Brennan Lee Mulligan, the new Dungeon Master for Critical Role’s Campaign 4, has energized the show since its premiere — weaving extensive lore, introducing a striking roster of new characters, and steering an early plotline rich with angels, demons, and mounting threats in the city of Dol-Makjar. Yet episode three may have delivered Campaign 4’s most surprising development so far.
Ed. note: Spoilers follow for Critical Role Campaign 4, Episode 3.
Episode three ended on a tense cliffhanger and revealed the first split in the ensemble: one of three smaller tables that will branch out from the main group. The Soldiers table — consisting of Teor Pridesire (Travis Willingham), Thimble (Laura Bailey), Tyranny (Whitney Moore), Wicander Halovar (Sam Riegel), and Kattigan Vale (Robbie Daymond) — forms a pragmatic, battle-focused unit with reasons to strike out on its own.
It was clear from the campaign’s rollout that keeping thirteen players at a single table would be unwieldy; the opening episodes function as an overture that introduces characters and overlapping arcs before dividing into three distinct groups: Soldiers, Schemers, and Seekers. The Soldiers table, as Mulligan explains, is geared toward players who prefer a combat-forward, conflict-heavy narrative where diplomatic options are scarce. Although members like the uneasy cleric Wicander might seem out of place at first glance, episode three makes their inclusion logical.
Image: Critical RoleFirst, the Soldiers have a clear lead: after a violent confrontation with The Crow Keepers, the group discovers that Casimir — an old associate of Thjazi Fang who precipitated the campaign’s opening tragedy — used the Crow Keepers to break into Thjazi’s hideout, assault Thimble, and abscond with enchanted items destined for sale. Casimir fled north to a Halovar stronghold in Timmony, Gormalay, with Cyd Pridesire, Teor’s brother, in pursuit.
Second, each member has a compelling reason to leave Dol-Makjar. Thimble seeks retribution for Thjazi; Kattigan, who knows Timmony, warns it’s a rough place; Tyranny and Wicander, having defied House Halovar by sparing Teor, are effectively exiles; and Teor, bound by a life debt to Wicander, will follow where he leads. Their ties to House Halovar also grant them access and influence in regions others might not reach.
Image: Critical RoleFinally, remaining in Dol-Makjar is perilous: several of them are wanted or compromised. Thimble and Kattigan have criminal reputations; Tyranny and Wicander betrayed House Halovar and its demonic allies; and Teor is marked for death by the same house. With those threats closing in, heading to Timmony in search of Casimir becomes the most viable option.
According to the episode three Cooldown (the post-episode wrap-up series), the Soldiers table will be absent from next week’s main episode, leaving the remaining eight players to populate the Seekers and Schemers tables.
Episode four of Campaign 4 — the final overture installment — will be available to stream on Oct. 24, 2025 via Twitch, YouTube, and Beacon. For more background on Campaign 4’s world and characters, see this lore guide and cast rundown.
Campaign 4 lore guide · Cast & character breakdown · Episode 2 recap · Celestials & campaign stakes
Source: Polygon
