Ariks Eshteross

Fan art of Lord Eshteross, by Sam "Qelric" Spencer.

“
As harsh as the world may seem at times, there are good people out there. It's easy for them to be drowned out by the noise.
”

–
**Lord Eshteross**
[!h]

**Lord Ariks Eshteross** (pronounced /ˈærɪks ˈɛʃtəˌrɒs/) was an orc nobleman and former mercenary living in Jrusar, Marquet. As an NPC, he was played by Matthew Mercer.

## **Description**

### **Appearance**

Lord Eshteross was an older orc with grayish skin. He had gray, receding hair that was bald on top and a well trimmed Van Dyke goatee and beard on a scarred face. He stood about 6'2" and had broad shoulders and a wide neck. He was also described as handsome with a cunning look in his eyes.

He walked with a cane, and when first encountered, he was wearing a pair of spectacles, a deep crimson-burgundy high-collared robe, and a scarf around his shoulders.

### **Personality**

He was described by Bertrand Bell as having a strange manner. Bertrand also believed that Eshteross was "interested in preserving the good folk of Jrusar" and wanting to see good done in the city.

Eshteross kept hidden weapons in several locations in each room of his estate, and many of the rooms are heavily trapped and kept purposefully dark, as there have been many attempts on his life. He believed there were a handful of people that he has parted ways with in the past that would like to assassinate him, and that bringing Bells Hells openly into his circle would put them into more danger.

Eshteross was also an avid amateur baker of desserts at large and seemed to strongly prefer prominent ginger in his cookies, as it was featured in both trays.

## **Biography**

### **Background**

Ariks was a mercenary for 25 years, part of a group called the Ruddy Hilt. He captured more than 200 members of the Ivory Syndicate in his career. He became friends with one of his employers, Mistress Prudaj, and after years, he left his career as a mercenary to become her personal bodyguard. When she died in 823 PD, she left her estate, business, and wealth to Eshteross, to his surprise.

By 843 PD, he had become reclusive, with little publicly known about him beyond the "strange things" rumored by the people of Jrusar. He and Bertrand Bell previously worked together some months before "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01).

### **Campaign Three: Bells Hells**

#### **Campaign Three Arc 1**

##### **"The Draw of Destiny" (3x01)**

After Bertrand Bell gathered a group of wanderers and adventurers, he proposed that they go together to see Eshteross in pursuit of employment, though he refused to speak on what form that employment would take. The next morning, the group visited Eshteross' manor and, though he was not expecting a visit from Bertrand, were granted an audience in his study. Eshteross, distrustful of how highly Bertrand spoke of the group, asked the group if they felt they had much to offer and what they wanted. When the group hesitated to answer, he turned on Bertrand, who quickly provided that the group sought to be paid, to have a chance to prove themselves, and to build a reputation in the city. Lord Eshteross asked the group if they sought to prove themselves, and when Imogen Temult confirmed so, he signaled to his caretaker Evelyn Wress to leave the room and lock the door. When done, he stood and rushed toward the group to attack them.

##### **"Trial by Firelight" (3x02)**

After deeply wounding Orym and Laudna, knocking Dorian Storm briefly unconscious, and sustaining heavy injuries himself, he called an end to the fight and returned to his chair. He admitted that, to his surprise, Bertrand selected skilled people and, using his cane to cast *Zone of Truth*, again asked the group what they sought. When Ashton Greymoore asked Eshteross what he was offering, he told them that the Ivory Syndicate increases their command over the city and "dangers both ancient and new" approach from the surrounding jungles. He offers employment to those concerned about these threats, not to simple mercenaries. He sought those who would "offer guidance, protection, or at least be [his] eyes and ears in the greater world" as his enemies force him to shelter in his manor. Once the group built trust by completing an initial task, he promised to provide connections, guidance, and answers they seek. After spending the rest of the morning to deliberate, the group returned during Eshteross' late morning tea to accept the job. He tasked them to investigate various thefts at the Prudaj Textiles warehouse, paying them 50 gold each in advance with another 150 gold each upon completion of the job or 350 gold each if permanently stop the problem. He assured them a formal contract will be offered when the job is finished as well. He invited them to stay for tea, but the group set about their mission.

