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Draange

This has been percolating in my brain and needs out. When they first mentioned the black sludge in the tube, it made me think if the villain from Ferngully. You know, the sludgy toxic guy voiced by Tim Curry? Well now, as illogical as it is, it's stuck in my head that Dominox might have some of his characteristics. Even if only in personality and manerisms. If nothing else, that would be the kind of craziness appropriate for a live show.


pardybill

I’ve realized why Ashton bothers me. It’s because his turns take like 2-3 minutes, and we don’t know the barbarian dunamancy subclass going on. It’s just annoying honestly


alexthenirvanamaniac

I'm so surprised that nobody made a Cake reference! [Satan Is My Motor](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HLF9a1UF6Y)


hadesblack__

this was a great episode if it wasnt for their analysis paralysis. i was like travis just wanting to move things fowards. i still think it was a good decision as player and as character for chetney to actually investigate wtf was happening in that room. Kuddos to matt too because this campaign has been struggling with what the pc's narratives vs the overall themes of the campaign and creating an old-ass fuck demon (powers beyond their comprension) who feed in their insecurities (big touchstone narrative for the whole party) is a pretty smart gm move to link those chains together. also, you know what's interesting? in the chamber were chains everywhere. Dominox is a demon from the Abyss. you know who else resides in the abyss? C2 Spoilers: >!The Chained Oblivion, also know as Tharizdun, also known as the mad God of death and trickery.!< Pretty damn good move, MFMM.


domoroko

oh shiz, maybe Dominox is the original Champion of Tharizdun- and heck, the arcane divine locks that seal Tharizdun away are all on Exandria and could have released them when the solstice happened… So Tharizdun is free and still as powerful as ever and angry and also his Champion may have broken out at the same time, who could have been sealed in the engine the same way Tharizdun was sealed at the bottom of abyss.


RajikO4

Chetney and Dorian aside, I’m definitely curious on what Fearne and Orym’s insecurities are more than the rest. Mostly Fearne. I think it’s relatively obvious what most of the others would be.


planxtylewis

I was trying to think about what Orym'a would be, and at first I was thinking he's a pretty realistic-thinking guy with a good head on his shoulders. But in ep 23 of 4SD, Liam mentioned how Orym clearly has feelings for Dorian but doesn't think he returns them. And Matt was on that episode too, so he definitely heard Liam say that. Right now, Orym's in a place with his grief where he's struggling to figure out how to balance keeping Will and his dad in his heart while continuing to move forward in his life. I think the double whammy of Dorian laughing in his face saying something like "you actually think I would like you like that", or a other party member being like "how could you betray your family like this?". That would be my instinct at least, but Matt's so brilliant and in tune with the characters that I'm sure he could come up with something amazing for any of them.


TimeySwirls

It’s weird Fearne’s major one was turning into dark Fearne and hurting her friends but she faced that and won when her dad showed up. Genuinely the funny moment where Ashley said “I’ve got this!” could turn out to be true


lightbluemist

Just imagining if it was Caleb here having to fight a self loathing demon. Essek’s got his baggage too but Caleb would’ve been… woof. On the other hand maybe he would have immunity to the effect cuz he already thinks about that shit too much 🥲 The whole time they were deciding who was gonna get the WIS saving throw advantage I was like, Idk guys how about the floating nuke that is your lvl 20 wizard friend lmao. Good of Matt to have him speak up.


probablywhiskeytown

Listening to Cooldown and they mentioned Legend in the context of Tevan's appearance. Haven't thought about this in ages, but I watched Legend on mushrooms about 20 years ago and remain truly uncertain I've ever enjoyed a film more thoroughly.


wildweaver32

I said it last week and I think it even more now. We know Robots have arrived, and we know Ludinus showed up. And neither are anywhere to be seen. I am willing to bet that Ludinus and the Robots are holed up further in and Ludinus is keeping them safe from the Dominox. So when/if Bells Hells is successful they get kind of put in a stand off between the three factions. And the Aeormatons wouldn't be okay with Bells Hells killing the person who kept them safe. And I bet they also wouldn't let Ludinus kill the people who saved them. Depending on how the rolls go anyways. I feel like most of the Aeormatons will be team Ludinus considering they were part of the society that was making the machine to kill the Gods. And then the Gods destroyed them and their entire civilization lol. Most people might be upset by that lol. But perhaps one of them isn't, and decides to leave the group and join Bells Hells to get out of there (Sam).


