Ruidus

Lore & Background

The history of Ruidus is inextricably linked to the Calamity, a cataclysmic war between the Prime Deities and the Betrayer Gods. During this conflict, Predathos, the god-eater entity imprisoned within the moon, was a central figure rather than a leader of armies fueled by its light. After the Calamity ended and the gods retreated to their own planes, Ruidus disappeared from sight for roughly 1,000 years. In recent eras, cults like the Ruby Vanguard have risen; they believe the moon's return signals the release of Predathos, anticipating an event that would herald the end of the current age and the potential destruction of the divine order.

In Their Own Story

The night sky was usually a tapestry of silver stars and the gentle glow of the white moons, but tonight, Ruidus dominated everything. It hung low over the horizon, a swollen eye bleeding crimson light that turned the forest floor into a sea of rust-colored shadows. Elara pulled her cloak tighter, feeling the unnatural chill radiating from the moon's gaze. The air tasted metallic, like old blood and ozone, and the birds had long since fallen silent. She knew what the elders whispered about: when Ruidus burns this bright, the veil between worlds grows thin, and things that were meant to stay buried begin to stir.

Reader's Guide

Ruidus is not a tool to be wielded by individuals but a cosmic anchor that influences magic and reality on a planetary scale. Its primary function in-world is to serve as a conduit for the power of the Betrayer King, amplifying dark rituals and weakening the barriers between Exandria and other planes. Practitioners of forbidden arts often seek out locations where Ruidus's light is strongest to cast spells that defy natural laws. These rituals can grant immense power but at the cost of sanity or life force. The moon itself does not respond to commands; rather, it reacts to the intent of those who align themselves with its dark purpose. No single mortal 'wields' Ruidus in a traditional sense. Instead, groups like the Ruby Vanguard act as its agents on the ground, using artifacts and blood magic to channel its influence. To interact with Ruidus is to invite chaos, as its power tends to corrupt the user's mind and twist their desires into instruments of destruction.

Did You Know?

• Ruidus is often called 'The Red Moon' due to its association with Predathos, the entity imprisoned within it during the Calamity.
• The moon's surface appears metallic and red, distinct from the rocky composition of Exandria's other moons.
• Magical anomalies are frequently reported in areas where Ruidus is directly overhead or at its zenith.

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 locking Ruidus permanently 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.