##### **"The Trail and the Toll" (3x03)**

When the group returned to the manor in the evening, Eshteross and Evelyn had quickly arranged a dinner. The group reported that the thefts were perpetrated by a worker Danas, whose body they brought, and relayed an unidentified dwarven man coerced her into smuggling brumestone and commanded strange shade creepers. Eshteross stated he would arrange financial compensation for Danas' family, whom he resolved not to tell about her deeds. However, he was unsure why shade creepers wanted brumestone. Regardless, he paid the group 150 gold each with an additional 50 gold for swiftness and invited them to dinner to celebrate their success. During the evening, he relayed stories about his time as a mercenary, his employment by Prudaj, and the strange state in which he kept the manor. He expressed hope for the future of their working relationship and, because the manor was not equipped to overnight guests, sent them home.

##### **"On the Trail of a Killer" (3x04)**

During the night, Bertrand was killed by the dwarven man. Because they had no other contacts, the group brought Bertrand's body to Eshteross. He advised them to no longer travel alone and agreed to shelter them in his manor going forward. Expressing his frustration and regret for his indirect role, he stated he would make burial arrangements. He did not wish to further endanger the group and was willing to hire others to pursue the killer, but the group resolved to do so themselves. After investigating in the morning, the group returned to Eshteross to discuss plans and burial arrangements. Upon the group's decision, motivated by Eshteross' confirmation that Bertrand had connection with Vox Machina, he agreed to write a letter and send Bertrand's body to Whitestone into the care of the Lord of Whitestone and his wife the Lady of Whitestone when the Prudaj estate's skyship returned. Informed that the killer was named Dugger and was associated with the Hubatt Corsairs, he admitted he long wished to reach out the Corsairs to assess their dedication to their rumored noble intent, but his hired proxies did not return. Though he had no persons for the group to speak with, he suggested locations to begin their search. As they left, Orym privately asked if he previously worked with Oshad Breshio. Eshteross did not, but he was familiar with the man. Correctly assuming Orym was sent by the Ashari to inquire about the attack on the Lumas family, Estheross promised to set up a means to speak with Oshad.

##### **"The Threat Between the Walls" (3x05)**

The group returned to Estheross' manor to report that they spoke to the Corsairs and killed Dugger. Estheross informed them that his own skyship had not yet returned, but he contracted a skyship from Tal'Dorei to take Bertrand to Whitestone. He said he would investigate remaining loose ends by looking into an illegal brumestone trade through his contacts involved in the development and maintenance of Jrusar's sewage systems, by hiring a group to seal the tunnels into the spire inside Dugger's home, and by having an alchemist analyze the strange ooze collected from Dugger's body. Describing Bertrand as "friend of the Eshteross estate, hero of Vasselheim, and pseudo-member of Vox Machina", Eshteross had put a bounty on Bertrand's murderer and paid the group over 1,000 gold for avenging him. Some of them were initially reluctant to accept the reward, but he insisted by saying Bertrand, who he perceived generous, would be glad. He confirmed to Orym that he contacted Oshad to set up a meeting, though he had not yet received a response. Estheross then disallowed the group from staying at his manor overnight because the person he was sheltering them from was now dead.

##### **"Growing Bonds and Teasing Threads" (3x06)**

After speaking to Yash Mangal of the Corsairs a second time, the group relayed to Eshteross that Yash was interested in speaking to Eshteross, though distrustful because Eshteross had money. Eshteross took Yash's hesitancy as a positive sign, as any over-eagerness would be suspicious. Further, they asked Eshteross for information about Oshad and his employers, the Lumas twins; Eshteross informed them that the twins were killed in the attack and that Oshad's injuries left him too unwell to speak to anyone for weeks. As Orym was willing to be patient in his investigation, Eshteross instead tasked the group with looking into a series of disappearances from the Dreamscape Theater.

##### **"Thicker Grows the Meal and Plot" (3x09)**

The party visited Eshteross to gather more information about a potential lead on the whereabouts of Gurge Kisgregg, as well as to provide an update on their findings at the Dreamscape Theater. Eshteross was able to direct them to the Soot and Swill tavern as a possible location for Artana Voe. He additionally said that he would consider attending an upcoming ball in order to gather more information regarding the potential involvement of House Treshi in some of the strange events that had been going on in Jrusar, and informed Orym that The Anger would be available to meet within the next few days. The party later returned to request a letter to permit them entrance into the Moon Tower, which Eshteross provided. Additionally, Dorian discussed with him the possibility of paying off Cyrus's bounty.

