Kerrek

Kerrek
Official portrait of Kerrek, by Kit Buss.
Type	Guest Player Character
Actor	Patrick Rothfuss
Character Information
Name	Kerrek
Pronouns	he/him
Also known as	Ker (pronounced "care") Ker-Bear Kerrek the Dragonslayer (after killing Raishan)
Creature type	Humanoid
Race	Human
Class	Paladin (Oath of Devotion)
Age	Mid to late 40s (in 811 PD)
Languages	Common
Place	Westruun
Connections	Keyleth (counseled by Kerrek) Joseph (friend) Samantha (comrade)
Profession	Blacksmith (former adventurer)
Status
Status	Alive (as of 811 PD)
Stats
Level	7
HP	75 or 89
AC	18
DC	15
Str	14
Dex	10
Con	18
Int	10
Wis	11
Cha	16
Reference(s)
Appearances
First seen	"Hope" (1x56)
Last seen	"Loose Ends" (1x84)
Stream	Campaign One (5 episodes)

“

There is a comfort in iron, knowing that a fresh start is always possible.

”

– 

Kerrek, in his letter to Keyleth

[edit]

Kerrek is a human blacksmith, paladin, and retired adventurer from Westruun. Kerrek was played by special guest Patrick Rothfuss.

Description

Appearance

Kerrek is a human male in his mid to late forties with a sun-dappled nose and wild, crazy-looking dark hair. He has a big, black, gray-streaked beard that is pulled into two points. When Vox Machina first encountered him, he was wearing chain mail with a heavy shield to one side.

Personality

Humble and deflective in reaction to being praised, Kerrek's calm wisdom and effortless empathy elicits the respect of those around him, often placing him in the very positions of leadership and respect he tries to avoid.

Kerrek's kindness and generosity of attention make him a desirable person to be around, as evidenced by the two children, unrelated to him, that ran up to Kerrek in the Westruun tavern, cheering, "Uncle Kerrek!"

Biography

Background

At some point in his past, Kerrek spent some time sailing on the dangerous waters of the Lucidian Ocean. He also ventured to the southern peninsula of Tal'Dorei, to the jungles of the Rifenmist Peninsula, where he encountered a dangerous necromancer. Two of his adventuring party were lost, and the rest of them fled. To this day, he has an uneasiness around the mention of necromancy.

“

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.

”

– 

Kerrek's letter to Keyleth

[!h]

"Hope" (1x56)

Kerrek met Vox Machina in Westruun, and bonded with Keyleth in a tavern. He was first seen helping the city's citizens flee the town.

"Passed Through Fire" (1x69)

Several weeks after their initial meeting, Kerrek sent a letter to Keyleth in which he described the rebuilding of Westruun and his struggles in becoming a leader to the people, providing some words of wisdom along with a ring engraved with the words "I have passed through fire".

"What Lies Beneath the Surface" (1x81)

Kerrek and some able-bodied fighters from Westruun made an appearance in the battle for Emon, with Kerrek himself helping fell a fire giant that was about to attack Vox Machina, saving the lives of Zahra and Kashaw. He accompanied the group back to Whitestone and was persuaded into chugging Grog's sandkheg liquor.

"Deadly Echoes" (1x82) - "The Deceiver's Stand" (1x83)

Despite his misgivings towards necromancy, Kerrek joined Vox Machina as they ventured to the Island of Viscan to hunt down and slay Raishan. Kerrek helped dispose of some wraiths and aided the attack on Raishan herself. He was the one to land the final blow, with his Dusk Hammer shattering Raishan's skull to the point where her corpse completely lacked a head. He seemed badly shaken by the events of the battle, especially after Percy was killed right in front of him.

"Loose Ends" (1x84)

Kerrek returned with the group to Whitestone and observed Scanlan's resurrection ritual with curiosity. Later, during the festivities, he probed Grog for further information on resurrection magic, specifically whether it is always successful and if it can work without a body, though Grog was unable to answer. Pike overheard the conversation and joined in, but Kerrek changed the subject.

In the following morning, he joined in Allura's teleport spell to Emon. Knowing he had to return to Westruun, Kerrek said his goodbyes to Vox Machina and left with Samantha and his other followers.

Relationships

Keyleth

Fan art of Kerrek and Keyleth, by Thomas Brin.

