Sam Riegel Shares How Wildemount Wildlings Brings Something “A Little Bit Sillier” To Critical Role

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Fans of Critical Role might have noticed a more playful vibe in the recent mini-series, “Wildemount Wildings”. This three-part journey delves into an adventurer’s summer camp that was previously only hinted at and not fully explored in its own adventure. The “Wildemount Wildlings” started on April 3rd, and the grand finale will take place in Episode 3 on April 17th at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET. This series represents a change in tone for Critical Role, and ComicBook got an opportunity to talk with creator and DM Sam Riegel about what led him to create “Wildemount Wildlings”.

In this newest mini-series of ‘Critical Role’, Sam Riegel takes on the role of the DM, while Ashley Johnson and Marisha Ray return as characters Yasha Nydoorin and Beauregard Lionett. The roles of the campers are filled by Libe Barer, Aleks Le, Brennan Lee Mulligan (who is a returning cast member), and Eden Riegel. For those less familiar with ‘Dungeons & Dragons’, this fresh cast brings a unique perspective. This three-part adventure revolves around these four new campers and their mentors, Yasha and Beau, as they strive to earn their first camp badge or risk being dismissed prematurely.

In the context of the summer camp scenario, the risks involved are less severe for this escapade, providing Sam Riegel and the Critical Role group an opportunity to explore a more carefree environment, particularly following the intense episodes of Campaign 3. He considers the mini-series as a sort of refreshment, offering a chance to engage in something more playful and youthful. The change in tone is evident as they delve into a less serious scenario, allowing them to enjoy themselves more visibly while presenting a distinct aspect of Exandria.

How Wildemount Wildlings Went from Home Game to Mini-Series

The Wildemount Wildlings campaign is based on a campaign that Rieger has been facilitating with his children at Veth’s kids’ adventuring camp. He found it so enjoyable that he wished to extend this experience to others, saying, “I wanted to share not just the fun but also the sight and the camp with the rest of the world.” The adventuring camp is a recurring theme in the main Critical Role campaigns, and Rieger aims to further explore this universe for a broader audience.

In our conversation, Riegel mentioned that he believes these games could motivate others to organize similar activities with their children. The camp-like environment addresses concerns such as “Who’s watching the parents? Why are these kids handling weapons?” Therefore, the Wildemount Wildlings camp provides an ideal starting point for introducing youngsters to D&D. This setting allows children to express their wild sides while letting Dungeon Masters enjoy exciting adventures with their offspring.

To clarify, the mini-series doesn’t exactly mirror Riegel’s home game where he plays with his kids, as the camp in that context serves more as a starting point for various adventures across Wildemount. Contrarily, in “Wildemount Wildlings”, the focus is narrowed down, with all events taking place within the camp grounds itself.

Moving from the home game to the stream necessitated a bit more planning, particularly focusing on enhancing the environment. This allowed Riegel to delve deeper into the camp setting, commissioning artwork to set the camp’s mood, and considering unique locations for exploration as well as potential unusual events that might transpire.

Without a doubt, unusual events unfold in this mini-series. In every installment, the show draws on the creativity of kids from Riegel’s home game to conceptualize the monsters that challenge the campers. This leads to some riotously funny moments, and it seems that laugh-out-loud instances will continue in the series finale. When we sought hints about episode 3, Riegel revealed a “really peculiar final boss monster dreamed up by children,” as well as an unprecedented battlefield in Critical Role that Riegel promises “you’ve never witnessed before.

In the concluding episode of “Wildemount Wildlings,” which is set to premiere on April 17th, there will be an extra treat for viewers – a special scene after the credits similar to what you’d see in an MCU film. Make sure to let the video play until the end so you don’t miss this delightful bonus content!

Regarding further adventures with the Wildemount Wildlings, Riegel has begun contemplating potential storylines for another mini-series should the first one prove successful.

There’s a possibility. If everything goes well and people enjoy it, perhaps by next summer, some more counselors might join us at the camp.

Currently, the concept of occasionally injecting some playful amusement into the Critical Role stream remains a thought in Riegel’s mind, but it’s evident that he often ponders over this possibility.

Alongside the Wildemount Wildlings, Riegel is actively involved in the development of the Mighty Nein series for Prime Video and preparing for the publication of his upcoming book titled Smiley Day. For those eagerly anticipating the Mighty Nein series, Riegel has confirmed that they have completed episodes, with the Prime Video team currently working on fine-tuning things to air, potentially as early as this year. The release date is yet to be announced, but it seems things are moving along smoothly. Regarding Smiley Day, the book is set for publication later this year on September 30th and can now be preordered.

You can watch the initial two episodes of the show “Wildemount Wildlings” right now on the “Critical Role” YouTube channel. The podcast audio for these episodes will be available later. Episode 3 is set to debut today, April 17th, at 9 PM EDT on three platforms: the “Critical Role” Twitch, YouTube, and Beacon TV channels.

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2025-04-17 15:13