##### **"Chasing Nightmares" (3x11)**

After the infiltration of the moon tower, the party returned to the Eshteross manor to divulge crucial information with Lord Eshteross. He recognized the name "Armand", Armand Treshi of Mahaan House Treshi, whom he has long suspected of being a member of the Chandei Quorum. He was looking forward to possibly undermining his influence in the city at the upcoming ball. Eshteross will have a friend look at the now-blank paper from Ira's lair, and he gave Imogen a letter granting her access to the library of the Starpoint Conservatory. He also planned to reach out to a friend in a library in Ank'Harel that specializes in combating corruption (the Temple of the Mentor, a Cobalt Soul bastion). Lord Eshteross has cleared the way for Orym to meet with Oshad Breshio and Ginang Ela Lumas, the Matriarch of Mahaan House Lumas.

##### **"Make It Fashion" (3x12)**

The day before the ball, Eshteross was prepared to offer clothing and masks, but the group already secured their own. He informed them that he requested another individual be added to the guest list, a person they will create and someone pretends to be; they will attend in two separate groups: some in his retinue and the rest as the retinue of this individual. He instructed the group to remove Armand's ring at the ball and replace it with an enchanted ring, which he provided, that will allow him to track Armand. Dorian, who was chosen to pose as the invited individual, asked if Eshteross would be able to protect his family if anything went wrong, and Eshteross firmly promised that he would do all in his power. Dorian instructed him to relay the details of his true identity: Brontë Wyvernwind of the Silken Squall. At this, Eshteross remarked that he would not have to spin much of a story after all.

##### **"A Dance of Deception" (3x13)**

Eshteross attended the ball with Ashton, Chetney, Fresh Cut Grass, and Laudna in his party. He nervously avoided socializing with other partygoers, kept an eye on all exits, and feared he may be attacked at any moment. When Ashton provoked Ratanish into a formal duel outside the building, Eshteross went with most of the party to watch as he could not leave Ashton, a guest here under his name.

##### **"In Too Deep" (3x14)**

Eshteross continued to feel uncomfortable at the party. He went to check on the party's rooms, and came back as Bells Hells finished their fight with Emoth Kade and the shade creepers. When Cyrus Wyvernwind was arrested and Dorian threw a smoke grenade in order to help his brother escape, Eshteross used his cane to temporarily disable one of the Green Seekers who had arrested Cyrus. Back at his home, Eshteross chastized Cyrus, and arranged passage for him and for Dorian to Emon on his skyship.

##### **"The Tunnels Below" (3x15)**

Eshteross joined the party for breakfast at his manor, as they had stayed the night to see Dorian and Cyrus off. Ashton noticed that Eshteross keeps weapons hidden, strapped to the underside of the dining room table. Eshteross determined that Armand's original ring was nonmagical and told Bells Hells that he would keep an eye on Armand's movements within the city via the enchanted ring in the hopes of potentially ousting him from the Chandei Quorum. The party also told him about Emoth Kade and provided more detail about their encounters with the shade creepers; Eshteross in turn told them what he knew of Orlana Seshadri and Ajit Dayal. He also offered Bells Hells advice on how to best travel to Heartmoor Hamlet before they departed.

##### **"Heart-to-Heartmoor" (3x17)**

Fearne and Laudna checked in with Eshteross prior to leaving the city to apprise him of new developments relating to the shade creepers and to inform him that the Green Seekers had been hired by Orlana Seshadri. Eshteross was somewhat taken aback by the many events of the previous day, but thanked them and offered them some gingersnaps.

##### **"Promise and Potential" (3x22)**

Bells Hells visited Eshteross and found him training in a practice room within his home. He greeted them and updated them on the investigation into Armand Treshi: Armand had been implicated and had fled the city four days prior, but Eshteross had been able to track his movements within Jrusar via the magical ring, and believed him to be headed towards Bassuras. Eshteross then asked the party if they would go to Bassuras to arrest Armand, offering his skyship for transport, and they agreed. He also informed them that Bertrand's body had been delivered to Whitestone, and gave them a letter from Lady Vex'ahlia De Rolo. After some discussion, and a request from Laudna that Eshteross bake them more cookies, Bells Hells left, planning to return the next day to take the skyship.

