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Crummy parts of the fanbase notwithstanding, there's a whole lot of joy in the TTRPG sphere when a new person (or people) discovers the medium. And on the Critical Role subreddit just a few days back, US Critters got to experience that joy coming from half a world away, as the organizer of Iraq's first dedicated tabletop RPG community posted a heartfelt thank you to the community. This is how it happened.

That Iraqi community is going by Boards & Beyond, and according to one of its organizers, named Maitham, who goes by the moniker of u/Crowsan on Reddit. As he has been writing on Reddit, Boards & Beyond, their coming together is owed largely to Critical Role and the Critter family. 

"For many players in Iraq," writes Maitham, "CR was the first time we ever saw tabletop RPGs — not just as a game, but as collaborative storytelling, friendship, and creativity. Because of that spark, we started running small home games… which turned into public sessions… which turned into a real community."

If you've been to a Critical Role event in the past 10 years, it's likely you've heard something very similar. What began as a couple of "nerdy voice actors" getting together to play Dungeons & Dragons has not only spawned a media empire but also a constantly growing fan base. Perhaps more than any other piece of media currently running, CR is responsible for introducing scores of players to the once-arcane world of TTRPGs.

And as this post proves, that's very much not limited to Western, English-first countries.

"We’re sharing this not to promote anything," wraps the writer, "But to say thank you. Your stories reached places you probably never expected — and helped a whole new group of storytellers find their voice."

That's a big 'Hell yeah' from the TTRPG fans at Popverse, Maitham, and we're sure it's a sentiment shared by Critters around the world.

From the lands of Exandria to your very own smartscreens, Popverse has everything you need to know about the TTRPG phenomenon that is Critical Role. Here you'll find:

• Popverse's Critical Role watch order
• An interview with GM Brennan Lee Mulligan
• The cast's appearance at C2E2 '25

...and more. Roll initiative, player. Adventure awaits.