Keyleth first met Kerrek after Vox Machina defeated Umbrasyl the Hope Devourer. When Keyleth was having a breakdown over the fact that she hated being called a hero, thinking that she could not be considered one due to her actions, it was Kerrek whom she confided in, telling him that she never wanted the burden and responsibility of the Aramenté. The former paladin served as an inspiration and mentor to her, being the very first person who completely understood Keyleth's constant struggles with herself, telling her that she needed to look at the big picture even if it was unpleasant and that things were not as hopeless as she believed. Through this shared understanding, the two ended up becoming friends.

Kerrek later sent a letter to Keyleth after Percy's resurrection, giving her additional wisdom along with a ring with the engraved words, "I Have Passed Through Fire".

Character information

Fan art of Kerrek landing the killing blow on Raishan, by Viktor Engholm.

Notable items

• Chain Mail
• Cloak of Displacement (loaned to him permanently by Keyleth)
• Dusk Hammer
• Ring of Invisibility (loaned to him by Vax'ildan, given back after Raishan's death)

Abilities

Paladin abilities

Class features

• Divine Sense
• Lay on Hands (35 points)
• Fighting Style
• Spellcasting (Charisma-based ability)
• Divine Smite
• Divine Health
• Sacred Oath: Oath of Devotion
  • Channel Divinity
    • Turn the Unholy
    • Sacred Weapon
  • Aura of Devotion
• Aura of Protection

Paladin spells

As a 7th level Oath of Devotion paladin, Kerrek always has four spells prepared.

Spell level	Spell	Notes
1st	Detect Poison and Disease
1st	Protection from Evil and Good	Oath spell
1st	Sanctuary	Oath spell
2nd	Lesser Restoration	Oath spell
2nd	Zone of Truth	Oath spell

Appearances and mentions

• Campaign One
  • "Hope" (1x56) (first appearance)
  • "Passed Through Fire" (1x69), mentioned only, Kerrek's letter to Keyleth is read (pre-recorded) in character by Patrick Rothfuss
  • "What Lies Beneath the Surface" (1x81)
  • "Deadly Echoes" (1x82)
  • "The Deceiver's Stand" (1x83)
  • "Loose Ends" (1x84)
  • "The Chapter Closes" (1x115), mentioned only

Quotations

• Keyleth: And what's your position been in Westruun?
  Kerrek: (with a dismissive chuckle) Oh, I'm—I'm—I—I don't have a position in the city; I'm just the smith.
• Grog: Ker, are you an honest man?
  Kerrek: I've been called an honest man.
• Vex'ahlia: We have claim to the gold that was stolen. It's up in the mountain; it's just hard to get down.
  Percy: (looking at Kerrek) Someone honest is going to have to come and help divvy it up amongst the survivors.
  Kerrek: (dismissively) Well, we could look for an honest person.
• Vex'ahlia: (to Kerrek, intently) You know, these—these people here, they're a bit lost, and they need a leader.
  Kerrek: (with a chuckle) Yeah, they absolutely do. Uh, we'll see if we can find them one.
  Vex'ahlia: I'm looking at one that would be wonderful.
  Kerrek: Uh...
  Vex'ahlia: Just something to think about.
  Kerrek: I've thought about it, but no. But you're very kind.
• Kerrek: 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 go through fire and find themselves much better for it afterward.
• Kerrek: (before slaying Raishan) No further.

Trivia

• Kerrek is one of five guest player characters (the others being Zahra Hydris, Shakäste, Tova, and Twiggy) who have earned a How do you want to do this? Kerrek got his when he landed the killing blow on Raishan.
  • With Kerrek's defeat of Raishan, it is a guest character (not Vox Machina) who ends the reign of the Chroma Conclave.
• While Kerrek is one of many paladins in Critical Role, he is the only player character paladin featured in the main show to not have multiclassed.
• In the Critical Role Major Arcana Tarot Card Set, he represents XIV - Temperance.
• In November 2017, Patrick Rothfuss also played Kerrek while filling in for Nathan Sharp during a live Dice Camera Action game at PAX Unplugged.
• In "The Hope Devourer" (LVM2x12) the book Scanlan Shorthalt is reading to his grandchildren in a dream is written in a code. If said code is deciphered, it reveals part of the letter that Kerrek wrote to Keyleth.

References

Art: