#essek's mantle

[cabalrive]

Inspired by that one scene in episode 79 and the lamentable waste of expensive chalk.

#essek thelyss #CabalRiveArt #I’m on a mission to draw him in a different mantle every time.

[ariadne-mouse]

for the drawing prompt the first two word that popped into my brain: Donut Essek

As you wish.

#thank you for the prompt! #essek thelyss #yes I'm maintagging this because my heart is full of chaos #his mantle is half a cupcake paper #ariadne draws CR #asks

[drawsmaddy]

[ID: A digital illustration of Essek Thelyss from Critical Role. He is visible from the back, with his head turned to the right so his face is in profile. He is wearing a silver mantle and a purple and silver cloak. His expression is neutral as he looks off to the right. Behind him is a pale pink background with some pale blue sparkles. End description.]

The Shadowhand 🤍

#essek thelyss #my art #critical role #critical role fanart #the mighty nein

[analisegrey]

“I fear this will take a few minutes more for me to get out of all this,” Essek says, gesturing to himself as he stands again. “Formal wear here is somewhat complicated. If you want to start preparing for bed yourself I’ll understand. You’ve had a long day as well- you must be tired.”

“No- I mean yes, I am, a little, but- may I help you first?”

It takes Essek a moment to respond.

Formal wear like this in the Dynasty is intended as conspicuous consumption, a very visual reminder of elevated status- that not only can you afford all the actual clothing, but that you can afford to have someone help you dress; the layers are intricate, the fastenings aggravating and near-impossible to do on one’s own.

He’d used his Unseen Servant to dress earlier in his office at the Bastion, as he has for decades. He hasn’t felt comfortable keeping any regular servants as his career has progressed, and especially as other less-than-legal activities he’s been involved in have dug him deeper and deeper into treason. Aside from all that, the idea of letting anyone that close, letting anyone see him without all his many layers, and the armor of his mantle-

Unthinkable.

But-

When Essek turns in his seat to face Caleb, Caleb’s expression is open- honest, sincere with the desire to help. So far as Essek knows, Caleb doesn’t understand the connotations of Kryn formal dress, either in the actual clothes or the customs surrounding them. He won’t know that he’s performing the work of a servant-

-or a lover.

Swallowing around a suddenly dry throat, Essek nods.

“Yes, if you like.”

#shadowgast #wips #thing I'm tinkering with #Kryn fashion thoughts #caleb widogast #essek thelyss

[the-kaedageist]

congrats on hitting your follower milestone!! for a CR short fic prompt, how about shadowgast where essek is learning to coexist with caleb's cats? :)

I'm emerging from the abyss to answer this prompt 11 months later, but I hope you enjoy! I also believe someone else had Caleb having a cat named Gretchen before me and my brain borrowed it from someone; apologies, it just fit so well.

“Ah,” says Caleb when Essek arrives for their weekly meeting. “Since you were here last, I have acquired another housemate.”

This feels like a somewhat alarming statement. Thankfully, the suspense is not held for long - a moment later, a calico cat makes her way daintily into the room with them, stares up at Essek, and hisses.

“Gretchen,” Caleb scolds, along with a long string of Zemnian that Essek’s rudimentary skills can’t hope to follow. He’s just about mastered ‘please’, ‘thank you’, and some of the major foods; nowhere near native-speaker-speaking-to-his-cat level.

Essek tries not to be offended at being hissed at, even as he can feel his own ears flicking back behind his head in annoyance. “I have done nothing to you,” he says to the cat.

“She is scared,” says Caleb, reaching down to scritch the calico’s ears. She glares at Essek but submits happily to the pets. “She will get used to you.”

The cat eyes him like a particularly unpleasant thing that has been dropped on the floor. Well, Essek thinks, he has certainly had nemeses before. What is one more?

The situation does not improve from there. Every week, Essek Teleports to Caleb’s house, and every week, Gretchen acts as though Essek has offended her to the very depths of her being. (It probably doesn’t help that the third time this happened, Essek hissed back.)

By the end of the first month, Essek despairs that he will ever have a good relationship with Caleb’s animal companion.

At night, when he’s downstairs studying and Caleb is asleep, Essek sneaks back upstairs to find Gretchen curled up at Caleb’s side, purring happily. When Caleb is reading on the couch and Essek is attempting to cook in the kitchen, he peeks in to find Gretchen stubbornly attempting to seat herself in the middle of Caleb’s book, to Caleb’s laughter.

It seems that although they loathe one another, he and Gretchen share a love of the same man. Surely there is common ground they can find.

One night, Yasha and Beau come over for dinner. Gretchen is ambivalent about Beau (although no hissing is involved), but she waltzes right up to Yasha and starts headbutting her ankle.

“Oooh, hello, little beauty,” Yasha says, reaching down to scratch her cheek. Gretchen stares up at her adoringly. Essek also stares at her, aghast and betrayed.

“What is this?” he asks like a spurned lover.

