Critical Role Wiki

This wiki contains spoilers for the entirety of Critical Role and The Legend of Vox Machina. Proceed at your own risk!

READ MORE

Critical Role Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Critical Role Wiki
See also The Legend of Vox Machina, Season One and The Legend of Vox Machina, Season Two

The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated series adapting the Vox Machina campaign funded via Kickstarter. It is produced by Critical Role Productions, Titmouse Inc., and Amazon Studios and released through Prime Video. The series will span at least three seasons: the first two have twelve episodes each while the number of episodes in the third season hasn't yet been revealed.[1] The first season premiered on January 28, 2022 through February 18, 2022, and was released weekly in batches of three episodes each on Fridays at midnight GMT (or UTC). The second season premiered January 20, 2023, also releasing weekly in three-episode batches through February 10, 2023.

The first season begins with Vox Machina facing Brimscythe, before adapting the Briarwoods arc. The main cast of Critical Role reprise their roles as their player characters, and Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer reprises his role as multiple non-player characters, most notably Sylas Briarwood and Trinket. The second season picks up with the attack of the Chroma Conclave on Emon and ends with the death of the black dragon Umbrasyl.

The series is considered its own canon with a continuity separate and distinct from the core canon of the Critical Role streamed campaign and related canonical works.[2]

Episode summaries[]

The first season of The Legend of Vox Machina spans twelve episodes, released in batches of three episodes over four weeks.[3] The season begins with a two-part episode following Vox Machina's pre-stream slaying of Brimscythe, then adapts their confrontation with Delilah and Sylas Briarwood in Whitestone during the second arc of Campaign One.

The second season also ran for twelve episodes starting January 20, 2023.[4] "After saving the realm from evil and destruction at the hands of the most terrifying power couple in Exandria, Vox Machina is faced with saving the world once again—this time, from a sinister group of dragons known as the Chroma Conclave."[5]

The third season has been announced and is in production. As of mid-January 2024, Critical Role knew its scheduled starting date but wasn't yet permitted to release it.[6]

Season One[]

