I love how they have their own voice actor jokes. "You are impossibly good at crow noises" "Five small pain noises... closed mouth. Breathier."

5:50 "I played Jester, a tiefling cleric" ...who knew ;)

"roll stealth" "45" *implied* "Reality itself forgets your existence"

A name is earned but a flying broom is Gerned

The subtitles for Taliesin's crow is (unnervingly realistic crow noises).

"To be fair, the spell does say your DM will have a list of available creatures" 😂😂😂

Matt: "there's nowhere to hide" giggles "Unless you want to jump in the water" Matt inner monologue: "Take the hint take it! DO THE THING" Love the hidden hint he was gives while trying to not make it super obvious

The fact that Craven Edge hurts Pike makes Grog's dream from the previous episode incredibly notable ... my mind is blown.

"Sam will be even later than normal", Sam arrives relatively early.

Me seeing the comments: “Taliesin’s crow sounds can’t be THAT good.” When they actually happen: “What the SHIT”

Grog: 'What do you see Percy?' Percy: 'I see a door that I have conquered.'

Percy is obviously the mightiest member of Vox Machina, for he has effortlessly conquered not one, but a DOUBLE door!

3:12:55 -"What do you see, Percy?" -"I see a door that I have conquered!" Percy is so classy and funny XD

“ can you tell me what magical creatures I can conjure” “I will fight you” 😂🤣😂

At 5:53 when Laura did her Jester voice that genuinely caught me off guard. Nearly forgot what campaign I am watching.

"Oh no, is exhaustion really bad?" "No.... I just know something happens when you're exhausted..." "Bad. Bad things happen." hahahaha I love Laura and Travis.

“Keyleth puts her hands in the pool, does anything happen?” “Her hands become wet” lol

1:31:46 TALIESIN: (uncannily good crow noises) 1:54:10 TALIESIN: (unnervingly realistic crow noises)

Can't believe Grog was outed as being scared of his uncle like that, especially after how much he tried to play it off like he totally wasn't scared.

Matt: Sorry for the long episode guys...hope we're cool? Next episode: 6 hours.

The next time a member of Vox Machina goes down, they need to ask Matt how he wants to do this.

I see a door that I have conquered. *applause*

I love that Jester apparently started as a cleric, and then in preparation for campaign 2 Laura was going to make her a warlock, but then Travis made a warlock, so Jester ended up being a cleric again anyway.

when matt tells you that your crow noises are outstanding, even taliesin feels a warm glow of satisfaction

1:35:56 "One point of damage" "Can't even kill a kitten with that" Somewhere in an extradimensional pocket, Frumpkin is crying.

The moment Scanlan started singing the Trololol song, I just lost it.

I love that Travis just wanting to push Grog’s strength with Craven leads Grog to avoid rest and push himself to exhaustion in his quest for more of his enemies’ strength. Very cool in-game reflection of the impact of carrying that weapon around as consequence of his real life giddiness at having 24+ strength and just wanting to see it go up and up

Finding out about cravens edge abilities, it's insane that sylas briarwood wasn't more OP. Considering he was a vampire, he literally never needed to sleep, so no exhaustion was taken, meaning he got to keep the strength modifiers he obtained from the kills he got. What a terrifying thought, and thank God there's a max level of strength you can get with it

3:20:28 Vax: Eenie meenie miney mo, catch a druid by the toe if she hollers, let her go eenie meenie miney Keyleth: You know, we've always found that very offensive. I just want to say that Vax and Keyleth are so great lmao

"You know what that one does?That [dagger] make you infertile.You feelin those little bits rumbling? They're ALL going to sleep." -Grog

5:50 "I played Jester, a tiefling cleric" I'm so glad this character made a come back in the second campaign

I love how at 25:03, as Matt describes the man being used for javelin target practice saying that he's "strung up like a piñata," everyone is either upset or listening with intensely focused faces. Whereas Travis is just grinning (:D). He's always so excited when Matt decides to delve into the darker side of D&D with actual *description.* I've noticed the pattern of everyone being seriously focused while Travis is so clearly delighted at encountering something a bit darker than the story usually focuses on. It's nice to notice the little things :)

i live for Taliesin's perfect impression of a crow

39:47 Sam: aiiiieaeiiiiiaiiiaaaaaeeee Me: Nooooo... he wouldn't Sam: TrollolllLLollLLlooOOOlllLLOTrololololo Me: !!!

Why is Matt so good at playing children, he never ceases to make me smile when he acts as a kid

Vax being concerned for burying the dead--he's getting into the Raven Queen's champion role already!

“Unnervingly realistic crow sound” might be the greatest caption ever.

