Vilya

Vilya
Non-player character
Screenshot of Vilya from "Pass Through Fire" (LVM2x05).[art 1]
Basic information
Actor
RaceHalf-elf[1]
ClassDruid
Biographical information
Full nameVilya[2]
Pronounsshe/her
Also known as
  • Viridian
  • Vilya, Who Escaped Death[3]
LanguagesCommon, Elvish, Druidic
Places
FamilyKeyleth's family
PartnerKorrin (husband)
ChildrenKeyleth (daughter)
ProfessionSpiritual leader
Affiliations
Status
StatusAlive[4]
Mechanical information
Creature typeHumanoid
Level12[5][6]
HP
AC
DC
17[7]
Intelligence
Wisdom
18-20[8][9]
Charisma
Appearances
First seen"Hunted at Sea" (2x100)
Last seen"Devoutness and Dicks" (2x107)
StreamCampaign 2 (8 episodes)
TelevisionThe Legend of Vox Machina (1 episode)

Vilya is Keyleth's mother, a member of the Air Ashari who went missing during her Aramenté, and for a time the spiritual leader of the Vo village on Rumblecusp, where she lost her memory and was known as Viridian.

As an NPC in Critical Role, Vilya is played by Matthew Mercer. In The Legend of Vox Machina, Vilya is voiced by Janet Varney.[10]

Description[edit | edit source]

As Viridian, Vilya is a half-elven woman with dark sunburned skin and dark brown hair that is wild and sun-bleached at the tips. She has an almost formidable presence, but a gentle smile and demeanor. She wears leathers with elements of dried leaves and scales that blend together. Her left leg is a vibrant green, made of tightly knotted vines, and she carries a staff in one hand.[11]

Biography[edit | edit source]

Before Campaign 2[edit | edit source]

According to Keyleth, Vilya left Zephrah on her Aramenté either when Keyleth was five or six years old,[12] or close to twenty years before the events of the Kraghammer and Vasselheim story arc,[13] but never returned. Vilya reached the Earth Ashari[14], and met with the Fire Ashari about ten years before Keyleth met them.[15]

Vilya eventually reached the final stop in her Aramenté: the Water Ashari. With the help of her five traveling companions,[16] Vilya set out to complete the final trial by retrieving several lodestones from within the Water Elemental Plane. However, all of her companions were killed in the process and Vilya herself vanished. The Water Ashari searched for a body in order to give her a proper funeral, but all they found was a single leg.[17] This occurred four or five years before Vox Machina arrived at Vesrah[18] in 811 PD, implying Vilya had disappeared around 806 or 807 PD.

Vilya ended up on Rumblecusp for what she estimates, in 836 PD, is twenty-five to nearly thirty years[19][20][21] after being jettisoned out of the Water Plane through a gateway.[22] Under the influence of Vokodo, Vilya began losing memories of her life in Tal'Dorei and took up the name Viridian.

Campaign 2: The Mighty Nein[edit | edit source]

Screenshot of Vilya in Crit Recap Animated.[art 2]

Viridian was spoken of by Jaina and Pono as being the spiritual leader of the village, who would speak to Vokodo, decide upon and organize the offerings to be made, and bring them to him. She is the one who guides the islanders underneath the eye of Vokodo.[23] Viridian invited the party to a communal dinner that night, and explained the strange geography of Rumblecusp. She offered to escort the party to Vokodo. Along the path, she warned them of the various dangers and then transformed herself into an owl, leading the party toward the volcano.[24]

Viridian aided the party in their battle with the creatures encountered along the path to Vokodo's lair, commenting afterward that she'd never seen a specter traveling so far south. She accompanied the party in their audience with Vokodo. In Caleb's hut later that evening, Caduceus surreptitiously cast Greater Restoration on her, restoring her memories, leading her to remember her true name and how long she had been on the island.[25] Vilya revealed to the Mighty Nein that she is an Ashari from Tal'Dorei. During her aramenté to become the leader of the Air Ashari, Vilya was tasked with recovering lodestones from the Elemental Plane of Water. There, they were attacked by a kraken. While the rest of her party was killed, Vilya only lost her left leg. She found her way through a rift in the planes leading her to the island of Rumblecusp. Under Vokodo's influence, Vilya began losing her memories. She adopted the name Viridian and became the spiritual leader of the Vo community.[26]

