Critical Role

Critical Role or Critical Role Productions LLC is a production company of a group of professional voice actors that produced a weekly web series in which they played Dungeon & Dragons, called Critical Role. The series aired live, initially on the Geek & Sundry Twitch channel and YouTube, and subsequently on the Critical Role Twitch channel, on Thursdays at 7pm (Pacific Time). Episodes are archived on the Critical Role website and the Critical Role and Geek & Sundry YouTube channels.

The first campaign and a part of the second campaign were live streamed on the Geek & Sundry Twitch channel. In February 2019, Critical Role parted ways with Geek & Sundry, launched their own Twitch and YouTube channels, and started to self-produce new shows and content under the name Critical Role Productions LLC. Eventually the live broadcasts of Critical Role and VODs aired exclusively on Critical Role's channels.

As of 2019, Travis Willingham serves as chief executive officer, Matthew Mercer as chief creative officer, Marisha Ray as creative director, Ed Lopez as chief operating officer, Rachel Romero as senior vice president of marketing, and Ben Van Der Fluit as vice president of business development. Surena Marie joined the company as Marketing & Community Manager in February 2020.

On 17 March 2020, Critical Role announced that it was suspending all live broadcasts of both the D&D stream Critical Role and Talks Machina due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They announced on 25 June 2020 in a YouTube video that the stream would return with the broadcast of Episode 100 in a prerecorded format on 2 July 2020.



First Campaign
&rarr; Main article: The Campaign of Vox Machina The first campaign features a group of adventures called Vox Machina. Although Critical Role as a show did not begin until March 12 2015, the campaign itself started on December 8, 2012. The very first session was played by Liam O'Brien, Sam Riegel, Laura Bailey, Travis Willingham, Taliesin Jaffe, and Orion Acaba, with Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master. All the players began the campaign with the same characters they had on the stream, with the exception of Taliesin who played a dragonborn paladin for their first session. Marisha Ray and Ashley Johnson joined the game in later sessions.

In 2015 they were approached by Felicia Day to stream their campaign live on the Geek & Sundry twitch channel. On March 12, 2015 they began streaming their first live episode,. After two-and-a-half years, eight chapters, and 115 episodes, the adventures of Vox Machina came to an end on October 12, 2017 in.

After the first campaign ended, the group played three canonical one-shot games featuring Vox Machina,, and.

Second Campaign
&rarr; Main article: Campaign 2: The Mighty Nein The second campaign started on January 11, 2018. This campaign continues 20 years after the end of the Vox Machina campaign with the story of the Mighty Nein. The stream began with, but the most of the players did a session 0 before the stream with Matt so that the players could get a feel for their characters and the setting they would be playing in.

Live Shows
&rarr; Main article: Live Shows. Some of the episodes are performed before a live studio audience, where the cast take on adventure with a live audience gasping at every roll of the die, and cheering them on with every victory. was the first episode of the series to be performed before a live studio audience.

Cast
&rarr; Main article: Category:Cast.

Main Cast

 * Laura Bailey as Vex'ahlia/Jester Lavorre
 * Liam O'Brien as Vax'ildan/Caleb Widogast
 * Taliesin Jaffe as Percy/Mollymauk Tealeaf and Caduceus Clay
 * Ashley Johnson as Pike Trickfoot/Yasha
 * Marisha Ray as Keyleth/Beauregard
 * Sam Riegel as Scanlan Shorthalt and Taryon Darrington/Nott
 * Travis Willingham as Grog/Fjord
 * Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master
 * Orion Acaba as Tiberius Stormwind (formerly)

On October 28th, 2015, at 6:40 PST, it was announced live on the Geek & Sundry Twitch channel that due to a mutual parting of ways, Orion would no longer appear on Critical Role. Matt Mercer repeated the announcement at the beginning of. Orion last appeared in.

Guest Stars
&rarr; Main article: Category:Guest Stars. Occasionally a guest star or two joined the main cast. These guests played their own characters who encounter Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein while on their own individual journeys and decide to team up with our protagonists for as long as their goals are aligned.


 * Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Zahra Hydris
 * Felicia Day as Lyra
 * Will Friedle as Kashaw Vesh
 * Wil Wheaton as Thorbir Falbek
 * Kit Buss as Lillith Daturai
 * Jason Charles Miller as Garthok
 * Chris Hardwick as Gern Blanston
 * Chris Perkins as Shale and Spurt
 * Patrick Rothfuss as Kerrek
 * Noelle Stevenson as Tova
 * Jon Heder as Lionel Gayheart
 * Darin De Paul as Sprigg
 * Joe Manganiello as Arkhan
 * Khary Payton as Shakäste
 * Mark Hulmes as Calianna
 * Ashly Burch as Keg
 * Sumalee Montano as Nila
 * Deborah Ann Woll as Twiggy
 * Mica Burton as Reani

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and Will Friedle returned on several different occasions to reprise their roles as Zahra and Kashaw. Patrick Rothfuss also returned as Kerrek for several episodes near the end of the Chroma Conclave story arc. Chris Perkins has appeared as two characters, Shale and Spurt, one in each campaign, respectively. Other guests appearing in multiple episodes include Khary Payton, Ashly Burch, Sumalee Montano, and Mica Burton.

Other Formats
In addition to the livestream, episodes of Critical Role were made into podcasts, discussed, and recapped before the next episodes aired.

Podcast
All the main episodes of Critical Role through Campaign 2, Episode 51 were released as a podcast version on the Geek & Sundry official website. Episodes 20 through 51 of the Mighty Nein campaign were later moved to the Critical Role network.

As of December 19, 2019, starting with Episode 20 of Campaign 2, podcasts moved to the Critical Role podcast network. The podcast links can be found though the Podcast section of the Critical Role website and via Podbean, iTunes, Google Podcasts, and on Spotify. This also includes Talks Machina (from ), and the Specials (from ).

Talks Machina
&rarr; Main article: Talks Machina. After, Geek & Sundry began airing a show called Talks Machina which serves as an after-show for Critical Role. Hosted by Brian Wayne Foster, Talks Machina was a weekly show airing on Tuesdays in which Brian and several guests talked about the most recent episode of Critical Role and answered questions submitted by fans. The guests usually consisted of the regular cast of Critical Role, but guest players, behind-the-scenes people, and fans such as Andrew from CritRoleStats also appeared.

Critical Recap
Critical Recap, hosted by Dani Carr, summarized the events of the previous week's episode of Critical Role, as well as offering her own thoughts on the events that transpired and what they might mean for the future. The recaps started with and aired on the Geek & Sundry Twitch channel before the live streams. After the split from Geek & Sundry, new episodes of Critical Recap premiered on Critical Role's YouTube channel on Tuesdays. The final video was for, with recaps thereafter appearing in written form on the Critical Role website.

The Chronicles of Exandria
The Chronicles of Exandria are art books featuring artwork from the community. They also include backstories of the main party members as well as some of the NPCs. Two have been published covering the Vox Machina Campaign and one (to date) for the second campaign.
 * Vol. I: The Tale of Vox Machina: Published in November, 2017
 * Vol. II: The Tale of Vox Machina: Published in November, 2018 (Deluxe Edition)
 * The Chronicles of Exandria — The Mighty Nein: Published June 2, 2020.

The Legend of Vox Machina
&rarr; Main article: The Legend of Vox Machina. The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated series currently in production, funded by a kickstarter campaign of the same name.

In November 2019, Amazon Prime partnered on the project, to be seen exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and expanding it to two seasons totaling 24 episodes, completing the Briarwood storyline and moving "into other classic Vox Machina story arcs as well." The show is now projected to premiere in the second half of 2021.

Comics
Several comics, both online and in book form, have been produced covering the story of Vox Machina before the streams began.

Winter's Crest Festival Comic
&rarr; Main article: Winter's Crest Festival comic. Marisha Ray and Taliesin Jaffe wrote a comic series with art by Wendy Sullivan Green. It told the story of Vox Machina's first Winter's Crest festival.