#### **Campaign Three Arc 2**

After Laudna's death at the hands of Otohan Thull following Bells Hells' capture of Armand Treshi, the party urgently summoned Lord Eshteross's skyship the *Silver Sun* to get them out of Bassuras. Imogen used *Sending* to ask Eshteross if he knew someone powerful enough to bring Laudna back. He responded with condolences but noted that such magics were rare. When Fresh Cut Grass followed up to warn him that Otohan Thull now knew of his involvement and that he might be in danger, Eshteross instructed the party to bring Laudna to him in Jrusar.

When they reached Eshteross's home, it was heavily booby-trapped and fortified. He suggested the group take Treshi directly to Orlana Sheshadri and get the credit (and the bounty) for his capture. He asked that if they did that, they tell Sheshadri that Eshteross is a friend of her cause and that the group was acting as his emissaries. Eshteross, however, had no leads on resurrection magic for Laudna, although he had a friend  who could transport them if that became necessary. He also paid them handsomely for returning Treshi to the city. When the group turned Treshi over to Sheshadri, they told her Lord Eshteross sent his regards.

During the party's travel to Whitestone and the successful resurrection of Laudna, Imogen had a dream of the red storm and saw a large, strong male figure walking away from her only to be lost in the swirling winds. It reminded her of Eshteross and of the dreams she had previously had of Bertrand Bell and the Lumas twins after their deaths. She attempted to contact Eshteross within the dream with no success, and then cast *Sending* again in the morning once awake. With still no response, but hoping that it was simply still night in Jrusar, the party headed back via tree and went immediately to Eshteross's manor. Imogen cast *Sending* one last time, and eventually both Chetney and Pâté entered, discovering signs of a furious struggle and Eshteross's body on the floor of his bedroom, dead from multiple wounds. Chetney noticed that the blood smelled odd, and also picked up the very faint smell of Otohan Thull lingering in the air.

Investigating, Chetney found Lord Eshteross's cane lying on the hallway floor and a strongbox containing multiple sealed envelopes, addressed to Eshteross's housekeeper Evelyn Wress, Lex Emenar, Chief Wilder Namin Oros, Ajit Dayal, Orlana Seshadri, Manaia Turei, and Bells Hells. Chetney read the last one, a letter written to the party to be read in the event of Eshteross's death.

“
My friends, if indeed you have this letter in your hands, then my fate has finally caught up to me. I have done many violent things in my life, some I am proud of, and some I still deeply regret. I've already been long running on stolen time. I feel the looming specter of recompense with every morning, and since our paths have intertwined, I chose to stare it down directly without lament. I could assure that I embraced my end with aplomb and left a mark on my foe they will never forget. In our comparatively brief time together, you have brought a light in [...] The world so continuously ruled by [...] I've been lucky enough [...] You and the late Bertrand Bell were the latest of these deeply appreciated encounters. With every step, I worried you had all stepped into matters far beyond your ability, foolishly marching into oblivion like I once had been. I now know I was wrong. Those that twist the roads of history to their own dark ends want us to believe we can do nothing, they have no power in the face of such ancient, terrible machinations. I know they are wrong. True bravery is to stand in the face of fear and doubt and march ever on. True bravery inspires others to fall in line behind you and defy their illusions. You inspired me to fall in yours, and for that, I thank you. I have many debts to settle and gifts to disperse now that my day is closed, whatever sunset I may have been running from for so long. I look forward to seeing Ellia once more. I look forward to watching you all do great things from whatever realm calls me to rest. Remember me not just as a warrior, but as a friend. A friend in my own awkward way. Thank you. Now go stop this weird moon shit.
 Ariks
”

–
Lord Eshteross's letter to Bells Hells
[!h]

Inside the same envelope, Chetney also found a page containing Eshteross' maple ginger cookie recipe, and a copy of a portion of Eshteross's last will and testament leaving to Bells Hells his trusted weapon Turmoil (which they assumed was the silver cane with a heavy ball at one end that Eshteross always carried), and the skyship the *Silver Sun* with a year of the crew's wages paid.

