well..."

"YOU ARE SO CUTE LIKE THAT!" Immediately Fearne leaned down to scoop up the halfling in her arms and held him up like a pet. "I could almost put you in my satchel!"

"Please don't," Orym pleaded.

"Goodness, Orym, if you were any smaller, you and Pâté would be the same size!" Laudna was poking at him in delight, while Orym squirmed in Fearne's grip.

"No, I think this is already too small for me." He kept trying to wriggle free, and dropped his shield in the process. As it clanged to the floor, it immediately reverted in size.

"Ooh! Maybe if Fearne drops you, you'll return to regular size, too!" FCG exclaimed. "Go on, Fearne, drop him!"

"I don't really think that's how it works," Imogen began, but Chetney drowned her out.

"Do it, Fearne, drop him like a sack of potatoes!"

"I don't want to drop him, I think he's cute like this!"

"Please, Fearne, put me down."

"Hey, Imogen, can you do that again? Let's see how small we can make him!" The faun's eyes were wide with excitement, while the halfling's were wide with panic.

"Imogen, don't listen to her-"

Just then, the spell wore off, and Orym was back to his usual size.

Fearne instinctively let go, and Orym landed gracefully on the floor. He quickly compared himself to Fearne and Ashton, ran his hands quickly along the length of his body, and then sighed in relief.

"Oh, thank gods. And for future reference, please don't ever do that again."

"I think you should make him bigger next time," Ashton commented.

"No, I think I'm just fine, thank you-" Orym turned around just in time to see Imogen once again concentrating with her tongue sticking out of one corner of her mouth. "Um, Imogen... IMOGEN, CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT THIS?!"

[laudsimogen]

This Hunger, It Isn't You (Ch. 6)

Read on AO3

Imogen welcomed the warmth of the Campfire as she returned. She hadn’t been gone for long, but she hadn’t realized how much she missed the light. The darkness of the Fog was suffocating, and she felt a flash of sympathy for Laudna, who would never be able to escape it even for a moment.

She said goodbye to her new friend at the edge of the shadows, then stepped out of them and breathed deep as her wounds began to close. Thank God, honestly—she hadn’t been sure she would heal without coming back from a trial, and she wasn’t looking forward to healing naturally until the next time she died.

She was distracted with removing the wrappings on her arms and didn’t have a chance to look up before a force hit her side and arms wrapped around her.

“Oh, you’re alive!”

Fearne squeezed her tight, and beyond her, she could see Ashton and Chetney following from the other side of the fire. She felt Orym hug her from the other side.

“Yeah,” Imogen said. “I mean, it’s kinda hard to stay dead here. I wasn’t gone that long, was I?”

“A while,” Orym said. “We woke up and you were gone. You were the only one gone. We were afraid something happened to you.”

“Oh.” Maybe she’d spent longer wandering the Fog than she’d thought before the Hag caught her.

“You fuckin’ did it, didn’t you?” Ashton said when they caught up. “You left the Campfire. You’re insane; I love it.”

“Yeah.” Imogen laughed. “It was crazy. You won’t believe what happened.”

“Wait,” Chetney said. “You were out there? Loose in the Fog? Please tell me you brought back some wood from those beautiful trees at the farm. I’ve been dying to get some, but the fuckin’ Entity won’t let me keep shit from the trials!”

“I didn’t see the farm,” Imogen said. “I think I got a little lost, but…guys, the Witch saved me from one of the other killers. She’s the one who brought me back here.”

“Oh, no,” Chetney murmured. “She’s already lost her mind.”

“No, I haven’t,” Imogen said. “I swear. I don’t even know why she bothered, but she took me back to her cabin and patched me up. See?” She showed them the cloth she’d pulled from her healed wounds. It was bloody, but still recognizable as part of the Witch’s skirt. “Her name is Laudna.”

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Ashton said. “You really had a chat with one of the killers. I gotta hand it to you; I really didn’t think they could hold a conversation. Or stop killing us long enough to do it.”

“There’s somethin’ special about her,” Imogen said. “Maybe there are others like her. If I could just—”

Imogen broke off as dark, spiny legs erupted from the ground around her. Time for a trial. “Fuck,” she murmured. “We’ll talk more later,” she said, and then the Entity whisked her away.

When the dark fog cleared, Imogen found herself in a familiar forest. Not the inky, ichorous one Laudna lived in, but the Huntress’s forest. She’d been in these woods before, but something was different; she could see the roof of a towering stone structure through the treetops rather than the Huntress’s large cabin, and nearby she spotted a strange stone basin of water.

