Kynan Leore

Kynan Leore is a man from Emon, who at a young age aspired to be a hero and train with Vox Machina. When he was rebuffed by them, particularly by Vax'ildan, he turned to work withing with Anna Ripley, where he helped her find some of the Vestiges of Divergence. During this, he crossed paths with Vox Machina again and came to blows, but ultimately surrendered. Wracked with guilt, Kynan was encouraged to atone by being appointed as the captain of the newly formed Whitestone Rifle Corps, a position given to him by Vax and Percy as an apology for their own harsh treatment towards him.

As an NPC, he is played by Matthew Mercer.

Appearance
When Vox Machina met Kynan in 810 PD, he was dressed haphazardly in scale mail armor and—perhaps overcompensating for his inexperience—armed with a longsword, crossbow, hand axe, and buckler, all dangling from his belt. He had dark brown eyes and short, tousled, ash-blond hair.

Personality
Before his meeting with Vax and the rest of Vox Machina, Kynan had a hard life at home with an abusive father. Nevertheless, he was inspired by stories of the heroic mercenary band. Eager to prove himself (and get away from his cruel home), Kynan set out for Greyskull Keep and present himself for admission as a member of Vox Machina. Though inexperienced and overconfident, Kynan was also enthusiastic and optimistic.

After meeting Vox Machina, Kynan became angrier. Though his dream of joining Vox Machina was crushed by Vax, Kynan refused to return home to his father, and he became even more determined to prove himself. He was young and impressionable and couldn't emotionally process the rejection in a healthy way. It sent him on a very dark path and left him open to manipulation by Ripley when the two met in Kymal. Kynan's anger at Vax and lack of context upon listening in to Vax's conversation with Allura, completely convinced Kynan that his former heroes were not who he thought they were.

During and after Vox Machina's battle with Ripley on Glintshore, Kynan began to realize what he was doing and by the end, he was on the verge of a complete emotional breakdown.

After the events on Glintshore Kynan became relatively closed off, possibly due to his guilt. After a few visits from Vax he began to come out of his shell. After Kynan was promoted to Captain of the Whitestone Rifle Corps, while still clumsy and eager to please, he also was shown to take his position seriously and with a certain amount of anxiety. He hopes to redeem himself and become the hero he always wanted to be.

Vox Machina met Kynan upon returning to Emon from an arduous journey through the Underdark and Vasselheim. As they approached Greyskull Keep, they noticed a large burlap or linen tent in front of the keep. Cordell and Shayne Tranter were aware of the situation, with Shayne even seeming a bit exasperated and resigned to its presence, mentioning that it had been there for about two weeks by that point.

Kynan was thrilled to meet Vox Machina, bursting into praise for each of the members—which initially seemed disconcerting and even creepy to some of them. The party quickly realized, however, that this young man was actually a fan, and Kynan explained in a nervous and excited manner that he sought to join their ranks and become an adventurer like them. Vax'ildan gravely attempted to explain the perils and difficulties of the adventuring life to Kynan. Although the young boy seemed undeterred, he also seemed unable to grasp the gravity of Vax's warnings. To prove his point, Vax knocked Kynan unconscious with a single strike of his dagger pommel, without warning, followed immediately by a health potion. Many other members of Vox Machina were taken aback by what they perceived to be a harsh lesson, and, when Kynan began to cry, Vax compromised and told the boy that he should return the day that he is ready—and Vax promised to mentor him when that day comes. After Kynan left, Vax instructed Laina Yor to let the boy stay in Vax's room if he returned.

To help make good on his promise, Vax made a secret trip to the Upper Slums of Emon in the hope of finding Kynan. Vax learned that Kynan lived with his father, Harold, who was a butcher. When Vax arrived at Harold's dual-purpose shop and living quarters, Harold had already closed up shop and Kynan, who had apparently quarreled with his father recently, had packed up his things and left. The smell of alcohol lingered around Harold, a gruff and not altogether pleasant man. Harold figured Kynan would be back eventually. Vax planned to give Kynan some daggers with which to train, plus fifty gold, but hesitated to leave them with Harold, who seemed likely to steal them for his own purposes. Nevertheless, Vax left the fifty gold (although he kept the daggers) and instructed the father to give it to the son. Vax explained the gold with a lie, saying that he was repaying Kynan a gambling debt over a dog fight. Harold's demeanor, appearance, and substance abuse—as well as Vax's insight about the man—were consistent with the patterns of an abusive father, but Vax didn't press the issue.

Before leaving Emon to fight the Briarwoods, Vax—still feeling concerned (and possibly guilty)—checked in on the Upper Slums. He questioned a boy around Kynan's age, learning that Kynan had been gone for about a week and had taken off, talking about "finding his destiny." Vax told the boy that if he saw Kynan, to tell him that "V" was looking for him near Greyskull Keep.

Vox Machina caught up with Kynan while he was working for Anna Ripley, on Glintshore. During the fight that ensued, he attacked Keyleth with Whisper, knocking her unconscious. Vax'ildan tried to appeal to him which seemed to work, as after that he switched allegiances and began to attack Orthax.