“What is what?” Beau asked. She glanced over at Yasha. “Oh, the cat? She loves Yasha. For obvious reasons, of course.”

Essek rolls his eyes. “I thought she did not like strangers.”

Beau blinks. Her eyes narrow and her mouth stretches into a smirk. “Does the cat not like you, Essek?”

“No,” Essek denies quickly. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” He quickly makes an exit to the kitchen, making excuses about checking the soup, before he can be pestered further.

That is when he begins to wonder what he’s doing wrong.

First, he tries dressing more comfortably for his trips to Caleb’s. Perhaps, Gretchen is intimidated by the points on his mantle and the finery of his robes – is that a thing cats care about? The only cats Essek has ever encountered have been moorbounders, and usually they care more about the quality of their meal.

Unfortunately, even in loose pants and a soft shirt, Gretchen still glares and hides from him on his next visit. Caleb seems to appreciate the change though, pulling Essek into his arms and cuddling with him more than normal, and Essek makes a mental note that perhaps more comfortable clothing was in order regardless of the cat’s opinion.

Next, he attempts to determine if Yasha has bribed the cat for her love. He does research and discovers that cats are known to love meat and fish. The next week, when he Teleports into Caleb’s house, he pulls out a handkerchief with some pieces of fish stashed inside and lays it out on the floor. Gretchen does her usual routine of glaring at him while growling before she slowly approaches to sniff the food.

Caleb looks amused. “You brought a present?”

Essek shrugs, feeling heat on the back of his neck. “She is part of your family.”

Gretchen eats up every morsel of fish, to Essek’s relief. However, once her meal is complete, she goes back to hissing and glowering as though no offering had ever been made.

Essek is starting to feel a bit offended. This feels personal.

One night, he cuddles up with Caleb, dejected, as Caleb strokes his hands through Essek’s hair and coils a curl around his finger. “You are quieter than usual,” says Caleb. “Is something wrong?”

Essek glances up at him through his lashes. “Gretchen does not like me.”

Caleb says, “hmm” and continues to stroke Essek’s hair. “I have thought much about this, and I think she sees you as another cat.”

This is not something Essek has ever considered. “Another cat?” he echoes, surprised.

Caleb presses a kiss to his hairline. “You have cat-like mannerisms. You are prickly and picky and beautiful. Does it surprise you at all?”

Essek thinks for a moment; perhaps it does make some sort of strange sense. “So if I am another cat, how do I win her affection?” he asks at last.

“Well,” says Caleb, “ideally I would have put you both in adjoining rooms and let you sniff each other under the door.”

Essek gives him an unamused look. “Caleb Widogast, I am not actually a cat.”

Caleb tousles his hair with a small chuckle. “Ja, of course. Then I would say…be around her. In, ah, her orbit, so to speak. Give her space, but be present and let her get used to you.”

“I have been present,” says Essek petulantly. “She does not like me.”

Caleb shakes his head. “You either approach her head-on or you give her a wide berth – understandable, but I do not think it helps.” He lays his forehead against Essek’s curls. “You are stubborn. You will find a way.”

And slowly, Essek does.

He continues to bring Gretchen fish, but retreats beyond arm’s reach so that she can eat without feeling threatened. He is careful to seat himself within her watchful gaze when she is near, so that she will know his location. He stops trying to befriend and starts letting her be, and Caleb had been right – once he gives her the space to get to know him on her own terms, Gretchen finally, finally begins to thaw.

The first day she approaches him after her fish treat and lets him tentatively reach down to scratch her ears, Essek feels as though he’d been rewarded with a monumental gift. He meets Caleb’s gaze – and Caleb smiles sappily at him, as though all he’d ever wanted for his life was Essek and a cat, in this little house, with everyone getting along.

“You see?” Essek says to Gretchen. “I am not so bad.”

She turns around to show him her butthole and trots away with her tail held high. Essek laughs. “Perhaps we still have some ways to go.”

Caleb wraps an arm around his shoulders. “It takes time,” he says sagely, and Essek can do nothing more than laugh exasperatedly and press a kiss to his cheek.

#shadowgast #essek thelyss #caleb widogast #critical role #critical role fanfiction #ficlets #my fics #also just for the record the follower milestone in question was hit in JANUARY

[captainofthetidesbreath]

The cast is finally making their London appearance, and the Nein are back! It's... actually really wild. I don't have the space here to be wistful because we have a LOT to get to here on bingo this week.

You can grab your own card at this BingoBaker link. The call list is 48 items long, all of which are listed below the cut—there's information about potentially adding more and when I will lock this call list below, but first, some notes:

"other item taken from Trent" is for any update on who has the Ring of Warding, the Rod of Absorption, or the Mantle of Spell Resistance. Naming these items explicitly did not fit well into a square. The Ring of Telepathy does NOT count, since we already know Caleb took that.

Appearances over Scrying or a vision do count. Sending is not working, but Sending also would have counted.

