I'll go one further than just saying "it's rude" to not tell your DM you did something. If you didn't tell your DM you bought something, you didn't buy it. Buying something requires interacting with the world, and with a shopkeeper usually. The DM controls shopkeepers, shop prices, shop inventory, just shops in general. You can't buy something without telling your DM because the DM is not obligated to have a shop that has what you want to buy for what you want to pay for it.
Even if it's just materials or paper! It doesn't happen often, but I'll mention "Hey DM I wanna grab some paper for spell copying" and he'll tell me no because he had other plans. But UNTIL HE SAYS "Okay you can do that", I don't edit anything
I don't think he was acting per sae I think that he's so immersed in the world and his character that when hearing those names, it created this involuntarily reaction.
I’m only just start my critical role journey but that moment solidified Talisen as one of my favourite cast members. It also taught me a lesson that you can show the DM that you are engaged with the game without a blustery loud response and completely sidetracking current events. The storytelling can be subtle! That blew my mind!!
"Requested: One Mark V electrified glove, 1000 rounds pepperbox ammunition, 100 rounds sniper rifle ammunition, 1 low-yield nuclear eldritch blast. Purpose: Surprise party for foreign dignitaries." Vox Machina Special Operations Requisition Form That's where I go when Percy says, "I'd like to surprise them…"
@@talleywa5772 Disappointed nobody got the reference, but that's still funny AF. Just because you want to buy it doesn't mean the DM has to make it available.
Taliesin's reaction to the Briarwoods being mentioned is such a little moment, but it's still one of my favourites in the whole campaign. I can only imagine what he was feeling at that moment!
yeah, taliesin was one of the earliest to do more acting out the roleplaying over just talking in character like he does go out of character and laughs with everyone, but he tried to stay in character even out of his turns early on
I really like Three Clue Rule from the Alexandrian blog. "For any conclusion you want the PCs to make, include at least three clues." I use vaguely this for many parts of my dm props. Not only for conclusions, but for story structure, plot hooks etc.
I completely missed that Matt mentioned their names the first time. But that second time… I tend to have critical role on in the background while I'm doing something else, usually playing a game or painting minis. But the second I heard the name Briarwood, I immediately clicked over to the tab just so I could see Taliesin's face. it was so worth it.
I have a rule in my session 0 checklist that basically says, "you can have secrets from the players, you cannot have secrets from the DM". Essentially, as the focal point/"game engine" that the game runs through, how am I supposed to be able to react if you pull out a barrel of black powder that I had no knowledge of, and try a Fluffer Nutter? How am I supposed to react if I find out you're a changeling at the same time the other players do?
My players had found an ancient artifact and when I went to take a bio break they shouted at me to stay in the bathroom for 5 more minutes because they wanted to have some one carry it but not let me know who had it. They thought I would steal it by metagaming. Something I had never done up on to that point and didn’t plan on.
I just adore how Tal goes so ICC when he's on the table, its so impressive to actually see Percy's reaction, and he know its all on him as Percy never told anyone about the Brairwoods. So its not like the other players can really do/react much.
The Percy Cam was a brilliant idea and very much needed for it's part in your explanation of the introduction of the Briarwoods!! Perfectly showcased how Matt's methods affected the key player in that moment, thank you!
Oh good, I’m glad! I know that moment was memed quite a bit during C1, but it’s been so long now that I couldn’t even find those videos. So the Percy Cam became essential so new audience members would see it in action
Your main point is spot on, as usual. Your secondary point, regarding the Problem Player, is good, but, as is pointed out by someone else, goes beyond "rude". Mundane purchases, sure, no problem. A rare (at best) magic item? Yeah, no, that needs to be confirmed with the DM.
Yeah, my instinct once this discussion got raised here is that I wouldn't worry about players buying cheap mundane supplies -- that's part of the "let's not deal with the minutia" -- but above a certain cost or rarity, it would have to be run by me. You've made me realize that I ought to actually codify these in the house rules somewhere before I start the campaign. But I should be able to trust my players to get a certain amount without running every detail by me, and even potentially pick out small items they didn't think to buy in town but that their characters would likely have thought to buy (e.g. firestarters) that doesn't reach the players' attention until it's too late to buy it explicitly. I mean, the details of shopping for weird items and trying to balance funds happens to be pretty fun for me, and the core of certain games (Oregon Trail) and experiences (we role-played the pioneers during homeschool and that's the part I recall most clearly and fondly), and bartering is fun at times, but I recognize that this isn't engaging for most players -- heck, there's a sequence in *Secret of Evermore* where you spend over an hour running around trading items, and apparently it's infamously hated by a lot of players, but it was my absolutely favorite section.
So I listen to these on my phone as a podcast, my boss is a D&D nerd so has no problems with it; encourages it and asks where I'm at in the series often. However, I really do end up missing out on nuances like Taliesin's visual reaction which makes me a little sad. I just don't have the time to actually 'watch'. This said watching your videos have been so helpful with your inclusion of these scenes, I really do appreciate it. Thank you for the work that you do Mike.
