"There's people out there who" *Head snaps to Marisha* "Steal the mail" DYING

The moment an NPC picked up Frumpkin and started petting him I smiled so wide. I think Matt felt bad about how many times the poor lil guy was kicked..

Liam is a freaking genius actor. But can we talk about how Sam can improvise such touching moments in the spot?

Nott: *wanders into dungeons completely carefree, sets off multiple traps in the process* Jester gets mail from her mum Nott: Check for traps.

Caleb: "Guten Abend." Grog in the distance: "Yes yes, Bidet, good almonds to you also."

1:17:10 Caleb’s quiet “no” gets lost beneath Fjord’s “sure, yeah” when Yasha asks if everyone is going to speak with Trent. Oh man, Liam’s acting and all the subtle foreshadowing is phenomenal

Ok but the moment Matt mentioned trent’s name, immediately Liam stops and it’s Sovereign Uriel mentioning the briarwoods in the early episodes of campaign 1 all over again with Talisen

Imagine if Nott managed to steal Ford's letter Nott: Hey, Caleb, I got you a way into the best magic school ever. The Soltryce Academy! To learn better magic 😊 Caleb: **Internal screaming** CooOOoOol 😐

"This is my compatriot, Master Trent Ikithon." Liam.exe has stopped working

"This fuuuucking old guy" is probably my favorite description Matt has delivered about an NPC.

I want an episode where it's entirely just Caleb in a library and Matt talks lore to Liam for 4 hours

I just love the small panic attack Jester had when Marrion "only" sent 200 gold. You could tell she's been very pampered growing up. She's very down to earth most of the time, but its nice to see her showing some of her privlage, even if she tries hard not to.

"Do you consent to this piggy back ride?" - Matthew Mercer

Fjord: Know anyone who's graduated from the Solstryce? Caleb, dying a few feet away:*dial up noises blue screening*

liam: i’m going to tell you the story- me: oh sick a story- liam: -of how i murdered my mother and father me: hmmm significantly less sick

Caleb's reaction to Trent being introduced is comparable to Percy first hearing the Briarwoods being mentioned, such a instantaneous response

I have a confession to make. I didn't leave the room when everyone was requested to do so.

"You talk to them Yasha, you won't draw any suspicion!" ... "Where are you from?" "Xhorhas..."

"There's people out there that STEAL THE MAIL" ... I'm deceased Sam

Sam talking to Laura : "I wouldn't want to send 5000 gold over the mail system" looks over at Marisha "There's people out there who steal mail". 🤣

Liam: "I'm going to tell you the story of how I murdered my mother and father." Sam: "ooohhh." *Marisha immediately begins taking notes

Sir, this is my emotional support goblin

“Your pain is a mask that you wear and you can take it off whenever you want” Both in campaign 1 and now Sam always has the most incredible improv, this one hit me like a brick

Trent grilling Yasha, Yasha freaking out, and meanwhile Caleb is having a full-blown mindfuck right about now. 😂

3:00:59 "What you did was awful. Truly terrible. Despicable and unforgivable. ...Until _you_ can forgive it." **ugly sobbing**

