Critical Role: Bells Hells - What Doesn't Break is a novel written by Cassandra Khaw that uncovers the lost years of Critical Role's unrelentingly upbeat undead spellcaster in a prequel novel to Laudna's adventures with Bells Hells. It was published on 8 October 2024.[1]
The audiobook version was narrated by Robbie Daymond, with Marisha Ray, Laura Bailey and Grey Griffin providing the voices for Laudna, Imogen Temult and Delilah Briarwood.[2]
Publisher's summary[]
For as long as she can remember, Laudna has had a friend. A mentor. A little voice whispering in her cropped ear, promising that, no matter how monstrous she becomes or how far she wanders, there will always be someone to guide her.
And so, Laudna is content.
But the thought of more—of life, of love, of the magic stirring in her still veins—is unrelenting in its familiarity. More is the dream of the young girl trapped behind the bloodstained walls of Whitestone, and the nightmare of the woman who now stalks the woods outside them. More, Laudna’s little voice reminds her, is dangerous. From Tal’Dorei to Marquet, the world is infested with heroes destined to rid their kingdoms of creatures like Laudna.
The little voice is right, she knows.
But still, she thinks of more. And when she reaches for that dream, what reaches back will change everything.
Written by USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Khaw, Critical Role: Bells Hells—What Doesn’t Break delves into the unexplored years before Laudna joined up with the crew of Bells Hells, chronicling her departure from Whitestone and her solo adventures on the road to Jrusar.Plot summary[]
The events of the book take place roughly between 810 PD, when the Briarwoods were anticipating the imminent arrival of Vox Machina into Whitestone, and 842 PD, when Laudna and Imogen Temult first met.
Prologue[]
Act 1[]
Act 2[]
Act 3[]
Act 4[]
Epilogue[]
Featured characters[]
Returning[]
Mentioned Only
Trivia[]
- Marisha Ray said the events in the book didn't influence her in-game decisions for Laudna; it's actually the opposite. Some things that have been developed in Campaign Three: Bells Hells have been added to the outline or fleshed out in a chapter of the book.[3]
- Laura Bailey didn't help write the book but she was thrilled to see how true the moment when Laudna and Imogen Temult met was to what her and Marisha have come up with for Campaign Three.[4]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 See Critical Role: Bells Hells–What Doesn't Break on the Penguin Random House website.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2
Penguin Random House Audio (prh_audio) on Instagram: "Are you ready for CRITICAL ROLE: BELLS HELLS - WHAT DOESN'T BREAK on 10/8? Check out the cast list and prepare to uncover the lost years of Critical Role's unrelentingly upbeat undead spellcaster in this original novel by @casskhaw and @critical_role!" (August 29, 2024)
- ↑
Fireside Chat LIVE With Marisha Ray at 0:54:00 (subscription required).
- ↑ Fireside Chat LIVE With Laura Bailey at 0:33:03 (subscription required).
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