On the eve of Traveler Con, Veth noticed Vilya sitting by herself and joined her for a conversation. They talked about the children out there that they were missing, but Vilya was nervous to return. Veth sympathized, since she herself was still not sure if she belonged at home or out in the world, but told Vilya she couldn't delay forever and that at some point, you have to go home. Vilya decided to leave without saying goodbye, and used Druidcraft to produce three flowers: a pink one for Caduceus in gratitude for protecting nature, a blue one for Fjord to remind him nature is there to protect him, and a white one for Yasha to press in her book. She told Veth to thank all the others, and thanked Veth, asking her to give the offered 350 gold to Anola instead. Taking a deep breath, Vilya created her tree doorway and stepped through into a sunset mountain scene. As the doorway closed, Veth could see a figure with a mantle of transitioning colors and an antlered circlet recognizing and running joyfully towards Vilya.[27]

Between Campaign 2 and Campaign 3[edit | edit source]

Upon her return, Vilya aided Keyleth and the other elders of Zephrah in leading the village.[3] Matt described her role in Zephrah as an Air Ashari diplomat who represents her daughter and the interests of her people.[28]

Campaign 3: Bells Hells[edit | edit source]

Vilya was present at the war council in Whitestone, which Bells Hells attended following their return from the Shattered Teeth. She and Ebenold Kai had been gathering political allies.[29]

The Legend of Vox Machina[edit | edit source]

Just before her Aramente, Vilya's daughter, Keyleth as a small girl, cried out for her mother not to leave, then ran over to her. Vilya embraced her and told her that she would be back, and to listen to the wind. Vilya conjured up the elements, as Keyleth's father, Korrin, joined her. Keyleth flinched at the fire, but Vilya told her to never pull back, and that fire needed air, just as they were the Air Ashari. She told Keyleth that they were made to pass through fire. Korrin then told Keyleth that it's time for Vilya to go on her Aramente, and they watched as Vilya left.[30]

Relationships[edit | edit source]

Vilya was the spiritual leader of the Vo community on Rumblecusp, where she was known as Viridian. She is also the mother of Keyleth and wife of Korrin.

Character information[edit | edit source]

Notable items[edit | edit source]

All villagers on Rumblecusp are required to give up all valuable possessions as part of their dedication to Vokodo. It was presumed that as Viridian, Vilya gave up all items that could be considered valuable. However, she had enough material components on her for three uses of Greater Restoration, each casting of which ordinarily requires diamond dust worth 100gp.[31][32] She also carries a staff.

Viridian/Vilya also has a prosthetic leg seemingly made of tightly knotted vines[33] that temporarily roots into the ground while she rests.[34] This is most likely a flavored version of the prosthetic limb magical item introduced in Explorer's Guide to Wildemount.[35]

Former items[edit | edit source]

Circlet of Wisdom and Leather Armor (one of the few relics Vilya left Keyleth, before departing on her Aramenté)

Abilities[edit | edit source]

Vilya is a 12th-level Druid,[5][6] and she has abilities consistent with both the Circle of the Moon (2nd-level features, Combat Wild Shape and Circle Forms) and Circle of the Land (10th-level feature, Nature's Ward), as well as a "specialty" not belonging to any officially published Circle.

Unidentified abilities or spells[edit | edit source]

  • Viridian sometimes moves herself around by means of magically moving vines (possibly a variation on the 4th-level spell Grasping Vine).[36]
  • She moves/reshapes roots and trees to help the party traverse difficult parts of the forest.[37]
  • During a short rest she creates a temporary enclosure of roots to protect the party; when complimented on how fast she does so, she says this is her specialty.[38]

Druid abilities[edit | edit source]

Circle of the Moon abilities[edit | edit source]
Circle of the Land abilities[edit | edit source]

Spells[edit | edit source]

Spell Level Notes Ref.
Druidcraft Cantrip [44][45]
Gust Cantrip [46]
Create or Destroy Water 1st [47]
Lesser Restoration 2nd [48]
Call Lightning 3rd [49]
Greater Restoration 5th [50]
Mass Cure Wounds 5th [51]
Transport via Plants 6th [52]