I like to imagine the Stubborn Stock has their own DM who's narrating their view of the Mighty Nein's fight: "Suddenly, you hear an almighty, thundering tread, and the ground shakes as an enormous Hill Giant makes it's way into the arena. It's muscular, flabby bulk effortlessly topples a stone pillar as it shoulders it's way into the open air, and you can see from here, that the monster has long barbs driven into it's skin: it has been tortured and goaded to the point of complete and directionless fury. It bellows a challenge, and the Mighty Nein move to engage. The raggedy, dishevelled wizard of their group throws a firebolt as he darts into cover, which bursts almost harmlessly against it's massive barrel chest. The bubbly blue tiefling who had spoken to you earlier gestures through the air, and unexpectedly, a great pink lollipop snaps into existence, and broadsides the giant across the face. Roaring in retaliation, the Giant snatches up a rough handful of shattered masonry and bowls it at the wizard, who just manages to throw up a magic shield to deflect it away. The flamboyant purple tiefling in the red coat, who you had seen carve open a Winter Wolf in the previous bout, draws his scimitars and rushes at the Giant's flank, slashing at it's leg; with a roar, the furious beast swings it's club in an unstoppable arc at it's attacker, and when the dust from the impact clears, the tiefling lies motionless in the dirt. A member of the team wielding a quarterstaff and dressed in a cloak in the colours of the Cobalt Soul flicks out a hand in a flash of metallic light, which resolves itself into a throwing star a moment before it wholly buries itself in the Giant's gut. The half-orc dashes to it's blindside, seemingly unarmed; but as he reaches his target and swings with an empty hand, there's a burst of water and a strange, jagged blade materialises in his grasp, which rends a ragged gash into the Giant's flesh. Without breaking stride, the half-orc just runs on at full tilt, beyond the range of the Giant's retaliatory swing. As he does so, the musclebound, pale-skinned warrior woman, who you had seen grow to gigantic size and slay a otyugh in a single blow in the first round, blindsides the Hill Giant and swings her broadsword devastatingly into it's buttocks. As she does so, the strange, grey cloaked halfling in the team takes two rapid crossbow shots, the first going wide, but as the Giant turns in her direction, the second catches it full in the eye, and it bellows in agony, thrashing out of the path of another firebolt. The tiefling Clerics' spiritual lollipop bashes the Giant on the elbow, but after the attack lands, the enraged and suffering Giant turns and belts the barbarian woman so hard that, even at this distance, you hear the horrendous crack of her shoulder joint popping out of socket, and the second blow sends her into the earth in a slowly spreading pool of blood, clearly in a bad way. The clerics waiting in the wings start to their feet, faces set in concern. Crashing through the ruined walls of the arena, the Giant chases after the fleeing halfling rogue, while the monk tries to yell and draw his attention off her team-mate. As this happens, the half-orc sends out a blast of arcane energy from his sword, searing it's shoulder. Undeterred, the Giant's club clears a massive arc and slams the small form of it's target hard into the wall, where they stay, barely on their feet. The little figure yells out a terrible joke, and for some reason drops pastry crumbs on the ground, and in the slender moment of confusion this causes, gathers herself and dashes as far as she can from the danger. The party is in a bad way by this point, with two of their number down for the count and the rest either wounded or visibly flagging, when the wizard steps out from behind cover, snatches a handful of sand from the arena floor, casts it through the air and chants a spell. As he does so, the enraged Giant pauses... then it staggers. And yawns. Then, to the apparent surprise of everyone, including the wizard, the monster slumps to the ground, snoring, and fast asleep. After a brief moment of confusion, the team rallies, reviving their downed members and healing their wounds, and then slowly take their places around their unconscious target. As the monk stabs the slumbering beast in the eye, waking it and blinding it at the same moment, the rogue fires one last crossbow bolt at the Giant, and the whole shot vanishes into it's gut. Blood pours from the wound, and the Giant slumps back to the ground, and gently comes to a halt, defeated."

Jester apologizing to Caleb about their argument over money hit me directly in the feels. I think a lot of people passed over it but it was so so sweet and as someone who’s struggled for cash around people who are always flush it honestly made me cry a bit.

matt: this is my compatriot, master trent ikithon liam: *KILL BILL SIRENS*

Liam just stops being Liam when hes playing and it just breaks my heart when he looks so devastated and shell shocked

Beau:"Why are you afraid of fire?" Caleb's Mind: "No! I don't want to relife that trauma again, please don't ask me that!" Liam's Mind: "Yes, yes! I've been waiting 18 Episodes to tell my amazing backstory!"

"This is two times I've tried to bail out of this conversation" lol.. Caleb says out loud what every socially awkward person wishes they could just say out loud.

Liam's freeze as Matt says Trent Ikithon's name is absolutely FANTASTIC acting. for a minute there I really felt Liam feeling the things Caleb was feeling. that was legitimately impressive.

Caleb singing, "We are the mighty nine." Under his breath in the beginning of the fight was adorable.

