#kerrek

[ludinusdaleth]

"Let's get to that garden."

[renatogpadilla]

SO SOMEONE CALLED STYXE ( "@ The Styxe" on Twitter) TRANSLATED THE BOOK SCANLAN IS READING IN HIS DREAM SEQUENCE.

IT'S KERREK'S LETTER TO KEYLETH. The doodle at the bottom is her "Passed Through Fire" Ring!

[your-turn-to-role]

also. i absolutely adored what lovm did with the pass through fire quote

but then it makes me emotional about the original context, so i have to share that too (minor plot spoilers ahead)

because it wasn't originally to do with the ashari at all. it was from patrick rothfuss' guest character, a blacksmith named kerrek, who helped vox machina fight against the dragon in westruun, and helped keyleth personally through some difficult stuff (he may yet appear on lovm, but given the context of the quote now i doubt we'll get all of it)

and a little after kerrek's episode, patrick rothfuss actually made a legit letter from kerrek to keyleth, with a present inside, and left it with matt until whatever point in the plot she was able to recieve it

which by coincidence was one of the hardest moments in the whole campaign for her

and this letter had marisha legit crying in the episode, because it's just. so beautiful, and so needed. and it goes:

Keyleth,

I write to let you and your companions know that the repair of Westruun is proceeding well. I will not bore you with the details. Suffice to say that our children are well-fed and safe, our elderly and infirm are cared for and comfortable. Without the help of you and yours, this would not be the case.

The folk in charge argue constantly, but that is to be expected, and it is no bad thing. They all want the same good things in different ways. I listen, mostly, and do what I can to make sure that they listen to each other. Without listening, nothing good can happen.

The town... when I say the repair is going well, it is a hard thing for me to talk about. I am not a particularly clever man, and much of this is new to me. When you make a mistake with metal, you can melt things down and start afresh. It is irritating, and it costs in time and soot and sweat, but it can be done. There is a comfort in iron, knowing that a fresh start is always possible. But a city is not a sword. It is a living thing, and living things defy simple fixing. Roots cannot be reforged. They scar, and broken branches must be cut and sealed with tar, and this makes me angry, as it always has, and my anger has no place to go.

It was easier when I was young. I could use my anger like a hammer against the world. I was so sure of myself and my friends and my rightness. I would hammer at the world, and breaking felt like making to me, and I was good at it. And while I was not wrong, neither was I entirely right. Nothing is simple.

I do not work in wood. I am not brave enough for that. There is a comfort in iron, a promise of safety, a second chance if mistakes are made. But a city is more a forest than a sword. No, it needs more tending than that.

Perhaps a city is like a garden, then. So these days, it seems I have become a gardener. I dig foundations in the earth. I sow rows of houses. I plan and plant. I watch the skies for rain and ruin. I cannot help but think that you would be better at this, but circumstance has put both of us in our own odd place. You are forced to be a hammer in the world, and my ungentle hands are learning how to tend a plot of land. We must do what we can do.

Did you know that there are some seeds that cannot sprout unless they are first burned? A friend once told me that. She was... she was a bookish sort. I think of gardening constantly these days. I wear your gift, and I think of you, and I think it is interesting that there are some living things that need to pass through fire before they flourish.

I ramble. You have the heart of a gardener, and because of this, you think of consequence, and your current path pains you. I am not wise, and I do not give advice, but I have come to know a few things: sometimes breaking is making. Even iron can start again. And there are many things that move through fire and find themselves much better for it afterward.

I have enclosed a gift. Once it was a sword, but it has changed. It is a small thing, and silly. Please forgive an old man for his foolishness. Still, I hope it brings you some small comfort.

Kindly, Kerr.

and the present inside the envelope? a ring, engraved with the phrase "I have passed through fire."

[amasugiru]

Last Fanart of the Year

Between Covid and fieldwork, I haven’t had a second to think about art. This piece has been unfinished for months. I wanted to end the year with one last piece so I saved myself some time to polish it up. 

As always, the suggestions are much appreciated!

[wafflecrew-outofcontext]

Favourite Guest NPC, season 3:

Chumba (Geoff Robinson)

Wumba (Ross O’Donovan)

Kerrek (Patrick Rothfuss)

Xopa (Mark Hulmes)

Bag of Nails (Matthew Lillard)

Miranda Moonwhisper (Rachel Seeley)

Omin Dran (Jerry Holkins)

Voting ended onSep 7, 2025

[l-herz]

Awww the act of giving real character gifts continues!

Here's Laura gifting Liam a snake belt buckle. In character Vex gifted Vax "Simon" his magical belt that turns into a snake which he lost episodes ago:

(edited addition) Marisha as Keyleth gave Taliesin/Percy a bird’s skull, similar to his bird-like mask. To remind him that he is a better version of what he could have been and that she is glad to have him rid of evil influence from Orthax. Percy later made it into a broach

Here's Liam giving Laura a broom of flying like the one Vex stole (good for her). He told Laura he supports all her roleplay decisions. A great moment, especially considering the largely hateful response towards “broomgate” against Laura and Vex, from a part of the fandom at the time.

(edited addition) Patrick Rothfuss as Kerrek sent Marisha a heart warming letter to her character Keyleth that made her tear up. He also voice recorded the letter to be played as she read it and gave her a ring with the iconic "I have passed through fire" line that describes Keyleth's struggles and strength.

Liam giving Travis a belt of dwarven kind like the one Grog has. Also known as the "hug me through my wife!" moment:

And now Travis as Chetney giving Robbie as Dorian a wooden flying airship:

[criticalrolenpctournament]

Round 1, Poll 30

Fy'ra Rai v Kerrek

Fy'ra Rai

Kerrek

Voting ended onJun 24, 2025

Fy're Rai from EXU Prime portrayed by: Anjali Bhimani

Kerrek fron C1 portrayed by: Patrick Rothfuss

[manueltorresart]

Last week I was out so I couldn't share my weekly bust of Critical Role. So, today you'll have double share starting with Kerrek, your wise local blacksmith.