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Critical Role/ The Legend of Vox Machina


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#1 Katia11

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Posted 06 July 2022 - 10:23 PM

Please be advised that this topic will contain references to death, violence, swearing, sex, nudity, etc. There will also be spoilers for Critical Role if that's something you care about. I will try to mark things as they come up, but this is just a general warning. 

 

I debated about posting this topic, because our community is so small.. And who is really interested in my incoherent ramblings about the show that's taken up most of my brain for the past four months? Probably no one.

 

But here I am. This is a thing.

 

In early February I watched The Legend of Vox Machina on Amazon Prime Video. I was home alone and I thought what the heck.. so I tried it. The first two episodes were fun. Then the Briarwood Arc started and I fell in love. 

 

The Legend of Vox Machina is based on Critical Role Campaign 1. This past week I discovered I could listen to the podcast at 2.5 speed instead of watching and am very much enjoying myself. So, I'm pretty sure this is new interest is here to stay. 

 

Critical Role is currently running a campaign, and I'm hoping to get around to it. But this will probably be, for the time being, mostly dedicated to TLOVM/ CR 1.

 

Important things to know: 

 

Vox Machina is comprised of a band of eight unlikely heroes, who find themselves on a quest to save the realm of Exandria from dark magical forces. (There is a ninth, Tiberius but we're just going to ... ignore him.) I will include the character descriptions taken from the Critical Role Campaign One wiki to spare as much confusion as I can.

 

Grog Strongjaw: is a goliath barbarian/fighter 

 

Pike Trickfoot: is a gnome cleric of Sarenrae and a member of Vox Machina.  (Sarenrae is referred to as Everlight in the animated series)

 

Scanlan Shorthalt: is a gnome bard 

 

Keyleth of the Air Ashari: is a half-elf druid 

 

Vax'ildan, nicknamed Vax: is a half-elf rogue / paladin / druid

 

Vex'ahlia, nicknamed Vex: is a half-elf ranger / rogue 

 

Trinket: Vex'ahlia's pet bear

 

Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III : Percival de Rolo or Percy, is a human gunslinger

 

Taryon Gary Darrington: is a human artificer (he doesn't show up until later in the campaign, so I don't know much about him yet)

 

 

-

 

Other important names/ terms:

 

Orthax: some sort of shadow demon (BAD)

 

Lord Sylas and Lady Delilah Briarwood: villains who take over Whitestone- violently 

 

Anna Ripley: An associate of the Briarwoods who tortured Percy/also sort of a creepy fan of him too and trying to copy his gun

 

Cassandra de Rolo: Percy's sister

 

The Whispered One/ Vecna: Powerful being trying to achieve godhood

 

The Chroma Conclave: a group of four dragons which attack Tal'dorei. The four dragons are as follows: Thordak a large red dragon, Raishan a green dragon, Vorugal a white dragon, Umbrasyl a black dragon.

 

The Clasp: An underground crime syndicate that Vax has some ties to.

 

 

Places: 

 

The Republic of Tal'Dorei, also known simply as Tal'Dorei: is a republic in Exandria on the continent of the same name.

 

Whitestone: The city which Percy's family had leadership of before being overthrown by the Briarwoods.

 

Emon: The capital city of the Republic of Tal'Dorei

 

Syngorn: The largest elven city in Tal'Dorei (Vex and Vax's father lives here and they lived there for a while too).

 

Vasselheim:  Vasselheim is the capital of human civilization on the continent of Issylra.

 

Westruun:  City where Grog hails from 

 

The Feywild, otherwise known as the Fae Realm: a plane of existence in the Critical Role Universe. 

 

*I will probably have to add things as I go on. 

 

Technically, there is a bunch of stuff that happened before I started listening, but I'm sort of avoiding it at the moment. So, if you know anything about Critical Role, I started with The Sun Tree and am going forward from there.

 

**Although, it's important to note that Vox Machina does kill a blue dragon early on in the stream**

 

-

 

I will also very quickly try to nutshell everything that's happened up to the point where I'm at in the podcast. 

 

Vox Machina runs into a mysterious couple with ties to Percy's past known as the Briarwoods. Percy eventually confesses that the Briarwoods murdered his entire family and took over his ancestral home of Whitestone. After a being tortured, he tried to escape with his sister, but he sees her fall so he thinks she's dead.  After learning this, Vox Machina travels to Whitestone to take it back. 

 

Percy has designed an instrument of death (a gun) with which he intends to kill the people on his 'list'. The Briarwoods, Dr. Anna Ripley,  Kerrion Stonefell, and Professor Anders. But with every encounter, he seems to be loosing a little more of himself. He puts on plague mask, is engulfed by smoke, and says things like "your soul is forfeit" as he viciously murders his intended target.    *So naturally, he's one of my favorites.

