To provide context and explanation to this scene, for those less familiar with Critical Role history, yet found their way here... *:)* 1. *_"D&D"_*_ (Discovery & Deceit)_ *~* After defeating the ancient red dragon Thordak, the Vox Machima (VXM) crew looted the red dragon's treasure hoard. Grog Strongjaw (Travis Willingham) managed to loot the (D&D-)legendary *_Deck of Many Things_* (DoMT)... - a.) *Fame & Infamy ~* Debuting in *1975* (D&D began in 1974), The DoMT has been greatly desired by many Players for the powerful boons it can give; boons that even the *GODS* cannot provide or undo (easily). Conversely, banes/curses that the DoMT can inflict has been the utter destruction of many an Adventuring Group, &/or the complete derailment of entire Campaigns, across the D&D generations and editions. - b.) *Good Intentions, Bad Actions ~* By the end of the treasure conflict(s), Vex'ahlia (Laura Bailey) deceived Grog by switching out the DoMT for a leather pouch with rocks inside. Vex also strictly ordered Grog to never draw any cards (from the false pouch) without informing Vex, and Vex's express permission, or otherwise be permanently expelled from VXM. 2. *_Remorse & Restitution_** ~* The DoMT situation would change, (mostly) for the better... - a.) *Returned ~* In later [CR Campaign #1] episodes, after an internal crisis of broken/fractured trusts within the VXM ranks, a guilt-ridden Vex had a change of heart. Vex would confess her deceit, earnestly apologize to Grog for the deceit and mistrust (even if Grog did not fully know/understand what Vex was apologizing for), and return the DoMT to Grog. - b.) *Rebalanced ~* As the counter-balance, Vex had Grog personally swear to not draw any DoMT-Cards without first informing and consulting with Vex; but this time around, without the threat of VXM-expulsion, Vex trusting in value of Grog's Honor. (Despite Grog's Chaotic-alignment as a Barbarian, Grog had a strong sense of personal Honor, and in keeping his word/promises). 3. *_Charity, not Altruism_** ~* Trying to keep his promise to Vex to not draw any DoMT-cards himself, Grog gave a DoMT Card Draw to a homeless and penniless drunk, as an (earnest) act of Charity, as well as to test the power of the DoMT (again: Charity, *NOT* Altruism). The drunkard managed to draw the *Moon Card* (Queen of Diamonds), which grants the Card-drawer 1d3 _Wishes_ (spell); the drunkard gained 02 _Wishes_ (spell) as the roll-result. For the first _Wish_ (spell), the drunkard wished to become _"a powerful Lord of the Quadroads"_ (a major Trade Center in the city-state of Vasselheim), which immediately remade the drunkard into the Wished role/rank. The newly-minted Lord gave tearful and heartfelt thanks to Grog and rode off in a noble's carriage that had spontaneously pulled up to take the new Lord to his estate. Grog never got the drunk-turned-Lord's name. 4. *_Desperate Hopes, & Failures_** ~* In the final VXM story-arc, [CR c01, arc05 - Vecna], VXM battled against the dark god [Vecna, the Whispered One]; compounded with VXM's arch-nemesis'es the Briarwoods (Delilah and Sylas), resurrected (by Vecna) and returned, more powerful than ever before. With the war going badly for VXM, Grog and Scanlan (Sam Riegal) attempted to seek out the Lord of the Quadroads in hopes of appealing the use of the second _Wish_ (spell), in equally desperate hopes of trying to turn the tide. Sadly, the Lord of the Quadroads had left Vasselheim by that time, and VXM could not commit further time/efforts/resources to find the Lord of the Quadroads. Thus why Travis and Sam were particularly affected by the revelations in the [CR Campaign #3] scene. 5. *_Post-Campaign_** ~* In the [CR Campaign #1] epilogues narrated by Dungeon Master Matt Mercer, the Lord of the Quadroads would spend the rest of his life holding onto the second _Wish_ (spell); tortured by the uncertainty of what to use the second _Wish_ (spell) upon, as well as cautionary-fear of keeping the second _Wish_ (spell) as a reserve/contingency. 6. *_Five Years in the Making_* [CR Campaign #3, Episode 13 - "A Dance of Deception"] *~* Now, +30 Exandria years after VXM settled down, and +5 Real Time years after [CR Campaign #1], the Bells Hells crew meet Lord Preston Drodelon, formerly of the Quadroads... *;D* Thanks for uploading this, *Critical Gay.* :)
As a (self) follow-up, to additionally provide what was quietly conversed between Travis Willingham (Grog Strongjaw, Chetney Pock O'Pea), Marisha Ray (Keyleth, Laudna), and Sam Riegel (Scanlan Shorthalt, Fresh Cut Grass), since this video lacks the Captions/sub-titles... *:)* - [Matt Mercer (Dungeon Master, Lord Preston Drodelon)]: I originally made my fortune in a far away city in Issylra, and for was a time was the Lord of the Quadroads there. - [Sam]: (to Marisha) Quadroads? - [Marisha]: (to Sam) In Vasselheim? - [Sam]: *__* Vasselheim, yeah. - [Travis]: (0:07) *__* That's the guy who got the Wish from Campaign One. - [Marisha]: *__* In One? - [Sam]: (to Travis) You mean that..? - [Travis]: That's the dude I gave a Wish Card to in Campaign One. - [Sam]: (incredulous, but silent) ...noooo! (as in the shocked _"nooo waaay!"_ expression) - [Taliesin Jaffe (Percival "Percy" de Rolo, Ashton Greymoore)]: (seeing the exchange from across the table) *__*
@@JacobGrim Pr track records, tallison is going to be involved with the BBEG in the end of the campaign. But travis will have caused whatever takes them on a one-shot, after the campaign
@@michaelwestendorf9105 I'm going to assume you're asking "Who is the Lord of the Quad-roads?" This is a reference to something in Campaign 1. Travis' character Grog found a magical deck of cards and when someone drew a card something really good or really bad would happen. Grog got curious about it but didn't want to risk himself so he asked a random drunk guy to draw a card. By random the guy drew a good card that granted him three wishes. With his first wish he wished that he would become a wealthy Lord. It came true and he called himself the "Lord of the Quad-roads" as he and Grog were at a place called "The Quad-roads" at the time.
