Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. Now, this includes fictional female characters in geeky media and creators. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers for Critical Role and the upcoming animated series The Legend of Vox Machina.
Keyleth
Fast Facts:
Keyleth (Marisha Ray) in The Legend of Vox Machina
Keyleth, portrayed and voiced by Marisha Ray in Critical Role and The Legend of Vox Machina, is a half-elven druid from the Air Ashari tribe and a member of the greatest bands of heroes in Tal’dorei – Vox Machina. As a child, she was raised in Zephrah along with other members of her tribe and lost her mother after she didn’t return from her Aramenté. The very same Aramenté that Keyleth sets off on when she reaches adulthood.
Early in her journey, she met Vax (Liam O’Brien) and Vex (Laura Bailey) outside of Stilben, where she saved the rogue’s life before returning to her original party. She would later go on to help a few of the others face off against a common enemy and eventually save Vax from being held captive. The group eventually went on to save Grog (Travis Willingham) and kick off the Vox Machina we know today.
Throughout campaign one of Critical Role, Keyleth works and fights alongside Vox Machina while continuing her own journey. She took on several different enemies with her friends by her side and, with their help and encouragement, eventually finished her Aramenté, granting her the title of Voice of the Tempest and the leader of her tribe. She continued working alongside Vox Machina and the group eventually faced off against Vecna and finally banished him and saving all of Exandria from a fate worse than death.
Keyleth continues to live on through the second and third campaigns. She continues to serve as the leader of the Air Ashari and has lent her wisdom to the councils in Tal’Dorei and Whitestone. Most recently, in the third campaign, she issues a mission to Orym (O’Brien) to find Oshad Breshio in Marquet.
The Real Deal:
Keyleth is the real deal. When we meet her at the beginning of Critical Role, she is an awkward, introverted, innocent girl who doubts she is worthy of her journey and the role she is meant to take. Throughout her adventures with Vox Machina, she comes out of her shell and grows into the power and leader she was always meant to be. She’s passionate about her friends and willing to lay her life on the line to protect everyone. Throughout campaign one, Keyleth hones in on her leadership skills and helps become a guiding light to the world around her.
Why She Matters:
Keyleth (Marisha Ray) in Critical Role.
So, why does Keyleth matter? While she does struggle with her self-worth and is introverted, she is a powerhouse and one of the strongest members of Vox Machina. She is also the wisest member of Vox Machina and as she learns to trust herself and her leadership, she becomes a guide to the people around her and influential in the world. Keyleth is also fiercely loyal to her friends and willing to lay her life on the line in order to protect them.
Keyleth has suffered not only in her past but throughout the campaign as well and knows that she will eventually outlive her friends in the end. But, she doesn’t let this define who she is. She continues to live every day, working towards a better life for her people and the people of Exandria. We can learn a lot from Keyleth and how to help work through our doubts of self-worth and learn to accept the encouragement of others and ourselves.
So, be like Keyleth. Practice self-care and learn to love and encourage yourself, allow your friends to help bring you out of your shell and stand up and protect those around you.
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What I Do: I'm the Hermione Granger of GGA. I oversee operations where needed most across many different spaces including news, video games, board games, interviews. You name it I have a foot in it.
Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
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