Critical Role's flagship Dungeons & Dragons campaign, Campaign 4, is set to return on August 27. The actual-play series will pick up with its second arc, continuing the story in the new fantasy world of Aramàn. This campaign, helmed by Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan, notably features a 13-player cast divided into three distinct tables: Soldiers, Seekers, and Schemers, each exploring different playstyles and narrative threads.
Campaign 4's narrative diverges from the established lore of Exandria, the setting of previous campaigns. Instead, it unfolds in Aramàn, a world where gods have been overthrown and magic operates differently. The initial episodes, referred to as the overture, introduced a somber tone, akin to Game of Thrones, focusing on the aftermath of the Shaper's War and the struggles of mortals against powerful, revanchist factions known as the Sundered Houses. These houses, which once wielded significant power, seek to reassert their dominance following the gods' demise approximately 70 years prior.
The campaign's first arc began with a significant in-game event: the funeral of Thjazi Fang, a figure central to the burgeoning revolution against the Sundered Houses. Thjazi, a hero to some and a perceived antagonist by others, was executed by House Tachonis. His death, however, served as a catalyst, leaving behind clues and setting his allies on a path to uncover the motivations and machinations of the Sundered Houses.
Players were initially split across the three tables to pursue separate objectives. The Soldiers table sought revenge on Casimir, who betrayed Thjazi, and aimed to rescue Teor Pridesire's brother. The Seekers table investigated the disappearance of Thaisha Lloy's son, Alogar Fang, uncovering a plot by House Tachonis to weaponize him. Meanwhile, the Schemers table focused on building support for the rebellion within the city of Dol-Makjar by rallying neglected or mistreated populations.
The three tables eventually reconvened to address simultaneous critical events in Dol-Makjar. These included a meeting of the Sundered Houses solidifying their intent to restore their power, the revelation of Thjazi's plan at the Hallowed Round to build a bridge to the orcish afterlife, and the rescue of Mara the Wing, a member of a clandestine organization called The Cloak, from House Tachonis's stronghold. The arc concluded with significant losses, including the deaths of Teor and Cyd, but also advanced the plot with the discovery that Thjazi's soul is somehow linked to Julien's shadow. Mara the Wing revealed The Cloak's objective: to reestablish connections to various afterlives lost since the Shaper's War.
For the upcoming second arc, the player divisions are shifting. The Soldiers table, led by Thaisha, will journey to Dol-Rungja to seek aid from druidic circles. The Seekers, now a larger group including Thimble, Occtis, Julien, Vaelus, Bolaire, and Kattigan, will travel to the Golden Orchard via Miller's Road to meet with Mara the Wing and a contact there, with a potential stop to meet an ally named King Gus. The Schemers, comprising Hal, Azune, Wick, Tyranny, and Murray, will remain in Dol-Makjar to manage the ongoing political unrest.
Campaign 4 episodes are broadcast live on Thursdays at 10 p.m. PDT on Twitch, YouTube, and Beacon.tv. Episodes are made available on YouTube the following Monday at 3 p.m. EDT/12 p.m. PDT.