The popular web series Critical Role is set to return with its fourth campaign this week, inviting fans back into the captivating world of Aramán. After a holiday hiatus, the show will resume its storytelling on January 15, 2025, at 22:00 PDT. This new season offers fresh adventures and a larger cast, providing an exciting experience for both returning viewers and newcomers.
Campaign 4 debuted on October 2, 2025, with Brennan Lee Mulligan stepping in as the Dungeon Master, allowing Matthew Mercer, the series’ usual DM, to join the cast as a player. Mercer is joined by familiar faces, including Travis Willingham, Laura Bailey, Marisha Ray, Ashley Johnson, Sam Riegel, Taliesin Jaffe, and Liam O’Brien, along with new participants like Whitney Moore and Aabria Iyengar.
Campaign Structure and Character Dynamics
This season introduces a different storytelling format, utilizing a West Marches approach. Players are divided into three rotating tables: the Soldiers, the Seekers, and the Schemers. Each table explores distinct narrative arcs within the campaign.
The Soldiers table, which has taken center stage first, consists of a fairy rogue named Thimble (Bailey), a cat Paladin named Teor Pridesire (Willingham), a demon warlock called Tyranny (Moore), and gruff ranger Kattigan Vale (Robbie Daymond), alongside priest Wicander Halovar (Riegel). Their primary mission is to locate Teor’s missing brother, Cyd Pridesire, and seek vengeance against Casimir, a former comrade who betrayed Thjazi Fang, a pivotal character in the story.
The Seekers table features religious-warrior paladin Vaelus (Johnson), fighter-rogue Julien Davinos (Mercer), wizard Occtis Tachonis (Ward), and orc druid Thaisha Lloy (Iyengar). This group is on a quest led by NPC Lady Aranessa Royce to uncover the intentions of noble House Tachonis in their ancestral lands.
The Schemers table includes Thjazi’s brother, bard Halandil Fang (O’Brien), warlock Bolaire Lathalia (Jaffe), sorcerer-paladin Arcane Marshal Azune Nayar, and wizard Murray Mag’nesson (Ray). Unlike the other tables, this group is embroiled in the political intrigues of the noble Sundered Houses in the city of Dol-Makjar.
The Journey So Far and Upcoming Episodes
Campaign 4 diverges from its predecessors set in the world of Exandria, delving into the rich history of Aramán. The narrative is shaped by the Shapers’ War, a conflict that led to the demise of the gods and significant changes in the use of magic. The central thread uniting the adventurers is the execution of Thjazi Fang, a character whose death prompts various figures from his life to gather and uncover the truth behind it.
The Soldiers table has been actively pursuing leads regarding Cyd’s location, leading them to Castle Delawney in Tybry’s Lea. Here, they faced challenges that included battling House Tachonis soldiers and a basilisk capable of petrifying foes. After an arduous confrontation, they discovered that Cyd had been turned to stone, raising questions about their next steps.
With the narrative poised to shift between the three tables, audiences are eager to see which group will take the spotlight next. Fans can catch the latest episode live on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Beacon.tv, with episodes uploaded to YouTube the following Monday at 15:00 EDT/12:00 PDT. As the campaign unfolds, viewers can anticipate an engaging mix of storytelling, character development, and thrilling adventures.