Later, Orym caught the "off" scent of the blood on Eshteross's cane and recognized it as the toxin used on his husband and father-in-law to prevent their resurrection.

Later that same day Orlana Seshadri (who had been contacted by Bells Hells) started a brief investigation to reveal the truth behind Eshteross' death. When questioned through Weva Vudol's *Speak with Dead* he pointed at Otohan Thull as his killer and cleared Bells Hells of any responsibility in his death; he also stated that he wanted his body to be next to Mistress Prudaj's in the Lucent Memorial Mausoleum.

## **Relationships**

### **Ellia Prudaj**

Mistress Prudaj and Ariks became close friends while he was a mercenary, and eventually he started working as her bodyguard. When Ellia died she named Ariks his sole heir, which surprised the orc, who used that new wealth to help people in need to honour Ellia's memory, despite the false rumors about him killing her for the inheritance.

While Ariks Eshteross never confirmed the exact nature of his relationship (beyond friendship) with Ellia, the fact that he called her by her first name in a private letter (while in formal occasions he referred to her only as "Mistress Prudaj") proves that they were close, and he wished to have his final rest next to her.

### **Bertrand Bell**

Bertrand previously worked with Eshteross some months before "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) in 843 PD. Bertrand was part of a group tasked with looking into the Ivory Syndicate, but he abandoned the group during the mission, which ultimately ended disastrously. Lord Eshteross and Bertrand have not spoken or seen one another in the time since, and Bertrand described himself as eager to bring Eshteross people able to help in his goals. Bertrand spoke well of Eshteross to others, characterizing him as having noble intentions for the city and sincerely believing this of him. Despite this, Bertrand is nervous in his presence. Eshteross holds a disdainful view of Bertrand, describing his presence in the manor as a "stain" and immediately naming Bertrand's swaggering manner empty in front of others. However, Eshteross was willing to offer Bertrand forgiveness and apparently granted it to him when the group successfully and skillfully completed their mission. As with all persons Eshteross hires, Bertrand was quietly subject to a background check; Eshteross was able to verify Bertrand's connection with Vox Machina, though he was unsure of its extent or nature.

When Bertrand was murdered, Estheross hired the others to investigate, Eshteross expressed his regret and frustration with what he perceived as his indirect role in Bertrand's death. He said that though he is no stranger to death "that does not mean the loss is lost on me" and called it an injustice. He cared for and remained with Bertrand's body in the day after and arranged for his burial per the decision of the adventuring party. He wrote the letter to accompany Bertrand to Whitestone. Describing Bertrand as a "friend of the Estheross estate", Estheross felt Bertrand's standing, connections, and history warranted a bounty on his murderer. Estheross paid Bertrand's allies in Jrusar over 1,000 gold for avenging him, insisting that someone as generous with money as Bertrand would be glad they were rewarded.

## **Character information**

### **Notable items**

* "Turmoil", a silver cane made of solid metal with a heavy ball at the end. Twisting the ball casts *Zone of Truth* with a DC of at least 16. In combat, it is mechanically treated as a quarterstaff. It is also able to transform into a scythe.
* Several letters for different people, including Evelyn Wress, Lex Emendar, Namin Oros, Orlana Seshadri, Manaia Turei and Bells Hells. All except the last one were delivered to Orlana Seshadri so that she could send them to their respective recipients.

### **Abilities**

#### **Orc abilities**

* Darkvision
* Aggressive
* Powerful Build
* Primal Intuition

#### **Fighter abilities**

* Fighting Style
* Second Wind
* Action Surge
* Extra Attack (3 attacks)