Vox Machina Origins
&rarr; Main article: Vox Machina Origins. On September 20, 2017, Dark Horse Comics released a six-issue comic series titled Vox Machina Origins Volume 1 covering how some of the members of Vox Machina came to meet each other. On July 10, 2019, Dark Horse began releasing Vox Machina Origins Volume 2, another six-part miniseries continuing the adventures of the fledgling group.

The World of Critical Role
&rarr; Main article: The World of Critical Role: The History Behind the Epic Fantasy. Projected to release on 20 October 2020, The World of Critical Role is a non-fiction book containing archival photos and cast interviews, featuring "richly written insights into the events, characters, and locations of the adventures of Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein. Written by Liz Marsham and the cast of Critical Role, this book offers you the chance to experience the behind-the-scenes journey of how a circle of friends’ home game became the most-watched fantasy RPG livestream of all time. Hear from the players themselves about their most triumphant moments and darkest hours. And celebrate the massive community of Critters who support and expand the show’s world, through the crafts, cosplay, and art they create every day."

Merch
Critical Role has three online shops where official merch is sold.
 * USA shop
 * UK shop
 * AU shop

Miniature Figures
Steamforged Games(SFG) raised approx $1.2M in a Kickstarter campaign for a collection of miniature figures based on player characters (PCs) and non-player characters (NPCs) from both Critical Role campaigns.

Hot Topic
In February 2020, it was announced that Critical Role had partnered with Hot Topic to sell branded apparel both online and in their stores.

Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting
&rarr; Main article: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting. The Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting is a reference book for D&D groups written by Matthew Mercer with the help of James Haeck. It was published in 2017 by Green Ronin Publishing and is available in both hardcover and PDF formats.

Explorer's Guide to Wildemount
&rarr; Main article: Explorer's Guide to Wildemount. The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount is an extensive 5th Edition campaign guide written by Matthew Mercer and a team of designers including Chris Lockey, James Introcaso, and James Haeck. The Wildemount campaign setting was released on 17 March 2020, published by Wizards of the Coast.

Other Shows
Critical Role LLC has produced and broadcast shows other than the D&D stream and Talks Machina:

Specials &rarr; Main article: Specials. The cast will occasionally play a one-shot game, often with several guests, different game systems, and different Dungeon Master/Game Master. Included in this category are special question-and-answer episodes outside the Talks Machina format.

All Work No Play &rarr; Main article: All Work No Play. All Work No Play started as a sporadic podcast (2012-2017) where Liam and Sam (and an occasional guest) caught up over a drink. The current video version sends Liam and Sam off on adventures, then meeting back up at Critical Role Land to discuss it, their lives, and anything else that may tickle their fancies.

Between the Sheets &rarr; Main article: Between the Sheets. Between the Sheets was a show where Brian Wayne Foster interviewed in depth a different guest each episode.

Critter Hug &rarr; Main article: Critter Hug. Critter Hug celebrates the tabletop gaming community by highlighting its cornerstones such as artists, terrain makers, local game stores, indie RPGs, and more, with hosts Mica Burton and Matthew Mercer.

#EverythingIsContent &rarr; Main article: EverythingIsContent. EverythingIsContent is a show with no fixed format. Several of the episodes have had sponsored content. The show can also be something of a testbed for the studio to pilot potential projects.

Handbooker Helper &rarr; Main article: Handbooker Helper. Handbooker Helper is a series of short videos, hosted by various cast and crew members, covering various aspects of Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition).

MAME Drop &rarr; Main article: MAME Drop. Taliesin and guest(s) played old-school arcade games on the studio's MAME cabinet.

Mini Primetime &rarr; Main article: Mini Primetime. Mini Primetime is a show hosted by Will Friedle on how to improve painting techniques, specifically for Dungeons and Dragons miniatures.