@@cryhwks Marisha and Sam seemed to have a vague ringing going on in their heads that something was happening. I think they both caught Issylra plus Quadroads and were trying to put the pieces together. Because they used to go to the Quadroads all the time in Vasselheim so I doubt they've forgotten that. They would have probably gotten there eventually, and Matt may have dropped another tiny hint to help it along if they were completely obtuse, but Travis' instant reaction is soooo much better lol.
I mean, I think he deserves to feel proud of this literal lore bomb he dropped.. and showing how the player's previous characters left a lasting affect on the world.
Robbie was actually doing a great thing of drawing attention to him for some RP to give some time for everyone else to collect their senses after they all realized who they were talking to.
Travis whispers "That's the guy who got the wish." Than Matt says aloud "Yes." and starts sitting their with a smirk on his face while still roleplaying. Prefect.
I absolutely love how quickly Travis recognizes what Matt's putting down. That dude has been living rent free in his brain ever since he "wasted" TWO freakin wishes on him. Still mad.
Love how Travis looks up. In a second, he goes from paying attention, to almost looking mildly offended, possibly thinking "he wouldn't."; and then immediately concluding that: yes, he would.
I love that it just went in a circle around the table. From Travis to Marisha, to Sam and Taliesin, then Liam and Laura, and finally Ashley all while Robbie is just trying to maintain the pace of the scene he's a part of and probably not having a clue what's going on around him.
Robbie is just like.... just keep swimming, just keep swimming. This is a perfect example of a gaming group who invites the new friend over and there are those BIG inside jokes lol
I love how Marisha and Sam were like hmm... Issylra... Quadroads... these things are ringing a bell. Meanwhile Travis "Forgetful" Willingham immediately perked up, Incredulous and suspicious Eyes trained directly on Matt like a Hawk looking at it's prey before looking to the others to share his findings. Apparently he only remembers people he wants to hunt down. 🤣
this whole moment is amazing, the way travis realises and the others are taking note like its a normal npc, the way sam and marisha start freaking out when travis tells them. The way robbie just contiunes. Sam and travis rapidly texting people across the table. Matt's laugh at them all disguesed as a charactrs laugh, this moment will go down in critcal role history
0:09 Travis: "It's him! The one Grog had draw a card from The Deck of Many Things!" 0:12 Robbie: "I have no idea what's going on." 0:20 Marisha: "Lord of the Quadroads, that's from Vasselheim! Wait, what?!" 0:28 Sam: "No s--t?!" 0:29 Taliesin: "Somethings going on? Mind, Blown!" 0:49 Laura: "What's going on?" 1:01 "OMFG!" 1:02 Ashley: "What's going on? Did his name come up earlier? Where's my phone?" 1:12 Liam: "Okay, yea, I get it." "Bravo, Matt."
One of my favorite things about this is how Talisen figures out. Travis was first, he told Marisha and Sam, and then Sam and Travis texted Ashley, Laura, and Liam. Talisen, however, figured it out before he was told. The way that he figured it out was simply by watching the others freak out. Travis then confirmed it, but Talisen’s perception was on point, and I love it.
@@Eszra Sam is texting Liam and Travis is texting Laura (Travis has his phone below the table edge). Liam has his phone in front of him ( you can see him move it at the 51 second mark when Sam is texting). Laura looks up at Travis after he texts and then Liam looks at Sam.
I love how Matt can't help but smileand say 'Yes' after Travis whispers "He's the guy that got the wish", and still manages to make it seem to be in character :D And then barely holds it in while Ashley's talking
I need to stop doubting Taliesin: I'd thought he'd had a surprisingly mild reaction to reading the group chat, but that's because he was following along with Travis telling the top/left table the whole time. He almost gets it even faster than Sam does.