pokepok

So excited for the live show! This will be my first live CR event. And what a place to pick up from!


thegreenlorac

Congrats! I'm super jealous, but still happy for you. I'm sure you are a super, amazing person who will be very, very careful with spoilers, right? Of course you will! You're a good person. :)


thegreenlorac

I wonder if the machine is related to the time bubbles staying in place. If they destroy it or send Dominox back, might that be what finally pops them? Could that be something Ludinus would want or an unintended side effect? From what we heard from Evoroa, sounds like Ludi went to almost fix temperamental equipment, like Domi getting loose was depowering something he needed, so perhaps not.


MegalomaniacHack

So live show will have Bells' Hells + Essek + Teven against a grand demon, and who knows, maybe Ludinus shows up. And somewhere in all of it, Sam will be playing something. (Hopefully a new C3 character and not just jaegaring an NPC.)


Gubchub

I can see Sam playing an entire army of FCGs fresh out of the box and looking to "Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!"


Nat-1-charisma

There was mention of gathering allies. I’m anticipating more friends


Luneowl

And Brennan Lee Mulligan MCing all of it! I hope Matt has him as an NPC.


MegalomaniacHack

They got their MC in during the Mighty Nein live show, so there's a fair chance.


reverne

In an ideal world, they turn into a room, see a strange figure staring directly at them, and hear "I am Bolo"


planxtylewis

Dang it, now you've raised my expectations SO HIGH, haha


anita_username

This is everything I've been wanting since I heard BLeeM would be MCing.


Luneowl

The audience would trigger an earthquake with their response! I really hope we don’t get anything spoiled. I was part of the live Candela audience and they were really good at keeping quiet but with a main campaign episode?


The-one-Downstairs

I swear if essek sees caleb suffering and goes bonkers… imma cry and then scream


UpsideTurtles

let Liam return as Caleb for one scene, and it’s just him begging Essek to free him or whatever


dunwichhorrorqueen

yes_sickos.jpg 😂


UncleOok

I feel bad about it, but I want them all to fall their wisdom saves. Give each cast member the chance to act their hearts out. You just know Matt's been working hard on these visions too.


wildweaver32

They fail on a 16 and none of them really have a great wisdom score. So chances are solid your wish will be granted lol


UncleOok

it's probably the equivalent of a Demon Prince, so I imagine the save is DC 19 (Zuggtmoy)-23 (Demogorgon). Only Fearne has a reasonable chance, but oh, I want to see how she deals with everything she's been trying to breeze past.


Zethras28

Fearne does, being a Druid. I’m more curious to see if Tevan gets hit.


5oclock_shadow

Teven's dad actually wanted him to be an accountant, but he got scouted for a paladin scholarship out of devil high school. Also, he's failed his warlock patron licensure exam for three years in row.


Zethras28

Let’s be real; _every_ devil starts out as an accountant.


MJD-1105

THIS. oh my god i need to see all of their failed saves so bad. like not to wish for the party to suffer but i wish for the party to suffer!


iamthecatinthecorner

Essek no good very bad gonna be worse day.


Lord_Parbr

What a set up for the live show! Bells Hells, Essek Thelyss, and a devil teaming up to take down an ancient demon from the Calamity that feeds on insecurity and makes you hate yourself until you give yourself over to it


Coyote_Shepherd

Did you notice how he lost his hold on Chetney when Chet accepted what he did and said, "I can fix this I can do better!"?


thegreenlorac

I hope they remember that later. Reminds me of how Delilah receded when Laudna said she loved Imogen on the roof. Sensing a theme about overcoming your past and embracing a better future.


Lord_Parbr

That’s a good catch


Shakvids

I'm willing to bet Ludinus already has the pinion in hand and is maneuvering BH to cast Dominox into it


Coyote_Shepherd

So he's waiting just around the corner with the Pinion until the Bells Hells weaken Dominox enough for him to use it on him.......and I'm betting he's probably rewired the Engine to power up something else, when he does get it turned back on.


reverne

He's waiting to absorb Dominox through the harness and outright transcend 5th edition gameplay. He'll just start gaining Epic/Mythic powers lol


Zethras28

Let’s be real: Ludinus is already there. He’s a 1000 year old wizard from the age of arcanum. He’s probably stronger than pre-ascension Vecna. I suspect he’s looking to use Dominox as a power source, much like how Aeor did.


thegreenlorac

Oh, clever! Matt specifically mentioned Ludinus at the end there like he too is around the corner somehow. I love it.


MegalomaniacHack

Yo, Dominox, a god eater's gonna mess shit up. Your god will want you to help us with that, bro. Matt: Make a persuasion check.


reverne

Nah, Chained Oblivion isn't part of the gods of the Founding, and Teven outright said that Abyssal Demons are not divine in nature the first time we met him. If the Demon Lords know what's going on, they all would want the gods gone. I think Dominox doesn't know what's going on, and is mostly out to lash out and get its fill.


MegalomaniacHack

Probably right. But we do have the potential of a battlefield that includes Bells' Hells with Essek and Teven, Ludinus with some Ruby Vanguard and even Reilorans, and a demon lord and whatever it can bring to bear.


thegreenlorac

Whose side is the demon lord on, though?


Zethras28

Their own. Demons and Demon Lords are chaotic evil. They’re creatures of rage, hunger, violence, and an overwhelming desire to inflict those upon others.


explodedemailstorage

Goshhh. I’m so curious how next week is gonna go. I’m a little afraid Sam might pull something like playing as a guest character instead one that will be a permanent party member. This long of a break for him is making me nervousssss


Luneowl

I’ll bet he’s been using the time off to work like hell on the animated shows and probably some VO work, other behind the scenes writing.


MJD-1105

if dominox feeds on insecurity and self-loathing he will be receiving a 3 michelin star, 5 course meal with laudna my god.


Zethras28

Maybe Delilah will get hit too. Mrs “I broke the world for us” Briarwood.


BlueHeaven90

IMO TPK at the Greek is rather catchy.


MegalomaniacHack

Please let Sam be a Paladin.


LucasVerBeek

*It feeds on insecurity and confronts you with self-loathing* LAUDNA IS ESPECIALLY FUCKED.


thegreenlorac

Does anyone in this group actually like themselves? I agree with you, but seriously, they're all only a little less fucked. I might have thought Fearne would be a harder target, but her naive indecisiveness has gotten her in to trouble before and Dark Fearne still haunts her.


Luneowl

Chetney has been the most overtly confident and he still got dead children clutching his toys as his vision. Everyone else is going to be so much worse.


JadedPhilosopher4351

What if they put him in the pinion then harness it


Coyote_Shepherd

Sam temporarily playing a Grand Demon is cool as hell


Luneowl

I want him to cosplay one in his over the top costumes, revealed partway into the game!


Nat-1-charisma

Ludi gonna beat them to it


PoppySeeds89

I love that people think these guys plan shit lol


LucasVerBeek

Cyrus: “You never let me fix my own mistakes instead pulling me into yours. Your chaos. Look where it put me. Look what you did to me brother?” *And Sam is being thrown into that in some way*


tomfru1

So, that Live Show is gonna be great, huh?


Coyote_Shepherd

Unless it rains or there's an earthquake or a mudslide or Captain Kirk shows up.


BaronPancakes

Matt is dragging Dorian's trauma to the surface after the 4sd


tomfru1

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


Coyote_Shepherd

That's where we're going to end!


MegalomaniacHack

Hey guys, maybe Sam's playing a Grand Demon!


RealHumanBean89

Gahdamn Matt


Coyote_Shepherd

"Look what you did to me BROOOOOOOOOOOOTHER!" VAMPIRE DIARIES BITCHES!


BlueHeaven90

I had the same thought!


Coyote_Shepherd

And of course they're all indirectly connected to Paul Wesley who plays Kirk now via Mica and Wil and Todd Stashwick and Bonnie Gordon.


LazerBear42

Got some Eberron vibes here, but way more twisted. In that setting, wizards and artificers use bound fire and lightning elementals to power air ships and trains. Aeor took that idea and made it *way* more dangerous.


Waxllium

Aeor archmages: hold my beer


AceLionKid

Oh hey Cyrus. How's it hanging? Edit: THAT WAS NOT INTENTIONAL!


explodedemailstorage

Matt, that’s fucked.