## **Appearances and mentions**

* Campaign Three
	+ "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) (first appearance)
	+ "Trial by Firelight" (3x02)
	+ "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03)
	+ "On the Trail of a Killer" (3x04)
	+ "The Threat Between the Walls" (3x05)
	+ "Growing Bonds and Teasing Threads" (3x06)
	+ "A Woodworker's Quandary" (3x08), mentioned only
	+ "Thicker Grows the Meal and Plot" (3x09)
	+ "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10), mentioned only
	+ "Chasing Nightmares" (3x11)
	+ "Make It Fashion" (3x12)
	+ "A Dance of Deception" (3x13)
	+ "In Too Deep" (3x14)
	+ "The Tunnels Below" (3x15)
	+ "The Shade Mother" (3x16), mentioned only
	+ "Heart-to-Heartmoor" (3x17)
	+ "A Hungry Jungle" (3x18), mentioned only
	+ "Promise and Potential" (3x22)
	+ "To The Skies" (3x23)
	+ "Blood and Dust" (3x33), mentioned only
	+ "What Dreams May Come" (3x34), via *Sending*
	+ "Pyrrhic Return" (3x35)
	+ "A Dark Balance" (3x38), deceased
	+ "The Momentum of Murder" (3x39), deceased, via *Speak with Dead*
	+ "Compulsions" (3x40), mentioned only
	+ "Call of the Wild" (3x41), mentioned only
	+ "The City of Flowing Light" (3x42), mentioned only
	+ "Ominous Lectures" (3x45), mentioned only
	+ "The Aurora Grows" (3x49), mentioned only
	+ "Red Moon Rising" (3x50), mentioned only
	+ "Reunited" (3x64), mentioned only
	+ "Nice" (3x69), mentioned only
	+ "A Test of Trust" (3x80), mentioned only
* *Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role*, mentioned only (includes a recipe for Lord Eshteross's Maple Ginger Cookies with Turmeric)

## **Quotations**

* "Sir Bertrand, it has been a moment since you stained my abode with your empty bravado."
* "I hear of many places where people cry out for help unheard. So I seek individuals that can do these deeds in my stead, offer guidance, protection, or at least be my eyes and ears in the greater world. Doing this kind of work as long as I have tends to make some enemies, so it's safest I stay here, and those that work for me make no mention of it."
* **Dorian**: "Shouldn't people of influence and power try to help those underneath them?"
**Lord Eshteross**: "Mr. Storm, you are absolutely correct. That is what is so frustrating in Exandria, at all corners. That's why people like myself and those I call allies expend our resources to try and flush out abuses in power."
* (To Bells Hells) "It has been nearly two weeks, and I had forgotten how extremely strange you are."

## **Trivia**

* The recipe for "Lord Eshteross's Maple Ginger Cookies with Turmeric" is included in *Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role.*