Years ago, on another video, I said that I hoped this guy came back in campaign 2 just as an easter egg. I got the campaign wrong, but damn this was a cool moment!
@@johncloud3823 during the year off for Vox Machina Grog visited Vassalhiem and decided that while he had promised not to draw a card from his deck of many things didn't mean he couldn't let someone else do it instead. Thus a random bum became a Lord of the Crossroads in Vassalhiem with two more wishes and Grog (and Travis) never forgot...
@@johncloud3823 (SPOILER WARNING) It was during Vox Machina's one year apart (inbetween The Chroma Conclave and Vecna, IIRC). Grog was alone in Vasselheim with the Deck of Many Things and decided to experiment with it. He found a drunk in the streets and offered to let him pull a card from the deck. That drunk pulled the Wish card and wished to become a powerful Lord of the Quadroads.
@@SilverScaleMA I'm pretty sure he only has 1 more wish, but yes. Matt rolled for how many wishes he got and I think he rolled 2 total, but I'd have to go double check.
Preston Drodelon encountered Vox Machina and was persuaded by Grog to draw a card from the Deck of Many things. He was given the ability to use the Wish spell twice, and used the first one to become a powerful lord of the Quad-Roads. (Campaign 1 Episode 95) He never gave his name, so he was called the Lord of the Quad-Roads until this episode. (Campaign 3 Episode 13)
@@rextyro192 thank you!! I’ve seen this explained, but I’m still lost, or at least not as hyped as the others because I never experienced the set up or waited years for this reveal, but it’s still very cool!!
You should watch C1, just in general, it's really good. The tech is bad blah blah. It gets better as they go and frankly it's worth it. The story is brilliant and ends very satisfyingly (depending on your personality, I loved it anyway lol) but there's no loose threads that need wrapping up (except microscopic ones that are supposed to be there for C2 that are deeply satisfying.) It's fantastic.
Moments like this are why player choice is such an important part of D&D. This wouldn't have happened without Grog's misuse of the deck of many things in campaign one.
Travis is my type of dream player to DM for. Hypes up the other members, commits to the lore, lets other people shine when it's their time, trusts the DM's ruling wholly, and personally hopes for big fights and character moments/reveals. Because of this, you can see how relaxed Matt is with him.
You can watch everyone’s reactions in real time - starting with Travis, then Marisha then Sam then Talesin in quick succession and Laura a little later
You literally can see how the information travelled around the table: Travis noticed it and explains it first to Marisha and than to Sam, both are freaking out and that's what Tal notices and than Sam writes it in the group chat, to not talk loudly over the RP thats happening, and that Laura and Liam reads it and are freaking out, too. And than Ashley is getting it. xD
I'm not sure it was the group chat, it looks like Sam texted Liam, Travis texted Laura, and then Marisha texts Ashley. They each look at the person who texted them after reading it.
I had something similar with a star wars campaign for some friends. I ran a campaign in the Old Republic Era (5000 years prior to New Hope), where they played some young jedi stranded on a planet, and help save the locals from a sith ghost that had been plaguing their culture for centuries. In the end, the locals created a shrine to those 2 characters, complete with statues, as is custom in old republic architecture. Then years later, did another campaign in New Hope era, and had the ship they were on, basically pull a Miranda from Serenity, with a force sensitive npc hijack the ship and take them to a remote planet, via guidance from a force ghost. She was fleeing the inquisitors, and the ghost of her lover was guiding her away from Imperial space. They land on the planet, and they come across the temple, with statues that look suspiciously like their older characters. Good times to have callbacks like that. xD
All I could think was... "The past has returned to haunt you Mr. Willingham... The DOMT could have changed your fate for the better... BUT NO! You had to try an lure an NPC into drawing a card that gave him wishes."
The SLOWEST realization in all of history excet for Travis who got it RIGHT OFF and then slowly one by one, you can see them lose their minds. This has to be the best moment in all CR! Bruh...I'm dead.
Ahhh I was wondering why Taliesin was looking to his right when I knew that technically, Travis was in front of him.. so I googled the table arrangement.. and yeah it's a triangle table, so everyone is going to be on his right, except Matt who's on his left.
If you think of the layout from the screen = Travis to Sam => Ashley to Taliesin => Matt. Basically Travis and Taliesin sit next to Matt, and Sam is next to Ashley. You can even see her mug infront of same, just obviously turned by the angle of the table.
