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Perspective | Critical Role | Campaign 2, Episode 59

Critical Role・191 minutes read

The episode features a Dungeons & Dragons game sponsored by D&D Beyond and The Rook & The Raven, where the group faces stone giants in an intense combat encounter. The Mighty Nein learn about the giants' plight, work to resolve the conflict peacefully, and uncover mysterious creatures threatening the giants' home in a cliffhanger ending.

Insights

The episode features voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons on Critical Role, sponsored by D&D Beyond and The Rook & The Raven.
The group encounters stone giants at the Steelworks, with one throwing a boulder towards Yasha, prompting combat.
Taliesin casts Bless on allies, enhancing attack rolls and saving throws.
The giants are willing to help the group and return home, driven out by dangerous creatures.
The group plans to assist the giants in reclaiming their home and strategize against the creatures.
Jester successfully opens a locked box, revealing a locket and letter detailing a torrid affair.
The group encounters demon-like creatures attacking, causing significant damage and a battle ensues.
Caduceus saves Fjord's life from a critical hit, and the group discovers a mysterious glowing line under a stone table.

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Summary

00:00

"Critical Role: Dungeons & Dragons Adventure"

The episode features a group of voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons on Critical Role.
D&D Beyond and The Rook & The Raven are sponsors of the episode.
Sam Riegel sings a spoof song about D&D Beyond as part of the show.
The Draconic Edition Campaign Planner by The Rook & The Raven is highlighted for pre-order.
There is a Kickstarter campaign for the Legend of Vox Machina animated series.
Joel Hodgson makes a guest appearance to support the Kickstarter campaign.
The Mighty Nein are on a mission in Xhorhas involving giants and a Steelworks facility.
The group encounters stone giants at the Steelworks, with one throwing a boulder towards Yasha.
The group is fanned out with about 30 feet between them as they face the giants.
The walls of the Steelworks are between 12 and 18 feet tall.

12:49

"Stealth plan abandoned, combat ensues"

The group initially plans to stealth in but decides to pull back and let things calm down.
Ashley suggests being a distraction, sacrificing herself for the greater good.
Travis proposes taking action immediately, but Marisha advises laying low to scout the enemy numbers.
Taliesin suggests moving away from the area while discussing their next steps.
Two figures throw boulders towards Yasha, prompting her to start running towards them.
Travis and Yasha break cover and charge towards the enemies, initiating combat.
Travis casts Charm Monster at 5th level, successfully charming both enemies for an hour.
Yasha climbs a fence, rages, and drinks a healing potion to prepare for battle.
Marisha performs acrobatics to run along the top of a wall and uses Patient Defense.
Caduceus, confused by the sudden turn of events, contemplates his next move.

23:18

Giant battle with strategic player moves

Matt guides the player to take cover behind a fence, obstructing their view beyond it.
Taliesin, the player, can see Beau and Yasha, with limited visibility of Yasha's head.
Taliesin casts Bless on Beau, Yasha, and Fjord, granting them a d4 bonus on attack rolls and saving throws.
A female stone giant commands two others to protect and push back the players.
The giant casts Disrupting Earth but switches to Hold Person at 3rd level, targeting Fjord and Yasha.
Fjord fails the saving throw, struggling to breathe, while Yasha succeeds.
Caleb uses Cat's Ire to damage a reinforced door, revealing stones barricading it.
Jester casts Dimension Door to teleport herself and Nott to the top of the tower, where they observe the giants and the camp layout.
Nott shoots the important giant, causing fear and desperation, then investigates the lower floor before returning.
The giants attack Beau and Yasha, with Beau dodging the blows effortlessly.

34:10

"Battle with Giants: Allies and Attacks"

Yasha is targeted by a giant's attack, resulting in 21 points of damage.
Yasha's allies engage in banter during the battle, lightening the mood.
Yasha sustains 26 points of bludgeoning damage, reduced to 13 due to her rage.
Yasha withstands a second attack, taking 20 points of bludgeoning damage, reduced to 10.
Beau executes a dynamic attack, utilizing a wagon wheel for momentum and inflicting 7 points of damage.
Beau attempts a Stunning Strike, but the giant resists.
Beau follows up with a staff strike, dealing 8 points of damage and successfully stunning the giant.
Beau continues her assault with Flurry of Blows, inflicting 19 points of damage and learning the giant's lack of resistances, immunities, and vulnerabilities.
Fjord attempts to communicate with the giants, but they do not understand his words.
Yasha joins the battle, inflicting 16 points of damage on a stunned giant with her Magician's Judge.