If a character is listed as just a mention but they appear, the square is legal.

"other multiclass" is if any member of the Nein who is not Fjord or Veth has multiclassed.

In the event that the Nein is at least level 19, "new feat used" is legal only if we absolutely know what the feat IS. Deducing they have one by their stats does not count.

"Counterspell against Counterspell" does not need to succeed.

Unless otherwise stated, a listed spell or ability does not need to succeed, i.e. the only square that needs a success to be legal is "successful Counterspell".

"Fjord short-range teleport" is under his own power. Him being taken along with someone else's short-range teleport, i.e. Dimension Door, does not count. His Arcane Gate does count.

There is a chance I will add things before the live show starts. The call list will be locked at 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT. If I add anything, I will make a post about it. If you wish to play with any added squares, you can refresh your bingo card if you're playing digitally (though, remember phone etiquette!); if you are playing with a printed sheet, don't worry about it. (Also, to answer in advance because this is queued for 5am ET, if you want to print these as handouts, I don't mind. Just don't litter.)

I cannot answer questions about what is legal until the broadcast on Thursday evening. I also ask that you NOT send me spoilers; I am happy to see your bingos and almost bingos, but please wait until the broadcast finishes. I CAN clarify what a square means though.

I will be reposting this on Thursday afternoon exactly as it is here, altered only to include any squares I hypothetically added, but otherwise it will be identical to this one.

Good luck, have fun, and I'm so jealous.

new magic item

Fjord's ship named

Yasha Sending

Beau and Caleb random teleport drop

Ludinus simulacrum

Desirat

sealing unsealed danger

Assembly politics

Sprinkle status

PC couple married or engaged

Rexxentrum

somewhere in the Coast

somewhere in the Greying Wildlands

elsewhere in Wildemount

animated opening change

Jester's paints

Cape of the Mountebank

other item taken from Trent

Artagan appearance

Astrid appearance

Essek appearance

Oliver Schreiber appearance

Luc or Yeza mention

Marion mention

Yussa mention

Ryn mention

level 20

less than level 20

Fjord: warlock 13

Fjord: paladin 7

Fjord: over warlock 13

Fjord: less than paladin 7

Veth: over wizard 1

other multiclass

new feat used

new spell

dunamancy spell

Commune

Counterspell against Counterspell

successful Counterspell

Polymorph or Shapechange

Sending attempt

Fjord short-range teleport

Divine Intervention

Divine Smite

Fjord Channel Divinity

Stunning Strike

Zealous Presence

#CritRole bingo #Critical Role

[wizardnuke]

possible animated essek moments that are going to kill me (in no particular order)

- ahahaha. i'd like to see you try.

- jester's awkwardly long hug

- there is nothing i would like more than to not be around you all for the remainder of the day

- CALEB I'M SCARED

- "you floating fuck!" what was that? "sorry!"

- essek, known traitor and war criminal and heretic, standing with caleb against ikithon

- "odd grin"

- the dispel magic reveal with da'leth

- the undead ice giant(?) fight his first ever foray into combat and he puts his fists up awkwardly like he's gonna punch the things (one of the ladies went "aww buddy" at him)

- FOREHEAD KISS

- taking off his cloak and mantle at the xhorhouse

- (do we think there's going to be a closeup of his feet in that scene. cast your votes)

- the part where they're talking to a prisoner and sam got a whisper that essek wasn't acting like himself at all

- caleb falling and essek screaming as if he was the one who was hit,

- essek pushing caleb's head towards the aeorian artifact (ft caleb going with it and the others learning what wizard foreplay is)

- ough his little rant about the luxon beacons and their purpose i would like to see it

- CRUSHING THE VOLSTRUCKER

- this world was so much easier when it was in black and white

- (during the derogna discussion in eiselcross) "...and you've then come to me."

- my intentions were never good, they were important

- I'M PRETTY SURE, YOUNG MAN

- i'm a fan of simple soups

- i'm not much of a soup person

- ..my mother has never made kraft cheese.

#I'M GONNA THROW UP THATS MY GUY #essek thelyss

[bloopitynoot]

I started this blog to share my critical role cosplay WIP for next year con season, and Well- the prep begins!

Here is the rough dream for my Essek mantle:

I'm an embroidery artist by night, so it is definitely going to feature some intricate embroidered stars, and the front geometric design will be embroidery - all silver thread, of course.

I haven't done a ton of beading- but the piece under the armor im thinking will be beaded in a dark to light purple gradient.

Send thoughts and prayers that this works LOL

#essek cosplay #critical role #critical role art #critical role cosplay #i might be overestimating my skills #im going to try anyways #essek thelyss

[foxqueen-katarian]

What if the Gods die/are killed and their Champions take up their mantles?

Vax the Master of Ravens.

