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Cornered | Critical Role | Campaign 2, Episode 53

Critical Role・149 minutes read

Voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons on Critical Role, sponsored by D&D Beyond, where skits and animated specials are teased. The group discusses dreams, missions, and acquiring moorbounders, leading to investigations, planning staged fights, and facing challenges in a tavern brawl.

Insights

Critical Role is a show where voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons, featuring comedic skits with puppets and sponsored by D&D Beyond.
The show teases the launch of an animated special titled "The Legend of Vox Machina" set before the streaming game, featuring characters at level seven with an original storyline.
Fjord discusses his dreams and the looming threat of Uk'otoa, contemplating his decisions and feeling a newfound strength against its influence.
The group debates their next steps, weighing missions to rescue Nott's husband or work for Lady Zethris, emphasizing the importance of allies and trust-building.
The group acquires moorbounders, training them to follow commands and bonding with the creatures, showcasing individual interactions and contributions.
Investigations into spoiled meat and fish, antivenom preparations, and the acquisition of healing potions highlight the group's resourcefulness and problem-solving skills.
A staged bar brawl unfolds, revealing magical artifacts and escalating stakes, leading to unexpected alliances and respect among the combatants.

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Recent questions

What is Critical Role?
Critical Role is a show where voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons, engaging in storytelling and role-playing adventures.
Who is Sam and what does he do on Critical Role?
Sam, a former ventriloquist, performs comedic skits with a puppet named Yondi for D&D Beyond on Critical Role, adding humor to the show.
What is the official D&D Beyond Twitch extension?
The official D&D Beyond Twitch extension provides character information during live episodes of Critical Role, enhancing viewer engagement.
What is "The Legend of Vox Machina"?
"The Legend of Vox Machina" is an animated special set before the streaming game of Critical Role, featuring characters at level seven with an original storyline.
What happens in the dreams of Fjord on Critical Role?
Fjord on Critical Role experiences dreams involving Uk'otoa, a powerful entity, expressing anger and threats, leading to internal conflict and reflection on his decisions.

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Summary

00:00

"Critical Role: D&D Beyond and Animated Special"

Critical Role is a show where voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons.
D&D Beyond is a sponsor of the show.
Sam, a former ventriloquist, performs a skit with a puppet named Yondi for D&D Beyond.
The skit involves comedic banter between Sam and the puppet.
The show announces the use of the official D&D Beyond Twitch extension.
The extension provides character information during live episodes.
The show teases the launch of an animated special titled "The Legend of Vox Machina."
The special is set before the streaming game and features characters at level seven.
The special will have an original storyline.
The show ends with the characters preparing to rest for the night in the wilderness.

15:05

"Fjord's Dreams of Uk'otoa's Wrath"

A single, massive, yellow serpent eye appears before you, followed by many different-sized yellow eyes staring directly at you.
The tendrils of Uk'otoa begin to bind you in a cocoon of cold, scaled flesh, crushing your body slowly, causing immeasurable pain.
You shoot awake, vomiting, with Caduceus waking up beside you.
Fjord discusses his dreams with Caduceus, feeling Uk'otoa is angry with him for not following its wishes.
Fjord mentions repeated words in his dreams and a threat laced within them.
Fjord contemplates Uk'otoa's anger and his decision not to release it upon the world.
Fjord expresses feeling stronger and more present, considering a counteragent to Uk'otoa's influence.
Caduceus discusses communication with nature and the importance of choices in dealing with Uk'otoa.
Fjord reflects on his dreams and the potential consequences of not following Uk'otoa's wishes.
The group discusses their next steps, debating between rescuing Nott's husband or taking a job offer from Lady Zethris for financial means.

