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Megzilla87-Percy-Keyleth

Fan art of Percy and Keyleth, by Megzilla87.[art 1]

Keyleth and Percy have a strong bond of friendship, despite the fact that the human is, in Keyleth's own words, her "total opposite". While they have opposing philosophies and disagree on a wide matter of things, particularly that of leadership, they work through these disagreements and grow as people because of it. Their closeness was noted by Vax'ildan and Vex'ahlia[1], with Vex comparing Percy and Keyleth's relationship to that between siblings.[2] Keyleth serves as an emotional support and occasional moral compass to Percy, especially during the Whitestone story arc, and is often the only one to challenge him on his decision-making. She also brings out his compassionate side to counteract his cold pragmatism. In return, being around Percy lets Keyleth dip into some amount of cynicism to counteract her over-empathetic nature, which helps her mature into the leader she was meant to be. He affirms his pride in her whenever she shows her pessimistic side, and bonds with her over their shared lack of faith in the gods.[3]

According to Marisha, the two established a friendship early on, with Percy latching onto Keyleth first due to how she was the only other person in the group with a title. Despite Keyleth not wanting to talk about it, Percy kept saying that it was something she should be proud of.[4]

Keyleth helped Percy create his Diplomacy gauntlet before the Briarwoods' visit to Emon.[5][6].

After liberating Whitestone and helping to sever Percy's ties to the shadow demon Orthax, Vox Machina took part in the city's Winter's Crest Festival. During the festivities, they came across a street magician telling fortunes. Keyleth, paranoid from their experiences with the Briarwoods, was immediately distrustful of him, jumping to Percy's defense and threatening the magician if harm came his way.[7] Later in the day, Keyleth took Percy to the nearby fields and told him about her finding a dead raven in the fields, and how it reminded her of everything that had happened and how Percy nearly gave into the demon inside him. She gave him the raven's skull, cleaned and polished, and said that it was a reminder of what Percy or any of them could have become if they gave in to darkness. Percy thanked her, giving her a hug, and they returned to the festival.[8] Percy would wear the raven skull around his neck from then on.[9]

Keyleth: I think we all wish we were better than we could have been. Seeing that bird, I'm sure the bird felt the same way. But fuck it, he's dead now.
Percy: (laughs) You're strange, you know that?
Keyleth: I know, I'm sorry.
Percy: No, we like it. Don't change.
Keyleth: I'm glad you didn't change.
– 
After Keyleth gives Percy the raven skull.[10]
[!h]

As the characters matured and emerged from life-changing events, they began disagreeing more frequently on matters of diplomacy and leadership.[11] For instance, when Vox Machina made their way to the Clasp's headquarters after the Chroma Conclave's attack on Emon, Percy and Keyleth argued over whether or not to take the deal the Clasp offered of information and help to the people of Emon in exchange for entrée into Vasselheim. Keyleth was concerned with Percy's morality, pointing out that he had a history of making terrible deals with dangerous partners,[12] while Percy thought Keyleth came off as being snobbish.[13]

After Vox Machina liberated Westruun from the Herd of Storms and Umbrasyl, the two of them again disagreed over how to deal with the townspeople's split on where to go after the dragon attack, with half finding the scars on the town painful reminders and wishing to leave, and about half wanting to stay and rebuild their homes. Keyleth sided with the first half, believing the small increased chance at preserving the lives of the people was more important than rebuilding. Percy sided with the second half, noting the possibility of a dragon attacking known cities where the refugees were fleeing towards, then emphasized the importance of preserving the town's history so its culture could live through generations of people. He convinced the townspeople to stay, and Keyleth, seeing his viewpoint, added that Vox Machina would help with both building shelters and returning people from Kymal to Westruun.[14]

Afterwards, Percy carved into one wall the names of every person remaining in Westruun, and on another, carved the story of where the city came from and what has happened to it. Keyleth expressed her reservations, seeing it as self-promotion, but Percy reminded her that humans live as long as what they build endures, and the loss of a city would be felt by everyone. They exchanged an agreement over their shared goal to save what they could, and both of them came away with a better understanding of how the other thinks. Later, they worked together to make Kerrek a wooden box of gifts covered in white irises, containing a friendship bracelet from Keyleth and the controls to Fassbender to help Kerrek in his duty to protect the city.[15]

