Campaign 2 of Critical Role introduced a number of fan-favorite NPCs. Perhaps the most famous is Essek Thelys. Essek was introduced later into the campaign but quickly captured the hearts of the players and fans alike. However, there is a lot of his story that has remained mysterious and untouched. “The Mighty Nein” is an opportunity to change that.
Similar to the protagonists being more fleshed out, Essek will be shown more fully as well. Introduced much earlier in the story, his place in the conflict between the Dwendalian Empire and Kryn Dynasty seems like it will be a major aspect of not just Essek’s story but also “The Mighty Nein.” A powerful Kryn Dynasty wizard, he is skilled and endlessly fascinated by Dunamancy.
But while Essek was beloved by fans, there is a much darker and morally grey story brewing under the surface. In an exclusive interview with Temple of Geek, Matt Mercer, who voices Essek, shared his excitement. He revealed “The Mighty Nein” is an opportunity to bring a story that has largely lived in his head to life.
The Mighty Nein Shows Details About Essek’s Life That Were Only In Matt Mercer’s Mind
Matthew Mercer
“The broad strokes were always there. They just existed in the background of my imagination. Things that informed the character when we met him in the campaign. How I had thought of his life’s journey and the things that had affected him and put him into this morally challenged place. So, this animated series has been a really, really fun exercise in being able to finally show these things meaningfully. And excite the audience at the prospect of seeing all these disparate things happening in this part of Exandria.
Already imagining if they didn’t have the context for the original campaign, what’s gonna happen when they all eventually intersect? Or conversely, if they did watch the campaign, if it’s gonna be as cool as they remember, and what things might be a little different this go-around. So, it’s been really fun! I love my boy Essek. I love being able to step into him again and to experience his journey in ways that I previously just kind of had sitting in the back of my mind. So, it’s been really, really fun.”
Critical Role fans may know broad strokes about these characters and major story beats. However, it seems a lot of “The Mighty Nein” will be a surprise. “The Legend of Vox Machina” stays fairly true to the first campaign. However, “The Mighty Nein” is delving into characters and storylines that weren’t fully explored during the campaign.
Mercer finally has the opportunity to bring the original story he planned for Campaign 2 to life. This seems to mean that the details about Essek’s life before he met the Mighty Nein will play a major role in “The Mighty Nein.” Essek has always been a somewhat complicated character. But instead of hearing about these parts of his life, “The Mighty Nein” will show every detail of how they played out, his motivation, and how it shapes Essek over the course of the series.
This sets up an opportunity to surprise not just new fans but longtime fans as well. Where many have loved Essek for years, “The Mighty Nein” will show a new side of the Dunamancy wizard. Mercer teasing the “morally challenged place” Essek finds himself in points to a darker storyline. While this could challenge the preconceived notions many fans have, it is also an opportunity to show new sides of Essek. Giving a more full and complicated picture of who he is and how he becomes the character so many fans know and love.
The first three episodes of “The Mighty Nein” premiere on Prime Video November 19.
