#I MEAN THIS WITH GREAT LOVE FOR BOTH OF THEM AND THEIR DYNAMIC no veth hate here i stg | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sky-scribbles · 3 years

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i'm sliding in to say that you're probably one of my favorite writers in the CR fandom, and your nuanced handle on characterization lives rent free in my head at least once a week. Your characterization of Verin in weight of family pull of gravity is one of my cornerstones for how I understand him, how to struggle gracefully both served as a major jumping off point for how I write Deirta, as well as wowed me with how you managed to both accurately validate Veth's fury with Essek and still manage to get her to tentatively forgive Essek in a way that didn't feel too easy or not true to her. your whole series is fantastic, i return to it any time i need Essek inspiration, but thousand miles through the desert repenting is probably my favorite, just because I love that you give Essek the love and sympathy he deserves without letting him off from the consequences of his actions, and that those consequences are more external than just the Mighty Nein's displeasure. The sheer brilliance of having Essek interact with Bryce, and Bryce reminding him of Verin? Chef's kiss. I've actually wanted to pick your brain about Essek for awhile now, but I'm a bit shy on the outreach and don't know what your policy is on DMing you on tumblr messenger or the like.

I've read this through three times now and I cannot stop smiling, thank you so so much! I'm having a bit of a Time right now thanks to some health problems that make it pretty hard for me to write, and it's such a great boost to know that the stuff I've put out there has an impact on people :') Honestly there's a big part of me that would love to write the Thelyss family fics again knowing what we do now about Verin... I wonder how much of the himbo persona is his own defence mechanism? Be likeable and appear harmless so that no one has any problems with him? And obviously I'd write the sibling dynamic very differently now - but I still had a blast exploring it and I'm so glad you enjoyed it too! (I'll also admit that my past version of Deirta is... not necessarily the version I would write now, I think I'd try to scale back the harshness and focus more on the distance between Umavi and new soul, the enormous disconnect of opinions and states of mind between a 1000+ years-old mother and this 120-year-old child. How could there ever be an understanding there, when Deirta's probably carrying all the same views and feeling she's had for centuries? @essektheylyss has a very good take on this here which is great Food for Thought on Den Thelyss stuff and which I highly recommend! ...But I was Processing some stuff at the time, and while those fics aren't the stories I'd write now, they are the stories I needed to write then, and I'm really happy they could resonate with you too <3) Honestly I was just delighted to find a way to work Bryce into the fics, I love them with my whole heart. Anyway, thank you again for such a lovely message -this all means so so much to me and I'm very honoured :') Plase do feel free to message any time if you want to talk about the floaty boi, though advance warning that thanks to the aforementioned health problem, I may be quite slow to reply. Most of the limited time I can spend at my laptop goes into doing essential Life Stuff or to writing the Aeor Fic right now, but I promise I'll get back to you when I can! <3

#i do hope this is ok to reply to publicly #lmk if not and i'll take it down!#tysm once again I really needed this rn <3 #artemisrockatansky #critical role

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violet-t-9 · 3 years

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Check in on my (not very realistic) wish list for episode 136

1. The M9 eventually find a way to catch up with Lucien and Cree (or even get in front of them) before they are able to go to the astral sea AND at least start the combat please and thanks (Bonus: Cree gets a wild magic effect that gives M9 some advantage or laughs).

OH NO an intuit charge they were ambushed! The TT were way ahead of them... They caught up though! Lucian and Cree are still there... oops never mind they got ahead AGAIN, no TT combat today. Well, astral sea here we come!

2. Caleb and Beau’s eyes come into play at some point but are helpful to them instead of being used against them (look, let me try to be optimistic).

They have true sight! They can communicate telepathically to ANYONE! Hey, at least they gained some magical abilities and SOME sort of profit from all that anxiety. The eyes were still used against them to sense their presence.

3. Some long one-on-one conversations between any characters please, I need the RP experience! Any two of them would have a great dynamic.

Welp, I mean, combat time! Combat is also good, who needs RP anyways :(

4. More wild magic effects from casting in Aeor! Jester, Essek, Caduceus, Veth I’m looking at y’all. Caleb and Fjord already had their fun, but I won’t say no to more. (Bonus: the effects are harmless and fun ones like how they have been).

Oh no Veth... Is tiny... At least it didn’t cost any hit points? CALEB IS A SHEEP THAT WALKED INTO THE PORTAL LMAO. That was one of the wild magic effects that I wanted to see the most and it was as funny as possible.

