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In the tabletop game, they each had an enchanted earring to communicate with each other, and the "safe word" was Jenga. They did away with the earrings for the show, and couldn't use Jenga for obvious reasons.

Matt voices Silas Briarwood, Trinket the bear, and the random guard who is abused by their actions, so he is the three parts of the DM, their enemy, their ally, and the person who's day is ruined by their antics.

No mercy Percy has arrived! Loving the reactions. I remember watching the original tabletop stream "Marisha it's your turn, what do you do?" - Matt "I spend my turn just staring at Percy who just yelled 'You soul is forfeit!" - Marisha

So, when we first saw this scenario play out in the D&D game, Vax (Liam O'Brian) had a long, dying internal monologue. Because Liam, and the rest of us, honestly did not know if Vax would live or die. It was incredible, because the entire party really fought so hard to keep him alive. It wasn't script writing, it was like watching heroism live.

This is where the show truly hooked me

as others have pointed out, they are writing around copyrights - Scanlan's Hand instead of Bigby's, Everlight instead of Sarenrae, Chenga instead of Jenga, and yes, the Whispered One in lieu of Vecna (so the design also had to change for fairly obvious reasons). And at least in 5e, you only become a vampire if you die from the bite reduces your maximum HP to 0.

No Mercy Percy! There's a 'blink and you'll miss it' moment when Sylas and Delilah are walking back to their room where they pass a mirror -- that tips off the vampire vs non-vampire status between them. Tweaks they made to avoid copyright issues: their keep was called "Greyskull Keep" (from He-Man) in the campaign and the safe word was "Jenga" (as opposed to "chenga"). (They also had magic earrings that allowed them to communicate so the whole safe word element made a bit more sense there, but it was still a really fun easter egg here.) And yes, as Rick said, The Whispered One = Vecna, but they probably had to tweak his symbol since that would be copyrighted along with the name.

The introduction of “No Mercy” Percy! The fan-given nickname that he was given due to his merciless nature.

Do not expect the show to use any "actual" names from D&D or Pathfinder, such as the names of the gods (Sarenrae, Pelor, Vecna, etc) as the show isn't officially licensed by either Wizards or Paizo and thus they can't use anything that is copyrighted. That's why Bigby's Hand was changed to "Scanlan's Hand" as well.

4:22 'Did his belt turn into a snake?" It did indeed.....a one-eyed trouser snake....

You can tell Sylas is a vampire but Delilah isn't when they walk by a mirror but only she has a reflection.

the "You look delicious" line had been coming for several months, and when it was finally spoken half the cast lost their shit. one of the best cliffhangers of the campaign.

The guard that looks exactly like Matt has been in almost every episode so far (I think) and each time he gets shit on or has something unfortunate happen to him because of VM. It's hilarious

Detective Calvin is the first reactor I've seen get the one-eyed trouser snake joke.

The Everlight is another name for Sarenrae (from Pathfinder), also known as Raei (in the Critical Role sourcebooks from Wizards of the Coast), god of atonement and compassion. The Vox Machina campaign started as a Pathfinder home game, but they kept using the name Sarenrae even after they switched to D&D 5E for the stream. Obviously, they want to avoid the Pathfinder name in the animated series. So Everlight it is.

I love how you guys automatically know the rules of balltack before they explain it

There is a Matt Mercer cameo in every episode, though a few appearances are quite well hidden. The animation studio, Titmouse, added Matt in every episode as a surprise. Mercer had no idea his likeness would be in the show. Other Titmouse personal also appear as cameo NPCs, including the head of the studio, Chris Prynoski, (with a familiar small bird from the company’s logo,) and quite a few creative producers/directors. Animation legend Phil Bourassa, the lead character designer, appears as an NPC later in the series as well.

If I had a nickel for every western anime-styled cartoon I've seen that included a warrior targeting a vampire's balls, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

I love how every other reaction responds to ball tag with "what, 7-5, but it was 7-2 just before?", and Blind Wave instantly figures out "oh, he hit both nuts". Though I do actually wonder if Scanlan is being sarcastic when talking about the intricate rule set, and actual reason for the numbers said is that Grog can't count, and the numbers are just whatever he says with his 6 intelligence.

Actually, Machina is Latin for Machine, and Vox, is latin for Voice, all the players are Voice actors, so thats the play on words Percy mentions the council in the first Ep also, there is a Matt mercer in every episode xD like a cool easter egg

If you check the stat block for vampires in D&D, it clarifies that you only get "turned" if the bite kills you. As long as you survive the bite, you don't become a vampire or thrall. Also, Vax's belt's name is Simon, and he's got an eye patch for two reasons: 1. he's a one-eyed trouser snake, and 2. Snake Plissken.