44:17

"Brutal Critical: Massive Damage and Transformations"

The attack involves rolling 3d6, resulting in a total of 12.
Brutal Critical allows for doubling two dice and adding a third for a critical hit.
The subsequent roll is 9, totaling 18, with an additional 4 for a final damage of 22.
A total of 38 points of damage is dealt in one round.
The enemy is wounded, bleeding, and showing signs of anger and fury.
Caduceus attempts to negotiate with the enemy in Giant language.
A Sacred Flame spell is cast, dealing 19 points of damage to the enemy.
Caduceus moves strategically to a safer position.
The enemy retaliates by causing an explosion, resulting in damage to the party members.
Jester successfully casts Polymorph, turning the enemy into a killer whale.

54:35

"Peaceful Resolution: Communicating with Giants"

Caduceus tries to communicate with the giants in Giant language, suggesting a peaceful resolution.
Yasha grabs the burning club to prevent the giant from using it again.
Combat halts as Caduceus attempts to calm the situation.
Jester pets the whale, showing remorse for the conflict.
Caduceus and Fjord discuss the need to understand the giants' motives.
Nott keeps watch on the camp for any approaching giants.
Caduceus expresses a desire to uncover the full story behind the giants' presence.
The group plans to investigate the camp further and find a way to help the giants.
Caduceus and Fjord decide to stay together to address the situation with the giants.
The group contemplates the giants' intentions and considers engaging in dialogue to resolve the conflict peacefully.

01:04:42

"Giants, Steelworks, and a Mysterious Threat"

Marisha investigates the area and finds various weapons and raw materials.
The Steelworks is designed for smelting alloys into steel and crafting weapons.
The machines in the Steelworks are partially constructed and scavenged by giants.
The group finds raw ore in a box waiting to be smelted.
The giants fled their mountain home due to a mysterious threat.
The giants are staying in the Steelworks for safety.
The giants are willing to help the group and want to return home.
There are eight giants in total, with some on a hunting party.
The group decides to try and calm the giants and the whale.
The group plans to talk to the whale and convince the giants to leave the Steelworks.

01:16:38

Helping Giants Reclaim Home from Creatures

Jester makes a persuasion check, getting an 11.
The female giant shifts back into a Stone Giant form.
The giants express distrust towards outsiders but are open to actions over words.
The giants speak Giant language, not Common.
The giants were driven from their home by a mysterious hum and dangerous creatures.
The giants fled their home after losing many members to the creatures.
The giants found a strange glow in a bone pit that led to their troubles.
The creatures that attacked the giants were described as various sizes and types.
The giants have been living in their current encampment for eight sun cycles.
The group plans to help the giants reclaim their home and discuss strategies for dealing with the creatures.

01:29:57

"Secrets Unveiled: Locket, Letter, and Giants"

The time is mid-afternoon, around four or five o'clock, after traveling through the forest and preparing for battle.
It will be dusk in the next hour or two.
The journey to the enemy camp on foot will take about three hours at the group's speed.
A hidden trap door is found in a tower at the Steelworks encampment, containing a locked box and three glass vials.
A locket with a picture and a folded letter are found inside the locked box, signed with a V.
The letter details a torrid affair between the writer and someone named Bodo.
The locket is not magical, and the group spends time trying to open the locked box.
Jester successfully opens the box by painting a hole in the lock, revealing the contents.
The group hides in a tent as giants return to the camp, with some members making successful stealth checks.
Five giants covered in rough metal armor enter the camp, indicating a shift in their defensive strategies.

01:40:19

"Giants debate survival after home attack"

A group of lithe individuals, led by Soorna, return to their home after being forced out, carrying dead animals for cooking.
Soorna starts a bonfire and prepares the animals for cooking while discussing with a larger member of the group.
They argue over whether to return and reclaim their home or stay and rebuild elsewhere.
Soorna mentions being attacked and presents an option for help from smaller individuals.
The larger member expresses distrust towards smaller folk but agrees to work together for survival.
Soorna invites the group to join them, but some giants opt to stay behind.
The giants reveal they were originally a group of 12 before the attack.
The giants are described as being between 18 to 20 feet tall, with one resembling a chasme, a demonic creature.
The group decides to rest for the night and plan to investigate further in the morning.
Yasha enjoys the spider meat cooked by the giants and shares it with Jester, leading to a humorous interaction.

