Oh man, just finished it. That really was a fun episode, absolutely nobody at the table expected any of that. Can't wait for next week (or Sam's one-shot in twenty minutes).
I fell asleep before whatever happened, happened. Have to catch up on lunch hour or after work.
It was such a fun episode! How fast everything just went sideways had me and my brother laughing, gawking, and asking WTF was going on. Bad decision after bad decision just piled up near the end, but I feel like they salvaged a decent outcome considering the start of it. I am curious about how the
release of the Marid is going to impact Nicodranus and its economy. I get the sense with Algar's response that it will be a slight hiccup in things that may cost the city some money to redesign the Sluece, but if there's mages inspecting things after the boat heist it may eventually point to the M9 as being involved with Algar's disappearance.
I fell asleep before whatever happened, happened. Have to catch up on lunch hour or after work.
It was such a fun episode! How fast everything just went sideways had me and my brother laughing, gawking, and asking WTF was going on. Bad decision after bad decision just piled up near the end, but I feel like they salvaged a decent outcome considering the start of it. I am curious about how the
release of the Marid is going to impact Nicodranus and its economy. I get the sense with Algar's response that it will be a slight hiccup in things that may cost the city some money to redesign the Sluece, but if there's mages inspecting things after the boat heist it may eventually point to the M9 as being involved with Algar's disappearance.
I think that presumes the M9 were identified, or at least identifiable. They were in town for like 48 hours, which is barely enough to be noticed, much less be recognizable. Not to mention the absolute insanity of events going on as the guards showed up. In the middle of the night, no less. This has the makings of them getting away with it. Really, there's not a lot to point to the M9 for Algar, either. I'd also argue that they'd probably not link the two completely unrelated events, with completely unrelated parties. Even if they began to suspect a commonality other than the wholesale destruction of rival factions, they would likely not assume that anyone was crazy stupid enough to hit both places at the same time. There's no way anyone could pull off two different types of heists, one ostensably to steal a boat and the other to free a djinn. The most likely scenario is that no one suspects them. That's not to say that I'm 100% right, but there are a lot of leaps in logic to jump to the M9, and Occam's Razor is still a thing.
The thing I'm most curious about is how the M9 are going to deal with the boat. Are they going to try to forge some documents and pass off the Mist as their own, or are they going to leave town and come back with proper registration from a port with a little more legal flexibility? Or are they resigning themselves to never return again?
I think that presumes the M9 were identified, or at least identifiable. They were in town for like 48 hours, which is barely enough to be noticed, much less be recognizable. Not to mention the absolute insanity of events going on as the guards showed up. In the middle of the night, no less. This has the makings of them getting away with it. Really, there's not a lot to point to the M9 for Algar, either. I'd also argue that they'd probably not link the two completely unrelated events, with completely unrelated parties. Even if they began to suspect a commonality other than the wholesale destruction of rival factions, they would likely not assume that anyone was crazy stupid enough to hit both places at the same time. There's no way anyone could pull off two different types of heists, one ostensably to steal a boat and the other to free a djinn. The most likely scenario is that no one suspects them. That's not to say that I'm 100% right, but there are a lot of leaps in logic to jump to the M9, and Occam's Razor is still a thing.
The thing I'm most curious about is how the M9 are going to deal with the boat. Are they going to try to forge some documents and pass off the Mist as their own, or are they going to leave town and come back with proper registration from a port with a little more legal flexibility? Or are they resigning themselves to never return again?
Port Damali seems the most sensible destination to me; it would let them continue Fjord's search and either put together some paperwork for ownership or just sell the boat.
Plus, they left their cart and horses at the Chateau, as well as Nugget and Professor Thaddeus.
I think that presumes the M9 were identified, or at least identifiable. They were in town for like 48 hours, which is barely enough to be noticed, much less be recognizable. Not to mention the absolute insanity of events going on as the guards showed up. In the middle of the night, no less. This has the makings of them getting away with it. Really, there's not a lot to point to the M9 for Algar, either. I'd also argue that they'd probably not link the two completely unrelated events, with completely unrelated parties. Even if they began to suspect a commonality other than the wholesale destruction of rival factions, they would likely not assume that anyone was crazy stupid enough to hit both places at the same time. There's no way anyone could pull off two different types of heists, one ostensably to steal a boat and the other to free a djinn. The most likely scenario is that no one suspects them. That's not to say that I'm 100% right, but there are a lot of leaps in logic to jump to the M9, and Occam's Razor is still a thing.
The thing I'm most curious about is how the M9 are going to deal with the boat. Are they going to try to forge some documents and pass off the Mist as their own, or are they going to leave town and come back with proper registration from a port with a little more legal flexibility? Or are they resigning themselves to never return again?
Port Damali seems the most sensible destination to me; it would let them continue Fjord's search and either put together some paperwork for ownership or just sell the boat.
Plus, they left their cart and horses at the Chateau, as well as Nugget and Professor Thaddeus.
You're right that it's the most sensible route, but when has that ever stopped them? I'm not even going to predict what they'll do. Any DM will tell you that players will always do what you least expect, which is why Matt comes to the table with 7 options, is prepared for 7 outcomes for those 7 options, and even then is aware that what happens will likely be one of those 49 possible outcomes. You've got to bank on it being that 50th one that you never considered, and know that all the prep for everything else will just inform you of whatever craziness will happen then. Port Damali is an option. Staying in town is an option. Going out to those islands is an option. Heading back to the Gentleman is an option. They could even go to Port Damali, let the heat die down, forge the requisite papers, then go back to see Jester's mom, maybe even collecting their stuff. I think there's a good chance they'll keep the Mist, though. They were already talking about it like it was the M9's magic carpet. Although I think Professor Thaddeus straight up ran away during the fight, so he may be gone for good. Don't quote me on that, though.
I think vaxs paladin really helped out though. He used laynon hands a lot to save people from unconscious with his crazy fly/haste speed and also used vow of enmity to great effect to build on his rogue because vow = advantage = sneak attack damage without being hidden and without other characters around. That being said he didn't roleplay a 'paladin' too very much but remember he was kind of a paladin by force not choice rp wise so maybe that was deliberate? He definitely used the class to good effect though IMHO
I can not read much here as I am only on the start of episode 35 of campaign 2 and will probably never be able to get through the first campaign...but I wanted to know if Critters went to New York Comic Con and are members here. I saw some awesome costumes and if I had enough money would have talked to the entire cast of Critical Role. Highlights were talking to Laura Bailey and Sam Riegal who when I got to him he had no line. Anyway, so much fun!
I can not read much here as I am only on the start of episode 35 of campaign 2 and will probably never be able to get through the first campaign...but I wanted to know if Critters went to New York Comic Con and are members here. I saw some awesome costumes and if I had enough money would have talked to the entire cast of Critical Role. Highlights were talking to Laura Bailey and Sam Riegal who when I got to him he had no line. Anyway, so much fun!
I did not go to NYCC, but I did go to the live show, and had lucked out with front row/VIP seats! (Fast clicking when they went on sale). During the Talks Machina portion before the show the microphones weren't working at all, so the cast just sat on the edge of the stage and walked around and just chilled with each other, and it was a huge highlight.
I'm pretty satisfied that the story is going to a good place now. It seemed for a long while that the group was kicking around without much direction.
Did the episode get better? It had been a rough week for us, so when M9 seemed to be going evil for lolz making some morally questionable choices, we had to turn it off. We’ll keep watching but it just really wasn’t working for us this week at all (and that’s just for us subjectively, obviously they can play however they like!).
It seems like “Leave a place better than you found it” has been long forgotten already. :)
I'm pretty satisfied that the story is going to a good place now. It seemed for a long while that the group was kicking around without much direction.
Did the episode get better? It had been a rough week for us, so when M9 seemed to be going evil for lolz, we had to turn it off. We’ll keep watching but it just really wasn’t working for us this week at all (and that’s just for us subjectively, obviously they can play however they like!).
It seems like “Leave a place better than you found it” has been long forgotten already. :)o
No offense but it is hard to give an opinion about an episode merit if it is from somebody who either didn't watch the episode or pay attention to previous ones.
There was no evil for the lolz. They are forced into a situation where they are expected to do bad things or get instantly slaughtered. If your choice was: rob somebody preferably without bloodshed or die, would you honestly choose death?
It's not like they can escape or do much. They're very outnumbered and spent weeks in the middle of a vast ocean where their only escape is a slower ship with less defenses and no weapons against a faster ship that is sturdier and can destroy theirs in one hit.
And even if they can leave, should they? Avantika left alone will eventually come after Fjord and will eventually succeed in releasing a giant serpent demi-god upon the world. Would you honestly think it is fine to basically go "**** the world" just because you didn't want to rob somebody on a single occasion?
They have had long multple talks about this and their plan to eventually get free of this because none of them wanted to do. Which you would know, if you decided to watch it.
