I am not becoming a criminal. I am babysitting.

Kaitlin •• 27 •• She/Her •• Bi/Demi •• INFJ-A •• Chaotic Good •• Australian •• Critical Role and DnD trash •• SatanKaitlin on Twitch/Discord/Twitter •• Icon by Sivsii •• Header by Critroledits

[orymsblueflower]

So I saw a post hoping that Sam's new character is a paladin, and I got this idea in my head and ran with it...

Imagine Bells Hells exploring Aeor even further, come across yet another bubble with someone in it, but this one looks different, and Orym with his high ass perception notices that this person's eyes are moving ever so slightly and the bubble is faintly glowing. They start debating about whether they should try to help or leave, but before they can talk further, the bubble glows bright and cracks on its and Sam walks in as his character whose this Paladin of the Crown, thanking them for apparently being the catalyst that freed him and saying this must be the time of great need he was required for. They're all like wtf are you on about and he tells them a tale of just before he was put in the stasis bubble by his god, the city of Aeor had decided to try to strike down the gods, and of course that goes against everything he stands for and he tried to lead a group internally to stop them, but of course there was a big fight and his own god froze him in this bubble with the message that it would be opened in a time of great need and his life wasn't over yet - it was merely at the beginning. And that was the last thing he remembers until now, and after looking around at the remnants of Aeor and their clearly underground location, he pauses and asks "what year is it?"

[jaebird88]

After marinating on it, I do have some feelings about the way Laudna behaved in the last episode. But first I wish to preface this by saying Marisha killed it with the RP. Seriously. No notes. Give her an Oscar.

The way Laudna played the victim throughout the entire scene is something I'm all too accustomed to seeing in my personal life. Without being specific as to who, I will say her behavior is that of what I witnessed from a family member firsthand. Between the way she used her own personal tragedy as a means to justify her actions and how she put blame on Orym's decision to wield Ishta to obfuscate where she was at fault. And also to not admit to everyone how Delilah was influencing her yet again. Another post I've seen brought up how she never even said "I'm sorry" once despite Ashton's advice, and that, too, is a major red flag.

Now, I will not dismiss the fact that Laudna had been wronged in her previous life. But to continue using it as a means to deflect is only going to make things worse for everyone close to her. Especially Imogen, whom you can see her heart breaking in real time.

[ariadne-mouse]

"It's just Delilah."

[tarydarrington]

"What makes you think that might have changed?"

[edubenart]

Critical Role Spoilers for episode 77 I finished Critical Role's last episode and... I just had to paint this Ashton scene immediately

[hungryhyenaart]

Drew Laudna because she's my favourite <3

[orymsblueflower]

So I enjoy mixing and matching animated intros to shows, and of course messed around with the new Bells Hells animated intro and my god I was SHOOK when I linked it up to the RWBY vol 7 intro song like it fits too well

Even a number of the lyrics, like "...through love your power just shines" when FCG gains control back, and "the truth is there but sometimes in disguise" when Laudna reveals her form of dread...

[vethbrenatto]

The Legend of Vox Machina ★ Those Who Walk Away (2x04) “Sometimes you have to embrace what’s in front of you, not fight it.”

[tepkunset]

"Hail the new champion."

[blazingstar24]

Thinking about how Orym doesn’t understand why Serataani/Melora would grant him such a gift. And how Liam said in 4SD, Orym felt so terrible about Laudna’s death because—and I quote—“the important people died and he’s still here”

Which heavily implies that Orym thinks of himself as background person in life. The way this has extended beyond his old life as a guard and now seems like oh no Orym literally does not see himself as “important” and thus things like getting a magical boon or being chosen to come back to life aren’t things are supposed to happen to someone like him.

He believes himself to be the side character, the support, beyond the metanarrative of it all as Orym is designed to be a support, he genuinely believes that he’s not on the same level of importance or worth as everyone else.

So when Melora blesses him with this boon, he’s grateful but so confused on why. Why him? He’s not like his friends. They are the ones who clearly are special.

And yet he’s so wrong. He’s practically one of the most important of Bell’s Hells. He’s the glue of this group. Fearne does not steal for the first time in that scene. And instead thanks Melora. She was watching what happened. And while she could have been thanking Melora about Chet, I think she was also thanking Melora for this gift she gave to Orym. Because Fearne recognizes how special he is and she is happy that this goddess does too.

Orym is the first to break through to Chet in the fight. He’s always there for Imogen and is rooting for her. He treats Laudna like a person and showed deep empathy for her sorrows. He got Ashton to open up and is respectful of their boundaries. He is always checking up on FCG and if their stress is getting to be too much.

Orym is important. Not because of any magical powers or destiny, but because he is kind. Orym is special because he wakes up every day and chooses to be kind, to be gentle, to care.That is equally as important to everything else.

And it’s not about having magic or powers. Orym’s not insecure. His problem is that his survivor’s guilt has warped his naturally protective nature into a “I will fall so others never will.” mindset, it has turned his inherent selflessness into a dangerous lack of self worth. It has convinced him he is not important.

But he is. Kindness is important. And one day Orym will hopefully see that Melora chose him because he is kind. Because he chooses to go on.

[drawsmaddy]

[ID: A digitally illustrated two panel comic of Essek Thelyss and Caleb Widogast from Critical Role. In the first panel they both have a hand on each other's face as they gaze affectionately at each other. Caleb says "Come, dear". In the second panel Essek has moved to kiss Caleb, gently holding his face. End description.]

A visitor

[tarydarrington]

uk’otoa (uk’otoa)

[calenthee]

[martingillart]

[aylameridian]

Jester

[orym-blossoms]

Oh man, it was so good to see them all again!! I'm going to have to rewatch at some point, but Caleb is definitely in a weird, emotional in-between place.

Like, you're in your early 30s, all of your friends have careers, and Significant Others, and even families, and there’s just you. Who had a traumatic childhood that delayed your start on adulthood and maybe means you're "behind the curve." The only time you've ever lived on your own you were starving on the streets, homeless and penniless and sunk so deep into a depression you didn't feel human. Now you have a house, and a Tower, all your own, but it is so. Empty. Your friends visit, and you're just a Sending or a Teleport away, but . . . They have their own lives. And that depression maybe starts to sink back in. And you finally have some closure on the biggest quest of your life since it became your own, but all that means is you're kind of directionless. What now? What next? What if I choose wrong?

And yes, on top of that you're falling more and more in love with your Kryn Friend who visits you, but always on his terms. And that's okay, he has his own problems and his own priorities, and you can't imagine you would be worth more risk than he is already taking. You have the life you deserve . . . The life you earned . . . So why does it not feel like enough?

[blurrycriticalroleposts]

Even more gorgeous than the last time we saw them! 😭

I'm so emotional!