Essek Thelyss

Essek Thelyss is a popular NPC from Campaign 2 of Critical Role portrayed by Dungeon Master Matt Mercer. Holding a title of Shadowhand in the Kryn Dynasty, he became a liaison between The Bright Queen and The Mighty Nein.
==Fandom==
Initially, there was a question about the spelling of Essek's name, with an alternative of Essik being used in tags and discussion. The spelling was later clarified by Matt Mercer on TwitterMatt's tweet, accessed June 5, 2020.
Fandom quickly fell in love with Essek, dubbing him Hot Boi on social media, as a result the cast has been referring to him as such outside of the game, with Nott referring to him as Hot Boi in the game as well.
Fans have been speculating from early on whether Essek can be trusted, before his true alignment has been revealedHot Boi Hot Take post on Reddit, accessed June 5, 2020. It was noted by some that Essek approached his relationship with M9 in a very transactional way, swapping favors etc. Some fans don't understand his motivations at all.
Essek's insistence on Levitating instead of walking has been interpreted by some fans as compensating for physical disability. That resulted in some portrayals of Essek in fanworks (fanfics especially, but also fanart) as having chronic pain, or being paralyzed from waist down. In Modern AUs Essek is using a wheelchair as a substitute for the Levitation spell.
Essek's primary ship is Essek/Caleb.
==Fanworks==
===Fics===
* Careful Steps by Chaya - Shadowhand Essik pursues his interests in the most culturally respectful way possible.
* Package Deal by Cardinal_Daughter - Beginning a relationship with Caleb Widogast also means forming relationships with all of the Mighty Nein, as Essik quickly learns. A series of moments in which Essik bonds with the members of Caleb’s family.
* I am thankful to have met you by thesweetpianowritingdownmylife - Now that peace has been declared, things are finally calm in the Dynasty. With the return of the second stolen beacon, perhaps Essek can relax at last, and work on mending his relationship with his only friends. Or, Essek has a private conversation with each member of the Mighty Nein.
* found in translation by midnightindigo - In the time Essek has been traveling with the Mighty Nein, Beauregard has maintained a cool distance, and he's willing to give her that space. What he didn't realize is that she speaks his language.
* to thine own self by mnemememory - "You know, Lord Thane, you remind me of someone.”//Essek smiles tightly. "Oh?"//"Caleb can tell you more. Hey, Caleb, come tell Lord Thane how smart Essek is.”
* allowed to be not okay by BexLibris - Essek has chronic pain. He's used to it. He's not used to people helping him through it.
* And I will try to breathe, 'til it turns to muscle memory by SkyScribbles - In which Beau and Essek discuss loyalty, and Beau shares stories of a fallen friend.
===Fanart===
* drawing shadowhand essek for the first time! by hollyoakhill
* Essek by Joyce M Nigaglioni
* Under the sunlight - Essek Thelyss by Cristina Anaya
* here's some criticalrolefanart with your favorite drow elf and magic cat by ClassicRenDraws - a twitter thread with Essek finding Frumpkin
* Inside the heart of everyone by tshortik
===Fanvids===
* someone you’d admire by peachsun - CR animatic
* 7 seconds in the Zone of Truth by IrregularCharlie - Critical Role Ep91 Animatic
* Speedpaint - Critical Role Fanart - Essek by HelsenSM
===Meta===
* by fiovske
* by nebulaahh
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===Other===
* Essek Thelyss moodboard by just-a-little-tad-strange
==Links==
* Essek Thelyss page on Critical Role Wiki
* #essek thelyss tag on Tumblr
* Essek Thelyss works on AO3
==References==
Category:Critical Role Characters