Archibald Desnay


 * This page is about the Whitestone philosopher. For the High Paladin in Othanzia, see Archibald (paladin).

 is a well-respected philosopher in Whitestone and was once the chancellor to Frederick de Rolo, Percy's father. As an NPC, Archibald is played by Matthew Mercer.

In The Legend of Vox Machina, Archibald was a childhood friend of Percy's and the leader of the rebellion in Whitestone. He is voiced by Dominic Monaghan.

Appearance
Critical Role

Archibald Desnay is a very elderly man with a very thin, frail form. His weathered skin is dark and leathery, with liver spots all over his nearly hairless scalp. One of his eyes is clouded over in white. When Vox Machina first met him, he was wearing ragged robes draped over his body.

The Legend of Vox Machina

Personality
Critical Role

Archibald speaks with power, resonance, and confidence, giving off the impression that he is a man of great power and respect. He is stern and can be crotchety at times.

The Legend of Vox Machina

In the animated adaptation, Archibald was reimagined as a young dwarf with red hair.

Background
Before the Briarwoods seized control of Whitestone, Archibald had been the chancellor to Frederick de Rolo.

Campaign One Arc 2: The Briarwoods
Vox Machina met Archibald during their first visit to Whitestone. As they spoke to Keeper Yennen about the Briarwoods, Archibald entered the room and asked the group how they thought they could make a difference. Percy recognized him and dropped the disguise he had been wearing. The older man was both shocked and pleased to see him, having thought he had been killed. He informed Percy that his sister, Cassandra, also survived, and had been leaking information to the citizens of Whitestone. Archibald requested the help of Percy and Vox Machina in freeing the city from the Briarwoods and told them the known whereabouts of the New Nobles. Vox Machina then left to kill Count Tylieri.

After the Briarwoods fell, Cassandra apologized profusely to Archibald for feeding the Briarwoods the information he had relayed to her, but it took days before he was willing to even face her.

The Legend of Vox Machina
In the animated adaptation, Archibald grew up alongside Percy in Whitestone castle, where his father worked as a cook. He and Percy were good friends and often got in trouble together. At some point after the Briarwoods took control of Whitestone, Archibald became the leader of the resistance. He was captured by Kerrion Stonefell shortly before Vox Machina arrived in town and taken to the local prison, where Goran Vedmire tortured and questionned him. Archie was saved some time later by Vox Machina, and went to a safehouse while they rescued Cassandra. He later met up with them and tried to convince Percy to take over his role as leader of the resistance. As they were facing Delilah Briarwood's army of undead, Archie jumped in to protect Scanlan from Vedmire, and was killed.