Calvin is actually 100% right on why the belt only has one eye

In the original campaign, they're safeword was Jenga, as in shits going down.

A little clarification for Pike's goddess, her real name is Sarenrea but they have to use Everlight because of copyright.

Vex entering that fight to protect Vax was one of the best timed double nat 20s, if I remember correctly. "Not my BROTHER!"

from here out we focus on the Briarwoods and Percy, but everyone gets character arcs. Literally every episode gets better than the last.

When the Briarwoods were walking back to their room, they pass a mirror and only Lady Delilah shows a reflection.

This is one of my favorite episodes of Vox Machina! I love how it establishes the Briarwood arc and it helps reveal more about Percy - both who he is and what his goal is. I also laughed so hard while watching this episode because of the “Ball Tag” moments (they were the best) along with Sam singing an iconic Vox Machina song (you know what I’m talking about) and there were many Grog and Pike funny moments I enjoyed! Finally, I want to give a shoutout to the Dungeon Master Matt Mercer and the legendary Grey DeLisle for their spectacular performances as the Briarwoods! I’m also really happy that I got to do a video chat with Grey DeLisle (which happened before Vox Machina), especially since she’s a master of voicing villains like Azula, Delilah, Vicky, Ventress in Clone Wars 2003, Nemesis in Foster’s, Enchantress and Catwoman (who is an anti-hero)!

This story arc is where I got obsessed with critical role. This is called the Briarwood story arc from the campaign. It was actually 12-14 episode of the live tabletop show. Total of around 36-42 hours of actual tabletop game play. They had to condense down to about 3 and a half hours of this show.

The incredulous "NO BALLS?!" at 9:22 lol

Grey Griffin is such a great choice here. Easily one of the best voice actors of her generation.

'...a bird that creates the golden threads...' - perceptive, indeed.

You can tell Delilah is not a vampire because when they are walking down the hall, only she as a reflexion, Sylas does not apear in the mirror

In the livestream the safeword was Jenga but I believe they had to change it for trademark reasons and 'generic wooden block stacking game' is a bit of a mouthful

I'm guessing the reason for the names like "Everlight" and "Whispered one" being used and Vecna's symbol being different is because actual names of the entities are trademarked by the WotC.

In D&D there is 2 ways in official to be a vampire, the book of evils which tells you about literally everything evil and partially is written by Vecna, y'know the UNDEAD expert... The other way is to be bitten and die from a bite.

Delilah is a School of Necromancy Wizard. And the playable bird characters you guys were trying to think of- Aarakocra maybe?

15:05 oh, you have no idea 👀

To avoid copyright issues, they had to rename the gods. For example, while Pike prayed to Serenrei in the twitch games, they changed the name to Everlight in the Tal'Dorei sourcebook. Same thing with other gods who are from copyrighted sources.

I guess they totally missed when Silas and Delilah were walking past a mirror and Delilah had a reflection but Silas did not.

If I am not mistaken in D&D lore (which most of this is based off of) in order to be a vampire they have to drain you completely and you have to die from it. Also, just to clear the are Sylas Briarwood is a Vampire Lord. It is not mentioned at all so this is not a spoiler. This was mentioned after the campaign and at a Q&A at one of the comic-cons. Delilah is not a vampire because as they were walking back to there room they past by a mirror and Sylas reflection was not there but Delilah’s was.

There is a scene where Scilas and Delilah pass in front of a mirror . He doesn't show a reflection but she does. Also, ball tagging a vampire ... It's kinda dead down there, or undead if you prefer.

Yes, thank you blindwave for doing this....I can't wait for more to come. After the first episode I got recommended your own D&D campaign videos.

Look back at when Sylas and Delilah were on their way back to their rooms and pass by a mirror in which Sylas does NOT have a reflection.

I believe rolling a nat 20 on the attack roll gives you 3 points in ball tag

I know you guys are already further ahead on Patreon, but I would definitely suggest checking out the Q&A's they did for each episode (even if you don't react to them). There's some cool stuff in them and they help give some insight into the main differences between the campaign and the cartoon

3:37 You know, Jenga the beloved tabletop game with wooden bricks were you balance them in a tower. 👀;

Great reactions! It's all been the prologue up to this point, and the next episode is where the story *really* starts. Can't wait for your next video! 😄

I like how they focused on percy I hope they do that with all the characters in each season

You've reached the really good stuff. It's a full roller coaster from here.

