OB1
Jedi Master
While this thread will contain spoilers for EXU: Calamity and other seasons of Critical Role, this first post is purposefully light on details, and more of a general review of the first episode.
When Steven Spielberg and George Lucas combined forces to make Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, the two fathers of the summer blockbuster created one of the best adventure movies of all time. With EXU: Calamity, Mathew Mercer has taken on the George Lucas role of creating the world and executive producing a live play D&D event, with Brennan Lee Mulligan taking on the Steven Spielberg director role as the DM, along with a cast pulled from both of their regular live streams. The result, from the first episode, is perhaps the best 4 hours of D&D I've ever seen. Everyone involved is at the top of their game, and this episode could very well become an entry point for a new wave of D&D enthusiasts. While having watched Critical Role previously will add depth to the story, I don't believe anyone will have needed to see a single moment of Critical Role, and perhaps even a moment of D&D (either in person or on another live stream) to enjoy the story that is being told.
Set in Mercer's home-brew world of Exandria at the height of the long past Age of Arcanum, a time when mortals had pushed the boundaries of magic to heights nearly rivaling the gods, the story follows a group of six level 14 adventurers as the floating city they call home is preparing to rejoin it's terrestrial sister city for a once every seven year Replenishment. Starting with an intense dream sequence with one of the players, we are introduced one by one over the course of two hours to each of the six PCs in vignettes that quickly establish their characters ideals, bonds and flaws while also introducing the audience to the setting and hinting at a nefarious plot by the forces of evil in the background. The group then comes together at a gala event the evening before the city lands, and the cast does an amazing job selling the fact that these PCs have a long history together. As they begin to put their individual pieces together they and the audience begin to see the danger coming for the city.
Excited to discuss the series with my fellow EnWorlders! If there are those of you out there who've never tried Critical Role specifically or live-play D&D streaming in general, you won't regret spending four hours watching this episode. From Brennan's expert adjudication of skill checks and scene setting, to the players investment in their characters, the world and each other, I'm hooked, and can't wait for the next episode. My only complaint is that there will only be three more.
When Steven Spielberg and George Lucas combined forces to make Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, the two fathers of the summer blockbuster created one of the best adventure movies of all time. With EXU: Calamity, Mathew Mercer has taken on the George Lucas role of creating the world and executive producing a live play D&D event, with Brennan Lee Mulligan taking on the Steven Spielberg director role as the DM, along with a cast pulled from both of their regular live streams. The result, from the first episode, is perhaps the best 4 hours of D&D I've ever seen. Everyone involved is at the top of their game, and this episode could very well become an entry point for a new wave of D&D enthusiasts. While having watched Critical Role previously will add depth to the story, I don't believe anyone will have needed to see a single moment of Critical Role, and perhaps even a moment of D&D (either in person or on another live stream) to enjoy the story that is being told.
Set in Mercer's home-brew world of Exandria at the height of the long past Age of Arcanum, a time when mortals had pushed the boundaries of magic to heights nearly rivaling the gods, the story follows a group of six level 14 adventurers as the floating city they call home is preparing to rejoin it's terrestrial sister city for a once every seven year Replenishment. Starting with an intense dream sequence with one of the players, we are introduced one by one over the course of two hours to each of the six PCs in vignettes that quickly establish their characters ideals, bonds and flaws while also introducing the audience to the setting and hinting at a nefarious plot by the forces of evil in the background. The group then comes together at a gala event the evening before the city lands, and the cast does an amazing job selling the fact that these PCs have a long history together. As they begin to put their individual pieces together they and the audience begin to see the danger coming for the city.
Excited to discuss the series with my fellow EnWorlders! If there are those of you out there who've never tried Critical Role specifically or live-play D&D streaming in general, you won't regret spending four hours watching this episode. From Brennan's expert adjudication of skill checks and scene setting, to the players investment in their characters, the world and each other, I'm hooked, and can't wait for the next episode. My only complaint is that there will only be three more.