29:57

"Risks, allies, trust: planning dangerous missions"

Laura and Liam discuss the risks of fulfilling favors that involve dangerous tasks.
The group contemplates the importance of gaining allies and understanding the environment they are in.
They consider the need to build trust with Lady Zethris before revealing personal matters.
Laura communicates with her husband, Yeza, who is being held in a dark cell underground.
Yeza suspects his capture is related to his involvement with the Assembly and a mysterious box.
The group debates taking on two missions simultaneously, weighing the potential consequences.
Laura and Nott brainstorm different storylines to explain their interest in rescuing Yeza.
They discuss the tasks assigned by Lady Zethris, focusing on rooting out a spy or closing rifts to the Abyss.
The group plans to acquire training and resources before embarking on their missions.
Laura receives updates from Yeza, indicating his uncertain situation and the possible reasons for his capture.

43:02

Disguises, Makeup, and Moorbounders: A Journey

Marisha wants to portray a deranged human and disguises herself by flipping her cloak, rolling in dirt, and messing up her hair.
Laura puts on makeup to look goth but finds her clothes boring.
Marisha blackens a couple of her teeth with eyeliner, appearing significantly crazed.
Caleb resembles a male version of Jester, applies tallow and powdered iron on Beauregard's face, causing confusion.
Caleb offers Beauregard bat droppings, which she accepts, and they head towards Asarius.
They notice a third of the force leaving the city, with the remaining preparing to move soon.
They enter the city, greeted by ogres, and head to Zorth's, where they see moorbounders being fed.
Zorth welcomes them and begins training them to ride the moorbounders, a process that takes a few hours.
Caleb establishes a bond with his moorbounder through trust exercises.
Beau also forms a bond with her moorbounder, which is slightly smaller than Caleb's.

55:30

Training Creatures: Building Trust and Commands

Taliesin receives the smallest of the three creatures.
Zorth introduces the concept of giving commands to the beasts beyond just enduring their presence.
Caleb is shown how to build trust and respect with the creatures to make them follow commands.
Caleb successfully trains his creature to respond to the commands "halt" and "jump."
Jester and Caduceus also manage to train their creatures to follow commands.
Caduceus struggles a bit with his playful-kitten-like creature during training.
The group collectively contributes 600 gold to pay for the creatures.
Zorth explains that the creatures eat meats, leathers, jerkies, and critters.
The group prepares saddles for their creatures and decides to hold onto them for now.
The creatures are named Jannik, Yarnball, and Clarabelle by Caleb, Jester, and Caduceus, respectively.

01:06:37

Scowl Square: Lady Zethris and Moorbounders

Taliesin's sister is considered weird, leading to a discussion about naming a moorbounder after her.
A warning is given that if beasts are not picked up within a couple of days, they will be put back on the market.
Scowl Square is recommended as a place for information exchange, with specific mentions of food vendors like Madam Musk's and Timoch and Ude Make Things.
Concerns are raised about the character of Lady Zethris Oleos, with conflicting opinions on her trustworthiness.
Descriptions of the intimidating presence of Lady Zethris Oleos and the lack of interaction with her.
Various questions are asked about rifts and strange occurrences, with no significant information gathered.
Moorbounder stats are shared, with a humorous interaction about the ranking of cats.
The group heads to Scowl Square, encountering a variety of unique vendors and businesses.
Caduceus investigates Baron's Meats, noticing fresh meat up front but also a pile of rotting meat in the corner.
Baron Visco, the owner of Baron's Meats, mentions issues with the spoiling meat pile.

01:19:51

Spoiled Meat Sparks Investigation into Fish

The meat at the shop is spoiling quickly, leading to raised prices and a need for fresh meat.
Hunters are being offered one gold piece per pound for meat to combat the spoilage issue.
The spoiled meat is from various sources and different kinds of animals, usually lasting two weeks with proper preparation.
Taliesin offers to investigate the issue, suspecting a problem with the water source affecting the meat.
The fishmonger sells blue, red, and gray fish, with the gray fish being larger.
Fjord questions the fishmonger about the origin of the fish, which come from the Ifolon River to the west.
Taliesin and the group suspect a connection between the spoiled meat and fish, leading to a visit to Madam Musk's hut.
Madam Musk offers salves, balms, and antivenoms, indicating recent preparation of antivenom potions.
Madam Musk keeps the antivenom potions locked away, suggesting a need for preparation rather than a current crisis.
Payment for Madam Musk's potions can be made in gold or through trade, with a hint of darker payment options.

