#25 days of critmas
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The Spice Merchant’s Tassel
It is hard to ignore the thick scent of the sweet eastern tobacco that the Spice Merchant loves. After three days, I should be used to it, but each morning I am greeted by the strong fragrance and an ever-growing headache. He said he just needed lodgings through the short blizzard, but the poor weather has already passed. Yet still, he has made no effort to leave. If not for his impeccable goods, I would have gotten the guards to throw him out by now.
#dice#dungeons & dragons#dnd#ttrpg#Pathfinder RPG#d20#dnd dice#Tabletop RPG#25 days of critmas#critmas#christmas ornament#DnD Christmas#Rogue's Bazaar#The Spice Merchant#The Merchants
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2020 Critmas Fic Day 25
Take a Chance…Catch ‘Em all (CR C2/Pokemon Crossover Ficlet)
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It’d certainly been a turbulent Pokemon Challenge season, leaving many convinced the Wildemount Pokemon League Championship would have to be called off (reigniting the debate about whether the Menagerie, Dwendalian, and Xhorhas regions ought to separate out with their own regional leagues, given the near-constant tension and strife between them), but peace had been secured (for the moment) and the biggest tournament of the year was about to commence.
Seven entrants in particular were creating quite a stir during the tournament lead-up and opening ceremonies—as they had since emerging from seemingly nowhere early in the season. To some, they were nuisances, to others, heroes, still others saw them as loose cannons, but all could agree that they were powerful trainers with loaded teams. (Seriously, how did they get into the kind of shenanigans that ended with each of them having a Legendary Pokemon anchoring their teams, along with the now-standard Mega-Evolving or Gigantimaxing Pokemon?)
They’d traveled as a team; they’d trained as a team; they’d triumphed as a team—perhaps the only thing giving anyone else a chance in the tournament was that hey could not compete as a team, but would have to stand on their own. (But then again, each on their own was a force to be reckoned with for sure…)
…
There was Veth, who seemed to sing rapidly between ‘Team Mom’ and ‘Trouble-Maker-In Chief’, and her eclectic team: Buttons, her Klefki was her oldest partner; Whiskey, her Spinda was unpredictable—useful in a pinch, but he caused nearly as much trouble as he prevented; her Thievul, Rogue, made up for a lack of brute power with her blinding speed; River, the Gigantimaxing Lapras, seemed to make even her own trainer wary; likewise, Nott, the Sableye, had taken a long time for Veth to come to terms with, to work with; and the Legendary Zapdos, Motherhood, dared anyone to even think of messing with her family—blood or no.
Caleb had been traveling with Veth long before they’d met up with the other five of the Nein, and his Delphox, Wizard, had been with him even longer, as had his Mega-Evolving Blaziken, Fireball. Frumpkin, the Meowstic, had been the next, beloved, addition to the team, followed a little later by the Gigalith, Transmuter’s Stone. As a battler, Caleb was well-known for his creative tactics when employing Polymorph, his Ditto, but speculation abounded regarding how he’d come to have Atonement, the Legendary Shaymin, on his team. (Truthfully, even he could not say—though he’d sought it for so long.)
There was some debate and discussion of whether Beau was officially affiliated with the Ioun Academy for Trainers or not—at first, she’d seemed to be a runaway student, but now she appeared to occasionally be running missions for them as a kind of faculty member—but there was no denying that she was a skilled battler and a keen strategist. Her first partner had been a Snivy (now Serperior), the iconic Pokemon of her family, named Lionett. They two had struggled to work together at first (apparently), but they had come to develop a style that was uniquely theirs, unconnected to her family, and in that, partner and trainer had found their bond. Likewise, Monk, her Mienshao, and Cobalt Soul, her Mega-Evolving Lucario, had taken some getting used to as she navigated her relationship with the Academy. All she would say about her acquisition of Tarot the Xatu was that he was ‘a gift from a friend’; while her back-and-forth sniping with her Noctowl, Professor Thaddeus somehow (no one watching from the outside could quite say how) led to a decent win record for them. And guarding them all as Beau guarded her friends’ happiness and well-being was Sentinel, the legendary Zamazenta.
