For those referring to the Loux fight in Elden Ring, the inspo for this fight came LONG before Elden Ring was even a thing. :P Watch the Simon vs Lord Genome fight (original series) from Gurren Lagann if you want to see the actual inspiration. ;)
This was so fucking cool Mark. I can't even imagine the thrill of running an epic cinematic boss battle in the making from level 1. Well I supppose I can imagine it, every DM does, but to actually pull it off after 4 years of constant play is just. Something else. Cheers to you all. Also thanks for clarifying the inspiration because I totally thought there was some Elden Ring in there lol
Man, I love how emotional Mark gets. He's DM goals and I love him (platonically, obviously 😂). I get the Mercer love (which is absolutely deserved) but the world at large needs to acknowledge the Sherlock Humes, and the rest of this amazing cast. I live in (the scant) hope of a full crit role/high rollers Collab, just 'cause. 😁
As soon as I heard the words “You are now level 20”, it just hit me so hard and brought me to tears. Knowing that this long journey will be over soon..
This episode, was spectacular. This episode had it's place in the "I'm still standing" hall of fame. I just picture in my mind aila and calus brawling it out to the song I'm still standing, and in the end, aila with her first in the end as the song reflects her final blow against him. I also imagine as a trailer for the final arc, just a video of the memories of their adventures going along to the song Hall of Fame, as the ending of it is when they are about to head to the far realm. This campaign has brought so much joy to me, the ups and the downs, all the critical moments, I felt like I was there and could jump in the action myself. Mark, I applaud you in this magnificent story you and the rest of the members of high rollers have told. This is what I love about the world.
I can't help but let out a little cheer every time Kim brings her Inner Trekker to the narrative. If Kim ever decided to run a Star Trek Adventures, game, I'd watch the heck out of that.
Im so glad to have watched this from the very beginning, honestly its been an honour to watch this journey, at witness these characters grow all the way to level 20. I am so proud.
The beginning of this episode got me crying laughing from Tom and Mark being silly, to just actually crying from Kim and Mark having a beautiful emotional scene. That's why I love this group so much.
Yes! Just caught up with last weeks VOD earlier today! This Starbane fight has been super exciting so far! Can't wait to see what other tricks he has up his skin-tight sleeves! The mechanic that we saw a little be of last time where he takes different battle stances is really intriguing and something like it could be a cool homebrew mechanic for the fighter class.
I absolutely adores the final phase against Starbane, and throughout it my mind was just imagine starbane yelling "Now I fight as Horah Loux, Warrior!"
Damn that was some Hoarah Loux vibes from Starbane Also props for Mark for managing to do such a cool encounter, high lvl dnd is hard to make properly challenging but he really has nailed it
every time mark is teary eyed i start crying toooo you guys this was such a great episode, thank you for everything you've been building until this point, and for the remaining part of this great adventure
That will be all Thou didst me good service, Tiangong I've given thee courtesy enough RRRAAARGH YESSSS!!! NOW I FIGHT AS STARBANE!!!! WARRIOR OF GIDEON!!!!!
That was such an amazing fight and it couldn't have had a better ending than that absolute slugfest. Although, as soon as Mark said, "Not even the gods themselves", I immediately heard Marisha Ray's voice in my head saying, "We're gods". lol
Master story telling, Mark and team! Very moving, always the perfect balance of tom-foolery, happiness, sadness, moments of drama - your sincere investment in your characters is phenomenal, it's as if you are living in their moments - bravo!
I'm so beyond words with this story and these characters. Epic does not do it justice. Thank you all for this journey and the ride to come. Clear Skies.
I swear if the next episode or two doesn’t include an emotional/romantic goodbye/confession of feelings between Prince Arudan and Lucius I will revolt.