01:52:53

Spider Meat Poisoning Leads to Comedic Relief

Spider meat is consumed, described as reminiscent of tough crab, leading to a constitution saving throw for potential poisoning.
Jester experiences symptoms of poisoning, including nausea and discomfort, leading to a comedic situation.
Practical advice is given to Jester to leave the dome for relief, accompanied by a humorous use of magic to mask bodily functions.
The group gains a night's rest after the spider meat incident, with Jester still feeling unwell in the morning.
The group prepares to leave the Steelworks, with Soorna showing discomfort towards the moorbounders, advising caution in handling them.
Soorna leads the group towards the Vermaloc Forest, where the problem originated, as they set out on their journey.
A break is announced, with a Wyrmwood giveaway mentioned, and a password for entry provided.
Talks Machina is briefly discussed, with humorous banter between the hosts and a mention of a haunted house visit by Travis.
The episode concludes with a poetic monologue by Taliesin, reflecting on the connection between the audience and creators in the Twitch subscription zone.

02:05:19

Critical Role Twitch Subscriptions and Adventure Journeys

Critical Role expresses gratitude for subscriptions via the Gift a Sub button on Twitch
The team hopes viewers enjoy their content as much as they enjoy creating it
A winner of a Wyrmwood giveaway is announced as Nitsudje27
The Mighty Nein set out from a mining camp into the Vermaloc at the Landspeaker's request
Nott expresses unease to Caleb about leaving her husband for adventure
Caleb reassures Nott about her motivations and the importance of their mission
Beauregard joins the group on moorbounders as they travel
Nott seeks reassurance from Caleb about her decisions and fears
Healing potions are found and distributed among the group, with Jester receiving a powerful one
The group encounters large spiders in the forest, prompting action and conversation about their presence

02:33:01

"Journey through mountains to hidden fortress"

Walking through the flame, the webs burn back, and the moorbounders are hesitant but ushered forward.
Clusters of eyes reflect flames above, about 15 feet high.
Arriving at the Penumbra Range, mountains sculpted like jagged stairs, Vermaloc trees visible.
Hidden slopes wind up the mountainside, leading to a divide a quarter mile up.
Climbing hidden paths, the temperature drops, storm clouds gather, heavy rain expected.
Approaching a fortress in the mountainside, built for larger beings, with tattered leather and bone decorations.
Main chamber entrance is 20 feet tall, with dried blood stains and a foul scent.
Soorna confirms no traps in the chamber, only one entrance.
Splitting into two groups, positioning strategically for safety.
Caleb disguises Frumpkin with mud, making him look like a ratty creature.

02:44:33

Frumpkin Explores Crafting Room, Finds Skeletons

Liam sends Frumpkin to explore a crafting room, rolling a perception check with disadvantage.
Frumpkin sees a stone giant's skeletal corpse in the room, mostly picked clean with organs scattered around.
Caduceus informs Yasha about her dead family member in the crafting room.
Frumpkin is commanded to cross the hallway and rolls another perception check with disadvantage.
Frumpkin observes stone tables and a pit in another room, with a corpse present.
Frumpkin is instructed to check the ceiling, revealing a 25 to 30 feet high room.
Frumpkin approaches a pit, smelling old rot, and is then removed from the area.
Caleb informs the group of two chambers, no living beings, and a hole to the right.
Caduceus detects undead presence near two bodies and prepares to investigate.
Three demon-like creatures attack Caduceus and Yasha, draining Yasha's strength and causing her to fail a constitution saving throw.

02:55:57

Battle Strategy: Protect Caduceus, Attack with Magic

Ashley has advantage on dex.
The attacks are directed at Caduceus due to him being one of the first to step out.
Caduceus uses Shield of Retribution on the first attack.
The attacker needs to succeed a strength saving throw.
The attacker succeeds, taking half damage but not being pushed.
The second attack hits Caduceus, dealing 18 points of force damage.
Caleb creates a Wall of Fire behind the attackers, damaging them.
Jester casts Spiritual Guardians to protect the party.
Caduceus casts Holy Weapon, adding 2d8 radiant damage to attacks.
Fjord uses Eldritch Blast on the attackers, heavily damaging one in front of Caduceus.

