Taliesin Jaffe on Mollymauk and Critical Role 

“Do you have an idea where Molly’s gonna go?” The ground, Todd. The ground.

"Aspects I wont be able to get into until he's dead and buried or the game is over " Hm.....

This episode was posted FIVE DAYS after Molly died. It must have been like, days before the actual episode. Incredible.

This was a wonderful interview! **lies down** **tries not to cry** **cries a lot**

If Molly lived there probably would have been a whole storyline where his past would come back to haunt him, and he would reluctantly have to face it and learn who he was before he lost his memories, but now that he's gone we will never get that.

Well... this is timely

"He is not the charismatic one" I BEG YOUR PARDON?!!?!?!?

*"We'll meet again.....don't know where.....don't know when....."*

Y'know, untimely and too soon as Molly's death was, I feel like this is how it should've gone down. Molly never really got to know his own story. Who he was before he was Mollymauk. He had no ties or obligations, no interest in his past... He died free, which while sad, seems like a good way for him to go. Shine bright, circus man.

"Where do you see Molly going in the future?" --- Down.

That talk about loving the risk/reward dichotomy though...

Would be cool if they buried him taliesin gets his new character in. And like a year in just out of NOWHERE. They bump into npc molly resurrected again with a new name.

"I like the risk/reward aspect" Oh taliesin :'c

This Is So Sad Matt Mercer Play Critical Role Theme

*plays sad violin in the background*

So can we get a post-death interview with Taliesin or what?

He made a glaive miscalculation last Thursday

Not that I think the others DON'T put thought into their characters and their backstories, but the way Taliesin approaches it is just... I dunno, there's something kinda visceral and emotional mixed in with this enigmatic artistic quality. I really don't know how to describe it and am flailing for words a bit... It's fascinating though.

Gee I wonder why this is in my recommen-- *Long may he reign*

“I like the risk/reward aspect...there’s a good amount of risk...” Y’don’t say?...😁

Risk Reward of Blood Hunter - Reward: Do some really badass stuff / Risk: KILL ONE OF THE COOLEST CHARACTERS THIS CAMPAIGN IN A FILLER EPISODE!

Towards the end Taliesin mentioned that Mallymauk has never been alone for more than a day; It would be interesting if Matt has Molly experience the feeling of being alone on some sort of plane in the afterlife.

13:32 There's an odd truth to what Taliesin says here. At least in my own experience, I never talked about a lot of traumatic experiences. I avoided them and just pushed them away until I was finally forced to ask "What the hell is wrong with me?" The answer was similar (though not as extreme), and it made me realize that I had never said what I went through out loud. Once I did that, it got a lot easier to deal with the problems that came out of my trauma.

"Do you have any idea where Molly is gonna go?" **looks at camera knowingly after episode 123**

Heavy spoilers in this Comment section. Don't read if you've haven't seen episode 26.

whenever i’m stressed out in class i just watch this because god knows i love taliesin jaffe

Well... great interview, really good to have some insight into the choices for the character concept and actualization.

Those awkward questions about Molly's future >.>

"He's not going anywhere." 🙃

i dont know about class balance but the blood hunter could easily use a d12 hit dice instead of d10, the barbarian uses reckless atack that gives enemies advantage on hitting them, the blood hunter sacrifices health to power his attacks, i think no other class has that kind of risk mechanic, so hit dice should be higher

Well I can't say I understand what charismatic means anymore. I found Molly highly charismatic.

I love how he just keeps taking sips in the middle of talking during an interview. That's very Taliesin.

Well this is awkward huh?

Okay so who is excited to see the change in jester as a cleric after the "incident".

"Any goth kid knows that", that is very true, I find myself perfectly in his words~

Everyone was like: Remember when Molly was alive? Now it'll be: Remember when Molly was DEAD? (Btw the 2 week wait is killing me.)

Press "f" to pay respects

I love Taliesin. He puts so much thought into his characters, and it shows.

For all you who are saying that Taliesin might leave you should know, Taliesin will not leave these people are friends and no disrespect to emotions everyone is feeling including Taliesin, but this is just a game. Not only this but it is their game and Taliesin is a talented creative genius he will create a new Character to sweep all his fans away with and ease the blow of the loss of Molly.