Keyleth: I don't really agree with immortalizing ourselves in stone way before we're even dead.
Percy: It's not about us. How long do you live?
Keyleth: If I complete my journey, it could be upwards of a thousand years or more.
Percy: How long do you think I live?
Keyleth: Less than a hundred? If you're lucky.
Percy: No. I am Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III.
Keyleth: No kidding.
Percy: My ancestry dates back thousands of years and will continue for thousands more, unless Whitestone falls. This place is the human soul. This is what we have built with our tiny moments. To lose a place like this, we don't feel it immediately, but it would ruin everyone in small ways.
Keyleth: Not all of us are lucky enough to have a lineage in a name.
Percy: Not all of us are lucky enough to have a lineage in a lifespan.
Keyleth: Not many of us are lucky enough to have a lineage at all.
Percy: Which is why we save everyone we can.
Keyleth: I guess that is one thing we can both agree on.
Percy: This is good we do here. This is great good. And it's not about idolizing ourselves; it's about a very long story, which we are — even you — a tiny part of.
– 
As Percy carves the names of the survivors and the story of the salvation of Westruun onto a stone wall.[16]
[!h]


Episode-63-Percy-and-Keyleth-cheer-up-Vex-by-Wendy-Sullivan-Green

Fan art of Percy and Keyleth mocking Saundor, by Wendy Sullivan Green.[art 2]

After Vex'ahlia's trial in the Echo Tree, she was left insecure and distraught over whether or not she did the right thing by choosing to attack Saundor rather than accepting his offer of Fenthras in exchange for her heart. Keyleth and Percy comforted her together by making fun of Saundor's over-dramatic advances and attempts at manipulating Vex into turning against her friends.[17]

Following Vox Machina's return to Whitestone from the Feywild, they were confronted with the presence of Vorugal and a horde of wyverns flying towards the city. Unsure of whether or not Gilmore's barrier would work against a dragon, Keyleth urged Cassandra to evacuate the citizens underground, with Percy noting in panic that the space would not be enough to fit them. Keyleth started to cast Skywrite to alert everyone in the city of the danger above them, assuming Vorugal already knew of the city and was about to attack them. Percy told her to hold, banking on the possibility that Whitestone was still secluded and their presence was hidden. Despite her reservations, Keyleth decided to trust him and keep the skies clear, as Whitestone was Percy's home and he had the last say in the decision. Instead of making a signal in the sky, Keyleth followed Percy's plan to expand the cavern under the city to make room for everyone during the evacuation. Vorugal and the wyverns flew over the city, unaware of what was beneath them, leaving Vox Machina in varying states of stress and relief, Percy being the most shaken by the experience due to the possible risk he had put Whitestone under. Afterwards, Keyleth approached him with the intent of assuring him of her trust, but Percy cut her off with a hug.[18]

Keyleth: I hope you know that I would never—
Percy: Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Thank you.
– 
Percy and Keyleth reconciling after Vorugal flew over Whitestone[19]
[!h]

When Percy fell during the battle at Glintshore, Keyleth retaliated by delivering the final blow to Orthax with a Thunderwave.[20] She then, along with the rest of Vox Machina, contributed to the slaying of his killer, Anna Ripley.[21] Keyleth was left distraught over his death, and took it upon herself to stay behind and clean his wounds the best she could while the rest of the group investigated the island. [22] While recuperating in Scanlan's mansion, she and Vex were approached by Grog with two expensive bottles of wine, who told them to "save your tears for later", and that they would attempt to remedy Percy's state after a night's sleep.[23]

Percy, we had many conversations about life and death. And in many ways you were my total opposite, but you were also my best friend. And even though I told you that day that I gave you [the bird skull around your neck] that we're all going to die and that you can still be saved from yourself, it was clear the journey was far from over and it still isn't. As much as you might think your journey is now over, just because yours might be, ours isn't. Because we need you, and I need you.
– 
Keyleth to Percy[24]
[!h]

When Percy was brought to Whitestone for a resurrection ritual, Keyleth deduced that Orthax was still bound to Ripley's weapon Animus, thereby blocking the ritual. Keyleth used Greater Restoration to sever the connection between the weapon and Orthax, freeing Percy's soul from the darkness and giving Pike the opportunity to commence.[25] During the ritual, Keyleth did what she could to convince him to return to the Material Plane, calling him her best friend.[26]

Later, as Percy recuperated from the exhaustion of dying and being resurrected, Vax read out the letter Percy wrote in case of his death to the rest of the group. The part addressing Keyleth stated simply that she shouldn't let the world break her and that she should learn to forgive it for not living up to her standards, adding "we promise to try harder".[27] Keyleth expressed some worry over the tone of Percy's letter due to how it expressed a ready anticipation of his own death.[28]

Keyleth was Percy's Best Person at his wedding, and during her speech she called Percy "the closest thing [she's] ever had to a brother".[29]

Other Intraparty Relationships[]