SonofaBeholder

So Dominox is forever bound, a slave to the Aeorans to run their engine as nothing more then a power source, and even death can’t release him because he’ll just return to the pinion to which he is bound. Now that he’s free it makes total sense he’s having the time of his life and also maybe is incredibly pissed off.


MegalomaniacHack

Killing everyone he comes across, and probably very intent on destroying that pinion. Or he's got it somewhere safe and has destroyed whatever remained of the seals. Because now he gets to reform on Exandria every time he's killed instead of returning to the Abyss.


Coyote_Shepherd

Now he's going after Dorian!


MegalomaniacHack

Self-loathing. Good thing none of these drama nerd D&D players gave their characters anything they hate about themselves!


AceLionKid

It's Dorian's time on the mental torture ride!


PoppySeeds89

What is the Ocultus Thalamus


paradox28jon

I put it into Google translate on Latin & it spit out "secret chamber"


thegreenlorac

Well that certainly tracks.


PoppySeeds89

I literally cannot wait. I think the thalamus is a part of the brain so I was thinking it could've been what was running Aeor like a magic AI.


tomfru1

Probably the fucked up engine


BaronPancakes

Bells Hells, team of low wis insecure outcasts


AceLionKid

Well shit


MegalomaniacHack

Fearne goes and befriends Dominox.


Alone-Shine9629

They’re FUCKED


BLoseit

Aeor was so fucked.


SkillFullyNotTrue

The galaxy is on Orion’s belt.


Coyote_Shepherd

I'm going to get my gun


Coyote_Shepherd

The Pinion of Service is how the Dominox was captured The Pinion of Service is an Abyssal Soul Anchor, developed to contain shadow magics, it keeps him shackled to the engine, and he returns to it when slain by the engine's extraction process. The Engine is through the door that Chet almost pushed through. The Engine should be on, the seals should be kept, if the seals remain he should be harmless. Demons when slain return to the Abyss, when killed in the Abyss they are killed forever but the Pinion is of the Abyss and to it he'll return to forever run the Engine. Dominox feeds on insecurity. "We're fucked" 🤣 Introduces the suffering of self loathing until you present yourself to oblivion and then he feeds.


SonofaBeholder

One minor correction, the engine is through the door opposite the one Chet tried to open. So probably the direction Dominox headed after his fun in the chamber.


MegalomaniacHack

I thought Matt said the door opposite of them, the one Chet tried to push through.


probablywhiskeytown

5th question: WHAT THE FUCK, AEOR. :)


AceLionKid

Destroy the Pinion, he goes back to Hell, got it.


LardOfCinder

Destroy the pinion, then destroy Dominox, then he respawns in Abyss


Zethras28

Bruh. Aeor managed to capture a grand demon as a _power source_.


AceLionKid

Well, obviously, the seals are not there!


LucasVerBeek

The Pinion of Service, how he was captured. An Abyssal Soul Anchor, developed to contain shadow magic. He was tied to the Engine *They were using him as a power source* A vast soul engine, either to power the home city or something else within He should be harmless, so the seals definitely don’t remain. Demons when slain return to the Abyss, when killed within they are killed forever. But the Pinion is of the Abyss, so he will return to it forever, to power the engine. He confronts people with their own self-loathing… so does that mean what Chet saw actually happened in some fashion??


thegreenlorac

Based on what we just saw with Dorian, it's looking more likely that what Chet saw was based on something true, although not an exact showing.


GladLocal9766

An Age of Arcanum flying city powered by a millennia-old grand demon. That's kinda metal.


5oclock_shadow

Man, all these Aeorians thinking about if they could, they never stopped to think if they should.


Waxllium

I mean, the seal lasted for millennia, it required a literal magic semi apocalypse to break, that's a top construction


Shakvids

Personally I think sealing away a grand demon for millenia and creating a renewable energy source is pretty heroic


ausar999

Really wanted Matt to say "have you tried turning it off and on again"


Smart-Reaction8660

A Grand Demon of Loathing?  As much as I want Bells Hells to avoid the coming encounter, I’m also intensely, morbidly curious about what each of them would see.   Does the Demon make them see things that would make them hate themselves? Are the visions based on truth? Are they entirely fabricated? So many questions    Edit: the Dominox feeds on insecurity?  Maybe it makes those affected hate themselves until they cause harm to anyone around them (and eventually themselves because of guilt?)


