Critical Role Critical Role Campaign 3 Discussion (SPOILERS)

[MarkB]

The only thing I'd really have appreciated during the introduction to this city is some kind of map/art visual reference, because I was really struggling to picture it. I get that there are these spires, and most of the city is built around them, but I went back and forth between thinking they were natural or artificial formations, and I'm still not sure how many there are or how they're laid out other than that there's a pointy one in the middle. And is the ground-level just jungle, or is there more city down there?

I mostly enjoyed EXU, though it dragged in places, and yes, the asking for a wisdom save every five minutes really started to drag. That being the case, I'm really disappointed to see three of the EXU characters showing up here - not out of disliking them, but because I want the entire cast to go on to have further adventures with each other, not have half of them start levelling up independently a continent away.

I'm still holding out hope that there's a bit of a switcheroo going on here - that it's Travis's character who's in for the long haul, and Fearne, Dorian and Orym will only be around for a few episodes, with Ashley and Liam bringing in full-time replacements.

 

[jgsugden]

The only thing I'd really have appreciated during the introduction to this city is some kind of map/art visual reference, because I was really struggling to picture it. I get that there are these spires, and most of the city is built around them, but I went back and forth between thinking they were natural or artificial formations, and I'm still not sure how many there are or how they're laid out other than that there's a pointy one in the middle. And is the ground-level just jungle, or is there more city down there?

There is artwork that shows the city: Jrusar

 

[MarkB]

There is artwork that shows the city: Jrusar

View attachment 145704

Thanks, that helps. So basically Sharn, except the towers are natural rather than constructed.

 

[jgsugden]

Thanks, that helps. So basically Sharn, except the towers are natural rather than constructed.

Sharn seems to be much bigger. This seems to be a few hundred buildings on these towers - 80 to 100 per pillar? I have a feeling the population would be ten thousand or less - and 10,000 would be pretty densely packed.

I do find the design interesting and wonder if there will be an explanation as to why they are built on the side of these pillars as opposed to on the jungle floor. It can't have been easier to build there. That level of detail might be beyond some DMs, but Matt considers these types of details elsewhere.

 

[Urriak Uruk]

I'm still holding out hope that there's a bit of a switcheroo going on here - that it's Travis's character who's in for the long haul, and Fearne, Dorian and Orym will only be around for a few episodes, with Ashley and Liam bringing in full-time replacements.

I believe Mercer has commented on Twitter, regarding Orum/Fearne... that they wanted to test their characters in EXU, liked them so will be sticking with them (but had the option to change).

He has not commented on Travis' character, so there may be something hiding in the wings there...

 

[BRayne]

I believe Mercer has commented on Twitter, regarding Orum/Fearne... that they wanted to test their characters in EXU, liked them so will be sticking with them (but had the option to change).

He has not commented on Travis' character, so there may be something hiding in the wings there...

Well he did comment on Travis' character a bit...

 

[Hexmage-EN]

I can't believe they'd let Travis play a character with regeneration.

 

[Mort]

The only thing I'd really have appreciated during the introduction to this city is some kind of map/art visual reference, because I was really struggling to picture it. I get that there are these spires, and most of the city is built around them, but I went back and forth between thinking they were natural or artificial formations, and I'm still not sure how many there are or how they're laid out other than that there's a pointy one in the middle. And is the ground-level just jungle, or is there more city down there?

I mostly enjoyed EXU, though it dragged in places, and yes, the asking for a wisdom save every five minutes really started to drag. That being the case, I'm really disappointed to see three of the EXU characters showing up here - not out of disliking them, but because I want the entire cast to go on to have further adventures with each other, not have half of them start levelling up independently a continent away.

I'm still holding out hope that there's a bit of a switcheroo going on here - that it's Travis's character who's in for the long haul, and Fearne, Dorian and Orym will only be around for a few episodes, with Ashley and Liam bringing in full-time replacements.

The way they were talking up the new set, I thought we'd see a screen projection of the city and other images - but everything was pretty low key! Which mostly works for me, I find too much technology a distraction.

 

[Iry]

I'm betting Laudna is a survivor of the Briarwoods, rather than directly related and perhaps shunned by the town due to her becoming Dhampir? Marisha is having a blast and it shows.

Perhaps her family's home was destroyed by a gnome and a triceratops?

But I will be interested to see what the answer actually is. Laundna gives me way more Hag and Hexblood vibes (with Undead Warlock refluffed to a Hag Patron). I would guess she was a child of Isharnai if we were not given the blatant Briarwood connection.

 

[ReshiIRE]

Loved this first episode, but I recently completed Campaign 2 after EXU got me into the whole show (I stopped after the

Spoiler: Campaign 2 spoilers

Lorenzo arc originally, then started to get more and more into it and became a fan once they left to explore Fjord's stuff with Ukatoa

.)

Fascinating to see all the unexpected returning characters, particularly Travis' situation. I don't suspect Bell to return (the fact he's higher level indicates to me he's temporary) and it's going to be fascinating to see if Robbie is going to join the permanent cast or not.

I wonder how much each cast member knows about potential complications and other plot trickery. I feel there are going to be a few long games played between Matt and a few of the cast to help mix things up.

The energy also feels very different now, and IMO this was stronger than Campaign 2's opener; I'm hoping with the fact we have a bunch of returning characters and some already established early mystery that this campaign will get off to a more directed and explosive start than Campaign 2's first twenty five episodes. Not that there were not great moments or highlights there, like the party relationship between Caleb and Nott, or Mollymauk and Beau and... everyone, but

Spoiler: Campaign 2 spoilers

as sad as Jester, Fjord and Yasha's kidnpa, along with Mollymauk's death was, that was really when the campaign started, and everything became focused and directed.