No. Title Directed by Written by Original airdate Runtime
1 "The Terror of Tal'Dorei - Part 1" (LVM1x01) Young Heller Brandon Auman 2022-01-28 27:07
The ragtag group of adventurers known as Vox Machina are commissioned by Sovereign Uriel to find out who (or what) is decimating villages in the outskirts of Emon.
2 "The Terror of Tal'Dorei - Part 2" (LVM1x02) Alicia Chan Brandon Auman 2022-01-28 28:03
Vox Machina tells Sovereign Uriel of the monstrous culprit behind the devastating village attacks, and manage to track the creature back to its hidden lair. For the safety of Emon, Vox Machina must rise to the occasion and go face-to-face with a beast that is seemingly impossible to kill.
3 "The Feast of Realms" (LVM1x03) Stanley Von Medvey Eugene Son 2022-01-28 24:25
Vox Machina is invited to the palace for a formal dinner, where Percy encounters murderous figures from his past: the mysterious Lord Sylas and Lady Delilah Briarwood. While gathering more information about the Briarwoods, a battle ensues. In the aftermath, the team discovers Percy’s tortured past has left something dark brewing inside of him.
4 "Shadows at the Gates" (LVM1x04) Young Heller Ashly Burch 2022-02-04 24:46
After ruining Sovereign Uriel’s diplomatic dinner, Vox Machina is confined to their Keep under house arrest. While they stave off boredom, Keyleth convinces Percy to open up about his dark history and Pike fears she has lost her connection to her deity. Meanwhile, a looming new threat is on its way to confront Vox Machina.
5 "Fate's Journey" (LVM1x05) Alicia Chan Jennifer Muro 2022-02-04 25:07
Vox Machina journeys to Whitestone to confront the Briarwoods and help Percy reclaim his family home. As they travel, Scanlan studies Delilah Briarwood's mysterious spell book to uncover clues. But the team's first road trip is interrupted when the Briarwoods send horrific monsters to retrieve their missing book.
6 "Spark of Rebellion" (LVM1x06) Stanley Von Medvey Mae Catt 2022-02-04 24:36
Vox Machina finds Whitestone's holy leader, Keeper Yennen, who tells them of a growing rebellion. The team realizes that to defeat the Briarwoods they will need the help of rebel leader, Archibald Desnay. But first they must stage a daring prison break and confront the Briarwoods’ sadistic jailer, Kerrion Stonefell.
7 "Scanbo" (LVM1x07) Young Heller Sam Riegel and Travis Willingham 2022-02-11 24:47
As Vox Machina discovers more about a revenge pact Percy made years ago, Keyleth tries to magically connect with the Sun Tree. She senses its pain as well as a dark force deep below the city of Whitestone. Feeling underappreciated, Scanlan volunteers to infiltrate Duke Vedmire’s mansion as a distraction while Vox Machina attempts to rescue Percy’s sister Cassandra.
8 "A Silver Tongue" (LVM1x08) Alicia Chan Marc Bernardin 2022-02-11 24:33
Vox Machina battles the vicious Professor Anders and his unique magical abilities, while Delilah Briarwood uses magic to summon a demonic army to rise against our heroes. Meanwhile, Pike searches for a way to reconnect with her deity, even if it means risking her life.
9 "The Tide of Bone" (LVM1x09) Stanley Von Medvey Kevin Burke and Chris "Doc" Wyatt 2022-02-11 24:13
The Briarwoods’ evil past connects with the present as Delilah reveals her pact with the Whispered One. In the bloody Whitestone streets, Vox Machina wages the fight of their lives against an undead horde. But just when all looks lost, the team gets help from an unexpected source.
10 "Depths of Deceit" (LVM1x10) Young Heller Jennifer Muro 2022-02-18 24:23
After Percy confronts his old nemesis, Dr. Anna Ripley, a tenuous partnership is struck. Despite Percy’s protests that she can’t be trusted, Vox Machina brings Ripley along. She leads them through the traps under the castle, but soon the team is double-crossed by one of their own.
11 "Whispers at the Ziggurat" (LVM1x11) Alicia Chan Eugene Son and Travis Willingham 2022-02-18 23:43
Vox Machina launches a final assault against the Briarwoods atop the Ziggurat. Battling the dark magic of Delilah and the vampiric strength of Sylas, a worried Vex and an unhinged Percy try to save their siblings. But their best efforts may not be enough as the Briarwoods near completion of their secret ritual.
12 "The Darkness Within" (LVM1x12) Stanley Von Medvey Brandon Auman and Sam Riegel 2022-02-18 27:05
Vox Machina has stopped the Briarwoods’ evil ritual, but at a heavy cost. As they flee the Ziggurat to save one of their own, Percy is eager to take revenge on their prisoner, Delilah Briarwood. When Vex implores him to let go of his vengeance, Percy must confront the darkness within himself.

Season Two[]