The way Caleb drops his head when Nott begins with, “what you did was awful,” just breaks my heart every time, and the way he holds his hands is like a kid begging for forgiveness or someone on their knees repenting. Anyways- The good news is I watered the plants. The bad news is I used my tears to do so. THERE IS SO MUCH PAIN.

This episode taught me that indifference can be a kindness. I think Beau's impassive response to Caleb's backstory was exactly what he needed. She wasn't completely apathetic, but her reaction was incredibly mild and largely neutral - in both directions. She neither condemned him nor consoled him. The closest she gets to expressing sympathy is saying "I don't think it's anything to be ashamed of", and she doesn't push it or even seem to care if he takes it to heart. She insisted on _looking_ at his past, but she keeps a respectful distance and doesn't try to touch it. I also find it interesting what she _did_ care about. She had nothing to say about Caleb's past, or how he should feel about it, or whether he should try to atone. But she _was_ very insistent that he has a responsibility to stop Trent from hurting more people - not to make amends for anything, but because he has knowledge that most don't have.

Wow. I expected Caleb to have some skeletons in his closet, but this one was dragon sized. Poor guy, to be screwed over by someone power hungry like that. And Liam plays him incredibly. Also, Nott is an amazing creation as well.

I typically watch this in the background while I go about other things, but when Liam asked "Can I ask everybody but Sam and Marisha to leave the table", I never never dropped everything else so quick. Love how seriously Liam takes this, and find myself hanging on every word of his.

the most painful thing is gonna be waiting for caleb to speak to fjord about the academy

It's horribly realistic when Caleb says he's disgusting. The venom behind it was so painfully real, from experience. (2:53:45)

Caleb: "It was a good time" Also Caleb: "Our teacher was cruel"

Matt: mentions a part of Caleb's backstory Liam: Freezes for like a minute

Liam's sad smile when Jester said that she loved her mother was perfect given what you learn about his backstory not long after

Caleb: *tells his backstory* Me: ... Welp, time to start a rebellion.

"I am you god. Long may I reign" such an iconic line. such different implications now...

Yasha "Do you want me to do the talking?" Everyone "Yes." Yasha "I was kidding." Yasha is the best.

I like that they’ve all played level twenty characters, but are still amazed by fifth level features

Marisha's face when Travis said "One of those was full of dip spit" is the face of a chick from Kentucky who has *absolutely* taken a sip out of somebody's beer can full of spit before

2:44:03 Caleb's backstory begins... I'm sorry, I got tears at the end of this, especially after Nott's insistence that nothing was Caleb's fault, and that she would be there at his side until he forgives himself. Liam is SUCH a magnificent story-teller and weaver of his character's story!! ((all of them are equally great too, but for this clip seemed Caleb-centric))

I think it's amazing how Liam acted uncomfortable/anxious the entire episode! He never dropped character unless he talked as himself. He is truly the best imo.

"I want to bend reality to my will" Caleb's looking for the 3.5 rulebooks.

having just watch an episode of Dimension20, hearing Matt's apology for rolling well during the giant fight is sooo funny. His and Brennan's energy are so different, I love it

There's a lot to be impressed with regarding Matt's skills, but the speed with which Matt is able to just find whatever he's looking for in the DMG/PHB at any given moment is astounding to me.

Matt: it looks and glares at fjord Travis: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Me: remembers when grog headbutted a giant into submission

Beginning of Episode: *Bright eyed* I love you Caleb End of Episode: *Crying and hugging Caleb* I love you Caleb

Mollymauke walking into a room wearing only a gaudy tapistry around his waist and a fruit platter in hand a la Dionysus the Wine Twink and saying "I am your god, long may I reign" is SO iconic and SO in character plus Beau replying with an emotionless "Long may he reign" its juST SO good

I'll never get over Ashley mouthing "What secret??", asking Taliesin and confusingly looking into her notes trying to figure it out.

"And his name was Trick-a-tick-a-ting-tong!" "No. Trent Ikithon."

