Essek/Caleb

Essek/Caleb is a popular slash pairing in Critical Role Campaign 2, between a PC Caleb Widogast (played by Liam O'Brien) and an NPC Essek Thelyss (portrayed by DM Matt Mercer). Their ship name is Shadowgast: a combination of Essek's title of Shadowhand and Caleb's last name, Widogast.
==Fandom==
The ship exploded in popularity almost immediately after Essek was introduced on the show. Some fans credit Liam's inability not to flirt with Matt's wizard boys (a call back to Campaign 1 popular Liam ship of Vax/Gilmore). Fans were convinced that there's canon attraction between the characters when Caleb, in an attempt to convince Essek to teach him a forbidden art of Dunamancy, rolled a 12 Persuasion check and Essek agreed anyway.
Fans often draw parallels between Essek and Caleb, given their similarities.
===Common Tropes===
* Dunamancy Lessons - a common trope (especially at the beginning) is the relationship between Essek and Caleb developing during their Dunamancy lessons
* Everybody ships it - because... everybody seems to be shipping it, in game and outside of game, as far as some of the cast is concerned. That translated into a lot of fics where The Mighty Nein is very supportive of the relationship, in some cases actively trying to get them together.
* Cultural Differences - a trope using the differences between the Empire and the Dynasty. Often surrounding courtship and all the romcom misunderstandings that come with it.
==Fanworks==
===Fanfic===
* 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.
* Shadows and Silence by Danipow - When Caleb brings an unusual book to Essek for identification, they end up setting off a trap that leaves both of them pondering life without magic. As they learn more about each other, they begin to grow closer––and soon realize that some secrets are worth sharing.
* debt eventually paid (through unconventional means) by higgity_heck - the Nein are invited to a ball, and Essek doesn't seem happy about the whole idea of a ball to begin with. Caleb wants to know what's up, because of course he does
* unto skies of fire by BucketofWater - five times Essek sees the Mighty Nein kissing Caleb, and the one time he tries it out for himself; or five times the Mighty Nein realise that Essek has a crush, and the one time he does something about it.
* The Only Way Is Essik's by supersonica - Leaning a little closer so his breath could brush Caleb’s oddly round ear, Essik said, softly, “If you’d like, you could visit my library this evening, Herr Widogast.”
* Attraction is just a form of Gravity by ThreeGremlinsInATrenchcoat - Caleb had caught Essek's attention immediately. And ever since, this strange little neglected attraction has been bothering him. He initiates a mutually beneficial arrangement upon realizing that Caleb's interests match his own surprisingly well. A purely physical, transactional deal.
* By the Light by MoonwalkingCrab - It has been so long since Essek has heard from the Mighty Nein that he is starting to wonder if they have forgotten about him. It's fine, he tells himself, he doesn't need the company. Until Jester messages him, however, and Essek finds out just how much he is needed.
* (Mis)Trust in Me by MoonwalkingCrab - Caleb is torn. He has been trained to get what he wants from people, and so often he has. But something feels different this time. Now he is hesitant to trust his own impulses. Is it really just his training kicking in, or does he simply want to spend time with Essek for no ulterior reason?
===Fanart===
* My fav Tired Wizards by viridializard
* Tender sketches for tender wizards by caitmayart
* Caleb make a side-bubble by fiovske
* shadowgast panels by HelsenSM
===Fanvids===
* Shadowgast Supercut- up to ep 99 by VennDaai
* in my veins - shadowgast (ep97spoilers) by Madeline Misner
* everything i wanted by miracot - shadowgast AMV
===Meta===
* 
* - by fiovske - response to ask what do you think of Caleb making that beautiful speech about redemption to Essek and then in the next ep talking about not trusting him, and worse, using him?
===Other===
* miscellaneous Shadowgast playlist, inspired by both canon and fanon by meta-madness
===Links===
* Shadowgast page on Shipping Wiki
* Essek/Caleb tag on AO3
* shadowgast tag on Tumblr
==References==
Category:Critical Role Campaign 2Category:Slash Pairings