Heartwarming / Critical Role Reunions And Reconciliations

As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.

Episode 88: Unwanted Reunions

• At dinner, Nott takes a moment to formally welcome Yasha back to the Nein, and everyone shares in the sentiment.
  Fjord: It's good to have you back.
  Yasha: It's good to be back.
• Laura was initially absent, as she was nominated for a VGA. She showed up a half hour in, for reasons (check the Funny category), and she was all dressed up for the award show. Travis immediately told her she looks beautiful.
• Yasha tries to pay Fjord back for the bracers she was going to buy. He eventually accepts, but only if he can give her a book in return. He gives her the magic stat-boosting book the Nein got back from when they raided the mansion in Uthodurn in Episode 76.
• Caleb is not happy about having to work with Trent. Yasha immediately empathizes with him. She doesn't know the full details of the situation, but she just went through something horrible and immediately picked up on how Caleb reacted.
  • The rest of the Nein, despite knowing that harming Trent will likely end with them either in prison or dead, immediately agree to protect Caleb no matter what the cost. Even sweet, gentle Caduceus is willing to go to some very extreme lengths to ensure Caleb's safety.
    Caduceus: Considering how the last 24 hours went, I feel pretty comfortable saying if he looks at you sideways, we will not leave enough of him to be found.
• As the Nein's impromptu meeting adjourns for the night, Fjord quietly approaches Caleb and offers to talk to him about things further if he wants.
• Caduceus and Fjord have a talk before they bed down, and Caduceus gives Fjord a seal of the Wildmother which he himself crafted for Fjord back the Forge. Fjord is touched.
• As the Nein sit down for their meeting with Ludinus Da'leth, which takes place in his office in the palace, Nott gives Caleb a reassuring pat on the arm.

Episode 89: Lingering Wounds

• Jester scries on Kiri to make sure she's doing okay. The family who took her in are doing well, their shop is open again and they're obviously taking good care of little Kiri.
• Crosses over with Tear Jerker: Caleb takes Fjord and Nott with him when he goes to go see the Soltryce Academy. They provide him with moral support. Caleb tells them that they are both good friends, and Fjord says the same about him and Nott.
  • Caleb still has happy memories of the place. It was a wonderful place, and he believes it to still be capable of good if the bad actors are removed.
• Fjord makes sure to show off the Wildmother's seal which Caduceus made for him, even though her religion is banned in the Empire.
• Nott goes out and buys specially modified crossbow bolts so Luc can practice with it (relatively!) safely.
• Fjord fights Darrow, a paladin they encountered once long ago. Darrow beats him pretty handily, but heals his wounds and buys him a drink. Throughout the entire encounter Darrow is nothing but encouraging and kind, even in the midst of combat. Even if it's as much of a Curb-Stomp Battle as Beau's, it feels like a friendly testing match, rather than a bloody pit-fight.
  • Darrow in general. He's positively overjoyed to see them Mighty Nein again.
• Caleb just taking a moment to look at Beau reading with such vigor and remembering how she used to be when it came to books. You can see the smile on Liam/Caleb's face. He loves his friend, he loves learning, and he loves having this bit of his studious self to share with someone.
  • Earlier on, Beau makes sure to invite Jester with her to the library to make sure she wouldn't feel left out. She tells Caleb, who was going to study in his room, that he is welcome to join her as well. Instead of withdrawing like he used to, Caleb agrees and joins her. Compare this to the start of the campaign where Caleb had to practically beg and bribe Beau into taking him to the Zadash archive.

Episode 90: Bathhouses and Bastions

• The Nein take an interest in Traveler Con, reaffirming their commitment to making sure that Jester is able to make it there.
• During her research into tarot cards, Jester discovers that the deck of cards she got from Mollymauk was actually a hand-made set dedicated to the Moonweaver. Some cards are beautifully painted, some are so old they're barely legible anymore, and others just have crude sketches or are left entirely blank, suggesting that it was an ongoing project that Molly never got to finish. Upon realizing that she's holding Molly's art in her hands, Jester bursts into tears before resolving to finish the deck in his honor.
  • When Laura describes Jester starting to cry, Taliesin pats her on the back and assures her that Jester's art is much better.
• Nott offers to accompany Caleb if he decides to go visit Eodwulf or Astrid. Caleb won't, but he's grateful for the offer.
• Jester tries to get the Traveler to come eat ice cream with her, but he doesn't show. She is dejected, and the rest of the Nein comfort her, telling her that he's probably just busy prepping for Traveler Con.
• Caleb says that the necklace he wears to prevent scrying is compromised, since he travels with the Nein and they aren't protected in the same way.
  Jester: Should we always stay a little bit away from you?
  Caleb: I hope not.
• The Bright Queen asks Yasha if she is redeemable. Yasha says that she hopes so. Later, Jester tells her that she totally is.