The bubbly trainer from Nicodranas, Jester, had quite the varied team that leant itself to a very unorthodox battle style. Trickery, her Mega-Evolving Banette, seemed quite the dark and spooky partner for someone so fond of pink and pastries, while Ruby, the Ninetails, had all the elegance and grandeur of her namesake. The Inteleon, Gentleman, was a recent addition, but kept a narrowed eye on anyone that got too close to his precious trainer; while many marveled that such a battered- and haggard-looking Zangoose as Sprinkle was still alive, much less still following his trainer’s coaching. While many dismissed Smeargle as a ‘gimmicky’ Pokemon, Jester proved time and again that her Paints could be useful if only one was clever…as clever, say, as the Legendary Hoopah, her beloved Traveler….
There was one other trainer from the Menagerie Region: Fjord, originally from Port Damali, whose own diverse team marked quite the convolute path he’d taken to get to where he stood now. He’d started after receiving Warlock, his Malamar from unknown sources—and it was that mystery that’d set him on this journey. Along the search for answers, he’d found Crystal, the strange Carbink, and Uk’otoa, the menacing Spiritomb, in short order. But whatever he’d learned seemed not so satisfy what he’d truly been looking for and, after adding his disciplined Kingdra, Captain, he seemed to change track altogether with his Mega-Evolving Kangaskhan, Paladin, and the Legendary Zacian, Star Razor. But whatever had prompted the changes, there was no denying the comfort and confidence he now battled with.
Caduceus originally hailed from outside of the three regions, and had joined the others after an unexpected confrontation with an Evil team had turned deadly, early on. He’d come to their aid, then come along, with his gentle Meganium, Cleric, Graveyard, his deceptively-spooky Trevenant, and his Polteageist with the on-the-nose-name of ‘Tea’ (apparently it was an old family joke?). Speaking of the rest of his family, he had been using this journey, at least in part, as a means of finding what had become of them, finding Decompose, his Shiinotic, and Gorgon, the Gigantimaxing Copperajah, and finally his parents, aunt, and siblings—thankfully alive and (now) safe. All the while, guiding, guarding, and anchoring his team was the Legendary Lugia he called Melora with warmth and reverence.
Yasha, the one member of the group from the Xhorhas Region, (if the wilder, southernmost part of it), was an undeniably intimidating sight—as were her first two partners: Barbarian, her Mega-Evolving Garachomp, and Orhpanmaker, her foul-tempered Hydreigon. But there was a softer, gentle side to the woman as well, clearly demonstrated in her tender care for the Comfey she called Zuala with an odd, sad smile. Bone Harp, her music-loving Alolan Marowak perhaps best embodied the duality of his trainer, even as Angel Wings, the Togekiss, best exemplified the hope and the light that she strove for, despite her painful past. But less any opponent be tempted to forget the sheer power at her command, the team was anchored by Strom Lord, the Legendary Zekrom.
…
Yes, the Mighty Nein (as they were called for reasons no one in the watching crowd fully understood) were certainly the center of attention as the opening ceremony of the tournament unfolded—stories of their convoluted and dangerous journey to this point had spread on ahead of them, even ridiculous rumors that they’d single-handedly stopped the latest war and brought peace to the regions; and many were curious to see what they could muster as solo battlers, rather than the unit that they had operate as for so many of their adventures. Then, the final entrant of the tournament was introduced and his team revealed, and a ripple went though the stadium crowd and home audience alike—could this contender be the one who could upset what had looked to be a sure sweep for the Nein?
