The Legend of Vox Machina’s second season has wrapped up, with an excellent struggle and a cliffhanger that can have followers eagerly awaiting season 3. Threaded by way of the season had been a number of appearances by a somewhat unlikely Important 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 among 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 practically kills her on sight for the position she performed in his household’s demise and the torture she inflicted on him below 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 looking 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 way of 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 a very good 30 or so episodes earlier than she makes a reappearance. Tying her story to that of the Chroma Conclave has fascinating implications for simply how a lot she’ll characteristic in season 3.
“Ripley and her story finally turn out to be way more vital, as she reenters the world of Vox Machina in the principle marketing campaign,” Mercer advised Polygon in our current roundtable interview with the Important Function forged. “So, a part of this dialogue [was] weave these two beforehand unrelated narratives collectively, in a method that is smart however doesn’t detract from the narrative of each tales.”
“She has must-have moments for the present, so we’ve got to justify why a lot is being sliced out — we additionally must justify these must-moments we’ve got later,” Liam O’Brien added.
“Plus, it additionally makes for enjoyable elements of retaining our long-standing Critters on their toes,” Mercer mentioned. “When small adjustments 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 can reside throughout the canon of The Legend of Vox Machina. Marieke Nijkamp, creator of the Kith & Kin Vox Machina companion novel, will carry 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 may learn a preview from Darkish Horse Comics now.
