Pretty is an ogre cook who works at the Soot and Swill tavern in Jrusar. As an NPC, Pretty is played by Matthew Mercer.

Description

Pretty is a hunched nine-foot tall ogre. When Bells Hells first encountered him, he was wearing a long cap that reached his mid-back, no shirt, and a heavy leather apron. Since he was in the middle of a busy workday, his arms were spattered with grease, and he whistled to himself as he cooked.^[2] Despite his intimidating appearance Pretty is a sensitive, sensible, and emotionally intelligent ogre.

Biography

Background

Pretty had a dating relationship with someone "when [he] first came to Marquet", so is apparently not a native of the continent.^[3] Before his job as a cook in the Soot and Swill, Pretty hit people as a profession, though he never intended to kill anyone. He prefers his current position as a chef because people treat him better.^[4]

"Thicker Grows the Meal and Plot" (3x09)

While assisting the group soon to be named Bells Hells with seeking out Artana Voe in the Soot and Swill tavern, Chetney snuck Invisibly into the kitchen where Pretty worked and discovered a hidden door. In order to get Pretty out of the kitchen so that Dorian, Orym, Ashton, and Chetney could investigate, Fearne ordered a meal and then asked to give her compliments to the chef. Pretty was moved to tears by being complimented on his cooking, and happily shared the recipe as they had a nice chat. In an attempt to distract him as he started heading back to the kitchen just as the rest of the party was leaving, Imogen asked him to go on a date with her, Laudna, and Fearne, and he somewhat hesitantly agreed to meet them after he got off work that night.

"Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10)

After escaping their previous caper unscathed, the three women and Fresh Cut Grass (who came along because they'd never been on a date before) greeted Pretty in a packed, watching tavern. Once Pretty collected on his bets with the other staff and the table exchanged gifts, he shooed the other patrons away and the date party had a meal and small talk. Afterwards, they all attended the Dreamscape Theater to watch a performance of Kendra's Flying Lauders, which Pretty wasn't invested in, preferring narrative-focused shows. Pretty gently parted ways with the four, citing a great difference in personalities and promising to treat them all to a meal when they came back to the Soot and Swill with significant others.

"The Shade Mother" (3x16)

Bells Hells visited Pretty at the Soot and Swill after their fight against the Shade Mother, where he prepared a special meal for Laudna, Fearne and Imogen.

"The Momentum of Murder" (3x39)

Bells Hells encountered Pretty again when they returned to Jrusar from Whitestone. They asked about his love life and he said that he was exploring his options and "currently dabbling in some social interactions."

"Reunited" (3x64)

Team Wildemount checked in at the tavern when they arrived in Jrusar, looking for the rest of their party, and woke Pretty before dawn. The ogre was very happy to see them, even though he was still wearing his nightcap and nightgown. He hadn't seen the others, but offered to make them all breakfast, which they declined, and told them a little about the tensions in the city due to the events of the Apogee Solstice and the tethering of Ruidus. When Deanna attempted to stealthily fix the mismatched pattern of his pajamas, he caught her, but gave her permission to proceed and was thrilled with the result. He promised to look out for the rest of Bells Hells.

"A New Age Begins" (3x121)

Bells Hells visited Pretty while in Jrusar for a break after releasing Predathos. He was still working in the kitchen and held no hard feelings towards the three women of the party. He was in the early stages of dating someone.^[5]

Appearances and mentions

• Campaign Three
  • "Thicker Grows the Meal and Plot" (3x09) (first appearance)
  • "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10)
  • "The Tunnels Below" (3x15), mentioned only
  • "The Shade Mother" (3x16)
  • "Promise and Potential" (3x22), mentioned only
  • "A Dark Balance" (3x38), mentioned only
  • "The Momentum of Murder" (3x39)
  • "Hope Within History" (3x55), mentioned only
  • "Reunited" (3x64)
  • "A New Age Begins" (3x121)

Quotations

• Imogen: Have you ever been on a date before, Pretty?
  Pretty: Not in a long time.^[6]
• Imogen: Where did you hit people?
  Pretty: In the head, mostly.^[7]
• Pretty: I tend to be more of a purveyor of narrative stage theater, but I can appreciate the interpretive dance and acrobatic aspects of the Lauders. Not my favorite, but...^[8]
• Pretty: (to Laudna, Imogen, and Fearne) I enjoy your company and friendship deeply. But... I just think we're different kinds of people. Please, do not misunderstand. I just think you three have a lot of the world before you to see.^[9]
• Pretty: (to Fearne) You're wonderful just how you are. Just not meant to be.^[10]
• Pretty: (to Fearne, Imogen, and Laudna) I am compelled by each of your adventurous spirits. But... my search continues.^[11]

Trivia

• His name (improvised in the moment by Matthew Mercer, who hadn't defined the cook of the tavern until that moment) is likely inspired by Buddy, another ogre character from "The Adventures of the Darrington Brigade" (Sx49), whose catchphrase is "You're pretty!". When pressed by Sam Riegel, Liam O'Brien (Buddy's player) was willing to say they could be second cousins.^[12]

References

1. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:21:06.
2. ↑ See "Thicker Grows the Meal and Plot" (3x09) at 1:33:18.
3. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:23:44.
4. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:20:20.
5. ↑ See "A New Age Begins" (3x121) at 6:27:51.
6. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:23:33.
7. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:20:28.
8. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:57:17.
9. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:58:16.
10. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:57:23.
11. ↑ See "Ghosts, Dates, and Darker Fates" (3x10) at 1:59:58.
12. ↑ See "Wrap Up: Campaign 3 and the Era of Reclamation" (Sx94) from 2:18:18 through 2:19:30.

Art:

1. ↑ Official art of Pretty, by Wesley Griffith (source). Used with permission.
2. ↑ Official art of Pretty, by Wesley Griffith (source). Used with permission.
3. ↑ Fan art of Pretty, by @thetaterart (source). Used with permission.
4. ↑ Fan art of Laudna, Imogen, Fearne, and Pretty's date, by Bunchu (source). Used with permission.
5. ↑ Fan art of Pretty, by Thomas Lue (source). Used with permission.
6. ↑ Fan art of Pretty, by QuirkyMegan. Work contributed to the Critical Role Wiki by the artist.

v • d • e Campaign Three Arc 1: Jrusar People Allies Dorian Storm • Bertrand Bell • Ariks Eshteross • Milo Krook • Cyrus Wyvernwind • Orlana Seshadri • Green Seekers • Xandis Antagonists Dugger • Vali Dertrana • Ira Wendagoth • Armand Treshi • Emoth Kade • Shade Mother • The Verdict Other Danas • Yash Mangal • Pretty • Artana Voe • Gurge Kisgregg • Ela Lumas • Oshad Breshio • Marwa Endalia • Ratanish • Jiana Hexum • Evon Hytroga • Roe Estani • Ajit Dayal Places Jrusar (Spire by Fire Inn, Dreamscape Theater, Trove of Marwa) • Oderan Wilds • Heartmoor Hamlet (Twilight Mirror Museum) Creatures animated objects (knife, flying longsword, broom, Rug of Smothering, table) • shade creepers • mimic • fairy-lure mantrap • animated marionettes • clay wardens • skiraths