Critical Role introduced fans to the Mighty Nein when campaign two launched in January 2018. It was difficult for fans to imagine falling in love with a new group of characters as easily as they had fallen for Vox Machina, but the very first episode introduced a new set of adventurers that would quickly steal viewer hearts.
One character quickly grabbed attention. Laura Bailey's Jester Lavorre, an adorable blue Tiefling Cleric of the Traveler, was a breath of fresh air and naiveté forced to travel the world to escape her own mischief. Had Jester not run into Fjord when she did, it's hard to imagine what might have come of her, but given her quick wit and love for troublemaking, the imagination takes off quickly.
Born to famous performer and courtesan Marion Lavorre, known publicly as the Ruby of the Sea, Jester's mother adored and doted on her little girl. However, she had to be careful. Her reputation, which afforded them a lavish lifestyle, could not afford to be tarnished by a child, so Jester was hidden and forced to keep herself occupied while Marion entertained guests. Spending so much time alone fostered Jester's imagination and creativity, and it wasn't long before a lonely little girl befriended a "god of mischief" calling himself the Traveler.
The Traveler, later revealed to be Archfey Lord Artagan of the Morncrown, thrived on Jester's devotion, and began empowering her with magic to aid in her hilarious pranks. One of those pranks led to Jester's banishment from Nicodranus. Using magic learned from the Traveler to impersonate her mother, Jester tricked one of Marion's clients into putting on her girdle, then locked him out on the balcony in broad daylight for all to see. Unfortunately, that client turned out to be a powerful lord, and in his humiliation, he ordered Jester's execution.
Marion gave her daughter 5,000 gold crowns and helped her escape Nicodranus. Jester spent her money quickly and frivolously before encountering a half-orc Warlock named Fjord, who became her travel companion. They later met Beauregard, and the three of them traveled to the Nestled Nook Inn, where they encountered the others who would join them in becoming the Mighty Nein.
Jester's importance as a member of the Mighty Nein lies in her incorrigible love for pranks and her innocence. Everyone who encountered her couldn't help but agree that she was one of the most pure souls they'd ever encountered. Out in the world for the first time, Jester kept her fears well-hidden, confiding in the Traveler, who did everything in his power to bolster her and keep her safe -- while simultaneously delighting in the havoc her pranks wrought on the world around her.
Despite everything the Mighty Nein faced, Jester maintained her free-spirited nature, charm and pure heart, never truly showing how terrified she was. When the party discovered that Nott's goblin curse had been performed by a horrifying witch who worked in deadly trade, it was Jester's ingenuity and mastery of arcane trickery that convinced the witch to free Nott. She sprinkled a bit of Dust of Deliciousness over some moldy old cupcakes and sat down with the witch to talk about loneliness and friendship -- all while magically convincing her to set Nott free.
Without Jester in the party, it's hard to imagine what might have even become of the Mighty Nein as a whole. Caleb probably would have betrayed them and left, Beauregard might never have turned her life around, Yasha may have gone on an eternal prisoner of her own rage and Nott certainly wouldn't have been able to return to her true form without a deadly sacrifice.
As for the rest, Fjord might not have fallen in love or found his true power without Jester's belief in him, and Caduceus probably wouldn't have learned the power of a good adventure. Jester kept everyone going when the world seemed too dark and bleak to carry on, capturing the hearts of everyone in the party -- as well as those of everyone watching campaign two.