Well this is an easy puzzle: 1. Polymorph the sphinx into an adorable puppy. 2. Check the nametag on its collar.

Taliesin's crow noises caused my cat to produce those chittering meows most felines let loose when hunting birds. Sure fooled him!

matt: describing the orc encampment laura: D: travis: :D

You know, I've been playing DnD for a number of years, so it took me a while to understand why they have such trouble remembering their characters' abilities as well as basic rules, but I think I've finally figured it out: whereas my friends and I are players who roleplay a little, these are actors who play a little. They are much more invested in their characters' motivations than in the numbers on their sheets instead of the opposite. It seems like Matt is aware of their shortcomings and is doing a fabulous job compensating for them. I like watching this, and it seems that in this I am not alone. So what if they can't remember every minute detail of the rules? They are having fun and are entertaining to watch, that's all that really matters!

Matt: "You guys head back to the camp, make your way into the mansion, and rest for the evening..." Grog shakes his head Matt: "You don't rest for the evening?" Grog: "No. ... I wanna see how far this can go. I wanna push this." Taliesin: "This is so... I've tried this experiment in real life, it never ends well." I feel you Taliesin. I feel you. #sleepisfortheweak

“1 hp.. That can’t even kill a kitten” *Laughs in Frumpkin*

3:29:40 Laura warns Matt that she can see his notes. I love that so much.

I realise now why Vox Machina can't defeat doors. Doors can't take shoulder wounds.

Matt: A bow that felled Titans. Laura: Awe and then smiles. Liam: Obviously for Scanlan.

They're all friends and obviously love each other. But I love how excited everyone gets when Pike gets a turn or is even present in the party. I'm sure her being away for work has a lot to do with it. But still, it's cute how much they love Pike.

Synopsis begins at 10:05. Game picks up at 13:07 and runs to the break at 2:03:48. Break ends and game resumes at 2:17:51, and continues until 4:48:46. [I've been doing this for every episode. If you find them useful, or think others might, please comment so they stay near the top where people can find them. Thank you.]

Ok but I have to mention the adorableness of how every time someone *does* hear Tal's joke, he says thank you right after and it's just so sweet like omg~

1:33:55 twins fix their hair simultaneously

Percy should see about trying to get the lenses of his mask enchanted with Darkvision. That could be very useful to the only member of the party without it naturally. 😂

Every single Scanlan moment is pure gold. Sam Reigel is unstoppably funny.

Critical role cast when they finish the session: OMG it's midnight Me: OMG it's 6 a.m.

1:47:54 Laura: I go for the circlet that was on the war chief. (excited laughter, addiction kicking in) (brief pause) Laura: I check it first (tone: not amused, remembering the raven queen tomb) LOL

Matt: "I have watched you come!" Laura: 😳🤭🤭🤭🤭 I love how childish her sense of humor is

00:24 - Let's all hope that Travis gets a chance to play Scanlan someday 05:50 - Marisha doesn't remember her character 13:53 - The Map Maker 15:48 - Vax and Vex and the dagger 19:31 - Keyleth and Grog should always be charades partners. 29:45 - Poor Scanlan is in high demand 35:11 - Sam has no faith in Marisha 36:06 - The Bane of Matt 37:42 - That's a distraction all right 39:17 - The other use of the resilient sphere 39:47 - Scanlan sings [based on the troll lol lol song] 48:30 - This Is Vox Machina 53:10 - Matt knows how to roleplay Pike 1:00:52 - Are they human? Or are they dancer? 1:05:10 - Grog is never going to rest again 1:09:37 - Percy takes a brief foray into strength-based weapons 1:13:44 - Just like we practiced, Trinket 1:24:26 - Scanlan's inspiration to Keyleth 1:28:00 - How Do You Want To Do This? 1:33:55 - IRL Twins 1:40:37 - Everyone speaks fear 1:42:45 - No Mercy Grog (doesn't have quite the same ring) 1:44:16 - Travis doesn't know how to play D&D 1:45:55 - The kids are all right 1:48:32 - The Map Maker is fantastic 1:51:01 - All ale and wine is special 1:53:00 - Matt needs to watch his words 1:53:49 - Vex's Familiar, Scanlan 2:03:09 - Grog flirts with disaster 2:17:49 - Break ends 2:23:24 - Grog couldn't find his bedroom 2:33:00 - Another time when the indoor kid comes in handy 2:48:28 - Slip and slides really bring the room together 2:52:40 - Elemental Chaos 2:57:50 - 5th Element 2:59:36 - The Hourglass 3:06:02 - Pike is the best person ever 3:06:24 - Grog picked the wrong day to test out Craven Edge 3:12:16 - Percy conquers the door 3:21:59 - Oh God, Grog and Scanlan are taking point 3:25:45 - Earning a Name 3:36:15 - Matt's subtle hints 3:43:00 - Grog Goes Super Saiyan 3:47:44 - One hour of just guessing names 3:53:00 - Percy Starts to Solve the Puzzle 4:00:20 - Vex Finds the First Clue 4:04:08 - Scanlan sings a song of inspiration to Vax [based on My Shot from Hamilton the musical] 4:06:00 - Percy Starts To Piece It Together 4:07:05 - Thank god his name isn't Rumpelstilskin 4:08:00 - Keyleth Ignores Scanlan and Finds The Next Clue 4:10:54 - Grog can't read 4:12:12 - Grog breaks everyone's heart 4:30:10 - The Final Piece 4:39:30 - Percy (and Marisha/Keyleth) Solve the Riddle 4:45:30 - Matt is Prepared for Vox Machina 4:49:37 - Mythcarver

