Critical Role C2E110: Dinner with the Devil [Animatic] 

Fun fact: Matt revealed later that Trent had a modified version of Detect Thoughts active for the entirety of that dinner so he could peer deeper into EVERYONE'S thoughts as he probed them with questions that they didn't want to answer. So when Caduceus said all of that to him, Trent could also read his thoughts and the fact that Caduceus meant every single word that he said- and that it wasn't out of malice or disdain, but truly out of pity for a foolish, deceitful man that had nobody that loved him. That's why Trent just took off immediately after that. No amount of magic or vitriolic retorts could save him from the double gut punch of truth Caduceus hit him with in that moment. He was speechless. I think that makes this scene even more profound so I thought I'd share that tidbit.

Reminder that Cadueceus's job is to remember people who have died, so he basically told Trent "You better find someone because I'm not gonna be there for you."

After that speech, Trent's thoughts were, "I'm gonna burn this man's house down."

I love how 'Before you go' is Caduceus' equivalent of priming a shotgun.

I looove the visual design of all the characters so much. Caduceus really has that high-wisdom look, Jester perfectly encapsulated her naive mischievous nature and Beau's smug grin at the end is everything xD

I love the little detail you added of Veth holding Caleb's hand when Caduceus was talking about how love saves people. It made me smile😊. Beautiful work!

I absolutely LOVE how you make Caduceus so visibly observant. He's constantly looking at people, checking to see how they're doing, reading their emotions just from their expressions... But he never looks at Trent for longer than a second. He already knows what he's about, and he doesn't care to know more about him. Very fitting for a 20 WIS character.

Absolutely LOVE the way you draw Cad's jawline and beard

The finale rivialal was perhaps Caduceus' most "Hell yeah!" moment, but this was Caduceus' mic drop moment.

Brilliant set up of Caduceus assessing his friends discomfort. A powerful scene already but then you've added so much more weight to it throughout.

This hits even harder when you realize that Caduceus is a grave cleric. His sacred duty is to remember and respect those who die: and he straight up said I won't do either of those for *you,* Trent.

0:48 Bo- Hell yeah Veth- HELL YEAH!! Caleb- Oh nooooooo

Trent was burned so bad that he had to redirect some of it to his house after that one

Man, i loved Molly and I'm kinda sad we never got to see him grow along with his friends and really makes me curious what Tal could have done with that character, but.. Tal playing Caddie was absolutely phenomenal.

I love your design choices on Caduceus! He's way more edgy/punk/intimidating than I usual would imagine - but this version reflects Taliesin so much more and really brings an umph to what he saays. Love it!

Jesters laugh, boys smile, Caleb's horror, and Veth joy at someone finally saying to his face he is a fool. You have so much detail in the background.

Psssst! Hey! Titmouse studios! Hire this very talented artist for the Legend of the Mighty Neeeein~!

I have heard this speech over a dozen times, it still is the greatest burn ever.

Respectfully.

_the respectfully at the end is like saying but idk after the most true, meaningful thought youve ever spoken_

I love how tiny the table looks, I always imagined it to be like 20 chairs long and everyone just sat uncomfortably far apart because they don't trust one another. Also Trent is the definition of a Fivehead

Fantastic detail with Veth having to really stretch down to get Calebs hand. Very cute

I forgot how calmly vicious Caduceus was with that line.

I love Cadeusus so much. He was a blessing upon campaign two, and i am glad that he graced us with his elegant wisdom and amusing simplicity.

