Vox Machina Origins III 2

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins III #2 is the fourteenth issue of Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins and the second issue of Vox Machina Origins Series III, written by Jody Houser and Matthew Mercer, with art by Olivia Samson. It was published by Dark Horse Comics and released on April 28, 2021.

Plot summary
Though initially Goreshon's Fist has the upper hand against Vox Machina, Vox Machina rallies. Vax'ildan rescues Vex'ahlia from someone who caught her arrow, and Vex'ahlia immediately returns the favor by firing an arrow another person sneaking up behind Vax'ildan. Percival de Rolo taunts a tiefling, saying that the fight is not going well for them. Grog Strongjaw almost hits Percival with a member of Goreshon's Fist, whom Grog throws into someone Keyleth is fighting. Keyleth thanks him, though she did not require the help. Pike Trickfoot tends to Scanlan Shorthalt's wounds, and she completely misses him magically defeating two approaching members of Goreshon's Fist.

Though Vox Machina wins the fight, their Brawlers' League representative Kradin Grimthorne advises them to learn to work together, otherwise they cannot win the progressively harder rounds. When asked to identify their biggest competitors, Kradin points out Loran the Bear and his group. After Loran's group wins their bout, Loran tells Grog he looks forward to beating him as well, should Vox Machina progress far enough. Grog is keen in fighting, and beating, Loran.

Vex'ahlia and Keyleth doubt that the money they stand to make is worth the trouble of fighting enough rounds to face Loran. Vex'ahlia wonders if they should cut their losses now, but Keyleth worries that it will be difficult to convince Grog to leave early, if at all. A member of the Scarlet Quorum, the next group Vox Machina is set to fight, overhears them and, praising their sense, says, "Would have been a shame if the Scarlet Quorum had to hurt pretty things like yourself." Incensed, Keyleth and Vex'ahlia resolve to one more round.

Vax'ildan encourages the party to stick together. However, they are quickly scattered by the Scarlet Quorum's spells. Vax'ildan attempts to attack the Quorum, but his thrown daggers are blocked by a magical shield. Scanlan plays his flute and bolsters Vox Machina's resolve, and the Scarlet Quorum are quickly overcome, primarily by Grog.

With their next bout against Loran, Grog claims it is unfair: there are seven people in Vox Machina but only five people in Loran's group. Though the others tell Grog not to worry about it, Grog insists on winning fairly. Loran assures Grog there will be seven people in his group and reveals two members of the Scarlet Quorum joined the bout, including the one who overheard Vex'ahlia and Keyleth's earlier conversation.

The round begins. The bard in Loran's group dispels Keyleth's magic. She and Vax'ildan are then put to sleep by someone hiding in the crowd with a blow dart. Vex'ahlia hits them with an arrow, causing their next dart to miss and put Loran's bard to sleep. Using teamwork, Vox Machina overpowers the rest of the group and wins the bout. Vex'ahlia pays Kradin his share of the winnings. Kradin entices her with the next tournament, but she tersely interrupts him, saying they will think about it. Scanlan announces to the group that they are going to celebrate Winter's Crest by getting drunk.

Returning

 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Keyleth
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Pike Trickfoot
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia
 * Kradin Grimthorne
 * Loran the Bear