Chapters: 1/1Fandom: Critical RoleRating: Not RatedWarnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive WarningsRelationships:

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Critical Role Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: vaxleth Characters: Vax'ildan (Critical Role), Keyleth Summary:

If the worst happens Vax will be alone, existing only until Vecna is finally destroyed. This is that moment 20 years after Vox Machina failed their mission to destroy Vecna.

You Are Not Alone

(Massive spoilers to C1 and C2 of Critical Role)

I was there.

I was there when we as a fandom cowered as we watched 8 bodies of innocent people dressed like our beloved Vox Machina hang from a tree.

I was there when an entire fandom gasped in horror as the city we had learned to love fell to the hands of four, ancient chromatic dragons.

I was there when the smallest of human errors led to the instant death of Vex’ahlia, and thus, the beginning of the slow but inevitable demise of her twin.

I was there when the sudden discovery of Tiberius painful death brought the entire cast, and an entire fandom to tears.

I was there when the death of Percy, who fell to the hands of a despicable villain who’s sole life-goal was to kill him, prompted grown men to admit that they were bawling in twitch chat.

I was there when the community screamed as Scanlan smashed our hearts to pieces when he chose to leave Vox Machina on bad terms.

I was there when the community watched in helpless horror as the most powerful villain in the world turned our champion Vax’ildan to ash before our very eyes.

I was there the day the Raven Queen gave us back our Vax’ildan at a price; when mass denial took hold our hearts, knowing now that our favorite rogue’s days were numbered.

I was there as a fandom prepared for the inevitable, not unlike the pain one feels when we learn a dear friend is terminally ill.

I was there when the preparation did no good: When thousands upon thousands of critters were left with a gaping wound in our hearts as we watched our beloved champion fade to feathers in the wind…marking the end of an era.

…

And yes, I was there when we as a community witnessed new, hopeful critters get shocked and hurt by the untimely death of Mollymauk.

But this is Critical Role.

This has always been Critical Role. If you came to the second campaign unaware that Critical Role is ultimately a story about life, and the pain that comes with life, then I ask you to take a step back and look at the pain your veterans had to endure as well. You may think you are alone…

But you are not alone.

These are growing pains. This is what it feels like to lose something you thought you would never lose. This is what it feels like to learn that you still know how to cry. This is what it feels like to be reminded that grief hurts no matter how many times you’ve felt it before.

It sucks. I know. I was there too. But it will hurt, and it will continue to hurt. Seeing this all unfolds reminds me that it still fucking hurts.

However, these losses…these communal experiences of intense emotion… have made us stronger as the community; as a family. It has helped us learn that it’s okay to cry, no matter who you are; that it’s okay to be angry, to want justice, to want closure. But it has also taught us how to hope for a new dawn. It has taught us that at the end of the day, this is just a game where we get to watch a bunch of nerdy-ass voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons.

If that is not what you expected; if this is not what you were looking for, then that is absolutely okay. You are valid. You are loved. You are free. But know that if you do chose to stay, and give these nerdy-ass voice actors a chance, we will be with you, feeling the same pain, feeling the same joy, every step of the way… 

Sincerely,

-The Scarecrowlover

When you get a Natural 20 in life.

So I’m DMing Curse of Strahd for a mix of first time D&D players and and pretty experienced ones.

I wanted to start them in Death House as a tutorial session for the newbie and to help them gel as players considering most of them have never met before this.

BTW if you don’t want spoilers for Death House I’d stop reading right here cuz I’m about to give the game away abit.

Spoilers!!!

*

*

*

*

So I found a great variation of the Death House story online. The book version always left me a little cold.

Basically in the new version (found here https://amp.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/70o4b7/lessons_from_running_curse_of_strahd_death_house/)

The baby wasn’t still born but alive and well. Mrs Durst murders the Nursemaid and takes the baby down into the dungeon to sacrifice turning herself into a Ghast and the cult into the ghouls. The final encounter shambling mound is modified to have the baby at its centre.

So my characters head into the house after meeti g the two kids out front, and decide to head straight upstairs, ignoring the first floor all together head on upstairs. They clear the second floor and on the third hit their first encounter with the Anitmated Armour.

(The version i’m running has alot of the other house encounters removed which is a huge relief and made the story flow much better.)

During the fight, the human Rogue backs through a doorway and into the bedroom containing the spirit of the deceased Nursemaid.

In this version, she isn’t a specter. Instead she’s sweet and shy and a little confused. The party got talking to her and we very very sweet. When they finally discovered her skeleton the Druid picked her up and put her gently into her own bed. It nearly brought me to tears and prompted the ghost (Margaret) to show them the secret door to the attic.

It was a great encounter, nicely wrapped up until halfway up the secret stairway, the Tiefling Warlock turns to me and says:

“I turn around and head back down to talk to Margaret.”

Now, this player has developed a character that acts like the nicest guy and has the charisma to back up and all BS that comes out of his mouth. He is on a mission, for souls for his patron who just happens to be a major devil in the hells.

I knew immediately what he was after.

So he goes back into Margaret’s room and pulls a Lucifer. “Tell me what you most desire...”

So he tells her that he can get her a new place to live away from the scarey wife, and can even help her be with her child, his father and the other children living happily. All she has to do, is call on his patron and sign an agreement.

I made him roll for it. Nat 20. Dear, sweet, innocent Margaret falls for it. He left her there satisfied that he has just delivered one soul at least to his mistress. But this is Barovia. Here, any call to a being of another dimension is heard and intercepted by Strahd, who may or may not let the call go through if he desires.

He didn’t, the Tiefling doesn’t know it but he is now Strahd’s favourite toy.

He tried the same thing on the kids in the attic with similar results. I have to admit, he’s playing his part amazingly and i can’t wait for them to step out of that house.

I’d originally planned for there to be a bottle of wine and a note of greeting from Strahd waiting by the gate when they leave, but after this he’s going to want to meet them in person.

I seriously can’t wait.

Thank You Vox Machina

I finished Campaign 1 and I just feel like these words need to be said.

Thank you Vox Machina.

Thank you for the greatest journey, the most epic adventure you could ever take me on. I have stood and fought by your side through it all. I was with you to battle K’varn in the Underdark. I fought alongside you to free Whitestone from the undead rule of the Briarwoods. I helped you fell the Chroma Conclave. And I stood by your side durning the battle to banish Vecna and come out victorious. You have made me laugh when I felt like the world hated me. 

I have laughed with you

I have sat with you threw the tense moments

And I have celebrated with you when the enemy finally fell.

Thank you Vox Machina, for everything. The chapter may have closed, the story will always continue.

Thank you.

Slowly making Vox Machina as My Little Pony Plushies. Keyleth and Pike complete