Yasha the Storm Lady

Vex the Dawn Mother

Fjord/Caduceus the Warden of the Wilds

Opal the Spider Queen

Zerxus the Lord of the Hells/Father of Lies

(Self indulgent: Caleb the Archheart and Essek the Luxon)

#critical role #vax’ildan #yasha nydoorin #vex’ahlia #fjord stone #Caduceus Clay #caleb widogast #essek thelyss

[aeor-is-for-reccing]

This week, we have six fics that feature clothing: wearing them, taking them off, taking care of them, and their significane. Check them out underneath the cut, and as always - comment and kudos if you like them!

discretion by mllekurtz (TheKnittingJedi), saturdaysky (1530, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Like this, Essek is a partially-wrapped gift. Caleb has many ideas for how to unwrap him fully from right here, kneeling between satin-clad thighs. Not satin-clad for long, maybe, if Essek keeps saying his name like that. If he will let Caleb give him what he wants.

Reccer says: I liked it!

dress me up, make it tight, i'm your doll by atlasarcana (15516, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb roleplays using Essek as a mannequin for sexy outfits.

Reccer says: You feel their established relationship through their trust and reassurances, it's very sweet.

An Evening To Remember by Interrobang (1755, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek tries to surprise Caleb by showing up wearing his cloak, mantle, and very little else, and is horrified to realize that Caleb has arranged a surprise of his own.

Reccer says: laugh out loud hilarious

A Lesson in Heresy by MinnesotaBruja (8933, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb visits Essek on what turns out to be a religious holiday, and sees a new side of their budding and mysterious friend the Shadowhand. (Set around episode 70.)

Reccer says: I liked it!

Of Darning Socks by InjaYDdraig (1900, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Three times Caleb had a hole in his sock

Reccer says: It's sweet, it's short, and I'm a sucker for a metaphor

And then two for our last rec:

In the Closet of Our Discretion by firefright (12280, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek wears many many layers of clothing and Caleb takes them off him one by one

Reccer 1 says: I liked it! Reccer 2 says: Hot, great worldbuilding, and amazing tension

Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast. Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we’ll be back with No Magic AUs!

#shadowgast #caleb widogast #essek thelyss #critical role #cr fic recs #fan fiction rec list

[ariadne-mouse]

As promised, the sequel to the Long Essek poll is here. I will draw the final result! I won't say whether or not to put hints in the tags about the current vote composition but just consider: you have the power to do some very funny things

(and remember: only YOU can prevent Headlessek!)

#polls #essek thelyss #critical role #op #it's shitpost o'clock #(again) #happy monday everyone

[mieletthe]

(evil au shadowgast(?), cw: character death)

Essek clutched his side, knowing there was no point to it. The dark fabric of his mantle may have masked the amount of blood pouring out of him, but he could not ignore the way his vision swam nor the cold sensation traveling up his fingers. Each sluggish, wet pulse beneath the press of his palm turned his stomach.

He would die here, and soon.

The scourger slumped against the charred and overturned table beside him did not look to be in any better shape. His breaths came shallowly, rasping, and he cradled a mangled hand—if it could even be called that anymore—to his chest.

“I am sorry for that. For your hand.”

The scourger scarcely moved his head to look at him, piercing eyes slanting sideways through a veil of sweat-slick red hair. Unblinking and impassive, he examined Essek. Essek watched him in return, a counterspell fizzing weakly at his fingertips. As scant as it was, it was still an excessive warning; the scourger-mage couldn’t do much with a hand like that. Essek had already thwarted his escape once.

“Would you go back and do differently?”

“No.”

In this, he wouldn’t. The last blow the scourger had dealt to his body would have been immediately fatal had Essek not cut him short with his own spell. He was not going to allow the Assembly to burn away their tracks without taking the match with him. The scourger could count himself lucky to have leapt aside in time, leaving only his arm within range of the field of crushing force. But still, a wizard losing the instrument of his trade was always a tragedy.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Essek would have expected a voice as bitter as the acrid air that hung over them, thick with the scent of ash and ozone, burnt flesh and iron. Instead it was simply tired. He felt much the same, the fight leaching dark and viscous out of his body and the resignation setting in.

None of it mattered, in the end. His ambitions, his treason, his carefully laid plans all for the sake of knowledge. None of it came to anything to his benefit. He would die without knowing, and that was where his regrets lay.

The scourger smiled, a thin, sad line. It struck Essek how sweet a smile it was. Strange to see on a man who had been trying to immolate him just minutes ago; stranger still on one he had condemned to death in return. There was no cause for forgiveness between himself and this assassin-pawn. He reached up to touch the scourger’s face. His hand, wet with blood, marred that lovely pale skin.

“I am sorry all the same.”

They died quietly together in his tower. As Essek’s eyes fell shut, he wished he’d thought to ask the scourger’s name.

