Fireside Chat & NPC Build with Matthew Mercer 

00:02:40 Pumat Sol Cosplay talk 00:04:00 How long did take for the team to make you up to look like Pumat Sol? 00:05:13 What are your favorite qualities in a player? 00:06:35 How many hours of work did the party foist upon you by killing Lorenzo early? 00:08:36 How do you determine who wins in NPC battles? 00:10:20 How do you go about setting up recurring villans to create an invested narrative 00:12:13 What is your process for planning campain arcs and how do you recover from derailing events like lorenzo failing to escape? 00:13:45 Has there been anything with having your own studio you didn't expect, good or bad? 00:15:05 What has been your favorite part of sharing D&D with your spouse? 00:16:50 Do you plan on any solo sessions, on stream or off, with Laura, Travis and Ashley? 00:18:00 As someone who is playing an Order of the Lycan Bloodhunter in my homegame do you have any tips or advise on how to add some unique flare so it's not a steriotypical Werewolf character? 00:19:28 NPC BUILD 00:23:28 Brian inturrupts the Master 00:25:55 Did you expect the Critters to pick up on Lorenzo being an Oni? 00:26:54 What gave you the initial idea for the Lingering Soul class along with its subclasses? 00:29:53 Who needed the Taco Bell more after the last episode, you or Marisha? 00:30:22 What was Lorenzo eating? 00:30:35 What was the first Homebrew class you created? 00:32:13 Is Trent Icathon an NPC you came up with and threw at the players as part of the Wildmount worldbuilding they could have known or was it a character Liam has thrown at you in Calebs backgroud and you integrated him into the world? 00:33:31 Just how much did you enjoy the many layers of Meta in the Dwarven Forge game at GenCon? 00:34:41 Everybody walk the Dinosaur! 00:35:00 How do you avoid making every Dwarf Scottish? 00:35:43 What's your craziest dream for Critical Role? 00:37:31 What's your favorite part of the Sam shirt? 00:37:55 Terry Crews WoW game talk & WoW talk 00:40:31 Thoughts on the Adventure Zone? 00:41:25 Of the many planes that exits in the multiverse do you have a personal favorite or one you would particularly like to make your players explore? 00:42:32 How do you make magic items with interesting backstory and magic items with mind and self-consiousness? 00:44:37 How did Shakaste end up captured by the Iron Shepherds? 00:47:11 How open are you about playing an evil player character? 00:48:50 How do you name characters on the spot? 00:50:10 Are you excited to have two very different Clerics in the party? 00:51:29 Can we resurrect Phill? 00:51:46 What is your favorite type of terrain to have battles on and why? 00:53:07 How's the Molly tattoo coming? 00:53:32 Have we passed by or seen any mimics? 00:53:45 What is your process for NPC voices? 00:55:54 Will Yasha, Jester and Fjord level up even though they weren't part of the Lorenzo arc? 00:57:00 Was Pumat Sol intended to be Canadian? 00:58:44 Visit Australia please? 00:59:13 Will Nott ever meet another Furbolg that does know Pumat Sol? 00:59:52 Do you ever wish to mix up accents? 01:00:34 What would you do with three simulacra of yourself? 01:00:55 Can Viktor come back please? 01:02:06 Shakaste has been met in mostly underground settings, is he linked to an underground railway? 01:02:38 I know you dont want to give too much away but who came up with the Wisdom Saving Throw for Caleb? 01:03:24 If the party happens to miss a story or plot element do you transplant the element, recycle it and use it later, do you leave it as an unsolved mystery or does it vary from case to case? 01:05:04 Do you have any plans for the Shattered Teeth? 01:05:38 Why was Lorenzo Southen?

"What I appreciate as a DM? Players who aren't too careful" **Insert chair**

Matt looking Mighty Fein in that robe... I'm not sorry.

OMG how did I never notice before. When Matt goes to 'seductive' he slips into 'Gilmore' as a persona. Shaun Gilmore is an important, beautiful part of Matt, and we are lucky to see him shine.

