"A Test of Pride" (LVM2x09) is the ninth episode of The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two. Knowing that the Titanstone Knuckles are in the city of Westruun, Pike and Scanlan come up with a plan to get them from their current owner, Grog’s uncle, Kevdak. But Grog, weakened by Craven Edge's curse and haunted by his last encounter with his uncle, questions whether he is strong enough of mind, or body, to confront Kevdak.
Plot summary[]
In a small rural village, normal life is going on as ominous invaders approach. The group of marauding Goliaths immediately kill a child and wipe out the rest of the villagers, setting the homes afire. A young Grog is part of the invading Herd of Storms, and his ferocity is heralded by his uncle Kevdak.
Back in the present in Westruun, Grog, Pike, and Scanlan are spying from their hiding place in an attic of the semi-deserted city. Scanlan is sure this town is the place he saw in his vision of the location of another Vestige of Divergence, with the Titanstone Knuckles worn by Kevdak. They watch as members of the Herd of Storms kill a resident, and Grog stops Pike from rushing to stop it, explaining that the Herd is extremely powerful. Grog is very reluctant to confront the Herd, prevaricating that he doesn't want them to see him in his weakened state.
Scanlan asks Pike if she'd be impressed if he singlehandedly retrieved the Vestige, and she responds it would be the bravest thing she's ever seen him do. Scanlan assumes his red revolutionary beret, Polymorphs into a dragonfly, and flies off. While he's gone, Grog shares his past with Pike: He was a vicious, bloodthirsty member of the Herd until the day he was about to kill Wilhand Trickfoot but suddenly realized Wilhand had a family and hesitated.
Dragonfly-Scanlan is scouting the ruined and deserted town and finds members of the Herd discussing the growing scarcity of gold. Zanror believes someone needs to stand up to his father, Kevdak. Suddenly, Scanlan loses his dragonfly form and transforms back into himself. He manages to run away and hide in a cellar, where he finds a dagger held to his neck by a young female gnome, part of a group of civilians who are hiding and trying to escape the city. Scanlan introduces himself and the young gnome recognizes his name.
Meanwhile Grog explains to Pike that when he encountered Wilhand, everything changed. His cousin Zanror, Kevdak's son, found them and started to kill Wilhand himself when Grog stopped him. Grog tried to get Wilhand to safety, leading him out of town, but was interrupted by Kevdak, alerted by Zanror to what was happening. As the Goliaths fought, Wilhand ran away, and while wearing the Knuckles Kevdak beat Grog viciously, banishing him from the Herd and leaving him for dead. He was found by Wilhand and Pike, who healed him, saving his life. However, Grog was convinced he was weak and a coward. He now feels deep shame for his actions as a herd member.
In the cellar of refugees, Scanlan learns Kaylie and some of the others present are members of Dr. Dranzel's Spectacular Traveling Troupe of musicians, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. They've all heard of Scanlan's magical music. Kaylie demands Scanlan help them escape the city immediately. Outside, they hear the return of the dragon Umbrasyl (with Anna Ripley on his back), demanding Kevdak show himself and pay his tithe. Anna points out the offerings continue to shrink, but the Vestige Kevdak wears is worth more. Kevdak humbly agrees to find more gold for the displeased dragon, who flies off, promising to return in three days for more gold. Zanror confronts Kevdak, saying they're no more than servants to the dragon, but Kevdak believes the alliance allows them a city to rule. Zanror believes he would be a better ruler than his father and attacks, but Kevdak beats him easily with the knuckles.
Pike and Grog have seen the encounter from their hiding place, and Pike decides they must find Scanlan. She plays dead, covered in pig's blood, and Grog carries her limp form to the other Goliaths, saying she stole from Kevdak and he hunted her down. They allow him to pass and search for Scanlan.
Meanwhile, Scanlan reluctantly agrees to help the group in hiding to escape. As they sneak through the city, he uses Kaylie's borrowed flute to summon distracting illusions and to attack and disable the guards they encounter. Eventually, they run into Grog, and as they hug Scanlan notices Grog's strength seems to be returning. They discover Kevdak is gathering the Herd in the city center, but when Grog extends his hand to help the townsfolk they shrink from him. In shame, Grog announces he's not leaving town with the others. As the refugees flee, Grog tells Pike and Scanlan someone has to take down the Herd. He intends to defeat Kevdak, alone, to stand up for the little folk.
In the town square, Kevdak is addressing the Herd, telling them that if his power is challenged, the challenge will be answered, even if it's his own son. He has Zanror brought out, in chains, and throws him down into the square. Kevdak demands that anyone who believes they are more fit to lead step forward. In the silence, from the edge of the crowd, Grog shouts out Kevdak's name.
Credits[]
Cast[]
- Laura Bailey as Vex'ahlia
- Taliesin Jaffe as Percy
- Ashley Johnson as Pike
- Matthew Mercer as Dr. Dranzel, Herd of Storms guard, Umbrasyl
- Liam O'Brien as Vax'ildan
- Marisha Ray as Keyleth
- Sam Riegel as Scanlan
- Travis Willingham as Grog
- Christopher Sabat as Farmer
- Aisling Franciosi as Kaylie
- Julie Rei Goldstein as additional voices
- Kelly Hu as Anna Ripley
- Ralph Ineson as Kevdak
- Abubakar Salim as Zanror
- Fred Tatasciore as additional voices
- Henry Winkler as Wilhand Trickfoot
Crew[]
- Written by - Sam Riegel and Travis Willingham
- Directed by - Eugene Lee
- Producer - Tony Salama
- Co-Producer - Eugene Son
- Art Director - Arthur Loftis
- Editor - Todd Raleigh
Featured characters[]
New
- Dr. Dranzel's Spectacular Traveling Troupe
- Kaylie
- Dr. Dranzel
- Kent Plucker (unidentified)
- Zedd (unidentified)
- Samson (unidentified)
Returning
Quotations[]
- Grog: Hitting hard and being big don't make you strong. It's standing up for the little folk. That's what makes me different from them.
Trivia[]
- To date, this is the only episode of The Legend of Vox Machina where Vax'ildan, Vex'ahlia, Percival de Rolo, Trinket, and Keyleth do not appear.
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Screenshot of Scanlan Shorthalt and Kaylie, by Titmouse from "A Test of Pride" (LVM2x09). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.