The arc is also interesting because of the psychology behind Fjord. It's tempting him to do bad things, make poor decision in the pursuit of power and his self-questioning of what he wants, his need for information about what his happening to him, learning what is truly worthwhle to him, and a journey of self-discovery that he is making because he's forced into this "embrace the dark side or die" situation.
If you genuinely think they're going evil "for the lolz" then you clearly haven't been paying attention at all.
Sorry, I overstated and edited the message. You're right it hasn't been for the lolz. More accurately might be their habit of making a bad choice, really enjoying it, and then afterwards having a serious talk about how that was a bad choice. :)
Avantika gave Fjord a choice, and an easy response could have been, "No, let's not get distracted with attacking a ship to get supplies we don't need (and tattoo someone against their will) and instead focus on getting that other orb." Sure, they are stuck working with Avantika overall, but some of the stuff in the episode didn't seem necessary and might have been avoidable (maybe not easily avoidable, but this is D&D after all). *shrug*
But I still love the show (and, yes, I have been paying attention). Probably should have been clearer that it's just been rough for us personally recently so the beginning of that particular episode landed wrong with us. We had to put a dog to sleep a few weeks ago, and then just found out that one of our cats has cancer now, too. So, if you've heard of the Spoon Theory, we just started the episode without any spoons left hoping an escape and watch some heroic adventures, but, unfortunately this episode really didn't work for us that way. So anyway...
To bring it back to discussion of the show, it will good to see Fjord make some tough choices. I'm not sure if it's still just low level PC thinking or these characters in general, but they are VERY reactive rather than pro-active. Stealing the ship (which was still fun to watch!) is a fine example of how they rarely plan beyond the next round of combat. It seems like they have big life goals (like Caleb's wanting to change the past) and immediate reactions to what's in front of them, but not much in between. :) Hopefully Fjord grows through this story and everyone else also realizes they don't need to just keep reacting to survive immediate situations as well as rather than still talking about waiting for opportunities, they realize they need to take the initiative and make their own opportunities. :) Watching them move beyond low level PC thinking would be great to see.
Without going off on spoilers, Matt made a comment in the closing of the last episode that gave me the impression that he, too, was struggling to figure out what to do with the story. The party has continuously played havoc with his plans through inconsistent and unexpected actions. Matt made these comments in terms of his satisfaction that the group seems to have picked a path, at least in the short term, which makes his life as a DM a lot easier.
I feel the man's pain. As a DM, you don't want to railroad the players, but when you don't know what to expect, it's hard to provide deep and meaningful improv content to the audience session after session when nothing seems to be getting traction. The story seems to have some traction now.
She's such a fantastic cosplayer, I love that video!
Also can we holy shit about the cliffhanger last week? I'm so upset about the Americans and their November holiday, because I can't wait to see what the heck happens after that.
I highly recommend Ginny Di's other work she has some great music and does more than just Critical Role. I wish they would let other forms of art get air time or shout out on Talks Machina or in the art reel or on their break or something. Her Ruby of the Sea video is great, and being an entirely original song should not present any legal problems - just need her permission which she'd definitely give. I tweeted about it with a hastily written poem: which you can read here.
The last episode was brillant and makes me hate US holidays. I am so NOT thankful for thanksgiving making us wait 2 darn weeks to see what happens next! I hate cliffhangers! >.< Things are going to be so interesting next episode! ARGH, I HATE WAITING!
RIGHT! When Caleb did that thing my partner and I jumped up from the couch and started shouting excitedly and then Matt just ended it. As much as it was such a perfect spot to end because there's no way I'm not watching the next episode live, I'm still so mad about it because I need to know how this goes immediately!
Is there too much "Sandboxing" in Critical Role for Matt Mercer to use a classical "Three-Act Structure" for his campaign 2?
First of all, this question is written from a point of view that defines the adventure of the Mighty Nein as a means of entertaining the audience - at least as much as the cast is having fun themselves. If we look at it as a story in a novel, we should be around the spot, when the plot transitions from act 1 to act 2. We are done with exposition of our main characters (even with the later addition of Caduceus) and should have reached the "dramatic question", which will be resolved in the climax of the story in act 3. But is the rising of U'katoa from the depths of the ocean (when all three "seals" are broken" really the climax? If we take a look back at Zudash the focus of the story was hinting at something different. There was the war with Xhorhas breaking out, the confrontation with the assassins over the Dodecahedron and a big bad wizard from Calebs past showed up. Yasha has connections with Xhorhas and her listening "to the storms" looked like it could give her a role in the confrontation on the eastern border of the empire too. Beau as a "monastic spy" and Jester as The Traveller's agent of chaos seemed to blend in and we are even close enough to Nott's goblin tribe/past to fill in some of her back story. Fjord was kind of the odd one out.
