The Mighty Nein ending explained: Every twist and reveal broken down

**Warning: Contains spoilers for The Mighty Nein finale.**

The first season of the animated Critical Role series, featuring The Mighty Nein, is ending with a thrilling finale. Will this unlikely team of heroes manage to pull together, recover the Luxon Beacon, and prevent a war between the Dwendalian Empire and the Kryn Dynasty – ultimately showing they’re more than just a chaotic mess?

Stealing the ancient relic seems nearly impossible. It’s secured within the Soltryce Academy, guarded by Trent Ikithon – the powerful Archmage fueling the growing conflict – his dangerous Volstruckers, and the Empire’s soldiers. Even with the assistance of the charming Gentleman, the chances of success are extremely low.

On top of everything else, Caleb is also driven by a need for revenge against someone who hurt him in the past. This makes an already difficult mission – helping his new friend, Nott, find the Beacon – even more complicated. With the city’s guards extra vigilant, the task ahead in Zadash feels almost impossible.

As a huge fan of The Mighty Nein, I was on the edge of my seat watching them try to sneak into the last night of the Harvest Close festival with a stolen invitation! It all comes down to this – did they manage to pull off their most daring heist yet? Let’s dive into the season finale and see how it all unfolds.

The Mighty Nein Ending explained: Does the party steal the beacon?

Surprisingly, their risky plan to sneak into the Soltryce Academy during the Harvest Close festival actually succeeded. Despite some unexpected challenges – Beau and Jester had to switch tasks, and Nott faced her fear of water – Caleb and Nott were able to retrieve the Luxon Beacon while distracting Archmage Trent Ikithon and the Volstruckers.

Just as Caleb was considering returning to his former ways, the Mighty Nein’s attempt to quietly leave with the artifact was interrupted by the arrival of a Kryn strike team. A fierce battle broke out as everyone fought for control of the Luxon beacon, allowing the party to escape through the sewers.

The Kryn had the same plan, so the Mighty Nein rushed into a fight for the artefact. However, the strike team was prepared – they used the Luxon Beacon to plunge the sewer into darkness, catching the Nein by surprise. Desperate to protect Jester and her friends, Fjord shoved the yellow orb into his chest (waking up Uk’otoa!), which gave him new powers and allowed him to defeat the Kryn warriors.

Does Caleb finally get his revenge on Trent Ikithon?

Considering he previously threatened, “I won’t stop until I destroy you and everything you’ve created,” it’s surprising how quickly the former Volstrucker abandons his vengeful attack on his abuser during the story’s most intense moment.

It’s now clear the Archmage within the Cerberus Assembly has been secretly controlling events for quite some time. He’s been relentlessly training his students through torture and manipulation, turning them into fiercely loyal and dangerous magical assassins who serve both the Empire and his own dark purposes.

Similar to how Palpatine manipulated and corrupted Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars, Trent Ikithon has a strong influence over Caleb, Astrid, and Eadwulf. Although he isn’t yet as powerful as his old mentor (who famously said, “Did you actually think you could escape me, Bren?”), his connection with Nott and the support of the Mighty Nein are changing his path.

Trent and Caleb have a deeply damaging and controlling relationship. Trent’s manipulative comments, like calling Caleb his “Little Spark” or “favourite pupil,” make the abuse even worse. However, there’s hope that Caleb can now escape this cycle of harm, especially with the support of his new friends.

Does Essek manage to retrieve the Luxon Beacon? And whose side is he really on?

Following orders from the Bright Queen, Essek guides a team to infiltrate the Soltryce Academy within the Dwendalian Empire. Their mission: to recover the Beacon. This comes after Essek was betrayed by a friend named Verrat, whom he falsely accused of his own misdeeds.

After the team secures the religious artifact, a fierce battle erupts throughout the city, as the Volstruckers and Trent Ikithon pursue them relentlessly. Even though they’ve trapped the Archmage inside a purple orb, he manages to escape, grabbing one of his captors and throwing them into the academy.

Trent then crushes the soldier with a powerful stone fist. Removing the soldier’s helmet reveals a shocking truth: it’s Essek, the one who originally gave the Luxon Beacon to the Archmage, now bloody and severely injured.