5. Even more Aeorian ruin exploration and finding clues that may help them with the city business, but no more side combats before getting to the TT.

Caleb rolled 31 arcana on the runic circle wow transmutation + dunamancy! Temporal alteration! 31 on investigation too wow Caleb, “primal artifact”? TIME TRAVEL?? So that’s why it’s called the Temporal Dock! Also, wow, they actually did not enter any other side combats before TT, using stealth and magic. They were forced into a side combat after getting to them though.

6. Beau and Yasha continue with their PDA AND have a private moment together (let’s hope for both, because why not).

“Yasha your hair looks really great” lol Beau is not wasting any time is she. Yasha’s defensive “she’s wonderful” was ooc but cute lol. “Anything for my princess” lmao stop you guys. No private moment, but close enough.

7. Jester and Fjord heal each other at some point OR have more physical contact (they were so cute last episode).

Jester healed Fjord! I’m sad it had to happen but it was a good heal too. Jester also picked up the paralyzed Fjord after the intuit charges!

8. Continuing to hope for Essek’s fancy dunamantic spells OR magical items (I felt Caleb so hard last episode, I too am attracted to power and skills).

Purple sparkling dunamancy fly wings oh YEAH. Thanks for maintaining concentration on Cad you beautiful war caster you.

9. Veth and Fjord diss each other at some point OR exhibit support for each other, I love their love-hate relationship.

“Fjord can shape water... yes you can, you got it” lol Also the discussion about Veth preparing featherfall and Fjord’s “yes thank you Veth”. The “marine layer” argument lol - sounded both supportive and like a diss.

10. Continuing to hope for Caleb to polymorph into anything really, or using polymorph on any party member (polymorph! Caleb interactions my beloved, this is just going to be a permanent feature on my wish list now).

Intelligence 2 SHEEPLEB MY BELOVED BWAHAHAHAHAH I love this so much. It’s not exactly polymorph, but he is a sheep guys, that counts.

11. Mention of Davexian/Charlie at some point in time (bonus: Veth does it).

Lmao Beau mentioned Davexian right away, and Veth gave a reaction right away. I did not expect a mention so soon but here we are.

12. Jester continuing to be the braincell holder of the team and keeps everybody on task (go queen I love you).

YEAH go get that natural 20 Jester! Keep track of what floor it is! She also urges them to keep moving.

13. Essek and Caleb have more of their deep wizard conversations and interactions OR be impressed by each other at some point (Bonus: another party member mentions/addresses whatever they’ve got going on).

YES wow the temporal dock scene. Also Jester thanks for the mention lol. “It’s complicated” sounds about right.

14. Cad attempting to speak with the dead on the remaining TT members (there are still Otis and Zoran) and learning some useful information.

Well... it’s kind of too late for that.

15. Jester sees Artagan again and we finally find out what Caleb was seeing during that commune and that scry (I need answers please! Don’t try to distract me with everything else going on, I won’t fall for it).

IT WAS TRUE SIGHT? It was true sight and Beau was just not close enough! Sprinkle whispering in Jester’s ear?? Someone’s theory I saw here was true good for you! Arty has been sprinkle all along that’s why sprinkle is alive.

16. More discussion about dunamancy in Aeor and the Luxon (I’d love to know how Essek is feeling about their discovery and get his thoughts on it).

Well... time travel magic circles are certainly dunamancy. Essek is as excited as you would expect him to be - very.

17. A successful divine intervention from either cleric! (Bonus: that allows them to stop the TT)

Nope, but it may happen next week? Maybe?

18. Heroes’ feast and we learn more about the food/drink preferences or other fun facts from everybody (Bonus: great roll on the HP boon from the feast).

Welp well they ain’t gonna get that one extra hour.

19. I know they are not gonna see the tower but I still kinda want to see Essek’s room look it’s going to stay on this wish list until it happens.

Yeah I mean I didn’t really expect this to come true any time soon.

20. Somebody pushes a red button, again (Bonus: it’s someone we don’t expect to push the button).

I mean, Beau went underwater to grab the magical potions, that was kinda button-pushing, but it’s to be expected. She is an expositor! She investigates!

21. Cad continuing to be a MVP in combat as always OR have an amazing non-combat idea/discovery.

Cad got Yasha up as soon as she was down! ALSO that shield of retribution force damage was AWESOME. The invisibility was so smart!

22. You know the drill by now - everyone remains relatively happy and alive by the end of the episode except Lucien and Cree (they can perish), and the episode ends on a terrifying cliffhanger as always (Bonus: they end up in the Astral Sea and that’s where we finish the episode).

