"The Hope Devourer" (LVM2x12) is the twelfth and final episode of The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two. As the black dragon Umbrasyl escapes their attempted ambush, Vox Machina pursues him to Gatshadow Mountain. In the fearsome acid-filled tunnels of Umbrasyl’s lair, Vox Machina must make a final stand against the evil dragon.
Plot summary[]
In an idyllic cottage by a waterfall, an aged Scanlan is reading to his grandchildren the tale of Scanlan Shorthalt (with some help from Vox Machina) slaying the dragon Umbrasyl. His daughter Kaylie, mother of the children, serves milk and cookies, but the pages dissolve into a message reading "Wake Up!" and he gradually hears Vax'ildan yelling at him. He comes to in Umbrasyl's belly as the dragon flies toward its lair, Grog trailing behind it clinging to a rope.
Fan art of Vax trusting the Matron of Ravens, by Kaw.[art 2]
On the ground, the rest of Vox Machina watch the dragon escape. Keyleth transforms into a giant eagle and carries Pike and Percy, while Vex'ahlia jumps on her broom, and they fly in pursuit as the dragon does his best to knock Grog loose. Vax starts carving through the dragon from inside as Grog crawls up the rope to its back, hacking with the bloodaxe. A blast of acid knocks him loose but he uses the Titanstone Knuckles before hitting the ground, saving him from death but severely wounding him. Meanwhile, Vax manages to cut through to the dragon's exterior, and as it flies off Scanlan catches them both in Scanlan's Hand. However, the dragon loops back and knocks them out of the air. As they plummet, Vax calls on the Matron of Ravens and surrenders to her power. Wings rise from his back, halting his descent, and he flies after Scanlan, grabbing him just before he hits the ground.
Meanwhile, Pike heals Grog to the extent she can, shortly joined by Vax and Scanlan. Vox Machina together once more, they watch the dragon fly into its lair. Vax urges them to attack now, because Umbrasyl is as wounded as they are. As the others stride forward, Scanlan hangs back, reluctant.
Inside the lair, Thordak's image appears and starts to demand the gold for his Emergence. Annoyed, Umbrasyl destroys the image, ending communications prematurely. He then tells Anna Ripley about the ambush and that Vox Machina are on their way along with more Vestiges. Ripley wants to flee, but Umbrasyl heals himself and prepares for Vox Machina's arrival.
Outside, Vax volunteers to scout the lair and Keyleth reminds him of their safe word "chenga" as he strides inside. Pike asks Scanlan if he's all right, and he admits he doesn't want to let his daughter Kaylie down any more. She tells him that if that's true, then he shouldn't, and nothing worth it is ever easy.
Inside the acid-filled lair, Vax finds the impaled head of Kamaljiori and the invisible dragon reveals himself. As Vax flees, he uses his wings to save himself but is brought down by the dragon. Outside, Pike stays with the wounded Grog while the rest of the party charge into the lair, a reluctant Scanlan in the rear. As Umbrasyl attempts to strip Deathwalker's Ward from an unconscious Vax, they interrupt him, and Vex's keen hearing is able to detect the again-invisible dragon. During the ensuing battle, the party is very much getting the worst of it but Vex is able to rescue her brother. As they flee, Scanlan urges them into a hidden tunnel. Vax regains consciousness as the dragon stalks above, seeking them, and unknown to them Mythcarver reveals to him their location through their vestiges.
Vax rallies the party, telling them they're supposed to be there. Scanlan is defiant, saying the Matron doesn't control his destiny, but Vax tells him he can run from his destiny, or rise to meet it. Scanlan remembers Kaylie telling him he'd have to do a hell of a lot right just as Umbrasyl breaks into their hiding spot. The battle resumes as Vox Machina is knocked around, and Umbrasyl scoops the fallen Fenthras into his grip. Pike appears and attacks along with Grog but the dragon disappears again. From hiding, Scanlan watches, remembering Kaylie's words to him.
Umbrasyl overpowers Grog and seizes the Titanstone Knuckles after the latter's injured leg gives way. With the party injured, exhausted, and cornered, Umbrasyl prepares to finish them off. However, as he gloats over the three more Vestiges they have delivered to him, Scanlan sneaks up from behind and seizes Mythcarver from its scabbard on the beast. Scanlan then stabs the dragon in the eye and unleashes a blast of magic from Mythcarver, killing Umbrasyl. From the shadows, Anna Ripley watches, then flees.