No. Title Directed by Written by Original airdate Runtime
1 "Rise of the Chroma Conclave" (LVM2x01) Young Heller Brandon Auman and Eugene Son 2023-01-20 24:36
Vox Machina's victorious return home to Emon is cut short by the arrival of ancient dragons, the Chroma Conclave. Despite Vox Machina's best efforts, the dragons lay waste to the city, forcing the team to find a way to escape.
2 "The Trials of Vasselheim" (LVM2x02) Alicia Chan Colleen Evanson 2023-01-20 25:56
Vox Machina travels to the mysterious ancient city of Vasselheim to search for allies. They're soon forced to turn to a group of seedy bounty-hunters, called the Slayer's Take. There they encounter an ancient creature who holds critical information that could help them in their fight against the dragons of the Chroma Conclave.
3 "The Sunken Tomb (LoVM)" (LVM2x03) Eugene Lee Todd Casey 2023-01-20 25:59
Vox Machina explores an ancient temple to search for their first Vestige of Divergence, a legendary weapon they hope will aid them against the dragons of the Chroma Conclave. As they overcome a series of dangerous encounters to reach the sunken tomb, one of the team makes a terrible mistake.
4 "Those Who Walk Away (LoVM)" (LVM2x04) Young Heller Eugene Son 2023-01-27 25:59
In a desperate bid to save a team member’s life, Vax strikes a fateful deal with the Matron of Ravens, offering his life in exchange. As Vox Machina battles their way out of the sunken temple, Vax wonders what he’s just signed up for.
5 "Pass Through Fire" (LVM2x05) Alicia Chan Meredith Kecskemety 2023-01-27 26:16
While traveling to find the next Vestige of Divergence, Vox Machina passes by Pyrah, home to the Fire Ashari people. Discovering that the village is in distress, Vox Machina must help them, battling fire creatures that are spilling out into the world through a portal to another dimension. As they try to close the portal, Keyleth learns more about the power that lies within her.
6 "Into Rimecleft" (LVM2x06) Eugene Lee Mae Catt 2023-01-27 26:35
Upon arriving at the location of the next Vestige of Divergence, Vox Machina must face the challenges of the mysterious sphinx, Kamaljiori – the mate of Osysa. But even if they can succeed, a new, unexpected threat lies waiting for them.
7 "The Fey Realm" (LVM2x07) Young Heller Kevin Burke 2023-02-03 27:11
After escaping from the black dragon Umbrasyl, Vox Machina is split up. Half of the party find themselves lost in another dimension, the mysterious Fey Realm. They encounter strange dangers as they seek to recover the next Vestige of Divergence. Meanwhile, the other half of the party searches for a way to heal their cursed teammate.
8 "Echo Tree" (LVM2x08) Alicia Chan May Chan 2023-02-03 27:06
In the Fey Realm, Vox Machina unexpectedly discovers the city of Syngorn and meets Vax and Vex’s father. After the emotional encounter, Vox Machina journeys deeper into the Fey Realm, searching for the next Vestige of Divergence – the Fenthras Bow. To acquire it, they must confront an ancient and powerful archfey. Meanwhile back in Tal'Dorei, Scanlan and Pike attempt to nurse Grog back to health.
9 "A Test of Pride" (LVM2x09) Eugene Lee Sam Riegel and Travis Willingham 2023-02-03 27:01
Knowing that the Titanstone Knuckles are in the city of Westruun, Pike and Scanlan come up with a plan to get them from their current owner, Grog’s uncle, Kevdak. But Grog, weakened by Craven Edge's curse and haunted by his last encounter with his uncle, questions whether he is strong enough of mind, or body, to confront Kevdak.
10 "The Killbox" (LVM2x10) Young Heller Meredith Kecskemety 2023-02-10 26:29
Despite his weakened state, Grog confronts his uncle, Kevdak, in a fight to the death. The battle is intense, with Grog taking a beating at the hands of his uncle’s Titanstone Knuckles, another Vestige of Divergence. As Grog is about to fall, the rest of Vox Machina arrives, just in time to join the fray.
11 "Belly of the Beast" (LVM2x11) Alicia Chan Eugene Son 2023-02-10 27:13
While Scanlan makes a fateful and shocking discovery about his past, Vax confronts the Matron of Ravens to uncover the truth about the mysterious pact he made with her. At the same time, Vox Machina teams up with Grog’s Herd and sets their sights on Umbrasyl, preparing an ambush to take down the dreaded black dragon.
12 "The Hope Devourer" (LVM2x12) Eugene Lee Brandon Auman 2023-02-10 29:39
As the black dragon Umbrasyl escapes their attempted ambush, Vox Machina pursues him to Gatshadow Mountain. In the fearsome acid-filled tunnels of Umbrasyl’s lair, Vox Machina must make a final stand against the evil dragon.