He was introduced simply as ‘Matt’, but there was nothing simple about his team: Pumat the Oranguru was a formidable tank; Kiri the Chatot hid some surprising tricks while her gimmick distracted attention; his Gigantimaxing Drednaw, Orly, was fearsome in battle despite a generally friendly disposition; crowd-favorite Essek, the Weavile, was no above using shady tactics where necessary, while Yussa, his Kommo-o tended to rely more on overwhelming power. But a pall hung over the arena as his own Legendary was revealed—what did it mean that he had a Guzzlord, and why was it called ‘The Eyes of Nine’?
…
As the ceremony drew to a close, one man turned away form the large screen outside of the stadium—he’d seen as much as he needed to, what he’d come to see. He looked to his own team of three—found along a path of a life anything but simple: Bloodhunter, the Grimmsnarl whose terrifying appearance belied a selfless heart; the colorful and fun-loving Oricorio, Carnival; and the solemn Chandelure he called Death while still smiling). Mollymauk nodded to the three of them with a friendly wink as they made their way from the stadium.
“Don’t they all look impressive now? Hardly recognize ‘em. Let’s put old Luci down once and for all and heave a heartfelt reunion—Whatdya say?”
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(Also on AO3, with my other fics)
#critical role#critical role fic#cr fic#pokemon crossover#pokemon trainer au#hypothetical pokemon team#Critmas#critmas fic challenge#mighty nein#critical role campaign 2#veth brenatto#nott the brave#caleb widogast#beauregard lionett#jester lavorre#fjord stone#caduceus clay#yasha nydoorin#matt mercer#mollymauk tealeaf#my post#writing challenge
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CritRole Asks
General
1. How did you first discover Critical Role?
Recommended to me by one of my DMs.
2. Do you prefer the livestreams, VODs/posts, or podcasts?
I prefer the VODs because I can pause them.
3. What was the first CR episode you watched/listened to?
Campaign One, Episode One. I believe at starting at the beginning.
4. What episode have you reached in each CR campaign, or how many times have you watched/listened to each campaign?
I am halfway through my first rewatch of Campaign One, but otherwise I am all caught up.
5. What has been your biggest CR binge?
When I first started watching, I watched all of Campaign One in 34 days.
6. Do you play in a D&D campaign inspired by CR or the Tal'Dorei/Wildemount guides?
No, but I am planning to DM one.
7. Do you have any official CR merch?
So many t-shirts, the calendar, the blanket, the CR cap, the Wildmount dice, the VM D20s, and the Whitestone dice.
8. Have you ever been to a CR liveshow?
Nope.
9. Do you participate in any CR fan celebrations (Essek Week, Critmas, etc.)?
I do Critmas on Facebook.
10. Have you ever spotted a fellow Critter out in the wild (via merch, cosplay, etc.)?
Once!! At a local Staples.
11. Have you become friends with any other Critters?
Not because of CR, but I have gotten a bunch of friends into it.
12. Do you watch/listen to CR alone or with others?
I usually watch alone, but my wife listens sometimes.
13. Do you do anything else while watching/listening to CR?
Usually play games on my computer or phone.
14. How do you cope with high tension in CR (stress-snacks, screaming into the chat void, skipping it, etc.)?
I cry to my wife.
15. Are there any loose threads in any campaigns or one-shots/miniseries that you desperately wish would be resolved/addressed?
I want more Cinderbrush. Desperately.
16. Have you picked up any mannerisms/sayings/speech from the CR cast or their characters (the Marisha perch, “toothy maw”, Jester’s accent, etc.)?
I definitely do the stress Okay, Okay, Okay now.
17. Has CR helped you get through any tough times (loss of a loved one, quarantine, etc.)?
When I started I was very depressed and suicidal, but the cliffhangers gave me a (sad) reason to keep going through the worst of it.
18. What life lessons have you learned from CR?
That you should take time to tell your friends that you love them. Always.