49:40 I introduced a character named Mirakas to my D&D group. He was an elven man they'd saved from a goblin attack. As soon as I said his name, they asked, "If I shake him, do beans fall out?" I FEEL YOUR PAIN MERCER

I didn’t realize that Orley was made by the community

This made me profoundly sad. Sad and proud. I can't get the scene Matt portrayed out of my head about Victor dying. He's downstairs, the door breaks in. He hears the necromancers and their undead lackeys break in, shuffling unwittingly into his shop. They couldn't have known what the black powder was that laced the room, or the barrels flanking the entrance. He hears them get farther in, crouched below with his remaining fingers hovering erratically over a handheld switch while glancing at the hand Percy made him, whispering "I learn from my mistakes". With a cackle and flipping the switch, our Victor gives those cultists what they deserve. Rest in peace, sweet prince. May the angels of ingenuity sing thee to thy rest.

"Hope i can do justice to this NPC" Little did he know... One of the best voices in the series.

Matt: "it's Pumat Prime!" Me, having only seen C2 Ep2: "does... does this character have anime upgrades as the show progresses???"

I Feel like Terry Crews would make a great Paladin. "POWEEERRRR!" *Slices Orc in Half*

3 years later and the answer to The Shattered Teeth question became relevant. I freaking love how everything is so tied in and well worth the wait to find out. All the hints at Avalir are amazing.

Terry Crews being on Critical Role, meeting with the Mighty Nein so he can say Nine-Nine! Yep, I'd watch the hell out of that.

Wow, MAtt's a prolific voice actor and world class DM and he grew up with a stutter... that's fantastic. Do what you love people.

"Clean the finger, clean the finger!" "With this or my mouth?" XD

My meditative "happy place" when I need to de-stress is essentially this...cosy fire-side conversation with a hot guy in a fancy robe...

I dont usually "love" people over the internet or you know just be a fan in general... But this guy is so genuine and talented... I'm a fan.

Sometimes I question if I truly exist or if I'm just an Npc in Matt Mercer 's campaign

Ahhh, nothing like the warmth of a TV fire...

Seeing how strong the port is - "I'm gonna have to slow down on that" Immediately takes another sip

"With this or my mouth?" Good people of the internet, I have my new favorite BWF quote.

With the hair and the Cajun accent, why hasn’t Matt been cast as Gambit yet?

Matt: "I love this, this is fun" That was cute And Brian interrupting the mighty DM was hilarious after watching the between the sheets. I love Brian.

the second i heard "enchanted tatooist" my mind went "molly is gonna have a field day oh boy" and then reality hit me and i almost cried but picture this:: yasha, taking after her dear friend molly, gets a simplistic tattoo on her wrist. an outline of the familiar curved horns of the tiefling who brought life to everywhere he went, a memorial to the colorful vibrance that matched her monochrome, the demonic to her angelic, and the flamboyant to rival her softspokenness. A simple reminder of the lovely tiefling who left every place- and everyone- better than he found them.

Tipsy Matt is even sweeter and more delightful than usual :')

The Mcelroys guest-starring as three kobolds in a trench coat is still the dream

Jester is gonna get a tramp stamp from the tortle bard

A one eyed, Cajun, tortle with a stutter. The Water Tortle.

I think the blood hunter could use some sustain by way of gaining health from drawing their enemies blood. That balances out the loss of hit points from other skills and makes them a little more vampiric and kind of "life force as a weapon" like. Also port is awesome.

"We had a cleric that didn't like healing. That was unique." From my experience that's not unique at all. Clerics in my games always want to wreck some stuff... or people. Never heal. :D

Another Fireside Chat? Do I have to brace myself just in case I cry again?

Matt Mercer is too good for this world

What is the bet that Beau will get some kind of Molly-centric tattoo?

Love how Jester is an offensive cleric and Cadeuces (sp?) is more of a buff/health-restoring cleric. :D

Thats a nat20 in a Seduction check.