01:31:59

"Group prepares for investigation of murder house"

Laura announces a pregnancy, revealing a baby is on the way.
Taliesin expresses excitement for the Legend of Vox Machina animated special.
A conversation about chairs leads to humorous banter among the group.
The group discusses acquiring tumor moss for healing potions.
Specific details about tumor moss location and its importance are shared.
A transaction for healing potions occurs, with 200 gold exchanged.
The group leaves Madam Musk's tent, noticing odd physical characteristics.
Plans are made to investigate a boarded-up house linked to a murder.
Nott successfully picks the lock of the boarded-up house.
Marisha scouts the perimeter of the house, finding boarded windows.

01:44:57

Intrigue and Investigation at the Four Corners

Boards can be broken or pushed in with force.
Nott is almost done picking a lock, with a final number of 26.
Marisha checks for any observers while Nott opens the door.
A hobgoblin questions the group's presence, but Nott deceives him successfully.
Yasha remains outside as a lookout while the group investigates the house.
The house is lightly furnished, indicating a family lived there, with dried blood puddles present.
No magical presence is detected in the house.
Investigation reveals three deaths in the house, with one on the bed and two in the dining area.
The group searches for hidden compartments or basements but finds none.
The group heads to the Four Corners tavern to gather information and witness a brutal scene involving a beaten orc.

01:57:05

Travis and Brian prepare for horse race.

Travis and Brian discuss horse riding and a race, with Travis being lathered in sweat.
Travis was working hard for the race, leading to his soaked appearance.
Brian comments on Travis being ready for Thursday night action.
Brian mentions raw animal fur, causing Travis to choke.
Introduction to Travis Willingham's Yee-Haw Game Ranch show.
Taliesin and Matt engage in a Quiz & Dragons game.
Questions are asked about the Great Seal of the United States and Charles Atlas.
Taliesin correctly answers questions about the zodiac sign Taurus and January's birthstone, garnet.
Taliesin incorrectly guesses the second busiest airport after Chicago's O'Hare.
The group discusses the location of the first McDonald's hamburger store.
Marisha interacts with an ogre at a bar in Asarius.
The ogre has scars, a destroyed eye, and a menacing demeanor.
Marisha tries to engage the ogre in conversation about nightmares.
Marisha orders a drink from the bugbear bartender, Resk the Mad.

02:21:55

Beau's Encounter with Mysterious Drow Woman

Beau meets Resk and engages in conversation, leading to Resk pouring her an ale.
Beau questions Resk about his anger, particularly towards questions, and the odd behavior of others in the establishment.
The group suspects Beau might start a bar brawl, leading to various reactions from them.
Travis notices a lone female drow at a table and points her out to Beau.
Beau approaches the drow, engages in conversation, and hints at looking for someone.
The drow cryptically responds to Beau's inquiries before abruptly leaving.
Nott attempts to pickpocket the drow and successfully acquires a greater healing potion.
Beau senses the drow's intense reaction to her presence and shares her suspicions with the group.
The group plans to gain respect by engaging in a staged fight, with Beau and Jester teaming up.
Beau initiates the fight by throwing items into the gravel pit, attracting attention from other patrons.

02:34:47

"Sequined glove sparks magical brawl at pit"

An ogre approaches the gravel pit, throws a bag of winnings onto the betting table, and demands a chair from a player.
A player stands up, places a sequined glove on the table, and moves to a different chair.
The sequined glove is a significant artifact in the campaign, resembling Michael Jackson's iconic glove.
The glove attracts attention from onlookers, and it is revealed to be magical.
A dragonborn in armor attempts to join the brawl but is intercepted by a drow female.
Food arrives for one player who is oblivious to the escalating situation.
A player casts Mage Hand invisibly as a precaution, but the fairness of the action is questioned.
Players bet items of value, including a diamond worth 300, escalating the stakes of the impending fight.
The fight begins with a dramatic entrance, as the drow strikes the first blow against the ogre.
The drow lands a critical hit on another player, stunning them and turning the tide of the battle.