Wow that bonus part is a PERFECT PREDICTION if I do say so myself. I knew that getting into the Astral Sea would be a good cliffhanger. I’m figuring it out guys.

Seriously though please stay safe and alive M9 (and yes Essek is included) that’s all I want.

Nobody has been dead so far, so I’m as happy as I can be!

Score: 16/22

Other highlights:

Their exploration last episode paid off with the teal keycard! I knew it even distractions can be helpful!

Essek rolled a 30! On stealth! WOO his first great roll probably, Matt sounded so proud of him too. Also that clutch war caster concentration save too, he is finally rolling better (well, slightly).

Caleb’s decisive wall of force and two correct-level dispel magic saved everybody twice, competent as always. I love him so much (also, sheepleb my beloved).

NICE SAVE VETH THANK YOU omg what a queen with the mage hand, truly a 2000 IQ move made by a genius. Jester is safe I’m so happy!!

Wow, what an episode! As always, CR cast gave me such a wonderful night of tension, humour, action and intrigue. I am so happy and thankful that I get to witness this story unfold! I cannot wait for next Thursday, already. I am nervous about their astral sea journey, but I trust in the cast and they will always deliver a great story.

(Plus, maybe they can actually save Yussa now, pretty please?) :D

#cr spoilers #critical role spoilers #critical role #c2e136 #cr liveblog #the mighty nein #campaign 2 #manifest list

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postdivergence · 3 years

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From both campaigns, what are some of your favourite moments so far in critical role?

oh man, this is such a tough question! i'm gonna try to avoid some of the more obvious answers, even though those are very close to my heart (including scanlan leaving/tary joining, veth’s transformation, refjorged).

liam o’brien talks to important female character in his life being edged out by a romantic relationship, exhibit #1: the entirety of this conversation between vex and vax in c1e72, where vax encourages his sister to pursue a romantic relationship with percy. i can’t choose a favorite part here. i love how it illustrates the differences between them, vex deflecting and vax being very honest about how much he loves her and wants her to have a life that doesn’t involve him (foreshadowing!). my other favorite part of this is the peanut gallery of taliesin and marisha barely keeping it together through, “i’ve got you, though... when you’re not with keyleth,” and “he’s [percy’s] a little fucked up.”

all fjord and nott/veth moments: this is more about travis and sam keying into a very funny dynamic early in the campaign, when fjord is especially insecure and cares a lot about how people perceive him, while veth gets to be nott, the little goblin girl who can be weird and irresponsible. i love how quickly sam picks up on fjord’s veneer in order to antagonize it, and travis, a good sport who excels at playing up his characters’ pride for a joke, makes this a fantastic improv dynamic.

the mighty nein get banned from every archive in wildemount: criminally underrated

kerr’s letter to keyleth: it was so satisfying as a viewer to have someone finally understand keyleth, and so beautifully, too. after they defeat vorugal, there’s a scene where keyleth makes a point to revitalize the farmland that was frozen over, and it’s such a wonderful juxtaposition of elemental destruction and plant growth as a form of repair that encapsulates her character

liam o’brien talks about important female character in life being edged out by romantic relationship, exhibit #2: i will never be over caleb’s relationship with nott and how it changes with the revelation that she’s veth. so much of their intimacy was forged in a time that was very not good for them, but now that they’re in a better place emotionally, mentally, socially, it also means that this relationship between early campaign!nott/caleb doesn’t exist in the same way, because the poles of this axis are now very different. as viewers, too, we feel this nostalgia/longing (even when it’s followed by growth and new, exciting content!) for a particular arc/dynamic in a show that’s not going to come back. but we also recognize that if we hadn’t moved past it, we wouldn’t have all the great developments we have now. this is all a very long way to say that i’m compelled by how change and growth can be a catalyst for romantic convergence (most of the ships in c1 and c2), but it can also set people who were once close on diverging paths (vax and vex, caleb and veth). it can be lovely and bittersweet and tragic and i think this was supposed to be about a specific moment oops

#thank you for the ask! there’s way more but these are some of the first that came to mind #ask #critical role

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grayintogreen · 3 years

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Tomb Taker and Mighty Nein exchange program. One of the Nein with the entire Tomb Takers while the rest do other things. Keeping a sending between the two in case they either need help or to make sure the Tomb Takers don't just... eliminate the exchange Nein. They keep swapping out people from the Nein. Just interesting how each of the Nein may fit in with the Tomb Takers. Probably post Nonogon? Or no Nonogon. Though Nonogon Lucien could also be interesting.