Right. The Plague. Her friends had told her about this one.

The first generator she came across smelled horrible. It glistened with a mucousy residue, and Imogen gagged as she realized what it was. She pulled her shirt up over her nose, held her breath, and got to work.

She didn’t expect the illness to infect her so quickly. This corner of the trial ground was quiet so far, but before she could even finish fixing the generator, a tickle grew in her throat until she couldn’t hold back her coughing. So much for any hope she had of stealth.

But she did manage to finish the generator before she saw any sign of the Plague. Just as the light came on, Imogen caught sight of the top of a headdress around one of the dilapidated stone walls. She dropped down behind the generator, hoping the killer would think she’d left, but even holding her breath she couldn’t wait long enough to cough again.

The Plague’s head snapped toward her as she rounded the corner. The woman was tall, and she looked as if she had been beautiful once, but now she reeked of sickness even from yards away. Her skin looked to be rotted, falling off in chunks. Imogen couldn’t tell through the headdress, but she might have even been missing an eye. Her long robes were already stained with fresh blood.

Imogen took off running, and the Plague murmured something in a language she didn’t understand behind her.

This killer was seasoned. She moved with a steady confidence many of the other killers didn’t possess, even as she coughed and hacked herself. She seemed to be able to cut Imogen off whichever way she went, always two steps ahead of her. At one point, Imogen thought she’d lost her, but she heard a horrible, wheezing inhale behind her, and a spray of vomit hit her square in the back, splashing over her shoulders and leaving flecks on her skin.

It was too much. She’d already started feeling sick, and now the nausea overpowered her. She tried to keep moving through her own vomit, but she had to stumble to a stop to empty her stomach. She expected the blow when it came, and she crashed to her hands and knees as the Plague’s censer smashed into her skull.

How could anyone manage to get away from this killer? Imogen couldn’t think or see through the sickness, let alone escape a chase. She’d never felt so unclean in her life.

And she was too dazed to even begin trying to run again. She let the Plague pick her up and carry her to a hook, and she screwed her eyes shut and screamed as she was dropped onto it and pain bloomed through her body.

The Plague didn’t leave after she secured Imogen on the hook. She’d heard of killers camping the hooks, guarding them to ensure the Entity consumed their prey, but this seemed different. The Plague looked her in the eye as she clutched the hook protruding from her chest, and she spoke.

Most of it was in the same language she’d spoken before, something ancient. But the tone, the cadence…it sounded like prayer. And then, so quietly that Imogen almost couldn’t hear it, her expression drawn with something like sadness: “I am sorry.”

Only then did the Plague leave, and Imogen stared after her. An apology. She’d gotten an apology.

And that was all she needed. Normally, she would wait for someone to help her off the hook and push through the rest of the trial to help the other survivors, but this illness was especially miserable, and she couldn’t wait to get back. She took a deep breath and gripped the metal of the hook, then tried to pull herself off of it.

It wouldn’t work. She couldn’t do this without someone’s help. But she knew from experience that the struggle would catch the Entity’s attention, and then she could be done.

She didn’t fight the Entity’s legs when they erupted from the top of the post. They pierced her first in the gut, and then the neck. She couldn’t even scream through the pain; her voice came out a bloody gurgle through the wound in her throat. At least she would die quickly this way as a willing sacrifice.

The pain blinded her so much that she didn’t even notice when she lost consciousness, and the next thing she remembered was waking on the grass by the Campfire.

She coughed, choking out the last of the Plague’s infection as she healed, and massaged the sore spots on her body where she’d been impaled moments ago. “Fuck, that never gets easier,” she wheezed.

“Wow, that was fast.” She’d landed next to Orym. “Are you all right?”

“Will be in a few minutes,” Imogen said. She didn’t try to sit up yet, but Orym sat down at her side. Everyone mostly left each other alone after resurrection to give them time to recover, but Imogen would never mind Orym’s company. He was a soothing presence.

“Who’d you get?”

“Plague.” Imogen took a deep breath as her lungs returned to full capacity. “That was awful. I had to tap out.”

“Oof,” Orym said, “I don’t blame you. She’s a nasty one.”

“She said she was sorry after she hooked me,” Imogen said. “I think she…I think she prayed for me.”

“Yeah, she does that,” Orym said. “I don’t know why; it doesn’t save her any time. But I guess she’s good enough that it doesn’t matter.”

“I want to talk to her.”

