Critical Role returns with an expanded cast, a new Game Master, and a new world to explore. Campaign 3 brought together the heroes of Vox Machina, Mighty Nein, and Bells Hells. In a culmination of events, each of these heroic troupes worked together to save Exandria and the Gods themselves. Now, Critical Role will introduce the new world of Aramán created by Brennan Lee Mulligan. Where the Gods were saved in Exandria; the Gods of Aramán are dead.

In the aftermath of this world-altering event, rebellion and political intrigue rose. Magic remains a mystery more than ever with questions regarding the magic users whose powers are intrinsically tied to deities. However, the catalyst for Campaign 4 seems to be an individual named Thjazi Fang. Marked for death people from across his storied life are brought together to discover the truth behind his fate.

Liam O’Brien Teases High Stakes For His Critical Role Campaign 4 Character

In an exclusive interview with Temple of Geek, Liam O’Brien was asked about his character, Halandil Fang. In a teaser video, Sam Riegel teased Halandil being particularly close to O’Brien’s heart, with the character being a performer in his own right. However, the most notable details seem to be the connection between Thjazi and Halandil with both sharing the surname Fang.

Liam O’Brien: 

“It stands to reason that there’s connection, familial connection. Immediately creates stakes. Everyone in the campaign has some thread of connection to this man. Some of us are closer than others in the blast radius, but I think we all are going to get rocked by events that will take place in the first chapter of the story. Family’s just generally important for my guy, for my make-believe guy.”

O’Brien revealing that each character will have a connection to Thjazi sets an exciting precedent for the characters. However, a familial bond immediately establishes a deeper need for answers. O’Brien may not have revealed what their familial connection is, but it seems likely that Thjazi’s fate will have a major impact on Halandil that will ripple throughout the campaign.

Trauma and tragedy can create a specific bond among people. It can be a buoy to hold one above water in the ocean of grief and loss. Or it can be an anchor tying you to horrors and sadness. How this “blast radius” impacts each character remains to be seen, but it seems likely that the impact will be especially noticeable for those that are tied through love and family to Thjazi.

“Some Of Us Are Closer Than Others In The Blast Radius”

Perhaps one of the most intriguing elements of Campaign 4 is how it will be split into three tables. The soldiers, the seekers, and the schemers. The soldiers could be various fighters who will continue in a physical battle against corruption and that which they deem the enemy. Schemers are perhaps those more embroiled in political intrigue and societal strategy. While seekers may be those most interested in finding the truth regarding Thjazi and what happened to him.

Given Riegel’s description, Halandil doesn’t seem like a soldier. And while the schemer is still a possibility, the seeker appears to be the most likely table for O’Brien to play at. Halandil needing to discover what happened to Thjazi seems the most likely outcome. O’Brien has teased the importance of family for Halandil and the high stakes of these events.

While much remains a mystery, O’Brien crafting a character directly tied into the central action is an exciting way to kick off the campaign. It immediately establishes a deeply personal motivation for one of the characters. It could also be a way to explore the complexities of family relationships depending on how much Halandil knew about Thjazi and his action that marked him for death. However it shakes out in Critical Role Campaign 4, O’Brien has created a compelling character.

Campaign 4 of Critical Role premieres on YouTube, Twitch, and Beacon on October 2nd at 7pm PT.