THE MIGHTY NEIN Reveals Jester and Fjord’s First Meeting (FINALLY!)

Is love in the air? Jester from The Mighty Nein certainly thinks so! Fans of Critical Role know that the relationship between Jester (played by Laura Bailey) and Fjord Stone (played by Travis Willingham) is one of the most heartwarming romances in the show’s history. While it seemed like love at first sight – at least for Jester – viewers never actually saw that initial meeting during The Mighty Nein campaign. When Critical Role Campaign 2 started, Jester and Fjord had already been acquainted for a month. Bailey and Willingham have described their first encounter, and it was briefly shown in the The Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone comic. Now, the animated series on Prime Video, The Mighty Nein, finally gives us a full look at how Jester and Fjord first met. Prepare for a sweet and touching scene!

How Do Jester and Fjord First Meet on Episode 2 of The Mighty Nein Series?

Fjord and Jester first meet in the second episode of The Mighty Nein, and it’s a hilariously awkward encounter where they accidentally end up protecting each other. Here’s a breakdown of how they meet.

Jester Causes a Little Trouble and Fjord Is in the Right Place at the Right Time

Fjord washes up in the city of Nicodranas after a terrible shipwreck, having lost his memory and been abandoned by a crew member named Sabian. He’s looking for food and a safe place to stay when he unexpectedly crosses paths with Jester, who’s currently causing mischief. Jester is upset that her mother is too busy with the important Lord Sharpe to spend time with her, so she publicly embarrasses him. During his speech, Jester displays scandalous artwork of Lord Sharpe all over the walls behind him.

Lord Sharpe was understandably upset and sent his guards to catch Jester. While running away, Jester accidentally bumped into Fjord – marking their first meeting! As seen in the second episode of The Mighty Nein, Fjord’s first words were an apology for the collision, and Jester playfully asked him to save her, immediately embracing him. It’s a charming scene that fans will enjoy seeing unfold.

Fjord’s Magic Sword Has Him Inadvertently Saving Jester’s Life in Their First Meeting

When Fjord’s ship was destroyed, he found the Sword of Fathoms, which belonged to his mentor, Vandran—who might be dead. It turns out the sword has several hidden magical powers. It can control people, change Fjord’s appearance, and even move on its own. During his first encounter with Jester, as guards approached, Fjord tried to explain he wasn’t involved in anything. Instead, the sword unexpectedly appeared in his hand and he accidentally unleashed magic he didn’t know he possessed, forcing him to fight. It wasn’t a very romantic moment—Fjord was compelled to act by the sword, rather than choosing to defend Jester himself, but that’s just how things are with him and Jester.

Fjord and Jester Set Off to Zadash Together in The Mighty Nein Series

Jester and Fjord reach the Lavish Chateau, Jester’s childhood home and the residence of her mother, Marion Lavorre, also known as The Ruby of the Sea. It’s there that Jester and Fjord properly meet and introduce themselves for the first time – a significant moment for the two of them. Fjord is impressed by Jester’s artistic talent, and Jester mistakenly believes Fjord was the captain of his ship, a misunderstanding he doesn’t bother to correct.

The peaceful moment doesn’t last, as Lord Sharpe is quickly gaining on them. Desperate to save her daughter and safeguard her business and workers, Marion urges Jester to flee to the distant city of Zadash. She directs Jester to her old friend, Madame Luenna, who owns the Pillow Trove Hotel and will offer her safety. This marks the first time Jester has left the Chateau in a long while.

Fjord Promises That He Will Watch Over Jester

So, when Jester started bragging about being a heroic ship captain, Marion asked him for a huge favor – she wanted him to escort her on her trip and make sure she was safe. Honestly, Jester couldn’t resist – especially when Marion sweetly asked and, let’s be real, offered a nice little sum of money. He immediately, and rather dramatically, vowed to protect her.

Fjord and Jester’s First Meeting Concludes with Foreshadowing and a Tusk Love Easter Egg

At the end of episode two of The Mighty Nein, Fjord and Jester share a final scene that reveals key details about their characters. We discover Jester’s abilities come from her deity, The Traveler, who hasn’t been introduced yet. Fjord admits he doesn’t know the source of his own powers or those of his sword, the Sword of Fathoms, and wants to investigate. Jester also mentions an erotic bookstore in Zadash called Chastity’s Nook – a location fans will recognize as where she later acquires the popular novel Tusk Love, which has actually been published as a real-world book.

Showrunner Tasha Huo Tells TopMob About Bringing This Iconic First Meeting to Life

As a huge fan of The Mighty Nein, I was really excited to hear showrunner Tasha Huo talk about bringing Fjord and Jester’s first meeting to the screen. She said it was one of her favorite parts of adapting the campaign, and she actually got to talk with Travis about what that very first session – their ‘Session Zero’ – was like for him. It was cool to learn they never really showed that moment before, so getting to visualize it on screen was a special treat!

Huo discussed portraying Jester and Fjord in The Mighty Nein, explaining that their initial dynamic was wonderfully contrasting. Jester is cheerful and optimistic, while Fjord starts from a difficult place. Seeing their relationship develop from that point is particularly enjoyable, especially knowing that Travis, who plays Fjord, initially hesitated to pursue a romantic storyline. That initial resistance actually became a key part of Fjord’s character, and the show will explore that further. Huo believes it’s a classic love story and loves revisiting its beginnings.

The Mighty Nein Series Changes Jester and Fjord’s First Meeting From Previous Versions

We knew some details about Jester and Fjord’s first meeting from sources like Bailey and Willingham, and the Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone comic. However, the version shown in The Mighty Nein series differs slightly from those earlier accounts.

At Emerald City Comic Con in 2018, Bailey and Willingham shared how Jester and Fjord first met. Fjord noticed Jester using magic to playfully trick people in the city of Port Damali. Having recently gained his own magical powers from Uk’otoa, a powerful sea creature, he was intrigued by her abilities. Their paths crossed again when Jester was fleeing from city guards after a minor theft, and they decided to travel north together. They spent around four weeks adventuring as a duo before eventually meeting the rest of the Mighty Nein – marking the start of Critical Role Campaign 2. This origin story is further detailed in The Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone comic, which is available to read.

The first meeting between Jester and Fjord isn’t exactly as shown in the Prime Video series, The Mighty Nein, though some parts are similar. Since this encounter wasn’t fully detailed in the original campaign or the comics, the Critical Role team clearly spent time developing it for the show. Of course, the series’ story doesn’t perfectly match the campaign’s. Because of this, there’s no official confirmation of which version is the definitive one. But in the expansive world of Critical Role, feel free to pick and choose the elements you enjoy from both versions to create your own ideal story of how Jester and Fjord first met.

However you slice that cake, they are perfect.

Okay, so I finally checked out The Mighty Nein on Prime Video, and it’s definitely worth a look! They’ve launched with the first three episodes, which are all available now. If you get hooked (and I think you will!), new episodes drop every Wednesday.

2025-11-20 00:04