Grog, the group's local dummy, as played by Travis in Campaign 1, got a Deck of Many Things. Effectively an opportunity for all sorts of chaos. Pick a card, you might get money, you might get an item, you might summon something. Benevolent, malevolent, mundane, or fatal, you don't know what you'll get. Grog was just wary enough to experiment by giving a card to a drunkard. This drunkard got 2 wishes - one wish made him Lord of the Quadroads. The 2nd, he seems to be saving. This pretty much emboldened Grog to keep it. Here's the relevant clip: ua-cam.com/video/_RtrpEWTeqM/v-deo.html
God that must have been so distracting and kinda lonely for Robbie, as he's immediately in the RP so he can't just straight up ask what's happening, but he actually doesn't know what's happening. It's like he's physically right there in the group... but he's not really there. Dorian's there, talking to the Lord of the Quadros, but Robbie's lost and alone. :(
Back in campaign 1, Grog gave a card away from the deck of many things, as an experiment, to a drunk peasant in an alley. The man received the Wish card, and wished he was a rich and powerful noble, proclaiming himself as the "lord of the quadroads." His wish came true immediately. ua-cam.com/video/_RtrpEWTeqM/v-deo.html
@@firstnamelastname7298 Pretty sure I've read in another comment that Matt said something about him not having used it yet, but that it gnaws him inside, not sure what to use it for but not wanting to waste it away or something
Spoilers!!! in case you don't want to know events from campaign 1: Not sure how much you know of campaign 1, so bear with me if you know this already. Travis' character, Grog, found a Deck of Many Things. It's an extremely powerful magical item that is a deck of cards. If you draw cards from the deck, they immediately do something extremely powerfully magical. BUT the cards can be very good or very bad. Grog was told to never draw any cards, but Grog/Travis has terrible impulse control and had to do something. So he found a drunk poor nobody in the alleys of Vasselheim (most well known city in the continent of Issylra) and told him to pick a card. The random NPC drew the card that gives you wishes, basically the best card you could possibly draw. His first of his two wishes was to be Lord of the Quadroads (an important part of Vasselheim). Tavis has been super jealous that the two times Grog pulled a card from the deck turned out bad, but the one time he had someone else pull a card it was the best one.
And THIS is why you give your DM tasty content and plot hooks to play with, with colorful characters that have depth and personality, and aren't murderhobos. They take that shit and plant it for later use, for the mutual enjoyment of the table.
To provide context and explanation to this scene, for those less familiar with Critical Role history, yet found their way here... *:)*
1. *_"D&D"_*_ (Discovery & Deceit)_ *~* After defeating the ancient red dragon Thordak, the Vox Machima (VXM) crew looted the red dragon's treasure hoard. Grog Strongjaw (Travis Willingham) managed to loot the (D&D-)legendary *_Deck of Many Things_* (DoMT)...
- a.) *Fame & Infamy ~* Debuting in *1975* (D&D began in 1974), The DoMT has been greatly desired by many Players for the powerful boons it can give; boons that even the *GODS* cannot provide or undo (easily). Conversely, banes/curses that the DoMT can inflict has been the utter destruction of many an Adventuring Group, &/or the complete derailment of entire Campaigns, across the D&D generations and editions.
- b.) *Good Intentions, Bad Actions ~* By the end of the treasure conflict(s), Vex'ahlia (Laura Bailey) deceived Grog by switching out the DoMT for a leather pouch with rocks inside. Vex also strictly ordered Grog to never draw any cards (from the false pouch) without informing Vex, and Vex's express permission, or otherwise be permanently expelled from VXM.
2. *_Remorse & Restitution_** ~* The DoMT situation would change, (mostly) for the better...
- a.) *Returned ~* In later [CR Campaign #1] episodes, after an internal crisis of broken/fractured trusts within the VXM ranks, a guilt-ridden Vex had a change of heart. Vex would confess her deceit, earnestly apologize to Grog for the deceit and mistrust (even if Grog did not fully know/understand what Vex was apologizing for), and return the DoMT to Grog.
- b.) *Rebalanced ~* As the counter-balance, Vex had Grog personally swear to not draw any DoMT-Cards without first informing and consulting with Vex; but this time around, without the threat of VXM-expulsion, Vex trusting in value of Grog's Honor. (Despite Grog's Chaotic-alignment as a Barbarian, Grog had a strong sense of personal Honor, and in keeping his word/promises).
3. *_Charity, not Altruism_** ~* Trying to keep his promise to Vex to not draw any DoMT-cards himself, Grog gave a DoMT Card Draw to a homeless and penniless drunk, as an (earnest) act of Charity, as well as to test the power of the DoMT (again: Charity, *NOT* Altruism). The drunkard managed to draw the *Moon Card* (Queen of Diamonds), which grants the Card-drawer 1d3 _Wishes_ (spell); the drunkard gained 02 _Wishes_ (spell) as the roll-result. For the first _Wish_ (spell), the drunkard wished to become _"a powerful Lord of the Quadroads"_ (a major Trade Center in the city-state of Vasselheim), which immediately remade the drunkard into the Wished role/rank. The newly-minted Lord gave tearful and heartfelt thanks to Grog and rode off in a noble's carriage that had spontaneously pulled up to take the new Lord to his estate. Grog never got the drunk-turned-Lord's name.
4. *_Desperate Hopes, & Failures_** ~* In the final VXM story-arc, [CR c01, arc05 - Vecna], VXM battled against the dark god [Vecna, the Whispered One]; compounded with VXM's arch-nemesis'es the Briarwoods (Delilah and Sylas), resurrected (by Vecna) and returned, more powerful than ever before. With the war going badly for VXM, Grog and Scanlan (Sam Riegal) attempted to seek out the Lord of the Quadroads in hopes of appealing the use of the second _Wish_ (spell), in equally desperate hopes of trying to turn the tide. Sadly, the Lord of the Quadroads had left Vasselheim by that time, and VXM could not commit further time/efforts/resources to find the Lord of the Quadroads. Thus why Travis and Sam were particularly affected by the revelations in the [CR Campaign #3] scene.