All I can still think of leading into this from last episode. Star bane disengaging restraints like Alucard releasing a restraint in the tfs abridged. Alucard: "Release restraint level 1" Luke: "level wha..." -loses limbs-
SPOILERS: 1:58:10 AH THAT THIRD PHASE FUQS! "A FINE WEAPON" When the "bad guy" compliments the heroes while beating one of them down I think I've found my favorite type of enemy "Screw formalities these hands'll work"
Hollyyy shit this was so good! I think this might be my favourite combat of the entire campaign. SPOILERS: When Kalus got up for third phase and just went nuts, that might’ve been the coolest thing of the entire campaign so far, all the cool shit he did, like catching the hammer, was insanely cool 👌🏻
Mark you are truly an amazing writer and creator. The emotions that overtake you at the end. It is truly a joy to watch. Thank you for all you have done.
I never suspected it, but the pieces were always there. It’s formed close to the cradle, on sky cities floating through Hesper. Strange magic properties only found on her world.
This episode was awe inspiring. I'm feeling all the feels, I laughed, I cried and I'm so hyped for the finale coming up! Look how far everyone has come! This is my favourite DnD show ❤
Sitting in a bus, can't have volume on anything I can hear, becausenother people, so have autogenerated text on, and our dear text generator has thus far called Trott Trump twice.
We need the backstory on Starbane yesterday! I want a whole book about Callous and Zarkira and Co kicking ass and fighting Hadar like a real adventuring party.
God give me anything and everything about him and Siaska. How they fell in love, deciding to make Valla, CALLUS’ WHOLE FEELINGS/THOUGHTS WHEN SIASKA “KILLED” HERSELF AND FLUNG HIM OUT OF AEROIS. Like damn it’s been a long time since I’ve been so interested in a couple’s backstory. Only thing that comes to mind is La Muerte and Xibalba from The Book of Life
Fuck. This was a glorious episode all around. Too many good elements to even pick them all out. Amazing job you all! Also, who gave you permission to make me cry you glorious bastards?
That was absolutely excellent. A scrap spanning two episodes with a brutal finale. (SPOILERS) So glad that Mark did that emotional ending: I was filling up too, and that's a rare event! A little bit of me thought he'd bring Xarkira to kill Starbane whilst he was down, but in retrospect I'm glad he didn't. And level 20... this is going to be a crazy last phase.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann was one, if not the only, anime that I ever rewatched so Mark writing that this was his inspiration for the boss battle, it blew my mind, it's frickin' amazing 🤩 I fell behind, but I am trying to catch up to the finale, at the very least before they kickstart the third campaign 😛
The dumb intro stuff did make me realise how much I'd acctually like to see Shadow genuinely cry over Maria, like not his usual rage and angst but a genuinely vulnerable "I miss her"
I need more!!! this cant be ending!! what a ride its been! what an episode! god damn you mark you world building genius! im speechless! (almost) 😆 great job everyone both in and behind the scenes. standing ovation from me
One of my favorite DnD fights was have watched. Amazing from the crew and of course from Mark. I think he was a little gracious (maybe SB didn’t want to full on kill them) but I feel he could’ve killed each of them one at a time when they started going down (especially Quil since he is the healer.) Cannot wait to see Hadars stat block. It’ll be insane. Think there is a realistic chance of them losing the fight?
Holy fucking shit. Jesus Christ. What the actual fuck. THAT WAS THE SICKEST FIGHT OH MY GOOOOOOOD! Spoilers (for the love of god watch the fight first) That finale phase for Starbane was the *sickest* thing ever. The sheer pants shitting fear combined with anime, video game, etc. insanity was amazing. The entire Lv. 19 party almost got annihilated in a single round and it was the best thing ever. Praxis fucking Val goddamn. Totally matched Rihannon’s vibe with the whole, “MOAR!”. And the ending. Fuck… the ending. I love Lightfall but Starbane blows Philania out of the fucking water as a villain I care about. I want them to kick Hadar’s horrifying ass and then see the Star family be happy and together. Fuck *violently clutches chest* Personal Timestamps 1:49:04 Final Phase 1:52:40 Calus and the slap (haymaker) of god 1:54:49 Warriors 1:57:03 The sickest shit ever 1:59:08 The sickest shit ever: the sequel 2:02:27 “Coming in with a STEEL CHAIR!!!” 2:03:35 Bird looks at pile of bodies in
“It’s a very cool spell” but you’re never gonna get to use it. It’s a great series but Mark is such a tricky DM 😅 Timestop was also awesome…then Starbane went immediately and undid two of the effects 😂
I love your content (cannot stress that enough but here comes inevitable online criticism) but dear lord one of these days you need to let Lucius do some of the cool things he tries! If the rules are broken, bend them! It can’t be fun to have everything you do fail every session, regardless of your dice rolls. We want to see magic-boi do his thing!
