“Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold” mainly focuses on the era of Vox Machina’s adventures. However, “Under Golden Boughs” touches on the end of the Calamity through the perspective of the Sun Tree. The story told by the Sun Tree spans generations as it bears witness to the wonders and tragedies of Exandria. One of the most fascinating moments in the story is when the Dawnfather plants the Sun Tree.

The Dawnfather is often portrayed as strict and steadfast. However, Downfall showed a new side of the deity through Nick Marini’s performance. “Under Golden Boughs” reveals yet another piece of him, a God exhausted. The Dawnfather plants the Sun Tree as a final gift to Exandria before being locked behind the Divine Gate. In an exclusive interview with Temple of Geek, Martin Cahill revealed how Marini’s performance as the Dawnfather came into play in his story.

How Nick Marini’s Dawnfather In Critical Role’s Downfall Inspired Under Golden Boughs

Martin Cahill:

Shout out Brennan Lee Mulligan and the casts, not just of Calamity, but also Downfall and Divergence. Of course, shout out Matt Mercer. I love that we’ve been able to dip into various eras throughout. I love Calamity and I love the various stories they’re in. Avalir, Aeor. In [Under Golden Boughs], it’s all about, as we see in Divergence, the held breath of a world on the brink of total destruction. We see the Divine Gate established as a final alternative to all-out war.

It made sense to me to pull from aspects of the Dawnfather that we saw with Nick’s character in Downfall. Pulling from the softer, the gentler sides. We see the Dawnfather becoming a bit more of that stringent, militaristic, stern figure from Campaign 1. It made sense to bridge that. Here he is right before going off into these outer planes. What is an exhausted god like? Not that you could ever knock down the Dawnfather with a feather, but to be so utterly spent.

I was writing this, and I was going through edits on it as Downfall was coming out. So, I was kind of revisiting. At that stage, you can’t change whole swaths of things, but I could put a few words here, a few words there. I really, really love what Nick did to show a Dawnfather in change, it doesn’t work to be gentle anymore. So, to see the effect that has had on the Dawnfather and, a world on the brink, I think was very, very cool to talk about.”

The Calamity era has been explored through a trilogy led by Mulligan. With “EXU: Calamity,” “Downfall,” and “EXU: Divergence” touching on some of the biggest moments of the era. “Under Golden Boughs” is a snap shot of an even smaller moment from this tumultuous time. Cahill bringing in aspects of Marini’s performance shows the potential that remains. So much time of that era and the time between that and Vox Machina is unexplored. The Sun Tree shows a piece of it from a unique perspective.

Showing the Dawnfather in a moment of vulnerability before he completely hardens himself adds new depth to the character. Cahill expresses the Dawnfather’s love for Exandria through this gift. But he also touches on how an entity that has faced so much loss and turmoil can become what the Dawnfather becomes.

“If You Ever Need A Calamity Novel, You Know Where To Find Me.”

Cahill is obviously just as enraptured with this era in Exandrian history as many fans. During the interview, he shared, “I have privately texted with my wonderful friend, Sarah [Peed], the editor of this, and if I ever get a chance to talk with Matt or anybody, ‘I’m like, Hey, if you ever need a Calamity novel, you know where to find me.’” All three mini campaigns are just small moments within the centuries-long conflict.

A Calamity novel would have more room to explore, whether with already established characters or all new ones. The only characters that have survived the entire era are the Gods. Cahill has exhibited an adept ability to get into the mind of a non-mortal character. He even pitched, “Part of me would love to do a Predathos novel or the devouring of the first two Gods.” The perspective in “Downfall” brought a unique narrative to the forefront, with mortal lives not being the main concern of the protagonists.

The era of Calamity has endless potential. Exploring the early days or even the lead-up. The perspective of the Prime Deities or the Betrayers Gods could show their character development throughout the conflict. A mortal perspective could explore how their perception of the Gods changes. This could be shown within different time periods throughout the Calamity. Perhaps even digging further into the infamous Ring of Brass and the role they played in setting off this cataclysmic event.

Exploring Other Eras In Exandria’s History & Future

While Cahill has shown a desire to explore the age of the Calamity, it isn’t the only era in Exandria he is interested in. “Critical Role” has only touched on short bouts of time within Exandria’s history. Even the main campaigns often take place over the course of months. Only spanning years through time jumps. The actor had an intriguing pitch about Exandria’s past even before the Calamity that he would love to delve into.

Cahill:

There’s a part of me that would love to go way, way back. Even prior to when we see the fall of Tengar, sometime around then. Where you’ve got these mortal races beginning to appear and the Gods are making these people. I would love to explore that moment as you move from the schism into the Age of Arcanum. Where you have all these opposing powers between the Prime Deities, the Betrayer Gods, the Titans, and the natural magics and spirits of Exandria. All of a sudden, mortals who have magic. I think that moment in time would be really, really neat.”

Cahill isn’t only intrigued by the past. Campaign 3 ended by closing out the Era of Reclamation. The future is uncertain, with many Critters wondering if Campaign 4 will continue the story of Exandria in an all-new era. Cahill was inspired by this ending, pondering the possibilities of the future.

Continued:

I will say the other part of me would be like, end of Campaign 3 and then slingshot ahead by a hundred years. Just what does that Exandria look like? To see how radically things are different now, it’d be really a cool challenge. You probably would see more of the proliferation of more Aeormatons. You would probably see Vasselheim change in an extraordinary fashion, no longer being the divine home, but still sort of being an incredibly important city and technological advancements. Exploring Exandria is such a privilege, and it’s been such an honor and a joy.”

The Sun Tree stands tall and steadfast as a witness of Exandria, like the Critters themselves. Starting with the end of the Calamity era and the Dawnfather’s final gift. Cahill brings an engaging voice to the Sun Tree that truly brings this NPC to life like never before. Hopefully he will be able to lend his pen to more Exandria stories in the future. Perhaps this could be the perfect perspective to bring to Calamity especially given the fountain of ideas that he clearly has.

“Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold” is available for purchase now. Martin Cahill’s debut novella, “Audition For The Fox,” will hit shelves September 16, 2025.