Appearances and mentions[edit | edit source]

Quotations[edit | edit source]

  • Viridian: "There is something about this island that gives and takes away. By finding your destiny here and being a part of the important presence of Vokodo, and keeping these people safe, and gathering from the island's many rewards and boons, it also takes from you the things that are less important in life. So many if not most of us don't quite recall where we were from. But in the long run, that's not as important, anyway."[53]
  • Vilya: "I've been here twenty-five years. I'm not Viridian. I'm from Tal'Dorei. My name is Vilya."[54]
  • Vilya: "I know I've only just met you, but this is a tight family. Hold onto each other. This is important."[55]
  • Vilya: [giving flowers to Veth, to hand off to other members of the Mighty Nein] "Give this [pink flower] to your tall, lanky friend, Caduceus. Tell him that, whether it be just nature itself or the Wildmother's guidance, he protects the green that keeps those like me alive. And give this [blue flower] to the newbie, Fjord, the one who's beginning his journey, to remind him that the nature that I myself represent is always there to protect him. And give this [white flower] to the quiet one, Yasha, because I notice she likes to keep these in a book."[56]

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • Marisha named Keyleth by putting air-related words into an online Elvish translator, and then simplified the spelling.[57] Keyleth is similar to gwilith, which translates as "air (as a region)" in Sindarin.[58] Similarly, Vilya translates as "air, sky" in Quenya.[59] Vilya is also the name of one of the three elven Rings of Power in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium. It is also known, appropriately, as the Blue Ring, Ring of Air, and Ring of Firmament.
  • Keyleth's signature Circlet of Wisdom was one of the last relics of Vilya.[60]
  • Vilya is the first character in Campaign 2 to have a prosthetic limb.
  • Vilya was the first member of the Vo village to have her memories restored.[61]
  • Vilya told Beauregard, "My family doesn't drink",[62] unaware of Keyleth's drinking habits as an adventurer. Beauregard and Keyleth are both played by Marisha Ray.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Marisha Ray confirmed that Vilya is a half-elf. (source)
  2. Marisha Ray spelled Keyleth's mother's name on Twitter.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, Chapter 2: "Allegiances of Tal'Dorei", p. 49.
  4. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 3:22:15.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "The Ruined Sliver" (2x104) at 1:01:11. Vilya says she can use Wild Shape for six hours at a time. Druids can use Wild Shape for a number of hours equal to half their class level, rounded down.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Rumble at Rumblecusp" (2x105) at 43:26. Vilya says that using Transport via Plants would expend her most powerful ability, meaning she cannot yet cast seventh-level spells.
  7. "Rumble at Rumblecusp" (2x105) at 3:52:41.
  8. "Rumble at Rumblecusp" (2x105) at 3:52:41. Vilya's spell DC is 17. As a 12th-level Druid, her proficiency bonus is +4. This would put her Wisdom modifier at +5, meaning she would have a 20 Wisdom score.
  9. "A Fog Lifted" (2x106) at 26:43. Vilya cast Mass Cure Wounds while Beacon of Hope was up for maximum potential healing. The spell gives 3d8 (or 24) plus the caster's spellcasting Ability Modifier (in this case, Wisdom). Vilya calculated the maximum healing at 28, meaning her wisdom is +4, an 18 or 19.
  10. Cast credits for both seasons of The Legends of Vox Machina listed on IMDb.
  11. "Hunted at Sea" (2x100) at 3:33:51.
  12. "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16) at 26:51.
  13. "Aramente to Pyrah" (1x22) from 2:52:21 through 2:52:42.
  14. "Aramente to Pyrah" (1x22) at 2:14:36.
  15. "Aramente to Pyrah" (1x22) from 2:52:00 through 2:53:00.
  16. "Curious Tides" (1x89) at 1:07:27. "she went in with five"
  17. "Onward to Vesrah" (1x87) from 3:28:30 through 3:29:39.
