Dani Carr is the Lore Master of Critical Role, which means she plays a key role in everything connected to “Critical Role” and Exandria. As a fantasy historian for an ever-expanding world, Carr keeps the continuity of not just the “Critical Role” actual play series, but the novels and comics as well. Carr has a hand in every Critical Role story, making sure that they weave together into a full tapestry.
“Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold” is an important thread. NPCs have been in the spotlight with the Bright Queen and Artagan getting their own graphic novels as well as Lucien as the subject of a novel. However, these are Mighty Nein related characters. “Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold” is a compilation of ten NPC stories. Each is from the Vox Machina era, from allies to enemies. In an exclusive interview with Temple of Geek, Carr shared why this short story anthology was so much fun. She also revealed which story stood out to her and Liam O’Brien.
Dani Carr Reveals, “Liam And I Were Both Huge Fans Of The Kevdak Story”
Dani Carr:
“I love Vox Machina – Stories Untold. That was another situation where we got to bring in just a ton of writers who really brought their own perspectives and really brought life to these NPCs that we haven’t gotten to really get to explore, especially the inner workings of. So I cannot say anything about what we have in the future, but we really loved getting to work on this, and I will leave it at that. It’s very beloved by myself and Liam [O’Brien] and Shaunette [DeTie] and Niki [Chi.]
It’s really beautiful. Liam and I were both huge fans of the Kevdak story, by Nibedita Sen, and she just captured the rage and the ‘heavy as the head that wears the crown’ vibe of that character. It was just so incredible. Every story was phenomenal. That was the one that Liam and I kept going back to and being like, damn, this is intense. We loved every single one. They were all so good.”
Matt Mercer has created some truly magnificent NPCs as allies to heroes, enemies, and simply everyday citizens. However, at the table, they can’t be fully fleshed out and explored. “Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold was an opportunity to really understand these characters. This understanding doesn’t necessarily make them more sympathetic with Raishan and Kevdack still clearly villains. However, other NPCs that haven’t had voices, like Doty and Trinket, finally get to share their perspective.
“Aabria Is One Of The Most Brilliant People I Have Ever Met”
Shaun Gilmore is a favorite of not only fans, but the players at the table as well. “Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold” showed the powerful magic wielder in a new light. Perhaps just as exciting as having Gilmore front and center is who told his story, Aabria Iyengar. Iyengar has been a part of many Critical Role stories even sitting in the Dungeon Master’s chair during “EXU.” During this mini campaign she had the opportunity to play Gilmore decades after his escapades with Vox Machina.
Iyengar dug deep into Gilmore’s psyche as he deals with Vax’s rejection shortly before the Chroma Conclave. Carr discussed working with Iyengar as a Game Master, player, and most recently an author. Carr also praised her prose and ability to capture Gilmore’s character.
Dani Carr:
“Aabria is one of the most brilliant people I have ever met. She is so effing smart and is so poetic. I was so excited that we got her to come in and do the Gilmore story because we see her describe things at the table, whether as a GM or as a player, and really imbue life into the world. I was so excited to see her put pen to paper and get to expound upon that. It was really exciting, honestly, to sort of a windup toy, just let her go and see what happened.
Honestly, she crushed it just immediately. She came in and was like, I got this and wrote the story and sent it back, and we were like, yeah, yeah, you nailed it. I think we had a few notes, but no, it was literally we were like, okay, and so Aabria, we’re going to, and you’re done. All right, great. Thanks. She was like, hold me back. Yeah, she was fantastic.
So, getting to see her kind of unleash her prose, because again, I love listening to her when she’s jamming or when she’s playing because she’s such a storyteller. Her words are always so beautiful. She’s similar to Liam in that they both are so poetic and verbose that you just want to sit there and be like, please keep describing this room. I just want to listen to it all day long. Getting to have her enter the mind of a character so beloved as Shaun Gilmore and get to let us push past his beaded curtains into his life for just a moment was such a gift. She did such a fantastic job.”
Iyengar has proven herself to be a masterful storyteller as a GM on Critical Role and Dimension 20. This translated in an even more fantastic way than anyone could have expected in “Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold.” Iyengar is a magnificent collaborator, but this was an opportunity for a true character study. She took on this story on her own, painting the page with prose that bring Shaun Gilmore to life.
Each of the authors of “Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold” brings that same level of passion and care for their stories and the characters they feature. Sen captures the rage, greed, and pride of Kevdak. Martin Cahill brings nobility, kindness, and steadfastness to the Sun Tree. Sam Maggs brings devotion, determination, and deep love to Kima. Each story captures a new side of a character and brings a fuller picture of who they are beyond what was possible at the Critical Role table.
“Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold” is available for purchase now.
