J.R.R. Tolkien, the legendary architect of modern fantasy, once noted in a letter to a fellow writer that his creative journey for The Lord of the Rings began, quite logically, with a map. He argued that attempting to construct a narrative without a geographical foundation would inevitably lead the author into a “confusion of impossibilities.”
We couldn’t agree more. This is precisely why we are so eager for Critical Role Campaign 4’s Dungeon Master, Brennan Lee Mulligan, to finally pull back the curtain on the world of Aramán—or at least provide a visual of Pasitar, the continent serving as the current stage for the adventure. Sam Riegel, a co-founder of the series who plays Wicander Halovar, recently made a playful plea on Tale Gate, the new after-show dedicated to dissecting Campaign 4. “Brennan, we don’t have a map,” Riegel joked, noting that navigating strictly through verbal descriptions makes it difficult to track exactly where the party has been or where they are headed.
Image: Critical Role/Beacon
As dedicated listeners, we recognize how challenging it is to orient the characters within the broader landscape. For instance, we know the “Soldiers” have been traversing the Kingdom of Timmony, passing through Hawthorn’s Glade, Sloak, and Tybry’s Lea. However, trying to visualize their proximity to the campaign’s starting metropolis, Dol-Makjar, is a tall order; we can only guess they are “a few days out” or roughly “to the northwest.”
The same struggle applies to the Seekers, who have also moved beyond the walls of Dol-Makjar. While we can use the Dvelmar Road as a reference point for their trek toward the Obridimian Empire, it is difficult to grasp the actual distances. Thankfully, the community-run Critical Role Wiki has become a hub for impressive fan-made cartography that helps bridge the gap.
Image: Critical Role
What makes this even more tantalizing is that Mulligan actually has a map! During Tale Gate, the DM revealed that he has already drawn the continent of Pasitar by hand. Laura Bailey, who plays Thimble, confirmed that the entire cast has copies of this map tucked into their player binders.
Even though the players have this geographic guide, the audience remains in the dark. Even a simple snapshot of the hand-drawn sketch would go a long way in helping viewers organize the many named locations—like the Golden Orchard and Venatus—and comprehend the true scale of regions like the Kingdom of Timmony.
That said, while we are desperate for any visual context, there is a distinct narrative value in Mulligan keeping the map of Pasitar a secret for now.
In a game centered on discovery, there is a unique joy in wandering into the unknown and documenting the nuances that make each territory special. For example, the high concentration of humans in Timmony, along with the cultural reverence for telepathic canines as guardians and messengers, gives the region a personality that stands in stark contrast to the orcish vibes of Dol-Makjar. By revealing the world incrementally, the audience gets to experience that sense of wonder alongside the players.
Image: Critical Role
Historically, Critical Role has often waited for the story to mature before debuting official maps. Allowing fans to speculate and sketch their own interpretations based on theater of the mind is part of the magic of the show’s community. Nevertheless, we suspect an official reveal of Campaign 4’s geography is just around the corner.
In the meantime, we will have to lean into our imaginations and embrace the confusion alongside Sam and Wicander. Even without a compass, the story Brennan and the cast are telling remains as captivating as ever.
Source: Polygon
