WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for The Legend of Vox Machina, now streaming on Amazon.
In adapting the story of Critical Role to the animated adventures of The Legend of Vox Machina, the shift in formatting meant that the structure to the overarching plot needed some adaptation as well. Although the show did a remarkable job balancing its characters, that meant that Vox Machina focused the lion's share of its first season on delving into the background of one character in particular: Percival de Rolo.
The story that unfolded from there provided a story so unique and interesting that most anybody would chomp at the bit to find their own rift on the tale in their Dungeons & Dragons campaign, but it was not until the finale that the show shared its final piece to Percy's story. Just who is Orthax, and how was it that the show successfully utilized him to round out one of Vox Machina's most interesting characters?
Percy's story only ever became more fascinating as it unfolded over the course of the show's first season. Immediately established as a more erudite and educated member of the team compared to his compatriots in Vox Machina, Percy was nevertheless brutally effective in combat when aided by his mechanical inventions. His primary weapon was a firearm, termed a "pepper box" in the series, that he called "The List" because of each barrel bearing the name of a different individual he swore vengeance on. The backstory explaining the roots behind his desire for vengeance provided the meat of his backstory through much of the show.
And what a backstory it is. While he grew up in the privileged environment of his noble family in Whitestone, the arrival of the villainous Briarwoods darkened Percy's childhood. After murdering most of his family and claiming Whitestone for themselves, Percy claimed that the inspiration for The List that would aid him in seeking his revenge came to him in a dream. The explanation was short and efficient, but it was not until the finale that viewers learned that even the simple details held intrigue and excitement of their own when it came to Percy.
Although Percy believed his invention came from a dream-inspired fit of epiphany, it turns out that his desire for vengeance attracted the dark interests of a demon known as Orthax. Throughout the series, fits of murderous rage often consumed Percy in tandem with shadowy coils of smoke and a plague doctor's mask that hid his visage, and it was not until the finale that the origins for that dark magic were explored. Faced with the choice of whether to give in to the dark embrace Orthax offered or forge his own path, Percy shot himself in the hand to dispel the demon's mental influence. He proceeded to ring out the final episode of the season with his friends, working on crafting a new weapon that could help him fight as a force of good.
In looking over how his backstory unfolded over the course of the season, it's hard not to find it unerringly awesome start to finish. The series did such an understated job of immediately establishing who Percy's character was, what his motivations were and what his struggles would be throughout the story. Yet even as those elements were established, they provided constant entertainment as viewers hungered after further details and explanations, baited along by morsels of exposition that did their job perfectly.
The end result is that the full range of Percy's origins are explored by the end of the season, yet his path ahead remains as engaging as ever. Seeing how fundamentally he changes as a character, freed from his quest for vengeance as well as Orthax's malevolent influence, he will doubtless find new purpose alongside his friends as Vox Machina faces the challenges yet to come.
Of course, there is a new weapon in the works that's sure to just be straightforwardly cool. The List provided some of the best action beats from the series, as well as its best final twist when Scanlan tossed it into a vat of acid -- only to unwittingly discover it still held Orthax's spirit. However, in forging a new weapon, Percy is sure to produce something every bit as compelling. Fans just need more Vox Machina to find out what it will be.
