"Echo Tree" (LVM2x08) is the eighth episode of The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two. In the Fey Realm, Vox Machina unexpectedly discovers the city of Syngorn and meets Vax and Vex’s father. After the emotional encounter, Vox Machina journeys deeper into the Fey Realm, searching for the next Vestige of Divergence – the Fenthras Bow. To acquire it, they must confront an ancient and powerful archfey. Meanwhile back in Tal'Dorei, Scanlan and Pike attempt to nurse Grog back to health.
Plot summary[]
The party quietly enters Syngorn, which is filled with elves going about their normal lives. They manage to evade the numerous patrolling guards, guided by Garmelie, but are eventually confronted and halted. Vex'ahlia tells them they seek an audience with Ambassador Vessar, and Vax'ildan adds that they're his children.
They are taken to his home. During the wait, Vex anxiously asks Percival if she looks like she comes from nobility, and he reassures her. They are greeted by Devana Vessar, Syldor's wife, who is surprised to see them but introduces their young sister, Velora. Vax and Vex are also surprised, but quickly warm to the child and Vex gives her the feather from her hair. However, when Syldor enters he is cold and scathing.
Meanwhile, Pike and Scanlan have dragged the prone Grog to the cozy cottage they have finally reached, where Pike knocks. When Pike identifies who is there, Wilhand Trickfoot (her great-great-grandfather) opens the door and hugs her joyously. She introduces Scanlan. Wilhand is horrified at Grog's appearance and brings them inside.
Screenshot of Vax'ildan and Syldor, by Titmouse from "Echo Tree" (LVM2x08).[art 2]
In Syngorn, Syldor explains to the party that the city was transported to the Fey Realm when Emon fell, and they are preparing to fight the invading dragons. Percival tells him the party is also fighting the dragons and are seeking Fenthras in the Shademurk Bog. Syldor is unimpressed, calling it "a fleeting rumor". When he starts belittling the twins, Percival intervenes, telling Syldor he should be proud of his children who are leading the fight against the Chroma Conclave. Syldor scoffs disbelievingly, saying that the idea of the twins standing up for the greater good is rich and pointing out the burden their arrival places on his family. Vax loses his temper, but Vex interrupts, apologizes, and asks for any aid he can grant them.
Meanwhile, Wilhand prepares a very large and shaggy "pill" for Grog. Grog doesn't think he can swallow it, and Wilhand assures him it doesn't go down the "frontside flapper trap". Scanlan takes it, since he knows how to work both ends, and painfully shoves the pill where it needs to go.
In Syngorn, Vex and Vax bid farewell to Velora. Syldor gives a safe passage to Percy, which will get them through the city itself. Taking it and reading, Percy tells him he'll need to amend one name — it's Lady Vex'ahlia, Baroness of the Third House of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt. Syldor, however, calls the title meaningless and tells Percy the ploy is beneath his dignity. Vex loses her temper, telling him they won't fail, which is more than she can say about him as a father. Syldor responds that if they show him Fenthras, he'll give them the welcome they think they deserve.
Outside the city they are rejoined by Garmelie. Privately, Percy apologizes to Vex for springing the title on her, but she is actually pleased. No one other than her brother has ever stood up for her before. After their childhood with their mother, Syldor had them brought to live with him and she never understood why since he clearly didn't love them. Percy gives her a gift: a mechanical arrowhead with expanding prongs. The group continues traveling until they reach a shadowy area, where Keyleth can sense sadness and longing. They begin hearing whispers, which Garmelie frantically urges them not to listen to because it is a cursed Archfey named Saundor whose sadness can overwhelm a person. As they walk on, the voice singles out Vex'ahlia.
In Wilhand's cottage, Grog is still weak and withered, although the medicine got rid of his corruption. For his strength to return, his body will need some significant stimulation to awaken the muscles.
Within the Shademurk Bog, the group reaches an immense tree, and the whispers in Vex'ahlia's mind grow stronger. She moves forward easily crossing the muck which impedes the others following her. Saundor shows her memories of her childhood, saying he understands her pain. The tree opens, and she walks through the gate as the others frantically call to her and the portal shuts behind her. Garmelie disappears, saying they won't see him again.
Within the tree, Saundor approaches Vex, as the others break through the barrier but are imprisoned in grasping vines. Saundor tells Vex again he understands her and knows everything about her. He extends a hand and she hesitantly places her own within it. As she does, her eyes blacken and she is lost in altered memories of her childhood, with the rejecting Syldor's face replaced by that of Saundor, happily accepting her love. Saundor tells her Syldor's love is not what she needs, and shows her the bow Fenthras, the Vestige of Divergence she seeks. He could give it to her if she gives him what she longs to give, and he could fix her. All he needs from her is her heart. Vex comes to herself and shoves him away, saying, "My heart is someone else's," as she hits him. She walks away, saying he could never give her what she needs. Saundor attacks and they battle as the rest of the party finally struggles free of their vines, but they are blocked by tree creatures. After Vax and Percy distract them, Keyleth is able to transform into a flaming fire elemental and destroy them easily.
