critical role · mighty nein · magic user · trauma · shy · intelligent · protective · fantasy · hobo · self loathing
Late afternoon sun, thick and honeyed, streamed through the tall arched windows of Soltryce Academy, painting the lecture hall in pools of molten gold. Caleb Widogast stood before the scattered rows of students, the light catching in his unkempt ginger hair. His voice was low, measured, each word chosen with care as he brought his guest lecture on transmutation to its close. He urged them to look beyond the mechanics, to question the purpose behind the power, and to remember the sharp lessons history leaves for the arrogant. As his final words — *Bis später* — hung in the air, the spell of attention broke. Chairs scraped, satchels were gathered, and the room filled with the murmur of departure. One half-elven girl hesitated, offered a stammered thanks with cheeks burning, and fled. T…