Intraparty Relationships of Vox Machina
Grog Keyleth Percy Pike Scanlan Taryon Tiberius Trinket Vax'ildan Vex'ahlia
Grog Grog Keyleth & Grog Percy & Grog Pike & Grog Scanlan & Grog Taryon & Grog Tiberius & Grog Trinket & Grog Vax'ildan & Grog Vex'ahlia & Grog
Keyleth Grog & Keyleth Keyleth Percy & Keyleth Pike & Keyleth Scanlan & Keyleth Taryon & Keyleth Tiberius & Keyleth Trinket & Keyleth Vax'ildan & Keyleth Vex'ahlia & Keyleth
Percy Grog & Percy Keyleth & Percy Percy Pike & Percy Scanlan & Percy Taryon & Percy Tiberius & Percy Trinket & Percy Vax'ildan & Percy Vex'ahlia & Percy
Pike Grog & Pike Keyleth & Pike Percy & Pike Pike Scanlan & Pike Taryon & Pike Tiberius & Pike Trinket & Pike Vax'ildan & Pike Vex'ahlia & Pike
Scanlan Grog & Scanlan Keyleth & Scanlan Percy & Scanlan Pike & Scanlan Scanlan (not applicable) Tiberius & Scanlan Trinket & Scanlan Vax'ildan & Scanlan Vex'ahlia & Scanlan
Taryon Grog & Taryon Keyleth & Taryon Percy & Taryon Pike & Taryon (not applicable) Taryon (not applicable) Trinket & Taryon Vax'ildan & Taryon Vex'ahlia & Taryon
Tiberius Grog & Tiberius Keyleth & Tiberius Percy & Tiberius Pike & Tiberius Scanlan & Tiberius (not applicable) Tiberius Trinket & Tiberius Vax'ildan & Tiberius Vex'ahlia & Tiberius
Trinket Grog & Trinket Keyleth & Trinket Percy & Trinket Pike & Trinket Scanlan & Trinket Taryon & Trinket Tiberius & Trinket Trinket Vax'ildan & Trinket Vex'ahlia & Trinket
Vax'ildan Grog & Vax'ildan Keyleth & Vax'ildan Percy & Vax'ildan Pike & Vax'ildan Scanlan & Vax'ildan Taryon & Vax'ildan Tiberius & Vax'ildan Trinket & Vax'ildan Vax'ildan Vex'ahlia & Vax'ildan
Vex'ahlia Grog & Vex'ahlia Keyleth & Vex'ahlia Percy & Vex'ahlia Pike & Vex'ahlia Scanlan & Vex'ahlia Taryon & Vex'ahlia Tiberius & Vex'ahlia Trinket & Vex'ahlia Vax'ildan & Vex'ahlia Vex'ahlia

References[]

  1. See "The Elephant in the Room" (1x72) at 1:54:45.
  2. See "The Coming Storm" (1x73) at 49:15.
  3. See "The Endless Atheneum" (1x106) at 2:13:56.
  4. See "Talks Machina #3" (TMx03) at 49:43.
  5. See "The Feast" (1x24) at 2:24:25.
  6. See "The Feast" (1x24) at 2:39:45.
  7. See "Winter's Crest in Whitestone" (1x36) at 1:02:28.
  8. See "Winter's Crest in Whitestone" (1x36) at 2:33:05.
  9. See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) at 1:11:08.
  10. See "Winter's Crest in Whitestone" (1x36) at 2:36:07.
  11. See "Dangerous Dealings" (1x42) at 2:54:38.
  12. See "Dangerous Dealings" (1x42) at 2:53:07.
  13. See "Dangerous Dealings" (1x42) at 2:58:48.
  14. See "Hope" (1x56) at 2:43:54.
  15. See "Hope" (1x56) at 3:32:30.
  16. See "Hope" (1x56) from 3:06:32 through 3:09:21.
  17. See "The Echo Tree" (1x63) at 3:42:35.
  18. See "The Frigid Doom" (1x64) from 42:18 through 59:20.
  19. See "The Frigid Doom" (1x64) at 59:10.
  20. See "Cloak and Dagger" (1x68) at 4:16:44.
  21. See "Cloak and Dagger" (1x68) at 4:23:49.
  22. See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) at 30:34.
  23. See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) at 49:34.
  24. See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) from 1:17:06 through 1:18:20.
  25. See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) from 1:08:12 through 1:09:22.
  26. See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) from 1:17:06 through 1:18:20.
  27. See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) at 2:36:24.
  28. See "Passed Through Fire" (1x69) at 2:39:06.
  29. See "Dalen's Closet" (Sx47) at 1:02:16.

Art:

  1. Fan art of Percy and Keyleth, by Megzilla87 (source). Used with permission.
  2. Fan art of Percy and Keyleth mocking Saundor, by Wendy Sullivan Green (source). Used with permission.
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