Critical Role: The Mighty Nein - The Nine Eyes of Lucien

## The Nine Eyes of Lucien

Cover art of The Nine Eyes of Lucien, featuring Lucien, by Matt Hubel.

**Critical Role: The Mighty Nein - The Nine Eyes of Lucien** is a novel written by Madeleine Roux that chronicles the life of Lucien before and after his encounters with the Mighty Nein in Campaign Two. It was published by Del Rey Books on November 1, 2022.

The audiobook version is narrated by Robbie Daymond.

## **Publisher's summary**

“
Written by New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux, Critical Role: The Mighty Nein—The Nine Eyes of Lucien explores the meteoric rise and fall of one of Critical Role’s most notorious and tragic figures. Lucien has always been able to spin a bad situation to his advantage. From his childhood on the dangerous streets of Shadycreek Run to his years living off the grid and learning blood magic from the Claret Orders, the charismatic blood hunter will find a way to get the upper hand.
”

–
Publisher's summary
[edit]

## **Plot summary**

### **Chapter 1 to Chapter 4**

Set in 822 PD, it follows Lucien during his early teen years in Shadycreek Run, the memories of his past and his family, his friendship with Cree Deeproots and his dealings with the mysterious woman in the woods.

### **Chapter 5 to Chapter 6**

Set in 829 PD, it follows Lucien as a member of the Claret Orders, his rebellion against its rules and his teachers, and his confrontation with a monster from his past.

### **Chapter 7 to Chapter 11**

Set in 831 PD, it follows Lucien and his friends during their last days as members of the Claret Orders. Lucien meets with a powerful archmage in Rexxentrum, confronts an aspect of his past, and grows even closer to Brevyn Oakbender, his friend.

### **Chapter 12 to Chapter 15**

It follows Lucien and his friends after leaving the Orders, their return to Shadycreek Run and the creation of the Tombtakers.

### **Chapter 16 to Chapter 19**

It follows the Tombtakers in their tragic last job with Vess DeRogna in Eiselcross.

### **Chapter 20 to Chapter 24**

It follows Lucien's process learning about the Somnovem, contacting them and sharing that knowledge with his friends.

### **Chapter 25**

It shows the failed ritual performed by Vess DeRogna and the Tombtakers. While the date of the ritual isn't specified, in Campaign Two it was stated that it happened in 833 PD.

### **Interlude to Chapter 26**

Set in 836 PD, it follows Lucien's return to Exandria as the Nonagon. From the end of Chapter 26 the story shows events shown in Campaign Two or that were happening during the same period of time, but from the point of view of Lucien and his friends.

### **Chapter 27 to Chapter 38**

It follows the Tombtakers' adventures in Eiselcross and their interactions with the Mighty Nein while trying to reach Cognouza.

### **Chapter 39 to Epilogue**

It follows the end of Lucien's quest claiming the power of the Somnovem and confronting the Mighty Nein and an echo from a different life before crossing into a new realm and leaving his place to someone new.

## **Featured characters**

### **Returning**

* Lucien Tavelle
* Cree Deeproots
* Otis Brunkel
* Zoran Kluthidol
* Tyffial Wase
* Vess DeRogna
* Mollymauk Tealeaf
* Yasha Nydoorin
* Beauregard Lionett
* Caleb Widogast
* Fjord
* Jester Lavorre
* Veth Brenatto
* Caduceus Clay
* Essek Thelyss
* The Somnovem
* Sehanine

### **New**

* Auntie Mama
* Brevyn Oakbender
* Azrahari
* Danya, a dwarven mercenary of the Red Debt
* Jet, Emerald and Diamond, three of Auntie Mama's mutts
* Briyakar Jurrell
* Sarenne de Chastain
* Karem Ferentus
* Aldreda Tavelle
* Panvel Seriblo
* Kyvir Seriblo
* Marii Seriblo
* Reese Jagentoth
* Gergran Beldehr, a dwarven criminal from Yardel
* Frumpkin (indirectly)

### **Mentioned**

* Lord Anselm Mardoon
* Rufus Mardoon
* Ophelia Mardoon
* Champ
* Seneca, a man from Shadycreek Run
* Lady Sulia Jagentoth
* The Raven Queen
* Elric Tavelle
* Elias de Corvo
* Alasterre de Vitrevos
* Daldred
* Andica
* Taeleron
* Lazak "the Dark Forge" Oakbender, Auntie Mama's former goliath husband
* Narath Oakbender, Lazak and Auntie Mama's son
* Vik Oakbender, Lazak and Auntie Mama's son
* Queen Duvia Dwendal
* Nonagon mage
* Enchantress Lornië
* High Archivist Enchanter Morillo, who worked with Lornië and the Nonagon mage
* Goldeth, Felinor and Menzias, students of the Nonagon mage
* Bolo Maximus, her parents, Gorus and Vitalio, and her sisters, Morbo and Silio
* Kingsley Tealeaf

## **Trivia**

* This is the second novel adaptation of a *Critical Role* story, the first one being *Kith and Kin*.
* Madeleine Roux dedicated the book "for Trevor, who took the journey with me, Gods help him."
* In the book there is a reference to a spell called *Fireblast* in the mage's journal. It is unknown if this is an actual spell (like *Fire Bolt*) under a different name or if it represents a spell that has been forgotten (like how Critical Role sometimes uses spells and lore from earlier editions of D&D to denote lost knowledge from the Age of Arcanum).

## **References**

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5  HYPE: DELVE INTO THE UNTOLD STORY OF LUCIEN WITH OUR NEW ORIGINAL NOVEL! on CritRole.com  (backup link)
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6  *Critical Role: The Mighty Nein - The Nine Eyes of Lucien* on Penguin Random House's official website
3. ↑  Critical Role (@CriticalRole) on Twitter: "HYPE: The wondrous @robbiedaymond will narrate the audiobook of our upcoming original novel, THE MIGHTY NEIN – THE NINE EYES OF LUCIEN! 💙 This tale written by @authoroux releases in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook Nov. 1! Learn more & pre-order: ➡️ http://CriticalRoleBooks.com" (2022-09-15).
4. ↑ As of Sydenstar 835 PD, "two years ago." That is also the number of years since Cree and the other Tombtakers last saw Lucien; see at 12:58.  See "Fleeting Memories" (2x14) at 1:59:17.
5. ↑ ***Critical Role: The Mighty Nein - The Nine Eyes of Lucien***, p. 126.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Cover art of *The Nine Eyes of Lucien*, featuring Lucien, by Matt Hubel (source). Used with permission.