 

Eventually, they discover that the Briarwoods took over Whitestone because of the ziggurat which lies beneath it. They are attempting to bring an entity known as The Whispered One/ Vecna into the world. They also discover that Percy's sister  Cassandra lives. 

 

After some narrow escapes, and betrayal on the part of Cassandra (who does turn back to Vox Machina's side eventually), they defeat the Briarwoods and also seem to get rid of the entity that was taking residence inside of Percy. (Orthax, a shadow demon). 

 

This is where the stream and TLOVM diverge a bit. 

 

-The stream has them chilling in Whitestone then returning to Emon, where they go to the house of the blue dragon they killed and fight some creepy worm things and discover a weird ass skull. They are called up to see the Emperor, who then resigns his position and gives power over to the council of Tal'Dorei. This event is followed by an attack by a group of dragons (The Choma Conclave).

 

But the show goes straight to the Emperor resigning his power and the dragon attack after the Briarwood arc is completed. Which, hey, I like dragons too ... so.. :) :) It's at this point where the first season of the show ends.

 

In the stream, they then transport a bunch of refugees out of Emon to Whitestone, argue a bit about the creepy skull, deal with The Clasp, and are trying to figure out what to do next. There's a bunch of stuff I skipped, but ... this topic is mostly for me to squee. 

 

If you have any questions. Don't ask.

 

Just kidding, ask and I'll do my best to answer. 

 

HOLY CRAP THIS WAS LONG. IF YOU MADE IT THIS FAR... I LOVE YOU. 

 

-


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#2 Katia11

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Posted 06 July 2022 - 10:44 PM

PHEW. Now that's over let's start this off right with some music videos.

 

****THESE WILL CONTAIN IMAGES OF GUNS/ BLOOD/ VIOLENCE AND FLASHING IMAGES*****

 

 


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#3 Mara=^.^=

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Posted 07 July 2022 - 03:23 AM

Love this show. Love RPGs. :dance:

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =


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#4 Katia11

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Posted 07 July 2022 - 03:36 AM

This show is literally all I've thought about for months, and I just needed to scream about it. 😆 as for RPGs, I'm not a big fan of doing them myself. However, the idea is growing on me. 😃
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#5 Katia11

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Posted 07 July 2022 - 10:28 PM

I FORGOT TO POST THIS ONE. I love this one!  **please note that this video contains death, violence, blood, guns, etc. **

 

 

Do you have a favorite character, Mara? I really love Percy, Keyleth, Vex, and Pike. I like the others too, but those are my bebes. 

 

As for the podcast: 

 

After dealing with The Clasp, and the Slayer's Take for a bit, Vox Machina discover something called the Vestiges of Divergence which are powerful artifacts that will aid in their mission to destroy the dragons.

 

They decide to go after one called the Deathwalker's Ward, which is a black leather armor covered in intricate scrollwork with a mantle bearing the black feathers of the Raven Queen. The Raven Queen is a mortal who ascended to godhood. Along with two extra characters named Zarah and Kash, Vox Machina goes to the tomb of the last Raven Queen champion where the Ward is currently located. (It's a creepy place with a Beholder which they fight and kill.) Then.. THEN.

 

Percy and Vex go to the crypt and Percy opens it and winds up releasing a trap of death energy which kills Vex. Thankfully, they are able to revive her, but only after Vax makes a deal with the Raven Queen. Not much detail is given about the nature of the deal currently. 

 

*don't talk to me about the fact that Percy tells Vax before they enter the tomb, paraphrased, "Forgive me for the mistakes I've made and the ones I'm going to make." *WEEPS*

 

I KNEW IT WAS COMING AND I STILL WANTED TO CRY


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#6 Katia11

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Posted 08 July 2022 - 10:30 PM

OK folks! Made some more progress in the podcast! :) 

 

After Vex dies and is brought back to life, Vox Machina decide to release the animal trapped inside the necklace (which was also in the Sunken Tomb) and discover a wolf named Galdric, they convince Galdric to protect Whitestone.

 

Vax punches Percy, and Percy makes a siege arrow for Vex (with her giving him a kiss on the cheek)!!! :D :D 

 

Then, they all decide to journey to Pyrah, home of the Fire Ashari, hoping to find survivors of Thordak's escape from the Elemental Plane of Fire. There, they run into Keyleth's father! Unfortunately, while her father seems very proud, he also reveals that Keyleth's mother has died. They succeed in closing the rift and Vex takes a flying broom. 

 

I forgot to add that Grog has a very creepy sword that once belonged to Lord Sylas Briarwood named Craven Edge which is now talking to him about being 'hungry'. (Matthew Mercer does have a fantastic creepy voice. ;) ) As Grog continues to wield it, the sword seems to be talking to him more and more, and he's having dreams about murdering people he knows (like Pike) as he laughs. It's very intense.  