After Ripley was killed by Vox Machina, Kynan went into a state of shock. He was overcome with guilt for helping her and for playing a role in Percy's death. Vax told him that if he wanted to atone for his actions, he would need to follow their orders and help in whatever way he could. Kynan gave Whisper to Vax and numbly followed the group back to Whitestone, where he was placed under the supervision of Jarett Howarth. In a tavern later that night, Vax noticed Kynan's dangerously low mood and did his best to encourage the boy to take action towards redemption, rather than dwell on his mistakes.

Percy told Vax that he was thinking of creating a company of shot for Whitestone, and asked him if he thought a job there would suit Kynan. They agreed it would, so Vax went to fetch him. He found Kynan training with Jarett, and asked to borrow him for a minute. They apologized to each other for everything that had happened, then Vax told him they needed someone to help set up a firearms-using company, and Kynan somewhat reluctantly agreed to the position. Vax gave him the Keen Dagger, saying everything between them was water under the bridge, then handed him over to Percy so he could explain the job. Percy gave Kynan the information he will need, and Kynan picked it up surprisingly quickly. Percy then took him out to show him how he'd like things to function, catching up with Jarett along the way.

Following their battle against Vorugal, Vox Machina returned to Whitestone to rest. During some leisure time, Vax'ildan went to see Kynan in the Whitestone barracks, who was found eating breakfast alone in the corner. Kynan was keeping to himself, still overcome with guilt from aiding in the death of Percival. In a heartfelt conversation, Vax'ildan asked three things of Kynan: first, to try and welcome the others in Whitestone. Second, to protect Cassandra, Percival's sister. And third, to take care of Simon, Vax'ildan's serpent belt. Kynan accepted all of these charges, taking Simon from Vax'ildan, and explained how believing in second chances is what was keeping him in Whitestone.

While taking the Trickfoot family on a tour of Whitestone, Vax and Grog lead them to Firecracker Alley, where they found Kynan and the rest of the Riflemen practicing. Kynan had been appointed captain by Percy, and upon noticing Vox Machina's approach, called the company to halt their practice. Vax asked how he'd been, and Kynan said he was doing well, glad of the second chance. Percy claimed he'd been a great help, and that he was nothing but proud of him. Vax then asked privately for the return of his serpent belt, Simon, as he missed him. Kynan happily returned Simon.

While preparing for their upcoming journey into the Shadowfell, Vax sought out Kynan and gave him his Keen Dagger.

Campaign 3: Bells Hells
Kynan met with Keyleth when she brought Bells Hells through the Sun Tree via Plants from Jrusar. He then escorted them to Whitestone Castle to speak with Percy.

Vax'ildan
Vax'ildan first met Kynan outside of Greyskull Keep upon their return from Vasselheim, at which time he personally crushed the boy's dream of joining Vox Machina by telling him that he was not ready for the life that they live.

Later on, when Kynan was revealed to be working with Anna Ripley, Vax took it upon himself to talk some sense to the boy, convincing Kynan that despite what he had done while working with Ripley, he could still find redemption. He later gave him two daggers he had bought from Gilmore's shop in addition to his Keen Dagger, and then later gave him his serpent belt, telling him that he had earned his second chance.

Anna Ripley
After Kynan departed Emon, he arrived in Kymal. There, Ripley recruited him and began to teach him. Feeding his desire to be train and "be ready" for Vox Machina, Kynan learned a lot. Ripley told Kynan that Vox Machina were not who he thought they were, especially Vax. After the Fall of Emon, Ripley had Kynan listen in on part of a conversation Vox Machina had using the scrying magic enchanted into Retort: when Vax confessed to Allura that he had killed Krieg (Brimscythe), Vox Machina had kept secret his death and lair, and believed that the Chroma Conclave's attack was their fault. Given Kynan's anger towards Vax, and without Ripley providing more context, Kynan willingly accepted the lie that Vox Machina had summoned the Chroma Conclave.

Abilities

 * Sneak attack

Notable items

 * Keen Dagger (received from Vax'ildan)

Former items

 * Whisper (given to Vax'ildan)
 * Serpent belt (received from Vax'ildan, later returned to him)

Behind the scenes

 * Kynan was written as Vox Machina's first fanboy. Matt's intent was for him to be that "lovable, slightly annoying young upstart" that wants to prove himself and to befriend the party and learn from them. He thought they would have to protect him or leave him behind, or help him become a hero. Instead they gave him a harsh reality check. Matt did not expect their interaction to go that way.

Appearances and mentions

 * Campaign 1
 * Campaign 3
 * Campaign 3
 * Campaign 3
 * Campaign 3
 * Campaign 3
 * Campaign 3
 * Campaign 3
 * Campaign 3
 * Campaign 3

Quotations

 * "I thought you were heroes...I waited two weeks to meet you..." (a heartbroken Kynan after being successfully intimidated by Vax)
 * "Oh, Vax'ildan...I've heard of your work for quite some time! Show me your ways!" (after being knocked unconscious and revived by Vax)
 * "I will! I'll make you proud! I will be Vox Machina with you. I swear it. I swear it!" (Kynan tearfully leaving to train, after Vax told him to come back when he was ready)
 * "I wouldn't blame them either. Look, after we met, I was hurt. I was angry! I knew I could be someone, despite what you told me, and I could prove it...prove that I was worth your attention!" (Kynan apologizing and explaining why he joined Ripley)