Talks Machina 125: Up To A Tangled Web and Dalen's Closet

is the one-hundred twenty-fifth episode of Talks Machina. Laura Bailey and Liam O'Brien discuss,  and  with host Brian Wayne Foster.

C2E76-77

 * CryseArk: For both: Can you talk about any changes with your characters that you made sure was reflected in their new character art?
 * @SappheauJeau: Laura: Jester is very good at picking up on when other members of the group are upset and is quick to offer reassurances. Why is she so reluctant to share her own troubles, when she knows it's nothing to be ashamed of?
 * @McFlyCahill90: Liam: Caleb took a big dunamantic step toward and solidified his friendship with Essek. What does Essek's trust now mean to Caleb?
 * @Badassassassin: Laura: Now that mentions of the Travellers following being a cult have been planted, does this change Jester's perspective on it?
 * @CarnotLesbian: Liam: Caleb takes debts and favors very seriously; is he concerned about how much both the party in general and he specifically owe to Essek?
 * Rachel Kleine: Laura: We know that Jester always feels the need to prove herself to others, so how did she feel when Essek told her that there was nothing he'd want to learn from her? Did it hurt her feelings at all?

Cosplay of the Week

 * Yasha by Jobie aka @Jobieleecos (Photo by Topher Oriel aka @topheroriel)


 * @Yettinim: Liam: Caleb called the Scourgers his brothers and sisters, and showed the captured Vollstrecker empathy, even telling her "Sorry" at the end. Can you tell us about what led him to face his past in this manner?
 * Fellongreydaze: Laura: Jester lied to the group about what the Gentleman said after using the Sending spell. Do you feel she's lying more to the group or to herself? How fully does she believe that the Gentleman is actually her father?
 * Xtrm: Liam: I believe you once said that Caleb is afraid to return to Rexxentrum. Now, we see him actually in favor of going. Why the change in mindset? Is there some newfound confidence towards facing his past?
 * TiamatZX: Laura: Jester seemed very disappointed and confused that no one else could see the Traveler at all. How is this affecting her opinion of the Mighty Nein as a whole considering her entire devotion to her BFF?

Fan Art of the Week

 * Wild Mother Fjord by Cael aka @kingcael


 * @Theladytiefling: Liam: When you Seeming'd everyone into Assembly members, Caleb made himself look like Trent instead of any of the other M9. Was that intentional? Did Caleb obviously not want to look into the face of the man who inflicted so much harm and trauma on him?
 * Chesari: Laura: Jester's note to Reani was so sweet and exactly what Reani needed to hear, and she's also recently been trying to help Nott with her alcohol addiction. Was there something that happened to cause her to behave in a more motherly way towards her friends?
 * @wackyhistorian: Liam: You've chosen to role-play several of Caleb's class abilities (the Transmuter's stone, Shapechanger) the level before he gets them. What made you decide to do this? How far ahead do you look into future wizard abilities to get ideas?
 * @FereldanPride: Laura: Traveller Con is getting closer and Jester is very excited for it. What are her thoughts about what to expect at the Con? A religious union? Celebration? Or something else entirely?
 * Gulstab: Liam: How many porcelain cats does Caleb have? Are they all Xhorhassian? Will he try and acquire more from other places? How would he feel about a matryoshka of all of Frumpkin's forms?
 * T_anno77: Laura: How does Jester feel being the one who has to scry on Yasha, and see what she's becoming? How heavily does that weigh on her?
 * @CriticalBard: Liam: What does Caleb see himself getting out of learning more dunamancy spells? Does he consider the repercussions of learning an unknown & potentially dangerous type of magic? Is it power that he seeks or is it merely the knowledge behind it?
 * @Fakeconnorfitzy: Laura: Does Jester seeing Fjord become a follower of the Wild Mother make her wish she had done more to get him to follow the Traveler instead? How does she feel about this missed opportunity considering how much more evangelizing she does than Caduceus?

Dalen's Closet

 * Ryan Chelf: Liam: Did you know ahead of time that Vax would be Scanlan's wedding gift to them, or was that as much a surprise of you at the table as it was for everyone else?
 * Chris Patterson: For Laura: How does it feel to be responsible for the final death of both Briarwoods?
 * Dane Alexander Stubbs: For Liam: What was the in-the-moment inspiration for both Vax's new and disjointed mannerisms, and the bone/fungus growths?
 * Barbara Octaviani: Both: How did it feel to be "twinsies" again, even if only for a brief moment?
 * Sarah Jones Rigby: For Laura: What was in Vex's mind while she was bound on the cliff, and later while she was drowning? Would she have reacted differently if Vesper was at the wedding instead of asleep?
 * Vishante-Kaffas: Liam: We didn't get to know a lot about Derrig during the one-shot, outside of being married with 4 kids. Were there any other interesting tidbits of his backstory that you wish you could have shared?
 * @Cattywampus_: Laura: Were any of the wedding plans such as Vox Machina's roles in the ceremony discussed out of game ahead of time? Sam and Ashley had prepared speeches. Did you and Taliesin write out vows or wing it?