Orym hesitated. “Imogen, I know you want to see the good in the killers. Maybe there is some in some of them. But the Witch…Laudna…she’s the newest one. The others have been here much longer—longer than most of us. They might still have some of their old habits, but I think they’re too far gone. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

Imogen laughed dryly. “What’s it matter if I get hurt when that’s all that happens here?”

“All right. Look.” Orym offered his hand to help her sit up, and she took it. He gestured vaguely at the other survivors milling about the Campfire. “There are, what, about thirty of us?”

“Sure, somethin’ like that,” Imogen said.

“I’ve gotten to know these people. Most of them haven’t been here longer than what they’d guess is a decade. Chetney’s been here forever, but I think that’s only because nothing seems to break him. What do you think the killers were hunting before this group came along?”

Imogen shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said. “I didn’t think about it.”

“Other survivors,” Orym said. “This place can break you if you’re not careful. I’ve only seen it happen a couple times, but it’s awful. They’re not people anymore; they’re just husks. They can’t feel anything. No fear, no hope, no nothing. And then the Entity takes them, and we never see them again.”

Imogen’s stomach churned. On the surface, it was what she had hoped for: an end. But if she was going to die—for good—she wanted to be herself when it happened. And she certainly didn’t want her friends to witness that. After all, she wanted an end for them, too. A good one.

“I’ll be careful,” Imogen said. “I promise. If I start feeling…I don’t know, wrong…I’ll stop pushing.”

Orym nodded. “Thank you,” he said. “You’re a good person, you know. It’s good to have more people like you around. We’d all hate to lose you.”

Imogen smiled weakly at him. “Thanks, Orym. I’m gonna get some rest now.”

“Good thinking,” Orym said. “I was gonna have to force you if you didn’t go of your own accord,” he joked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Imogen said lightheartedly.

She knew she should feel discouraged after that talk, knowing there was a line she could cross, but she didn’t. All she could think about was the Plague, her prayer, and the sadness in her eyes as she’d sacrificed Imogen. That was humanity; it had to be more than habit. It had to be.

She couldn’t wait to tell Laudna.

[sapphireswimming]

Tantamount to Defeat (a Critical Role Campaign 3 fic)

Ashton knows what Jiana Hexum will demand in return for her help. Fresh Cut Grass wonders if it might not be the worst idea.

An alternate scene set during, with spoilers through, Campaign 3 episode 35: Pyrrhic Return

Characters: Fresh Cut Grass, Ashton Greymoore, Bells Hells

Genres: Friendship, Hurt/Comfort

Rated: T for language

Words: 2k

(on ao3) (on ffn) or below the read more

“Why?” Ashton demanded, hands flying to each side of his head. “Why would you say that? Why would you tell Jiana Hexum that you’re eager to please? Oh god!”

“Well,” Fresh Cut Grass said, “it’s always best to, when you’re about to ask someone for a favor that’s as difficult as bringing a person back from the dead, to lead off with being friendly, and, you know, trying to make it easy for the other person to say ‘yes.’”

“Except this isn’t- this isn’t a favor! It’s a business deal! Where she’s going to require a payment.”

“And she’s just going to want you now,” Imogen said, leaning forward toward Fresh Cut Grass, brow furrowed.

“She’s going to want you,” Ashton echoed, palm pressing into their forehead.

“Well.” Fresh Cut Grass considered this for a moment. “I suppose that’s very flattering.”

“No, it’s not!” Ashton threw both of his hands in the air. “But you’ve just practically offered yourself up to her on a silver platter! ‘Motivated,’” he ground out. “This is why- I said not to say too much, just figure out what it’s going to cost, and not give her any fucking ideas!”

“Yeah, you didn’t quite have to say it like that,” Imogen agreed, reaching out a gentle hand on FCG’s shoulder. “I think she was going to be asking a lot from us anyway.”

“Hmmm, yeah,” Chetney added from across the air ship’s cabin, thoughtfully tapping his chin with the half-worked block of wood in his hands. “Ashton says she asks for an extra fifty percent of any payment, remember?”

“Well, I don’t know how we’re going to be able to give her an extra fifty percent of me when there’s only one of me,” FCG said, raising up his arms to get a good look up and down his chassis.

“We won’t have to! Because you’re not one and a half times a fair deal, you’re ten times-” Ashton managed before his brain seemed to catch up with his mouth and he clicked his mouth shut.

“Oho!” Chetney looked up from his handiwork to watch the expressions play across Ashton’s face in obvious delight.

“Ugh, this is why I didn’t want you messaging her in the first place,” they muttered, falling back into their chair.

