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The Favor | Critical Role | Campaign 2, Episode 56

Critical Role・134 minutes read

Critical Role episode includes banter, a marketing campaign, a Kickstarter update, and a D&D game with a journey to Xhorhas. The Mighty Nein face battles, make discoveries, and plan a visit to Lady Zethriss Olios, leading to a meeting with the Bright Queen and a surprising turn of events.

Insights

Taliesin is absent due to illness, with the group wishing him a speedy recovery.
D&D Beyond is announced as the campaign sponsor, with Sam running for president of the company against Liam.
The Vox Machina Kickstarter campaign raises over $7.7 million, with a final stretch goal set at $8.8 million.
The Mighty Nein continue their journey in Xhorhas, battling demons and discovering plans for an Abyssal portal.
The group meets the Bright Queen Leylas Kryn, seeking her favor and information on Nott's husband, leading to a tense confrontation and unexpected allies.

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What is the Vox Machina Kickstarter campaign?
The Vox Machina Kickstarter campaign raised over $7.7 million, with a final stretch goal set at $8.8 million.

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Summary

00:00

"Group Updates, Campaigns, and Banter"

Taliesin is absent due to illness, with the group wishing him a speedy recovery.
The group engages in banter about time-travel and Taliesin's absence affecting his character.
D&D Beyond is announced as the campaign sponsor, with Sam running for president of the company against Liam.
Sam presents a humorous celebrity endorsement video for his campaign.
The group expresses excitement over the Vox Machina Kickstarter campaign, raising over $7.7 million.
The final stretch goal for the campaign is set at $8.8 million, with the possibility of Ashley Johnson DMing a game.
Laura announces the release of a Cobalt journal designed by Taliesin, featuring a coded language and gridded paper.
The group announces a break for the next week and the following Talks episode, returning on April 4th.
The group engages in playful banter about colonic cleanses and miniatures in colons.
The episode of Critical Role begins with the Mighty Nein continuing their journey in Xhorhas, searching for Nott's husband.

13:38

"Dark Contracts, Demonic Battles, Abyssal Influence"

Two contracts accepted for gold and favor with Bright Queen Leylas Kryn
Discovered Dairon as an Empire spy and source of demonic incursion in Asarius
Battled succubus, incubus, and demonic general entity in harsh battle
Members turned against party under charm effects of demons
Caduceus' life saved by divine magics of Jester and diamond
Rested in safe caverns beneath the city after battle
Leather scroll found in Abyssal language, not magical, construction instructions for portal
Silver disk detected as magical with conjuration essence, tears planes closer together
Disk not specific for summoning portal, designed for Abyssal influence
Discussion on potential incursion plans and safety measures for the disk

27:03

"Word game leads to sinister mind control"

The group plays a word game, using words like "puss," "dog," and "smuggler."
A rule is established that if someone doesn't respond with "pussy" when mind-controlled, they should be killed.
Caleb discusses being mind-controlled and feeling frightened during the experience.
The group plans to visit Lady Zethriss Olios.
They successfully climb out of a well using acrobatics and physical strength.
Beau and Jester notice a symbol resembling the Traveler's symbol on a door and enter an elderly gnoll's home.
The gnoll invites them in and the interior is described as small and smelly.
The gnoll asks why they have come to his house and if they want to hear a story.
Jester expresses interest in the gnoll's symbol and the Traveler.
The group plans to visit Lady Zethriss Olios and leave the gnoll's home.

40:20

"Prankster duo seeks Traveler's favor at gathering"

Matt met the Traveler a couple of years ago after his partner was killed by a gloomstalker in the south.
The Traveler taught Matt to play pranks on people to pass the time and bring liveliness back into his life.
Matt has been causing mischief and promised gifts from the Traveler for poking those nearby.
Jester met the Traveler when she was young, and they were best friends, but he visited her less as he got older and more powerful.
Jester believes she might be one of the originals and expects to be high up in the ranks in the future.
Matt has done deeds in the Traveler's name but hasn't received many spells, instead, he has been causing mischief in the city.
Jester painted a Traveler figurine for Matt as a gift, and he admired it.
Matt is excited about an upcoming gathering in Unndilar and hopes to receive an invitation soon.
Jester believes whoever brings the most people to the gathering will be the winner and encourages Matt to start bringing more people.
Jester plans to use the spell Sending to inform Matt of the location once she finds out.

51:40

Laura's Encounter with Traveler Followers

Laura plans to draw inappropriate images on a hut's wall.
Marisha gets the boys' attention and Nott's.
Laura smells like pee, and the others smell like wet dog.
Laura met a man who worships the Traveler, like her.
Laura is more powerful than the man who worships the Traveler.
Laura will have to meet other Traveler followers in a few months.
Laura is unsure of the number of Traveler followers.
The group discusses strategies to rescue Nott's husband.
Caleb needs years to study teleportation magic.
The group plans to negotiate with Lady Olios for information on Nott's husband.

01:01:48

Intrigue and Disguises in Empire Investigation

Marisha reeks of Empire and tries to be inconspicuous.
Humans and Yasha stay outside with the firbolg.
Caleb uses Disguise Self to turn into a half-orc and offers to do something similar for Beauregard.
The group disguises themselves in a quiet place using Polymorph and Disguise Self.
They hand off rubbings of sigils, a disk, and a scroll to Lady Zethriss Olios.
Nott stares into a magical object and sees threads of possibility.
The group discusses their investigation findings with Lady Olios.
They show Lady Olios a powerful Abyssal object that can open rifts.
Lady Olios confirms the object's power and thanks the group for their service.
The group mentions dealing with succubus and incubus creatures, a bugbear named Umadon, and the rift-closing device.