0:23 Honestly, it never even occurred to me to try this. Getting the DM's permission to buy something is just something I figured was an unwritten rule of the game. I mean, if you're not supposed to hide your class abilities why would you hide your inventory? Okay, yes, I know why people would do it, but I've always been on the Lawful side IRL. You deal with your DM squarely, and they do the same with you. Besides, cheating in what's ultimately a game of make-believe always struck me as silly at best.
I can totally see not bothering asking for basic stuff like arrows, rope, rations, etc, as long as the party had a bit of downtime in/near a market. Then again, that's how somebody could end up with a thousand mirrors out of nowhere, so... maybe they should ask the DM first.
it's just insane, like maybe it makes sense in an official d&d game where you KNOW a shop will have a bag of holding, but like what if your DM doesn't have them available to buy?? you can't just assume shops have whatever magic item lying around for you lmao
As a DM of a player said they bought a magic item mid game without actually asking me I would just laugh and say "no you didn't". Basic supplies are fine but magic items or hard to get items need to be discussed with the DM.
when i first started watching CR, i had heard about orion so i was prepared, and while supergeekmike pointed out the issues with the beholder boss fight, this epsiode with buying the second bag of holding without talking to the DM, was the first time i just said to myself "thats bull, you dont do that dude" and you can see Matt is annoyed about it, but he didnt want to stop the show and derail it
It's funny 'cuz I've been blindsided by gear the players had... that were on the character sheets they gave me at the start of the game, that I approved before the game began, but that I'd totally forgotten about or overlooked. Completely one-shot knocked out the guy who was supposed to take one of them hostage. That same player *also* took me aside at the end of session to say "I'll understand if you don't allow this, but I happen to know how to make an explosion with common kitchen chemicals, so would you be okay with--" and even sent me online proof. That single moment ***completely*** uprooted my entire antagonist strategy for that entire encounter and left me in a hilarious-in-retrospect scramble to figure out how an unexpected explosion would affect the reactions of every single group of NPCs. (Cops: "These terrorists are serious, call in the elite squad!" Extremist Conspiracy Theorists Just Trying to Get the Word Out: "Wtf who brought a bomb, was there supposed to be-- nobody told me about--")
I love this series, I had some difficulties continuing with the campaign after the first few episodes, and your videos made me want to watch along with you. Even to the point where I got so excited for the campaign that 2 weeks was too long of a wait for me, so since your last update I have now continued on to episode 21 😁 so thank you for your insight and for inspiring me to continue watching the campaign!
glad you are making it through :) i am still stuck around episode 24ish, I find it really hard to push past orion bits but hopefully when this seiries reaches that point it will have the same effect for me it did for you :)
Laura getting into haggling was and is fun to watch. I remember when campaign 2 was starting seeing Jester almost instinctively jump into bargaining mode when they went shopping. Not sure she meant her second character to share the same trait, but one could argue this was still early for Jester's shopping as a group experience. Her boisterous trait might've just taken point even if she would defer to other party members on later shopping sprees.
It's a real life pleasure of Laura's that she incorporated into Vex. I think she's talked about how natural it was that she had to restrain herself as Jester.
I've only watched the animated series so I didn't know about the twins' dad, and had no idea why Taliesin wasn't reacting to the name Briarwood, but man those blinks when he caught it the second time. I'd love to know what he was thinking because I probably wouldn't be able to stay in character (though he's a professional). Thank you again for your recaps and analyses!
I actually like those shopping episodes. In my opinon they are the ones that establish Mercer as a master of his craft. Most DMs would handwave shopping as an afterthought. Both as a spectator and as a DM I think those episodes are top quality. Gilmore, Pumat Sol and other traders are very entertaining and can teach anyone a lot about how to create interesting NPCs, as those are arguably some of the most interesting NPCs in CR. They are also great as conveyors of information and ambiance. If a shopkeeper is angry about an increase in taxes by the evil local baron or if he is scared because another store was recently robbed by wererats or if they love to gossip about the lords and ladies of the court private lives. It all serves to move the adventure, provide hooks and increase immersion in the fantasy world.
One of the things that stood out to me in this episode is the way Matt handles shopping; a set list with a periodically changing inventory, almost like a video game. It is VERY different from basically every campaign I've ever participated in. I am used to players doing their own shopping either within boundaries set by the DM (e.g. "Nothing above Uncommon rarity") or approved by the DM after the fact. I've always considered this to be preferable to having a set list, primarily because the tedious page-flipping could be done between sessions. That being said, I have to admit that Matt's method has some benefits I hadn't considered. It makes for good roleplay opportunities. It encourages the party to problem solve to figure out how best to distribute their limited pool of magic items for maximum benefit. And it winnows down countless books of magic items into a small, somewhat easy-to-digest list (though the players still struggled somewhat to keep up with all the items, their prices, and their effects). I would be interested to hear your thoughts on how best to handle shopping. Perhaps as a video?