*Episode 1* Jester: How much silver did I get? Beau: 7! Jester: Woo! *Episode 18* Jester: How much gold? Nott: 233 Jester: Woo!

i don't know why but "do you consent to this piggy-back ride?" is probably the funniest question i've ever had the pleasure of hearing

“What you did was awful, truly terrible, despicable and unforgivable... until you can forgive it” Wow, this definitely hit hard and I don’t know why. Sometimes in life, we can be our own worst enemies. And with such a simple and quick-witted line; Sam managed to capture that perfectly. This is a truly heartfelt, heavy and amazing moment. I’ll remember this line for many years to come

Good lord Sam Riegel is a masterful voice actor. The dialogue after “I give him a hug” was just beautiful. I can’t believe I actually cried over watching a bunch of nerdy ass voice actors sitting around and playing dnd.

"So if they're garbage people then I'm like their rare cousin, the trash person." - Beauregard

Rewatching Campaign 2 between Thursdays of Campaign 3, and there is an entire layer of subtlety that you pick up on after knowing all of these characters' backstories. Just the moment "Trent Ikithon" is said, and Liam up and freezes mid-action with wide eyes.

3:46:17 😭 This is why I sometimes love when information isn't spread to everyone around the table. Im not sure Laura would pick those words for Jester, even in character, if she was present for Calebs story... It would be SO insensitive once you know the background 💀

Caleb's mask is metaphorical while Nott's mask is physical. One day they can both take off their masks together. They are a great pair

The two most important character moments happening in the background of other characters' scenes: 1) Caleb's reactions while Yasha is talking to Trent Ikithon 2) Yasha letting Jester give her a piggyback ride when Caleb is talking to Beau at the Tri-Spires

"those dancing lights mean i can punch people in the face" awww

1:30 Gunslinger features 4:15 Matt’s commitment to character (also, fanart?) 10:20 Episode Starts 13:40 Battle begins 51:20 HDYWTDT 52:50 Nott a champion 54:05 How old was he? 1:20:35 Yasha being casual 1:24:20 Everybody wonders why they sent Yasha to talk 1:27:25 Beau throws inter-office shade 1:31:05 TFW you see a cat at the party 1:36:15 Plausible Demiability 1:39:20 They are the pullout kings 1:44:40 Jester offers “stress reduction” 1:51:05 Break Starts 2:01:25 Art Montage 2:07:50 Break Ends 2:11:05 Beau segues hard 2:19:55 Nott tries to get info for the shippers 2:22:10 Scholastic fairs are canon, and the Critters will remember 2:24:10 The Ruby of the Sea sends the best May letter 2:28:20 Mail thieves are everywhere 2:30:20 Molly gets some stress reduction 2:35:05 Catchphrase practice 2:42:30 A truly private conversation 2:44:00 Caleb’s story starts here 3:03:10 Molly is a fruit god 3:42:15 The cool kids left Caleb’s nerd ass 3:46:30 Dirty Molly 4:05:05 This woman needs some throat coat

"...and my compatriot, Master Trent Ikithon." _Caleb.exe has stopped responding_

3:46:17 "when Caleb did it he was like 'uhhhh I love you mom and dad'... and then he started crying!" - BOY I LOVE DRAMATIC IRONY

48:20 “biggest hitter goes first” “let’s have the monk do it” as the barbarian sits there silently. lmao

Copying from someone else since it's so far down 1:30 Gunslinger features 4:15 Matt’s commitment to character (also, fanart?) 10:20 Episode Starts 13:40 Battle begins 51:20 HDYWTDT 52:50 Nott a champion 54:05 How old was he? 1:20:35 Yasha being casual 1:24:20 Everybody wonders why they sent Yasha to talk 1:27:25 Beau throws inter-office shade 1:31:05 TFW you see a cat at the party 1:36:15 Plausible Demiability 1:39:20 They are the pullout kings 1:44:40 Jester offers “stress reduction” 1:51:05 Break Starts 2:01:25 Art Montage 2:07:50 Break Ends 2:11:05 Beau segues hard 2:19:55 Nott tries to get info for the shippers 2:22:10 Scholastic fairs are canon, and the Critters will remember 2:24:10 The Ruby of the Sea sends the best May letter 2:28:20 Mail thieves are everywhere 2:30:20 Molly gets some stress reduction 2:35:05 Catchphrase practice 2:42:30 A truly private conversation 2:44:00 Caleb’s story starts here 3:03:10 Molly is a fruit god 3:42:15 The cool kids left Caleb’s nerd ass 3:46:30 Dirty Molly 4:05:05 This woman needs some throat coat

Mr. O'Brien has me O'cryin

"I want to bend reality to my will" Caleb has big ambitions

I like to imagine the Stubborn Stock took the 10,000gp job and took up the alternate Empire path for this campaign. 😂

Matt: "What is your name?" Sam: "Veth." *Everyone laughs* You fools!