Episode 91: Stone to Clay

• Essek comes over to the Xhorhouse. He initially says that it's because of a noise complaint, but he soon asks if he can stay for dinner. The Nein are overjoyed.
• Essek and the Nein have a frank conversation about each other, and Nott tells him that she used to have a different form.
  • He also reveals that he started floating in order to impress people, something he felt he needed to due because he was so young to reach his high position.
• Essek reveals that he doesn't have many friends due to his position, but he does feel a kinship towards the Nein because they are strong and savvy, not shackled to either society
  • He and Yasha have a further talk about loneliness, where Yasha admits that she is not lonely now that she has found the Nein.
• Essek and the Nein then segue into a talk of their personal goals. Beau is happy to have become an Expositor and exceed her family's expectations, Fjord wants to protect his friends, and Jester wants to serve the Traveler's goals (and figure out how she fits into the world).
• Beau asks Caduceus why he hasn't tried to scry on his family. Caduceus admits that while he is on his journey and believes that it is the right one, he is also protecting himself from what he might find. However, his time with the Nein has led him to question some of what he thought he knew about his quest. Crosses over with Tear Jerker.
  • Caduceus also tells Essek about his home dying. Essek offers to help him if it's needed.
• At the end of the evening, Essek sincerely thanks them for having him over.
• The Nein have a talk after Beau and Caleb come back from escorting Essek home. They reaffirm their commitment to helping Caduceus save his home.
• Fjord reveals his last name, the last name the orphanage gave him: Stone. As in, one of the three families from Caduceus' backstory. Caduceus believes that this is not a coincidence.
• When the Nein go to bed, Caleb takes a moment to reassure Jester, telling her that she's a good friend and that the Traveler is lucky to have her.
  Caleb: I may be the transmutation wizard, but you're the one who changes people.
  • Caleb and Jester theorize that the Traveler might not be around as much anymore because Jester has friends now.
• Caleb reveals a new variation on the Major Image spell he created for her to use at Traveler Con. Jester is thrilled.
• The Traveler appears to Jester after the talk with Caleb, and he reaffirms everything Caleb said about her changing people. He also tells her that she was his first follower, and will always be his favourite.
• Caduceus checks in on Yasha, talking to her about the fight from a couple episodes ago. He tells her that she's not alone, and urges her to share at least some of her grief with her friends. Yasha seems to take his advice to heart, and even asks him if she can sleep in his room for the night, which Caduceus immediately agrees to. After this Matt calls for the break and Taliesin pulls Ashley into a big hug.
• The Nein visit Essek the next day. He's floating, and they assure him that he doesn't have to do that around them.
• The Nein are very excited to get on with turning Nott back into Veth, but Nott is hesitant. She wants to change back, but she is also worried about what it will mean for her. The Nein reassure her; she has a family, and she doesn't have to stop adventuring with them if she doesn't want to. Nott eventually agrees to do it that day.
• Nott's doubts grip her again after the Nein finish gathering the needed spell components. The Nein immediately reassure her; they completely support whatever decision she makes. She shouldn't do this unless she feels ready. They do very much want her to keep traveling with them, but they will be okay if she chooses to stay with her family. She will always be one of them. Nott eventually reaffirms her desire to go through with it.

