Talks Machina 106: In Love and War

"Talks Machina #106: In Love and War"
Talks Machina episode
The thumbnail for "Talks Machina #106: In Love and War" (TM2x57), featuring Sam Riegel and Matthew Mercer.
Episode no.Episode 106 (TM2x57)
AirdateApril 9, 2019 19:00 PDT
Running time1:00:50
Starring
Matthew Mercer as himself
Sam Riegel as himself
Dani Carr as herself
Brian Wayne Foster as himself
Special guest
Henry as himself
Taliesin Jaffe as himself
Travis Willingham as himself
Episode chronology
Previous
"Talks Machina #105: The Favor" (TM2x56)
Next
"Talks Machina #107: Wood and Steel" (TM2x58)
Airdate order
Previous
"In Love and War" (2x57)
Next
"Wood and Steel" (2x58)
List of Talks Machina episodes

"Talks Machina #106: In Love and War" (TM2x57) is the one hundred and sixth episode of Talks Machina. Sam Riegel and Matthew Mercer discuss "In Love and War" (2x57) with host Brian Wayne Foster.

Synopsis[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The question we're all wondering: are we on the internet?
(Dani: Go ahead, Sam. Just go ahead and make us cry. It's fine. I've been crying since Thursday. Just don't worry about it.
Sam: I just want to see my husband again!)
Oh boy. Tonight: the Mighty Nein get the scoop on Luxon, reunite Nott with her husband, and check in with each other after that game-changing moment. We'll break it all down with Matthew Mercer [and] Sam Riegel. You went with that, huh? All that and more, tonight on Talks Machina. Save us.

— Brian's introduction

Part 1[edit | edit source]

Matt: Are you generally forgiving when it comes to the players forgetting about pets/mounts? Or will there be consequences for overlooking the animals? — @TheFacelessEvil, 12:11


Sam: Was it a real fear for you (as well as Nott) that Yeza was going to reject her? How are you and Nott feeing about it now that he's accepted her? — Mark Shock, 15:06


Matt: How much of this last episode had to be generated on the spot given the unexpected decision two weeks ago? — Jordan James Meyer, 18:29


Sam: How did Nott feel being called Veth by the Mighty Nein? When her backstory first came out, she indicated she wanted to still be called Nott but obviously with her husband back everyone has been using Veth. Will she continue now with Veth or go back to Nott? — QuirkyCorvid, 20:34


Matt: You mentioned on Twitter that Episode 56 could have resulted in a TPK depending on party actions. Could you elaborate on what would have led to that? — 283leis, 22:52


Gif of the Week[edit | edit source]

Winner: Hungry Muffin Studio (@Hungry_Muffin on Twitter); Yeza/Shark gif.

Prize: Critical Role Cobalt Soul Journal.[1]

Part 2[edit | edit source]

Sam: You've explained how becoming a goblin twisted Nott's personality. But around Yeza, she seems more like her old self. Is this because his presence helps ground her, or is she just making an extra effort to seem unchanged? — Sunglazzez, 29:06


Matt and Sam: Yeza is so wonderful! Did Sam come up with the personality traits, or did Matt, or was it a joint effort? — @Borgevino, 31:29


Matt: What was your inspiration for the lore behind the Luxon? Was entirely homebrew, or did you take some inspiration from other gods in the D&D pantheon? — Dan Gordon, 34:33


Sam: When introducing the Nein to her husband, Nott was quick to hush Jester when she said Caleb was like a son to her. She also hasn't been putting him on a pedestal as much since Felderwin, when she reunited with Luc. Does Nott still consider Caleb to be like a son to her? Do you think their friendship might be healthier if they're more equal and honest with each other? — Leskenobian, 37:45


Fan Art of the Week[edit | edit source]

Winner: Emma Wight (@EmmaWightTwit on Twitter); drawing of Yeza and Nott's reunion.

Prize: Cherry tabletop dice tray from Wyrmwood Gaming.[2]

Part 3[edit | edit source]

Matt: When a person's soul is reincarnated through the Luxon beacon, can their soul be reborn in the body of any species, or is it more like Drow are always reborn as Drow, Goblin is always reincarnated as Goblin, etc.? — Chris Tarnowski, 46:12


Sam: We got a glimpse of Yeza's surprise concerning Nott's new set of skills. Is Nott excited to show them off or afraid it will further distance her from the wife Yeza knows? — NightWildWings, 48:01


Matt: Were you as the DM surprised by Beau and Caleb's asking to end the war? and what were the Bright Queen's thoughts on this; does she think they're naïve and idealistic, or does she commend their ambition? — @Lesbrenian, 51:16


Sam: How does Nott feel about the Mighty Nein preventing her from drinking? Is she ultimately grateful? — @Kimabutch, 53:47


Matt: What are your thoughts on how the Mighty Nein have developed as a cohesive group with a goal? How have they surprised you? — KiesoTheStoic, 55:35


Quotations[edit | edit source]

  • Sam: "If we hit ten...Travis said that he would let us film him in a haunted house."
  • Sam: "Going forward, he's going to be the little spoon."
  • Brian: "Secretly British, what's worse?"
  • Sam: "Definitely a real concern for me and for Nott that Yeza would be horrified by her new appearance."
  • Sam: "I feel like we would make a great graphic sex scene together."
  • Liam: "I'm still in the building, Riegel!"
  • Sam: "My daughter was asking 'does Yeza think Nott is ugly?' and I was like 'no, he's ok with it' and she's like 'oh, good.'"
  • Sam: "I think she is okay with her husband calling her by her given name of Veth. But I think as long as long as she's in that body she's gonna consider herself not fully how she thinks of herself and probably will still go by Nott for the time being. I think. I think! I don't know."
  • Matt: "He's a good guy."
  • Matt: "What happened was a possibility I was considering but I also know players are very stingy with magical artifacts."
  • Sam: "I hope it works out that she finds her way home somehow."
  • Brian: "If you're not on the show, just go home!"
  • Sam: "Their relationship is just evolving."
  • Sam: "She's ready to impress the shit out of her husband with her skills."
  • Matt: "One of the best things about being a dungeon master is when your players surprise you. Not just with their actions, but with their growth. And seeing where you all started, seeing the journey of the Mighty Nein from these people that wanted least of all to be involved in grander schemes, that really seemed to pay no mind or take no stock in the way the world at large seems to be moving and grinding forward, to step up and take real interest into the care of good people and the future ahead of them, it was amazing. And for me it's a really thrilling moment."
  • Sam: "All I'm saying, guys, is drink more."
    Matt: "No, don't--don't at all listen to him."
    Sam: "If anyone tells you to stop drinking, what the fuck do they know?"...
    Brian: "I have three words, please: Liam for president."
    Dani: "I can't work with this, Sam."
  • Matt: "The whole world isn't gray. There is good and there is evil, and there are things in between. And really what it comes down to is being inquisitive enough and following the right threads to uncover those shades of light and dark amongst the gray."

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Talks Machina 106: In Love and War" (TM2x57) at 26:10.
  2. "Talks Machina 106: In Love and War" (TM2x57) at 43:53.

Art: