Matthew Mercer Alters Critical Role Campaign 4 in Premiere Episode

Critical Role launched Campaign 4 with a new Dungeon Master, Brennan Lee Mulligan, alongside a 13-player cast, a West Marches-style format, and the world of Aramán. Even with careful preparation, a Dungeon Master cannot always predict the actions of a player like Matthew Mercer.

In the first episode of Campaign 4, Mulligan introduced the politics of Dol-Makjar and Thjazi Fang, a revolutionary hero who led The Falconer’s Rebellion against the magical Sundered Houses. Thjazi met his end at the hangman’s noose at the start of the episode, and the players subsequently attended the orc rebel’s funeral.

Playing Sir Julien Davinos, Matthew Mercer changed Campaign 4 by spitting on Thjazi’s body. Mercer did not realize at the time that this single action would alter the direction of Thjazi’s story.

How Matthew Mercer changed the direction of Thjazi Fang’s story

Thjazi and Julien shared a contemptuous relationship because Julien believed his father’s support for Thjazi caused the Davinos family’s downfall. In episode 31, titled “Trick of the Light,” the story revealed that Thjazi’s soul escaped being stolen by the necromantic House Tachonis by hiding inside Julien’s shadow.

Mulligan revealed in an Instagram AMA on Sept. 1 that Julien’s disrespect toward the body created new storytelling directions for Thjazi.

“It’s important to know that even as a Dungeon Master, you want to plan a lot, but if you plan everything, where’s the room left for interesting player choices?” Mulligan explained in response to a fan’s question about whether he had planned Thjazi’s eventual return. “I had some ideas about what was going on with Thjazi on the other side. I knew his intentions and plans, but I didn’t have everything lined up to the end.”

“When that spit happened, everything got thrown out. I went, ‘Oh, and this is very good,’” Mulligan continued. “You gotta let player choices matter, even the ones they don’t know in the moment are going to matter… You gotta let those matter most of all.”

Experienced Dungeon Masters know that planning every detail is futile because players inevitably pursue unexpected directions. Tabletop role-playing games rely on collaboration between a narrator and the main characters rather than combativeness.

Mulligan’s adaptability allowed Mercer’s antagonism toward his rival’s corpse to reshape Campaign 4. Thimble, played by Laura Bailey, learned that her friend’s soul could be recovered, providing newfound hope. Meanwhile, Halandil Fang, played by Liam O’Brien, gained the opportunity for closure regarding his brother.

Mercer sparked consequences that altered Campaign 4 while showcasing his storytelling skills. Mulligan’s willingness to abandon rigid plans ensures that Campaign 4 will continue to surprise audiences.

Source: Polygon