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Essek had been secretly collaborating with the Empire, hoping to find a way to fully harness dunamancy and cure his mother’s illness, typhros. He believed the Cerberus Assembly possessed the magical expertise needed, as his own Dynasty would execute anyone with the disease. He smuggled a sacred relic to them, unintentionally sparking a war in the process.

He appears to be obeying the Bright Queen’s command to find the Beacon, but he’s deeply troubled by her hidden cruelty. She made him kill his own mother, all while secretly sharing the same affliction that plagued her.

Essek is torn between conflicting loyalties – his duty to his community and his grief over losing his mother – making it difficult to know where his true allegiance lies.

Does Yasha finally join the Mighty Nein?

So, as a big fan of the original campaign, it’s interesting to see how the animated series handled things. In the tabletop game, the Barbarian actually rolled with Mollymauk as part of this amazing traveling carnival, the Fletching and Moondrop. But the show’s moved things around and streamlined the story, which means some of the backstory details are different now. It’s not wrong, just a bit of a shift from what I remember!

Throughout the series, Yasha has been manipulated by a powerful, threatening force, forcing her to commit violent acts as the feared “Orphanmaker.” In a flashback with her wife, Zuala, we hear this voice urging her to recall her mission and the entity’s intentions: “Remember why you’re here, Orphanmaker. Remember your purpose, remember my plan.”

The voice they heard came from Obann, a half-demon who had been controlling her and sending her to steal the Luxon Beacon. However, when she actually obtained the Beacon in the sewers, something changed. The Beacon seemed to disrupt Obann’s control, giving her a brief moment to contact the Mighty Nein and ask for their assistance.

Although Yasha isn’t a confirmed member just yet, everything suggests she’ll be joining the team in season 2.

Who really is Mollymauk – and what do the eye tattoos mean?

Okay, so episodes seven and eight? Huge reveals about that Tiefling blood hunter! I’m seriously getting creeped out. We’re finally starting to piece together his backstory – it’s way darker than I expected. All those strange things happening, those activations and interactions? They’re all pointing to something really messed up about his past, and those eye tattoos? They’re definitely connected. It’s a really unsettling reveal, honestly.

Molly drew the Death card, an ominous sign, and was immediately attacked, slammed against a wall by Vess DeRogna. Vess, a half-elf mage from the Cerberus Assembly, shockingly revealed she remembers killing Lucien in the past. Now claiming the title of the Nonagon – complete with glowing red eyes – she vows to ensure he remains dead.

The Nonagon is a special designation given to someone connected to a powerful cosmic force called the Eyes of Nine (or Somnovem). Those who earn this title receive great power, along with unique tattoos around their eyes, from these ancient, otherworldly beings. Molly was once Lucien Tavelle, a figure known as Lucien the Nonagon – he led the Tombtaker cult and was previously given this title.

When the nine tattoos on Molly’s body suddenly glowed red, it became clear his past wasn’t truly forgotten – it had just been hidden. This happened as he fought off Vess’s surprise attack. A quick loss of consciousness startled Jester, and Molly’s quiet, apologetic “sorry, love” only added to the growing tension.

Tarot cards fluttered down around the tiefling, and one flipped over to reveal the Eye – a card that suggested Lucien’s past, or whatever he was, still posed a danger.

Is the Traveler real – or just in Jester’s head?

Over the course of the story, the Mighty Nein have often wondered if Jester’s chaotic blue tiefling god – who she calls her “best friend” – is real, or if she’s simply been imagining a companion.

With “The Zadash Job,” it’s now clear the Traveler is a genuine entity and actively helps those who follow him, as demonstrated during the daring heist at Soltryce Academy.

When the group learns that Lord Sharpe will be at the party, Jester and Beau have to switch plans. Jester is tasked with creating a diversion, but nearly fails until someone catches her mid-fall. It’s the Traveler – a mysterious figure with long red hair, pointed elven features, and striking green eyes!

The Mighty Nein is available to stream on Prime Video.

Authors

Nicola AustinFreelance Writer

Nicola Austin is a freelance journalist with a passion for science fiction, fantasy, and animation. She’s written for many publications, including Empire, Digital Spy, and SciFiNow, covering TV and film. And she firmly believes that The Mummy is a classic 90s film!

2025-12-22 13:37