This is absolutely gonna awaken something in me. I can already see the plot forming. /gently pushes it aside that plot is irrelevant to this ask.

OKAY. I'm gonna start with who will ruin the feng shui of the Tombtakers up to who would actually mesh well. And this is mainly specific to combat.

Veth: Obviously the worst choice. Veth is a one-woman wrecking ball out to kill Otis, will not hesitate to bully you with passive aggressive Mom Shit (Veth my beloved), and her skillset ends up overlapping a lot with Tyffial and Otis- Tyffial is a rogue and an alchemist and Otis is a crossbow-wielding magic user. All in all, I can't see her offering anything to the dynamic but chaos and misery.

Which if the goal is to torture them, then yeah definitely send Veth. She will absolutely ruin their day, and I love that for her.

Yasha: The group has a lot of melee fighters already and while Yasha has some really great utility, she doesn't offer a whole lot that would let her flex or support beyond healing hands, which can definitely help a bunch of bleeding Blood Hunters in a pinch. Also Sentinel, since the Tombtakers DO have a lot of people who can keep enemies from moving out of range.

Ultimately, though, she wouldn't add a lot to the overall sense of strategy and also being around Lucien and fighting with him probably makes her miss Molly. Also poor Yasha is socially awkward, though I bet she and Zoran could share recipes. He might add some bugs to his weird stew.

Jester: Jester is only down here for COMBAT, not for anything else. For just presence, she'd be number one, hands down. Let Jester Lavorre terrorize the Tombtakers and make them love her. Like it's absolutely easy mode that she'd be a good fit for hanging out with him.

But combat-wise, Jester has a lot of useful spells and is an extra healer, but when compared to my top four choices, she falls just short.

Beau: Beau was a hard placement- she's another fighter, but her fighting style is different. Stunning Strike means that every single time she stuns an enemy, all the little melee fighters can get in there and whip the SHIT out of this person with advantage- something the Nein don't get as often because there's only two melee fighters besides her and Fjord doesn't always do melee. If Beau rolled high init and stunned one enemy per round, the chances that between the damage she deals, and then what Lucien, Zoran, or Tyffial (who would get sneak attack) would deal might down every single one one round after another are VERY HIGH. Beau is only in fourth place because she's another melee fighter and what the Tombtakers need are more support casters.

And also Beau and Lucien knock heads, which is absolutely worth it. I could see her being super intrigued by Tyffial though. Also high wisdom which the 'Takers NEED. Cree is holding the only damn brain cell in that category.

Caduceus: Cad and Cree have wildly different cleric-ing styles and also religious beliefs and Cad almost went below Beau for that alone, but his super high wisdom beats out Beau's abrasiveness.

Cad would free up Cree to use more buffs and vice versa. They would basically run the gamut of buffing/debuffing allies/enemies in tandem while keeping everyone up (and Cad's Channel Divinities are fucking CLUTCH on Bloodhunters) and trust me I have THOUGHT about these two strategically a lot. Their domains and channel divinities and their spell economy differ so much and complement each other that it would be MERCILESS to have both of them on the field.

Also seriously, the Tombtakers need tea and chill. Cree alone could definitely use a nice cup of sleepy tea and conversation that isn't filled with insanity.

Fjord: Fjord and Otis have RADICALLY different interpretations of warlock, plus he's a paladin, plus Fjord is fucking jacked on utility. There's honestly no team that could not benefit from Fjord's kit. Add his charisma and natural leadership and I feel like Lucien would lose the damn Tombtakers to him in a goddamn instant. The only reason he's second and not first is BECAUSE his charisma and the fact that he and Lucien are two sides of the same damn coin are likely to clash and lead to some tactical showboating that Lucien will 100% lose and might fuck up a fight.

Caleb: I have talked about Caleb and the Tombtakers. The Tombtakers NEED A WIZARD, GODDAMMIT. They have no AoE spells, no exit strategies... Yeah, they're living that hard Vox Machina Life but at least VM had a fucking druid. Also I feel like Caleb being a little dark and twisted at times lends itself to dealing with them better, on top of Lucien being clearly attracted to him. I'm not biased here, though.

No but seriously, get these assholes a wizard they won't kill.

#my asks

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redjennies · 4 years

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Honestly I can get turned off a ship pretty quickly if one of the characters doesn't respect another character's friends or friendships. Like, Beau's attitude toward the Traveller really put a damper on any "oh that's cute maybe" feelings I had about BeauJes. Although I get where Beau's coming from and I'm a multishipper and it didn't turn me off entirely, it was still a :/ moment, and part of why I personally prefer her dynamic with Yasha.