Right now, we have left all of this behind, all based on an item found in a swamp cave and a note from a dead drop Caduceus found on the road, because of a high perception roll. We moved far away from the previous setup of the plot twice: First to Port Domali and then to the open sea. Fjords background and character arc has completely taken over the story and Critical Role has pretty much restarted act 1 and gave us a "dramatic question 2.0". Will this be the path the Mighty Nein will follow now and Fjords story will lead us through act 2 and to the climax of act 3? Or will the Sandbox style the game is running on right now reboot act 1 again (if the Nine escape Avantica and the pirate island and get back to the main land)?
I am under the impression that Matt Mercer is in a position where he has lost grip of the progression of his overarching story and is trying to find a way to get a firm grasp of the reigns again (to keep up the "show part" of the game sessions for the audience to follow). Don't get me wrong, I love my Monday & Tuesday evenings listening to the latest episodes, no matter whether we go in circles again, or progress in one direction - but I don't want the story to meander too much looking a few episodes ahead.
Frankly, so long as the story remains interesting I could care less if they remain in the sandbox forever. But to be honest, I think this is generally following the same path as campaign one. We're in the midst of a side plot that is of utmost importance to one among their party, and the rest of the party is tagging along for support. This campaign it's Fjord's patron, last campaign it was Percy's vendetta. Actually, you could even say both are tied to the patrons of one character.
Mercer did say that the group has taken surprising paths and he struggled a bit to catch up, but overall it certainly appears to be following the same structure. It might just be that this part was meant for someone else, like Caleb and his wizard past, but choices made along the way took them into Fjord's territory instead.
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Oh man, just finished it. That really was a fun episode, absolutely nobody at the table expected any of that. Can't wait for next week (or Sam's one-shot in twenty minutes).
I think that presumes the M9 were identified, or at least identifiable. They were in town for like 48 hours, which is barely enough to be noticed, much less be recognizable. Not to mention the absolute insanity of events going on as the guards showed up. In the middle of the night, no less. This has the makings of them getting away with it. Really, there's not a lot to point to the M9 for Algar, either. I'd also argue that they'd probably not link the two completely unrelated events, with completely unrelated parties. Even if they began to suspect a commonality other than the wholesale destruction of rival factions, they would likely not assume that anyone was crazy stupid enough to hit both places at the same time. There's no way anyone could pull off two different types of heists, one ostensably to steal a boat and the other to free a djinn. The most likely scenario is that no one suspects them. That's not to say that I'm 100% right, but there are a lot of leaps in logic to jump to the M9, and Occam's Razor is still a thing.
The thing I'm most curious about is how the M9 are going to deal with the boat. Are they going to try to forge some documents and pass off the Mist as their own, or are they going to leave town and come back with proper registration from a port with a little more legal flexibility? Or are they resigning themselves to never return again?
Port Damali seems the most sensible destination to me; it would let them continue Fjord's search and either put together some paperwork for ownership or just sell the boat.
Plus, they left their cart and horses at the Chateau, as well as Nugget and Professor Thaddeus.
You're right that it's the most sensible route, but when has that ever stopped them? I'm not even going to predict what they'll do. Any DM will tell you that players will always do what you least expect, which is why Matt comes to the table with 7 options, is prepared for 7 outcomes for those 7 options, and even then is aware that what happens will likely be one of those 49 possible outcomes. You've got to bank on it being that 50th one that you never considered, and know that all the prep for everything else will just inform you of whatever craziness will happen then. Port Damali is an option. Staying in town is an option. Going out to those islands is an option. Heading back to the Gentleman is an option. They could even go to Port Damali, let the heat die down, forge the requisite papers, then go back to see Jester's mom, maybe even collecting their stuff. I think there's a good chance they'll keep the Mist, though. They were already talking about it like it was the M9's magic carpet. Although I think Professor Thaddeus straight up ran away during the fight, so he may be gone for good. Don't quote me on that, though.
