Critical Role: 10 Best NPCs,

Ranked
With over 660 unique characters, all
played by Game Master Matthew Mercer,
fans have been treated to some true gems.
6 days ago

Dungeons & Dragons is an attractive game for the plethora

of storytelling elements that go into building a game. Role-
playing games are generally better the more thought is put
into them. One way to add depth is by adding unique non-
player characters (NPCs) to liven up the world, set the tone
for the story, and assist players. D&D powerhouse Critical
Role has made a splash in the TTRPG community with its
vibrant and deeply detailed campaigns.

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In addition to the stellar worldbuilding and the cast's

fantastic roleplaying, the lore of Tal'dorei is made all
the richer by the inclusion of the many, many NPCs
scattered throughout the world. With over 660 unique
characters, all played by Game Master Matthew Mercer, fans
have been treated to some true gems.

10 Clarota
Clarota (@Anonymousbathtub) proved to be quite the
divisive character during Critical Role's first campaign. A
purple-ish squid-faced illithid, Clarota is an arcanist mind
flayer who'd been excommunicated from his hive, Yug'Voril,
for having arcane magic. Vox Machina crossed his path after
Keyleth and Vex'ahlia took an ill-advised scouting mission
away from the rest of the group.

Fans couldn't help but grow attached to Clarota, despite his

curmudgeonly nature and almost certainly dubious
intentions. It proved too compelling a narrative to watch the
mind flayer break down his walls as he discovered a love of
Scanlan's music and seemingly began to trust his newfound
companions. While his ultimate betrayal wasn't so much a
surprise, it definitely was disappointing to witness the epic
falling out.

9 Pumat Sol
Owner and proprietor of The Invulnerable Vagrant in Zadash,
Pumat Sol (@Kent Davis) is a mild-mannered firbulg who
runs the most notable shop for arcane goods in the city.
While Pumat Prime is great, fans really connect with the
three identical copies of him called simulacra that run his
shop while he focuses on enchantment work.

DM, Matt Mercer, brings the Pumat Sols to life with a slow
drawl and cheerful demeanor that relays what a trustworthy
connection he is for the party of overwrought adventurers.
He's proven time and again to be a valuable ally, helping the
Nein battle and, supplying them with custom equipment,
and, most importantly, patiently allowing them to completely
buy out his stock every time they arrive in town.

8 Victor
Officially a purveyor of mining products, Victor becomes a
rather valuable resource for Vox Machina. Percy frequently
visits Victor for the most-definitely illegal substance, black
powder, which Percy uses to create ammunition. Victor also
gives Percy important information on the whereabouts of his
mortal enemy, Anna Ripley.

Mostly, though, fans love Victor for his exceedingly eccentric

personality, grizzled manic prospector voice, and penchant
for losing fingers in workplace incidents. In the end, Victor
went out like the champ he is. In the final battle against
Vecna in Vasselheim, Victor lures a group of necromancers
and undead invaders into his shop before blowing it sky-
high, solidifying himself in history as one of Critical Role's
finest.

7 Henry Crabgrass
One of Matthew Mercer's newer NPCs, Henry Crabgrass
(@Matt Verdini) is a small, but mighty addition to the
continent of Wildemount. Created on the fly, Henry
Crabgrass is a patch of grass growing near the location
where the not-so-late and great teifling blood hunter
Mollymauk Tealeaf was buried. The Mighty Nein venture to
his gravesite to investigate his grave.

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During the search, the Nein's cleric, Jester Lavorre, casts

Speak With Plants to ask if it'd seen anything amiss. The
ensuing short exchange is one for the history books,
consisting of Jester giving Henry his name, Henry making his
first friends ever, a surprisingly in-depth explanation of the
social inner-workings of plant growth, and a very welcome
message on the importance of consent.

6 Dagen Underthorn
Every party needs a friend like Dagen (@gaelfox) in their
contact list. Over the last few months of gameplay, Dagen
Underthorn has earned his stripes as one of the most
capable and reliable, if long-suffering, allies Critical Role
has ever recruited. Dagen meets the Nein when they
conscript him as their guide across the icy tundra,
Eiselcross. Dagen quickly learns that he's bitten off more
than he can chew when the Nein almost immediately draw
the unwanted attention of the terrifying sea-god Ukatoa.

