If you’ve spent any time in the corner of the internet occupied by Critical Role, you’ve heard the name. Marion Lavorre. The Ruby of the Sea. She’s not just some random NPC Matthew Mercer threw into a tavern to give the party a quest. No, she’s basically the emotional anchor for one of the most beloved characters in D&D history, Jester Lavorre.
People obsess over her. Honestly, it’s easy to see why. She’s the most famous courtesan on the Menagerie Coast, living a life of luxury and isolation in the Lavish Chateau. But if you look past the red tiefling skin and the beautiful singing voice, there’s a much messier, more human story about motherhood, anxiety, and the cost of fame in the world of Exandria.
The Woman Behind the Legend
Marion Lavorre isn't just a performer. She’s a brand. In the city of Nicodranas, the Ruby of the Sea is a household name. She's known for her voice, which is supposedly so beautiful it can make grown sailors weep, and her exclusive clientele.
But here’s the thing most people forget: she’s also a shut-in.
Despite her massive fame, Marion suffers from severe agoraphobia. She rarely, if ever, leaves the upper floors of the Lavish Chateau. It’s a fascinating contradiction. You have this woman who is the literal face of beauty and desire for an entire coastline, yet she’s terrified of the world outside her balcony. This wasn't some random trait Matt Mercer added for flavor. It fundamentally shaped Jester’s childhood. Imagine growing up with a mother who loves you deeply but can’t even walk you to the market. Jester’s manic energy and desperate need for attention? Yeah, that started at home.
The "Ruby" persona is a gilded cage. She’s surrounded by the finest silks and the most expensive perfumes, all paid for by the "favors" of the wealthy and powerful. It's a high-stakes game. One wrong move with a client like Lord Sharpe and her entire world could crumble.
✨ Don't miss: Down On Me: Why This Janis Joplin Classic Still Hits So Hard
The Gentleness of the Ruby of the Sea
We first met her in Episode 15 of Campaign 2, "Where the Tides Reserve." The Mighty Nein rolled into Nicodranas, and the vibe shifted instantly. Usually, the show is about chaos and combat, but the moment they stepped into the Chateau, it became about family.
The Ruby of the Sea isn't some cold, distant diva. She’s incredibly warm. She treated the rest of the Mighty Nein—a group of stinky, traumatized mercenaries—like they were her own kids. She gave them baths. She fed them. She didn't judge them for their various criminal records or weird magical quirks.
That’s her real power. It’s not the singing or the tiefling charm. It’s her radical empathy. In a world like Exandria, where monsters are literally trying to eat your soul, having a safe harbor like Marion is a big deal.
The Secret Romance with the Gentleman
Let's talk about the blue elephant in the room. Babenon Dosal. The Gentleman.
For the longest time, the identity of Jester’s father was the biggest mystery in the fandom. Fans had theories ranging from high-ranking devils to powerful wizards. When it turned out to be the water genasi crime lord of Zadash, it felt... right.
🔗 Read more: Doomsday Castle TV Show: Why Brent Sr. and His Kids Actually Built That Fortress
It wasn't a fairy tale. Marion and The Gentleman had a brief, intense romance years ago. He left. She stayed. She raised Jester alone. When they finally reunited much later in the campaign, it wasn't a perfect "happily ever after" moment. It was awkward. There was a lot of baggage.
Marion had to balance her feelings for a man who abandoned her with the reality of who he had become. It’s one of the most grounded portrayals of "it’s complicated" you’ll ever see in a fantasy tabletop game.
Why the Ruby of the Sea Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we're still talking about a Campaign 2 NPC now that we're deep into the fallout of Campaign 3 and the animated series. It’s because Marion Lavorre represents a shift in how D&D is played.
Back in the day, NPCs were just quest-givers or stat blocks. Marion proved that an NPC could be the emotional heart of a 100-episode arc without ever picking up a sword. She influenced Jester’s subclass (the Trickery Domain) because Jester’s "pranks" were often just attempts to cheer up her lonely mother.
She also broke a lot of tropes. Often, "courtesan" characters in fantasy are written as tragic victims or manipulative villains. Marion is neither. She’s a business owner. She’s a protective parent. She’s a woman dealing with a mental health struggle.
💡 You might also like: Don’t Forget Me Little Bessie: Why James Lee Burke’s New Novel Still Matters
Breaking Down the Legend
If you're looking to bring some of that Ruby of the Sea energy into your own TTRPG games, don't just make a "pretty singer." Look at the vulnerabilities.
- The Flaw: Her agoraphobia makes her reliant on others, creating natural hooks for players.
- The Strength: Her reputation provides a shield for her daughter.
- The Mystery: The nature of her "exclusivity" keeps people guessing.
Matthew Mercer’s performance of Marion is subtle. He uses a softer, more melodic register, but there’s always an underlying layer of anxiety. When the Mighty Nein were in danger, you could hear the cracks in that "Ruby" facade. That’s the "human-quality" writing that makes her stand out.
Actionable Takeaways for Critical Role Fans
If you're revisiting Campaign 2 or just getting into the lore because of the Legend of Vox Machina or Mighty Nein animated projects, keep these things in mind about the Ruby of the Sea:
- Watch the "Quiet" Moments: Re-watch the scenes in the Lavish Chateau. Notice how Marion interacts with Fjord or Caleb. She sees their trauma immediately.
- Understand the Economy of Nicodranas: She isn't just a singer; she's a political player. Her clients are the people who run the coast. Her safety is tied to their secrets.
- Appreciate the Visuals: If you’re a cosplayer or artist, look at the official art by Hannah Friederichs. The gold jewelry isn't just decoration; it's her armor.
The Ruby of the Sea reminds us that the most powerful people in a story aren't always the ones casting Fireball. Sometimes, they're the ones who give the heroes a reason to come home.
To truly understand Marion, you have to look at Jester. Everything Jester is—the love of sweets, the obsession with romance, the fear of being alone—is a reflection of the life Marion built for her in that velvet-lined tower.
If you're looking for more Exandria lore, check out the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount. It gives some great crunch on the Menagerie Coast and the political landscape Marion has to navigate every day. Digging into the "Clovis Concord" section will give you a better idea of just how much power her clients actually hold over the region.