Liar - A Critical Role PMV

[@joshangrian]

I feel like Essek was meant to be the campaign’s original big bad, until the Mighty Nein put so much energy into being his friend that Matt had to improvise. I mean think about it- a powerful master of a school of magic none of the characters understand who betrays his entire country and starts a full scale war purely to increase his own personal knowledge and power- he definitely feels like he was originally designed as the big surprise villain.

[@icannotchoose]

He was even designed to be another Trent in some way. He immediately took an interest in teaching Caleb but was really manipulating him. The only difference is that Essek caught feelings.

[@theaeon]

The Nein are sometimes very conflicting, morally, but dear gods they are all in all pretty wonderful people and that's just that.

[@bgcvetan]

Caleb did to Essek's bad side, what Yoda did to The Dark Yoda.

[@therealmmaster4766]

I get those vibes, he is actually neutral evil according to the Wildemount book. But so are a lot of there allies *cough* The Gentlemen * cough*

[@aidancox5481]

@@therealmmaster4766 the book also doesn't factor in that the Nein's adventures have taken place

[@plgrn8r683]

The thing that breaks my heart the most is thinking about the moment when he realizes he cares about them. Either before he goes over, or immediately following. Imagine how that feels. Knowing that there are people you know who you have come to see as your only true friends, and believing that you have completely and utterly betrayed them in a deeply harmful way, and you can't even begin to take it back because it's too big and it was done before you met them. To love people, and then to feel, with all your being, that that love has always been doomed to fail and it is entirely your fault because you made a selfish, unforgiveable decision... Just... Just *damn*

[@dawidpotega882]

yep, the way he wants to be out of all the intrigues because he doesnt want his friends hurt or to possibly go against them or having them find out. Throughout it all the only thing he was afraid of was them finding out. Not the Queen or his family - but his only friends. He even exposed his weakness to Ludinus, which was very dangerous in his position. If M9 wasn't there with him then Cerberus would get rid of Essek of for sure and would use this weakness to make it that much easier. Otherwise Essek was untouchable and would definitely escape them after their deals are over. I actually thought the betrayal from the spoiler i got was gonna be Essek turning out to be another student of Trent that infiltrated the Dynasty. It was a lesser betrayal, he just kept lying to them but honestly they entered the frame while he already started it all

[@fearthepiggaming2998]

Esseck was objectively a selfish horrible person. But he finally met someone he considered to be worth his time. He finally met people who he could let his guard down around. The measure of what makes one a horrible person or not is not what they've done it's whether or not they have regret for doing it. The Mighty Nein gave him regret and now he has a path to redemption even though the blood on his hands can never be removed.

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

It almost reminds me of Trent Ikithon. During the dinner at his tower, he claimed he has "spent my life bearing knives"; in much the same way, ever since his adoption into Den Thyless, so much of Essek's life must have been spent constantly watching the shadows, playing the angles, guarding against all others, especially after his betrayal - if he had never met the Nein, would he have become Ikithon's mirror? One of the monsters that everyone knows lives in Xhorhas?

[@fearthepiggaming2998]

@@Zombiewithabowtie I feel like without the Nein he would have been potentially more dangerous. Drow naturally have an affinity for magic that humans just don't.

[@silvercandra4275]

"My stubborness will put up a fight" Flees the shackles, putting up a fight "But I don't deserve to win it" Cad keeps him from running away, winning the fight Good symbolism.

[@wiktoriakaczmarek412]

I usually dislike Sam's stuns and his humor is too blunt and over-the-top, and often I have no idea why his characters should do things that they do. But for moments like those, like "He's MY boy". And this absolute masterpiece told to Essek: "You are a broken person, who had ill intentions and wandered aimlessly into a path that you had no intention, or idea how to complete. And yet somehow, along the way, you found a heart. You sound like ALL of us. Welcome to the Mighty Nein"

[@ewabrzakaa6395]

Sad they aren't bombarding him with random messages anymore. It feels like it's because they don't need his teleport services, rather than their new knowledge and... he called them friends, they promised him friendship, the "welcome to mighty nein"... and now this silence. Not like they can't spare spellslot on less busy day. On other hand, how can Essek not have the spell and at least once try to let Jester taste her own medicine?

