The Legend of Vox Machina

Ah, home again.

Doty, take this down.

After the catastrophe at Antlers' coronation, Vox Machina...

Are we really trusting some stranger

who just happens to know about the gems our enemies used?

He's all we've got.

At best, he's an idiot.

At worst, he's a brilliant mastermind leading us to our doom.

Tary.

Place your bets.

Pike, lately the Matron has seemed rather ominous.

Well, that sounds like her.

Have you received any visions or, or signs from the Everlight?

We... w-we don't really have that sort of relationship.

Voilà!

We've arrived!

Papa, thine baby boy hath returned.

As I live and breathe.

Ah!

- The Vox Machina. - Huh?

In my humble cottage?

Howaardt Darrington, at your service.

And...?

Oh, and you.

What a shock.

Quelle surprise.

How on earth did Taryon lure such esteemed guests to my doorstep?

Money?

And funny, too.

Tary, you could learn a thing from these folks.

Uh, speaking of which, where are your manners, boy?

Oh, right, introductions.

Uh, Antlers, Little Elf Boy, Little Elf Girl, Greg, Spike, and--

Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III.

Which one of us is Greg?

I'm sorry, have we met?

Not yet, but I've always respected the De Rolo family.

Actually, I was on the verge of a trade deal with your parents

at the time of their passing.

- Such a shame. - Uh... Papa,

I-I bear news of the brigands you sent me to dispatch.

Let me guess, you lost my gems.

It's fine, brigands are tough.

No one expected you to succeed.

Speaking of gems, we've come here to ask about a specific--

Ah! Before any business, you simply must have a proper tour.

Vox Machina in my estate.

I guess Tary didn't totally muck things up.

That's a first.

Isn't he a card?

- Mm. - Mm-hmm.

Oh, uh, Papa, do wait.

Over there, the anchor of a Lucidian shipwreck.

A scepter plundered from the ruins of a Wildmother temple.

And to the right, a sacred burial urn created during the Age of Arcanum.

This inscription.

It's an Earth Ashari stone shaping tablet.

They've been looking for these for decades.

- How did you-- - So that's what it is.

Fascinating.

Bought it off some pirates.

Cleeves, update the plaque.

The history of Exandria is rich, is it not?

Even richer if you don't loot it.

That amulet.

Where'd you get that?

Black market.

It's some voodoo fertility charm.

Rather boring next to my most recent acquisition,

which I keep in my private office.

Come in, come in, and behold...

the skull of Umbrasyl.

Must. Smash!

The Chroma Conclave may have been destructive,

but it was great for business.

They wiped out half of my competitors.

Yay.

The Protectors of the Realm,

saving the world and my bottom line.

Though I'd love to add a new rare export to my portfolio.

Maybe some quality whitestone residuum, hmm?

We're here to talk about this.

Shadowstone.

Some very bad people used it to hurt my father.

We just want to know where it comes from.

My dear, I'm sorry for the pain it's caused you,

but I'm drawing a blank on this "shadow-whatsit."

Uh, actually, Papa,

I believe you discovered it in one of the northern dig sites, yes?

Right. Of course you'd obsess over the most useless mineral I ever mined.

We sealed that site years ago.

Apologies I couldn't be of more help.

Uh, Cleeves, set the dining room for a customary nine-course meal,

though maybe just a salad for this chubby chap.

Honestly, boy, at least try to look respectable in front of guests.

I'll alert the kitchen staff, sir.

Tary.

I can smell a conniving dickwad, even through expensive cologne.

Right? I told you the Darringtons are shady.

We need to get back into that crusty prick's office.

Sounds like a stealth job. Sister?

Gosh, you know,

we are ever so tired from our journey.

- No appetite whatsoever. - What?

Speak for yourself. I'm starvin'.

Oof. Hey.

Ugh, oh, I understand.

Uh, perhaps tomorrow.

Uh, Cleeves, show them to their rooms.

And make sure no one disturbs me in my office.

It'll be a long one.

Oh, uh, you know what?

Before you hit the books,

perhaps you and I could discuss our business elsewhere?

Fancy a nightcap?

- I'll open the good stuff. - Nightcap?

No, thanks. Not a hat guy.

No, Grog, that means late-night booze.

Uh, wha... what? Late-night booze?

Then by all means, lead the way.

Greg.

As you can see,

we have the tightest security in all the Dwendalian Empire,

so rest easy knowing you're well-protected.

Well-watched, you mean.

Cleeves doesn't jest.

Darrington doors do not budge, I assure you.

Whenever we'd have visitors, Papa would lock me in my room

for days and days.

You know, in case they had some sort of ill intent.

Isn't it inspiring when a father protects those he loves?

Tary.

Isn't it past your bedtime?

Uh, yes.

Tary.

Anyway, your rooms are right this...

Wait, where are the half-elves?

Oh, Keyleth, what the fuck?

Huh, your wa-water, your water broke, Pike.

And your baby...

Oh, my God, it's time.

What?

Oh, oh, yes. Right.

Ow, I am super-duper pregnant.

Ah-ow!

Okay, just breathe.

Whoa, it's so close, it's right there!

Push. Pike, push!

Uh, no! Uh, don't push. Not yet.

Uh, I-I'll be back.

Okay, next time give yourself the soggy cooch.

I had to make a choice.

Good night,

sleep tight,

don't let the rust mites bite.

Hmm.

Damn Darrington contraptions.

Nothing. Just ledger after ledger of stolen shipments.

- Tedious. - Yeah, maybe too tedious.

Ha, gotcha.

- What does it say? - Oh, just that

the stolen shipments contained shadowstone.

Halt, intruders,

or feel the sting of...

What... what are you doing here?

If Papa catches you, oh, you will get quite the spanking.

But, uh, but he said he didn't know about shadowstone.

That old mine? According to this, it's open.

And not far away.

Mm, uh, he...

Oh, but... that doesn't mean he's guilty of anything.

At least not yet.

And if you come with us to the mine, we can rule him out.

"Clear an innocent man" is on my adventure list.

I'm guessing "Prove yourself to your father" is, too?

Yes. This is my chance.

My chance to show him how bold, how brave, how fearless...

he already knows I am.

Milord, there's an impending birth on the premises.

Milord?

I saw the lanterns on and assumed you were still

hard at work?

Sir?

It appears we have some guests that require attention.

We were right.

Tary's dad has been shipping shad...

What-what... what's with your pants?

- Don't ask. - Don't ask.

Uh, why is he here?

The little elf twins suspect my father is being hypnotized by rogue competitors.

Oh, boy, we're doing this now?

Yes, Pike. Luckily, Taryon is going to escort us to the mine

to clear his papa's name.

Wow, you guys really are heroes.

I have never felt so supported in my life.

More support! Much more support, birdman, please!

So this egghead says, "Sir, if you keep boring here,

the whole mine will cave in," and I fire back,

"I may be boring, but you're downright dull."

Then, a week later, the whole thing collapsed and killed several people.