02:46:37

Battle strategy: Target ogre, defeat drow.

Laura advises to target the ogre first, as it is stunned.
Matt rolls a 27 to hit, dealing ten points of bludgeoning damage to Travis.
Laura questions why the ogre is targeting her, as it moves towards Jester and attempts to strike her.
Jester uses her shield to deflect the ogre's attacks and casts Hellish Rebuke, dealing 17 damage.
Jester's Hellish Rebuke causes ice shards to blast into the ogre's face, injuring it.
Jester is no longer stunned and casts Command at 2nd level, making the ogre grovel at her feet.
Beau attacks the ogre, but her stunning strike has no effect due to the ogre's toughness.
Beau moves to attack the drow, hitting her and using Patient Defense to take the dodge action.
The drow attacks Jester and Beau, with Beau retaliating and blocking the drow's attack.
The ogre, groveling at Jester's command, spends its turn prone and then gets up, unable to take any further actions.

02:58:25

"Intense battle with stunning twists"

Marisha rolls a 14 on a Constitution saving throw but is still stunned.
Matt describes a punch to the jaw causing darkness and confusion for Marisha's character.
The monk takes advantage of the situation, disengages, vaults over an ogre, and attacks it.
The ogre retaliates by attacking Jester, causing significant damage.
Jester casts Spirit Guardians, summoning protective unicorns, and avoids hitting unintended targets.
Frumpkin distracts the drow, aiding in the attack against her.
Beau attacks the drow, stunning her briefly but then gets hit back.
Jester's Spirit Guardians and Beau's dodge actions cause damage to the monk.
The monk retaliates with multiple attacks but misses due to Beau's dodging.
Jester's Spirit Guardians also damage the ogre, hindering its actions.

03:10:42

Jester saved, Beau battles drow in combat.

Ogre spits at the group, then attacks Jester with a double strike, dealing 9 points of slashing damage.
Jester gets hit again for 17 points of slashing damage, rendering her unconscious.
Jester's shield saves her from a fatal blow, but she falls to the ground.
Taliesin uses Spare the Dying to stabilize Jester.
Beau takes over Jester's turn and attacks the drow, dealing 10 damage.
Beau continues to attack the drow, dealing 9 more damage.
Beau uses Flurry of Blows, dealing 10 damage.
The drow retaliates with a critical hit, dealing 9 points of bludgeoning damage to Beau.
Beau moves away from the drow and lets her deal with the ogre.
The drow defeats the ogre with a critical hit, then uses Patient Defense and moves to face Beau.

03:22:45

Respect and Reunion with Dairon

Upon entering the room, the initial reaction towards the individual was negative, but after a fight, respect was shown.
Despite not winning the fight, there was an acknowledgment of the individual's efforts.
Beau and Jester interact, with Beau helping Jester up after the fight.
The ogre in the room is embarrassed and does not approach Beau or Jester.
Conversation occurs about improving combat skills and learning from experiences.
A drow monk from the fight joins Beau and Jester at a table, expressing interest in their group.
The monk suggests moving to a better location for conversation.
The group splits up, with some leaving through the front and others through the back of the establishment.
Beau and Jester follow the monk to a storage shack, where the monk reveals her true identity as Dairon.
Dairon and Beau reunite, sharing stories and planning to compare notes.

03:33:31

"Rolling Mistake Leads to Surprising Reveal"

Marisha initially rolled d8s but later realized she had been rolling d6s for a significant amount of time, prompting surprise from Travis and Matt.
The group plans to continue their game next week, with Matt hinting at a narrative reason for Beau's altered fighting style, while Travis announces their appearance at Denver Comic Con and the upcoming Kickstarter launch for Legends of Vox Machina on Monday at 10 AM Pacific, followed by a Q&A session on their channel that evening at 7 PM.

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