03:06:12

Intense Battle Unfolds with Deadly Consequences

Nott fires a shot at the creature in front of Caduceus, scoring a 14 which glances off its tough body.
Nott takes a bonus action to fire again, hitting with a 29 and triggering a sneak attack due to being in melee with Caduceus.
The sneak attack deals 24 points of damage, leaving the creature still alive but visibly injured.
Yasha rages and attacks the most injured creature, dealing 26 points of damage but not as much as expected.
Yasha lands a critical hit on the same creature, cleaving it in two and causing it to collapse and burn away.
Yasha's hit point maximum is reduced by 28 due to a creature's attack, causing her to suffer 28 points of necrotic damage.
Landspeaker Soorna throws a rock at the creature, dealing 36 points of damage and prompting the creature to turn its attention towards her.
Beau steps into a Wall of Fire, taking 13 points of fire damage, then successfully hits both creatures with her attacks, dealing a total of 45 points of damage.
Beau uses Stunning Strike on one of the creatures, showcasing her impressive combat skills.
The battle intensifies as a new, more formidable demon descends, attacking Fjord and inflicting significant damage on him.

03:17:09

Critical Hits and Close Calls: Beau's Battle

Beau uses Stunning Strike with a DC of 16.
Beau concentrates holy radiant chi and attacks with Flurry of Blows, dealing significant damage.
Beau learns that enemies are resistant to cold, fire, lightning, and nonmagical attacks.
Beau takes damage from a fire wall but can step back to avoid leaving its range.
Caduceus uses a spell to damage an enemy moving towards Jester and him.
Jester tries to cast Spiritual Weapon but falls unconscious due to a buzzing noise.
Caleb takes damage from a fire wall and deals significant damage to an enemy.
The enemies attack Beau and Jester, causing significant damage.
Jester falls unconscious due to the buzzing noise.
The enemies are looking rough after taking damage.

03:27:17

"Characters use abilities in battle"

Caleb makes a constitution saving throw with advantage due to his transmuter's stone, adding his con and proficiency.
The transmuter's stone grants advantage for maintaining concentration spells.
Caleb rolls a constitution throw and adds his proficiency bonus due to the stone.
Caleb resists the effect, starting his turn slightly affected but refocusing quickly.
Caleb attempts to attack with an acid arrow, but misses, dealing half damage.
Caduceus successfully saves against a demonic effect, deciding to cast Sacred Flame on an enemy.
Caduceus defeats the enemy with Sacred Flame, then attempts to heal Jester with Cure Wounds, but she remains unconscious.
Fjord fails a constitution saving throw and falls unconscious, ending his turn.
Nott successfully saves against the effect, attacks an enemy, and disengages to avoid further danger.
Yasha fails her first attack but succeeds with the second, dealing significant damage to the enemy.

03:37:22

Yasha's battle decisions save her allies.

Fjord's blood spills out, slobber pours from a tiny jaw, and the basin collects the elements.
Yasha inquires about the proximity of others and considers her actions.
Yasha contemplates using an ability, clarifying its action type.
Yasha confirms she is still raging and concludes her turn.
Yasha questions the need for rolling and the effects on her constitution.
The chasme's turn begins, and it attacks Yasha, prompting an attack of opportunity.
Caduceus dispels a critical hit on an unconscious Fjord, saving his life.
Yasha deals damage to the chasme, affected by a Weakening Gaze.
Landspeaker Soorna curses and throws a rock, dealing significant damage to the chasme.
Caduceus perceives a new chamber and tends to the unconscious Jester and Fjord, waking them up.

03:47:33

Fjord's Health Crisis and Group Exploration

Fjord is bleeding from the ears and eyes, looking bad.
Caduceus suggests a ten-minute action in a corner away from others.
A faint glow catches Caduceus' eye under a stone table, revealing a jagged line with a reddish-purple glow.
Jester tries to dispel a tear in the air leading to a forest with snake-headed trees.
Jester's dispel magic weakens the tear, but Yasha's Magician's Judge successfully closes it.
Caduceus distributes hit points, noting Fjord needs a Greater Restoration spell for his wounds.
Jester lacks the necessary spell, prompting Fjord to sit out the next round.
The group plans to explore together, with Caleb and Nott investigating a body and encountering a jellyfish-like entity.

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