I don't wanna get too into b/j specifically bc I'm honestly sick of b/y vs. b/j. it's a boring topic and I'm over it, but yeah, I know what you're talking about. I love Beau and Jester's friendship so much and honestly there's some really cute b/j fic and art out there, but idk, they've both had some moments that have turned me off of the ship in canon, but that's just me.

idk, I see a lot of ships in the fandom (and across many fandoms) do this shit where friendships are downplayed or sometimes downright demonized in order to make arguments for romantic relationships. like honestly I've started to see some B/Ys lean into this mentality as part of the backlash against the idea "that there's nothing substantial between Beau and Yasha" and rush headfirst into "Yasha/Beau is the only person who cares about Beau/Yasha" territory and I'm just like ew gross. what a horrible opinion. why would you even want that to be true? I think Beau and Yasha have an amazing bond and understand each other in a unique way that makes for a great foundation of a relationship, but I truly cannot relate to thinking their friends don't actually care about them. like 0/10. would not recommend.

anyway, since this topic got away from me. full disclosure: I was actually vaguing about some bad w/j opinions that keep floating through my radar because I swear to God if I see one more post insisting Caleb is the only person who respects Jester when Veth and Yasha are right there I'm going to lose my actual human mind. just say you think Fjord and Beau don't respect Jester (I mean you're wrong and they do), but for the love of Christ, leave Veth and Yasha out of it.

#the drama #not really but that's my negativity tag #and im sticking with it #asks

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jonthethinker · 4 years

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Together Or Alone?

Since I finally have a few days off work, I want to get weird and really dig deep into why I personally enjoy the Mighty Nein and its particular breed of found family so much, and why the dynamics between its members are so satisfying for my heart in particular. Let’s get unnecessarily deep, shall we?

You may not completely understand why I think this would be weird, but you’ll understand fairly quickly as I get started.

I’ve been on a sort of spiritual journey, in a way, over the course of this most eventful year. A small part of me feels bad that while so much suffering is going on, and so much of the world feels like it’s falling apart, I’ve been making positive strides in determining my place in the grand scheme of things. But a larger part of me is just really grateful to finally find a bit of internal peace after years of not having it, of finally having some bit of quiet in a mind that’s never been able to still itself long enough for any such thing.

I haven’t exactly found religion, but I have given more shape to how I best want to imagine our universe and my humble place in it, and I’ve finally started asking the right questions.

One of those questions stands above the rest, and it’s the question I’ve decided the Universe Itself is asking; Together or Alone?

I started seeing attempted answers to this question everywhere. In the universe bursting outward, yet huge masses of it clinging together to form all we know and can perceive. I see it in wondrous solar systems forming and spinning in a rippled field of mutually affected gravity; and I see it in the black holes that can form, and tear and pull all that beauty into nothing. I see it in incredible ecosystems where the life and the land combine to form what feels like its own organism, larger than just the sum of its parts; and I see it in the environmental devastation caused by our own actions, killing that organism, and in turn doing irreparable damage to the very spirit of our world.

I see it in humanity’s natural inclination for cooperation and concern for others; and I see it also in our inclination to be blinded by power and in that blindness, inflicting unspeakable harm on each other in order to hold onto that power. I see it in our bodies, organs one by one relying on each other in a perfect act of faith to form something greater than a liver or heart or brain could ever be on their own; and I see it in cancer, single-minded in its pursuit of self-replication by all means, all memory of belonging to something greater stricken from its damaged DNA. I see it in basic elemental particles, most of them ready and able for their eventual combination with other particles to build wonderful compounds with entirely new properties, adding untold dimensions of complexity to how our world works; and I see it in those small rogue particles the neutrinos, that can shoot off from a star for eons without interacting with a single thing.

The question and its many answers, and the dialectical relationships those answers have, are what I feel can really undergird all of our interactions with each other, all progress and all regress, all friendships and all rivalries. It’s there in all our stories and all art we create; Together or Alone? What’s your answer?

For me, the answer that felt like it escaped the singing lips of an angel, was, “Of course, together. Always together.”

It shapes my politics heavily. I’m a lefty, but its not just because I believe we’re all equal as individuals; it’s because I believe we are all a part of the same thing. We are all a part of that same great organism, that same great body. The Universe. God. Whatever you want to call it, though it needs no name. We are in this together because we are one thing from many different things, whether we like it or not.

