Desmond Otham

## Desmond

Screenshot of Desmond Otham from "The Legend of the Cast of The Legend of Vox Machina".

### Actor

* Matthew Mercer (*Critical Role*)
* Max Mittelman (*The Legend of Vox Machina*)

## Character Information

### Places

* Whitestone (home)
* Greyskull Keep (temporary prison/shelter)

### Family

* Father (a messenger for the de Rolo family before 805 PD)
* Mother (fell into madness after her husband disappeared; died in 810 PD)

### Connections

* Count Tylieri (abusive former employer)
* Briarwoods (former employer)
* de Rolo family (employer as of 811 PD)

### Profession

* Carriage driver (former)
* Messenger

## Appearances

### First seen

* "Crimson Diplomacy" (1x25) (stream)
* "The Terror of Tal'Dorei - Part 2" (LVM1x02) (animated)

### Last seen

* "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) (stream)
* "The Feast of Realms" (LVM1x03) (animated)

### Television

*The Legend of Vox Machina* (2 episodes)

**Desmond Otham** was the carriage driver for the Briarwoods until he was captured and imprisoned by Vox Machina. When the de Rolos restored their rule in Whitestone, Percy granted him the position of a messenger between Whitestone and Emon. As an NPC in campaign one, Desmond was played by Matthew Mercer. In *The Legend of Vox Machina* he is voiced by Max Mittelman.

## **Description**

### **Appearance**

In confrontation with Percy, Desmond lost a large part of the upper part of his right hand and most of his fingers (index, middle and ring). After Pike healed him with her divine magic, the wound closed entirely, and the thumb and pinky grew complete and functional.

## **Biography**

### ***Critical Role***

#### **Background**

His father was a messenger during the de Rolo's rule. He vanished on the night of their fall. His mother was taken by madness and passed away in 810 PD. Since Desmond possessed a decent knowledge of the roads between Whitestone and Emon, he was hired as a coachman for Count Tylieri, who misused the power and titles that the Briarwoods gifted unto him by abusing his staff and many citizens of Whitestone, including a teenaged Desmond. After seeing the harm Tylieri had wrought, Sylas Briarwood took the boy under his wing, hiring him as a coach for him and his wife.

#### **Campaign One Arc 2: The Briarwoods**

**"Crimson Diplomacy" (1x25)**

Seriously hurt in their fight with Vox Machina at the Palace of the Sovereign, the Briarwoods attempted to escape via the carriage, which Desmond was driving. The party toppled the carriage, but the Briarwoods managed to teleport away. In anger, Percy shot off Desmond's hand and knocked him unconscious to further interrogate him at Greyskull Keep.

**"Consequences and Cows" (1x26)**

When Vox Machina returned to the keep, Desmond was kept in the prison cell down in the basement. The group released his bonds and began to question the man, who introduced himself as Desmond Otham, about the Briarwoods' activity in Whitestone. He spoke of murders and destruction committed in the city, noble families left from the past regime that were slaughtered, and the New Nobles that took their place. At the end of the story, Vox Machina offered him freedom, but Desmond declined, fearing for his life and deciding to stay in the safety of the metal bared cell.

**"The Path to Whitestone" (1x27)**

The next day, Greyskull Keep was attacked by the pair of invisible stalkers that the Briarwoods sent to silence Desmond before he let important information slip. Toward the end of the battle, they render him unconscious, but Keyleth immediately healed Desmond, bringing him to his feet. In the end, the victory was for Vox Machina.

**"A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37)**

After Vox Machina defeated the Briarwoods, they brought Desmond with them to speak with Sovereign Uriel Tal'Dorei, where testified against the family activities in the Whitestone. For his misfortune, and at Scanlan's persuasion, Uriel rewarded Desmond with 1,000 gold. Percy, feeling guilty for maiming Desmond's hand, appointed him the official letter carrier between Whitestone and the Kingdom of Tal'Dorei. Percy also offered to ensure that whatever trade Desmond wished to pursue in Whitestone would be granted to him.

### ***The Legend of Vox Machina***

Desmond first appeared in "The Terror of Tal'Dorei - Part 2" (LVM1x02), driving the Briarwoods' coach toward the dinner in Emon when it was attacked and Sylas Briarwood drove off the attackers. In "The Feast of Realms" (LVM1x03), Desmond was shoved off the coach by the Briarwoods as they were escaping and Percival shot off his hand while interrogating him, saying, "You fool. Now your soul is forfeit." Percy was on the brink of killing him when Sovereign Uriel interrupted.

## **Appearances and mentions**

* Campaign One
	+ "Crimson Diplomacy" (1x25) (first appearance)
	+ "Consequences and Cows" (1x26)
	+ "The Path to Whitestone" (1x27)
	+ "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37)
	+ "Thar Amphala" (1x101), mentioned only
* *The Legend of Vox Machina*
	+ "The Terror of Tal'Dorei - Part 2" (LVM1x02)
	+ "The Feast of Realms" (LVM1x03)

## **References**

1. ↑ "The Legend of the Cast of The Legend of Vox Machina"
2. ↑ See "Consequences and Cows" (1x26) at 1:50:05.
3. ↑ See "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) from 45:48 through 45:54.
4. ↑ See "Consequences and Cows" (1x26) at 1:57:37.
5. ↑ See "Consequences and Cows" (1x26) at 1:50:05.
6. ↑ See "Crimson Diplomacy" (1x25) at 1:55:10.
7. ↑ See "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) at 49:49.  After the regeneration had thumb and pinky
8. ↑ See "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) at 49:49.
9. ↑ See "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) at 1:16:04.
10. ↑ See "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) at 1:14:53.
11. ↑ See "A Musician's Nostalgia" (1x37) at 1:17:20.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Screenshot of Desmond Otham from "The Legend of the Cast of The Legend of Vox Machina". This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
2. ↑ Screenshot of Percival de Rolo looming over Desmond Otham, by Titmouse from "The Feast of Realms" (LVM1x03). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.