Thoughts on Kingsley Tealeaf and his relationships with the rest of the Nein in Darktow:
The fact that the Plank King's plot to take over Nicodranas is only foiled because Beau took the time to teach Kingsley how to read, and he apparently enjoyed reading enough that he would just steal any book he could get his hands on. That is just...so endearing to me--
When Beau says, "We don't even know this guy--he's not Molly anymore. He's a total stranger," and Kingsley argues, "That's so not true." There's just...so much to unpack with these little moments in the beginning--with the fact that the Nein have misgivings over joining Kingsley, the realization that aside from them Kingsley is truly alone and has no one else--
I'd just love something like the 2 part Mighty Nein Reunion or some kind of EXU of the Nein adventuring with King in Darktow. More time and space to really explore Kingsley relationships with each of the Mighty Nein and really develop them more. Because it feels like we're just scratching the surface, and there's so many interesting and complicated interrelationships between King and each of the Nein that I'd love to explore (which sadly we don't really have room in the live show constraints for ; ; though I would absolutely love to see Tal bring King to more of those too)
Yasha saying, "You know I have a complicated relationship with my friend Molly--sorry...Kingsley..." The way King doesn't say anything; how he gives that dejected, knowing look. It very much feels implied that this has happened before, and it's something Kingsley is very understanding of. Which breaks my heart--
Just--what it says that Yasha feels they should help Kingsley no matter what; being so ready to believe him, to be there for him--
Kingsley jumping at the chance to offer Caleb some kind of favor in exchange for his help--adding that a favor owed by the Plank King would be much better, and Caleb just cuts him off with, "You're laying it on a little thick, Pirate Man." Hey...hey Kingsley...what kind of favor or grand gesture did you have in mind for your Magician specifically. How were you planning to show your gratitude. Just curious--
Also, just...Caleb telling Beau they should help King regardless because, "Family is family." Caleb being the one to throw in his explicit support for King first. Thank you Circus Man and Magic Man for once again making my heart weak--
Caleb saying they can rebuild the Throne Room, make it whatever King wants!! Veth later saying that this castle is pretty neat, and maybe they should stay!! Just...give me the Mighty Nein all making themselves at home in the Throne Roost, making it feel comfortable and inviting, a place they can all stay. Rebuilding it together. Kingsley not feeling quite so alone anymore--
Kingsley's, "Oh trust me, she'd want it this way," as he runs over to spend his whole turn healing Jester without a second thought ; ; It's just so sweet, and such a testament to how much his family truly means to him. Of course he wouldn't leave Jester--he'd never. The Plank King's mocking little sing-song, "Save your friend," the fact that King says he's happy to do so...the Mighty Nein are just so dear to him ; ; I think it's very fitting actually that Kingsley would use his last turn to heal Jester and stand guard over her rather than attacking the Plank King. I think that really says so much more about the integrity of his character--
The member of the Plank King's inner sanctum that got away is a worshipper of the Chained Oblivion. Given that Kingsley literally still has nightmares of black chains shattering and primal screams...I am going to need some kind of followup to that immediately help--
Just, more of Kingsley dealing with his trauma of drifting memories and the terrible nightmares in general. King being more open with the Nein about just how haunted and Empty he feels some nights (and...how lonely he really feels)--
Kingsley temporarily getting a job at the Lavish Chateau was so cute, I hope he just moonlights there from time to time. I know he must enjoy the pretty costumes. And him calling Marion nan and Jester and Fjord mom and dad was sweet--
The fact that Daniel rolled exceptionally poorly is so funny because it makes it feel like Kingsley (who is only 7 years old and just skating by by the edge of his teeth) is somehow more competent a pirate than the Plank King, which is hilarious actually--
Really want to spend more time sitting with Kingsley's relationships with the Nein in general (his immediate crush on Caleb will always be so important to me, especially given how those feelings were returned in the end of the campaign, and I want more than anything to dive into those feelings between them--and his very dear and complicated bond with Yasha, Jester and him being especially close as well, Beau even teaching King to read, etc--) Because, oh...it just hurts that he's so clearly alone, that he has no one to hold him or really comfort him in the aftermath of his execution ; ; Because it's not lost on me that, if this was anyone else in the Nein...they would have had someone there for them. That definitely hurts. I want to see him let himself ask the Nein for help and support more. I want to see them taking care of King and showing him more little moments of warmth and affection. I want King to know comfort and compassion too in the wake of nearly dying again--to protect loved ones that would never know. Because god...it's so noticeable that no one is there to reach out and wrap their arms around them the way anyone else in the Mighty Nein would have someone there to take care of them--
"I tend to take being killed very personally." Just...Kingsley putting on a brave face, being the kind of person who will name his ship something irreverent and cheeky like The Last Laugh, but...he did say in The Mighty Nein Reunited that he doesn't like to take risks. He took the Swashbuckler subclass of all things, which allows him to both engage in flashy swordplay and deftly dance out of range, avoiding opportunity attacks. Get in, land some hits, get out and keep a safe distance. He plays far more defensive than Molly or Lucien's big gambles and dire risks. I think it's safe to say being killed again and again has left its mark, that it's a very real fear he still has. I'd love to see them explore that more, especially since he's come so very close to death's door again--
Would also love to explore Kingsley's initial motivations for distancing himself from the Nein in the first place, because it all just makes my heart weak. I think so much of it is, as Taliesin said, "Maybe those chains will find some quiet in piracy." Tealeaf running away from the past again, terrified of being caught up and dragged down by it--scared of all these conflicting, divergent memories and feelings for a family from another life. I think so much of it is fear, not being ready to confront his trauma. And it has this tragic effect of some of the Nein believing he's a stranger, that he doesn't care as much as he claims, that he would perhaps use them as a means to an end for a crown and throne...
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