“Oh, Ashton,” Fresh Cut Grass placed a hand over his chest. “That’s so nice.”

“Guess you really are going soft on us, aren’t you, Ashton?” Chetney grinned.

“No,” he denied, but immediately followed with, “Yes. Fuck! Look. Look, here’s the thing,” he leaned forward, elbow resting on his knee as he jabbed a finger forward. “Here’s the fucking thing: we’re not leaving people behind! We haven’t left Laudna behind and we’re certainly not leaving you, got it? This is- no,” he continued, plowing over the interruption when FCG opened their mouth. “Listen. Listen, do you want me to be happy?”

“Well, of course,” FCG said earnestly. “I want all of you to be happy. But for that to happen, we need to get Laudna back,” he said. “And if this is how we do it, then we should at least consider-”

“No, Letters,” Orym protested, at the same time Imogen said, “Definitely not.”

Ashton curled his hand into a fist, pressed it to his mouth, then cut in before Fresh Cut Grass could say anything more. “Okay, do you know what would make me happy? Do you know what you, specifically, can do to make me happy? You stop-” he waved his hand around in a tight, frustrated circle, “you stop doing this, you stop offering yourself up, you stop trying to sacrifice yourself-”

“It’s not a sacrifice!” they protested. “And if I’m worth all that like you said, then maybe we wouldn’t even have to give her all of me. Just some of my parts.”

“We’re not going to butcher you-”

“FCG,” Imogen sighed, the sound wavering out of her chest. “I know that I talked about dismantling you earlier, when we were meeting with Dancer, but that was just for show. We wouldn’t actually-”

“I mean, if that’s what you really want,” Chetney piped up, flourishing the carving tool in his hand with a series of twirls and flips, “then of course, I’m willing to take a whack at it.”

“Chetney!”

But Fresh Cut Grass was already nodding. “Well, yeah, maybe you could poke around in there, and maybe find some of the non-magic-y, non-glowy parts?”

“Oh,” Fearne assured them, both hands pressed to her chest, “we would never give any of your glowy parts to anyone else.”

“We’re not going to give any of your parts to anyone else,” Ashton growled at the three of them, “let alone Jiana Hexum!”

Orym spoke up, catching Fresh Cut Grass’ attention away from the glare. “We’re not giving you up for Laudna,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “We’re not losing anyone else.”

“Yes,” Ashton waved a hand at him. “Thank you for someone talking some sense!”

“We’re going to keep you, and get Laudna back, okay, Letters?”

Fresh Cut Grass looked back at Orym for a long moment, mismatched eyes unblinking as he swiveled back and forth on his wheel. “Okay, but listen-”

“Nuh!” Ashton pressed forward so quickly he threatened to topple out of the chair. A decisive finger cut through the air in front of FCG with a clear shushing motion. "None of that!"

“Now, just hear me out!”

“No! What do you mean, ‘hear you out’? What is there to hear? Do you want me to say it again? You’re not- none of you,” Ashton warned, pointedly redirecting the finger to each person around the room before coming back to Fresh Cut Grass, “but especially you, are not allowed to offer yourself up like a piece of fucking meat. She will eat you up.”

Fresh Cut Grass opened their mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “I don’t think she could.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” Ashton shot back.

“No, I know,” Fresh Cut Grass nodded. Then, he straightened and looked back squarely at Ashton. “But this may not be such a bad idea as you think. This might actually work out well.”

Ashton spread his arms wide. “How,” he demanded, “How could this work out well? Hexum is – I mean I’ve told you what she’s like. She’s bad news.”

“I know. I know that.”

“Then what-”

“Well. You know when I… That I- well. With my, you know.” He trailed off, unsure of how to continue, and eventually just gesturing toward the buzzsaw attachment now carefully strapped to his back.

“Oh yeah!” Chetney jumped in easily. “Your murder mode.”

“Yeah, right. That. We still- I mean I don’t really know how that works. You know, what gets me to that… that state. But, if what Imhara Joe said was right, you know, what he read from that book…”

“What, the thing where the automatons were programmed to murder the people they were gifted to?”

“The Care and Culling,” Orym murmured.

“Yeah. You know, back when we first heard about it, Laudna-” they broke off, leaving a silence loud enough for several people to take audibly shaking breaths. Fresh Cut Grass looked between them, and pressed on. “Laudna said it was nice for me to know I had been made with a purpose, even if it wasn’t a very nice purpose. But if that’s what I’m… you know, if that’s what I’m made for, then maybe we can make use of it.”