I love Molly so much and I think it's because Tal has put so much of him into that character. Really I wish we could get him back... but knowing Taliesin, I don't think that will happen. But even if that's the end of his journey, I think I've learned a lot from Molly, he's inspired me a lot lately to just be myself, to be unafraid and unapologetic about what I do, love or am. Him and Taliesin are amazing in that way

This breaks my heart. He was hands down the life of the party now I feel the light is gone.

I wouldn't of thought that Molllymauk was barely litterate. that was very ineresting to find out.

I cant decide if I like the idea of molly coming back. I love molly as a character, second only to jester in my mind, but without a solid means of resurrection it might spoil him as a character. Nothing drains color from a character like plot armor.

Matt: "Okay, I'll figure something out." Little did we all know.

Personally I'd really like to see Taliesin play a bard. I just think he would make something so unique to Scanlan, and I'd love to see that played out.

omg whoever edited this is a genius

This is very much Molly releasing this interview this week

Tiefling are the perfect carny character. I feel like off-humanoid(tiefling, half-orc, those who look more different than other humanoid) races have ended up as part of a traveling show in more human areas. "Look at the walking demon! Look at the Demon Man!" For Half-Orcs, "Look at the Beast Man!" Blood Hunter does have a Warlock class. It's been one I want to play, though idk if Invocations are still a thing. I feel like once Percy had enough time to let it sink in, he went into the deepest part of the Castle, and screamed. Screamed, cried, and thrashed around until he let it all out and then went to dinner with Vex.

oh so bittersweet

The TIMING on this, D&D Beyond! THE. TIMING.

The more i watch Taliesin the more i could swear he's related to James Spader, both have an oddly specific flavour of charisma that i just adore yet can't quite put my finger on. Like, slightly eccentric, knowing far more than they let on, maybe seen darker things than they want ppl to know? Idk. Both make me want to sit down with some food and wine and just listen to them talk. Though same for Matt but he's different.

I just love Molly and Taliesin so much. I just have no words 😩🖤

This is really good insight into the last episode with Percy. It helps you understand his ending and what kind of man he grows into towards the end of his life.

Only after a character died that you feel how valuable these interviews are since they will never get a chance to fully show themselves in the story. God I miss Mollymauk. Whenever I think about the possibilities of his story and his journey with The Mighty Nein, I just feel so sad.

That is something I never thought about with a Tiefling, walking into a room and understanding most people with one look

We lost Molly way too soon, but enjoyed every moment with him. I wish he got to interact with the other characters more before he passed :'( Shine bright, circus man I know bringing him back would be cheap plot armor and make the real mourning and grief be in vain, but it sure would be nice if he could come back and be with his comrades and colleagues again

Now you do the Molly spotlight!? Lol I'm DYING of laughter!

Yeah... this hits different by episode 119.

*promptly flops into a chair and bawls*

Coming on this long after completing season 2 wrap up. It’s great to come back to see hopes and dreams/insight from the player’s point of view.

I know this is super late but Taliesin is looking fabulous in my grandmother’s drapes

I like to imagine that's booze he's drinking and he's getting more and more smashed as the interview goes on.

I just found this interview and with the current episode of campaign 2, it all now makes sense!

Me & Taliesin at the same time: Time to go. Also, reading these old comments now is SO worth the wait!

Aaaaand I'm crying again. What a fantastic interview, though. Taliesin is a gift, and as a working rennie I can absolutely relate.

Wow good timing dnd beyond. Making me cry some more tonight I see

"He's gonna fight, kicking and screaming into that door" and into the door, he went.

Great timing on the release guys!

Waiting patiently for Mollymauk's return. He's a damn Blood Hunter, folks. This isn't even the first time he's died. This is really brave and I salute both Matt and Taliesin for taking this on.

Maybe a sorcerer is next?? Hmmm??

I hope he make a cleric of the grave for his new pc

RIP

Great interview. Much love to you, Taliesin! Thanks for being you!!

Mack...ina? Mack? MACK?

No, why now?? :(

Such an amazing character. Nearly cried when it happened. Long may he reign.

