Critical Role reveals an inside glimpse of the most emotional moment from Campaign 4.

Campaign 4 of Critical Role is off to a dark start, with just 31 episodes in, and the cast isn’t holding back. Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan set a grim tone right from the beginning, with the campaign’s premiere featuring a hanging and a funeral within the first ten minutes, establishing the bleak atmosphere of the world of Aramán.

**Warning: Major spoilers ahead for episode 30, “Here in the Dark.”**

This somber vibe is mirrored in the campaign’s maps, showcasing haunted trees in barren forests, venomous basilisks lurking in underground lairs, and waves of shambling skeletons in dungeons. Each location the players explore perfectly encapsulates the campaign’s sense of doom. However, the West Marches-style Dungeons & Dragons actual-play campaign has taken an even darker turn than anyone anticipated.

Initially divided into three groups—Soldiers, Seekers, and Schemers—the players eventually came together and then split again to tackle various missions in the city of Dol-Makjar. One team, consisting of Thimble (Laura Bailey), Occtis Tachonis (Alexander Ward), Sir Julien Davinos (Matthew Mercer), Teor Pridesire (Travis Willingham), and Teor’s brother, Cyd, set out to investigate House Tachonis’ ancestral home, Obrimus Manor, in search of an ally named Mara the Wing.

As the team split up, the consequences of their exploration quickly became apparent, especially after a series of unfortunate rolls by Willingham. They uncovered the undead horror of Raimond Davinos, Julien’s father, transformed into a monster by dark magic in the Tachonis mortuary. Tragically, Teor and Cyd were overwhelmed and lost their lives in the process.

This was a heartbreaking end for the Katari brothers. Thanks to insights from The Lore Keeper’s Ledger—an exclusive monthly newsletter for Beacon members, penned by Lore Keepers Dani Carr and Jared Deiro—we now have a glimpse into the creative process behind the map where these feline heroes met their fate.

In a discussion with Keo Lacebal, the map-maker for Critical Role, Carr and Deiro delved into the eerie design of Obrimus Manor. Lacebal revealed that while viewers saw only three of the maps (the crypts, the aviary, and the mortuary), a total of eight were actually created.

“I started by visualizing Obrimus Manor,” Lacebal explained in the ledger. “I aimed to emphasize its connection to death and the power of House Tachonis, choosing a muted color palette of grays and browns, accented by splashes of bloody red or necrotic green.”

To effectively portray the seat of House Tachonis’ power, Lacebal ensured that each room felt distinct while incorporating visuals that highlighted the house’s ties to the underworld of the Tenebral Reaches. This included using skulls, skeletons, and deep purples and greens to signify their mastery over necromancy.

Lacebal described the mortuary—where the Pridesires met their tragic end—as a “bloody chamber,” ideal for House Tachonis to create their undead horrors. This was vividly illustrated by the number of skeletons that emerged during Teor and Cyd’s final stand, contrasting with the aviary map, which, being on the upper floors, was less cluttered with bones.

“Once these maps were completed, it was up to Brennan to breathe life into these locations with his descriptions and populate them with undead threats,” Lacebal noted.

With Lacebal’s meticulous attention to the undead theme, Thimble’s effort to rescue Teor and Cyd’s bodies takes on even greater significance. House Tachonis has shown no hesitation in using the corpses of the cast’s loved ones against them. Moreover, Lacebal’s commitment to crafting authentic maps enriches the experience for both players and viewers, highlighting the dedication behind this actual-play Dungeons & Dragons series.

Brennan Lee Mulligan has truly gone all in.