They’ve been using stat blocks relative to D&D just with name changes, so this is like a pop quiz for Matt’s creativity. Making a hybrid like this has the potential to either underpower or overpower Ashton fairly easily. The homebrew community is salivating for that reveal, I betcha.

This is a very good point. Even though I personally wouldn’t have made the choice Ashton made given how clear Matt was, I think it was still a perfectly valid, albeit risky AF choice and not stupid like many people in the Twitch chat were saying. It flows thematically given Ashton’s backstory and now that risk has elevated that to even greater heights. Can you imagine how epic this moment will be once it gets animated?

The story of Campaign 3 is already chock full of characters taking insane risks to ascend to ever higher-levels of power. Now Ashton has had his turn and I think that’s fuckin’ epic.

It was certainly a cool moment. I think the cockiness was what triggered plenty of folks. It was present in the 4-Sided Dive:

00:23:27 Ashley:“I still feel like, I mean, I still am curious if you’re supposed to keep the shards, both of 'em.”
Taliesin:“I think I’m supposed to do whatever I damn well please with it, so…”
01:01:52 Tal:“They have a lot in common. A lot of family trauma. A lot of ego and personal grievance. A lot of un-dealt with emotional issues and a problem maintaining emotional issues. They also tend to think that they are the only adult in the room.”

Then you have this question and somewhat prophetic answer about controversy:

01:41:51 Dani:“Ashton seems to be embracing a designation as a member of the Hishari. What do they think of the cult after learning more about it, particularly from the Ashari and now Evontra’vir?”
Tal:“Well, honestly, I feel like they’re a little biased and they’re ignoring most of the problematic issues with the uh… But, I will say, Im getting excited. I’m just…This was not a path I was expecting Matt to open up in this direction. And I like that it is mired in a lot of controversy.”