The Dark Lessons of Grog: Understanding Abusive Relationships through Critical Role's Vox Machina

Join psychotherapist Georgia Dow as she delves into the world of Critical Role's Vox Machina and examines the parallel between Grog's addiction to the evilly aligned sword Craven Edge and the dynamics of abusive relationships. This video sheds light on the warning signs of abuse and the ways in which we can protect ourselves and those around us. Discover the powerful lessons that Grog's story can teach us about the dangers of toxic relationships and the importance of self-care.

#thelegendofvoxmachina #grog #psychology

🚨 DISCLAIMER: This video series is provided for informational purposes only and should not substitute for a personal consultation with a professional.

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[timothyflynn]

And this only covers his relationship with Craven Edge, I imagine his time spent with the Herd of Storms and the abuse from his Uncle Kevdak would deserve it’s own video!

[ld]

Finally a therapist specializing in weapon-wielder relationships!

[mgormley]

Grog and pike is the purest relationship, best buddies.
Addiction is an apt metaphor, in the original stream the sword kept him from sleeping and he didn't even notice it was obviously stealing his soul until after they got rid of it. He tried really hard to hold onto it because he thought he needed it to fight his uncle, one of my favorite Grog quotes that got cut was him telling Pike he didn't care how he died, so long as it was a beautiful death. But not to Kevdak, not him. Grog needed the sword to win, he didn't think he could on his own

[sodasaintcommentaries]

For Grog, I think the moment where he impales Pike was ABSOLUTELY needed for him to fully find the strength of will to toss the sword away; Grog isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, so spelling something out to him might sometimes require doing so in the most direct way possible. This horrifying moment not only made his biggest fears a reality, it made Grog realize two things: the very real danger that Craven Edge had to him and his comrades, and what Earthbreaker Groon meant about Craven Edge being "a reliance that proves your frailty". Grog had to do some serious character growth.

[jessicajayes]

I love how Grog gets over this addiction. He finds the strength with his friends.




Love the nails. Cat's Eye? Most places charge extra for those. Mine doesn't and I love Cat's Eye!

[benehrmantraut]

I was in an abusive relationship. I have forgiven myself and I continue to grow and heal. I'm in a great, better spot. I'm hopeful for my future. 🤗☺️

[majorzipf]

I really hope Travis sees this. Brilliant cosplay. The Pike and Grog dynamic is one of the very best things in this show and the original campaign. And I love the way you expand on it and highlight why it’s so good.

[Riku-zvdk]

As someone who battled addiction in the past, Craven Edge reminds me of the part of my head that wanted to give in to desire. When you're addicted to something, it's scary how you can feel in control but aren't, it's like a cognitive dissonance where everyone else is voicing your doubts, you feel fine therefore you must be fine, and everyone else is wrong even if there is a nagging doubt in your head. I was unfortunate to become addicted to benzodiazepine, something I got to help treat some sleep issues, and before I realised it, I was addicted to it.

[SURok]

Craven Edge: Sentient weapon that' literally mindcontrol Grog.

Georgia: Dispells it with Intelligence (Psychology) check.

[crazyjackal]

That start 🤣
Interesting, I never thought of Craven Edge as an abusive relationship as I followed the tabletop campaign and saw it as an evil item that granted him power at a cost. However, seeing how LoVM presented it in the animation and how you analyzed it, you definitely see it and it always was.

[cynthiameyers]

I loved how you tried to stifle a sneeze at the beginning. 😁 Great costume and analysis as always!

[liamwhite]

I do miss that the rest of the party, particularly Percy, wasn't around to see off Craven Edge like in the actual play. The confrontation between the two of them was an auditory spectacle.

[chuckb]

That is a great beard. Pike and Grogs relationship is one of the best. Grog choosing his love for his friends put a smile on my face.

Wonderful analysis as alway. Have a great day.

[miafiolekova]

Oh i love how u hit the nail on the head with the abusive realtions and addiction that Craven Edge gave to Grog. But i dont know if he didnt know its an evil weapon, i think its more that he is a simple dude, he didnt understand what it could mean for him when he used it. It was weiled by a vampire and both Gilmore and Earthbreaker Groon told him its a dark weapon, so he was warned, but with his inteligence, he didnt connect the dots until it was too late.

And Craven Edge took not just Grogs strength. Grog is not the smartest, wisest. He does not have charm. All he had was brute force. So every time he faced a problem he used force to deal with it. Strength is his identity and thats what he lost. Like Grog said this is worse then death.

And just on a fun side not, in the campaign, Craven Edge a actualy killed Grog. Pike had to resurect him and then break the swords hold on Grogs soul. And since u cant just break magical items that easy they disposed of Craven Edge in a pocked dimension.

[RBLeMoyne]

Fantastic video! Grog and Craven Edge make the best worst pairing, and how he dealt with it in LoVM had so much more meaning than what they did in the actual play, imo. Like you said, he's now closer to figuring out the point that Earthbreaker Groon was trying to make, that the sword isn't what makes Grog strong. Also, the beard was a wonderful touch. :D

[Grim_Sister]

Grog is basically a giant kid in the body of a half giant. He’s intelligence was chosen to be low by his player, Travis Willingham, mostly because this was Travis’ first DnD game and he wanted to make sure he didn’t get too much in the way.
Craven Edge actually had a few full conversations with Grog. And they’re pretty hilarious.
Mostly because this is a cursed artifact telling Grog to do bad things, and Grog, being a sweetheart, doesn’t always listen

[wtimmins]

I adore your ability to meaningfully talk about issues that parallel 'weird' fictional constructs, like intelligent weapons with Ego scores.

Also, your commitment to cosplay. HA.

[gameghost]

Grog’s heart is big that he wants to protect the one’s he love even if it means using dark power he is truly charming

Also:love the beard

[benjaminlindemuth]

9:40 - “Where do you find your strength?” I love that you mentioned this even before the final three episodes!

[TenebrousFilms]

The conversation with Craven Edge happens almost exactly as it did in the stream (Scanlan included), except it happened in a Whitestone outhouse. Twas a tad crampt.

For the record, the effects of Craven Edge wear off after a short rest, and it *can* get full... but if it does, there's a chance it will kill its wielder the next time they try to use it. Grog had avoided resting for the sake of maxing it out, so he was exhausted when Cravy tried to eat him. Travis rolled a natural twenty for his saving throw, then realised it should be at disadvantage because of the exhaustion... and proceeded to roll a natural one. I can understand why they skipped his death in the accelerated timeline of the show, but now I expect he'll Hulk back out when he understands where his strength comes from, which is a bit... on the nose?

One night, Vax got Grog really drunk, then shaved off *half* the beard as he slept. In the morning, Grog tried to fill it in by smearing charcoal across his face. Would half the beard have been easier?