Talks Machina 89: Dubious Pursuits

is the eighty-ninth episode of Talks Machina. Matthew Mercer and Marisha Ray discuss with host Brian Wayne Foster.

Introduction

 * The cast announced The Chronicles of Exandria Volume 2: The Legend of Vox Machina

GIF of the Week
Prize: Critical Role Vox Machina and Mighty Nein pins.
 * Scott aka @ScrewyScotty's Fjord Romance.

Fan Art of the Week
Winner: Hchano (@hchanooo on Twitter); drawing of Fjord and Jester's kiss of life.

Prize: Padauk wood dice vault from Wyrmwood Gaming.

Quotations

 * Matt: "Pillow Matt, go back to your corner. We got a new love."
 * Matt: "Super animu Brian."
 * Marisha: "Jester! Move it along! We're all waiting."
 * Matt: "I wasn't expecting [murder] from Fjord."
 * Marisha: "HEEEEEEEEEEEERE'S BRIAN!"
 * Marisha: "[Beau]'s a seeker of knowledge in ways that she's not even fully aware of yet."
 * Marisha: "My archvillain is Sallie Mae."
 * Matt: "For me, Fjord going for it was more surprising."
 * Matt: "My intention of that scene was to find ways to build that power dynamic. It was less about any sort of physical contact. With Avantika and Fjord, it was more about the power dynamic."
 * Matt: "[Avantika] is a self-made woman, and is very manipulative and is very eager to find connection and use it for her own survival."
 * Brian: "I mean, Avantika helped Fjord's release valve function."
 * Brian: "I don't know much about Quebec."
 * Matt: "As a DM, I want to provide the most comfortable experience I can for my players. So I want to make sure that we never cross a line."
 * Matt: "I've been at the tables growing up with the (and I use the term respectfully) toolbag players that want to 'roll to see how long they last. And may I make a (like Travis said) constitution save?' I was like eh, you're joking about that because you haven't really had to do that before. I've been in games where players have wanted to do that and it was really uncomfortable for everyone at the table."
 * Matt: "I try to keep it classy and comfortable for everyone at the table."
 * Matt: "I love fluffernutter, I am all about any other fluffernutter adjacent group techniques, I am all for it."