 

Scanlan who can now conjure a mansion and VM offers the refugees from Pyrah a place to sleep tonight. During the night, Keyleth gets a visit from Headmaster Cerkonos who reveals that it was the Green Dragon Raishan who had opened the portal to the fire plane and had released Thordak from his prison. Vax is also visited during the night by The Raven Queen, who reveals that he is her new chosen Champion and that he can be "a great leader, tyrant, or remain a nobody", this night is where Grog has the very creepy dream about the sword and being honored by his family and welcomed back into it.

 

They know that Grog's uncle has one of the Vestiges of Divergence that they need, and Grog explains that his history with his family is not good. He stood up for a little guy (Pike's grandfather) and had to fight his cousin. He won, but the cousin then beat him up and Grog was basically exiled. Convincing the others to wait for this confrontation, VM goes to Westruun (where the black dragon is currently at).

 

However, they discover that Grog's family is there, and are sort of in a place of power under the dragons. After some investigation, Grog decides not to try and face his uncle because he wants Pike there to back him up. VM decides upon the Frostweald being their next destination. 

 

These summaries are probably very confusing, forgive me :) :) there's a lot going on. 

 

:D 


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#7 Katia11

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Posted 10 July 2022 - 10:05 PM

It is nice that I'm listening at a fast speed, there's a lot of talking about what to do next. So, VM has gone into the Frostweald where they think the Sphinx is that might have more info on the Vestiges of Divergence. 

 

They run into an mapmaker, fight the sphinx and come away with these: 

 

Fenthras, the Wrath of Feywarden, a bow that defeated titans. It was lost in the Feywild during the Calamity and is currently in a tree that is corrupting the land.
Plate of the Dawnmartyr, beacon of protection to the chosen of Pelor, and it's on display in the City of Brass. It was won by a fire giant in a card game against a Sutan.
Cabal's Ruin, a magic-devouring cloak once used by an assassin to eliminate the den of Druja. Now owned by a merchant-warrior with a missing eye in Ank'Harel.
Spire of Conflux, a staff born from Melora's breath. It was devoured with its owner by a goristro named Yenk in the endless maze of the Abyss.
Titanstone Knuckles, now in Westruun with Grog’s uncle Kevdak.
Whisper, a blade forged from metal from the Far Realm, lies at the bottom of the Ozmit Sea on a lost ship, The Shrew.

 

WHOOHOO! There's still a lot of math lol ;) 


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#8 Katia11

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Posted 13 July 2022 - 09:40 PM

So! New things! Grog fights the current head of the herd he was once a part of and in AN insane battle, wings the knuckles of brass. After some arguing about what to do next, they decide to finally confront the dragon. After dealing heavy damage to the dragon, it escapes up the mountain (with Vax and Scanlan inside of it's body and Grog hanging on to it) they all go up the mountain and fight it again. 

 

They do manage to kill it! With some really cool battle sequences!!

 

There's a lot happening here and I'm skipping over 80% of it. Mostly because I've been listening to like three in a day and also because there's a lot of material to cover. If you are interested in seeing better descriptions of episodes and specifics about them the fan encyclopedia can be found here ->>>

 

https://criticalrole..._1:_Vox_Machina

 

So, one dragon down, three to go! 


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#9 Katia11

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Posted 17 July 2022 - 06:54 PM

Okay, SO MUCH has happened and I'm trying to find a way to describe it all. Both Percy and Vax meet with the Raven Queen. We finally get more info on the details of the pact Vax has agreed to. Both meetings were heartbreaking and perfect. They head back to Whitestone to meet up with old allies, and Percy and Vex walk around for a while, checking out some of the temples. Then Percy has Zarah build a shrine to the Raven Queen. Eventually, they all go to bed and Vax is stabbed by Hotis (a rakshasa Vax had thought he killed).

 

After successfully defeating Hotis and the band of assassins from the Clasp, VM travel to the Feywild to retrieve Fenthras (the bow). There's magic, mischief and a very tense meeting with Vex & Vax's father who is an ass. During this meeting, Percy titles Vex as Lady Vex'ahlia Baroness of the Third House of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt.

 

IT IS SO AWESOME.

 

After some dealings with a crocodile like creature and a very creepy campsite, they find Saundor (an arch fey who has become corrupted). Saundor is super creepy. Trying to manipulate Vex'ahlia into joining him, but she turns him down in the best way.

 

Paraphrased:

 

Saundor "I'll give you the means to protect them. Your home."

 

Vex: "What would you ask in return?"

 

Saundor: "Your heart."

 

Vex: "My heart is someone else's."