Somewhat game breaking but then Mark has given them a handful of equipment and custom abilities as well. And any fight you can walk away from can't be to OP.
SPOILER When Trott asked “May I …” and Mark was like “You may not” I was like oh shit Mark NEVER outright says no to his players wanting to do something, but then it immediately became clear why - it was because he was winding up for his EPIC Starbane moment and was getting in the zone and mindset of a 1000 year old Space Emperor about to THROW. DOWN. I say it every week. Mark is a goddam genius.
Are these episodes edited or is the music being played/changed live while they're streaming? If so, is that what Trott is doing with what looks like a Switch on the table? And if it is being changed on the fly by God he's doing a great job. (Or whoever is doing it from the Streaming Booth).
For those referring to the Loux fight in Elden Ring, the inspo for this fight came LONG before Elden Ring was even a thing. :P Watch the Simon vs Lord Genome fight (original series) from Gurren Lagann if you want to see the actual inspiration. ;)
This was so fucking cool Mark. I can't even imagine the thrill of running an epic cinematic boss battle in the making from level 1. Well I supppose I can imagine it, every DM does, but to actually pull it off after 4 years of constant play is just. Something else. Cheers to you all.
Also thanks for clarifying the inspiration because I totally thought there was some Elden Ring in there lol
What's an Elden Ring? ;)
I was thinking Zenos from FFXIV.
“HA! Acceptance. At long last! THE CONFLAGRATION OF OUR CLASH WILL SCORCH EVEN THE STARS!”
Man, I love how emotional Mark gets. He's DM goals and I love him (platonically, obviously 😂). I get the Mercer love (which is absolutely deserved) but the world at large needs to acknowledge the Sherlock Humes, and the rest of this amazing cast.
I live in (the scant) hope of a full crit role/high rollers Collab, just 'cause. 😁
I know Mark always apologizes for it but I love the raw emotions he brings to the table. Makes the characters he plays feel so alive(:
As soon as I heard the words “You are now level 20”, it just hit me so hard and brought me to tears. Knowing that this long journey will be over soon..
mark is an absolute king of storytellers
This episode, was spectacular. This episode had it's place in the "I'm still standing" hall of fame. I just picture in my mind aila and calus brawling it out to the song I'm still standing, and in the end, aila with her first in the end as the song reflects her final blow against him. I also imagine as a trailer for the final arc, just a video of the memories of their adventures going along to the song Hall of Fame, as the ending of it is when they are about to head to the far realm. This campaign has brought so much joy to me, the ups and the downs, all the critical moments, I felt like I was there and could jump in the action myself. Mark, I applaud you in this magnificent story you and the rest of the members of high rollers have told. This is what I love about the world.
Tom and Rhiannon showing ungodly restraint to only make a curious face when Chris says, "I'm going to cast Prismatic Wall and dome him."
Ok Aala slammin Starbane in the back with his own drone was Epic!
Kim, you made me cry! That was such a beautiful scene! Mark, you were great as well. Heart wrenching.😢
I can't help but let out a little cheer every time Kim brings her Inner Trekker to the narrative. If Kim ever decided to run a Star Trek Adventures, game, I'd watch the heck out of that.
2:07:53
Such an amazing payoff for something that was literally years in the making, 180 episodes to be exact. Clear Skies have come to Aerois
Honestly this just deserves to get animated! Its just that good holy crap!