But I’m not just blindly optimistic about this. I don’t think it works like this all on its own. It takes work and time. It took billions of years for solar systems to form. For single-cell organisms to band together into colonies and then evolve into multi-cell organisms. It took a while longer for creatures to stick together as families, for the mutual dependencies of ecosystems to form, and even longer for the first tribes and societies to form. It took time, and an incredible amount of energy and effort, and so much failure. We’ve hurt each other so much, that’s true. But it’s only by coming together that we’ve ever been able create anything new, anything Good.

The universe has a bias towards entropy; things tend to fall away and apart. So there’s a beauty in the struggle for togetherness. I’d argue that it’s the only source of beauty in the first place; the unity of forces interacting. The quest for togetherness gives my life meaning, drive, and purpose. And for someone who’s struggled with depression for so long, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have purpose, especially for something bigger than me.

And by this point, you’re probably wondering when I’m going to stop sermonizing and actually talk about Critical Role. so here we go.

The individual members of the Mighty Nein are some deeply flawed and deeply troubled people, at least when we first met them. Some of them have done awful things, sometimes against their will. They’ve all been the victims of powers much greater than themselves, and as a result, have been left feeling frayed at the edges. They’ve all had hurts and been shaped by those hurts; whether it was loneliness, unfair expectations, or just being unfortunate enough to be different in all the wrong ways. Damaged is a word that carries unfortunate implications, as does broken; but it’s undeniable that you’ve got seven people who have all felt like Sisyphus when the boulder rolls back down the hill.

Some have taken this fate better than others, but it’s undeniable that these people have suffered, and in that suffering, gained nothing.

But then they met each other.

It wasn’t all roses from the get-go. You throw these people with underdeveloped social skills and an untold amounts of personal baggage, and you’ve got yourself some friction to say the least. But when they all met each other, they had nothing but their bodies and their hurts. They were total equals. Even when the Mighty Drei met Caduceus, they had just felt like they lost everything, and they were meeting someone who had no one. They all started together at their foundations, and over time, built something I think is truly beautiful.

This process hasn’t been perfect. Beau, for instance, can still be totally rude and abrasive to strangers and outsiders (and I love that about her), and still has a hard time swallowing her pride long enough to ask for help. Caleb is very much struggling with his trauma, and that path is never a straight line of progress for anyone. Jester for the longest time still didn’t really want to feel any negative emotions around the others, and her own pride has gotten in the way of owning up to how new she is to all this. Yasha bears a great deal of guilt for a great many things, and while she’s making strides, it’s still left its mark on her. Veth has come so far, but doesn’t know how to reconcile the contradictions between the two lives she wants as both a mother and an adventurer. Fjord has a deep desire for answers, answers that may open up a lot of wounds that have started to heal in the Mighty Nein’s care. And Caduceus refuses to share his troubles, his doubts about how much his time with Nein has fundamentally changed him from the boy his family knew all those years ago.

That’s a lot of hurt, and some of it will never go away completely. But it’s like how our bodies have all of these vestigial functions that no longer serve any purpose to it, and make our daily lives in office chairs or standing in one place all day harmful to our health. Or like ancient seas whose waters are long since gone, but have left their undeniable mark in the shapes of canyons and mesas, in the colorful layers of sedimentary rock they leave behind. The past is an unavoidable factor in how everything in the universe gets to take shape, but the present finds a way to adapt. And we people get to choose how to adapt. And the Mighty Nein chose caring about each other as their method of adaptation.

And the thing of it is, I don’t think its just having people finally caring about them that has allowed them to come as far as they have. I think it’s also the act of caring, the act of serving others, considering how the path you wish to take will affect someone else, that has really pushed them to this great place we currently find them in. I truly think there something inside of us that wants to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and that in the moments we feel emptiest it isn’t because of what we lack on the inside but the connections we lack on the outside, and it’s the systems we inhabit that make us think otherwise. I see this so clearly in the Mighty Nein. If left all on their own, in the cruel worlds we first found them in and have learned they came from, I see seven people going on seven unique paths of self-destruction; but together, they can build something greater than themselves, that thing being the Mighty Nein.

I really do think the Mighty Nein is like its own entity. They are something totally different when they are together, like seven different elements that came together to form a compound with entirely different characteristics. It’s why the work so smoothly together in combat. Why, when the pressure is on, they tend to work as a relatively well-oiled machine. Why they hurt so much less when they are with each other. It’s like up-scaling from an atom to a cell, a cell to an animal, an animal to an ecosystem.