#critical role #critical role fanfic #shadowgast #essek thelyss #caleb widogast #or rather #bren aldric ermendrud #mieletthe writes #inspired by a one-page rpg by oliver darkshire #in which i didn't acquire a single pining point until the last roll when the wizard hunting me and i simultaneously died #of course my mind went to evil shadowgast

[luolands]

Essek's work and responsibilities

Essek, c2e135: I only ask because I've seen a great many prospective talents like yours grow unfocused in times of.. necessity, and decisive action.

Marisha, c2e136: Does he have War Caster? He does, right? Matt: He does.

EGtW: He is eager to use the conflict as an excuse to practice the deadlier aspects of dunamancy

Essek, c2e94: It prevents me from some of my capabilities throughout the day each time I do this, so while I'm here in my home and things are not requiring me to be elsewhere rapidly, thankfully this is a moment in time in which I am more useful here in the city.

c2e99: [You see one of them, a familiar visage of the Taskhand Adeen Tasithar.] Jester: Essek, did you ever talk to him? Did you hang out with him? Essek: We once knew each other. For a while. Jester: Does he suck? Essek: That is a word, yes.

(Taskhands are warriors: Taskhand Durth Mirimm, an elite warrior governing Jigow; Taskhand Verin Thelyss, an echo knight governing Bazzoxan. The Dynasty has dunamancers partnered with warriors: Thuron - the echo knight infiltrator in Zadash - was partnered with a drow who cast a graviturgy spell similar to gravity sinkhole. Lythir VaSuun, a high-level graviturgist, was partnered with a high-level echo knight to lead a border scouting party.)

Essek, c2e91: And you believe that the individuals that make the laws and employ them across your empire are more capable than these mages? Do you not think there is perhaps a necessary balance between the two that maintains the order?

EGtW: The laws of the dynasty, which stem from the faith of the Luxon, are enforced by a network of trusted Aurora Watch captains and soldiers.

EGtW: Essek is both respected and feared for his intelligence and cunning.

c2e74: Now who you see arrived at the front: a male drow, short white hair, a perpetual soft smile, a similar mantle of armor to the soldiers that you saw exterior, but beneath it, a cloak of dark purple just drifts below and obscures the entirety of his body.

c2e57: A similar mantle to what you noticed Lythir wearing, but much more elaborate. You can see the robes that he's wearing that pretty much entirely obscure the body.

Essek, c2e90: We've investigated Adeen, found him already halfway across the Ghostlands on his own, shrouded and seeming to attempt escape. We ambushed and retrieved him, and have spent the better part of the past day interrogating him.

Essek, c2e77: There is indeed one beacon that still remains in the grasp of the Empire. We have.. numerous ways of pushing towards that goal. However, should you have been careful in your dealings, you have a little more reach within the Empire than someone such as I would, of course.

Twitter: Shadowhand is a title granted to those who focus on the dark mysteries of Exandria for the Bright Queen. This includes both subterfuge and arcana (like a specialist in the dangerous unknown). Spies, mages, and investigators that reach a certain station can be granted this title.

Essek, c2e131: I just know that I've also survived this long, weaving the intricacies of deceit like I have, by knowing how best to keep myself.. out of the complications as best as I can.

Essek, c2e80: I already have a few operatives looking to infiltrate- to locate and infiltrate the Cult of the Angel of Irons, you said it was, in hopes of gathering more information. Jester: You have? Essek: Yes, since you gave me this information a while back. ... I have a lot of plates I'm spinning at any given point in time. This is one, and I'm now giving it a bit more prominence, so.. I apologize to have misled you to think otherwise. And I also apologize for my attitude yesterday. I have been under some pressure.

Essek, c2e98: I mean, there has been a shadow war between the Dynasty and the Empire for.. decades. This is just the first time that it's brimmed out of the control of those that waged it.

Essek, c2e98: I just want to warn you about getting too close. I'm tied.. to a lot of dangerous individuals and teeter in the shadows at the crux of all of this conflict, intentional as it may not have been.

Essek, c2e131: I can find a place to go. I am capable of being slippery when I need to be.

Essek, c2e57: Take care of them and should you need anything, well... we'll know.

c2e79: [You made an additional deal for rapid transportation with your sponsor, Shadowhand Essek Thelyss. Who agreed, begrudgingly, for the very last time to do this.] Liam: The last, last time. Marisha: He keeps saying that. Travis: He can't say no. [Wow he's just racking up the debt points with you guys. He's going to make you do some fun stuff down the road.]

Essek, c2e78: I trust that your interests are forthright. I'll need your help soon anyway. Jester: He said he would need our help soon. He seemed like he would do it.

(Soon after) Jester, c2e81: Is there any news of the war? Allura: Yes. There has been a series of attacks on some of the military siege installations within the empire. There was an assault on some of the weapon creation factories in Hupperdook. This was about four days ago, as well as a counter assault by the empire within Xhorhas.

Jester, c2e63: Did you want to come, Essek? Essek: I have my own business to attend to, but I will vouch for their capabilities. And my tutelage.

