#we can't even technically say we know without a doubt that Lauren is Claudia

[spottedenchants]

While it is extremely fun to clown on Essek for his disguises, consider:

What if they're shoddy because we know him? 👀 To anyone that's spent time studying his mannerisms and speech patterns and personality (say, an avid fan base or the friends that saved his life by ruining it), it's practically that Song of Achilles quote. To anyone else (purely in-universe now), perhaps they'd recognize the accent or find his casting methods unique. Without prompting, would they realize 'that's Essek Thelyss, the once-Shadowhand of the Kryn Dynasty'? Did anyone learn him well enough before he fled the Dynasty to recognize him in an instant? In a conversation? In a day?

What if Essek's disguises are good because they count on no one knowing the person beneath them? 👀

#thinking thoughts about Claudia/Lauren hiding in Zadash #we can't even technically say we know without a doubt that Lauren is Claudia #no one knew her but the proprietor of the leaky tap before she got rid of him #thinky thinky #also this is the basis of TS!Essek's disguises xD #lonely lonely man #sidebar but i hc that the vurmas outpost staff might be able to recognize him but they're ride-or-die by necessity and aren't snitches #also hc verin but again- ride-or-die and not a snitch #essek thelyss #cr spoilers #critical role spoilers #chanse chatters