🔗 Share this article

Critical Role's fourth campaign ventures into the fresh realm of this new domain, a universe completely distinct from the familiar Exandria where past adventures occurred. Throughout this domain, divine beings were destroyed by people just 70 years ago, magic has gone wild, and civilization must learn to govern their communities absent godly guidance.

The Setting of This New Adventure

Whereas Exandria embodies a universe defined by deities, Aramán is defined by their complete absence. Seven decades past, a transformative battle unfolded, and mortals slayed the final of divine beings. The seven divine creators now gone, people had to make do on their own in a changed existence, filled with unpredictable magic and uncertainty.

The central setting for the initial episode is Dol-Makjar, positioned on the east side of a territory known as Kahad. The settlement greatly honors the freedom fighters of the Shapers' War. Monuments of these heroes extend from the fortifications of the settlement, confronting nearby peaks seemingly restraining them.

Whereas Dol-Makjar serves as the initial setting, numerous other locations get mentioned throughout the story. Initially there's the Rookery, which appears to be the creative area of the city, where bards, writers, performers, and various other artists live. Throughout this area that the story unfolds the bulk of the narrative during the premiere. Additionally the performance venue, the Dithyramb of Azgra, can be found.

Deeper within the territory sits a different settlement called Dol-Rungja, although its notable regarding this place is still revealed.

Tir Cruthu constitutes the domain of fae creatures and a mysterious place outside mortal existence. Evidently Tir Cruthu has disappeared, though, and the gateway to the magical dimension was sealed. The meaning regarding this event hasn't been revealed, but it's evident to influence one individual, who has started to age since becoming separated from that world.

Finally, there is the Mournvale, a territory far from Dol-Makjar and where Vaelus and a religious order dwell. It seems the domain of the elves, but again, much about it remain unknown at present.

The Story of This Adventure

The plot begins in the city of the primary setting. In the beginning of the premiere, the local population come together for a crucial gathering: the putting to death of the central figure. As stated by the herald, Thjazi is going to be killed for serving as "a traitor, magic user, assassin, and open sedition against the community and its inhabitants." This individual formerly a military legend, but now he is regarded as a lawbreaker by the governing body to the Revolutionary Council.

At Thjazi's execution, thirteen different individuals with relationships to him assemble to witness. These represent the primary characters for the story, consisting of one character, another individual, Thaisha Lloy, a fourth character, Thimble, a sixth person, Wicander Halovar, an eighth individual, a ninth person, a tenth character, an eleventh individual, a twelfth person and a thirteenth character. A handful of these individuals seek to free the condemned man; though, the attempt proves unsuccessful and the character is executed.

Thjazi's death initiates the narrative of Campaign 4, but all elements links directly to the contemporary background of the world of Aramán. Seventy years before modern times, after the Shapers' War with the remaining divine being getting destroyed, mortalkind needed to confront the dilemma: how to proceed? Arcane power swiftly turned chaotic and unstable without the gods present, and the question about where the souls of deceased individuals proceed, given that deities are no longer present to transport them to the afterlife, remains resolved.

Predictably, people joined forces and began to build their civilization anew. Though, as predicted, not everyone supported how this transformed reality might develop. Despite limited knowledge comprehensive information concerning the War of Axe and Vine, it's mentioned quite a few times in the first episode, and the character was regarded a celebrated soldier after that conflict came to an end. Nevertheless, following this period, Thjazi struck the Falconer's Rebellion against the ruling families of the city. The cause has yet to be explained, but given that Thjazi observes that these powerful families "are stronger than ever", viewers can infer several points: the uprising didn't succeed and the families' control remains complete in the city of Dol-Makjar.

Furthermore, with magic operating chaotically, it appears to be controlled and kept a close eye on. Quite distinct from arcane practices is seen in a far more celebratory light in Exandria.

The People of Campaign 4

As well as the central figures, we're introduced to numerous notable supporting characters in the city of Dol-Makjar.

Initially there's, naturally, Thjazi Fang. A rogue, a lawbreaker, a revolutionary, a romantic, a brother, a champion: Thjazi acts as the focal point regarding which the first episode {centers|focuses|revol