Ugh.......this hurts to watch. I really loved Molly, a close second to my favorite critical role character in general (from both campaigns). It’s a shame that he left so soon. 😭

This is sad, considering what just happened to Mollymauk

I honestly think Percy was my favorite character ‘cause he has some characteristics from other… well, characters that I also love, mainly from DMC actually. That and the fact I just kinda like revenge stories no matter what way they go so his arc was an amazing hook for me.

This man's mind is infinitely fascinating. I'm still really sad about Molly having to go out like that, he had so much potential! Such an interesting backstory to play with his own morals! Ah well, I know Taliesin has a new character now and I can't wait to get caught up and meet them. You shall be missed, Mollymauk Tealeaf.

“I kinda wanted to play a character who is a dumb. Like emotionally smart but not world smart.” Sounds like another character...

Now that campaign 2 is in the 130s it's hilarious how poorly and then how incredibly well this aged

Man the timing on this. Makes me curious about Talks today

"Its nice playing a happy person." Timing, timing and context.

i love how im unsure if Tal just came from the renn fair or if this is just how they genuinely dress some days

Awesome had a recording of a cirtical role member explaining the creation of their character and uploading it when their character dies. What a awesome idea.

"My hair is full of secrets." The White Whale he can't talk about has to be the animated 'special episode' (later show), right?

But I loved him ....

"just there for the ride" 👏

Available classes for Taliesin: Barbarian (Yasha/Grog*): With so many other classes that can tank effectively, I don’t really think the group needs a second raging barbarian. Bard (Scanlan*): His previous character was very colourful and extravagant so it could be useful to the group to have a support bard (glamour) but the problem is who could live up to Scanlan from last season? Cleric (Jester/Pike*): There are enough domains for him to choose a Cleric and not steal any of Laura’s individuality however he doesn’t seem the type to play the straight and true priest or healer. Druid (Keyleth*): Would be able to heal, and also shapeshift which could make quite an effective tank if utilised properly. However they are quite a handful. Fighter: Surprisingly no one has yet been a fighter in critical role! Similar to Molly but can be built in a completely different way such as very tanky or even ranged. Very versatile. Monk (Beau): Very similar to old character in terms of light armour and melee based. Plus they already have one monk in their group. Paladin: A great party dynamic choice for the current lack of a healer and an intermittent tank. I really hope he chooses this! Only problem is whether he could play a heroic guy or whether he would mix it up as a paladin oathbreaker or conquest. Ranger (Vex*): A possibility but he would probably choose a xanathars guide archetype but it could be too similar to a blood Hunter. Rogue (Nott/Vax*): Low chance of adding another rogue when Nott does just fine by herself. Sorcerer (Tiberius*): A good possibility despite the large amount of casters in the group already being the only thing that counts against it. Warlock (Fjord): Due to the similarity with blood hunters and the fact that there is already a warlock in his group I don’t think he would choose this. Wizard (Caleb): Could be possible if he chose a different school. Mystic: Strong possibility as it’s another class that isn’t in the PHB and offers interesting gameplay. Gunslinger (Percy*): I doubt he would go back to this! Blood Hunter (Molly): I highly doubt he will choose to be the same class right after losing Molly.

"till he's dead and buried or the game is over" me going eek at the events to come

Spoils!! You can see how much Taliesin enjoys this, Mollymauk, and what he was going to become. I feel that when Percy’s death came, he felt fulfilled with his character progress to the point in which a death would be a fitting end at that point. My understanding from this is that there’s still more that he wanted from Mollymauk..... Shame.

Group could use another healer... Tiefling Druids are pretty nice... :) Maybe Molly's Brother, a twin who took a different path... He has many possibilities.

Molly, long may he reign was a great character, but I cannot appreciate enough the aro/ace representation we got from Cad.

Taliesin is such a captivating person. I really enjoy seeing him talk. And as Molly I absolutely adore him. That's probably one thing I won't forgive Mercer for. Molly was such a cool one.

This interview is so interesting now XDD

Considering last week, this is very timely.

Well, this is quite the lesson in what can happen if you plan your content ahead of time

this character's psychology and all the potential of how it's going to collapse is my favouriteeee i need mollymauk back in any capacity

The timing of this, though... Aww man. And the risk/ reward dichotomy talk! Freakin' hindsight... Aaah. Well. Long may he reign.