5. *_Post-Campaign_** ~* In the [CR Campaign #1] epilogues narrated by Dungeon Master Matt Mercer, the Lord of the Quadroads would spend the rest of his life holding onto the second _Wish_ (spell); tortured by the uncertainty of what to use the second _Wish_ (spell) upon, as well as cautionary-fear of keeping the second _Wish_ (spell) as a reserve/contingency.
6. *_Five Years in the Making_* [CR Campaign #3, Episode 13 - "A Dance of Deception"] *~* Now, +30 Exandria years after VXM settled down, and +5 Real Time years after [CR Campaign #1], the Bells Hells crew meet Lord Preston Drodelon, formerly of the Quadroads... *;D*
Thanks for uploading this, *Critical Gay.* :)
As a (self) follow-up, to additionally provide what was quietly conversed between Travis Willingham (Grog Strongjaw, Chetney Pock O'Pea), Marisha Ray (Keyleth, Laudna), and Sam Riegel (Scanlan Shorthalt, Fresh Cut Grass), since this video lacks the Captions/sub-titles... *:)*
- [Matt Mercer (Dungeon Master, Lord Preston Drodelon)]: I originally made my fortune in a far away city in Issylra, and for was a time was the Lord of the Quadroads there.
- [Sam]: (to Marisha) Quadroads?
- [Marisha]: (to Sam) In Vasselheim?
- [Sam]: *__* Vasselheim, yeah.
- [Travis]: (0:07) *__* That's the guy who got the Wish from Campaign One.
- [Marisha]: *__* In One?
- [Sam]: (to Travis) You mean that..?
- [Travis]: That's the dude I gave a Wish Card to in Campaign One.
- [Sam]: (incredulous, but silent) ...noooo! (as in the shocked _"nooo waaay!"_ expression)
- [Taliesin Jaffe (Percival "Percy" de Rolo, Ashton Greymoore)]: (seeing the exchange from across the table) *__*
He's totally gonna be the villain of campaign 4 using that wish lol
🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓
@@lololo-- 9/10 on the (CR-)nerd scale? Thanks! *;D*
@@JacobGrim Pr track records, tallison is going to be involved with the BBEG in the end of the campaign. But travis will have caused whatever takes them on a one-shot, after the campaign
Travis hearing "Lord of Quad-roads" and then immediately looking around the table like "Did no one else catch that?!"
How is the lord of quad-roads
@@michaelwestendorf9105 I'm going to assume you're asking "Who is the Lord of the Quad-roads?"
This is a reference to something in Campaign 1. Travis' character Grog found a magical deck of cards and when someone drew a card something really good or really bad would happen. Grog got curious about it but didn't want to risk himself so he asked a random drunk guy to draw a card. By random the guy drew a good card that granted him three wishes. With his first wish he wished that he would become a wealthy Lord. It came true and he called himself the "Lord of the Quad-roads" as he and Grog were at a place called "The Quad-roads" at the time.
Was actually only 2 wishes because before he left after the first he said "I still have another one of these"
Robbie just cluelessly roleplaying between the realizers
He looks up like "oh THIS motherfucker"
I love how proud of himself Matt is when they are all freaking out
Luckily Travis remembered, because it would have blown by everyone else.
@@cryhwks Marisha and Sam seemed to have a vague ringing going on in their heads that something was happening. I think they both caught Issylra plus Quadroads and were trying to put the pieces together. Because they used to go to the Quadroads all the time in Vasselheim so I doubt they've forgotten that. They would have probably gotten there eventually, and Matt may have dropped another tiny hint to help it along if they were completely obtuse, but Travis' instant reaction is soooo much better lol.
I mean, I think he deserves to feel proud of this literal lore bomb he dropped.. and showing how the player's previous characters left a lasting affect on the world.
@@TheUnamazingRando I agree
I'd like to think it watching it all unfold helped fuel the air of smugness that the Lord of The Quadroads gave off.
Travis: Losing his mind.
Marisha: "What's going... OMG!"
Sam: "Wait, WHAT?!"
Robbie: No idea what they're talking about, committed to the RP.
Draymillionaire mindset. Ignore long game set ups, focus on roleplay. Stay on the grind.
Robbie was actually doing a great thing of drawing attention to him for some RP to give some time for everyone else to collect their senses after they all realized who they were talking to.
Props to Robbie for carrying on with all that going on around him. I missed it the first time but his "That's a long laugh" joke is gold.
Helps he might not have got the signifigence
Travis whispers "That's the guy who got the wish." Than Matt says aloud "Yes." and starts sitting their with a smirk on his face while still roleplaying. Prefect.
there*
perfect*
@@CorrectionUnknown No*
Bitches?*
Even to this day Grogs antics with the deck of many things are still lingering
Taliesin’s perfectly timed “mind blown” hand gesture is the chef’s kiss for this
I think Laura's is even better.
