Professor Thaddeus was a pet owl of Beau. As an NPC, Professor Thaddeus is played by Matthew Mercer and Marisha Ray.
Description[]
Appearance[]
Though akin to a great horned owl, the owl species that Professor Thaddeus belongs to has adapted to the more temperate region of the Menagerie Coast. The feathers are more lithe, the body is more elongated and thin, the tail feathers are longer, and the beak is sharper.[1]
Personality[]
Much like his owner, Professor Thaddeus is ill-tempered, aggressive, and disobedient. While he rarely obeys Beau, he appears to respond better to stern commands and swear words.[2]
Biography[]
Background[]
"Beyond the Boundaries" (2x32)[]
Beau purchased the owl from Kestiff Drudy for 20 gp.
"The Ruby and the Sapphire" (2x33)[]
After meditating for ten minutes at the beach, Beau began training her new owl to come to her when she raised her forearm "majestically". After an hour of training, Beau was able to train Professor Thaddeus to come to her, but only after coaxing him with some food (such as a rat or a seagull).
Beau had Professor Thaddeus boarded at the Lavish Chateau during the Mighty Nein's stay in Nicodranas.
"Dockside Diplomacy" (2x35)[]
After initial difficulty getting Thaddeus to come to her, Beau took him with the party when they left the Lavish Chateau to go to the Open Quay to find Marius LePual. After the events on the dockside, when Beau called out for him onboard the Mist it was revealed that Professor Thaddeus did not follow Beau and the party and instead remained somewhere loose in Nicodranas.[3]
"Unwanted Reunions" (2x88)[]
In Rexxentrum, upon spotting an owl in an apothecary and shop of minor magical items, Beau tried to determine if it was Thaddeus. Despite a low Perception roll, she was assured that it was not him.
"Dinner with the Devil" (2x110)[]
While the party was briefly in Nicodranas, Beau rolled a natural 20 when looking for Thaddeus and through a window saw a flying shape a block-and-a-half away.[4]
Relationships[]
Fan art of Beau and Professor Thaddeus, by APixelTaurus.[art 2]
Beauregard[]
Beau respected Professor Thaddeus, his stubborn nature reminding her of her own attitude.
Caduceus Clay[]
Due to Caduceus's ability to Speak with Animals, Professor Thaddeus had a stronger bond with the firbolg Cleric than his actual owner.[5]
Abilities[]
- Flyby: Doesn't provoke Attacks of Opportunity when it flies out of an enemy's reach
- Keen Hearing and Sight: Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing and sight
- Talons: Melee Weapon attack, +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target, Hit: 1d4+2 slashing damage
Appearances and mentions[]
- Campaign Two
- "Beyond the Boundaries" (2x32), unnamed
- "The Ruby and the Sapphire" (2x33)
- "Encroaching Waters" (2x34), mentioned only
- "Dockside Diplomacy" (2x35)
- "O Captain, Who's Captain?" (2x36), mentioned only
- "Homeward Bound" (2x48), mentioned only
- "Domestic Respite" (2x62), mentioned only
- "Uthodurn" (2x73), mentioned only
- "Rime and Reason" (2x75), mentioned only
- "With Great Power..." (2x94), mentioned only
- "Dinner with the Devil" (2x110), non-speaking appearance
- "Hell or High Water" (2x136), mentioned only
- Specials
Quotations[]
- Thaddeus: "Hoo, hoo. Hoo."[6]
Trivia[]
Professor Thadeus in Crit Recap Animated
- The name "Professor Thaddeus" originates from a character that Marisha met during Burning Man: "Professor Thaddeus Bubo", proprietor of the "Single Seat Circus".[7] Burning Man is an annual event in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada that experiments in artistic self-expression and radical community inclusion and cooperation. Matt, Marisha, and Taliesin are well-known for having attended the event each year since before Critical Role first aired.
- When Beau asked if the owl would try to eat Jester's new crimson weasel, Kestiff Drudy stated there was a reason that the two animals were kept in separate cages. Beau resolved to try to teach the two to become friends.
- Professor Thaddeus is the only animal companion of Critical Role that has been "played" on stream by a real-life animal.[8]
References[]
- ↑ See "Beyond the Boundaries" (2x32) at 3:24:28.
- ↑ See "Dockside Diplomacy" (2x35) at 1:25:16.
- ↑ See "Dockside Diplomacy" (2x35) at 3:35:37.
- ↑ See "Dinner with the Devil" (2x110) at 1:25:51.
- ↑ See "The Ruby and the Sapphire" (2x33) at 0:36:17.
- ↑ See "Dockside Diplomacy" (2x35) at 1:21:09.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/BWalloch/status/1040298974257635328
- ↑ See "A Familiar Problem: Sprinkle's Incredible Journey" (Sx68) at 3:07:05.
Art:
- ↑ Fan art of Professor Thaddeus and Beau, by kmc artworks (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Beau and Professor Thaddeus, by APixelTaurus (source). Used with permission.