The World of Critical Role: The History Behind the Epic Fantasy, Hardcover

Dive deep into the history of the world's most popular fantasy RPG livestream with the cast of Critical Role in this definitive guide featuring never-before-seen illustrations and photos.

From its unassuming beginnings as a casual home game between friends to the role-playing phenomenon it is today, Critical Role has become the stuff of legend. These pages chronicle how a circle of friends who all happen to be talented voice actors built the most-watched tabletop role-playing livestream of all time.

Discover dazzling new illustrations and richly written insights into the locations, characters, and adventures featured in the hundreds of episodes across Critical Role's two campaigns, Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein. Go behind the scenes with archival photos and exclusive interviews with Dungeon Master Matt Mercer and the entire Critical Role cast as they explore their characters' most triumphant moments and darkest hours. And celebrate the massive community of Critters who support and expand the show's world through a highlighted tour of the crafts, cosplay, and art they create every day.

Featuring a foreword from the cast, lush illustrations, and the inside story you won't find anywhere else, this book is your indispensable guide to Critical Role. The adventure begins

Liz Marsham writes books of all types for readers of all ages. She began her storytelling career as an editor at DC Comics and Disney Publishing. As a D&D character, she would most likely be a warlock: She can do a couple of cool things in a row, but then she needs a nap. She runs a tiny fiefdom in Southern California with her husband, son, two cats, and what she insists is a "perfectly reasonable" number of dice.

Critical Role features seven popular voiceover actors diving into epic fantasy RPG adventures, led by veteran game master Matthew Mercer. What began in 2012 as a bunch of friends playing in each other's living rooms has evolved into a multi-platform entertainment sensation, attracting nearly a million viewers every week.