Production[]

Crowdfunding[]

LegendVoxMachina

Promotional image from the Kickstarter campaign

The_Legend_of_Vox_Machina_Animated_Intro

The Legend of Vox Machina Animated Intro

Members of the cast attempted to pitch the series to a few production companies, but were unsuccessful.[7] They decided to try a crowdfunding campaign and reached out to animation studio Titmouse, Inc. to create a teaser trailer. The Legend of Vox Machina Kickstarter was launched on March 4th, 2019, lasting for 45 days (ending on April 18th, 2019 at 11:59 pm). The original goal was to create a 22 minute long animated special. Within the first 45 minutes of the Kickstarter going up, the $750,000 goal was surpassed, and $1,000,000 was hit in the first hour. After the first day, $3.0 million was raised, passing all the stretch goals the team had planned. Within the next few days, The Legend of Vox Machina became the most funded film/animation project across Kickstarter. It eventually raised $11,385,449, becoming the 5th most funded project on Kickstarter at the time with 88,887 backers.[8]

CampaignEndParty

Kickstarter Campaign End Party

To celebrate the close of the Kickstarter campaign and to thank Critters for their love and support the cast was joined by special guest Joel Hodgson of Mystery Science Theater 3000 for the Kickstarter Campaign End Party.

Stretch goals and rewards[]

Kickstarter goals surpassed

Image of Kickstarter stretch goals.[art 1]

  • 1 Million
    • Free digital download of the special's soundtrack for $20+ Backers.
    • One-shot: The Search For Bob.
  • 1.5 Million
    • 22 addition minutes to the animated special.
    • Backers at the $100+ will get an exclusive crew knitted Legend of Vox Machina beanie.
  • 2 Million
  • 2.5 Million
    • 22 addition minutes to the animated special.
    • Backers at the $100+ will get an exclusive Legend of Vox Machina d20 with their dice sets.
  • 3 Million
    • 22 addition minutes to the animated special.
    • Backers at the $200+ will get an exclusive Dagger Dagger Dagger letter opener set.
    • One-shot: Vox Machina x Mighty Nein.
  • 5.75 Million
    • The start of the Briarwoods Arc (2 episodes, 44 minutes of animation)
  • 7.5 Million
    • Continuation of the Briarwoods Arc (2 episodes, 44 minutes of animation)
    • One-shot: Guest Battle Royale
  • 8.8 Million
  • 10 Million (secret goal)[9]

Production history[]

LVM Vox Machina Lineup 3840 x 2160

Character designs for The Legend of Vox Machina, by Phil Bourassa.[art 2]

In November 2019, Amazon partnered on the project to be seen exclusively on Prime Video and expanding it to two seasons totaling 24 episodes.[4]

In June 2020, Critical Role announced that the launch of the series would be delayed from the originally projected Fall 2020 date to an unspecified date in Summer to Fall 2021.[10] At a panel at New York City Comic-Con, the release date was announced to be February 4, 2022.[11] The premiere date was later moved up to January 28, 2022.[12] Kickstarter backers received early access to the first two episodes via private showings beginning January 25, 2022.[13]

In a Kickstarter update, it was revealed that the first two episodes of the series would follow a new adventure within the canon of Vox Machina, falling in the timeline before Kraghammer and that the following episodes would complete the Briarwoods arc and move "into other classic Vox Machina story arcs as well."[14] However, the series instead ended up starting in Emon, with the storyline of Brimscythe. During a Q&A, art director Arthur Loftis mentioned that the series would consist of 10 episodes;[15] however, this was later changed to two seasons of twelve episodes each.

The official description for the New York Comic Con panel of The Legend of Vox Machina described the series as "an animated fantasy-adventure series for adults that follows Vox Machina, a band of misfits with a fondness for boozing and brawling. In a desperate attempt to pay off their mounting bar tab, these unlikely heroes end up on a quest to save the realm of Exandria from dark magical forces. From a sinister necromancer to a powerful curse, the group confronts a variety of obstacles that not only test their skills, but also the strength of their bond."[16]

Though the series was announced to be premiered at midnight PST on January 28, 2022,[17] it released eight hours early at midnight UTC (or GMT) instead.[18]

Related media[]

Pre-release specials[]

In the time between the announcement of the Kickstarter and the series' release, several sneak peek videos were posted on Critical Role's YouTube channel. For the full list, see The Legend of Vox Machina Pre-release Specials.

