This is so terrifically sad, but I can’t help but commend Brennan for rewarding Travis. He did possibly one of the most taboo things in D&D, he left the party, and he was rewarded for it. He got to save his family. Because this isn’t a normal campaign. This is a tragedy, and heroism gets you nothing. Selfishness, as contradictory as it seems, is the most useful trait.

AND THE THING IS—because I know how that last sentence sounds—HE WASN’T SELFISH. HE WAS THE LEAST SELFISH OUT OF ALL OF THEM. ITS LITERALLY THE LAST THING HE SAID BEFORE HE LEFT BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE WAS TOO SELFISH AND BLINDED BY GLORY AND NYDAS TRIED TO SAVE TOO MUCH but Travis WASN’T and he was rewarded. The Sightwarden, perhaps the only non-visionary in that room, gave us a single thread of hope for the future.

Asmodeus: While you're cleaning up a god of darkness and fire, is there anything I can do to repay the favor? Zerxus: When the time comes and you step from this void into our world, don't you forget me. Don't you forget the kindness that we're capable of, because we are your children, too. We are made of the same stuff, that what you initially created. We come from the same thing. If you remember the stories as well as you seem to, then you know that at some point, you turned your pain on us. They used you, and then you used us to get back at them. I have a son that's not of my blood, but that is my son. I met Evandrin when he was just an infant, and I held that boy in my arms and I fell in love with him and I am his father, but he is not of my blood. In that same way, we are your children. Please remember that. Don't take your pain out on us. Spare us, and I will help you. I will help you confront those that did this to you. Asmodeus: You have my word, Zerxus Ilerez. Not for all the ages of the world will I forget you.

Zerxus made a deal. That was Asmodeus' gambit, that was his plan, that was the goal of all his spun tales and honeyed words — he got Zerxus to make a deal with the literal fucking devil.

Is there anything I can do to repay the favor? Asmodeus offers a condition, a repayment. If Zerxus answers him, that would be taken as Zerxus saying, "yes, this is what you can do for me." Between this sentence and when the time comes... Zerxus asks only questions. No statements of want or need or even speculation, just questions.

But as soon as Zerxus makes a statement that can be taken as a request, Asmodeus latches on to it. See how much Zerxus said? How much came after that initial request? Remember that. Don't take your pain out on us. Spare us. Remember the stories. Remember the kindness we are capable of. But what does Asmodeus say in response? What is the turning point, the condition of this deal?

Not for all the ages of the world will I forget you.

Also take note of the wording here. Asmodeus doesn't say I won't forget you, past-tense, as if Zerxus is a mortal who's going to die. The Lord of the Hells is a god, he is not bound by mortal aging, he will without a shadow of a doubt outlive Zerxus. But Asmodeus does not say won't, as if there will ever be a time when he is alive and Zerxus is not — he says will. Present and future tense. As if there will never be a time when he and Zerxus are not alive at the same time, as if Zerxus will always be there at his side to remind him of his existence.

Zerxus made a deal with the devil, and in exchange for remembrance for all the ages and a legacy that will last for just as long as the world, the Lord of the Hells has made Zerxus his champion.

HOW DARE YOU

HOW DARE YOU TRAVIS AND BRENNAN MAKING ME CRY OVER BIRD PEOPLE

look im 99.9% sure mans was lying and manipulating him (I mean he's supposed to be the "king of lies" or whatever) but I WANT TO BELIEVE-

NO, WAIT NO FUCK-

I didn't expect to cry this FUCKING HARD WTFFFFFFF

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"Everything's fine" WHEN EVERYTHING IS DEFINITELY NOT FINE I-

I AM NOT OK HOLY-

BRENNAN FUCK YOU FOR MAKING ME CRY THIS HARD BUT ALSO YOU'RE AN AMAZING DM

Not sure how i feel about zerxus taking the mace.

I'm not quick to say "thats out of character" because its literally the character of the player, they DECIDE the character's...well... Character!

But in this case, with everything that's been established about Zerxus so far, it feels like I've misconstrued my image of his morals and personality to a degree that... Seeing him making this deal feels wrong. The Zerxus i had in my head would've realized that he'd be a threat to the world if his powers were used by the Betrayer Gods. That he'd be playing right into Asmodeus's hands. That he'd only make things worse.

In essence, i thought he would be a good person duped into dooming the world by manipulation. Not a selfish person choosing to doom humanity out of his own free will and his sheer, unbridled desire to prove that he's equal to the gods and can defy them. That dichotomy is hard.

ATONEMENT?!?!?!?

Zerxes, sowing: ohoho

Zerxes, reaping: ohfuckohfuckohfuck

How are you able to liveblog EXU:C? I was sobbing for the last hour of it

A GOOD QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW

the power of aabria and travis’s bromance just saved exandria

Absolutely ecstatic for tonight’s episode, only one more after this one though 😭. I cannot wait for the fucking crazy level 14 combat with the friend group tonight. I am so worried about Zerxus and Cerrit’s children and Zerxus’ deal with Asmodaus like sir we have to be careful. Laerryn and Patia cleaned house last week and I can’t wait to see it again. Brennan is doing such a wonderful job with such a lore heavy show I am so delighted.

Here are the liveblog tags for tonight :)

#critical role #cr spoilers #exandria unlimited: calamity #exandria unlimited #exu spoilers #exu:c spoilers #exu:c e3

SAM RIEGEL YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME SAD WITH A GENDER MAN

ON PRIDE MONTH

No words except thank you for that masterpiece.

. . .

MORE CRYING?!?!?!??!?!? COME ON BRENNAN HOW MANY TEARS MUST I SHED FOR THIS-

it’s a new year and i’m now officially caught up on c3, so it’s time for another

augentrust housekeeping update!

spoilers will be tagged for a week after the episode airs under #cr spoilers 

liveblogging, if it happens, will also be tagged with #august watches cr3

posts will be tagged with their respective campaign [cr1, cr2, cr3, exu, exu:c, etc.]

original, non-liveblogging posts now share a tag under #august chats

laerryn, barely recovered from bawling her eyes out from a scientific breakthrough she’s been working for her whole life:

loquatius (quay): HEYYYYYYYYY