Literally "blown away" by that. Also love how it took Travis miming drawing a card for him to know XD
the fact I have seen no edits where Travis realizes is timed to the kill bill sirens is truly tragic
"i know what i must do, but idk if i have the editing skills to do it"
I did it in my brain as it was happening, I feel you. That and or his patented Travis Willingham siren. Bothshould be done posthaste. 👍
I was hoping for the Metal Gear Alert sound honestly
With this crew I think "Woop! Woop! That's the sound of the police" would work well.
I absolutely love how quickly Travis recognizes what Matt's putting down. That dude has been living rent free in his brain ever since he "wasted" TWO freakin wishes on him. Still mad.
instantly from lord of the quadrodes lol THAT MF'R!
Love how Travis looks up.
In a second, he goes from paying attention, to almost looking mildly offended, possibly thinking "he wouldn't."; and then immediately concluding that: yes, he would.
I love that it just went in a circle around the table. From Travis to Marisha, to Sam and Taliesin, then Liam and Laura, and finally Ashley all while Robbie is just trying to maintain the pace of the scene he's a part of and probably not having a clue what's going on around him.
Ya like the Surprise Spread through them
The real genius was having the Lord of the Quad-roads approach Dorian so the others could panic in peace!
Well done, Matt, picking someone out of the crowd who wouldn't get the reference so they wouldn't be a stammery mess.
Robbie is just like.... just keep swimming, just keep swimming. This is a perfect example of a gaming group who invites the new friend over and there are those BIG inside jokes lol
I love how Marisha and Sam were like hmm... Issylra... Quadroads... these things are ringing a bell. Meanwhile Travis "Forgetful" Willingham immediately perked up, Incredulous and suspicious Eyes trained directly on Matt like a Hawk looking at it's prey before looking to the others to share his findings. Apparently he only remembers people he wants to hunt down. 🤣
this whole moment is amazing, the way travis realises and the others are taking note like its a normal npc, the way sam and marisha start freaking out when travis tells them. The way robbie just contiunes. Sam and travis rapidly texting people across the table. Matt's laugh at them all disguesed as a charactrs laugh, this moment will go down in critcal role history
Not the first time Matt has played the long game, but one of the best. Excellent work.
0:09 Travis: "It's him! The one Grog had draw a card from The Deck of Many Things!"
0:12 Robbie: "I have no idea what's going on."
0:20 Marisha: "Lord of the Quadroads, that's from Vasselheim! Wait, what?!"
0:28 Sam: "No s--t?!"
0:29 Taliesin: "Somethings going on? Mind, Blown!"
0:49 Laura: "What's going on?" 1:01 "OMFG!"
1:02 Ashley: "What's going on? Did his name come up earlier? Where's my phone?"
1:12 Liam: "Okay, yea, I get it." "Bravo, Matt."
Matt's face as they all lose their marbles is my favorite. You can see he tries to stay in character AND loose his stuff with the rest of the party.
One of my favorite things about this is how Talisen figures out. Travis was first, he told Marisha and Sam, and then Sam and Travis texted Ashley, Laura, and Liam. Talisen, however, figured it out before he was told. The way that he figured it out was simply by watching the others freak out. Travis then confirmed it, but Talisen’s perception was on point, and I love it.
Love how after Travis tells Sam, Sam then texts Laura and i think Marisha got everyone else. Though i think Liam figured it out.
Nah, Liam was looking at Laura’s phone
@@BreakFatesChain i thought that but wasn't sure.
@@Eszra Sam is texting Liam and Travis is texting Laura (Travis has his phone below the table edge). Liam has his phone in front of him ( you can see him move it at the 51 second mark when Sam is texting). Laura looks up at Travis after he texts and then Liam looks at Sam.
@@jasonpoersch1846 They're probably just in a group chat with everyone checking their phones/reacting
yeah they're all in the same group chat and so the texts probably overlapped each other
I love how Matt can't help but smileand say 'Yes' after Travis whispers "He's the guy that got the wish", and still manages to make it seem to be in character :D And then barely holds it in while Ashley's talking
I need to stop doubting Taliesin: I'd thought he'd had a surprisingly mild reaction to reading the group chat, but that's because he was following along with Travis telling the top/left table the whole time. He almost gets it even faster than Sam does.
Travis: He's the guy that got the wish!!!
Matt: Yes
Years ago, on another video, I said that I hoped this guy came back in campaign 2 just as an easter egg. I got the campaign wrong, but damn this was a cool moment!
Who is this guy? Not ringing a bell but I really feel like it should.
@@johncloud3823 during the year off for Vox Machina Grog visited Vassalhiem and decided that while he had promised not to draw a card from his deck of many things didn't mean he couldn't let someone else do it instead. Thus a random bum became a Lord of the Crossroads in Vassalhiem with two more wishes and Grog (and Travis) never forgot...