This togetherness is why I love the Nein so damn much. It’s reaffirming at a deep level for me. The story that they are telling, and the one forming without their active intention even being involved, is a wonderful thing. Stories about togetherness are my bread and butter; it’s why I’m a sucker for a good romance or found-family narrative, because I love it when people come together to make something more than them, making one plus one equal three. There’s nothing quite like it. And Critical Role has it in spades.

And it’s not all about the depth of answering some spiritual question. I enjoy the potty humor and the eight people just trying to fuck with each other and make each other laugh. I enjoy the silliness and joy and endless pop culture references. But also the act of eight friends coming together to make a show where they create a beautiful, silly, heartfelt story together has its own sort of spiritual resonance with me.

I also want to establish that I understand that this is a company selling an entertainment experience to me. They aren’t just doing this in the spirit of togetherness, they are doing this to strengthen their careers and incomes. I get that. But in the end, it’s all a part of the dialectic. It’s all motivation for me to continue working towards building a world where people can make wonderful art like this without worrying about building a career out of it or paying the bills. It reminds me of how much work there is to be done, but also of all the work that’s already been done.

Critical Role has its flaws, but it is a wonderful thing and I’m happier everyday I’m reminded it exists. The Mighty Nein are probably my favorite found family ever, and lately, a very powerful affirmation for my own journey. I do wonder if anyone else has had similar experiences, with this artwork or others like it. If so, I’d love for you to share them with me.

#critical role #The Mighty Nein #a bit personal #a bit philosophical #but if you want a deep dive into how someone thinks about things #this might be your jam #long post

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violet-t-9 · 3 years

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Check in on my (not very realistic) wish list for episode 135

1. The M9 eventually find a way to catch up with Lucien and Cree before they are able to go to the astral sea and at least start the combat (Bonus: Cree gets a wild magic effect that gives M9 some advantage or laughs).

Doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen. Well, I’m still personally REALLY happy that they all decided to explore a little bit much and ended up with combat lol. I love the heavy lore dump, reveals, map and the Aeorian nullifier/others combat, all part of the D&D fun.

2. Caleb and Beau somehow don’t get any extra eyes from their dreams (look, let me have some hope alright, last episode was kinda open-ended).

Noooo not on the clavicle and the palm... These stupid eyes are the reason why the empire siblings rolled bad rolls first thing in the morning, I’m telling you.

3. People on watch in the dome have some one-on-one conversations (Yasha and Fjord are doing the first watch, looking forward to it, also hoping for whoever on the second watch to talk).

Nope :( I’m a bit sad that they just kind of time skipped to the morning but it’s understandable.

4. If the empire siblings do get eyes can we at least have a morning eye check routine and Essek’s reaction to it? (Bonus: Essek examines the eye and offers help in some way)

I mean, we got part of a nice conversation about the eye so that counts as a reaction right. Essek is very wary about it, understandably. Don’t worry Essek, Fjord will take care of it if the eyes turn them evil.

5. More wild magic effects from casting in Aeor! Jester, Essek, Caleb, Caduceus, Veth and Fjord I’m looking at y’all. (Bonus: the effects are harmless and fun ones, like Bjald)

OH NO CALEB not first thing in the morning... wow never mind it’s a nice nostalgic smell! Apple tart, how awesome. I mean a lot of people used higher level magic and didn’t roll yet (or maybe they did we just don’t know)? This particular effect was harmless and fun tho.

6. They explore the Aeorian ruins even more along the way and discover cool relics/labs/history and lore (Bonus: clues related to the Eyes of Nine).

Ayyy genesis ward looks like a fun place, thanks to their high investigation rolls we found so much sweet lore. They also went into underground city ruins and basically wizard paradise lol. AND A BOOK ON THE SOMNOVEM! This is the first clue we have found so far. Also, Factorum Mollis project/Creator Hammer? Athodan’s rejuvenation/dunamancy? The plot thickens. THEY FOUND WHERE THEY NEED TO GO! B9!

7. Beau and Yasha have fun with some shameless PDA OR alternatively they get some super private time (bonus: cuddles in the dome).

I love their morning flirting. “That was amazing babe”, “Jump I’ll catch you!”, “Come here baby”, that’s some shameless PDA right there we love to see it. ALSO, Marisha said “we are doing PDA it’s a thing” and I feel so validated right now.

8. Jester and Fjord heal each other at least one time OR have a deep conversation (bonus: Jester complimenting Bjald).

They didn’t heal each other/converse BUT they had some nice moments! Fjord holds Jester’s ankles and waist at her request, how cute!