I think vaxs paladin really helped out though. He used laynon hands a lot to save people from unconscious with his crazy fly/haste speed and also used vow of enmity to great effect to build on his rogue because vow = advantage = sneak attack damage without being hidden and without other characters around. That being said he didn't roleplay a 'paladin' too very much but remember he was kind of a paladin by force not choice rp wise so maybe that was deliberate? He definitely used the class to good effect though IMHO
I can not read much here as I am only on the start of episode 35 of campaign 2 and will probably never be able to get through the first campaign...but I wanted to know if Critters went to New York Comic Con and are members here. I saw some awesome costumes and if I had enough money would have talked to the entire cast of Critical Role. Highlights were talking to Laura Bailey and Sam Riegal who when I got to him he had no line. Anyway, so much fun!
I did not go to NYCC, but I did go to the live show, and had lucked out with front row/VIP seats! (Fast clicking when they went on sale). During the Talks Machina portion before the show the microphones weren't working at all, so the cast just sat on the edge of the stage and walked around and just chilled with each other, and it was a huge highlight.
I'm pretty satisfied that the story is going to a good place now. It seemed for a long while that the group was kicking around without much direction.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Did the episode get better? It had been a rough week for us, so when M9 seemed to be
going evil for lolzmaking some morally questionable choices, we had to turn it off. We’ll keep watching but it just really wasn’t working for us this week at all (and that’s just for us subjectively, obviously they can play however they like!).It seems like “Leave a place better than you found it” has been long forgotten already. :)
No offense but it is hard to give an opinion about an episode merit if it is from somebody who either didn't watch the episode or pay attention to previous ones.
There was no evil for the lolz. They are forced into a situation where they are expected to do bad things or get instantly slaughtered. If your choice was: rob somebody preferably without bloodshed or die, would you honestly choose death?
It's not like they can escape or do much. They're very outnumbered and spent weeks in the middle of a vast ocean where their only escape is a slower ship with less defenses and no weapons against a faster ship that is sturdier and can destroy theirs in one hit.
And even if they can leave, should they? Avantika left alone will eventually come after Fjord and will eventually succeed in releasing a giant serpent demi-god upon the world. Would you honestly think it is fine to basically go "**** the world" just because you didn't want to rob somebody on a single occasion?
They have had long multple talks about this and their plan to eventually get free of this because none of them wanted to do. Which you would know, if you decided to watch it.
The arc is also interesting because of the psychology behind Fjord. It's tempting him to do bad things, make poor decision in the pursuit of power and his self-questioning of what he wants, his need for information about what his happening to him, learning what is truly worthwhle to him, and a journey of self-discovery that he is making because he's forced into this "embrace the dark side or die" situation.
If you genuinely think they're going evil "for the lolz" then you clearly haven't been paying attention at all.
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Sorry, I overstated and edited the message. You're right it hasn't been for the lolz. More accurately might be their habit of making a bad choice, really enjoying it, and then afterwards having a serious talk about how that was a bad choice. :)
Avantika gave Fjord a choice, and an easy response could have been, "No, let's not get distracted with attacking a ship to get supplies we don't need (and tattoo someone against their will) and instead focus on getting that other orb." Sure, they are stuck working with Avantika overall, but some of the stuff in the episode didn't seem necessary and might have been avoidable (maybe not easily avoidable, but this is D&D after all). *shrug*
But I still love the show (and, yes, I have been paying attention). Probably should have been clearer that it's just been rough for us personally recently so the beginning of that particular episode landed wrong with us. We had to put a dog to sleep a few weeks ago, and then just found out that one of our cats has cancer now, too. So, if you've heard of the Spoon Theory, we just started the episode without any spoons left hoping an escape and watch some heroic adventures, but, unfortunately this episode really didn't work for us that way. So anyway...
To bring it back to discussion of the show, it will good to see Fjord make some tough choices. I'm not sure if it's still just low level PC thinking or these characters in general, but they are VERY reactive rather than pro-active. Stealing the ship (which was still fun to watch!) is a fine example of how they rarely plan beyond the next round of combat. It seems like they have big life goals (like Caleb's wanting to change the past) and immediate reactions to what's in front of them, but not much in between. :) Hopefully Fjord grows through this story and everyone else also realizes they don't need to just keep reacting to survive immediate situations as well as rather than still talking about waiting for opportunities, they realize they need to take the initiative and make their own opportunities. :) Watching them move beyond low level PC thinking would be great to see.
Without going off on spoilers, Matt made a comment in the closing of the last episode that gave me the impression that he, too, was struggling to figure out what to do with the story. The party has continuously played havoc with his plans through inconsistent and unexpected actions. Matt made these comments in terms of his satisfaction that the group seems to have picked a path, at least in the short term, which makes his life as a DM a lot easier.