Watching all of campaign 2 really helped me see gow Matt runs some things much like a video game. Really helped me put perspective on my expectations for my own game (PC not DM). I have been able to see how much video games have taken from TTRPG and vice versa
i think this set up works well for streamed game especially, as it saves time from the players sitting looking through the books for magic items, plus with most of the players being still somewhat new to dnd, having a set shop list that is somewhat tailored to them mkes their choices easier and helps avoid bad or useless purchases
There's also a moment where, I think Ashley, says that Scanlan wants to buy some things and apearnatly Sam has texted her, and then Orion looks at his phone and angrily tosses it away.. I think that he texted Sam about the Circlet and got ghosted
We had a 5 year long VTM game that probably would have ended sooner except the storyteller kept pronouncing Phoebus as Phobos and we couldn't put together what the god of fear had to do with anything.
Hmm... I just read the Wikipedia article, but I had previously only seen the story of a gazebo being taken for a D&D monster when the gag appeared in Knights of the Dinner Table. Perhaps the only things more frightening than a Dread Gazebo are the Sinister Pergola, or a Dark Credenza. The latter object confused me as a kid when I played the text adventure _Stoneville Manor_. Luckily, I checked a dictionary before assuming it was hostile.
Loved this episode! I know a lot of people are saying once a week please, so I’ll just be a voice saying “every two weeks has its benefits as well…” Especially for those trying to stay caught up/play catch up with so much wonderful content. I had genuinely assumed you were doing it on that timeline so that folks could re-watch the episodes as well….. Just fwiw. 🌸
Nice. A new video. And you know what ? You are about to become my second patreon donation. The first one being... MCDM. So you are amongst good company. I do want you to be able to make these videos more often so... *reaches for his wallet* Nice video, but a bit short. Shopping episodes tend to do that.
I always thought Orion had bought the bag outside of the table not to bother the other ones, I have done that before when players wanted something specific and we run out of time... Matt didnt say anything about it but the other players seemed pissed...
Matt is trying to roll with it, but it feels like something that the player is using the live broadcast to gain an advantage - it would be very awkward and confrontational to retcon it then.
Interestingly, it seems to me like Matt is maybe annoyed, but the other players are fine with it - in fact, since Marisha is the one who says “Nice bag” to Orion, I thought they were talking about his actual IRL satchel. But it seems like she knew what he was doing, or she didn’t know but happened to say something that he interpreted as a comment about the game in a funny coincidence.
I’ll probably do each as their own episode, unless they wind up being really short and I don’t have much to say. But considering what happens in some of those episodes, I’m not too worried about that… those were some wild episodes. I think episode 33 is the one that had to be broken up and uploaded in chunks, that one I WOULD do as one video. But since Trial of the Take was 4 separate episodes, they’ll probably each get the full video treatment.
@@SupergeekMike That makes sense. I think there were a few episodes during the Briarwood arc that ended up split in two parts (I think due to recording issues).
I really hate when players don’t tell me their full plans, or surprise me with magic items. This is especially a problem in Adventure League where people can adventure elsewhere, or swap magic items in special places. With magic items I ask people on the check in log to write in any extreme magic items. Ex. Weapons of Warning. Don’t ask me can you do this one thing, then this thing, and finally a third thing. With the third thing being unreasonable from the get go, but semi reasonable if I have to follow the bread crumbs. I have stopped a game and said “DM to Players” And repeat the clue or etc. Especially if the clue is important to some at the far end of the table. Oh if you are running the Keys to the Golden Vault make your players tell you their full plans.
Orion asking for an item from a player that is not there is very disrespectful in my opinion. I think that is why Matt sidestepped it, he was being diplomatic.
oh man how much i wish you could pump these out more than once per fortnight!! i know youve got no reason to trust me but if you want any help with these videos id love to play a part in production!
Thank you! However, my goal would be to pay an editor a fair rate, which is why it’s one of my patreon goals. The best way to get them weekly is for more folks to sign up to get me closer to that goal 😁
I would love to in the future! This is one of my Patreon goals, because I would want to hire an editor. But my goals are based on number of Patrons, not the amount donated - so the more people who sign up, the more likely that becomes :)
@@SupergeekMike sometimes one clip is just a lot quieter than the rest of the vid Good trick is to just throw a hard limiter on there and set the preset to -3db if you use premiere pro Or maybe just adjust the gain a little till the peaks match with the rest of the audio Maybe i‘m also just a little dummy idk 😂
Here's an interesting question: if you're running on a virtual tabletop (like Foundry), and you have a plugin for an automated shop that exchanges gold for items that players can click freely, would you allow your players to buy something without telling you? Under what circumstances would or wouldnt you?
