Why Critical Role Episode 1 Doesn’t Start At The Beginning

While most stories start at the beginning, episode 1 of Critical Role depicts Vox Machina’s tale long after they’d begun their adventures. This is partially due to how the game developed prior to the series and how deeply expansive Critical Role was before it ever began streaming. Even among TTRPG actual plays, this is a bit unusual when many recent streams begin their campaigns knowing they’ll be performed. In contrast, Critical Role‘s episodes came from much more humble origins. Its growth into the media company it is today is much more organic, and why Vox Machina’s story starts where it does is very rooted in how many normal Dungeons & Dragons games begin.