Bertrand Bell: Critical Role’s swordsman and Bells Hells

Bertrand Bell is Travis Willingham’s elderly human swordsman in Critical Role. His elaborate accounts of his own adventures make him a comic presence, while his involvement at the beginning of Campaign 3 gives him lasting importance to the group that becomes Bells Hells.

The Search for Grog and the earlier appearance

Bertrand first appears in The Search for Grog, a special adventure connected to Vox Machina. That introduction establishes his mixture of bravado, self-preservation and desire to be associated with heroic company. His stories are part of his characterization; they should not all be treated as an independently verified history of great achievements.

His role at the start of Campaign 3 — spoilers

In Jrusar, Bertrand helps bring several adventurers into contact with Lord Eshteross. His death shortly afterward turns what might have been a temporary association into a shared concern. The name Bells Hells commemorates him, so his influence extends beyond the number of episodes in which he participates.

Actual play and character identity

Critical Role is an actual play production: a performer makes decisions as a character within a game guided by a game master. Bertrand’s fictional biography is therefore different from Travis Willingham’s real career. To follow his Campaign 3 role, begin with its opening episodes; the earlier special adds context but is not a substitute for that introduction.

Sources and further reading

• Critical Role Campaign 3 character profiles
• Travis Willingham official biography

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