  18. "Tangled Depths" (1x88) from 58:19 through 59:52.
  19. "Mysteries, Memories, and Music" (2x101) at 16:31. Viridian says she has been on Rumblecusp for "close to three decades," but doesn't quite recall where she was prior to that.
  20. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 3:22:01. Vilya says she's been here "twenty-five years".
  21. "Maritime Mysteries" (2x103) at 14:15. Vilya says "two-and-a-half decades, longer."
  22. "Maritime Mysteries" (2x103) at 15:32.
  23. "Hunted at Sea" (2x100).
  24. "Mysteries, Memories, and Music" (2x101).
  25. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102).
  26. "Maritime Mysteries" (2x103).
  27. "Devoutness and Dicks" (2x107).
  28. "4-Sided Dive: Shard Candy" (4SDx19) at 45:25.
  29. "A Gathering of Heroes" (3x76) at 2:00:52.
  30. "Pass Through Fire" (LVM2x05).
  31. "Maritime Mysteries" (2x103) from 2:12:22 through 2:16:06. Vilya casts Greater Restoration on Caduceus and on Yasha
  32. "Rumble at Rumblecusp" (2x105) at 1:01:23. Vilya says, "I only have components for one more casting [of Greater Restoration] myself."
  33. "Hunted at Sea" (2x100) at 3:34:23.
  34. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 1:07:09.
  35. See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, Chapter 6: "Wildemount Treasures", p. 268.
  36. "Hunted at Sea" (2x100) at 3:33:41.
  37. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 57:40. Viridian "carries her staff out in front and some of the nearby trees and roots shift to create a makeshift bridge temporarily and helps you continue forward."
  38. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 1:06:49.
  39. "Mysteries, Memories, and Music" (2x101) at 2:58:00. Vilya, as Viridian, turns into an owl, but responds to questions.
  40. "Rumble at Rumblecusp" (2x105) at 3:05:34. Vilya uses a bonus action to Wild Shape.
  41. "Rumble at Rumblecusp" (2x105) at 3:05:34. Vilya uses Wild Shape to transform into a Killer Whale (CR 3).
  42. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 1:04:49. Viridian says the disease-spreading insects do not much bother her.
  43. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 1:36:55. Viridian says, "If you're worried about any sort of toxins, as part of my druidic practice, poisons don't seem to take heed in my body."
  44. "Mysteries, Memories, and Music" (2x101) at 1:57:06. Viridian casts a spell consistent with Druidcraft to illustrate the approach to Vokodo's mountain lair.
  45. "Mysteries, Memories, and Music" (2x101) at 2:06:06. Viridian casts a spell consistent with Druidcraft to dim the bonfire for Yasha's harp performance.
  46. "The Ruined Sliver" (2x104) at 1:40:15. Viridian casts a spell consistent with Gust to disperse the mosquitoes near The Ruin.
  47. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 1:16:43. Viridian says she can easily create drinkable water for the Mighty Nein, consistent with Create or Destroy Water
  48. "Maritime Mysteries" (2x103) at 3:28:35.
  49. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 35:57. Viridian casts a spell consistent with Call Lightning on a bodak.
  50. "Maritime Mysteries" (2x103) at 2:12:22.
  51. "A Fog Lifted" (2x106) at 26:07.
  52. "Rumble at Rumblecusp" (2x105) at 50:03.
  53. "Mysteries, Memories, and Music" (2x101) at 16:51.
  54. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 3:22:02.
  55. "Rumble at Rumblecusp" (2x105) at 1:24:39.
  56. "Devoutness and Dicks" (2x107) at 3:37:48.
  57. "Talks Machina #3: Cast Q&A, Prize Giveaway, and more!" (TMx03) at 44:38.
  58. Gwilith - Parf Edhellen: an elvish dictionary
  59. Vilya - Parf Edhellen: an elvish dictionary
  60. "Talks Machina Special #3: Critical Role Campaign 1 Wrap-up" (TMSx03) at 29:15.
  61. "Ghosts, Dinosaurs, and Stuff" (2x102) at 3:22:34.
  62. "A Fog Lifted" (2x106) at 3:32:03.

Art:

  1. Screenshot of Vilya from "Pass Through Fire" (LVM2x05). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
  2. Screenshot of Vilya in Crit Recap Animated (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.