[@Kadel___]

​@@ewabrzakaa6395 I think its because they're kinda preoccupied with their other purple friend that has recently reappeared which Essek has nothing to do with. They'll eventually get back to deal with him, but for the time being it's not their priority for the moment.

[@melusineshade8538]

@@ewabrzakaa6395 they are thinking of him but man do time flies quickly. And now he is back ♡

[@asifloserface]

You can really see the months of effort put into this. Your drawings are so smooth and detailed! It really tells Essek's story so well!

[@caduceusdraws]

(some light spoilers for the rumblecusp arc) AU where the Mighty Nein all lose their memories in Rumblecusp and stay there for so long that Essek gets suspicious/worried and eventually goes to look for them, finding them on that island, and having to make them remember who they were and how many lives they'd impacted (his included)

[@Min-ke6zc]

I desperately want that fic holy shit

[@enwarrior8163]

@@Min-ke6zc i second that!

[@Infected_Jelly]

This just makes me want to hug Essek even more than I already do

[@Sky-wn3ff]

The moment I saw the thumbnail I thought 'is this the song I think it is???' and it was and I might just cry now. Your art is beautiful and the matching of lyrics to scenes is just perfect... the contrast between 'I am the host of this hostility' and happy parasol Essek especially is gonna stick with me for a while. Wow. Thank you for making this, it's beautiful and my desire to hug Essek is now reaching truly ridiculous levels

[@PattPlays]

Moral: war crimes are bad. people are not.

[@icannotchoose]

Oof, half the reddit must hate you. I agree but this is still so hotly contested lmao

[@isabellewalter4684]

I love how you drew Essek and the song is so fitting this slaps

[@SkaterGirlFC]

AAAA THE WORLD NEEDS MORE ESSEK ANIMATICS THANK YOU FOR THIS ITS BEAUTIFUL I LOVE IT

[@enwarrior8163]

Absolutely! Essek needs more love!

[@shovelhund7067]

So proud of how far Essek had come, it’s amazing, reminds me of Beaus dramatic change after the unfortunate events of episode 26, although the next is the last of this campaign, his story is far from over, and I hope the Nein can help him along the way, he is one of them now indeed.

[@high_as_icarus5057]

Imma just take a moment, to appreciate the fact that I somehow got this in my feed. This video is so underrated, and I just happened to be lucky enough to stumble upon it.

[@Blasphemian336]

This is probably the best critter fan video I've seen. The scene choice for the lyrics was beautiful

[@duskodair309]

This is so powerful and honestly I think my fav frame is them all on the ground before the bright queen - it also has ace flag vibes so that's pretty cool

[@chad__connor9941]

I fucking love Essek, he’s such a well-thought out character, and the art, viewpoints, and the song tell his story beautifully. Thank you so much for making this!!

[@Anotherstarnb]

LOVE THIS!!! I'm watching c2 for the first time and this reveal really shook me. The Arcadian wild is one of my favorite bands too.❤❤❤

[@fredie9858]

1:44 How Caleb just looks at Essek 😂.

[@deranged_dragon9471]

Gayyyy

[@kariissmol9172]

@@deranged_dragon9471 Biiiiii

[@deranged_dragon9471]

@@kariissmol9172 Welll...actually Pan, But yeah that works LMFAOO

[@kariissmol9172]

@@deranged_dragon9471 wait the wiki said Bi. am I dumb again?

[@deranged_dragon9471]

@@kariissmol9172 I've heard both from everyone, I don't think its confirmed but it is confirmed hes had polyamory relationships, And Liked Women and Men, So either I guess works

[@makaylakraus1897]

I really like how you did Caleb's look with the different hair styles! Details details details

[@harrison3207]

I'm only on episode 99, but this blows me away. Soooooooooooo well done, that's some real dedication and it really brought the story to life in your own interpretive way

[@CavishBeka]

Hi, I'm still here, coming back to this video, it's as amazing as it ever was.

[@variantdm5774]

I liked this just by seeing the thumbnail because I KNEW it would be this good

[@FeralPhilosopher-art]

this is so good;_; i'm weeping... i love how you included the perspectives of characters other than essek. and the art is beautiful!! my favorite part is the interlude, with the animated panel. so good. thank you for sharing

[@tacitakoe5004]

"Welcome to the Mighty Nein."