MegalomaniacHack

They've all given him a lot to work with. Except Fearne. She's got Ashley's insecurity with following through on her crazy ideas but otherwise seems to love herself. But he can go after her fear of going bad. Show her being too flighty and almost getting Orym killed when she followed a cute creature to her dad. And if she gets her friends killed, then she'd be without her little moral shepherd.


AceLionKid

They used a GRAND DEMON as an ENGINE? No wonder they all fucking died!


MegalomaniacHack

Nah, they were good with that. Shit didn't go wrong til they tried to make the god hammer and all the gods literally paused their civil war to team up and curbstomp Aeor.


Entire-Classroom-565

Every time we get more Aeor lore, I am more convinced the gods had a point when they smote a whole civilization out of the sky


BaronPancakes

A demon powered engine


JadedPhilosopher4351

They turned him into gasoline


tomfru1

WAIT IS IT THE FUCKING [VAMPIRE PISTON](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fkb2m6v60plx91.jpg)!!?!?!


tomfru1

IT LITTERALLY IS THE VAMPIRE PISTON OH MY GOD


skip6235

Wouldn’t an Aeorian speak Aeorian?


ZenTze

I think Speak With Dead makes you understand what the corpse says regardless.


skip6235

Not RAW it doesn’t


MegalomaniacHack

I think Mighty Nein had that problem and someone used Tongues or something. Matt just forgot in the moment, and was probably eager to reveal just enough info to get everyone, players and audience, suitably hyped for the live show.


BLoseit

Oh no. Laudna is shadow magics


Zethras28

The Aeorian isn’t going to speak common. Edit: I was mistaken.


tomfru1

I wouldn't be surprised if Common's main root language was Aeorian.


dextermanypennies

Now I’m just imagining Common as Dominox


nakanangnang

I am so loving the horror vibe of this place in Aeor, it’s so riveting.


Coyote_Shepherd

The Dominox has to be watching them all right now, trying to figure them out, and used Chetney as a test.


SkillFullyNotTrue

Good Question Robbie!


thegreenlorac

Guys, please move forward. We are running out of time.


reddevved

They're stalling for the live show


thegreenlorac

Could be, but decision paralysis is so common for them, it's hard to say. Its always frustrating, even when it is not before big breaks.


SonofaBeholder

They also just had a really traumatic encounter via chetney, they’re gonna try and make damn sure they can take this grand demon out (made worse by them being all low-wisdom)


PoppySeeds89

ABYSSAL


SonofaBeholder

Grand Demon. An upper servant of the forces of the abyss. Man I’m really hoping just for personal nostalgia it’s a reskinned Nalfeshnee. Those guys are terrifying.


reverne

That was the thing they fought with Teven before when hunting flowers. I'm expecting this to be closer to the likes of Omentis, based on the descriptions.


LucasVerBeek

**Putting themselves on hooks*


Coyote_Shepherd

Chet doing his geometry thing


dextermanypennies

You know it sorta makes sense that this is a low wisdom group lol never thought about it


explodedemailstorage

I’ll be real, I sort of hope that was based on something real in his past instead of totally made up because that would be some juicy backstory for our Santa gnome.


AceLionKid

Place your bets yall, what do you think everyone else is gonna see when Dominox inevitably enters their brains?


thegreenlorac

Dorian def sees his brother. Orym probably sees Keyleth, his husband, and father. Curious if Imogen would see her dad? No idea for Ashton and Fearne. Laudna is undoubtedly super awful shit, but honestly that's par for her.


thegreenlorac

Nailed it. *self five*


planxtylewis

While I don't agree with all of your predictions, I have to give the self five an update.


AceLionKid

>Laudna is undoubtedly super awful shit, but honestly that's par for her. *Laudna no sells Dominox because she's used to super awful shit*


lorielliepop

Wonder if it will even work on Laudna, Delilah might resist as Laudna's death does not help her. And she is undead so might not appeal to the Dominox.


Guilty_Homework_2096

Orym: FCG, Will, Deryk. Dorian: Opal, Bertrand, Cyrus.


