Critical Role has announced via its latest installment of Cooldown—the exclusive post-show for Beacon subscribers—that the upcoming 18th episode of Campaign 4 will mark the final appearance of the Seekers table.
During the informal debrief, Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan inadvertently disclosed that the production team recorded episodes 17 and 18 during a singular, intensive filming session.
“I want everyone tuning into Cooldown to enjoy the energy,” Mulligan remarked regarding the cast’s spirited analysis, “but it’s worth noting we’re actually capturing this entire sequence in one day.”
This logistical approach mirrors the scheduling of the Soldiers table, which saw its final chapters produced back-to-back. Ashley Johnson had previously alluded to the table’s imminent conclusion during the Cooldown for episode 15. Mulligan further solidified this timeline by signing off episode 17 with a promise of a “thrilling finale” in the week to come.
[Editor’s Note: The following contains narrative spoilers for Critical Role Campaign 4, Episode 17.]
Source: Critical Role
The Seekers were last seen entering Tannesar, a crumbling sanctuary dedicated to the deity Tansul. The temple lies within the Eternal Night, a region perpetually cloaked in shadow where the sun never rises. This derelict holy site has already presented the party with lethal obstacles and profound new enigmas. While more revelations are expected in the upcoming broadcast, the conclusion of Episode 18 on March 5 signals that the next phase of Critical Role Campaign 4 is just over the horizon—assuming the production doesn’t enter a brief hiatus.
This campaign utilizes a West Marches-inspired format: after an initial four-episode prologue that unified the cast, the narrative branched into three distinct squads: the Soldiers, the Seekers, and the Schemers. Having witnessed the martial exploits of the Soldiers and the lore-driven investigations of the Seekers, it is highly anticipated that the story will return to the urban landscape of Dol-Makjar to reunite with the Schemers.
Source: Critical Role
Short narrative prologues in each episode have kept the audience informed of the Schemers’ progress. The group—featuring Murray Mag’nesson (Marisha Ray), Halandil Fang (Liam O’Brien), Azune Nayar (Luis Carazo), and Bolaire Lathalia (Taliesin Jaffe)—is navigating a dangerous path to undermine the Sundered Houses. These aristocratic entities are systematically privatizing Dol-Makjar’s public infrastructure, including the Revolutionary Guard, in a bid to reclaim the divine authority they lost following the death of their gods.
The Schemers’ arc is defined by “intrigue, clandestine operations, and the delicate navigation of institutional power and personal relationships.”
While the Soldiers focused on direct physical confrontation and the Seekers prioritized uncovering the ancient lore of Aramán, the distinction between these playstyles has been stark. The Schemers are expected to lean heavily into nuanced role-playing and high-stakes social engineering within the metropolis. For viewers who prefer the complex political maneuvering of Dungeons & Dragons, the Schemers’ return will be a highlight of the campaign.
Campaign 4 broadcasts live on Twitch, YouTube, and Beacon.tv every Thursday at 10 p.m. PDT. Video-on-demand versions are subsequently uploaded to YouTube the following Monday at 12 p.m. PDT.
Source: Polygon