"unless you wanna hide in the water" Matt Mercer you sneak

Matt(as Vex flies over the beacon area on her ill-gotten broom): "After you sweep past..." Me: "Nobody got the broom joke? Really?"

6:16 Marisha: "Look, a lot has happened in a couple weeks, okay? I've moved (in with Matt), I've got a change of scenery." Matt: (looking at her lovingly) "It's true."

I love how tal repeated the lines on the walls, I actually forgot that matt was speaking, CR can get immersive AF.

1:31:45 Well it's settled. Talesin is secretly a crow in human form. Because that was SCARY GOOD.

Matt as Pike: No, this is ancient beyond anything I know... Matt: Actually, let me roll a religion check (rolls) Matt as Pike: -Goes into explaining exactly what it is- Man, his roleplaying of Pike is spot on.

Next time the Raven Queen shows up, make Taliesin do the sounds, damn.

It's so cute how Laura and Taliesin are already figuring out which Vestiges will go to which party members. His excited little look and gesturing to himself when the Sphinx mentioned Cabal's Ruin.

idk why, but whenever Liam says sneak attack, I picture Grog running up to an enemy yelling "SNEAK ATTACK!" Brutally (and rather unstealthily) killing something, then just being like "you're not special" to Vax

They constantly made fun of Matt's names for the NPCs, but one of his names led to one of the most intense encounters of the entire campaign.

The Westruun survivors have it rough. They got their city wrecked by a bunch of dragons, then enslaved to an army of Goliaths. The few who managed to flee got turned down by another camp due to limited resources, and when they founded a new camp, their own started getting kidnapped and tortured by Orcs.

Re-posting Timestamps in 2023: 5:50 - Marisha doesn't remember her character 13:53 - The Map Maker 15:48 - Vax and Vex and the dagger 19:31 - Keyleth and Grog should always be charades partners. 29:45 - Poor Scanlan is in high demand 35:11 - Sam has no faith in Marisha 36:06 - The Bane of Matt 37:42 - That's a distraction all right 39:17 - The other use of the resilient sphere 39:47 - Scanlan sings [based on the troll lol lol song] 48:30 - This Is Vox Machina 53:10 - Matt knows how to roleplay Pike 1:00:52 - Are they human? Or are they dancer? 1:05:10 - Grog is never going to rest again 1:09:37 - Percy takes a brief foray into strength-based weapons 1:13:44 - Just like we practiced, Trinket 1:24:26 - Scanlan's inspiration to Keyleth 1:28:00 - How Do You Want To Do This? 1:33:55 - IRL Twins 1:40:37 - Everyone speaks fear 1:42:45 - No Mercy Grog (doesn't have quite the same ring) 1:44:16 - Travis doesn't know how to play D&D 1:45:55 - The kids are all right 1:48:32 - The Map Maker is fantastic 1:51:01 - All ale and wine is special 1:53:00 - Matt needs to watch his words 1:53:49 - Vex's Familiar, Scanlan 2:03:09 - Grog flirts with disaster 2:17:49 - Break ends 2:23:24 - Grog couldn't find his bedroom 2:33:00 - Another time when the indoor kid comes in handy 2:48:28 - Slip and slides really bring the room together 2:52:40 - Elemental Chaos 2:57:50 - 5th Element 2:59:36 - The Hourglass 3:06:02 - Pike is the best person ever 3:06:24 - Grog picked the wrong day to test out Craven Edge 3:12:16 - Percy conquers the door 3:21:59 - Oh God, Grog and Scanlan are taking point 3:25:45 - Earning a Name 3:36:15 - Matt's subtle hints 3:43:00 - Grog Goes Super Saiyan 3:47:44 - One hour of just guessing names 3:53:00 - Percy Starts to Solve the Puzzle 4:00:20 - Vex Finds the First Clue 4:04:08 - Scanlan sings a song of inspiration to Vax [based on My Shot from Hamilton the musical] 4:06:00 - Percy Starts To Piece It Together 4:07:05 - Thank god his name isn't Rumpelstilskin 4:08:00 - Keyleth Ignores Scanlan and Finds The Next Clue 4:10:54 - Grog can't read 4:12:12 - Grog breaks everyone's heart 4:30:10 - The Final Piece 4:39:30 - Percy (and Marisha/Keyleth) Solve the Riddle 4:45:30 - Matt is Prepared for Vox Machina 4:49:37 - Mythcarve

