The Crucible

First appearing in Hubris, the Crucible is a brawling arena in the Braving Grounds District of Vasselheim .The Crucible has had story importance, being the introduction point to several recurring characters including Kern, the Siren, and Earthbreaker Groon. Built for warriors to test their strength in competition, the crucible often attracts gamblers, including Vox Machina during Grog's fight against Kern The Hammer.

In Hubris, Grog, masquerading as Phillip, participated in a heated battle against Kern, the reigning champion of the arena. After a long and close battle, Grog appeared to have won, but Kern's Half-Orc rage allowed him to come back for a finishing blow. After losing his pride, and Vox Machina's gold, Grog prepared himself for a rematch.

Grog returned to the Crucible and had rematch with Kern in the episode fittingly titled, The Rematch. This time with the help of his Scanlan and a potion of Stone Giant's Strength. Even with such boons, the fight still proved difficult, as Kern had been training to multiclass as a Monk. With Grog's relentless rage, Kern was defeated. As the battle ended, it appeared that Grog earned the approval or respect of a mysterious monk, who they learned to be Earthbreaker Groon. Kern later revealed in Return to Vasselheim that the Earthbreaker has been the one to train him for the rematch in the Crucible.