[@carmenblankespoor1905]

This is amazing! It made me cry so bad. But what i love the most is how close Essek and Caleb seem here

[@yellowcremling]

This is so beautiful. The way the music picked up when they tried to change Veth - it's heartbreaking. Your night skies are breathtaking. I haven't been able to get through the full video without pausing to appreciate the art. Thank you for this!

[@variantdm5774]

The composition with the music is actually so good though. It’s amazing work.

[@incolourxx2613]

I need you to know that I still watch this animatic months later after seeing it dozens of times. You are a fantastic artist and storyteller, I think this is one of the best CR pmvs ever. I hope you continue to create!

[@philosynfonie7307]

This song fits Essek so well!

[@reynameredith1994]

Actually on the verge of tears. The way you subtly brought in Yasha and the mind control with Essick and every little thing about this whole thing was so good. Essick waiting for the signal from Caleb to kill the prisoner, The face he makes when he’s disguised and sees the M9, just all the tiny details. I love it

[@angrilyFrenchunhappiness]

yoo this is so good! ive only discovered this today but already watched it like five times, i just keep coming back to it. you have an impeccable sense of timing and putting together an interesting story, and the song too just fits really well. essek is a great character and you definitely show it! i especially love the lineup between essek killing the Vollstrecker and "deny it all", fuckin beautiful

[@Andrea-B.C.]

I come back to this video monthly. But today - and especially after last nights episode (episode 131) - I've watched it more than once. The art, the music, the flow, the symbolism...it's too perfect. I love this video. Essek makes my heart soft.

[@YesIAmPlease]

I'm actually teary. This is incredible, you can see the hours and hours of work that went into it! Beautifully done.

[@dirttrackart]

I am in love with this song now because of this video.

[@RedOnion4175]

same! it fits so well

[@floppy3383]

reuhflieuhfw Okay so this had such an emotional impact on me I literally cried. I've loved Essek so much as a character from the moment he was introduced, and this song so perfectly describes him it's painful, especially with lines like 'I need you to see through my act' and 'I don't deserve to win it' like my heart ouch. Just everything about this, it's so beautiful and it fits Essek so well. Thank you for bringing us this masterpiece!

[@puremagic439]

Wow honestly if you had told me this was a fan written song about Essek, i would have believed you. Love it! Amazing video! ❤

[@bouncingbuttons7441]

i think i cried for a solid half hour after i watched this, so i've returned to tell you that this was beyond brilliant and well done.

[@pinkjaguar12]

I've had this song stuck in my head for the past few days and every time I hum it I think of this animatic. The colors, the emotion! The amount of love you clearly poured into every frame!!!!! My favorite is the bit at the end "We all wish we had strength to admit it" and Essek looking ashamed. You captured that emotion so well!!!!

[@kristinalawson6190]

To be a fan of The Arcadian Wild and Critical Role and come across this is absolutely 10/10. Beautiful work!

[@BlooGhost]

My whole dnd group crowded around a computer screen to watch this after a particularly awesome session. I’ve watched it ten or more times since then. :)

[@oakenshadow6763]

The lines matching up so well still gets me. Listened to this song so many times, and can't help but imagine your animatic in my eyes every time.

[@sivsi6598]

Oh my god this is incredible??? The song choice is so incredibly perfect for him and the amount of detail put into everything is insane!

[@ZeroSkylerxD]

i spent the whole series cheering for Caleb to be happy. I think the ending we got was more beautiful than what i hoped for. It's bittersweet, but it's grounded. Trauma and guilt are powerful forces, and i think that Caleb and Essek just barely being able to cope and clawing tooth and nail to find forgiveness and purpose in the midst of their pain is both relatable and heartbreaking, but also inspiring.

[@emilypepper1277]

Holy crap this is now perhaps my favourite PMV ever! I am honestly losing it. I got obsessed with this song over quarantine and was thinking about how cool an Essek PMV to it would be, and then this appears. Proud to be your 16th sub❤️ and I can wait to see what you do next!

[@icnamiro633]

Huuh, I am still at episode 15 or something, but just couldn't resist it - I just love drows so much, and your artwork... Woah, man, great job. I mean, I know literally nothing about Essek, but you were able to picture him in so, so good way... Congrats, I think, really 💚

[@CavishBeka]

I'm now officially addicted to this song and this video since I found it a week ago. I come back here multiple times a day.