Screenshot of Vex'ahlia and Saundor, by Titmouse from "Echo Tree" (LVM2x08).[art 3]
Within the tree, however, Vex and Saundor's battle is continuing and she is on the verge of defeat, her bow broken and her body held aloft by vines as Saundor confronts her face-to-face. She clandestinely pulls out the arrowhead gifted to her by Percy and thrusts it into his heart. Saundor collapses into a puddle of goo and Vex retrieves Fenthras, which glows in her hands.
As the party leaves the tree, Vex admits she's not ready to confront her father again. Garmelie reappears, chortling at the show they've provided him. He says they're going home, and with a snap of his fingers opens a portal between the planes, back to Tal'Dorei. They've entertained him the most he's been in millennia. The party runs through it, and alone, Garmelie transforms into the archfey Artagan and bids them safe travels.
Back at Wilhand's cottage, he urges Grog to rage, but Grog is too weak. They decide to set off for Westruun, in search of the gauntlets Scanlan saw in his vision of the Vestiges. Grog knows who has them: Kevdak, his uncle, who killed Grog with them.
Credits[]
Cast[]
- Laura Bailey as Vex'ahlia
- Taliesin Jaffe as Percy
- Ashley Johnson as Pike
- Matthew Mercer as Artagan / Syngorn Guard
- Liam O'Brien as Vax'ildan
- Marisha Ray as Keyleth
- Sam Riegel as Scanlan
- Travis Willingham as Grog
Crew[]
- Written by - May Chan
- Directed by - Alicia Chan
- Producer - Tony Salama
- Co-Producer - Eugene Son
- Art Director - Arthur Loftis
- Editor - Todd Raleigh
Featured characters[]
New
Returning
Mentioned
Quotations[]
- Syldor: This decree promises safe passage, but once you leave our walls, you're on your own.
Percy: Hmm. You'll need to amend one name, though. It's Lady Vex'ahlia.
Syldor: “Lady"?
Percy: Lady Vex'ahlia, Baroness of the Third House of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt. So, good sir, despite your relationship, do watch your manners towards a noble. - Vex: Be honest. Do I look like I come from nobility?
Percy: It's easy to act noble. Just be a bit of a shit and wear what everyone else is wearing. I've known many people with money and titles, and they are definitely not worth you. - Saundor: Sweet, broken Vex'ahlia. Unwanted daughter. I understand you. [...] Being abandoned by love can be liberating. You've been the good daughter. You've tried. But it will never be enough. You will never be enough.
Vex: If I could pull the blood of him from my veins and give it back, I would. - Saundor: I can fix you. Make you whole again. And all I need from you... is your heart.
Vex'ahlia: My heart is someone else's. - Artagan: Travel safe, friends. Stay alive.
Trivia[]
Screenshot of Keyleth and a fey bird, by Titmouse from "Echo Tree" (LVM2x08).[art 4]
- The events of this episode concerning the quest for Fenthras are mostly drawn from "The Feywild" (1x59) through "The Echo Tree" (1x63) of Campaign One.
- Sam Riegel revealed that in this episode recordings of Dagon (Matt and Marisha's late conure) were used for the sounds in the Fey Realm.
- One type of fey bird featured in the episode has actually a similar coloration to Dagon's. Matt later confirmed that the final design for those fey birds was, indeed, based on Dagon, and that decision was made while the real pet was still alive, but after some time Matt and Marisha forgot about that detail, Dagon passed away, and when they finally watched the episode in which one of those fey birds was killed by a plant, it was a strange (although ultimately fun) experience.[1]
- Travis explained that when he recorded the fight reactions and Grog's rage screams from his closet he startled his son Ronin, who asked him if everything was okay.[2]
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Screenshot of Wilhand Trickfoot, Scanlan Shorthalt and Pike Trickfoot, by Titmouse from "Echo Tree" (LVM2x08). 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.
- ↑ Screenshot of Vax'ildan and Syldor, by Titmouse from "Echo Tree" (LVM2x08). 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.
- ↑ Screenshot of Vex'ahlia and Saundor, by Titmouse from "Echo Tree" (LVM2x08). 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.
- ↑ Screenshot of Keyleth and a fey bird, by Titmouse from "Echo Tree" (LVM2x08). 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.