Guys...the Briarwoods walked past a mirror IN the episode. Less than two minutes before you asked whether they were both vampires. Only Slyas lacked a reflection.

And Scanlan's codpiece was the colors of the Pansexual codpiece, because, of course.

Gentlemen, meet No Mercy Percy. Things kicks off now.

Fun fact, if you look at the mirror when the Briarwoods walk back to their room, you'll get some answers about Delilah's nature.

"One eyed trouser snake" is indeed the joke here.

So fun fact about the Matt Mercer cameos, they're always as someone in an unfortunate situation or that gets "picked on" in some way. In episode 1, he was the guy that Scanlan peed on when he found the flier looking for mercenaries. This episode is the weapon check guy. Spoilers past this for one more off the top of my head for those who are current. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In episode 6, when it opens with the resistance being raided the Matt Mercer cameo is the guy with the eyepatch that gets picked up out of the hideout by the giant and squashed.

Paladins and Clerics need a holy symbol to focus their magic.

I feel so excited knowing how this was played in the campaign and the raw story from the campaign. ahhhh

Beads of love is my ringtone lol

Hell yeah, waited all day for this (evening here). :)

yeeeaah boys are back with more Voice Machine

I really hope they're enjoying this show

The snake has a eyepatch because of Snake Plissken. Solid Snake is also an homage to Snake Plissken.

This is where the fun begins!

6:24 Beats Of Love

The whispered one is supposed to be Vecna yes but they have to call him the whispered one and change his symbol because copyright.

Poor Scanlan. He's an avid ball tag fan, but nobody will play with him on account of his unfair height advantage.

With D&D vampires, you only turn into a vampire if the vampire kills you with a bite.

And so was born the legend of No Mercy Percy

This is the episode where the show REALLY starts.

Another amazing reaction

Very good observations...

because of copyright, they could not use the real name of the gods - the Everlight for Pike is Serenrae and the Whispered One is Vecna - they had to change the imagery of vecna

I thought Rick was going to be pretty "critical". I think he's actually been enjoying it so far and I'm glad.

Always fun when reactors get to episode 3 and get a glimpse at Vax's one-eyed trouser snake.....

8:22 Beats Of Love part 2

4:13 If that "snake's" name isn't Plisssken I'm going to be seriously disappointed.

Fitting that they watch this on Thursdays

In the actual game When he jumps out the window he sticks the landing How they escape is they teleport to the carriage, Percy shoots the wheel off, then they teleport away again

Lady Briarwood is voiced by Grey Greyson who also voiced Azusa in Avatar, and shrinking Rey in Invincible

No Mercy Percy oneliner: YOUR SOUL IS FORFEIT

As for the poem about twin rivers, the word in French for throat is "gorge". It's just pronounced a bit differently.

in the stream, the safeword (aka I effed up HELP!) is Jenga. but as that's copyrighted, Chenga is born.

And the show continues to get better and better each episode from here on out

a true feast for the eyes

There is only one guaranteed method to distract the guards: Reveal the one eyed trouser snake! The spell used against Pike is to emulate the Feeblemind Spell to disable her as a caster. Interesting adaptation choice.

one thing you have to realize is that this isnt produced with WOTC so anything trademarked to the dnd franchise would have to be renamed or redesigned enough to get past that. also some one made a comment about Percy being a gunslinger and that there was a pathfinder class like that. That is actually what Percy is just homebrewed to 5e vs pathfinder. the entire campaign was originally in pathfinder but was switch to 5e for the stream for the less complicated system

Chenga is Jenga. Jenga was used as the safe word in the game because it was funny. They didnt want to pay for rights to say jenga so now its chenga.

it's Chenga because Jenga is copywrited.

Prepare for the Emotional de Rolo Coaster

re: the ball-tag score, I think it may be as simple as Grog just can't count. And Scanlan just is good at 'yes-and'.

I have poor memories of ball tag in middle school. I always tried opting out 😐

Only lord Bryerwood was not seen in the mirror

Scanlan's pants reminded me of American Pie

The Everlight is Serenrae

Side note: The voice of Delilah Briarwood is the voice of Azlua from ATLA

i beleive in the actual campaign the safe word was jenga but jenga is copyrighted. also yes he whipped out his one eyed trouser snake.

Talos is a god in D&D as well, he's the god of storms.

I don't know who goes to the comments BEFORE watching an episode, but I guess spoiler for this episode? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . So Delilah is not a vampire. One giveaway is when the two of them are walking back to their room after leaving dinner, they walk past a mirror and only Delilah shows up in it.