Episode 92: Home is Where the Heart Is

• While staying at the Gentleman's Fjord approaches a silently crying Beau and works to console her about her family. She voices once more how deeply she has come to care for the Nein, and Fjord assuages her fears that her bad past and happy present will cancel each other out. Crosses over with Tearjerker.
  Beau: I feel like I’ve found my family with the Mighty Nein. I don’t like looking at my past because it doesn’t have the Mighty Nein in it. And I think I put off the inevitable because I’m afraid it’s gonna be like my past.
  Fjord:I don’t think one contaminates the other. You’ve got good solid footing here. I mean shit if you want to run, we run. If you want to kick his ass, we’ll kick his ass.
• Yasha and Caleb have a heart to heart about dealing with their pasts. Crosses over with Tear Jerker.
  Yasha: How do you deal with it?
  Caleb: Is it that obvious?
• As the Nein get close to Beau's family's estate, Jester and Nott comfort her, telling her that they all love her and her family was lucky to have her.
• Beau reunites with her mother, and meets her little brother (Thoreau Jr.) for the first time. TJ toddles up to her and gives her as big of a hug as he can manage.
• The Nein are very much there for Beau during her talk with her father. After they leave, Beau pulls them all in for a big hug.

Episode 93: Misery Loves Company

• The second half of the episode is gearing up to be as emotionally wrenching as the second half of the previous episode. Isharnai wants misery, and both Beau and Nott are primed to give her plenty, each in their way. Jester says no to that, and she is able to use a drugged cupcake to cast Modify Memory on the hag, getting her to lift Nott's curse in exchange for the cupcake. That is Awesome, but what makes it Heartwarming is the memory she gave the hag: she made her think that Jester was so pleasant a guest, and gave her such a good time that she lifted the curse. Jester could have done almost anything, and Isharnai is both evil and horrible, but she chose to be kind anyway.
  • Hags are not happy. At best, they gain sadistic pleasure from causing misery, but they are never happy the way most mortals are. Jester most likely gave Isharnai the first moment of genuine happiness she had ever had in her very long life.
• As soon as Matt announces the end of the episode, the entire cast starts shouting over eachother to praise Laura's play.
  Taliesin: You fucking beast! You fucking BEAST! Oh my god, what a troll!
• Matt was deeply frustrated by this development, but frustration wasn't all he felt, which is exactly how a DM should feel. Crosses over with Awesome.
  Matt: As a Dungeon Master, that was one of the more frustrating moments, like, as a person that's built to an intense, like, encounter like this, and one of the most proud I've been of a player outsmarting me.
• A Heartwarming in Hindsight moment is revealed in episode 136 with the reveal that Sprinkle is actually Artigan in disguise. Jester was right: the Traveler was right there watching over her.

Episode 94: With Great Power...

• The Nein bed down in the dome after the fight with the zombies. This sets off an intense conversation wherein they support Beau, reassure Nott, and reaffirm how much they have all come to care about each other.
  • Fjord, Caduceus, and Caleb lead the emotional support and reassuring Beau that she's not done yet and they don't want her to leave.
  Caleb: Don't go. Follow your own advice. Don't go.
  Caduceus: I know you think you're done, I understand. You're not done yet. I know things.
  Fjord: You're young, you're full of life, you hook up with anything that moves, you haven't even begun to live your life. I'm this much older than you and you're prepared to quit and move on from everything that's good in your world?
  Caduceus: There's a greatness in you that you've maybe known three months. This is just the beginning.
  • Fjord assuring Beau that he's invested in their friendship and what they're doing to restore peace between the nations, as well as assuring Jester that they'd have come running in if the hag had tried to kill her.
    Fjord: And why would we have come running in at the first yelp?
    Beau: (attitude) Because we care about each other.
    Fjord: Oh fucking shit, we do? Amazing, does that apply to you too?
    Beau: (mumbling) I dunno...
    Fjord: Oh I think you do. Don't do that again.
• Before they bed down, Jester makes a special point to apologize to Caleb for using the modify memory spell. She acknowledges the trauma Caleb has gone through when the spell was cast on him, and reassures him that this was not done on a whim and that she would never use it on any member of the Mighty Nein. Caleb for his part reassures Jester that a spell is itself not bad. It is the intent and purpose when a spell is cast that defines whether a spell is good or evil, and in this case the spell was used for good.
• After Essek once again teleports the Nein to somewhere outside of Xhorhas, Jester notices how the sunlight is causing him discomfort due to being accustomed to a society of eternal night, on top of the natural aversion to sunlight he would have as a drow. As thanks for being a good friend and for all the times he's stuck up for them, Jester uses her magic paints to create a parasol for Essek to keep the sun off of him.
• The level of mutual faith which Jester and the Traveler/Artagan show towards each other is incredibly touching. Jester adores him so much she started to turn him into a god, and Artagan trusts her so much that he is letting her shape his new religion to save his life (and guide what he will become).
  • There's also a nice bit of full-circle here: Jester lived her whole life following The Traveller's inspiration and guidance, but it was her optimism, creativity and fun-loving nature that literally made him what he is today. All this time, she was the one who inspired him.

