‘Critical Role’ Characters to Feature in New Novel

Two of the actors behind Critical Role inspire and promote a novel based on their adventures.

Credit: Kickstarter

Nerd culture has well and truly been on the rise in recent years. With the success of superhero films, anime and the technological improvements to gaming, society is more accepting of people whose interests pertain to fantasy themes or science-fiction. Moreover, many have even been able to make a living by uploading gaming videos to social media platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

What is Twitch?

Twitch is an online platform that allows users to put up videos on personal or company channels. The videos can be live or pre-recorded, and content encompasses a multitude of categories.

Officially launched in 2011, the service mainly catered to the interest of the gaming community. Coverage of eSport tournaments, personal playthroughs of both classic as well as newly released games, and podcasts discussing gaming have been some of the main type of content.

Over the years it has expanded to also showcase a range of other creative interests. These include musical performances and coverage of music festivals, showcases of the processes behind different artforms, discussions, and life-logs.

Critical Role

Credit: Fortune

While many utilize the platform as means of uploading or streaming their gaming ventures, one group have reignited vast interest in a well-known game. The group of voice actors have progressed their virtual escapades into an ongoing series. Based on table top game Dungeons and Dragons, the series follows the voice actors of Critical Role playing the game and performing as their characters within adventuring parting Vox Machina. Garnering many fans over the years, appreciation for the group has been expressed through artworks, compositions, costume designs and even literary works.

And a novel expanding upon two of the characters’ stories from the series has been created. Written by New York Times #1 bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp, the book has been titled Vox Machina: Kith and Kin. It will explore the adventures of half-elf twins Vax’ildan and Vex’ahlia before their adventures with the group Vox Machina.

Behind the Characters

Laura Bailey, who portrayed Vex’ahlia tweeted:

Laura Bailey has lent her voice to a plethora of roles in Anime, animation and video games. She has also made appearances on a handful of live-action series and films. Some of her roles include Chun-Li from Street Fighter, Serah Farron from Final Fantasy XIII, and young Trunks from Dragon Ball Z. Recently she won the BAFTA Games Award for ‘Performer in a leading role’ for her part in The Last of Us: Part 2.

Liam O’Brien, who played Vax’ildan has also professed his gratitude, tweeting:

Liam O’Brien is also widely renowned in the voice acting community. His accolades include the 2013 BTVA People’s Choice Voice Acting Award for ‘Best Male Vocal Performance in an Anime Feature Film/Special in a Supporting Role’, and awards as part of an ensemble in 2014 and 2015. His roles include Gaara from Naruto, Jushiro Ukitake from Bleach, and Yasuo from League of Legends.

The novel is available for pre-order right now, or in stores October 26th. Del Rey Books will be the novel’s publisher, releasing it in both hardcover and e-book format. In addition, Critical Role streams weekly every Thursday (Friday for Australians) on Twitch and YouTube. Though the group are currently on their second campaign, their first series is available via their YouTube channel.

It’s great that in this ever-progressive era, nerdy is the new cool.

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