Critical Role Review: C2 Episode 74
By: I.Am.No.Man
Episode 74: Manifold Morals
This week's episode features guest star, Mica Burton as Reani, the scourge Aasimar druid. AND, we get to keep her for one more episode! I typically love the guest star episodes. I feel like the dynamic shift at the table when they have guest stars keeps the campaign refreshing and helps the Critters appreciate just how good the cast is at playing DnD. Although Critical Role's guest stars are usually brand new players, Mica Burton has definitely played DnD RPG's before and is a lifelong self-proclaimed nerd. Who else would send in a four page backstory for a two episode guest spot? Gotta love it. She brought a cheerful energy to the session with her unique take on a lawful Aasimar druid.
I am always curious to see lawful characters role played in RPG's. They are usually the class I have the hardest time relating to, and the one I think is hardest to role play. Lawful characters usually end up alienating themselves, or causing fights in the party because of their strict no grey lines policies. Reani fit this mold pretty well, although she came in a bubbly, strong-willed bright eyed package. Think Deborah Ann Woll's Twiggy, but with shapeshifting vigilante superpowers. Sparkly Batman. It's almost too adorable to handle.
I loved the way that Reani and Caduceus played off each other this session. Caduceus seems to ready to have a loud moral compass threatening murder every time the Nein try to pull their usual shenanigans. Of course Reani and Jester got along immediately, they are kindred souls. I think everyone is absolutely in love with her, maybe except Nott, who is suspicious of everyone. I know guest stars can be a bit divisive in the community sometimes, but I honestly love Mica and can't wait to see more.
Let's talk about some of the other exciting things happening in this episode! Beau finally dropped her last name for the first time. Beau Lionett. We still have so much to learn about her secretive backstory. Beau also came in pretty clutch this session by smoothing things over with the Archive after Caleb and Nott botched a harebrained scheme and got banned for life. She paid ALL of her money to gain lifetime access to the teleportation circle at the archives in Uthodurn. AND she is the one who actually got some useful research done and found an ancient white dragon to hunt down. Gelidon, the nighmare in ivory, who lives 'f@ckin far' to the north. This next quest is going to be insane. When you have literally every NPC telling you to run away, don't go fight the dragon, you all are insane, all of you will die, you know things are going to get serious.
In other Empire news, Caleb had some intense moments this episode. He gets banned from the archives, which must be his own personal nightmare. But, he did manage to get his hands on that magically locked page with the two pouches and a case hidden inside. What’s that all about? Oh, and it’s officially confirmed that the Trent Iktheon and the scourgers were messing around with refined residuum. Caleb immediately recognized the small green crystals as the same ones Trent jammed into his arms back in the brainwash years. Everything is connected in the most interesting Mercer storytelling ways.
It’s been great having such a slow burn campaign to contrast the ‘superheroes save the world’ story of Vox Machina. The story is going to get wild in the next couple episodes and you won’t want to miss it! Don’t worry, it’s almost Thursday.
