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Spoilers for The Mighty Nein follow.

In all of Exandria, there are few relationships as important to the Critical Role fanbase as Caleb Widogast and Essek Thelyss. The human wizard and hot boi drow ended Campaign 2 as an item, and ever since, we’ve been getting hints at their future beyond the events the fanbase files under The Mighty Nein adventures. Caleb himself, AKA OG Roler Liam O’Brien, has refused to go too deep into their much-requested relationship deets, but in a recent interview, was willing to share this one ship snippet:

While Caleb and Essek do stay together, they might not stay exclusive.

O’Brien revealed as much in a recent episode of Critical Role’s fan Q&A series, Fireside Chat. Along with castmate Sam Riegel, O’Brien was asked by one curious Critter whether Caleb had ever considered marriage, especially since Mighty Nein teammates Jester Lavorre and Fjord Stone have canonically tied the knot.

"Well," began the Legend of Vox Machina voice actor, "I'll say this: he's probably thought about it."

However, as O'Brien goes on to explain, thinking about something does not amount to committing to it.

"In the sunset of that campaign," O'Brien continued, referring to Campaign 2, "[I said] that Caleb and Essek were together for a very long time, and they were never stopped being close, but they never married. And Caleb, as a teenager, was polyamorous. I don't know that that vibe ever goes away."

This brings up a pretty obvious question - if there was another person to enter the relationship, who might that be? Speaking from personal opinion here, reader, I don't think there's an answer to that question right now, because as O'Brien has spoken about before, he avoids making headcanon for the two characters. However, as O'Brien confirms there is one way to get different answers about Caleb and Essek's relationship in the very near future. 

"But if you really like Caleb and Essek romance like I do," he concluded, "Check out the upcoming novel that centers on The Mighty Nein. You might find some stuff you like.

As I might not have to tell you, Critter, that novel would be The Mighty Nein--Children of Empire, which comes to bookstores everywhere November 10. In the meantime, you can stream The Mighty Nein season 1 on Prime Video now.

With two animated series on Prime Video, Campaign 4 in full swing, and so much more Exandrian lore to come, Critical Role is showing no signs of slowing down. That's why the adventuring party at Popverse are here to bring you everything we can from those nerdy-ass voice actors & Bo., including:

• Critical Role release schedule
• Critical Role's Campaign 4 characters ranked
• How to watch Critical Role in order
• Ways for you to relive the Critical Role panel from ECCC '26
• Taliesin Jaffe on playing Mollymauk Tealeaf for Campaign 2 vs. playing him for Prime Video
• Matt Mercer's homebrew warrior class (created originally for Vin Diesel)

...and much, much more. Roll initiative, player. Magic awaits.