I saw most of this live, I'm just clicking in to see if he did the "Oh. Hi. I didn't see you there" again. I was quite satisfied.

loved Ashley as Keg, I hope she will be back😄

I could listen to Matt talk forever, he has so many wonderful and wise things to say

omg can you guys imagine at a con where all the cast cosplays their characters and there's certain little like....cubicles???? and you can go and "meet" both the cast member and character!!! that would be soooo dope! i would totally go to that con just to meet the whole cast/characters haha

Thank you for these Matthew. I appreciate all the work you have done and the inspiration you give. You are a true bard. Love you man!

40:33

I forgot that the enchanted tattoist was a part of the chat vote! I wonder if there were other - as equally impactful - occupations that he could've been

Matthew is such an incredible human being, I love him!

Shikaste works for the Darington brigade. Shikaste works for the darington brigade! SHIKASTE WORKS FOR THE DARINGTON BRIGADE

I love the bit about Lycan Blood Hunters! I'm currently playing a Lycan Blood Hunter named Jayri, she's a Fallen Aasimar who woke up with Amnesia after taking the Hunter's Bane, she has no idea who she was before, what led her to the Blood Hunters, or why she fell, and she's trying to get her grace back, because she doesn't want to be evil, she doesn't want to be a bad person. She is currently separated from her order, having been brought across a violent sea that is impossible to cross, so I have that nice mix of her in control of her Lycan form, but also we have this storyline that Lycan blood hunters who stray from the pack begin to become "primed" to become an Alpha, so Jayri is becoming more aggressive, more irritable, more volatile, and it terrifies her. Also that line about maybe they're just occasionally a dog that likes to be pet, one little flavor thing I have for Jayri is that the more levels she takes in Lycan Blood Hunter, the more traits of her hybrid form she gets in her Aasimar form. She's level 11 right now, so her canines are growing, she's been known to growl when she's angry, she's fiercely protective of her friends and her girlfriend, and she's also been known to chase balls (even when Valencia acts like she's throwing a ball but just holds it behind her back >:( But that's only happened now 4 times...... maybe 5....)

I am really wondering of 1 question, is Calianna a descendant of Umbrasyl/Umbrasyl's Heritage

So uh I didn't realize how recently this was uploaded and um _oof those are some spoilers right there that's what those are_

"20% abv. Oh im gonna slow down on that." "No I'm not... Happy Tuesday!"

You grew up a stutterer?? Mathew Mercer if that isn't inspirational for people with a stutter I don't know what is!

I want Will Friedle and Mary in Campaign 2 as guest with new characters please

Critical Role got my husband into D&D and I was SO happy that it's now something we share together.

can we please just have an hour of brian serving matt lol

God not even 10 seconds in and already Matthew slays me.

Not gonna lie...I wanted to see Brian go to town on Matt's finger.

Matt strongly calls to my nurturing instincts. Whenever I see him sharing something private about himself and being vulnerable I just wanna hug him. Such a brave boy. Look how far you've come.

Anyone else kinda want a Matt Mercer ASMR now or is it just me?

These are wonderful, would be amazing to have more of these in the future, whether with Matt or other cast members, thanks for this :)

Matt should get some pointers from Jim Cummings (Ray - Princess and the frog) on that Cajun accent.

Thank you Matthew for being an inspiration. I just started my own d&d campaign with my friends too and being a dm is fun :D

I find this so enjoyable, some chill talk at the fire with the great Matthew Mercer, the elder scrolls soundtrack in the back. Oh man if i could just ask for more time to be up to date for Critical Role. Los amo, cheers from México.

I can't believe this took me so long to find. Hearing from experienced Dungeon Masters is something that really helps me stay inspired to create/run my own games. Thanks for throwing this out there and engaging with the community! You guys at CR are the best!

You are all GENIUS! I cant wait for the new Crit Role experience!!!

This is the Merriam-Webster definition of euphoria

Im just so proud of this group for evolving Critical Role into what it is now. It takes a lot of know how and organization to build such a brand.