Narrative Telephone &rarr; Main article: Narrative Telephone. Begun during the Covid-19 hiatus, Narrative Telephone features a cast member relating a short narrative story, which is then retold by successive cast members.

Pub Draw &rarr; Main article: Pub Draw. Pub Draw is a show where Marisha is taught how to improve her drawing by comic book artist, and Critter, Babs Tarr.

Travis Willingham's Yee-Haw Game Ranch‏ &rarr; Main article: Travis Willingham's Yee-Haw Game Ranch‏. Travis Willingham's Yeehaw Game Ranch features Travis Willingham and Brian Wayne Foster (and occasional guests) playing video games.

UnDeadwood &rarr; Main article: UnDeadwood. UnDeadwood was a four-part series in which Brian GMed a game based on the HBO series Deadwood, using the Deadlands RPG system.

Community
Soon after the stream started, fans of the show, known as Critters, began to show their support, first by sending food during the stream, and soon after, fan art, creations, and gifts. The cast would open these gifts and thank their fans at the end of a gaming session and the segment began to be known as Critmas.

Critters
"Critters" is a term that refers to the fans of Critical Role. The cast openly interacts with their fans via social media. In return, Critters often show their appreciation by sending gifts and letters to Matt and the players.

Fans can submit fan art and photos of cosplay to participate in the weekly art gallery and monthly cosplay gallery on critrole.com, and for Cosplay/Fan Art of the Week Contests for Talks Machina. The winners receive Critical Role or Wyrmwood Gaming merchandise.

Charities
Throughout the years Critical Role has taken part in various charity drives. In addition, each member of the cast has chosen a charity to individually represent and encourage their fans to donate to them instead of sending gifts.
 * Ashley: Amnesty
 * Laura: My Friend’s Place
 * Liam: The Planetary Society
 * Marisha: The Nature Conservancy
 * Matt: First Book
 * Taliesin: First Place for Youth
 * Travis: Operation Supply Drop
 * Sam: Pablove Foundation

826LA
During each broadcast, viewers were encouraged to donate to a charity, usually 826LA, and donators were thanked at the end of the session. During Hoomanism Appreciation Week in September 2015, the cast of Critical Role visited 826LA, where they presented creative director Joel Arquillos with a check for $15,000.

Extra Life
Many of the cast members of Critical Role were involved with the Geek & Sundry Extra Life charity drive in October 2015, including a special episode,  featuring the Vox Moronica crew.

Pablove Foundation
Sam and the cast had joined forces with Blair Herter, to help raise awareness and support for the Pablove Foundation. The Pablove Foundation is an charity dedicated to childhood cancer support through improving the lives of children with cancer through the arts, as well as investing in underfunded research projects. A few rewards were set up and reached:
 * $20,000: with Sam as the Dungeon Master;
 * $50,000: the ability to fund one research grant distributed to a credible research team actively working to cure childhood cancer;
 * $100,000: and a completely funded Shutterbugs Summer Camp.

Critical Role's 8-Bit Salute!
In November 2018, Travis and members of Critical Role joined forces with Operation Supply Drop (OSD) Gaming Development Director, Jeff Bartom to raise money for their military community to provides Veterans with games and other entertainment items.In addition to this Supply Drop, they partnered with OSD with a goal to raise $50,000 for the military community. As a reward for raising $25.000, Travis hosted a special live first-person shooter gaming session on the Critical Role Twitch channel.

In November 2019, Travis started another month-long fundraiser to help support our military community with OSD. Travis Frederick of the Dallas Cowboys graciously offered to donate $500 per nat 1 (PCs only) rolled in November 2019.

Red Nose Day
Critical Role joined the 2019 Red Nose Day campaign with Stephen Colbert to end childhood poverty, as part of which Matthew Mercer ran a one-on-one mini-adventure. Donors could support Red Nose Day by shaping Stephen’s adventure through their donations. Donors decided Stephen’s character class, his companion, his legendary weapon to be sought, and the villain. The story elements that gained the most donations were used in the mini-adventure. A total of $122,362 was raised to end childhood poverty.