Honestly a close second to jesters cupcake as far as best overall moments are concerned for me

Okay, the characterisation of all the character is insane tho: Cad's beard, Jester's manerisms, the way Beau's and Veth's eyes light up and Caleb's shoot wide and Yasha's single pose with just a faint smirk at the end, I'd love to see more of this

I really love your Caduceus design! The longer beard is a really striking look for him. (: I also like the way you pose everyone. Even though this is largely Caduceus monologuing, everyone's body language and facial expressions are on point-Beau playing with her steak knife, the way Fjord sits with his arms crossed, Caleb is curling in on himself in the presence of his abuser. Someone else in the comments mentioned how small the table is, and it really works here! A large dining hall scene would certainly suit someone of Ikithon's station, but this smaller setting forces everyone to be really close together-even though it's a group of friends, Ikithon is an invader, someone who's hurt one of their own, and that closeness to something awkward and uncomfortable. The way Caduceus looks at Caleb and how you can see him decide to say something to Trent is amazing, as well as when he says that the pain in inconsequential when people love you-the tenderness with which he looks at Caleb is heart-rending, as is the way Veth grabs his hand. As he goes on that love can save people, it's like he's taking a moment to tell Caleb that this absolute clown of a man has no power over him anymore, and that the rest of the Nein have his back. The little hand gesture he does when he finishes his slow roast with a "Respectfully. c: "? Chef's kiss. This is gonna live rent free in my head for a good long while, thank you so much for sharing it with us!

The blocking and direction of this is fantastic!

Oh i so so so love this. The camerawork is so dynamic!!!! And the expressions are very vivid. When Veth reached under the table to grab Caleb's hand it shattered my heart with how cute it was. I also like the tiny little moment where Cad decides to give this speech specifically bc he sees how messed up and scared Caleb is. Great work!

Someone message Blue because those are some beautiful DOMES!

Everyone needs a reality check every now and again especially the mighty and powerful

Jester holding back laughter the entire time is incredible

Genuinely one of the moments that I keep in my BONES. Cad just cuts to the core of everything, and makes Trent seem small and petty, but doesn't make Caleb seem small by comparison. It's masterful. "Respectfully" is now a word that has so much more weight.

I've never envisioned Caduceus with a full beard+mustache+sideburns combo but I am HERE FOR IT

I still regard this as one of the best moments in all of critical role

this is stunning!!!

Love how Caduceus can just see that Caleb is uncomfortable and Jester doesn’t like being here either. His passive perception must be nat20

I love your Caduceus and Trent designs

This moment was so badass. I also love your design for Cad

Holy crap, I love the design you gave Caduceus. This is the way I will always picture him from now on. THE BEARD IS ON POINT!

Beautiful, you really captured the moment. Your designs and direction are everything

Having a high Wisdom allows you to know who’s full of shit.

drawn like an absolute chad

Incredible job!

Thanks for the video

Great work, really like a lot of the expressions we see here.

This looks amazing!

I love this speech. I like how you assigned each characters color.

Amazing. Keep it up!

This is amazing!!!! I love your art style! You captured this scene perfectly! Amazing!

LOVE your style!

Caduceus, you didn't have to murder that man, but I'm glad you did.

Cad's nuclear mic drop... and it had consequences.

The character design in this is absolutely top notch. Amazing animatic.

Very impressive.

Nice 👍

I love your Caduceus design

Nice work, shame about cutting out Eodwulf and Astrid from the scene, and missing out on them shitting bricks after Caduceus finishes pissing off their boss with a well meaning backhand. The perfect cherry on the scene

Ah so that is the verbal command for Power word: Kill

DROP THE MIC!

I am so fucking excited for this scene to be animated.

nah that to this day is just a MIC DROP moment.. I always loved Molly more but Caduceus... you are and always will be an absolute gem...

Ok, I'm gonna watch the entire campaing again

i hope in the legend of the mighty nein they keep this word of word

keep it up bud

Taliesin is one hell of a roleplayer but this remains one of my all-time favorite moments of his.

And that's why Caduceus is the best character in Critical Role

Aaand thats one of the Moments why Cad is my most favorite Char of them all.

this was amazing! do you take Animatic commissions?

Ah yes, CHADuseus Clay.

Molly is great but man, do I love Caucuses.

Drop mic

It's a nonsense speech, which is pretty on point for Mr. "Life Needs Things to Live". Pain can easily define people. How many people are defined by their trauma? The idea that it's only love that shapes beings is demonstrably, objectively false and wrong and stupid to even suggest. Just more word salad from Talesin.