Favorites
19. Who’s your favorite CR cast member (Matt, Laura, etc.)?
Taliesin
20. Who’s your favorite CR crew member (Dani, Maxwell, etc.)?
Dani
21. Who’s your favorite CR1 PC?
Percy
22. Who’s your favorite CR2 PC?
Beau
23. Who’s your favorite CR1 NPC?
Kima
24. Who’s your favorite CR2 NPC?
Marion
25. Who’s your favorite CR1 villain?
Ripley
26. Who’s your favorite CR2 villain?
Isharnai
27. What’s your favorite “How do you want to do this?” moment?
Vex vs. Delilah Briarwood
28. What’s the most satisfying CR enemy defeat/death?
Definitely the Briarwoods
29. What’s the most devastating CR PC defeat/death?
When Vex died and Vax traded his life for hers.
30. What’s your favorite CR romantic/sexual relationship?
Vax and Keyleth. Doomed romance does it for me.
31. What’s your favorite CR platonic/friendly relationship?
Keyleth and Percy
32. What’s your favorite CR rivalry?
Grog and Lionel
33. What’s your favorite CR familial (sibling, parent/child, etc.) relationship?
Vex and Vax. Hands down.
34. What’s your favorite CR downtime episode/scene?
Dalen’s Closet.
35. What’s your favorite CR fight?
Chroma Conclave.
36. What’s your favorite CR group/organization (Darrington Brigade, Cerberus Assembly, etc.)?
Slayer’s Take.
37. What’s your favorite CR magic item?
Fenthras
38. What’s your favorite CR homebrew spell/reflavor (Wristpocket, Fortune’s Favor, Cat’s Ire, etc.)?
Transmogrification
39. What’s the coolest CR sound effect (the cork pop, monster sounds, etc.)?
Anything that makes Travis hide in his shirt.
40. What’s your favorite CR quote?
“You were not born with venom in your veins, you learned it.”
41. Who are all your favorite active Critters (artists, writers/meta analysts, cosplayers, gif makers, memers, livebloggers, community organizers, timestamp posters, stat trackers, etc.)?
GalacticJonah and GinnyDi are high on the list.
42. What’s your favorite critrolestats statistic or other lore/fun fact?
Kiri Immitations
43. What’s your favorite Sam ad?
Hack the Planet
44. What’s your favorite CR one-shot or miniseries (Honey Heist, Cinderbrush, etc.)?
Grog’s One Shot.
45. What’s your favorite non-campaign CR content (All Work No Play, Handbooker Helper, etc.)?
All Work No Play
46. What’s your favorite CR location (Vasselheim, the Lavish Chateau, etc.)?
The BallEater
47. Who’s your favorite CR companion (Doty, Frumpkin, etc.)?
Trinket
48. What’s your favorite CR signature move (Bigby’s Hand, pop pop, etc.)?
I Would Like to Rage
49. What’s your favorite CR motif (chest stabs, seducing shopkeepers, etc.)?
Doors and Chairs
50. What CR backstory/arc/moment resonates with you the most?
Jester’s desperate attempt to connect with her absentee father.
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The Swamp Man’s Ornament
Juniper’s house is bustling this winter season. Granted, it is rarely quiet any time of the year, but this winter seems to have brought every friend she knows to her home. This included the ridiculously tall, moss-covered Swamp Man, who I at first mistaken for the Druid of the Fen. Reserved, he remains more an ornament than a conversation partner when compared to the ever chatty changelings, dryads, and spirits who lounge around the place.
#dice#Dungeons and Dragons#dnd#d20#ttrpg#tabletop gaming#geeky christmas#dnd dice#dice ornament#Rogue's Bazaar#Pathfinder RPG#green#The People of the Green#dnd ornament#DnD Christmas#25 days of critmas#critmas
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The Star Watcher’s Tassel
They say more stars fall in the winter than any other time of year. As for the reason why... I do not know myself. But the one who told me this, the Star Watcher, is nearly as knowledgeable as the Astronomer when it comes to the matters and machinations of space. So I trust his opinion on it. Actually, it's getting to be the time of year when he arrives in town. Every winter, the Astronomer hosts him and the other members of the Celestial Observers in her observatory. Perhaps I'll try to sneak in to see what new discoveries they have made about the great beyond.