Im so glad to have watched this from the very beginning, honestly its been an honour to watch this journey, at witness these characters grow all the way to level 20. I am so proud.
So so so cool im so hyped for the finale but ill miss this campaign so so so much
The beginning of this episode got me crying laughing from Tom and Mark being silly, to just actually crying from Kim and Mark having a beautiful emotional scene. That's why I love this group so much.
Oh the second half emotional whiplash from horny to sobbing was too much.
You know it's an episode of High Rollers when it starts with tears of laughter and ends with tears of emotion. 👏
1:49:49 Oh god, he’s gone full Zenos.
“HA! Acceptance! At long last! THE CONFLAGRATION OF OUR CLASH WILL SCORCH EVEN THE STARS!”
Yes! Just caught up with last weeks VOD earlier today! This Starbane fight has been super exciting so far! Can't wait to see what other tricks he has up his skin-tight sleeves!
The mechanic that we saw a little be of last time where he takes different battle stances is really intriguing and something like it could be a cool homebrew mechanic for the fighter class.
I absolutely adores the final phase against Starbane, and throughout it my mind was just imagine starbane yelling "Now I fight as Horah Loux, Warrior!"
Such a a well-balanced combat and such a superb storyline. I'm just in awe of MSH.
Damn that was some Hoarah Loux vibes from Starbane
Also props for Mark for managing to do such a cool encounter, high lvl dnd is hard to make properly challenging but he really has nailed it
every time mark is teary eyed i start crying toooo
you guys this was such a great episode, thank you for everything you've been building until this point, and for the remaining part of this great adventure
This is perhaps the coolest fight I've ever seen
honestly my favorite HR episode of all time. So many emotions in one session
That will be all
Thou didst me good service, Tiangong
I've given thee courtesy enough
RRRAAARGH YESSSS!!!
NOW I FIGHT AS STARBANE!!!!
WARRIOR OF GIDEON!!!!!
That was such an amazing fight and it couldn't have had a better ending than that absolute slugfest. Although, as soon as Mark said, "Not even the gods themselves", I immediately heard Marisha Ray's voice in my head saying, "We're gods". lol
Master story telling, Mark and team! Very moving, always the perfect balance of tom-foolery, happiness, sadness, moments of drama - your sincere investment in your characters is phenomenal, it's as if you are living in their moments - bravo!
I'm so beyond words with this story and these characters. Epic does not do it justice. Thank you all for this journey and the ride to come. Clear Skies.
an amazing episode. so hyped for the end, it's gonna be crazy.
I swear if the next episode or two doesn’t include an emotional/romantic goodbye/confession of feelings between Prince Arudan and Lucius I will revolt.
Such skill. Mark you are great at your craft.
Mark: *yelling as Starbane, being a big bad*
Me: uwu
"Ow! My f**king thumb!" At the beginning with Mark ready for the recap is the best man. Holy sh*t was that funny 😂
All I can still think of leading into this from last episode. Star bane disengaging restraints like Alucard releasing a restraint in the tfs abridged. Alucard: "Release restraint level 1" Luke: "level wha..." -loses limbs-
Now we need someone to draw that entire scene with Starbane as Alucard. 😂 Now we figure out who would be Luke.
@@rozu7772: Probably Sentry or Quill… most likely Quill.
SPOILERS:
1:58:10
AH THAT THIRD PHASE FUQS! "A FINE WEAPON" When the "bad guy" compliments the heroes while beating one of them down I think I've found my favorite type of enemy "Screw formalities these hands'll work"
Hollyyy shit this was so good! I think this might be my favourite combat of the entire campaign.
SPOILERS:
When Kalus got up for third phase and just went nuts, that might’ve been the coolest thing of the entire campaign so far, all the cool shit he did, like catching the hammer, was insanely cool 👌🏻
Mark you are truly an amazing writer and creator. The emotions that overtake you at the end. It is truly a joy to watch. Thank you for all you have done.
Spoiler Warning!!!!!