[@crunchylettuce8461]

I heard the song a few days ago and I wanted to make an animatic for CR immediately! Well, I looked it up on youtube, to see if anyone's done it already, just to make sure. :D Well. I guess someone has beat me to it. You've done a great job!

[@futureshieldmaiden8484]

There's no reason you shouldn't do it anyway! I've seen one other animation to this song since I posted this, and it's amazing! They had a slightly different take on it, and it was fully animated, and it doesn't make either of ours worse! There's definitely still something you could bring to it if you wanted to. And, even if you decide you don't want to post it anywhere, doing it anyway is really good practice.

[@musical__turtles]

There’s a reason this has zero dislikes

[@incolourxx2613]

What a masterpiece, one of my favorite CR PMVs I’ve ever seen

[@idaholcomb4778]

This is amazing and beautiful!! Every frame is incredible on its own, the whole is magnificent! There's no drawing that isn't just so gorgeous and expressive!!

[@bradenpotts]

This is so great and tells Essek’s story so far perfectly, and with them about to go and meet up with him I can’t wait.

[@gzer0x]

I cannot get over this perfect video and song

[@liefygreens]

Ahhhhh wow this is incredible!!!!!!!!!! I love all of the colours so much, every image could be a stand-alone piece! This is such a fantastic depiction of everything that's happened so far

[@ashleycook300]

That last line mixed with your gorgeous art brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for such a lovely little gorgeous piece of the internet. 💖

[@reathelemon2277]

Sooo good definitely the best essek animatic I’ve seen! And the details! You can see just how much time an effort this took!! Sooooooooo amazing I hope you put more stuff out there because you are greatttt!

[@ashleyyoung8483]

We love it when right after I finish watching episode 97, KZbin recommends this video... ❤❤ Also I love how you drew Essek!

[@Creatingnightmares]

This is fantastic the amount of work was worth it as it really shows!!

[@coreybadoni4078]

Beautiful. Music and Art. These lyrics reach me at a time I desperately need them. Ptsd, kids, fresh separation, all while these fires rage everywhere. Tensions from pandemic, tensions from racial prejudice. Thank you for bringing this into my life, Keep drawing, keep picking good sounds. It's p eople like me who need such beauty in this world to decide to wake up the next day.

[@hexxidelux6224]

The choice of scenes from the campaign and the use of imagery here are powerful. I can't wait to see you remake this a few short years from now when your art has further improved - because you got potential in your style and your vision. I believe you may even be an animator one day. Keep it up!

[@shawtknight]

You did a good job, this has a "feel" to it and that is not easy to do.

[@Mary_Studios]

This wasn't the song I was expecting but I was happy to see this and I love it.

[@nebulaahh3019]

this is your first ever video? its incredible. I love it to pieces

[@lynkhart1108]

This is the second take I've seen on Essek with this song and it's amazing to see just how differently you've both tackled it! This song fits insanely well, and I love how much of Essek's journey you've packed into it! (also random, but I absolutely love your handwriting!)

[@iwillcry]

you colored every frame and made beautiful backgrounds, bravo! and I adore how you drew caleb’s hair, let those luscious locks flow

[@neotagatg3238]

Some of this hit me hard I love the song and the animation . Very well done.

[@conradshockley4936]

Chills. And perfect choice for song

[@Min-ke6zc]

This is absolutely lovely, and after the most recent episode, made me smile so, so much

[@nope2095]

This is incredible and perfectly captures their whole relationship!

[@becca9867]

This was so fantastic!!! The emotions were beautifully shown and I love your art style!

[@finch8113]

AWWW THIS IS AMAZING!!

[@ffwydriad]

oh this is absolutely gorgeous! i love the art and the choice of song is fantastic! thanks so much for sharing this!

