Talks Machina 143: Family Shatters

is the one-hundred forty-third episode of Talks Machina. Taliesin Jaffe and Liam O'Brien discuss with host Brian Wayne Foster.

Synopsis

 * Cinciallegre: Taliesin: Now that we got to meet all of the Clays in their pastel goth Addams Family-like glory, would you mind expanding a bit on Caduceus' relationship with his siblings, parents and aunt?
 * @CostumerDelight: Liam: Caleb has now witnessed four family reunions, between Jester, Nott, Beau, and now Caduceus. How is he feeling about his own parents and his found family, especially with Nott, saying she may leave them?
 * FaenTheRanger: Taliesin: It seems as though both Cad and Nott have reached their goals of what drove them to leave their homes/families, and it makes sense if they were to leave the Mighty Nein. What is keeping Cad with the M9? How do you feel Cad's and Nott's situations differ?
 * @SneakySneaSnake: Liam: The M9 was prepared to make devastating sacrifices to lift the curse on Nott. Was Caleb planning on meeting the witch as well? If yes, what would he have offered to break the curse, or did you have an entirely different solution to the problem (like Jester)?
 * @Walkalittleline: Taliesin: Twice now we've seen the others ignore Caduceus' requests to respect what he considers holy ground, though when they argued he seems to not put up much of a fight. Is this because he wants to avoid conflict or because he doesn't really care that much?
 * @Warlockandkey93: Liam: When Yasha, Jester and Fjord were kidnapped Caleb refused to admit he cared for the group to Nott but this episode he admitted it freely. Was there a defining moment when Caleb decided he was going to be a part of this weird family for good?
 * Cosplay of the Week: Pumat by Shiloh aka @CriticalHitical (photo by @Minniemooncos)
 * @Veththebrave: Taliesin: Caduceus said that his family loves him, while the M9 needs him. Is he still having trouble feeling fully integrated into the group after all this time together?
 * Jimmy Ebbitt: Liam: In the last few episodes, Caleb has shown a little levity with the M9. Even playing practical jokes. Is this reminiscent of how Bren was in the past, or is this your inner Vax bleeding into Caleb?
 * Chris Gatlin: Taliesin: Caduceus' playful and prankster side came out when his siblings were introduced. Why hasn't he played any pranks on the Mighty Nein yet? Is he not close enough to them yet, does he think they wouldn't take it well, or is it something else?
 * Carly Ann: Liam: Caleb seemed to be laying it a little thicker in compliments to the Traveler as opposed to the rest of the Mighty Nein. Does he see another powerful ally in the Traveler in his pursuit of time magic or is it all in support of Jester?
 * The Darkvision DM: Taliesin: Cad has been the group parent for so long. What was it like for him to suddenly be a child in his family again? Does he find occupying both roles disconcerting or is he comfortable being group dad and family son simultaneously?
 * Sageandginger: Liam: At the end of his talk with Yasha several episodes ago, Caleb had a very strong reaction that we've never quite seem before. Can you tell us a bit of what was going through his mind at the moment? What was it about her statement, "I don't need to tell you who," that affected him where her initial question did not? And what was going through your mind, as a player and as an actor?
 * Fan Art of the Week: Firbolg Family Reunion by Taylor W. aka @Teaweltzer
 * SGTSParty: Taliesin: How does Caduceus feel about possibly being absent for the renewal of his home? How do you feel as a player about your character's arc ending off screen?
 * @Calebisntonfire: Liam: Has Caleb picked up on any of Beau's self destructive and self deprecating behavior since visiting her father? (i.e. I'm Beauregard, I'm not important) Is he worried about her?
 * Abbigail Cordeniz: Taliesin: Every temple in Caduceus's backstory has a connection to another deity along with the Wildmother. Who is the Blooming Grove's other god, if any?
 * SimplyHaunted: Liam: The transformation spell Caleb finished with Nott and Essek's help seems to be a very powerful spell, but you didn't hesitate to share it with Essek. Did you view that as a returning one of his many favors, or something else?
 * @Extracandy_: Taliesin: Caduceus's main personal goal has always been to find his family and save his hoe. Now that you've basically done that, what's his next big goal? Is it more about finding himself outside of the grove?
 * @AstralSeaSiren: Taliesin: Were the bone flute and the sun hat always meant for Calliope and Clarabelle? Or did they just feel like appropriate gifts?
 * Sub-ParWalrus: Liam: Caleb has made it clear that he is not a man who can put his faith in some far off deity, why did Caleb feel the need to take a symbol of the Archheart from the Labenda Swamp?