Summary
“The Trials of Vasselheim” clumsily moves the plot forwards, yet it doesn’t provide any real character development in the meantime. The jokes are lacking and there is very little tension in this installment. That been said, the introduction of Osysa makes for an intriguing addition to the cast.
We recap the Prime Video series The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 Episode 2, “The Trials of Vasselheim,” which contains spoilers.
The Vox Machina gang are up against their greatest rivals yet, a group of four deadly dragons known as the Chroma Conclave (fancy name, right?). Having survived their first battle with the dragons, they head to a new city in the hopes of gaining some fresh support, where they can amass an army to fight these deadly foes. Season 2 Episode 2 focuses on their misadventures in the heavily guarded city, while Grog (voiced by Travis Willingham) gets side-tracked and finds himself battling an entirely different enemy.
The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 Episode 2 Recap
Our dysfunctional gang exit Keyleth’s portal, led by the cocksure Scanlan. He quickly notices that this specific portal has left them dangling off a cliff’s edge. The whole group rolls out of the portal and begin to free-fall to their doom. Keyleth uses her powers to transform into a giant eagle and swoops in to save most of the gang, whilst Scanlan utilizes his own magical powers to provide a rather unique soft landing for the rest. They stand at the mountain’s edge and behold the glorious city of Vasselheim, nestled within a mountain range. Pike reiterates that this is their only chance.
At the gates, Percy demonstrates his negotiating skills, hoping to secure swift entry into the city. But he doesn’t receive the hero’s welcome he was after or any special treatment at all. They are ordered to head for the Platinum Sanctuary on their own. As they navigate through bustling streets, the locals repeatedly wish them a ‘good day’. Scanlan quips that there aren’t any brothels here, but plenty of temples instead. Percy wishes to lead the negotiations at the Sanctuary, although Pike steps up to the plate this time.
They request an audience with the city’s finest and speak with Highbearer Vard. She uses the city’s magic to summon a vision, which shows her the dragon’s attack. Pike begs for some assistance in battling these deadly beasts, but Vard refuses to help. She explains that this city has thrived for millennia because they keep out of these sorts of wars. One of Highbearer Vard’s underlings suggests in private that the Vox Machina meet with the Slayer’s Take, a guild of specialist hunters. His final parting gift, he recommends that they ask to speak to their Patron.
Elf twins Vex and Vax are loathed to meet with the Slayer’s Take but have no other option. It becomes apparent early on why the twins didn’t want anything to do with this guild. Their wanted posters line the walls, along with trophies of the Slayer’s Take’s many exotic kills. The gang is soon surrounded and a fight is very much on the cards. The twins stole from the guild and are about to face the consequences of their actions in brutal fashion. Pike asks Grog to defend them, although the muscular warrior is nowhere to be found.
Grog is elsewhere, having been manipulated by the dark sword (Craven Edge) into taking a different route. He visits a pub for some grub and then drifts over to an eerie temple. Here, he meets with Earthbreaker Groon, a monk soldier of the Storm Lord’s Ring. Grog asks for the warrior’s help in fighting the dragons, but Earthbreaker has other ideas. He tests the goliath barbarian’s fighting skills and easily defeats him. Earthbreaker calls him weak and frail, then asks where Grog’s true strength lies. Grog is unsure and takes quite the beating.
Back at the Slayer’s Take’s stronghold, things are heating up. Vex tries to talk her way out of a skirmish, promising untold wealth if they help them to defeat the dragons. The hunters aren’t interested though and prepare for battle. A booming voice interrupts this brawl though and the Vox Machina are dropped into a chamber hidden below their feet. The Patron reveals themselves in their lair. Osysa is a giant sphinx, with unparalleled powers. It’s a great character design, reminiscent of Death (voiced by Tilda Swinton) in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Ending Explained
Grog’s battle and the Vox Machina’s encounter with Osysa inter-cut. All the Vox Machina members are analyzed and picked apart by their foes. The enemies focus on their weaknesses, inferring that they are all unprepared for battle. They are all paralyzed by their fears instead. Osysa orders them to leave, having wasted her time. Although Pike fights back, not taking no for an answer. Realizing the sacrifices that they are willing to make, Osysa has a change of heart. She talks about supernatural vestiges that the group must find in order to defeat the Chroma Conclave. Osysa tells them of the location of the first vestige, and the gang exits the sphinx’s lair unharmed.
The Slayer’s Take are astounded to find the Vox Machina alive and well. They are even more perplexed to hear that Osysa has offered them a job. Pike comments on how they didn’t get what they expected in Vasselheim. They aren’t returning with an army, but they are now inspired to fight no matter what, with a clear goal in mind. Grog reunites with his friends, explaining how he was just beaten up by an old man. The episode concludes with Percy visiting a black powder dealer. The wacky owner mentions a one-handed woman using the store earlier this week. Percy realizes that one of his enemies, Ripley, is close by.
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