Campaign Three of Critical Role has drummed up one of the most exciting Dungeons & Dragons parties to date. From an inn to a grand ball, the cast of characters that form Bell's Hells showcase an exciting journey in Matt Mercer's world of Exandria. They comprise more of a rag-tag group of souls than the seasoned adventurers of Vox Machina or the heroes of the Mighty Nein.
Bell's Hells have already undertaken a significant journey, one which has seen these characters come together to show off their skills and their memorable personalities. But through backstory, personality, skill, and development, which of these characters is the best? Though they may all be deserving of praise, some are just a little more deserving than others.
Spoilers for Critical Role are ahead.
9 Bertrand Bell
It might be odd to have the character who the party is named after come so low on the list but Bertrand Bell (played by Travis Willingham) is less of a character and more of a plot point. Similar to a character like Obi-Wan Kenobi, their death was always planned and planned to happen early, in order to give the other characters some more motivation and to help move along the plot.
He is an interesting character like any other but serves to bring the other party members together as opposed to actually being a standout character in their own right. As a result, due to his early death, we never really get the development or time to really enjoy him, and thus he's not so easily comparable to the other more interesting party members.
8 Dorian Storm
Though he was only a member for a short time, the Air Genasi Bard played by Robbie Daymond left enough of an impression to be much more than a memorable guest star of the party. However, because of how little he spent with the other characters, it's difficult to give him a fitting rank compared to the other members who have been here since day one (well, most of them).
The handsome and charismatic bard was around for enough episodes to really feel like a solid part of the party over some guest star who would drop in for a couple of episodes, with a farewell tugged at the heartstrings. Though he may not be the best in the party, he certainly is a great character.
7 Chetney Pock O'Pea
Another character who has the disadvantage of not being in as many episodes, Chetney is also played by Travis Willingham and serves as more of his main character for Campaign Three. A stout and grumpy gnome inspired by a similar character from a one-shot, Chetney is a character who has a lot more than what meets the eye.
Later revealed to be a werewolf, Willingham is at his best when he shows the feral rage of such a character. The contrast between such a grumpy and angered character being a toymaker is amusing. However, although Chetney has avoided the pitfalls that come about by joining a campaign down the line, it's hard to compare him to other party members who have been around for longer.
6 Imogen Temult
Like most of the party from Campaign Three, Imogen is a fascinating character. She hasn't had as much time to shine just yet, however. An aberrant mind sorcerer from a small town, Imogen has a unique ability to hear the thoughts of others willingly and has to wrestle with trying not to have her mind be so open to other people's thoughts and feelings.
Though an intriguing concept for a character, Imogen's shyness and aversion to the spotlight have caused her to be looked over compared to some other party members.
5 Orym
The 'straight man' of the adventuring party, Orym is the Halfling fighter played Liam O'Brien. Although the warrior has his moments and an interesting backstory due to his association with the Air Ashari, Orym manages to tow a fine line between being serious and not being boring. However, having to be the moral center and babysitter of the party, often means that during some fun antics, the attention is likely away from Orym. As a result, though Orym has moments of brilliance, especially in combat, there are other characters that just get a little more love.
4 Fearne Calloway
Fearne is a Druid Rogue fan portrayed by Ashley Johnson and represents the uniqueness that Bell's Hells bring to the world of Exandria. She is one of the party members with a beautiful design and one of the most intriguing class combinations as both a Druid and Rogue multiclass. As well as this, her amoral attitude makes her more of a multi-faceted character who cares more for nature than people and isn't afraid to clearly stand by that.
It creates this interesting character who may fall into the typical trope of a druid who worships nature more over than people and will do anything to protect it, but adds a slightly darker twist on it. For that, Fearne is also a character who could go in a lot of different directions, making her a favorite of the audience in terms of potential character arcs.
3 Ashton Greymoore
Ashton is another great member of the party, an Earth Genasi Barbarian played by Taliesin Jaffe who, similar to Fearne, has a great character design with a hole in the side of their head of slag glass. Ashton is shown to have a set of personal beliefs that make him more of a complex character as you try to decode just what he's going to do or say next. To top it all off, with a great backstory centered around the criminal underbelly of Jrusar and Ashton ranks as one of the best player characters in Campaign Three.
2 Fresh Cut Grass
From a broken bard to a cursed halfling, Sam Riegel has always been known to create some of the most heartfelt characters of Critical Role and has done so again with robotic cleric, Fresh Cut Grass. The curious automation has opened up many interesting discussions from questions over whether their feelings are genuine or programmed to dismissing if they even have whatever is considered a “soul”.
As well as this, the idea behind such a character, from having a name that is after their creator's favorite smell to being a construct who is also a cleric, thus having some sort of belief system, is fascinating. Aided by Riegel's charisma and comedic timing, Fresh Cut Grass isn't just one of the best characters of Campaign Three, but possibly of the Critical Role series.
1 Laudna
Laudna is a Human Hollow One played by Marisha Ray and represents one of the best aspects of Campaign Three: the use of choice and consequences. Throughout the third campaign, viewers get to see the results of numerous choices and events that occurred in Campaign One, mostly through reoccurring characters. Laudna is one of those results, a corpse that appeared briefly in the first campaign. She has been suffused with necrotic magic that has given her life once again and made her have a (possible) pact with one of the key villains of Critical Role, Delilah Briarwood.
Along with a fascinating design and a rich backstory that has been well incorporated in the series, the kind and sweet personality of this undead and fearful-looking character has won our hearts. Laudna is much more than a great character, but a great representation of world-building, impact, and a call-back that isn't just for fan service but for a story.