I think they should always tell me, even with mundane items, just a head’s up on what they’re spending their money on. It doesn’t need to be a whole scene, but they don’t know if I’m gonna tell them that, for example, the store doesn’t have that much paper in stock because a dragon is blocking the supply chain and hey would you mind dealing with that? Also, considering that they make shopping for magic items part of their game (they’re sponsored by Gilmore), it’s even weirder and more rude to do so off-screen without consulting the DM. It also speaks to an idea that I think explains some of Orion’s later behavior after leaving CR - he seems to consider Draconia someplace he can make decisions about without consulting Matt. I doubt he would’ve said he bought it at Gilmore’s, but because Draconia is part of his backstory, he feels like he can say that there’s a shop there that sells bags of holding. Now, that’s not out of the realm of possibility in Matt’s world, but that doesn’t mean Orion has free range to go there without Matt adjudicating any of it. What if Matt had decided that Draconia was in the midst of a zombie hoard, and was waiting to drop that info until someone next reached out to or visited Draconia. It depends on play style, but my feeling is that you can’t just decide what happens, you tell the DM what you’re doing, and then the DM tells you if it works or not. It doesn’t have to be any more than “I buy more arrows,” but even just a text between sessions to say you’d like to do so before the next game seems like best practice, at least in my opinion.
Okay, i'm not one to defend Orion at all, but this bothered me watching the episode as well.. He DID say he was going to Draconia, and i'm pretty sure he said he was buying a bag of holding as well, literally at the end of episode 13. Maybe i'm completely misremembering, but I remember not understanding why everyone was so confused about it in episode 14.
Sorry might need more context. The moment where Orion hit the table. It's been years since I've seen the episode, but hearing the description that was the line that jumped into my head.
Bro... this campaign ended so long ago why do you constantly reference Orion in your videos? Again I get it fuck Orion but Jesus, you sure make a whole lot of content
I make videos every other week about old Critical Role episodes and what we can learn from them. Ultimately, that does mean sometimes I will discuss things we can learn from his behavior, often as an example of what not to do. It’s not the reason I make these videos, but it is a side effect of the process.
I'll go one further than just saying "it's rude" to not tell your DM you did something. If you didn't tell your DM you bought something, you didn't buy it. Buying something requires interacting with the world, and with a shopkeeper usually. The DM controls shopkeepers, shop prices, shop inventory, just shops in general. You can't buy something without telling your DM because the DM is not obligated to have a shop that has what you want to buy for what you want to pay for it.
100% agreed.
Oh, DM i didn't tell you, but I bought the whole kingdom, cause I've found some money on multiple private adventures, so yeah, now it's mine
Even if it's just materials or paper! It doesn't happen often, but I'll mention "Hey DM I wanna grab some paper for spell copying" and he'll tell me no because he had other plans.
But UNTIL HE SAYS "Okay you can do that", I don't edit anything
To be clear him saying no doesn't happen often. I'm a wizard, paper buying is a uh ... Thing.
Also in hindsight is the first time he’s actively playing “against” Matt, which becomes a pattern
Lord and Lady Briarwoods reveal and Tal’s “background RP” is one of the first big signs of role-play brilliance in the show
Definitely, I loved how he just totally froze and stayed in character!
That is the sign of a good actor!
Precisely!
I don't think he was acting per sae
I think that he's so immersed in the world and his character that when hearing those names, it created this involuntarily reaction.
I’m only just start my critical role journey but that moment solidified Talisen as one of my favourite cast members.
It also taught me a lesson that you can show the DM that you are engaged with the game without a blustery loud response and completely sidetracking current events.
The storytelling can be subtle! That blew my mind!!
Also, the point that Ashley seems to be the only one that catches Taliesin reaction when he hears the names *chef kiss
Yep she clocked it lol
✨Because she loves him✨
How does one describe Gilmore? Well, glorious, of course.
Naturally!
"Requested: One Mark V electrified glove, 1000 rounds pepperbox ammunition, 100 rounds sniper rifle ammunition, 1 low-yield nuclear eldritch blast. Purpose: Surprise party for foreign dignitaries." Vox Machina Special Operations Requisition Form
That's where I go when Percy says, "I'd like to surprise them…"
@@talleywa5772 Disappointed nobody got the reference, but that's still funny AF. Just because you want to buy it doesn't mean the DM has to make it available.
Taliesin's reaction to the Briarwoods being mentioned is such a little moment, but it's still one of my favourites in the whole campaign. I can only imagine what he was feeling at that moment!
That clip makes me wish I knew Morse code. I'm convinced he's actually sending a message with all that blinking.
yeah, taliesin was one of the earliest to do more acting out the roleplaying over just talking in character
like he does go out of character and laughs with everyone, but he tried to stay in character even out of his turns early on
I really like Three Clue Rule from the Alexandrian blog. "For any conclusion you want the PCs to make, include at least three clues." I use vaguely this for many parts of my dm props. Not only for conclusions, but for story structure, plot hooks etc.