@@johncloud3823 (SPOILER WARNING) It was during Vox Machina's one year apart (inbetween The Chroma Conclave and Vecna, IIRC). Grog was alone in Vasselheim with the Deck of Many Things and decided to experiment with it. He found a drunk in the streets and offered to let him pull a card from the deck. That drunk pulled the Wish card and wished to become a powerful Lord of the Quadroads.
@@SilverScaleMA I'm pretty sure he only has 1 more wish, but yes. Matt rolled for how many wishes he got and I think he rolled 2 total, but I'd have to go double check.
I love the zoom on Travis’ expression 🤣
Sam's reaction is my favorite- also I'm Robbie in this situation
Preston Drodelon encountered Vox Machina and was persuaded by Grog to draw a card from the Deck of Many things. He was given the ability to use the Wish spell twice, and used the first one to become a powerful lord of the Quad-Roads. (Campaign 1 Episode 95)
He never gave his name, so he was called the Lord of the Quad-Roads until this episode. (Campaign 3 Episode 13)
@@rextyro192 thank you!! I’ve seen this explained, but I’m still lost, or at least not as hyped as the others because I never experienced the set up or waited years for this reveal, but it’s still very cool!!
You should watch C1, just in general, it's really good. The tech is bad blah blah. It gets better as they go and frankly it's worth it. The story is brilliant and ends very satisfyingly (depending on your personality, I loved it anyway lol) but there's no loose threads that need wrapping up (except microscopic ones that are supposed to be there for C2 that are deeply satisfying.) It's fantastic.
How did Travis not scream as soon as he realized
Moments like this are why player choice is such an important part of D&D. This wouldn't have happened without Grog's misuse of the deck of many things in campaign one.
I love how he emedietly realized who it was despite how many years its been.
Travis' reaction is just PERFECT
Travis's reaction WAIT WHAT?! *looks at everyone else WHY IS NO ONE ELSE FREAKING OUT?
Travis is my type of dream player to DM for. Hypes up the other members, commits to the lore, lets other people shine when it's their time, trusts the DM's ruling wholly, and personally hopes for big fights and character moments/reveals. Because of this, you can see how relaxed Matt is with him.
Love who Travis reacted with a face that said "thats the guy that stole my wish!"
Travis' "Hold the fuck up" face sold this.
this dude took the wish card right before they started having people capital D die and fight vecna and used it to become a washed up rich guy lol
Thank god someone is explaining It 😅
Still didnt understand all of it but thank you lol
@@koji6745 EP 95 Travis (as Grog at the time) gives away a card from the deck of many things to a random drunk.
I love how Matt is analyzing Travis the entire time with a big smile on his face.
Love watching Travis face journey!
You can watch everyone’s reactions in real time - starting with Travis, then Marisha then Sam then Talesin in quick succession and Laura a little later
I imagine travis just hearing. look here comes the consequence consequence consequences of my actions chasing me right now
Welcome to CREU, the Critical Role Expanded Universe
You literally can see how the information travelled around the table: Travis noticed it and explains it first to Marisha and than to Sam, both are freaking out and that's what Tal notices and than Sam writes it in the group chat, to not talk loudly over the RP thats happening, and that Laura and Liam reads it and are freaking out, too. And than Ashley is getting it. xD
I'm not sure it was the group chat, it looks like Sam texted Liam, Travis texted Laura, and then Marisha texts Ashley. They each look at the person who texted them after reading it.
I had something similar with a star wars campaign for some friends. I ran a campaign in the Old Republic Era (5000 years prior to New Hope), where they played some young jedi stranded on a planet, and help save the locals from a sith ghost that had been plaguing their culture for centuries. In the end, the locals created a shrine to those 2 characters, complete with statues, as is custom in old republic architecture. Then years later, did another campaign in New Hope era, and had the ship they were on, basically pull a Miranda from Serenity, with a force sensitive npc hijack the ship and take them to a remote planet, via guidance from a force ghost. She was fleeing the inquisitors, and the ghost of her lover was guiding her away from Imperial space. They land on the planet, and they come across the temple, with statues that look suspiciously like their older characters. Good times to have callbacks like that. xD
Matt trying to hide his grin as the top screen begins to lose it's cool is my favorite part
the one-by-one reaction is just so good
Watching the realization slowly move across the table was hilarious
I want this guy to end up being the main villain
The Kill Bill sirens started going off.
And then he remembered!
Taliesin watching Travis, Marisha and Sam collective epiphany is very funny
I'm glad Travis pays attention cause no one else would have ever known lol.. smh
Yeah he pays attention but I think this reaction stems from rage too
I totally missed this while watching the ep xD
Gotta love Matt just casually ignoring as one by one the players start to freak out
A good DM always takes notes
Marisha and Sam's reaction in this clip are *fucking* priceless
If you press 1 you can replay Travis' expression as many times as you please
I love how Travis texts it to Laura to pass it across the table XD
My favorite reaction is Sam flailing around like a muppet.