01:13:51

"Journey to Rosohna with Bright Queen"

Accepting a favor from the Bright Queen will greatly reduce the reward to 2000 gold pieces.
The favor entails presenting your deeds before the Bright Queen for her to grant as she sees fit.
The Bright Queen is the governess of the Dynasty, guiding under the Luxon banner.
The Bright Queen is the oldest, having lived many lives.
The group is granted passage to Rosohna by the Bright Queen.
The group is advised they do not need moorbounders for the journey.
Lythir, a drow, requests to accompany the group to Rosohna.
The reduced reward amount with the favor is confirmed to be 2000 gold pieces.
The group is instructed to prepare themselves for the journey to Rosohna.
The group plans to meet outside at sundown to depart for Rosohna.

01:25:21

Harnessing Beasts for a Journey to Aurora

Travis and Matt discuss outfitting two individuals with harnesses for their beasts.
The cost for two harnesses is negotiated to 10 gold pieces.
Modifications are requested to make the harnesses fit better.
Goblins take measurements and create human-shaped harnesses.
The harnesses are uncomfortable but functional.
The group leaves the facility with their moorbounders.
The beasts are released from their pen and harnessed.
The group, now conspicuous with their beasts, heads towards Aurora Hold.
The group disguises themselves with mud before leaving.
The group rides through Asarius with their moorbounders, heading towards their next destination as dusk falls.

01:36:17

Gratitude, gifts, and gaming in Critterland.

Whitney expresses gratitude for being on the show and asks for consent.
Taliesin mentions putting the prize machine in charge.
Whitney receives a tiny book of astronomy and a telescope as a gift.
Whitney also receives a world map and expresses excitement.
Pumat Sol promotes a voice pack from Killer Voices for gaming.
Pumat Sol mentions being available in Fortnite, PUBG, and League of Legends.
Pumat Sol directs to download the Killer Voices app at critrole.com/killervoices.
Marisha introduces Root N Toot N Ruby and mentions other critters needing names.
Brian describes Kimothy, who is allergic to cheese but loves other dairy products.
Lady Zethriss Olios leads the group through a narrow doorway with difficulty due to the moorbounders.

02:02:50

Mysterious Chambers Lead to Royal Encounter

The underground chamber features a Y-shaped intersection with three diamond-shaped chambers, each marked with a silver arch.
The chambers are about 20 feet across and 10 feet wide, with unique symbols and carvings on the floor.
Lady Zethriss leads the group through a chamber with an arcane equation carved into the ground, stepping through a circle that makes her vanish.
The group follows suit, with each member stepping through the circle and disappearing, including the moorbounders.
They find themselves in a larger mirrored chamber with six chambers and a staircase leading upward.
Lady Zethriss informs them they will meet the Bright Queen within an hour and leads them through a beautiful, dreamlike hallway.
They encounter drow guards and orcish warriors in ornamental armor, who lead them to an antechamber to prepare to meet the Bright Queen.
Lady Zethriss explains the structure of the Dynasty and warns them about consecution and showing respect to the queen.
The group's moorbounders are taken to a holding area, and Lady Zethriss advises them to stick to their business and show reverence to the queen.
They discuss topics to avoid and whether to bring their moorbounders to see the queen, ultimately deciding to leave them in the holding area.

02:17:33

Debt Paid, Group Sealed in Chamber

Yarnball coughs up something onto the ground, guards sigh collectively.
Lady Zethriss declares the debt is paid.
Lythir declines to accompany the group, citing business elsewhere.
Lady Zethriss heads in a different direction for her own business.
Guards lead the group down a hall to a double door.
Antechamber has benches, a fountain with metallic cups, and moorbounders tethered to posts.
Cups are small, clean metallic cups resting on the fountain's edge.
No symbol of the dodecahedron is seen in the antechamber.
Interior is made of gray quartz with silver veins, a blue orb above the fountain.
The group is sealed in the chamber, and Caduceus and Yasha are present.

02:29:28

"The Bright Queen's Deception Unveiled"

Matt is secretive about his business with the Bright Queen but has joined the group due to convenience.
The group discusses the unexpected appearance of a rift to the Abyssal plane, indicating recent construction.
The rift's materials seem new, suggesting recent creation within the current age.
Uncertainty exists regarding whether similar events are happening throughout the Dynasty.
The group engages in casual conversation with Matt, discussing preferences for baked goods with cinnamon.
The group enters a grand throne room with the Bright Queen Leylas Kryn presiding.
The Mighty Nein recount their recent deeds in protecting Asarius and closing a rift to the Abyssal plane.
The group seeks the Bright Queen's favor and requests information on a scientist named Brenatto in her custody.
The Bright Queen becomes less warm upon detecting deception in the group's request.
A voice from the thrones speaks up, drawing attention to the group's deception and causing tension in the room.

02:45:42

Lythir encounters travelers with unclear intentions

Lythir, recovering from wounds, encounters travelers with unclear intentions.
Lythir and her partner, an echo knight, battled Dwendalian scouts.
The travelers admit to clashing with soldiers but deny being part of the Empire.
The queen questions the travelers, leading to a tense confrontation.
The travelers surrender as guards approach, fearing a potential combat situation.
The travelers reveal their true intentions and present a significant object to the queen.
The queen acknowledges the travelers' actions as heroic and releases them.
The travelers realize they have made a powerful ally in the Bright Queen.
The queen's emotional response signifies a shift in the travelers' status.
The travelers leave the queen's presence, uncertain of the future implications of their actions.

03:00:35

Team on break, content still posted.

The team will be taking a week off, returning on April 4th, with content still being posted on the channel during the break. Enjoy the time off, and they express their love for the viewers.

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