I feel the man's pain. As a DM, you don't want to railroad the players, but when you don't know what to expect, it's hard to provide deep and meaningful improv content to the audience session after session when nothing seems to be getting traction. The story seems to have some traction now.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
SPOILERS (kinda)
But holy shit!
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She's such a fantastic cosplayer, I love that video!
Also can we holy shit about the cliffhanger last week? I'm so upset about the Americans and their November holiday, because I can't wait to see what the heck happens after that.
I highly recommend Ginny Di's other work she has some great music and does more than just Critical Role. I wish they would let other forms of art get air time or shout out on Talks Machina or in the art reel or on their break or something. Her Ruby of the Sea video is great, and being an entirely original song should not present any legal problems - just need her permission which she'd definitely give. I tweeted about it with a hastily written poem: which you can read here.
The last episode was brillant and makes me hate US holidays. I am so NOT thankful for thanksgiving making us wait 2 darn weeks to see what happens next! I hate cliffhangers! >.< Things are going to be so interesting next episode! ARGH, I HATE WAITING!
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RIGHT! When Caleb did that thing my partner and I jumped up from the couch and started shouting excitedly and then Matt just ended it. As much as it was such a perfect spot to end because there's no way I'm not watching the next episode live, I'm still so mad about it because I need to know how this goes immediately!
I know. My reaction was like:
When Caleb did THAT
"OH SHIT!" *excitement*
Matt ended it.
"Nuuuuu!" *shock, confuson, horror*
The realisation and confirmation it'll be 2 weeks for the next episode.
*silently sinks into despair, lamenting sanity as the madness of waiting beckons before I slowly whisper,* "I'm gonna die."
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We can make it! There's the all-girl Honey Heist and new Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Netflix to tide us over!! Right???
Is there too much "Sandboxing" in Critical Role for Matt Mercer to use a classical "Three-Act Structure" for his campaign 2?
First of all, this question is written from a point of view that defines the adventure of the Mighty Nein as a means of entertaining the audience - at least as much as the cast is having fun themselves. If we look at it as a story in a novel, we should be around the spot, when the plot transitions from act 1 to act 2. We are done with exposition of our main characters (even with the later addition of Caduceus) and should have reached the "dramatic question", which will be resolved in the climax of the story in act 3.
But is the rising of U'katoa from the depths of the ocean (when all three "seals" are broken" really the climax? If we take a look back at Zudash the focus of the story was hinting at something different. There was the war with Xhorhas breaking out, the confrontation with the assassins over the Dodecahedron and a big bad wizard from Calebs past showed up. Yasha has connections with Xhorhas and her listening "to the storms" looked like it could give her a role in the confrontation on the eastern border of the empire too. Beau as a "monastic spy" and Jester as The Traveller's agent of chaos seemed to blend in and we are even close enough to Nott's goblin tribe/past to fill in some of her back story. Fjord was kind of the odd one out.
Right now, we have left all of this behind, all based on an item found in a swamp cave and a note from a dead drop Caduceus found on the road, because of a high perception roll. We moved far away from the previous setup of the plot twice: First to Port Domali and then to the open sea. Fjords background and character arc has completely taken over the story and Critical Role has pretty much restarted act 1 and gave us a "dramatic question 2.0". Will this be the path the Mighty Nein will follow now and Fjords story will lead us through act 2 and to the climax of act 3? Or will the Sandbox style the game is running on right now reboot act 1 again (if the Nine escape Avantica and the pirate island and get back to the main land)?
I am under the impression that Matt Mercer is in a position where he has lost grip of the progression of his overarching story and is trying to find a way to get a firm grasp of the reigns again (to keep up the "show part" of the game sessions for the audience to follow). Don't get me wrong, I love my Monday & Tuesday evenings listening to the latest episodes, no matter whether we go in circles again, or progress in one direction - but I don't want the story to meander too much looking a few episodes ahead.
Frankly, so long as the story remains interesting I could care less if they remain in the sandbox forever. But to be honest, I think this is generally following the same path as campaign one. We're in the midst of a side plot that is of utmost importance to one among their party, and the rest of the party is tagging along for support. This campaign it's Fjord's patron, last campaign it was Percy's vendetta. Actually, you could even say both are tied to the patrons of one character.
Mercer did say that the group has taken surprising paths and he struggled a bit to catch up, but overall it certainly appears to be following the same structure. It might just be that this part was meant for someone else, like Caleb and his wizard past, but choices made along the way took them into Fjord's territory instead.