Wait so aetherium was Siaska's essence this entire time?!? How long has Mark been sitting on this bombshell!
I never suspected it, but the pieces were always there. It’s formed close to the cradle, on sky cities floating through Hesper. Strange magic properties only found on her world.
Fighter and barbarian feats. Starbarian final form. Totally a great fight. Katie should have been the one to actually narrate Aila but alas
This episode was awe inspiring. I'm feeling all the feels, I laughed, I cried and I'm so hyped for the finale coming up! Look how far everyone has come! This is my favourite DnD show ❤
Holy dang, what a friggin good episode. Laughed a bunch, got suuuper hype, AND had a good cry. What more could you want.
Spoiler Midfight!
2:02:30 If this were an animated show, Nova would be SCREAMING as a little Starbane shadow gets bigger around her.
Dice to see the gang in the most professional battle we have all been waiting for, missing Katie's input
Sitting in a bus, can't have volume on anything I can hear, becausenother people, so have autogenerated text on, and our dear text generator has thus far called Trott Trump twice.
We need the backstory on Starbane yesterday! I want a whole book about Callous and Zarkira and Co kicking ass and fighting Hadar like a real adventuring party.
A graphic novel about Starbane would be everything.
God give me anything and everything about him and Siaska. How they fell in love, deciding to make Valla, CALLUS’ WHOLE FEELINGS/THOUGHTS WHEN SIASKA “KILLED” HERSELF AND FLUNG HIM OUT OF AEROIS.
Like damn it’s been a long time since I’ve been so interested in a couple’s backstory. Only thing that comes to mind is La Muerte and Xibalba from The Book of Life
Fuck. This was a glorious episode all around. Too many good elements to even pick them all out. Amazing job you all! Also, who gave you permission to make me cry you glorious bastards?
Truly clear skies now.
Why does this Calus fight remind me of what it's like to play Dante in DMC5
That was absolutely excellent. A scrap spanning two episodes with a brutal finale.
(SPOILERS)
So glad that Mark did that emotional ending: I was filling up too, and that's a rare event! A little bit of me thought he'd bring Xarkira to kill Starbane whilst he was down, but in retrospect I'm glad he didn't.
And level 20... this is going to be a crazy last phase.
Pity they don’t have any healing potions to help…oh wait…😂
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann was one, if not the only, anime that I ever rewatched so Mark writing that this was his inspiration for the boss battle, it blew my mind, it's frickin' amazing 🤩
I fell behind, but I am trying to catch up to the finale, at the very least before they kickstart the third campaign 😛
The dumb intro stuff did make me realise how much I'd acctually like to see Shadow genuinely cry over Maria, like not his usual rage and angst but a genuinely vulnerable "I miss her"
Mark making half the audience get misty-eyed 30 minutes in.
And cry at the end.
I need more!!! this cant be ending!! what a ride its been! what an episode! god damn you mark you world building genius! im speechless! (almost) 😆 great job everyone both in and behind the scenes. standing ovation from me
One of my favorite DnD fights was have watched. Amazing from the crew and of course from Mark. I think he was a little gracious (maybe SB didn’t want to full on kill them) but I feel he could’ve killed each of them one at a time when they started going down (especially Quil since he is the healer.) Cannot wait to see Hadars stat block. It’ll be insane. Think there is a realistic chance of them losing the fight?
Holy fucking shit. Jesus Christ. What the actual fuck.
THAT WAS THE SICKEST FIGHT OH MY GOOOOOOOD!
Spoilers (for the love of god watch the fight first)
That finale phase for Starbane was the *sickest* thing ever. The sheer pants shitting fear combined with anime, video game, etc. insanity was amazing. The entire Lv. 19 party almost got annihilated in a single round and it was the best thing ever. Praxis fucking Val goddamn. Totally matched Rihannon’s vibe with the whole, “MOAR!”.