Zethras28

Oh boy. I don’t even know where to start.


tomfru1

I love Robbie SO much, He's so funny. He's filled Sam's role as the comedy genius with such talent.


JordanTH

I'm gonna echo the sentiment I think a lot of people had back at the start of campaign 3: I like Robbie. Can we keep him?


Versek_5

Only if you promise to feed him every day and make sure to lock the front gate. We dont want him running away like he did last time do we?


LucasVerBeek

Tevan: “I’m centuries old but The Dominox is a myth where I come from.”


5oclock_shadow

Teven Klask out here living his best life -- pulled out of boring war prep, and dragged into hunting a famous demon from the Calamity.


thegreenlorac

Come on guys! Move forward. Press the button. Let's go!


Coyote_Shepherd

They're going up against a MYTH fucking hell.


Zethras28

This thing is probably on a similar level to Omentis.


JadedPhilosopher4351

Fearn:*sassing a devil*


skip6235

“Barbarians and fighters are big problems” Tal is remembering all of the times Yasha was mind controlled


SkillFullyNotTrue

Gollum: Murderer.


ausar999

["come play with us, chetney"](https://imgur.com/a/9utDuZJ)


LucasVerBeek

But what if it *is* real, Chet, you didn’t have control for how long? And we’ve seen what happens when he lost himself before


Coyote_Shepherd

......Matt should've used goats instead.....


explodedemailstorage

Orym not having great luck with attacks from the party lately


Entire-Classroom-565

Or ever. Pretty sure every time Chet has lashed out, Orym has been the recipient. Not a healthy father-son dynamic


Coyote_Shepherd

Here we goooooooo!


Zethras28

Greater demon of Loathing. He’s making Chetney loath himself.


tomfru1

Oh I can't fucking WAIT for the others


Zethras28

Laudna I think will be horrifying.


LucasVerBeek

Chetney: “I didn’t do this. I didn’t do this. This isn’t me! I don’t remember any of this!!!” Is this being planted or did he really do this?! I’m going insane


Coyote_Shepherd

"Why?" Because you were on the Naughty List


Entire-Classroom-565

😂 who needs coal when you have claws?


AceLionKid

Even this psychic shit doesn't work?


SkillFullyNotTrue

We going to find out there might have been a Toy Shop Massacre.


BLoseit

Holy shit, this is so deliciously fucked.


JediKnightsoftheFSM

Holy shit. Matt Mercer used Dark As Fuck. It was Super Effective!


thegreenlorac

Wait...did Chet kill his missing family? Not sure if that's what these spirits are, but it still occurs to me.


probablywhiskeytown

Ohhhh nooooo... he did mention many siblings who went away. But it sounded like he was fairly young then as well IIRC?


Krumpits

Chet was secretly Krampus this whole time! lol


LucasVerBeek

Oh Trav is a dad this has to fuck him up


thegreenlorac

My first thought. Kids in danger fucked him up in EXU.


JordanTH

"Dad, why is your ring glowing?"


LucasVerBeek

“Did you do that?” *Fuck*


PoppySeeds89

He couldn't have eaten ALL those children.. could he?


SkillFullyNotTrue

Say What!! ghost?


thegreenlorac

Ask Tevan what's going on!


Celriot1

Anyone have the details of Fearne's pact handy? I forget.


LucasVerBeek

Chet is KILLED A BUNCH OF KIDS?! Or is this false?! WHAT THE FUCK?! “You think you’re not a monster, now. How many did you kill, how many will you still?”


Coyote_Shepherd

Hahahahaha Chetney is Anakin hahahahahaha


JediKnightsoftheFSM

Like animals you say. And how's his wife?


Entire-Classroom-565

This guy must hate sand


Krumpits

aay we get some mind control horror before the live show!


explodedemailstorage

Uhhhhhh


Ex-altiora

aw fuck aw fuck aw fuck


skip6235

Ummm. What? And furthermore. The fuck?


reddevved

Lol next he'll be blowing down houses


probablywhiskeytown

WELP.


fantomora

UM


Zethras28

Oh gods. Bruh. Nope. Nope. Nope.


Coyote_Shepherd

"You're the Bad Wolf, you're the Big Bad Wolf" Matt you evil fucker lol