 

After a hard fight VM defeats Saundor, claiming the bow and returning to Whitestone! 


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#10 Katia11

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 07:48 AM

Today in TLOVM moments that make me lose my shit.

This image flashing over Percy during his confrontation with Professor Anders.

Attached File  Screenshot 2022-05-19 12.14.51 PM.png   973.63KB   0 downloads

So freaking cool.
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#11 Katia11

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 12:28 PM

lol I AM IN TROUBLE. I ordered a CR t-shirt, lapel pins and a VM puzzle. HELP. 


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#12 JimmyxxCindy4EVER

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 01:13 PM

I'm the same way with other fandoms, girl! I know how that feels...! haha :P Especially Hello Kitty or JN! :lol:
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#13 Katia11

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 03:30 PM

😂
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#14 Katia11

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Posted 20 July 2022 - 01:09 PM

We have a group at the kitchen this week and I was listening to CR while I was working and it made the time go so much faster. WHY DID I NOT THINK OF THIS EARLIER?!!! Anyway, I've gotten through some more of the podcast! They found Tiberius dead, spied on a dragon, took a lot of time trying to figure out the game plan. (listening to them plan/ argue is by far my least favorite part lol) but they did make some reluctant allies and now they are on the hunt for Cabal's Ruin (a vestige of divergence)


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#15 Katia11

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Posted 24 July 2022 - 10:40 PM

asghskgahskgashaksghaskhag PERCY's death was a freakin' gut punch. Even though I knew he would come back alive, it is SO INTENSE. 

 

Percy dies fighting Anna Ripley (who has Orthax on her side), Pike conducts a resurrection spell.  Vex'ahlia confesses that her heart is Percy's, Keyleth pulls his soul out of the gun, and it works!! 

 

It is revealed that Raishan (one of the dragons) has been chilling in Whitestone disguised as Seeker Asuum. Raishan reveals that she too wants to kill Thordak, so they forge an uneasy alliance, but on the condition she also helps kill Vorugal. 

 

They do various things, and discuss how best to actually kill the dragon. They do eventually fight and defeat Vorugal!

 

(AND PERCY KISSES VEX. It's great every time I listen to it and I die.)

 

They are currently in the fire plane in hopes of finding out more about the stone that Throdak has in his chest and are also in search of another vestige of divergence. 


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#16 Katia11

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Posted 14 August 2022 - 08:59 PM

okay okay! So they fight Thordak and defeat him, but then they also decide to try and get Raishan while they were at it. IT GOES VERY POORLY. Several Vex and Scanlan fall, but are saved. They then track down Raishan again, and go after her. After a fight in which both Percy and Scanlan (dies again) they finally do defeat her. Percy is revived but due to the nature of DND rules, Scanlan is not.  

 

Also, I promise I won't post much fic here but since I'm really the only one who is interacting with this topic I AM GONNA DO WHAT I AM GONNA DO. *ahem*

 

At SDCC Laura Bailed said "Trinket lives forever."  Basically making it canon that Trinket outlives all of Vox Machina, and so my brain WROTE A THING. 

 

Trinket sits in the grove of trees, his nose pressed to the ground, searching for a scent he won’t find.  

 
He’s known many things in his life, but his favorite thing by far was his family. He loved them all, and though they are all gone, their memory is still with him.
 
Vax is in the joyful screams of children when they weave braids into his hair. Grog is in the strength of stone around him. Pike is in the sunlight that hits the temple roof. Scanlan is in a song he hears in the street, and Keyleth is in the wind. Percy is in the shape of his children’s eyes and the sound of a clock ticking.
 
And Vex…
 
Vex is everywhere to him. He’s unsure if that makes the ache of missing her better or worse. Maybe a bit of both.
 
With a soft sigh, he lays down, resting his head above the place where her bones reside.
 
This show is eating my brain, people. 

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#17 Katia11

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Posted 20 August 2022 - 07:17 PM

I've been avoiding it for days but I finally got past Scanlan leaving .... OUCHIES. IT HURT.  

 

Also, I AM NOT GOING TO BUY MORE CR MERCH. I'M NOT. 


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#18 Katia11

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Posted 13 September 2022 - 08:46 PM

Well, now VM is in hell to kill Hotis and I'm getting closer to the end (I have the vecna arc, but it's coming and I AM NOT READY) although, I am looking forward to starting C2 after I finish! 


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#19 Katia11

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Posted 23 September 2022 - 05:32 AM

This SHOW is just so good, friends!! I can't stop thinking about it. Help?
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#20 Katia11

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Posted 02 October 2022 - 05:46 PM

I am in love with this MV- this song has been stuck in my head for days because of it.

 

**Also, please be aware this contains flashing images/ blood/ violence.

 


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