Essek, c2e70: There is a lot of business I must attend to as well. As you've heard from the Bright Queen, a lot of things are moving and my interests lie elsewhere beyond a kiln.

EGtW: He is eager to use the conflict as an excuse to practice the deadlier aspects of dunamancy, and also curious to see what the powerful minds of the Cerberus Assembly may have gleaned from their research into the beacon they stole.

Leylas, c2e57: (turns and goes) Shadowhand, can we confirm that there has been some kind of imperial goblin capture? Nott: He's not a goblin like I am. (...) He's a halfling man. His name is Yeza Brenatto. He's a chemist. Essek: Yes, we do indeed have this figure in our Dungeon of Penance.

Leylas, c2e57: Well, first, I will say that this prisoner of yours that you're requesting could possibly be returned to you. I do not know the scope and depth of his involvement with the conflict to the west, but I'm certain the Shadowhand will inquire and if there is anything else required, we will attempt to close our interrogation and return him to you.

Essek, c2e90: All of this has been given, elements of it, to attempt to force them to fill in the blanks, to prove our.. curiosity and let them prove that they were involved. But upon magical inquiries, forcing of one's will, and through physical... persuasion, we managed to excise the truth, and the Taskhand has given his hand, if you will.

Essek, c2e90: Trust me, there's been plenty of punching for two days, I do not think that you would maybe- Beau: But do they have magical punches that make people talk? Essek: We have magical means of forcing the truth, if that's what you're talking about.

Fjord, c2e90: Is there any reason why you haven't told her yet? Are you trying to confirm or gather, or? Essek: I was- if you're going to, in a point of extreme tensions in warfare in which the queen is impatiently waiting for any sort of concrete proof as to why the ceasefire was necessary, we wanted to make sure that we presented it as an entire package, as opposed to piecemeal. It is better.. and also we need to cross our Ts as well, in the instance that perhaps any of this information is incorrect.

c2e63: Previously, you had all the raised platforms with the chairs of the different den heads that were there and the five chairs that were on the main central raised portion of the platform where the Bright Queen was. Now, you can see maybe six individuals present. Two on one side, two on the other and there is the Bright Queen and the right hand there. It seems like this isn't a formal gathering of all hands on-deck, more just general matters. You see Essek is present on the left side, Mirimm is in the right up in her chair.

Leylas, c2e63: They've been assigned as your wards, you trust in this, yes? You believe them? Essek: [Essek's sitting there in the chair, you can see the hands just barely crossed poking through the cloak] I trust them. Leylas: [She gives a nod] Well, we shall plan accordingly. They will rue the day they tried to assail us on their terms.

c2e70: Already, you can hear voices bustling. It's a little more active than last time you were here, when it was somewhat half as intense. You can see all the seats are filled, both on the two opposing house sides as well as the central chairs that flank the Bright Queen's throne. ... You can see a troop of four individuals, three drow and one hobgoblin are carrying a table out past you. It seems to be a map of probably Xhorhas. The length of the table will probably lead it quite deeply into the Empire and Western Wynandir. Essek: [You look over and you can see across the way, Essek has been sitting down in one of the chairs] Well, if a safe and quick means of transportation is required, that would probably be my specialty.

Essek, c2e133: The pursuit of magic, in the ways that we know it, in the ways that we've been disparately, but in some ways similarly raised and studied. At a certain point, it becomes about the self. It becomes about what I can do.

Essek, c2e124: I was granted this post and for the time being I am enjoying the change of pace, strangely. Jester: So you really don't know very much about Aeor, then? Essek: I'm learning as we go, but I just asked to be sent far away. And from what I'd heard, there was quite a bit of competitive acquisition of relics. And if I'm to be honest, that is an intriguing thing. I mean, I'm a man of arcane study, and if there are things here that can continue to progress my- well, my personal studies, then that would be, that'd be perfect.

Essek, c2e124: (Discussing Aeor's ruins) Well, there's quite a bit down there. I've only been in myself a bit, but we can go over that.

Essek, c2e124: I should not leave this outpost, I have responsibilities here and people that rely on me.

Essek, c2e124: Starguide Uraya, Uraya Hythenos, perhaps. A goblin friend of mine, I believe they spoke to you when I was unable to reach out that day. They have returned to Rosohna to deliver reports.

c2e141: He eventually began to feel the possible prying eyes of Dynasty discomfort, and absconded from the Aeorian trade post. (...) He went there to continue his business for the time being, because at least it was far away and there were people there that relied on him, but even that he eventually left.

Talks, c2e89-90: But as a person of his training, his station, and just his general persona and how he likes to present himself, he would never openly show that concern at first.

c2e124: He's intently listening and seems to be genuinely disturbed by the information that he's received. He's taking it in, he's very controlled. Like he's used to listening and, you know. His demeanor since you met him has been very constructed. It is very much an element that he instinctually puts forward. But even in that space you could see him being very contemplative and trying to just take it all in, and nod.

