#thx cad stan community

[take-in-time]

In honor of Critical Role playlists coming back, I thought I would revisit my second playlist for Caduceus Clay that I made before I realized that all posts with links got killed on arrival.

Caduceus Clay 2.0 on Spotify, listen along if you like.

So here’s my thoughts reflecting on how Cad has grown and changed in four (4) parts:

Alone in the Blooming Grove

Extraordinary Machine - Fiona Apple

This song is of course on the first official Caduceus playlist, and I feel like this is the best representation of his ‘all is as fate determines’ mindset that we are first introduced to him with. Plus, “I am the baby of the family... so everybody care and wears the sheep’s clothes while they chaperone.” Clay family feels, they are a close knit group yet Caduceus is the one to stay behind.

Winter Song - The Head and the Heart

Inspired by Cad not knowing how many seasons he was alone for. “We’re just praying that we’re doing this right. Though that’s not the way it seems.” “I will miss the days we had.” This entire song hits for Cad alone. 

Solitude Is Bliss - Tame Impala

A decade of being alone because he was supposed to stay and look after the Blooming Grove. Of course he tried to convince himself to be okay with that. “Nothing else matters, I don’t care what I miss. Company’s okay, solitude is bliss” Is that true for Cad? No. But he also used to cast Calm Emotions on himself so...

The Great Unknown - Grouplove

Leaving the farm to go into the Great Unknown! “Cause nothing really lasts forever.” When the time comes to leave, Cad takes one last look and steps into the uncertainty of the Mighty Nein with an optimistic goal to save his home.

Wise Caretaker

Think About Your Troubles - Harry Nilsson

Another song from the official playlist. I feel like this is who Cad becomes when the Nein need the wise figure to lean on, right when they start traveling with him. Of course the tea and decomposition themes help.

Japanese Ceremonial Tea (Interlude) - The Electric Sons

I can close my eyes and hear Cad tell me all the narration in this song. “Now what is it that’s wrong?”

Moonsmoke - Caamp

I vibe with Caamp for Caduceus in general. But this song in particular has it all: mentions of death, talking to birds, communing with nature, tokes. Caduceus is still this otherworldly figure to the Nein at this point and this song has those vibes.

Grow - The Oh Hellos

It would be easier to list the ways this doesn’t make me think of Caduceus. The Wildmother be up in here! “Just leave it alone child, and let it grow.” “See the ground all around, yeah it was always holy.” “Leave the ruins where they fall... and let the wild take over.” 

Wait... Caduceus has Problems too?

Second Child, Restless Child - The Oh Hellos

Another Oh Hellos song because I could write a thesis on how every song of their’s connects to Caduceus, but I limited myself to three (3) for this playlist. Caduceus was both the responsible child and the problem child in my mind. It’s possible! He desperately loves his family yet hides from answers about them. He’s questioning whether or not he’s doing the right thing. “You've got to go on, further than you've ever gone. You've got to run far from all you've ever known.” 

My Life, My Love - Family and Friends

When doubt creeps in, Cad is learning that his life is not turning out like he thought it would when he was a child. He left to fulfill his goals, but how when the Nein are running around from pirates to cities without sunlight.

“Lately these days I can't help but get this feeling I am sinking And the ground beneath my feet, I think, is starting to believe me I try to run but I don't know how All my thoughts are made of doubt And the silence steals the words from my mouth I guess I have not been myself for some while now.” 

“Are you where you want to be?”

Canary - The Ballroom Thieves

So usually The Ballroom Thieves remind me strictly of Fjord. And that bleed over into choosing this song for Caduceus. The nature (Wildmother) themes of this song make me think of Cad helping Fjord with his pact even when Cad was going through doubts. 

I Have Made Mistakes - The Oh Hellos

Last Oh Hellos song for now, but I’m never truly done. I feel like a major part of Caduceus’ character arc is showing that he doesn’t know everything, and doesn’t have to accept that just because something happens, it’s fate. This song is about growth and can really apply to the Mighty Nein as a whole. “We are not alone in the dark with our demons. We have made mistakes, but we’ve learned from ‘em.” Caduceus is learning to get help instead of just helping others.

The Mighty Nein ARE his family

Friends - The Lone Bellow

“I got some friends with trouble sleeping.” “I've got some friends that roll with punches. Can make a struggle feel like a waltz with loved ones” “I've got some friends that swim in oceans.” “And help me feel the love I'm holding. And let go of the pain” Have I mentioned that I love the Mighty Nein!?!

Happiness Is Not A Place - The Wind and The Wave

He didn’t go back to the Blooming Grove after saving his family and saving his home and completing the mission he set out to do. Why? 

“don't you know happiness is not a place, it's the road you take and who you choose to walk it with. And the grass ain't always greener on the other side It's okay. But I wish it was easy like it sounds. Just believe one day. And your walls start coming down. Trust me things are gonna be alright.”

I Will Go On - National Park Radio

So where does it go from here? Caduceus isn’t done growing just because he saved his home. He’s opening up more to his friends, helping and being helped in return. The Mighty Nein never stop moving after all.

Life We Chose - Jared & The Mill

One of the key points for Cad staying is that he chose to. It wasn’t because it was what he was supposed to do for his family. But there are still dangers and possibly death ahead of the Mighty Nein. This song is melancholy and sad and a reminder of struggles. But the ending was what I wanted for this playlist. It punches up and turns this sadness into hope. The Mighty Nein and Caduceus’s story is far from over.

If you made it this far, thank you!