The Trials of Vasselheim

is the second episode of the second season of The Legend of Vox Machina. Vox Machina travels to the mysterious ancient city of Vasselheim to search for allies. They're soon forced to turn to a group of seedy bounty-hunters, called the Slayer's Take. There they encounter an ancient creature who holds critical information that could help them in their fight against the dragons of the Chroma Conclave.

This episode was screened with episodes one and three Cinemark theaters on January 19, 2023, the day before their Prime Video release.

Plot summary
Scanlan emerges from the tree Yennen described, only to find that it is on the edge of a cliff. He warns the rest of Vox Machina not to come through, but they don't hear, and they all fall. Keyleth turns into a giant eagle and grabs Vex and Vax, while Pike rides her. Scanlan creates a giant cushioning butt, onto which he, Percy and Grog fall. They all notice, in the distance, the city of Vasselheim.

Vox Machina waits in line with all the pilgrims to the city, and upon reaching the gates, Percy says he is a diplomatic emissary from Whitestone who needs to speak with the Dawn Marshals, who lead the temples, but the guard is unimpressed. He does let them in, but tells them they're on their own.

They make their way to the temple of the Lawbearer, headed by High Bearer Vord. Pike takes the lead and asks for an audience, which is granted. Vord verifies, via a vision on the temple's waterfall, the attacks of the Chroma Conclave, but tells Vox Machina that Vasselheim has remained standing for so long because it is an isolated city. Vox Machina, frustrated, leaves. However, one of Vord's attendants follows them outside and recommends they go speak to the patron of the Slayer's Take, a mercenary group that takes out bounties on dangerous creatures. Vex is intrigued, but Vax is adamant they not go.

Meanwhile, Craven Edge continues to whisper that it hungers to Grog, who does not realize the voice is coming from the sword and mistakes it for his own hunger. He wanders off from the rest of the party, who go to the Slayer's Take. The Take is full of rough-and-tumble hunters, drinking and arm-wrestling. Vax tells the party not to interact with anyone, despite Scanlan's desire for a drink. Kashaw, a human man, approaches Keyleth to flirt with her, but then immediately notices the twins, on whom there is a massive bounty. He threatens the party with a fight, just as they realize Grog is not with them.

Grog, having just had some ale, approaches the temple of the Stormlord and walks through its empty halls into the ring of an arena, where Earthbreaker Groon is meditating. Groon addresses him by name, and asks him what he seeks. Grog brings up the dragons, but Groon tells him the question is one of becoming a warrior. He challenges Grog to strike him.

Back at the Slayer's Take, Vex attempts to flirt with Kash to distract him, and mentions her past association with Zahra. Kash, a little flustered, calls Zahra, a red tiefling, over. Vex enthusiastically greets Zahra, but Zahra points out that last they met, Vex stole her bounty, hence the wanted sign for the twins. Vex asks to see the patron of the Slayer's Take, but Zahra tells her the patron will not see them. Vex tries to tempt them with the riches of the dragons' hoards, and Pike tries to explain that this is for the good of the continent of Tal'Dorei, but the members of the Take laugh. As one of them approaches Vox Machina with a massive weapon, a loud female voice calls out and tells them to hold. A member pulls a lever to activate a trap door, and Vox Machina fall into it.

In the temple of the Stormlord, Grog and Groon's fight continues. Groon repeatedly asks Grog where he finds his strength, striking him each time, knocking him into the wall.

The rest of the party, in the basement beneath the Slayer's Take, hears growling and goes to investigate. The female voice speaks, calling herself Osysa, chosen of the Knowing Mistress, and asking the party how they hope they can defend Emon if they are so fearful. The party asks for her help, but she tells them they don't know what they will need to pay to do so. The party all are separated and Osysa lists their fears: Vax is too dependent on Vex, and Vex is fixated on getting her father's love. This is interspersed with Grog fighting with Groon and repeatedly being unable to answer where his strength comes from, and Groon calling out the darkness of his dependence on weapons like Craven Edge. Osysa accuses Percy of self-pity, and Pike of lacking faith in her abilities to help people. She asks Keyleth if she's too afraid to fail, or if she's worried that no one will see her succeed. When Scanlan admits to some of his flaws, Osysa merely tells him that no one cares about him. Grog, meanwhile, finally answers to Groon that his strength is in his heart, but Groon tells him that's still wrong and the fight continues. As Osysa berates the party over their fears, Grog admits he doesn't know the source of his strength. Osysa tells Vox Machina to leave, but Pike angrily tells her that she will not give up until they get a response. Osysa reveals herself to be a sphinx and asks Pike if she'd give her life to succeed. Pike says that she and the others will, and Osysa accepts this.

As this happens, Groon tells Grog he has much to learn, and Grog asks for advice, but Groon tells him he's already given it. Grog hobbles off.

Osysa tells Vox Machina that they will need knowledge to succeed. She introduces them to the idea of the Vestiges of Divergence, relics of the Calamity. She directs them to retrieve the Deathwalker's Ward and bring it to her mate, who is safely elsewhere, and who will tell them where to find other Vestiges if they succeed. Vox Machina then leaves through the Slayer's Take, to the surprise of Zahra and Kash, who expected them to have been eaten. They come across a badly beaten Grog, who tells them what had happened, and they all leave to get drinks, except Percy, who steps into a shop that appears to sell black powder. He meets the shopkeeper, Victor, a disheveled older man missing several fingers. Victor tells him that Percy is the second buyer of black powder that week, and when Percy inquires after the first, Victor describes a woman matching Ripley's description. Vex asks Percy if everything is okay, to which he responds it is. As they leave, Victor knocks over a lantern and his shop catches fire.

Cast
End credits list main cast, then guest cast in alphabetical order.

Crew

 * Written by - Colleen Evanson
 * Directed by - Alicia Chan

Vox Machina
These characters are Vox Machina and their adventuring companions.
 * Keyleth
 * Percival de Rolo
 * Scanlan Shorthalt
 * Grog Strongjaw
 * Pike Trickfoot
 * Vax'ildan
 * Vex'ahlia
 * Trinket

Returning
These characters previously appeared in an episode of The Legend of Vox Machina.
 * Craven Edge

New
These characters have not previously appeared in The Legend of Vox Machina, though they may have been previously mentioned.
 * Earthbreaker Groon
 * Kashaw
 * Zahra
 * Highbearer Vord
 * Osysa
 * Victor

Behind the scenes
The original pilot for The Legend of Vox Machina was a two-part episode in the Crystalfen Caverns beneath Emon where each member of Vox Machina was presented with their worst fears. The story beats were laid out, but showrunner Brandon Auman pointed out that this would not serve as a good introduction to the characters: knowing their fears was not meaningful without already knowing them. Some of this original pilot was salvaged for this episode. Sam explained, "We definitely wanted to explore the characters in a more in-depth way [this] season and get into their personal fears or traumas or upbringings. To really figure out what makes them tick." He remarked that Percy and to a lesser extent Pike were explored this way already in season one, but the team "really wanted to delve in deeper".

Lead character designer Phil Bourassa drew Garrison and Monika of Battle Chasers among the members of the Slayer's Take. This was done with the blessing of Joe Madureira.

The young dignitary voiced by Parvesh Cheena, who tells Vox Machina to seek the Slayer's Take, was originally conceptualized as Kima's cousin.