Beau, c2e91: Does the Dynasty have us bugged in this house?  Essek: It would not surprise me if they, at times, chimed in. You have been under watch, here and there, since you've arrived as you were a.. challenging addition to the proximity of the Bastion Fjord: To be specific, we've seen ourselves being watched. We were hoping it was you? Essek: At times it was. No, but it was part of my assignment when you first came under my wing to ensure that there wasn't any chances of undue.. Empire business finding its way within the proximity of the Bastion.

Wrap-up: He immediately was like, "I'll take care of them, I'll work with their business, I'll figure out what they're going, and I'll be their chaperone," essentially. And so it was him just trying to cover his ass, while also trying to figure out what you were up to, what your connections were, how much you knew.

EGtW: Twelve hours of daylight each day can become painful and physically detrimental to those beings adapted to subterranean life. To mitigate this problem, powerful dunamancers have woven arcane shields to temporarily block out the sun above Rosohna. 

Wrap-up: (Verin) was like the brother that kind of got him, and they got along okay in a family that Essek did not get along with at all, and was surrounded by people he didn't get along with. He didn't get along with his parents, he didn't get along with most people in the Dynasty unless they helped him maintain and advance his position of power and influence and so.. you guys fucked him up!

#essek #essek thelyss #shadowhand essek #adeen tasithar #taskhand adeen #beauregard lionett #jester lavorre #jester #fjord stone #leylas kryn #mighty nein #the mighty nein #critical role #crit role #c2 #campaign 2 #cr campaign 2 #kryn dynasty #den thelyss #rosohna #the lens #egtw #ref

[captainofthetidesbreath]

This bingo is a repost of the call list I posted on Wednesday morning; no changes have been made and, as such, it contains no spoilers.

The cast is finally making their London appearance, and the Nein are back! It's... actually really wild. I don't have the space here to be wistful because we have a LOT to get to here on bingo this week.

You can grab your own card at this BingoBaker link. The call list is 48 items long, all of which are listed below the cut.

"other item taken from Trent" is for any update on who has the Ring of Warding, the Rod of Absorption, or the Mantle of Spell Resistance. Naming these items explicitly did not fit well into a square. The Ring of Telepathy does NOT count, since we already know Caleb took that.

Appearances over Scrying or a vision do count. Sending is not working, but Sending also would have counted.

If a character is listed as just a mention but they appear, the square is legal.

"other multiclass" is if any member of the Nein who is not Fjord or Veth has multiclassed.

In the event that the Nein is at least level 19, "new feat used" is legal only if we absolutely know what the feat IS. Deducing they have one by their stats does not count.

"Counterspell against Counterspell" does not need to succeed.

Unless otherwise stated, a listed spell or ability does not need to succeed, i.e. the only square that needs a success to be legal is "successful Counterspell".

"Fjord short-range teleport" is under his own power. Him being taken along with someone else's short-range teleport, i.e. Dimension Door, does not count. His Arcane Gate does count.

I can answer questions about whether something is legal alongside the broadcast. As always, I can also answer questions about what a square means or intends ahead of the broadcast, but please do not send me asks that would spoil the show. As always, I'm really happy to see your bingos and almost bingos after, and feel free to send me any rows you're hoping will yield a bingo ahead of the show.

Good luck, have fun, and I can't believe it's the Nein again!

new magic item

Fjord's ship named

Yasha Sending

Beau and Caleb random teleport drop

Ludinus simulacrum

Desirat

sealing unsealed danger

Assembly politics

Sprinkle status

PC couple married or engaged

Rexxentrum

somewhere in the Coast

somewhere in the Greying Wildlands

elsewhere in Wildemount

animated opening change

Jester's paints

Cape of the Mountebank

other item taken from Trent

Artagan appearance

Astrid appearance

Essek appearance

Oliver Schreiber appearance

Luc or Yeza mention

Marion mention

Yussa mention

Ryn mention

level 20

less than level 20

Fjord: warlock 13

Fjord: paladin 7

Fjord: over warlock 13

Fjord: less than paladin 7

Veth: over wizard 1

other multiclass

new feat used

new spell

dunamancy spell

Commune

Counterspell against Counterspell

successful Counterspell

Polymorph or Shapechange

Sending attempt

Fjord short-range teleport

Divine Intervention

Divine Smite

Fjord Channel Divinity

Stunning Strike

Zealous Presence

#Critical Role #CritRole bingo

[disabilityshowdown]

[IDs: Essek is a male dark elf with deep purple skin and short white hair. He is dressed in an elegant black and silver cloak and mantle, with silver jeweller in geometric shapes. Caleb is a human man with pale skin and long red hair. He is wearing a wool lined brown coat and long blue scarf, and each hand is casting a different kind of magic - one fire, one wreathed in purple tendrils. Dagen is a dark skinned dwarf with a long black beard. He is dressed in winter clothes and seated in a battle wheelchair, fitted with spikes and a lantern. There is a battle axe across his back]

Disabilities: Essek never walks anywhere and instead uses magic to move around, leading to a widespread fandom headcanon of the magic being a mobility aid for any number of conditions affecting his legs. Caleb has PTSD explored extensively in game, including a mechanic built into his character for what would trigger flashbacks or dissociation. He was also the subject of experimentation as a teen and there's a fan headcanon of chronic pain for that too. Dagen is a canon wheelchair user.