9. Continuing to hope for Essek’s fancy dunamantic spells OR magical items (I just love his style and flair okay).

OG Fortune’s Favour!! Thanks Essek. Identifying the keycard was also helpful. Essek giving Veth a pearl and telling her to aim it was so funny lol. LEVEL 4 LIGHTNING BOLT? What spell/item is that? Wow Essk is well-equipped.

10. They talk seriously OR laugh together about Bjald/smooth Fjord (Bonus: Veth disses Bjald just because) but Fjord eventually gets his hair back.

Wow straight out of the gate lol, Veth doesn’t wait (they are seriously expending spell slots for this). Also Veth cannot stop trying to grab his illusory hair. She also tells Devexian that Fjord is not a robot despite him not having hair I can’t even- Also, rejuvenation tube gave Bjald hair back and a long rest, great!

11. Continuing to hope for Caleb to polymorph into anything really, or using polymorph on any party member (polymorph! Caleb interactions my beloved).

Sparrow! Caleb my beloved! “I’m adorable” indeed, he totally is adorable. Landing on Jester, Fjord and Charlie must have been fun.

12. More moments of Essek’s trust issue (OR changes in his opinion) with Charlie and more moments of Charlie being helpful to the party.

Charlie was a very competent translator! Also, Essek does continue to have a lot of trust issues.

13. Jester and Charlie cute interactions OR Veth and Charlie interactions (Bonus: They reach the genesis ward to fix Charlie).

Charlie stopped listening when Jester asked him to, how cute! Veth also advocated for Charlie’s repair because she is already 100% attached - and they did fix Charlie I MEAN DEVEXIAN. Veth’s flirting with Devexian is... kinda cute? I guess?? Not sure how Devexian feels about it lol.

14. Cad attempting to speak with the dead on the remaining TT members (there is still Otis and Zoran right) and learning some useful information.

Well, speak with the dead was cast on the dead Aeorian warrior and some useful information was learned about the rejuvenation chamber I’d say. It was not cast on the TT members though.

15. Caleb casting fire spell challenge! I miss his signature fire magic that we have not seen in a long time, actually (Bonus: Essek is impressed).

Well fire bolt is a fire spell and actually does decent damage for a fire bolt.

16. Cad has a particularly badass moment in or out of combat (bonus: divine intervention success).

HOLY THAT BANISHMENT WAS SO BADASS, also that canceled nat 20 on Yasha. Wow Cad continues to be cool in battles, he is such a MVP!!

17. Veth has a particularly badass moment in or out of combat (bonus: HDYWTDT).

I mean all Veth’s sneak attacks are badass in my book.

18. The wizards nerd out about/investigate Aeorian magic together OR have another conversation (look, I love how they talk to each other okay).

WOW both happened! Essek stayed behind with Caleb in the record room and had a conversation to keep him on track. Right after, Caleb also reminded Essek of the same thing. Once again, I love how they talk to each other. Their dynamic is so fascinating. They also nerd out about/found dunamis (and a literal beacon piece) together in that chamber! That would make sense, time magic = rejuvenation and all that.

19. I know this is highly unlikely but I still kinda want to see the tower again with Essek getting a full tour! I want to see his room decor.

Nope, as expected lol. I don’t think we will see the tower until they deal with Lucien? We will see though, you never know.

20. We find out what exactly Capeleb/Caleb saw when Jester was casting commune/scry (it’s totally something Artagan-related, but what though?).

Nope, but it’s fine. It’s probably not urgent, otherwise Caleb would mention it.

21. Yasha pushes another red button and Beau enabling her out of love.

Yasha went “do it” as Fjord went in the tube lol so she was more of an enabler.

Wow that episode was PACKED with so much information, I can’t even digest it all. Anyways, the score this time is 14/22, which is not bad at all.

Bonus:

Caleb shared half of his pearls with Essek! Also, wow that IS a beacon that they just found. The 3 magic users showboating each other at the end I can’t lmao I love them.

I just love all the noises of the Aeorian Nullifier, thank you Matt.

Jester, for that wand of smiles move, I love you even more (also she was the only one who actually tried to keep the party on task lol).

This episode will certainly need some re-watching to process all the information... but wow what an experience! Loving everything, as always. I cannot wait for next Thursday!

#cr spoilers #critical role spoilers #c2e135 #live blog #cr live blog #manifest list #the mighty nein #campaign 2 #critical role

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