Ashton stared at him, eyes wide.

“I… I really don’t want to do that to any of you again,” Fresh Cut Grass admitted, glancing around.

“Letters-”

“But if it’s going to happen again, then why not let me do it where it can at least be useful? From everything you’ve said, Ashton, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if Jiana Hexum was the one who set me off.”

“What, you want to like, mess her up?” Fearne asked, demonstrating with a shake of her shoulders.

“Ooooh, yeah,” Chetney jumped in, “You rev up that chainsaw again – bzzzz! - and then once you’ve... done the deed, you just let us know how much we need to cover up at the crime scene. I’m an old pro- we definitely got you covered so that no one will be the wiser, and then before anyone’s even got a whiff of anything out of the ordinary, we skedaddle! And have you back with us like nothing ever happened.”

“Although,” Fearne put out a hand, “before we go, we should probably get some other things in her house. You know, since we’ll already be there.”

“Oh, make it look like a robbery?” Chetney asked, blowing some wood shavings off of his hand and inspecting his progress. “I like it!”

“Well," she huffed out a laugh, "she does have a lot of shiny things in that house.”

“Plus some things that might be tied to Otahan Thull,” Chetney added meaningfully, tapping the piece to his head.

“Oh, that’s right,” Imogen snapped, and turned to Ashton. “Didn’t you say she had some of those same crates we helped pack in her house? And some of those dark grey potions we found?”

“I mean,” Ashton fumbled a bit, distractedly twisting one hand in the air above his knee and not taking his eyes off of Fresh Cut Grass. “That’s what Milo dumped in my head to bring me back, so… yeah.”

“And if we could definitely tie Jiana Hexum to Otaha, or to the, what was the name of it again, that assembly you were talking about, Orym?”

“The Cerberus Assembly. In Wildemount.”

“Right.”

“So maybe…” Fresh Cut Grass picked up, “maybe I can find out more about that, or maybe something that fills in some of the gaps in your head that you were talking about, Ashton. Or maybe what sets me off, now that I know to be looking for it.”

Ashton stared at them hard.

Fresh Cut Grass shifted under the scrutiny. “I mean you said she really wants me, right? So it’s not like there’s any danger that she’s going to dismantle me, or sell me off, or anything like that. Worse case is I don’t gather much intel for us, but best case…”

“Best case, we’ll actually know some more about what all of this is about plus Jiana’ll be out of our hair,” Imogen said, turning to look at Ashton. “Your hair. Or, your… whatever your hair is.”

“It’s... fine," he said, resigned. "I still call it hair.”

Fresh Cut Grass wheeled closer, put a hand out onto Ashton's. “Don’t you want her gone?” they asked.

“I-” Ashton licked his lips. He sighed and settled down more heavily in his chair before slowly admitting, “I don’t know. She’s… she’s been useful to have around.”

“Sure,” Fresh Cut Grass agreed. “But if we had everything that she has, then you wouldn’t need to go to her for anything anymore, would you?”

Ashton worked their jaw. “I… suppose not,” he finally agreed.

“And, to be fair,” Chetney said. “FCG has offered us a very compelling plan to kill several birds with one murder-bot and,” he drew his tool across his neck, sticking his tongue out of the corner of his mouth as the metal grazed skin without breaking it. “Take her out.”

“And, of course, it would mean we’d have Laudna back,” Fresh Cut Grass said. “And that’s the most important part, isn’t it?”

“Well… well yeah, at the end of the day, I suppose it is,” Fearne finally agreed quietly.

Ashton let out an explosive sigh.

“This still- hnnng.” They shook their head. “As much as I… don’t hate this? I still hate this. I mean, don’t get me wrong, having Hexum gone is... a nice... idea and I’m glad to know there’s an actual plan behind this and not just you sacrificing yourself for no reason, but this is... still not-”

“It wouldn’t be for no reason,” Fresh Cut Grass protested. “We still need to get Laudna back!”

“Yes,” Orym pressed in gently, “but, let’s just say this definitely isn’t Plan A.”

“No,” Ashton agreed emphatically.

“No, of course not,” Fresh Cut Grass said. “But if Lord Esteros can’t do it and, you know your people can’t do it,” he canted his head toward Orym. “Then… well, then we have to get Laudna back. We have to. And this might be the only other way we can find.”

“I know,” Ashton sighed, rubbing their hand over their face. “And we will. We’re not,” their hand curled into a fist. “We’re not fucking leaving anyone behind. That's done now.”