[@chaonis24601]

oh my goodness this is amazing! It so good! Your style is very simple and sometimes things look a bit awkward but you express the emotions and the atmosphere of what's going on so well! This song suits essek and the nein so well! and the parallels and transitions with Nott's journey is amazing! well done :D

[@pixiemagic36]

I cannot even begin to describe how amazing I think this is, it was absolutely beautiful and it moved me to tears. You are amazing artists and I'm so happy to have found your incredible work. Thank you for sharing this with the world, I look forward to your future projects 💕💕💕💕

[@micahgarcia2280]

This is soooooo good! The drawings are amazing, the song choice is on point, and you manage to convey so much emotion through these images. Keep doing what you’re doing friend, you have talent :)

[@michaeltodd343]

What a piece! This was fantastically creative, emotionally charged, beautifully drawn, and masterfully executed. I adore your designs for each of the characters, but Caleb and Essek especially caught my eye, I love the expression work and hair details you gave them. Well-paced, well-designed, and well done. :]

[@bluefootwalking]

I, for one, will shed many a tear when the Nein eventually have to fight him. It’s inevitable.

[@CatCheshire]

why thou?

[@johnthaxton9235]

I don't believe they'll fight him. Matt once said at a signing that Essex was meant to be a possible love interest and was disappointed it didn't happen.

[@Ashjay99]

@@johnthaxton9235 it really depends on what they do with the assembly. If they kill members of the assembly. Then they should do the same to Essek. He might seem different but he's the same, Power for the good of his country.(that's what all of the assembly say)

[@ongoingfive8730]

ash ellis you forget he truly has no allegiance to country no one has done right by him, except for the nein. Remember what he said “it’s terrible when you find out you’ve betrayed your friends before you even met them”

[@jasperxalicecullen]

@@ongoingfive8730 all that is true, but he is a war criminal. it'd be rather hypocritical of the nein to want to bring down the assembly but not essek. although my heart still ships shadowgast :'(

[@claudiamescher6022]

This is sooooo good! There is clearly a lot of hard work out into this and it shows

[@aakash2868]

Wowowow! This is so amazing!! The art, and the parallels with the song, woven like a story

[@firerinart]

Essek Thelyss Fan Clun RISE UP!

[@firerinart]

seriously tho, Idk if you're on discord but you should join the Essek Theylss server. We'd really love to have you bc we've been screaming about this for the last 24 hrs. Message my on twitter or insta (@firerinart)

[@tjmakes_]

Oh my gosh…. Absolutely beautiful, incredible work my friend…. 😢 Every single frame is gorgeous- especially the ones with the backlighting (the Xhorhouse!! 💜)

[@cormorantcolors]

Woah! This is amazing! I love how you did the lighting and how dynamic the frames were!

[@CavishBeka]

It has been month and I still come back to this on a regular basis.

[@abbyweeks2953]

This was so amazing to watch!!

[@MonaBee]

This was so so beautiful. Genuinely gorgeous. Thank you so so much for sharing

[@rhylin26]

Dear Algorithm, More like this please.

[@tonyterrifies3959]

Dude, wow, this one is.. really great. LIke, wow. No words. Just applause.

[@OctoberFae95]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@outoforder-n.p.h.a323]

this was beautifully done

[@kyuwko3736]

GHH MY HEART this is so pretty and well done!! made my day fr ;n; essek needs a hug!!!

[@Kirayni]

This is so so so so good and so so so pretty! It almost made me cry omg

[@dragnfly111]

Absolutely stunning! The art, the lyrics, the moments matching the beats of the song, just wow! You are amazing at your craft. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@lilystorz1358]

This is absolutely beautiful

[@LunarWanderer17]

This is incredible and the song fits so perfectly

[@ninasimpson6639]

Oh my god this is really good!!!

[@duskodair309]

This is phenomenal and I'm hoping that whenever I get notes on this comment KZbin actually tells me so that I can come and watch it again

[@yellowcremling]

Hey, do you want to come and watch it again? I know I do.

[@duskodair309]

@@yellowcremling I have watched this at least once a day since I made this comment, but yes, yes I do

[@starsgears9200]

Hey, come watch it again!

[@yellowcremling]

@@starsgears9200 Thanks for the reminder! It's that time again.

[@duskodair309]

@@starsgears9200 thanks, I came as soon as I finished making a character sheet for druid molly rescued by cad

[@zachschwanck349]

I re-listened to this so many times. Amazing

[@IzzymaticArt]

This is so good 😭 wonderful work!!

[@mysticlynx]

Watched it three times already, it's so good. Hope to see more from you in the future!

[@leafandlore]

This is beautiful! I just discovered this artist and song yesterday and thought "this is a good dnd song". 😄