I *love* the 3-Clue rule, as well as a lot of the branching ideas The Alexandrian has stemming from it (like Node-Based gaming).
That’s a great approach!
I completely missed that Matt mentioned their names the first time. But that second time… I tend to have critical role on in the background while I'm doing something else, usually playing a game or painting minis. But the second I heard the name Briarwood, I immediately clicked over to the tab just so I could see Taliesin's face. it was so worth it.
It’s a great moment
Until watching this video I had no idea the names had been mentioned by Matt at all before the king handed the letters over
I have a rule in my session 0 checklist that basically says, "you can have secrets from the players, you cannot have secrets from the DM". Essentially, as the focal point/"game engine" that the game runs through, how am I supposed to be able to react if you pull out a barrel of black powder that I had no knowledge of, and try a Fluffer Nutter? How am I supposed to react if I find out you're a changeling at the same time the other players do?
EXACTLY THIS
My players had found an ancient artifact and when I went to take a bio break they shouted at me to stay in the bathroom for 5 more minutes because they wanted to have some one carry it but not let me know who had it. They thought I would steal it by metagaming. Something I had never done up on to that point and didn’t plan on.
I just adore how Tal goes so ICC when he's on the table, its so impressive to actually see Percy's reaction, and he know its all on him as Percy never told anyone about the Brairwoods. So its not like the other players can really do/react much.
The Percy Cam was a brilliant idea and very much needed for it's part in your explanation of the introduction of the Briarwoods!! Perfectly showcased how Matt's methods affected the key player in that moment, thank you!
Oh good, I’m glad! I know that moment was memed quite a bit during C1, but it’s been so long now that I couldn’t even find those videos. So the Percy Cam became essential so new audience members would see it in action
I looked up the gazebo story. (So that's why Munchkin has that card! "You must face the gazebo alone.")
Haha yes that’s a reference to the story 😁
I remember the Briarwood moment vividly. I was with Tal the whole time 😂
Also Orion just deciding that he has an item now is just grody
That’s a good word for it
This episode also just glorious xD
Especially the ending hahaha
I also like how Tal had a stroke when hearing those names xD
It’s a great moment
The rediscovered platinum is a fun moment, all things considered. I had entirely forgotten the actual contents of this episode.
I agree! I’d forgotten about this but it’s a nice underrated gem
I never realized he said it before the stunned Percy moment, I thought that was thier first mention. I missed it as well and I rewatched it recently
It goes by so fast!
Your main point is spot on, as usual.
Your secondary point, regarding the Problem Player, is good, but, as is pointed out by someone else, goes beyond "rude". Mundane purchases, sure, no problem.
A rare (at best) magic item? Yeah, no, that needs to be confirmed with the DM.
Yeah. I had more to say but I think I just accidentally skipped a section in my script when I filmed, and didn’t realize it until I was editing.
Yeah, my instinct once this discussion got raised here is that I wouldn't worry about players buying cheap mundane supplies -- that's part of the "let's not deal with the minutia" -- but above a certain cost or rarity, it would have to be run by me. You've made me realize that I ought to actually codify these in the house rules somewhere before I start the campaign.
But I should be able to trust my players to get a certain amount without running every detail by me, and even potentially pick out small items they didn't think to buy in town but that their characters would likely have thought to buy (e.g. firestarters) that doesn't reach the players' attention until it's too late to buy it explicitly.
I mean, the details of shopping for weird items and trying to balance funds happens to be pretty fun for me, and the core of certain games (Oregon Trail) and experiences (we role-played the pioneers during homeschool and that's the part I recall most clearly and fondly), and bartering is fun at times, but I recognize that this isn't engaging for most players -- heck, there's a sequence in *Secret of Evermore* where you spend over an hour running around trading items, and apparently it's infamously hated by a lot of players, but it was my absolutely favorite section.
So I listen to these on my phone as a podcast, my boss is a D&D nerd so has no problems with it; encourages it and asks where I'm at in the series often.
However, I really do end up missing out on nuances like Taliesin's visual reaction which makes me a little sad. I just don't have the time to actually 'watch'.
This said watching your videos have been so helpful with your inclusion of these scenes, I really do appreciate it.
Thank you for the work that you do Mike.
Thank you!
Loving this series. GODS BLESS Taliesin Jaffe! That reaction was when I fell in love with CR.
Just wanna say I really appreciate the captions on your videos!
Thank you!
0:23 Honestly, it never even occurred to me to try this. Getting the DM's permission to buy something is just something I figured was an unwritten rule of the game. I mean, if you're not supposed to hide your class abilities why would you hide your inventory?
Okay, yes, I know why people would do it, but I've always been on the Lawful side IRL. You deal with your DM squarely, and they do the same with you. Besides, cheating in what's ultimately a game of make-believe always struck me as silly at best.