The party drags Scanlan from beneath the dragon's body, and Pike heals him frantically, saying she always knew what he could do, and kissing him. She tells him his daughter would be proud. Scanlan reveals he is conscious and she hugs him. They notice a glow from the tunnel and discover the dragon's hoard, where Scanlan claims a magical key. Vax notices the figure of the Matron watching from a distance and they nod to each other before she disappears.
Percy proposes they head to Whitestone and Keyleth transports them there. They are greeted by Keeper Yennen. At a celebratory meeting that evening, Cassandra toasts the party. Kima points out the three toughest dragons remain, and Yennen says she knows of their leader, Thordak. She tells them to think before they act, and that not all is as it seems. Her form slowly shifts to become partially the green dragon Raishan, as all of the attendees except Vox Machina fall unconscious. Raishan reveals herself as having assumed the appearance of Yennen, and easily stops Vax's dagger attack. She tells them she's their ally, and to stop Thordak, they'll need help. She hates Thordak as much as they do. He is insane, wanting gold not for greed, but for another purpose.
Meanwhile in Emon, Vorugal tells Thordak of Umbrasyl's defeat, and that it won't be long before the Vestige bearers come for the rest of the dragons. Thordak only chuckles, saying a new army awaits them that will soon inherit the world and bring glory to the Chroma Conclave. Hidden in a cavern beneath them are multiple glowing eggs, growing near to hatching.
Credits[]
Cast[]
- Laura Bailey as Vex'ahlia
- Taliesin Jaffe as Percy
- Ashley Johnson as Pike
- Matthew Mercer as Umbrasyl
- Liam O'Brien as Vax'ildan / Vorugal
- Marisha Ray as Keyleth
- Sam Riegel as Scanlan
- Travis Willingham as Grog
- Stephanie Beatriz as Kima
- Esmé Creed-Miles as Cassandra
- Aisling Franciosi as Kaylie
- Kelly Hu as Anna Ripley
- Sunil Malhotra as Gilmore
- Lance Reddick as Thordak
- Kestrel Riegel as Granddaughter
- Maximus Riegel as Grandson
- Cree Summer as Raishan
- Gina Torres as Keeper Yennen
- Indira Varma as Allura
Crew[]
- Written by - Brandon Auman
- Directed by - Eugene Lee
- Producer - Tony Salama
- Co-Producer - Eugene Son
- Art Director - Arthur Loftis
- Editor - Todd Raleigh
Featured characters[]
Quotations[]
- Vax'ildan: (to the Matron of Ravens, while plummeting from the flying Umbrasyl) I'm in your hands, and I am no longer afraid.
- Vax'ildan: (to Scanlan, after the battle) I thought you'd run back there.
Scanlan: I almost did. But then I realized, even if I don't believe in that Matron stuff, you do. And I believe in you. - Thordak: A new army awaits. An army that will soon inherit this world and bring glory to the Chroma Conclave!
Trivia[]
- The title of the book being read by Scanlan to his grandchildren is "The Legend of Scanlan Shorthalt (and Vox Machina)". Scanlan's grandchildren are portrayed by Sam Riegel's actual children Maximus and Kestrel. The text has been translated by a critter to reveal it actually contains part of the text of Kerrek's letter to Keyleth from "Passed Through Fire" (1x69).[1] The inscription on the ring at the bottom of the page has also been translated to reference the phrase "I have passed through fire."[2]
- Matt confirmed that the reason Vex'ahlia could no longer feel the connection with her brother when he went into Gatshadow scouting was the Raven Queen's cutting of the golden thread of fate connecting them in the previous episode.[3]
- Sam pointed out that Keeper Yennen at the final banquet does not have the birthmark on her face that she bears when she appeared in Season One, since it wasn't truly Yennen present.[4]
References[]
- ↑ See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) from 1:59:15 through 2:03:50.
- ↑ See the discussion on Reddit.
- ↑ See The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2, Episodes 10-12 Q&A at 1:07:24. In the Twitch VOD it occurs at 2:45:45 (subscription required).
- ↑ See The Legend of Vox Machina, Season 2: Episodes 10-12 Watch Party at 2:23:27 (subscription required).
Art:
- ↑ Screenshot of Vox Machina, by Titmouse from "The Hope Devourer" (LVM2x12). 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.
- ↑ Fan art of Vax trusting the Matron of Ravens, by Kaw (source). Used with permission.