Highlights - Fireside Chat with Sam Riegel (11/27/2018)
Note that there are some spoilers for campaign 1 in this discussion!
If you missed it, this chat is available for subscribers right now on the Critical Role Twitch, and will be posted to YouTube several days later. This video was a stretch goal for Critical Role’s $100,000+ charity drive for the Pablove Foundation!
“I’m seeing some questions in the chat right now. It’s not really questions so much as… insults about my legs?”
Has the wine been aerated? Of course. Who do you think he is?
Favorite aspect of Nott that he hadn’t planned when building the character? Her voice. During the Session Zero with Matt and Liam, Sam didn’t do a voice, but it just didn’t feel right, so just before the first episode of campaign 2, he decided to go for it. “I’m glad I get to do that voice every week, because it’s weird.”
“Nott, like Sam Riegel, loves a fruity Pinot. I think Nott would also love the robust wines of the Tuscan region of Italy. Because Sam does.”
Sleep with, marry, kill for his three characters? Sleep with Scanlan, marry Nott, kill Taryon.
If Scanlan met Caleb, would they be friends? “No way!” Scanlan might be interested in the magic, but he’d be a bad wingman and he “has no game”.
Nott is genuinely concerned for Caduceus, after seeing how he reacted to the initial chaos that got them on the ship in the first place. She’s used to the signs of trauma after spending so much time with Caleb, and she’s recognizing some of those in Caduceus.
Listen: paying attention to fellow players and what reality they’re bringing to the table. Most of bad improv is from not listening.
Say yes: accepting the reality/character/situation they’re bringing.
Heighten: exploring and expanding their ideas.
Would Nott like Vax? “Would anyone like Vax?” No, but honestly, Sam thinks Vax was a great guy and also thinks Nott would’ve liked him.
He hasn’t found it especially challenging to play Nott as a female character, beyond remembering pronouns early on. “I hope I’m doing a good job.”
Scanlan probably hired a scribe to write the Vox Machina tale. After that, he’d probably focus on building his brand. Maybe a prequel, the Scanlan Story. Maybe some Scanlan-specific stories and/or “A Scanlan’s Guide to” series.
Best dad advice for Scanlan? Use his Wish spell to wish for a good night’s sleep every day.
Sam is really pleased that Nott is resonating with trans fans. He didn’t set out to build her character that way, but is thrilled that she’s been so relatable.
Sam tells his 4- and 6-year-old kids stories of the Mighty Nein before bed. Their favorite character is, mysteriously, Nott the Brave. He might shine a bit of a brighter spotlight on her in the retelling. His daughter has been asking about Yasha and is fascinated that she came from a place with a lot of monsters. She thinks Yasha was raised by monsters and is concerned that she may not have worn diapers as a baby. His son has been really interested in Vecna lately, because he wants to find out who’s the most powerful bad guy in D&D.
Further @SideBySamuel speculation info: they’re someone Sam sees almost (but not quite) every day of his life. And no, Sam isn’t the one running it.
Nott being a goblin after Scanlan hated goblins so much was mainly a coincidence. That choice was mainly based on Liam’s suggestion.
Favorite All Work No Play activity? Swordfighting. Goat yoga was the most bizarre. He talks about how they have to find experiences where they can enjoy them without losing out on being able to just hang out together.
Scanlan would probably want a bunch of kids. Based on Sam’s personal experience: “If you like yourself, you’ll really like your kids.”
Favorite mug/flask? The Caleb-killing-his-parents meme: “Why would Trent do this?”
At Yosemite National Park with his family, Sam stopped to get some refreshments, and the lady selling the refreshments asked to take a picture because she was such a big fan of Scanlan. Also, going through TSA, the guy checking his bag said, “You’re clear to go, Mr. Shorthalt.”
If someone showed a romantic interest in Nott, she’d be momentarily flattered, then start questioning the motivation and not believe it.
Something he’s bad at that he still enjoys? Writing songs. “I’m not a great songwriter, but I really love writing songs. I will continuing doing it, and you have no choice in the matter.”
Sam has been on Talks more than Ashley, Laura, and Matt.
Favorite D&D Beyond spot so far was the one where the devil was making a deal with him.
If he got to cast Wish in real life, what would he wish for? That his day, and his day only, is 25 hours long. “I’d like one extra, just for some me time.”
Besides his own character, which character-interaction dynamics does he enjoy watching the most? Caleb and Fjord. Also Caleb and Beau. Caduceus and anybody (especially NPCs).
If Scanlan hadn’t come back to Vox Machina? Sam thinks they probably would’ve all died. “That’s not just me puffing myself up, I think they all needed everybody. Everybody needed to be there for that to work.”
If Nott could switch bodies with one member of the Mighty Nein? Probably Beau.
What sitcom would Nott star in? Alf.
“Chocolate is just straight-up not great.” And the chat goes wild.
After Scanbo, favorite shenanigans? Tary and Grog with the guards in Vasselheim. The prank wars on the beach in Dalen’s Closet. Fluffernutter. The love potion.
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