I can totally see not bothering asking for basic stuff like arrows, rope, rations, etc, as long as the party had a bit of downtime in/near a market. Then again, that's how somebody could end up with a thousand mirrors out of nowhere, so... maybe they should ask the DM first.
it's just insane, like maybe it makes sense in an official d&d game where you KNOW a shop will have a bag of holding, but like what if your DM doesn't have them available to buy?? you can't just assume shops have whatever magic item lying around for you lmao
As a DM of a player said they bought a magic item mid game without actually asking me I would just laugh and say "no you didn't". Basic supplies are fine but magic items or hard to get items need to be discussed with the DM.
when i first started watching CR, i had heard about orion so i was prepared, and while supergeekmike pointed out the issues with the beholder boss fight, this epsiode with buying the second bag of holding without talking to the DM, was the first time i just said to myself "thats bull, you dont do that dude"
and you can see Matt is annoyed about it, but he didnt want to stop the show and derail it
It's funny 'cuz I've been blindsided by gear the players had... that were on the character sheets they gave me at the start of the game, that I approved before the game began, but that I'd totally forgotten about or overlooked. Completely one-shot knocked out the guy who was supposed to take one of them hostage. That same player *also* took me aside at the end of session to say "I'll understand if you don't allow this, but I happen to know how to make an explosion with common kitchen chemicals, so would you be okay with--" and even sent me online proof.
That single moment ***completely*** uprooted my entire antagonist strategy for that entire encounter and left me in a hilarious-in-retrospect scramble to figure out how an unexpected explosion would affect the reactions of every single group of NPCs. (Cops: "These terrorists are serious, call in the elite squad!" Extremist Conspiracy Theorists Just Trying to Get the Word Out: "Wtf who brought a bomb, was there supposed to be-- nobody told me about--")
I love this series, I had some difficulties continuing with the campaign after the first few episodes, and your videos made me want to watch along with you. Even to the point where I got so excited for the campaign that 2 weeks was too long of a wait for me, so since your last update I have now continued on to episode 21 😁 so thank you for your insight and for inspiring me to continue watching the campaign!
I’m so glad I could help!
glad you are making it through :) i am still stuck around episode 24ish, I find it really hard to push past orion bits but hopefully when this seiries reaches that point it will have the same effect for me it did for you :)
Laura getting into haggling was and is fun to watch. I remember when campaign 2 was starting seeing Jester almost instinctively jump into bargaining mode when they went shopping.
Not sure she meant her second character to share the same trait, but one could argue this was still early for Jester's shopping as a group experience. Her boisterous trait might've just taken point even if she would defer to other party members on later shopping sprees.
It's a real life pleasure of Laura's that she incorporated into Vex. I think she's talked about how natural it was that she had to restrain herself as Jester.
Old habits die hard lol. As Sam says in C2 E1, “Your Laura is showing.”
I've only watched the animated series so I didn't know about the twins' dad, and had no idea why Taliesin wasn't reacting to the name Briarwood, but man those blinks when he caught it the second time. I'd love to know what he was thinking because I probably wouldn't be able to stay in character (though he's a professional). Thank you again for your recaps and analyses!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying them! I love seeing folks who watched the animated series get exposed to the livestream, I think that’s just so fun 😁
I actually like those shopping episodes. In my opinon they are the ones that establish Mercer as a master of his craft. Most DMs would handwave shopping as an afterthought. Both as a spectator and as a DM I think those episodes are top quality.
Gilmore, Pumat Sol and other traders are very entertaining and can teach anyone a lot about how to create interesting NPCs, as those are arguably some of the most interesting NPCs in CR. They are also great as conveyors of information and ambiance. If a shopkeeper is angry about an increase in taxes by the evil local baron or if he is scared because another store was recently robbed by wererats or if they love to gossip about the lords and ladies of the court private lives. It all serves to move the adventure, provide hooks and increase immersion in the fantasy world.
True!
I think this was the first instance we saw how Greedy Vex is (seriously even DRAGONS would tell her to chill XD)
Getting out of the Underdark gave the cast a chance for lots of their other traits to flourish ☺️
Got here within a minute of upload!!! Love this series!!!
Thank you!
One of the things that stood out to me in this episode is the way Matt handles shopping; a set list with a periodically changing inventory, almost like a video game. It is VERY different from basically every campaign I've ever participated in. I am used to players doing their own shopping either within boundaries set by the DM (e.g. "Nothing above Uncommon rarity") or approved by the DM after the fact. I've always considered this to be preferable to having a set list, primarily because the tedious page-flipping could be done between sessions.
That being said, I have to admit that Matt's method has some benefits I hadn't considered. It makes for good roleplay opportunities. It encourages the party to problem solve to figure out how best to distribute their limited pool of magic items for maximum benefit. And it winnows down countless books of magic items into a small, somewhat easy-to-digest list (though the players still struggled somewhat to keep up with all the items, their prices, and their effects).
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on how best to handle shopping. Perhaps as a video?