The hijinks only escalate from there, leaving the hardened

Dwarven explorer windswept and exasperated, but ultimately
with a group of life-long friends. Dagen also made a big
impact on the overall D&D community as a champion of
inclusion and diversity, being the first public character to
display the game's new combat wheelchair mechanic
created by table-top RPG designer, Sara Thompson
(@mustangsart).

5 Artagan

Generally, GM Matthew Mercer prefers to keep elements

from the first and current campaigns separated, ensuring
that both the players and the audience remain immersed
within the ongoing story without the distractions that come
from looking for easter eggs. One flagrantly notable
exception to that rule, however, is Artagan the Archfey
(@thefleshmaze).

Fans were first introduced to Artagan as Garmelie the satyr

cartoonist in Campaign 1, when Vox Machina met him in the
Feywild. After their travels, he reveals himself as a bored
Archfey looking for adventure. In Campaign 2, it's revealed
that he's behind Jester's mysterious patron deity, The
Trickster. Despite the trouble he causes, he continues to be
a fairly reliable source of companionship for Jester, having
learned more about the world and himself from the young
tiefling than anyone could have anticipated.

4 Lady Kima
Another throwback from Campaign 1, Lady Kima of Vord
(@yanipir) is an OG fan favorite. A warrior and adventurer in
her own right, Kima is a halfling paladin of The Order of the
Platinum Dragon, Bahumat. Known for being brash and
headstrong, Kima is not one to mess with. Vox Machina
meets her when they are hired by famed wizard adventurer,
Allura Vysoren, to rescue her party from the Underdark.

Fans love how her special brand of snark and brute strength
meshes perfectly with Vox Machina's chaotic energy. Kima
proved a clutch ally for Vox Machina, giving them much-
needed assistance for some of the group's most perilous
battles. Critters everywhere were glad to see them make a
cameo in episode 125 of Campaign 2 to lend the Mighty Nein
a helping hand.

3 Essek Thelyss

Drow wizard Essek Thelyss (@nyctictea) is a prime example

of how deeply entwined characters and their stories can
affect the overall game. After meeting Essek, the Nein begin
to whittle down his copious walls, becoming his closest
friends. In deepening their relationship, the group is able to
uncover Essek's many dangerous secrets, and in return for
their continued loyalty, becomes a valued, if not infallibly
trustworthy, resource and ally.

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Essek's story resonates with fans, in particular, due to its

messages of isolation, found family, and self-discovery. The
Essek fans see on-screen today isn't the same Essek that
was introduced back in episode 57, and fans know that his
relationship with the Nein could have sent the campaign
down a very different road if things had gone even slightly
differently.

2 Shaun Gilmore
One of the most beloved NPCs in Critical Role history, Shaun
Gilmore (@babsdraws), met Vox Machina way back in
episode 14 of Campaign 1. The sorcerer merchant owns
Gilmore's Glorious Goods in Emon. He acts as Vox Machina's
chief sponsor, supplying them with goods and friendship.

Fans love the suave demeanor and mischievous quirks that

make him an all-around dynamic character. Of course, many
fans were left heartbroken when his romance with Vax'ildan
ultimately fell through. Gilmore proved to be one of the most
reliable, long-lasting relationships of either campaign,
showing up for the crew time and again with flair, leaving a
lasting impression on the fandom.

1 Lucien

Not all NPCs are friendly. In Lucien's (@sixofclovers) case, a

trusted party-member turned wildcard, his relationship with
the Nein may determine the fate of Tal'dorei. After Taliesin
Jaffe's character Mollymauk died early on, fans mourned the
eccentric tiefling and were shocked when he suddenly
reappeared 85 episodes later as Lucien, leader of the
Tombtakers.

Unfortunately, Lucien has proven far more troublesome than

Molly, leading the Nein down a winding path to uncovering
dark ancient secrets that may destroy their world. Fans still
hold hope that Molly can be recovered and Lucien thwarted,
but that story is still to be continued.

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About The Author

Taylor Walker (12 Articles Published)

Taylor Walker has worn many hats over the years, from
competitive marksman to travel agent. No matter her title,
she loves nothing more than indulging in a good narrative -
be it from between the pages of a good book or on a screen.
She now works as a list-writer exploring themes from some
of the most influential entertainment media in contemporary
pop culture.

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