All I could think was... "The past has returned to haunt you Mr. Willingham... The DOMT could have changed your fate for the better... BUT NO! You had to try an lure an NPC into drawing a card that gave him wishes."
The SLOWEST realization in all of history excet for Travis who got it RIGHT OFF and then slowly one by one, you can see them lose their minds. This has to be the best moment in all CR! Bruh...I'm dead.
Love that you can literally see it hit each of them individually one after another, travis to marisha to sam and when laura reads the textttttt
I haven't even watched campaign 1 and I got it before like 6 of the cast
Sam texting everyone on the other table to get them in on the intel, not to disrupt the RP :)
Remember that one time Grog didn't kill a guy... That was him!
Almost as good as all their reactions when Laudna was talking to Orym about her backstory...
I think technically the Vilya reveal in campaign 2 was a longer gap.
I remember seeing this and being so confused why they were all laughing. I understand now.
Ahhh I was wondering why Taliesin was looking to his right when I knew that technically, Travis was in front of him.. so I googled the table arrangement.. and yeah it's a triangle table, so everyone is going to be on his right, except Matt who's on his left.
If you think of the layout from the screen = Travis to Sam => Ashley to Taliesin => Matt. Basically Travis and Taliesin sit next to Matt, and Sam is next to Ashley. You can even see her mug infront of same, just obviously turned by the angle of the table.
Pov: This was in my recommended, and I have no idea what's going on, I am so lost right now lmao
The devil works hard, but Matthew Mercer works harder. WHAT A THROWBACK
10/10 thumbnail lmao
Man, I would hate to be the new guy they have in moments like this.
As a new fan, what’s this reference to and is there a video I can watch that shows it?
Grog, the group's local dummy, as played by Travis in Campaign 1, got a Deck of Many Things. Effectively an opportunity for all sorts of chaos. Pick a card, you might get money, you might get an item, you might summon something. Benevolent, malevolent, mundane, or fatal, you don't know what you'll get. Grog was just wary enough to experiment by giving a card to a drunkard. This drunkard got 2 wishes - one wish made him Lord of the Quadroads. The 2nd, he seems to be saving. This pretty much emboldened Grog to keep it.
Here's the relevant clip: ua-cam.com/video/_RtrpEWTeqM/v-deo.html
@@nox_tech_ lol…that’s great! Thank you.
God that must have been so distracting and kinda lonely for Robbie, as he's immediately in the RP so he can't just straight up ask what's happening, but he actually doesn't know what's happening. It's like he's physically right there in the group... but he's not really there. Dorian's there, talking to the Lord of the Quadros, but Robbie's lost and alone. :(
not that deep
@@tahaenesgurses3881 No one asked you
@@XoIoRouge your mum did
And poor Robbie has no clue why they're reacting the way they are.
I havnt watched all of C1... someone explain who this guy is??
Back in campaign 1, Grog gave a card away from the deck of many things, as an experiment, to a drunk peasant in an alley. The man received the Wish card, and wished he was a rich and powerful noble, proclaiming himself as the "lord of the quadroads."
His wish came true immediately. ua-cam.com/video/_RtrpEWTeqM/v-deo.html
a good thing to know is that he has 2 wishes, he used the first one. But theres no confirmation if he used the second yet
Thanks guys! 😊
@@firstnamelastname7298 Pretty sure I've read in another comment that Matt said something about him not having used it yet, but that it gnaws him inside, not sure what to use it for but not wanting to waste it away or something
For those who want the lore clip - ua-cam.com/video/_RtrpEWTeqM/v-deo.html
ARE THEY TEXTING EACH OTHER AT THE TABLE LMFAO
This was so funny.
the biggest throwback was kiki mom
I don't want to watch 5 years worth of a dnd podcast just to get one callback
you dont have to then
Robbie just unable to take part in this.
Someone please explain to me what is going on
What does it means?
Spoilers!!! in case you don't want to know events from campaign 1:
Not sure how much you know of campaign 1, so bear with me if you know this already. Travis' character, Grog, found a Deck of Many Things. It's an extremely powerful magical item that is a deck of cards. If you draw cards from the deck, they immediately do something extremely powerfully magical. BUT the cards can be very good or very bad. Grog was told to never draw any cards, but Grog/Travis has terrible impulse control and had to do something. So he found a drunk poor nobody in the alleys of Vasselheim (most well known city in the continent of Issylra) and told him to pick a card. The random NPC drew the card that gives you wishes, basically the best card you could possibly draw. His first of his two wishes was to be Lord of the Quadroads (an important part of Vasselheim). Tavis has been super jealous that the two times Grog pulled a card from the deck turned out bad, but the one time he had someone else pull a card it was the best one.
I'm a new viewer can anyone explain?
This is why the Deck of Many Things is banned in my games. Too many broken cards.
And THIS is why you give your DM tasty content and plot hooks to play with, with colorful characters that have depth and personality, and aren't murderhobos. They take that shit and plant it for later use, for the mutual enjoyment of the table.
Wouldn't he technically be one of the most powerful people in existence if he still has that wish?
What's fun is watching the table one by one get it. And then freak out