#dice#dungeons & dragons#dnd#ttrpg#d20#Pathfinder RPG#dice ornament#dice tassel#Tabletop Games#blue and gold#beaded tassel#handmade tassel#dnd dice#25 days of critmas#critmas#DnD Christmas#The Celestial Observers#Rogue's Bazaar
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The Noble Tailor’s Tote
Once a darling of the Lendwall social scene, he has since had a minor fall from grace and found himself shacked up in town for the winter. A talented seamster in his own right, the Noble Tailor has barely grown accustomed to the odd interactions of the local clothing makers. He still asks for the fine silks and satins found at the grand markets of his home city. Unfortunately for him, while they can be found, they are barely in demand as the local textiles of Faireweave and Greencloth remain town favorites. These versatile fabrics are considered harsh by the aristocracy but are a God sent to any traveler, worker, or adventurer.
#dice bag#Dungeons and Dragons#dnd#dice#ttrpg#Pathfinder RPG#Tabletop Games#dnd dice#d20#25 days of critmas#critmas#blue and gold#patchwork bag#Rogue's Bazaar#Artisans of Hitching-Post#drawstring bag#tabletop gaming
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The Winter Seamstress’ Pocket
Hidden by the mound of furs, the Seamstress waddled in today in hopes of finding more to add to her pile. While I don't often trade in raw goods, I scavenged one or two things from the back basket I store unused goods in. Most of them were from odd animals like furred lizards and birds that customers would bring in to trade for items. Throwing them on top of her pile, I couldn't help but ask her reason for the collection. According to her, the dead were cold this season, and with the help of her siblings, they planned to make new funerary clothes for the residents of the graveyard. Honestly, I kind of wish I didn't ask.
#dice bag#dungeons & dragons#dnd#dice#ttrpg#tabletop gaming#Pathfinder RPG#critmas#Zippered Dice Bag#25 days of critmas#The seamstress#Rogue's Bazaar#d20#dnd dice#blue and white
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The Hive Keeper’s Ornament
Honeyed fruit, honeyed ale, honeyed wine, honeyed meat… if they can pair it with the sweet sticky substance, the Hive Keeper will pair it. Not that I am one to complain. Their culinary misadventures are a staple of the wintertime.
#dice#dnd#dungeons & dragons#d20#tabletop gaming#ttrpg#dice ornament#Rogue's Bazaar#25 days of critmas#dnd dice#black and yellow#christmas ornament
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The Candy Maker’s Ornament
A prodigy in the arts of sweet making, the Candy Maker gained fame for the glass-like candy sculpture commissioned for the Lord of Cape Nest's fiftieth birthday. A construction marvel that could have gotten her residence in any noble kitchen. Yet, she instead took to a small shop on the west end of the food district. A humble affair with barely enough room for ten guests inside, she makes it even more cramped by filling the space top to bottom with all sorts of unique, tasty treats. Even so, she still attracts visitors from all over who will happily wait outside the shop on a busy day.
#dice#dungeons & dragons#dnd#d20#ttrpg#tabletop gaming#Pathfinder RPG#dnd dice#dice ornament#christmas ornament#DnD Christmas#critmas#25 days of critmas#Rogue's Bazaar#The Shop Keepers of Hitching-Post#ttrpg dice#pink dice
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The Space Dragon Pouch
Dark gray scales blended with the night as a creature slid from the sky into the shadows of the alley. I had thought it merely a trick of the eye until the Naturalist rushed out beside me. His eyes alight, he disappeared before I could catch him on this cold winter night. Not a fool, I waited for his return with a hot kettle. Only for him to have found a small, winged lizard along the way back. He then told me the most ridiculous thing, that the creature was, in fact, a dragon. If that thing was a dragon, then my freeloading lizard was a reptile.
