A cherished member of the Critical Role cast is likely to be absent from Campaign 4 for an extended period.

From the moment Campaign 4 of Critical Role kicked off with its impressive 13-player lineup, it was evident that Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan was ready to challenge them. This became particularly apparent in the 30th episode, titled “Here in the Dark.”

After a fierce showdown with the undead, Teor Pridesire, played by Travis Willingham, met his end alongside his brother Cyd in the crypts of the Tachonis estate. Willingham was absent from episode 31, the final installment of the arc before Campaign 4 took a break for Age of Umbra: Sallowlands. Fans were buzzing with excitement at the prospect of Travis introducing a new character in the upcoming arc, which premiered on August 27.

However, during the talk show segment of Critical Role, hosted by Whitney Moore, who portrays Tyranny in Campaign 4, it was revealed that Willingham’s return might take longer than anticipated. In a special segment called Night Cap, he addressed a fan’s question about his next appearance. “I genuinely don’t have a backup character planned yet. I also don’t have a reentry point planned yet,” he shared. “I feel like if you die, you got to get punished.”

It’s not uncommon for players to take time before rejoining the game after a character’s demise in Critical Role or Dungeons & Dragons. For instance, when Sam Riegel’s automaton cleric Fresh Cut Grass fell in episode 91 of Campaign 3, his next character, Braius Doomseed, was introduced seven episodes later in episode 98.

Considering that Critical Role records its episodes well ahead of their release and that the talk show is live, it suggests that Willingham might not be part of the new Campaign 4 arc at all. There’s some chatter on social media speculating that he might be playing coy about not having a character ready, but his sincerity about viewing death as a punishment seems to indicate otherwise.

Willingham’s absence does have its advantages. It allows him to observe how the other players navigate their characters and determine what kind of character he could create that would complement the group. Sometimes, exercising patience in a Dungeons & Dragons game is the best strategy rather than jumping in headfirst. While the wait for Willingham’s return may be tough, it will undoubtedly make his eventual comeback all the more rewarding.