Episode 95: Blessing In Disguise

• Artagan is seriously considering just dropping the Traveler persona entirely, and just going off and visiting other worlds on the Prime Material Plane. However, even if he ends up doing that, he wants to take Jester with him.
• After the Nein meet the Traveler, they help Jester figure out what story she wants to use to unite the Traveler's followers. They settle on just telling Jester's story, with a minimum of embellishment, because her story is that good.

Episode 96: Family Shatters

• Caduceus reunites with his parents and sister after he and Jester restore them. There are many hugs all around.
  • When his mother Constance sees him, she immediately runs to Caduceus and gives him a big hug.
• When Jester sees that Caduceus' aunt Corrin has been shattered, she goes over to her and tries to piece the statue together as well as she can. Nott, Constance, and Yasha all help.
• Caleb and Nott take a moment to talk before they bed down for the night. Nott reveals that seeing Caduceus reunite with his mother has led her to a decision: she will turn back into Veth. She won't know what decision she makes in regards to staying with the Nein until she changes back.
  • Caleb reiterates that he will support her in whatever she decides, but he will miss her if she goes. Nott feels the same way.
• Yasha's not really down with Beau and Jester's pranking plan. In her opinion, the petrified people have suffered enough. Fjord reassures her, telling her that the two of them can prevent the others from going too far.
• Corrin is restored, and as a result the Clay family is whole once more. There is a group hug.
• Caduceus has an emotional moment with his parents, admitting that he feels he has to stay with the Mighty Nein for a while longer because he hasn't fully repaid them yet. They accept this, and fully support his decision.
• As he says goodbye to his siblings, Caduceus gives his straw hat to his younger sister Clarabelle.
  • As he departs, he sincerely tells them that he loves them. They all tell him they love him too... some in their own ways.
• Jester casts Planar Ally, summoning a quickling to take a dozen Black Moss cupcakes to Isharnai.
  • She gives the quickling one of her cupcakes as payment. He likes it. She promises him more after he makes the delivery.
• Caduceus sincerely thanks the Nein for their help in saving his family and his home. They reassure him of their gratitude in return.