1:22:54 "This is my compatriot, Trent Ikithon." *Caleb FREEZES*

“I love you and Imma get you Taco Bell”~ Matt Mercer aka best Husband ever

Lauras role play of jester reading the letter is so adorable to watch. The moment she starts reading the letter i am no longer at the table with them but i vividly see jester reading the letter and giving comments to her friends. I love that scene

THIS! This is why I love Nott and Caleb so much. Both are hurting and both hate themselves for the past trauma they have suffered or caused. However, whenever they beat themselves down the other is there to pick them back up. The fact that they are able to keep going because of the bond they share is really enduring, and it pulls at the heart strings.

"Caleb was like I love you mom and dad!" *Marisha and Sam internally just going Aaaawwww shit.*

I didn't know Liam could cast Power word Kill on my heart

I refuse to believe that Caleb’s description of his school’s attitude as “The Empire over all” was not a reference to the song “Deutschlandlied.” He knows his stuff

The difference between Beau and Caleb now and Beau and Caleb later is beautiful. You know what that is? Growth.

YOU CAN TOTALLY TELL WHEN LIAM/CALEB RECOGNIZES TRENT'S NAME, OH MY GOD.

Holy shit, Liam absolutely took that note Matt gave in an earlier episode about asking if a character is lying instead of just calling out 'Insight check!' I realize that's small, but players/people who really listen are so undervalued.

“This could turn into an hour and a half of me going on about the Age of Arcanum.” How about a 4-part, 20+ hour miniseries?

Rewatching this and realizing this is the episode where Caleb reads about the Age of Arcana and how they talked about "turning mountains into clouds" and floating cities. Hearing that made me immediately think about the Calamity campaign with Brennan, and I love how everything's connected. Such a great world Matt built.

Liam: trying to share Caleb’s tragic backstory Everyone else: has a seven minute conversation about how to cook a rat

What I love most about how Caleb(Liam) gives his story is that you can see how he could become a tragic, redeemed hero... or possibly turn into one of the greatest power hungry villains of all time.

Caleb’s reaction during Jester reading her Moms letter. Wow! I love how they all stay in character!!

Oh my god, that harmony when they were singing "Lollipop" was amazing! Timestamp: 18:09

can we give liam an award or commendation for his retelling of caleb's backstory? holy shit. the way his voice quakes. the look on his face. its so real, its almost scary. but *wow* is it impressive

There is a blacksmith still wondering when that blue Tiefling girl is going to pick up her box

Notts speech to Caleb after that hit me so hard on a personal level sheesh...something I needed to hear too I guess.

I had a thought: There was mention of Caleb's bread gloves earlier in a past episode, and in learning what they were from the comments, I was of course saddened, but also confused, thinking, "Doesn't he know Produce Flame? Why not just conjure a fireball to warm up?" ... Oh. Shit.

Might Nein: We want to lay low..keep our heads down Last Episode: Party, displays of strength and luck, also becoming victors in a monster pit in front of tons of people This episode Mighty Nein: Uggggh why does everyone want to hire us for stuff??? We wanted to stay in the shadows!

"I am going to tell you the story of how I murdered my mother and father" marisha and sam: *poggers*

I've seen some of the greatest actors in their prime. I've partaken in some of the greatest stories ever told. Liam's monologue was one of the most gripping, emotional, real and compelling things I've EVER seen. A nerdy D&D player made me frikkin cry. Unreal.

"I'm going to tell you the story of how I murdered my mother and father." Marisha immediately starts taking notes.