3:36:20 Laura asks Matt if she could hide and he laughs and says 'unless you wanna jump in the water' I see you Matt, with your subtle hints.

Go, Trinket! I choose you! Use cannonball! It was Super Effective!

Scanlan rolling into the orc camp is a resilient sphere is legendary

1. Read all the comments about Taleisin's crow noises. 2. Weeeell, I probably won't be that impressed now when I'm expecting it... 3. (they actually happen) WHAAAAAAT you gotta be kidding me

Spend a while making a solid plan, forget it immediately. The Vox Machina way.

"Where did the singing gnome ball g-OH GOD A GOLIATH!!!"

I love how Travis as a player sometimes asks the best question, but than as a character he'll sometimes do the opposite of what he asked cause its Grog lmao I'd be angry af playing with him but also rofl

You just know Travis is the real MVP there. A CRAZY session took place, seriously that must have taken him so long to work out. And by the end, Travis is the first one to acknowledge all that work and care. I'd love to have such players on my table. Ofc everyone has shown their gratitude over the course of the game, and I assume they're good friends to him since they all keep playing together, but it just felt nice.

"What. Is. My. NAAAAAAAAME?" I got chills. In my mind's eye the braziers all shot red flame to the ceiling and the ground shook. Damn. Matthew. Damn.

First thing when page is loaded: hearing Matt's "Hello everyone" + looking at time bar of almost 5 hours play ... pure joy

3:02:10 The visual effect of Keyleth tossing the immovable rod and Vex catching it above was really cool.

I'm disappointed Grog didn't guess the sphinx's name was Phillip.

Was watching this on my tablet outside and when Taliesin did the crow vocalizations the neighborhood crows answered, two even landed on the porch railing and eyed me. they got the last of my sandwich as a greeting.

Hearing Matt say "Conjuration needs to die" brings warmth to my DM heart. Haha!

Liam didn't remember, but he actually got a whisper when checking Keyleth in the Underdark as she was fussing over Kima. I think it was the first whisper of the show. Bingewatching this years later has its merits😄

Having watched C2 first and been somewhat spoiled before going to C1, I have steadly gone from confused to understanding how Scanlan was the biggest healer of the group.

"This legendary blade once belonged to the White Duke himself-" Me: ...Bowie? "and many more master bards before him." Me: Yeah, Bowie.

"you'll have to roll a stealth check." Laura: "Natural 20!" *Vex was never seen again*

Liams reverse throwback to Laura's line in a previous episode "Don't be a happy bear, be a sad bear" deserves more appreciation

The descriptions of the vestiges was so enthralling. Matt is an incredible world builder.

I love the "Aaaaaaaagh" at the end of sessions. The release of pressure and frustration mixed with a satisfied sigh that signals "That was tough. I loved it!"

During the discussion about if it's pronounced "Frostwield" or "Frostwaild" I was so hoping someone would say: "It's pronounced Sigil"

The sphinx encounter was the coolest and most engaging yet. Alright, NOW I'm hooked

Keyleth controlling the water out of Grog's lungs was so rad. Well done Marisha!

The whole Wormwood gaming thing Liam does every episode makes me laugh every time.

Marisha's excited "Yeah yeah yeah" when percy is about to spear the guy climbing out of the pit at 1:08:45 was so incredibly funny

When Craven Edge started growing and getting these jagged serrated edge, I feel like there was a real missed opportunity to yell "Bankai!!!!!"

3:12:40 "I see a door that I've conquered" Percy being a smartass xD

*Orc falls into the fire* "Looks like meat's back on the menu boys!"

"This is the most Douglas Adams beginning of a fight ever." I feel like some of Taliesin's quotes aren't nearly as appreciated as they should be.

How is nobody mentioning Sam's owl head swivel? I couldn't stop laughing.

36:55 "No, we're not doing the Pixies using polymorph, that's so dumb." Poor High Rollers.