Watching all of campaign 2 really helped me see gow Matt runs some things much like a video game. Really helped me put perspective on my expectations for my own game (PC not DM). I have been able to see how much video games have taken from TTRPG and vice versa
i think this set up works well for streamed game especially, as it saves time from the players sitting looking through the books for magic items, plus with most of the players being still somewhat new to dnd, having a set shop list that is somewhat tailored to them mkes their choices easier and helps avoid bad or useless purchases
Monday’s video might be about magic item shops… ☺️
This was the last episode I watched back when campaign one was airing and I gotta say going out on Gilmore was glorious
He’s the best
There's also a moment where, I think Ashley, says that Scanlan wants to buy some things and apearnatly Sam has texted her, and then Orion looks at his phone and angrily tosses it away.. I think that he texted Sam about the Circlet and got ghosted
On a side note, I'd love to hear your breakdown of that famous gazebo story since you brought it up :)
I didn’t do a breakdown but I DID do a dramatic reading on my Patreon lol
Thanks so much for this man, got to episode nine of C1 and couldn’t take it anymore so I’m getting the recaps here then popping back in afterwards.
Laura & Travis are relationship goals IMHO.
We had a 5 year long VTM game that probably would have ended sooner except the storyteller kept pronouncing Phoebus as Phobos and we couldn't put together what the god of fear had to do with anything.
Hahaha
Love these recaps. As someone who watched all campaigns in order it is very cool to revisit the early episodes with you!
I’m so glad!
Hmm... I just read the Wikipedia article, but I had previously only seen the story of a gazebo being taken for a D&D monster when the gag appeared in Knights of the Dinner Table.
Perhaps the only things more frightening than a Dread Gazebo are the Sinister Pergola, or a Dark Credenza. The latter object confused me as a kid when I played the text adventure _Stoneville Manor_. Luckily, I checked a dictionary before assuming it was hostile.
Loved this episode!
I know a lot of people are saying once a week please, so I’ll just be a voice saying “every two weeks has its benefits as well…” Especially for those trying to stay caught up/play catch up with so much wonderful content. I had genuinely assumed you were doing it on that timeline so that folks could re-watch the episodes as well….. Just fwiw. 🌸
Haha good to know! That’s part of it, for sure
Nice. A new video. And you know what ? You are about to become my second patreon donation. The first one being... MCDM. So you are amongst good company.
I do want you to be able to make these videos more often so... *reaches for his wallet*
Nice video, but a bit short. Shopping episodes tend to do that.
Thank you so much!!
Been loving these deep dives!
Thank you!
I always thought Orion had bought the bag outside of the table not to bother the other ones, I have done that before when players wanted something specific and we run out of time... Matt didnt say anything about it but the other players seemed pissed...
Matt is trying to roll with it, but it feels like something that the player is using the live broadcast to gain an advantage - it would be very awkward and confrontational to retcon it then.
Interestingly, it seems to me like Matt is maybe annoyed, but the other players are fine with it - in fact, since Marisha is the one who says “Nice bag” to Orion, I thought they were talking about his actual IRL satchel. But it seems like she knew what he was doing, or she didn’t know but happened to say something that he interpreted as a comment about the game in a funny coincidence.
I agree with John, Matt doesn’t look thrilled during that scene.
This is so sweet i love it when matt is being a good dm ♡♡
It’s always nice when I get to say nice things ☺️
I love this series so much! Please increase the cadence to weekly 😭
That’s one of my patreon goals!
You had me at Gilmore!
He’s the best
Hey LoVM thumbnail. Love it.
By the way are you planning to cover all four parts of Trial of the Take in one episode or are you splitting it into two?
He's probably planning on doing each part as a single episode.
I’ll probably do each as their own episode, unless they wind up being really short and I don’t have much to say. But considering what happens in some of those episodes, I’m not too worried about that… those were some wild episodes.
I think episode 33 is the one that had to be broken up and uploaded in chunks, that one I WOULD do as one video. But since Trial of the Take was 4 separate episodes, they’ll probably each get the full video treatment.
@@SupergeekMike That makes sense. I think there were a few episodes during the Briarwood arc that ended up split in two parts (I think due to recording issues).
I really hate when players don’t tell me their full plans, or surprise me with magic items. This is especially a problem in Adventure League where people can adventure elsewhere, or swap magic items in special places. With magic items I ask people on the check in log to write in any extreme magic items. Ex. Weapons of Warning.
Don’t ask me can you do this one thing, then this thing, and finally a third thing. With the third thing being unreasonable from the get go, but semi reasonable if I have to follow the bread crumbs.
I have stopped a game and said “DM to Players” And repeat the clue or etc. Especially if the clue is important to some at the far end of the table.
Oh if you are running the Keys to the Golden Vault make your players tell you their full plans.
I thought the reveal at the end would be that Eric thought "Gazebo" was a creature, I'm confused now
That is the end of the story, he just never says so explicitly but that’s the impression he was under.