And the ending. Fuck… the ending. I love Lightfall but Starbane blows Philania out of the fucking water as a villain I care about. I want them to kick Hadar’s horrifying ass and then see the Star family be happy and together. Fuck *violently clutches chest*
Personal Timestamps
1:49:04 Final Phase
1:52:40 Calus and the slap (haymaker) of god
1:54:49 Warriors
1:57:03 The sickest shit ever
1:59:08 The sickest shit ever: the sequel
2:02:27 “Coming in with a STEEL CHAIR!!!”
2:03:35 Bird looks at pile of bodies in
BEST EPISODE EVER!!!
God, I love this Hoarah Loux from Elden Ring version of Callus
You know what would be interesting, the High Rollers at Tankfest
6:50 was perfection.
I will miss this so much
Incredible
poor trotty is definitely never gonna play a spellcaster again lmao
Whoop whoop! Been looking forward to this all week, and loving the opening as per usual mark😂
“It’s a very cool spell” but you’re never gonna get to use it.
It’s a great series but Mark is such a tricky DM 😅
Timestop was also awesome…then Starbane went immediately and undid two of the effects 😂
Just awesome, thank you.
I'm getting closer to joining live! I found this channel so late if I miss the end I'm sorry!
A FINE WEAPON!
Mark, you very talented man. Respect
What a journey. A wonderful journey.
So so so awesome!!
No words, that was incredible!
I’m a Podcast listener but I HAD to come to the VOD for the reactions at the 1 hour 49 mark.
Minor Spoilers:
When Valkerian entered his wild state, I just started singing Rivers in the Desert from Persona 5.
one shot of the crew playing as callous and his friends when?
I'm getting some major Horah Loux vibes from third stage Kalus.
Yesssssssss more High Rollers yum yum yum.
All the emotions
They need a "so professional" t shirt
I love your content (cannot stress that enough but here comes inevitable online criticism) but dear lord one of these days you need to let Lucius do some of the cool things he tries! If the rules are broken, bend them! It can’t be fun to have everything you do fail every session, regardless of your dice rolls. We want to see magic-boi do his thing!
I’m literally in awe this was fucking awesome
Spoilers:
Oh God, Starbane is Hoarah Loux isn't he?
Lmao, exactly what I was thinking
The fact that starbane doesn't have to concentrate on his replicated spells is way too strong
They're level 19, they can eat it
Somewhat game breaking but then Mark has given them a handful of equipment and custom abilities as well.
And any fight you can walk away from can't be to OP.
I'm 2 minutes into the episode and I'm already crying laughing
SO.GOOD.
Godlike episode!!!!!!!!!!
i love calus now
Wouldn't Kalus have to attune to the hammer to do Aila's lightning damage?
Calus going full Horah Loux today.
Ima sob I was texting my sister this entire session and how cool it was-just in shock I'm gonna sob so much
SPOILER
When Trott asked “May I …” and Mark was like “You may not” I was like oh shit Mark NEVER outright says no to his players wanting to do something, but then it immediately became clear why - it was because he was winding up for his EPIC Starbane moment and was getting in the zone and mindset of a 1000 year old Space Emperor about to THROW. DOWN.
I say it every week. Mark is a goddam genius.
so is prismatic wall basically useless when your only enemy is a high level spellcaster?
Legit crying
Amazing 🎉
We spent all that time trying to find the Prime and it was in Toms dice all along
Dice to see you too! 🔎😎🔍
I"m soaked...🥰
amazing episode!
Are these episodes edited or is the music being played/changed live while they're streaming? If so, is that what Trott is doing with what looks like a Switch on the table? And if it is being changed on the fly by God he's doing a great job. (Or whoever is doing it from the Streaming Booth).
Trott controls the music from the table using his Steam Deck! - Kim
That and the lights as well. Trott is in complete control of the ambiance.
Is Katie ok? She misses so many sessions
Spoilers:
Quill standing at the end of that fight like Steve Buscemi at the end of Reservoir Dogs 😂
Im not sure guys, but i think Mark likes Elden ring or something
I kind of wish they had killed starbane for the drama