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For all you Critters out there who haven't watched Critical Role's Campaign 2, you probably have plenty of questions regarding its upcoming animated adaptation, The Mighty Nein. And while we're not going to spoil anything for the Exandrian devotees who have come to the fandom via The Legend of Vox Machina, we can tell you this - expect a story that's much more serious, much more grounded than Prime Video's previous series.

If you're confused as to how that could work (aren't they set in the same universe, after all?), OG Critical Role cast member and voice of Mighty Nein's Beauregard Lionett Marisha Ray wants to remind you of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, who produced two cornerstones of the fantasy genre that were both set in the same universe and wildly different in tone.

"A lot of people have commented on the tone [of Mighty Nein] being a little bit darker," Ray said in a recent interview with Mama's Geeky. "You know, so if, I don’t know, if Vox Machina was The Hobbit, then this is Lord of the Rings."

A great way to explain it, Marisha, but for Critical Role fans who are (somehow?) unfamiliar with Lord of the Rings; what does that mean specifically?

"It’s a completely different perspective on the world," explains costar Jaffe, who plays tiefling Mollymauk Tealeaf, "It’s the difference between watching a story about just heroes of the realm that sit above the politics and above all of the machinations of the world. And now we’re at the very, very bottom of people who really, they’re being influenced and affected by the world, but they don’t really have any control over it whatsoever."

To be fair, though, there's going to be quite a moral difference between the adaptation of Critical Role's beloved Campaign 2 and the separate works of J.R.R. Tolkien, both of which objectively follow noble, heroic characters. OG Roler Travis hopped in to clarify.

"These characters are not necessarily trying to do good," said Willingham, AKA sexy half-orc Fjord Stone, "There might be some desire to do that from some, but we got some selfish folks in this group that are really trying to fix some really shady pasts."

This is where a more casual Lord of the Rings enjoyer might point out that, 'Well, the Fellowship had Boromir, didn't they? And wasn't he selfish?' 

Which is also when we start fighting. 

The Mighty Nein debuts on Prime Video November 19. 

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.