Episode 97: The Fancy and the Fooled

• Liam makes a Perception check to see if Caleb can spot a familiar figure aboard the Cerberus Assembly's ship, but he rolls a 1. Matt rules that he is distracted by a cute dog, whom Caleb dubs Henry. Ashley is delighted, as one of her dogs is named Henry. She calls him the goodest boy.
• Essek is less certain of his decision to work with the Cerberus Assembly behind everybody's back. His reason? He has friends now. Possibly downplayed because he is still playing them, and Caleb feels the betrayal very keenly.
• Before she turns back into Veth, Nott takes a moment to thank her friends as a group and individually for everything they have done for her.
  Nott: Jester, I hope we have more adventures together.
  Jester: Thank you. (gives Nott a kiss on the nose)
  Nott: Caduceus, thank you for being honest, and showing us that you can be scared too, and that's okay. Yasha, I'm like 60% sure you're not evil now.
  Yasha: That should be a lower percentage. Would you like a sip of your wine?
  Nott: No, thanks. Fjord, I'm sorry that I always call you weak, but I only do that because I know you're strong enough to take it. Beau, thank you for always taking care of Mister Caleb, and Caleb, you know, I love you, and you're the second love of my life. Thank you for being with me.
  Caleb: I love you too, Veth the Brave.
  • It turns out that the spell forms a temporary but profound mental bond between Nott and Caleb. He is with her for this.
• Veth Brenatto is restored to her original form! She reunites with Yeza and Luc! The family is complete once again.
  • There's a bonus Call-Back when the process shatters Jester's mom's lovely bathtub, to which Jester just says "it's okay, it's worth it." Which is pretty much what Scanlan (Sam) said after using up Wish to bring back Vax'ilidan for the wedding of Vex'ahlia (Laura).
• Yeza takes a quick moment to thank the Nein for all they've done. He also corrects one thing they tell him:
  Yeza: I didn't "lend her to you." She's not mine (to give).
• Jester's (or rather, Laura and Taliesin's) choices in formalwear for the Nein could have been wild joke looks. Instead they're extremely loving, tender gifts of exactly what each character would feel most comfortable in, while bringing forward features they're insecure about in a flattering, complimentary fashion.
  • Caleb gets understated, wizardly robes with a vibrant red lining; just enough flash to make sure he doesn't fade into the background and can't be underestimated or forgotten, but arranged in such a way that if he wants to not be noticed, he can do so.
  • Beau gets a stunning slate-grey men's suit with a cobalt ascot and fitted masculine boots that make her feel secure, look attractive, and move freely.
  • Yasha, conversely, gets an open-shouldered evening gown in black and silver, with flowing sleeves that won't stretch or look awkward due to her powerful arms. It's delicate, feminine, and makes her look soft and desirable while retaining her intimidating aesthetic.
  • Veth gets a gown in a halfling-esque sunshine color; a delicate yellow that would have clashed horribly with green skin, and highlights her transformation. It's also lined with shiny buttons. Caduceus mentions that they commissioned the tailor to add extra buttons to the front.
• Jester, who had gone totally unnoticed by Lord Sharpe until that moment, intentionally and dramatically reveals herself in order to publicly shame the man for harassing an obviously uncomfortable Yasha. Yasha, the party barbarian, is completely capable of physically protecting herself—but she's also shy, insecure, struggles to speak in public, and is trapped in a situation where violence would be completely societally unacceptable. Which is, of course, what men like Sharpe count on. The fact that she could tear Sharpe limb from limb doesn't mean she can't be taken advantage of socially, and certainly doesn't mean she's less deserving of being protected from sexual harrassment.
• Caduceus sees right through Essek, and his empathy makes him tell them the truth: he's the one who gave the Beacons over to the Empire, and he tried to keep them away from the truth, but he didn't count on coming to care for them. Doubles as Awesome.
• Caleb calls Essek out on his actions, and urges him to lean on the Nein as he came to. Liam acts it phenomenally. Doubles as Awesome, and also as a Tear Jerker because of how much self-loathing Caleb reveals.
  • Caleb keeps it up, kisses Essek on the forehead, and urges him to join him and the Nein in making things better than what they found.
• Essek admitting that he has more loyalties to the Mighty Nein than he has for the Empire, or even the Dynasty, can certainly count.
• Veth's words to Essek that caps off the episode:
  Veth: You are a broken person who had ill intentions, and wandered aimlessly into a path you had no idea how to complete, and yet somehow along the way you found a heart. You sound like all of us. Welcome to the Mighty Nein.

Episode 98: Dark Waters

• Caleb and Fjord have a long heart-to-heart on the Ball-Eater. They discuss how far they have come, what the other members of the Nein have done for them, each tells the other that he is a good man, and Caleb tells Fjord about how his parents died.
• Yeza is incredibly supportive of Veth's continuing to adventure with the party, that he knows that she is doing amazing things with the Nein. He also makes it clear that he's happy to wait as long as she needs and that when it's all over, they'll figure out where they want to settle down.
  Yeza: There are a lot of tales of heroic sacrifices, and poems spoken by different bards and storytellers of these people who stood up to these great challenges and gave themselves for a better tomorrow. I want my wife. I don't want a poem.

Episode 99: High Stakes, High Seas

• As Caduceus casts Revivify on Fjord, Jester holds one of Fjord's hands, Beau holds the other, and Caleb props him up. Once the spell is complete and Fjord is alive again Jester kisses him on the forehead before turning to revive Orly.
• Caleb checks in with Yasha a day or so after the big battle. They talk, and she tells him that she feels safe with the Nein. He replies that they feel safe with her.
• That night, Fjord has a dream/vision of the Wildmother. They don't speak, but they don't need to. Fjord feels safe with her around, and that she is with him.
• After Essek rejects her request for pastries twice, Cadeuceus attempts to bake a cake with breakfast because Jester wants one. Being Cadeuceus, it's a mushroom cake. Jester just hugs Cadeuceus and thanks him, telling him it's the best thing she's ever tasted.