## **References**

1. ↑ See "The Momentum of Murder" (3x39) at 1:01:06.
2. ↑ In order to make three attacks, Ariks must be at least level 11.
3. ↑ Over the course of the combat in "Trial by Firelight" (3x02), Eshteross takes 161 points of damage but remains conscious. He takes a Second Wind, which regains him 1d10 + fighter level hit points for a range of 12 to 29 points regained, given that the upper bound for a fighter with three attacks an action is level 19. This puts his absolute hit point minimum, assuming level 19 and a max roll, at 133. Assuming level 11 and max roll, his hit point minimum would be 141. See CritRoleStats' "Livetweets of 3-02 Trial by Firelight" for an accessible list of damage values.
4. ↑ A 15 attack roll in "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 0:43:56 does not hit, but a 17 attack roll at 0:45:05 does.
5. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 0:37:37.  Eshteross forces a Strength saving throw from Orym, who fails with a 12.
6. ↑ Matt remarks that his damage bonus with his cane is +4 in "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 0:40:05. As a weapon, the cane is mechanically a quarterstaff—Matt says at 0:37:33 that the cane does less damage when used with one hand, suggesting it has the versatile property—so its damage is based on Strength. The cane is not indicated to have a weapon bonus.
7. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 0:20:34.  Ashton and Eshteross roll the same initiative. After asking for Ashton's Dexterity score, 15, Matt prompts a d20 roll to break the tie, meaning that Ashton and Eshteross have the same Dexterity score.
8. ↑ See "Chasing Nightmares" (3x11).
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 See "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) at 3:53:18.
10. ↑ See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) at 3:16:47.
11. ↑ See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) at 3:14:03.
12. ↑ See "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) at 2:48:00.
13. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 1:44:56.
14. ↑ See "The Tunnels Below" (3x15) at 12:42.  Ashton finds weapons cached under the dining table.
15. ↑ See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) at 3:25:12.
16. ↑ See "The Tunnels Below" (3x15) at 18:59.
17. ↑ See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) at 3:26:40.
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) at 3:29:37.
19. ↑ See "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) at 3:11:20.
20. ↑ See "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) at 2:44:27.
21. ↑ See "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) at 3:54:55.
22. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) from 0:17:40 through 0:55:13.
23. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) from 0:55:58 through 1:01:45.
24. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 1:05:08.
25. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 1:09:25.
26. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) from 1:44:15 through 1:55:23.
27. ↑ See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) from 3:11:53 through 3:20:21.
28. ↑ See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) from 3:25:10 through 3:35:00.
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 See "On the Trail of a Killer" (3x04) from 0:40:20 through 0:49:20.
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 See "On the Trail of a Killer" (3x04) from 2:36:15 through 2:43:48.
31. ↑ See "On the Trail of a Killer" (3x04) from 2:43:48 through 2:51:32.
32. ↑ See "On the Trail of a Killer" (3x04) from 3:02:59 through 3:05:33.
33. ↑ See "The Threat Between the Walls" (3x05) at 4:12:49.
34. ↑ See "The Threat Between the Walls" (3x05) from 4:15:12 through 4:16:50.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 See "The Threat Between the Walls" (3x05) at 4:17:34.
36. ↑ See "The Threat Between the Walls" (3x05) from 4:19:32 through 4:20:30.
37. ↑ See "Growing Bonds and Teasing Threads" (3x06) at 2:46:36.
38. ↑ See "Thicker Grows the Meal and Plot" (3x09) at 3:15:19.
39. ↑ See "What Dreams May Come" (3x34) from 3:03:56 through 3:20:54.
40. ↑ See "Pyrrhic Return" (3x35).
41. ↑ See "A Dark Balance" (3x38).
42. ↑ See "A Dark Balance" (3x38).
43. ↑ See "A Dark Balance" (3x38) at 4:09:13.
44. ↑ See "A Dark Balance" (3x38) at 4:10:57.
45. ↑ See "A Dark Balance" (3x38) at 4:18:17.
46. ↑ See "The Momentum of Murder" (3x39) from 1:01:06 through 1:03:40.
47. ↑ See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) from 3:29:34 through 3:31:54.
48. ↑ See "Growing Bonds and Teasing Threads" (3x06) at 2:38:16.
49. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 1:06:25.
50. ↑ See "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) at 2:48:01.
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 See "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) at 3:51:34.
52. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 1:07:42.
53. ↑ See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) at 3:28:08.
54. ↑ See "On the Trail of a Killer" (3x04) from 2:39:50 through 2:41:17.
55. ↑ See "On the Trail of a Killer" (3x04) at 0:51:00.
56. ↑ See "The Draw of Destiny" (3x01) at 3:54:08.
57. ↑ The cane is later described as silvered.  See "The Trail and the Toll" (3x03) at 3:34:41.
58. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 1:58:15.  The group makes saving throws. Dorian fails with a 15.
59. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 0:37:33.  Matt states that attacks made with the cane do less damage one-handed, suggesting that it has the versatile property. This is consistent with a quarterstaff, rather than a club.
60. ↑ See "Promise and Potential" (3x22) at 1:46:12.
61. ↑ See "A Dark Balance" (3x38) at 4:07:52.
62. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 22:19.  Ariks dashed as a bonus action towards a hostile creature.
63. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 39:22.
64. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 39:40.
65. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 38:59.
66. ↑ See "Trial by Firelight" (3x02) at 1:05:08.
67. ↑ See "Chasing Nightmares" (3x11) at 3:33:10.
68. ↑ See "Promise and Potential" (3x22) at 1:45:03.
69. ↑ See "Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role", pages 143-145.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Fan art of Lord Eshteross, by Sam "Qelric" Spencer (source). Used with permission.
2. ↑ Fan art of Lord Eshteross, by Andrew Jensen (source). Used with permission.
3. ↑ Fan art of Eshteross testing the new adventurers, by Lap Pun Cheung (source). Used with permission.
4. ↑ Fan art of the death of Lord Eshteross, by Qilian (source). Used with permission.