This has come such a long way.. can't wait to see how much further and longer it will continue.. so glad.

Oh man, watching this now, I had no idea Orley was community-built! :D

The prospect of having one of the McElroy brothers on as a guest has me nearly convulsing with joy

This is a really nice format! I will definitely watch next time :D

Oh man, Foster's bit. That was fucking great.

This is the kind of content I wish Matt did more of!

I think Matt might be the most endearing person I've ever come across.

This was so amazing! Thank you!

Thank you, Matt. looking forward to seeing you tonight!

53:00 lol only mercer would think "who built this and why" in minecraft XD

Dat robe

just saw this AFTER hearing the NPC in season 2. wow. just wow! so awesome!

Oh, Victor... loved that info. I remember thinking Matt gave a lot of details on the battle below and wondered if there's some aditional meaning to it.

Ohhhh I've needed this...

Wow, coming back to this to see my favorite npc Orly being born *.*

Nice and timely. I just finished watching the newest episode at GenCon, and now this.

"what is your craziest dream for critical role" Me, watching after season 2 of the animated series aired, with M9 animated, several books, and a whole bunch more happening: 🥺

Matts glass was on fire the hole time guess that’s just how “lit” he is

I'm really into Brian's humour. It's my style :D

Got to this pretty late, but I'm glad I finally had a chance to watch it. Really interesting stuff, especially as someone who's only knowledge of D&D is from watching CR and a few other very basic things.

I don't comment often on RU-vid but you all deserve as much resonance as possible. I love your work (and your play). Best wishes :)

He looks like a g'damn BBEG awaiting the party I fully expect him to Eldritch Blast the camera

So we're getting Bobby Boucher from The Waterboy as an NPC?

Matthew Mercer ASMR... Never knew that was something I'd want/need in my live. Just that silky, smooth Voice. But I guess that is to be expected from such a wonderful VA and DM

I found Critical Role (and D&D in general) last June, I started watching this video but stopped because of spoilers and because Matt recommended I watch it later on VOD. 3 months later, I'm finally back and I can actually listen to this fireside chat in its entirety, thanks for the warning, guy!!

"it's going so fast!" lol oh he picked up a Marisha voice quirk 😂

So we are going to have a Tortle version of Foghorn Leghorn? YES!!!!

Jeeeesus Christ what an NPC we created... Second time I’m watching this and that progression is still one of my favorite parts.

Pretty damn awesome as always

Is it weird that Matt’s voice is like ASMR for me?

Im pumped for cajun turtleman

I hope one day you all come to Vancouver BC, I’ll die peacefully pfft love you all and thank you for bringing joy to my life! As well as easing me more into d&d

Lol - I just stumbled across this video and found out about the crowd-sourced NPC Tortle (I won't give any details for those people who haven't yet made it that far in the series). That was a great idea and I think it ended up working out really well for the campaign in terms of the characters bonding with this special NPC. Great video as always - I just now caught up with the series after starting with episode 1 about a month ago. For health reasons I've had a bit of down time (yeah, so actually a lot of time, given I've watched every episode in that time period ;-) ) and so the series has provided a great source of escape and distraction. I've been a role-player since I was a little kid (8-9ish) and now, pushing 40, I don't get to play much but still get enthralled by watching/listening to others play. Just came upon Critical Role about a month ago and checking out the various series and shows has been a great process of discovery (absolutely loved the CoC one shot run by Talesin - hope you guys can maybe do another some time). Haven't yet checked out Vox Machina, but depending on how things progress I may start my way through that campaign as well - but definitely excited to see where the Might Nein's adventure takes them. Again, excellent content all around and thanks for the great stories - look forward to continue exploring the "back-catalog" and for new stories to come. Thanks, Matt (me).

I tried to find, and vote for the NPC stuff, as well as find the scheduling for this fireside conversation hoping to see it live, but I couldn't find either of those. :(

That Skyrim music though haha. Love it.

Love that the fire, the drink, and the robe are thing.

Matt you are one of my favorite people, keep being you please.