#dice bag#dnd#dice#Dungeons and Dragons#ttrpg#pathfinder#tabletop gaming#dragon#dragon bag#d20#dnd dice#Rogue's Bazaar#ttrpg dice#space dragon#space aesthetic#the Naturalist#Creatures of the World#critmas#25 days of critmas#will I ever post not 10 minutes before midnight?#I think not! lol
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The Sun Aspect’s Ornament
The temple bells rang louder than ever before tonight as the local Temple of the Sun welcomed an unusual guest. I had heard rumors that an Aspect was coming to our small town, but never would I have believed it was true. After all, these religious linchpins rarely leave their respective capital monasteries. Yet I saw it with my own eyes, the long procession of believers heading towards the temple district. Though I am far from a follower of the Sky Lord's ways, I can't help but recognize the power that comes with reaching such a station within the Order. Perhaps I will get a story or two out of their zealous entourage.
#dice#dungeons & dragons#dnd#d20#ttrpg#Pathfinder RPG#tabletop rpg#tabletop gaming#dnd dice#Rogue's Bazaar#christmas ornament#DnD Christmas#dice ornament#Order of the Sun#Followers of the Sky Lord#yellow and beige#critmas#25 days of critmas
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The Sugar Sprite’s Ornament
A spirit of the sweets shop, this little pixie is far more trouble than good. With a habit for tipping frosting bowls and spilling chocolate, she often causes headaches for the far over worked Candymaker. Yet the confectioner keeps the mischievous thing around as she can be an irreplaceable member of the team when she’s not causing havoc.
#dice#dungeons & dragons#dnd#tabletop gaming#d20#dnd dice#ttrpg#Pathfinder RPG#geeky christmas#dice ornament#christmas ornament#pink and purple#25 days of critmas#critmas#Rogue's Bazaar#The Sugar Sprite
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The Gift Giver’s Ornament
A childhood favorite of mine, I used to know all the Gift Giver's tales by heart. I remember sneaking into the Tomekeeper's library to steal glances at the story book's old cracking pages and even tried a few times to steal it. Though that never worked out. While Aurea's winter myths vary significantly from that of my homeland, they share one commonality in this gift-giving spirit. A mischievous traveler who delivers presents to the good folk while bringing disaster to the bad. They are often accompanied by a two-headed snake in the early stories I learned. Yet I heard around town that their companion is actually a small, winged bear that sleeps under their cap.
#dice#dungeons & dragons#dnd#d20#ttrpg#tabletop gaming#Pathfinder RPG#dnd dice#Rogue's Bazaar#critmas#25 days of critmas#Winter Spirits#christmas ornament#DnD Christmas#dice ornament
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The Spirit Conjurer’s Ornament
A practiced hand at the art of spirit summoning, the Spirit Conjurer is rarely without a sprite or two on her. Like most who find their way to Hitching-Post, she is a traveler, bring her musical show of spirits around the continent to amuse children and intrigue adults. Though this winter, she has found herself settled in town as the roads have been near inhospitable to all but the most hardened of individuals. Not that the town minds, as her performances are a constant source of light-heartedness during this abnormally dark winter.
#dice#dungeons & dragons#dnd#ttrpg#d20#Pathfinder RPG#dice ornament#critmas#tabletop gaming#Tabletop RPG#dnd dice#25 days of critmas#Rogue's Bazaar#Traveling Mages#last minute squeeze in before midnight
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The Sun Burst Ornament
Even in the dead of winter, Hitching-Post remains a pleasant stop for many a traveler. While the snow still lays thick upon the ground, the sun provides more warmth than even the well tended fires of the tavern. However, the other day the oddest thing happened. I stepped out for a moment and found that the sun seemed to have exploded. As unbelievable as that sounds, it’s the only way I can describe it. Perhaps it was one of those signs the Order of the Sun has been looking for. I hope not. There’s enough trouble around as it is, don’t need that old feud to kick up as well.
#dice#dungeons & dragons#dnd#ttrpg#d20#Pathfinder RPG#dice ornament#dnd dice#Rogue's Bazaar#christmas ornament#DnD Christmas#geeky christmas#25 days of critmas#critmas
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