Ruidus

Lore & Background

The gods crafted Ruidus to imprison an ancient evil known as Predathos, which devoured two now-forgotten gods, Ethedok and Vordo, during the Founding. Documents found in campaign three say the moon did not exist when the gods first came to Exandria. Through a telescope able to push past the enchantments around it, Imogen and Orym see red storms on its surface, a lattice of energy around it and a city on the moon. The Reilora, crimson entities from Ruidus, speak to people in their dreams.

Reader's Guide

At the Apogee Solstice, Ludinus Da'leth's ritual leaves the red moon locked in the sky above the Hellcatch Valley Malleus Key, whose beam cuts through the divine mesh around Ruidus and lets people travel between the moon and Exandria. Exaltant Ruidusborn such as Imogen and her mother Liliana Temult get power from the moon. The Bells Hells later cross the Bloody Bridge to scout its red, storm-ridden deserts.

Campaign Origins and Production

Critical Role's third campaign launched on October 21, 2021, marking a significant new chapter in the web series' history after the conclusion of Campaign Two and Exandria Unlimited. Running until February 6, 2025, this season featured the return of the core ensemble cast, including Marisha Ray, Ashley Johnson, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham, Liam O'Brien, Taliesin Jaffe, and Sam Riegel, all guided by Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer. The production schedule was consistent, airing every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. PT across Twitch, YouTube, and the Beacon streaming service, with a notable exception for the final Thursday of each month.

This actual play series is set chronologically after previous events, diving deep into the aftermath of earlier storylines while introducing fresh narrative stakes. The campaign maintained the established dynamic of seven players interacting with Mercer's world-building, creating a cohesive storytelling environment that bridged past adventures with new mysteries surrounding the continent of Marquet and the looming celestial threats facing Exandria.

The Mystery of Ruidus and Predathos

At the heart of this narrative lies the enigmatic red moon, Ruidus, which serves as both a setting for superstition and a prison for an ancient evil known as Predathos. The story begins two months prior to the Apogee Solstice, a rare celestial alignment capable of magnifying magical abilities across Exandria by influencing ley lines. As the Bells Hells investigate the origins of this moon, they uncover a terrifying truth: the gods themselves forged Ruidus specifically to contain Predathos.

However, the Ruby Vanguard, a cult led by Martinet Ludinus Da'leth, seeks to exploit the Solstice to break the seal and release the entity. The party discovers that individuals born during spontaneous flares of the red moon, known as Ruidusborn, possess unique connections to this cosmic horror. Their journey involves targeting the Malleus Keys, magical constructs built by the cult to facilitate the ritual. Ultimately, the adventurers succeed in interfering with the ceremony, preventing Predathos's release and leaving Ruidus locked in place over the Hellcatch Valley Key, thereby altering the metaphysical landscape of their world.

The Bells Hells and Character Arcs

The campaign follows the Bells Hells, a diverse group of adventurers who first convened in the city of Jrusar on the continent of Marquet. The party's name honors Sir Bertrand Bell, a former companion whose tragic death at the hands of a dwarf named Dugger galvanized the remaining members into action. Key figures include Laudna, a resurrected warlock haunted by necromantic echoes, and Imogen Temult, a Ruidusborn sorcerer plagued by visions of a red storm.

Their bond deepens as they uncover that Imogen's mother, Liliana Temult, is a high-ranking general within the Ruby Vanguard working alongside Ludinus Da'leth. The group also includes Fearne Calloway, a faun from the Feywild searching for her parents, and Chetney Pock O'Pea, a blood hunter seeking a cure for his lycanthropy. Throughout their journey, Laudna is killed by Otohan Thull but later resurrected through magical means, strengthening her romantic connection with Imogen. These personal struggles intertwine with the larger plot as they navigate political intrigue and supernatural threats.

The Exandrian Accord and Legacy

Following the thwarting of the Ruby Vanguard's ritual, the narrative shifts toward a global conflict involving the newly formed Exandrian Accord. This military alliance unites various nations and factions across the world to oppose the forces aligned with Ruidus. The Bells Hells do not fight alone; they are joined by legendary adventuring parties from previous campaigns, including Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein, who lend their aid as coordinated strike teams against Ruidian targets.

This convergence allows players to reprise iconic roles such as Keyleth, Pike Trickfoot, Vex'ahlia, Caleb Widogast, and Fjord Stone, bridging generations of storytelling. The campaign also features special appearances where cast members portray mortal incarnations of Prime Deities during the Downfall special, adding mythological weight to the current events. By uniting these disparate groups against a common existential threat, the story emphasizes themes of cooperation and legacy, ensuring that the heroes' efforts resonate across the entire history of Exandria.