The Legend of Vox Machina’s second season has wrapped up, with a wonderful struggle and a cliffhanger that may have followers eagerly awaiting season 3. Threaded by the season had been a number of appearances by a quite unlikely Vital Function villain, who performed a serious position in Percy’s backstory and confrontation with the Briarwoods in season 1.
[Ed. note: This article contains spoilers for season 2 of The Legend of Vox Machina.]
Dr. Anna Ripley, inventor and former follower of the Briarwoods, is likely one of the few free threads from Percy’s previous. She’s performed by Matthew Mercer within the actual-play collection, and Kelly Hu (X2) within the animated collection. Within the first season, Ripley is found in Whitestone, and Percy almost kills her on sight for the position she performed in his household’s demise and the torture she inflicted on him underneath the Briarwoods’ rule.
Ripley escapes Vox Machina earlier than they struggle the Briarwoods within the first season, however in season 2 she begins to resurface. Like Percy, Ripley has a fascination with firearms; earlier than she leaves within the first season, she spends time questioning Percy about his weapons. Whereas Percy is searching for black powder, the service provider who sells it informs him that another person bought black powder that week — somebody with one hand. Percy realizes that Ripley continues to be on the transfer, however finally ends up concealing it from his buddies.
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Picture: Prime Video
Later, Ripley reappears alongside Umbrasyl, who she approaches about gathering Vestiges. Vox Machina by no means will get an opportunity to confront her, however she’s threaded by the narrative, and even observes the ultimate struggle of the season earlier than she escapes (once more). It’s a departure from the precise play — after the Briarwood arc, Ripley disappears for an excellent 30 or so episodes earlier than she makes a reappearance. Tying her story to that of the Chroma Conclave has attention-grabbing implications for simply how a lot she’ll function in season 3.
“Ripley and her story ultimately turn into far more necessary, as she reenters the world of Vox Machina in the primary marketing campaign,” Mercer informed Polygon in our current roundtable interview with the Vital Function solid. “So, a part of this dialogue [was] tips on how to weave these two beforehand unrelated narratives collectively, in a means that is sensible however doesn’t detract from the narrative of each tales.”
“She has must-have moments for the present, so now we have to justify why a lot is being sliced out — we additionally need to justify these must-moments now we have later,” Liam O’Brien added.
“Plus, it additionally makes for enjoyable elements of maintaining our long-standing Critters on their toes,” Mercer mentioned. “When small modifications like that blend up their expectations.”
Not solely will Ripley return to the animated collection, she’s additionally getting her personal graphic novel, The Legend of Vox Machina: Whitestone Chronicles – Ripley, set for 2024, that may reside inside the canon of The Legend of Vox Machina. Marieke Nijkamp, writer of the Kith & Kin Vox Machina companion novel, will deliver the devious physician to life alongside artist Tyler Walpole. The novel will chart Ripley’s years in Whitestone with the Briarwoods, earlier than her imprisonment. You’ll be able to learn a preview from Darkish Horse Comics now.
