While I'm talking about understated moments from the liveshow, let's talk about Frumpkin. Caleb notably frees Frumpkin from familiarhood at the end of Campaign 2, before the timeskips, after the Mighty Nein have just battled Trent Ikithon at the Blooming Grove. In his brief Campaign 3 appearance, Caleb says, "Well, it has been a number of years since we've had Frumpkin along." That's the most recent in-game mention of him. It's very possible that there was an offscreen reunion sometime between then and now, but I like the idea that there wasn't. Because that means that here in Projekt Funball, having not called on him in the years since their farewell, Caleb is in trouble and he desperately and instinctively reaches out to his dear once-familiar: "FRUMPKIN I NEED YOU!" And instantly Frumpkin is there, like nothing has changed. We don't know the exact circumstances, but I like to think an echo of their old link is still there even if the obligation is not, and so when Frumpkin comes this time it is of his own accord, as a friend who has heard the panicked cry of someone he loves.
The corrupted tower scene of Caleb's childhood at his family's cottage also gives Frumpkin what might be his very first look at the original Frumpkin, who is his namesake and the exact shape of the wound in Caleb's heart that a familiar was first meant to fill. Liam narrates Frumpkin looking at his shadowy original in particular: "Frumpkin, sitting on your shoulder, sits up at attention and cocks his head." This is firstly Liam helping the players understand that this scene is of is Bren's childhood, since OG Frumpkin is there, but it also serves as a genuine reaction. Jester asks, "Is that you, Frumpkin?" and the previously vocal Frumpkin says nothing. And then he watches OG! Frumpkin burn. Woof. (meow?).
There wasn't time in the liveshow format to really sit with his presence, but I like to think this is the start of a new rapport & that we may possibly see Frumpkin again in future Caleb Widogast appearances.