1500 gold worth of platnium ooof
turns out, they had 1620 platinum... or 16,200 gold woth.
Orion asking for an item from a player that is not there is very disrespectful in my opinion. I think that is why Matt sidestepped it, he was being diplomatic.
Oh I definitely agree
I just love these videos, makes me so exited to watch!
Thank you!
This series is so good! And i appreciate it so much.
Thank you!
Can't wait for the Lilith Episode
That episode is a good one for a lot of reasons
I know it's a little weird to say, but after your last video, you look better. Confidence is the best accessory.
Thank you!
oh man how much i wish you could pump these out more than once per fortnight!! i know youve got no reason to trust me but if you want any help with these videos id love to play a part in production!
Thank you! However, my goal would be to pay an editor a fair rate, which is why it’s one of my patreon goals. The best way to get them weekly is for more folks to sign up to get me closer to that goal 😁
I love these videos.
Thank you!
I'm sure these videos are difficult to make, but I kind of wish you did weekly episodes of the Critical Role Demystified.
I would love to in the future! This is one of my Patreon goals, because I would want to hire an editor. But my goals are based on number of Patrons, not the amount donated - so the more people who sign up, the more likely that becomes :)
Finally another episode ! Can you do them once a week xD?
That’s one of my Patreon goals, I would just need enough supporters that I could hire an editor to help make them!
But if the briarwoods are bad why sexy?
If you think the Dread Gazebo story was fun, you should look up the Head of Vecna story, it’s bloody hilarious.
So silly and so iconic
"live percy reaction"
😁
The Dread Gazebo story is fun,
but I prefer when the Mighty Nein encountered that Sinister Chair
That damned chair
It was the hypothetical rug all along.
I like the vids but sometimes the audiobalance might need just a tiny tweak
Do you mean audio, or just transitioning between CR clips and my clips?
@@SupergeekMike sometimes one clip is just a lot quieter than the rest of the vid
Good trick is to just throw a hard limiter on there and set the preset to -3db if you use premiere pro
Or maybe just adjust the gain a little till the peaks match with the rest of the audio
Maybe i‘m also just a little dummy idk 😂
Thank you! Yeah I have to tinker with clips a lot because their audio was so uneven, but I’ll try this technique and see if it helps 😁
lols the hidden money
I love these episodes.
Thank you!
Here's an interesting question: if you're running on a virtual tabletop (like Foundry), and you have a plugin for an automated shop that exchanges gold for items that players can click freely, would you allow your players to buy something without telling you? Under what circumstances would or wouldnt you?
I think they should always tell me, even with mundane items, just a head’s up on what they’re spending their money on. It doesn’t need to be a whole scene, but they don’t know if I’m gonna tell them that, for example, the store doesn’t have that much paper in stock because a dragon is blocking the supply chain and hey would you mind dealing with that?
Also, considering that they make shopping for magic items part of their game (they’re sponsored by Gilmore), it’s even weirder and more rude to do so off-screen without consulting the DM.
It also speaks to an idea that I think explains some of Orion’s later behavior after leaving CR - he seems to consider Draconia someplace he can make decisions about without consulting Matt. I doubt he would’ve said he bought it at Gilmore’s, but because Draconia is part of his backstory, he feels like he can say that there’s a shop there that sells bags of holding.
Now, that’s not out of the realm of possibility in Matt’s world, but that doesn’t mean Orion has free range to go there without Matt adjudicating any of it. What if Matt had decided that Draconia was in the midst of a zombie hoard, and was waiting to drop that info until someone next reached out to or visited Draconia.
It depends on play style, but my feeling is that you can’t just decide what happens, you tell the DM what you’re doing, and then the DM tells you if it works or not. It doesn’t have to be any more than “I buy more arrows,” but even just a text between sessions to say you’d like to do so before the next game seems like best practice, at least in my opinion.
Okay, i'm not one to defend Orion at all, but this bothered me watching the episode as well.. He DID say he was going to Draconia, and i'm pretty sure he said he was buying a bag of holding as well, literally at the end of episode 13. Maybe i'm completely misremembering, but I remember not understanding why everyone was so confused about it in episode 14.
All he said in 13 was the name of Draconia as he cast the spell.
Was this the "story of my life" episode?
I’m not sure, which one is that?
Sorry might need more context. The moment where Orion hit the table. It's been years since I've seen the episode, but hearing the description that was the line that jumped into my head.
@@kamiitto7574 Ohh yes yes, that's the one
Weep Woop
Just see the story of Eric but... not particulary funny. Don Quichotte does it better.
Bro... this campaign ended so long ago why do you constantly reference Orion in your videos? Again I get it fuck Orion but Jesus, you sure make a whole lot of content
I make videos every other week about old Critical Role episodes and what we can learn from them. Ultimately, that does mean sometimes I will discuss things we can learn from his behavior, often as an example of what not to do. It’s not the reason I make these videos, but it is a side effect of the process.