Dagen art by Gaelfox. Essek art by planarbindings

#look i have been in the cr fandom for a long time i am well aware this is a difficult choice #but i did promise to keep fandoms together so at least one person from each fandom would move forward #and i am actually genuinely curious to the results of this one #first because there's been a lot of cr showdowns where things very easily could have come down to caleb vs essek #but they didn't #and second because in any other poll the wizards would vastly outweigh dagen. but here he has a chance. so lets find out #disability showdown #preliminaries #critical role #essek thelyss #caleb widogast #dagen underthorn

[romeoandjulietyouwish]

Chapter 1: Proposal (Waiting for Heartbreak)

Are you ready for some fake dating???? Summary: When Essek's mother insists that it's time for him to marry, he thinks he's doomed to spend the remainder of his life in a loveless marriage. That is until Caleb volunteers to pretend to be his fiance until Essek can find another solution.

The green lights of Rosohna illuminate the streets, despite the darkness, it isn’t yet evening. As much as Essek Thelyss is fond of his homeland, it takes talent not to lose track of time in a perpetually dark city.

That is why he can’t say how long he’s been standing looking out at it. From his tower, he has a rather excellent view of the sprawling city, the tallest spires to the streets that run below. The man he used to be would stand here thinking of all the ways he would claw his way to the top. He would dream about one day living in the highest tower, for everyone to look up and know who he was. 

Now, older and wiser, the city is nothing spectacular. It is just as fucked up as every other city on Exandria. At least that’s what he thinks at this moment.

The reason for his melancholic thoughts is held in the letter held in his hand. Summons from his mother. When he first read it, dread filled his stomach like lead. 

Deitra Thelyss is a severe woman. There is no warmth in her message, just a command to her eldest son, bidding him to an audience with her. He reads over the words once again, just to be sure of the words. He is not mistaken. 

The reason for his mother’s summoning is unclear. She gives him no clue in the wording of the message. It could be den business, he tells himself. It could be as simple and boring as that. But a shrewd voice in his head reminds him that he is keeping many secrets. It is entirely plausible that she has found out about one, or all. 

This could be an ambush. He could be taking one step along the plank, putting his head in the noose. 

Essek swallows thickly and tucks the note away, pulling his mantle more firmly on his shoulders. The Shadowhand doesn’t need to fear his mother nor his den. The Shadowhand has no secrets to keep. 

Pushing his hair out of his face, Essek allows himself one more breath before floating down the stairs to the entrance of the tower. He doesn’t give himself time to second guess his actions before he opens the door and floats out onto the street.

When Essek enters the Umavi’s chambers, he finds her standing by the window. 

Deitra’s hands are held behind her back, a passive expression on her face. Her long white hair is pulled back in many traditional braids, some woven through with gems. She looks the same as she has every day of Essek’s life. An unchanging statue. Deitra is an imposing figure, her mantle only broadening her shoulders and adding to her height. 

Her chambers are pristine as always, not a thing is out of place. The room is dark, filled with dark leather furniture and deep blue curtains. Bookshelves line the back wall, ones he knows to be full of den documentation and business. 

“Umavi,” Essek greets, bowing to his mother, “I received your summons.”

Deitra turns to him, her expression not changing as she looks upon him. “Thank you for your promptness.” For as long as he can remember, his mother has spoken to him in this formal tone. Even as a child of only a few years, she spoke to him like any other member of their den. Affection has not once passed between the Thelyss family.

With a broad gesture, Deitra tells him to sit on one of the stiff chairs. He does as told, sitting properly before his mother. He expects her to sit as well, but she doesn’t. Instead she stands before him, towering above him. He feels far too much like a child this way, he’s certain that that is her intention.

Trying not to let his discomfort show, he says, “It is not often the Umavi requests my presence.”

Deitra nods, pacing slowly before him, “It has come to my attention that I have let something pass for far too long without intervention.” 

She knows, Essek thinks, she knows I’m a traitor. He has years of practice in disguising his emotions, his Shadowhand mask stays in place. “What is that, Umavi?”

“Your marital status.” For a moment Essek is dumbstruck. Of all the things that she could have said…why this? Why now? Before he can ask, she continues.

“There have been discussions among the dens as of late.” She folds her hands in front of her now. “Many children of those dens have been wed for several years and with children.” Essek is sure he’s going to vomit. “People are wondering why neither of my sons have found that yet, why they both remain unmarried.”

Finish reading on ao3! Please consider supporting me on ko-fi!

#critical role #mighty nein #shadowgast