The Legend of Vox Machina Soundtrack[]

Lakeshore Records released The Legend of Vox Machina—Amazon Original Series Soundtrack digitally on 28 January 2022. The orchestral score by Neal Acree is performed by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and features soloists Tina Guo (electric and acoustic fiddle), Paul Cartwright (fiddle), Krising Naigus (winds), and Eric Rigler (bagpipes). The album also features original songs by Sam Riegel (as Scanlan Shorthalt) and Peter Habib of Mr. Fantastic.[19]

The Legend of Vox Machina: Season 2 Soundtrack[]

Lakeshore Records released The Legend of Vox Machina: Season 2 Soundtrack digitally on 2 June 2023, again featuring an orchestral score by Neal Acree and original songs by Sam Riegel and Peter Habib.[20]

Trivia[]

LoVM OfficialDesigns

Character designs

  • The name of the series is likely a callback to "The Story of Vox Machina" (Sx06), a special episode summarizing Vox Machina's adventures before the start of the stream. This special also featured animation, done by Wendy Sullivan Green.
  • A few elements from the series were hinted at in Crew & A Episode 4.[21]
    • Greyskull Keep was described by a crew member as an "early location" that they got to explore, where "Vox Machina get to live in and start off their journey".
    • Crew members mentioned a spell used by Scanlan to conjure up different body parts, alluding to their creative take on the spell Bigby's Hand. It was also said that Scanlan uses his lute to cast spells. Other spells that were mentioned included Keyleth's vines.
  • The series' composer, Neal Acree, assigned each main character specific instruments and genre influences. Grog's is heavy metal; Keyleth and Pike's are flute and choir; Percy's is classical/operatic; Vex and Vax's are strings and classical waltz. Scanlan, being a bard, sings original songs with several handheld string instruments in a variety of contemporary genres (which is more the doing of Peter Habib).[22]
  • The heights of several characters appear to have been modified for this series. In the past, Keyleth has been described as being 6 feet tall,[23] which is taller than the twins' 5'11" and 5'9";[24][25] however, in the official character lineup, she is shorter than both of them. Grog appears to have been scaled down, as he was initially described as an 8'7" half-giant[26] but seems closer in height to the others in this version.
  • As a surprise for Matt, the design team intentionally designed a character model that looked like him.[27] Several characters with his likeness have appeared in a minor role in every episode so far and are all voiced by Matt.
  • The animated series versions of Keyleth, Vex'ahlia, Pike and Grog made a cameo in one of the videos of Jaiden Animations, a popular YouTuber and animator.[28]

References[]

  1. Twitter logo Critical Role (@CriticalRole) on Twitter: "We can't wait to bring you #TheLegendOfVoxMachina Season Two in January 2023 🥳 BUT - it will take more than just two seasons to tell the story of these legends... ✨ WE'RE OFFICIALLY GREENLIT FOR SEASON 3! ✨" (2022-10-06).
  2. Twitter logo Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) on Twitter: "The Animated Series is it's own "adaptation" with its own canon, though we include as much of the OG canon as we can. :) However, the actual campaign/stream still remains and is the original, core canon." (2022-01-28). (backup link)
  3. Critical Role Logo HYPE: Check Out the Official Trailer for The Legend of Vox Machina! (January 12, 2022) on CritRole.com
  4. 4.0 4.1 November 2019 Critical Role update on Kickstarter.
  5. New York Comic Con Prime Video Presents: The Legend of Vox Machina (14 September 2022} panel information page at newyorkcomiccon.com.
  6. See "Critical Role: Sick Day" (Sx82) at 0:28:26.
  7. 'Legend of Vox Machina': How Critical Role Turned a D&D Game Night Into a Hit Animated Series (January 28, 2022) by Shannon O'Connor at The Daily Beast.
  8. List of most funded Kickstarter projects.
  9. After being mentioned on "Talks Machina #106: 'In Love and War'" (TMx106) and "Wood and Steel" (2x58), this stretch goal was confirmed in a Kickstarter update.
  10. June 2020 Critical Role update on Kickstarter.
  11. Critical Role Logo "The Legend of Vox Machina" NYCC Highlights: A Premiere Date, a Table Read, and LVM’s Official Opening Title Sequence! on CritRole.com
  12. "The Legend of Vox Machina crew squabble in exclusive clip as show gets new premiere date" (December 20, 2021) by Nick Romano at Entertainment Weekly
  13. RSVP to Early Access Screenings, Season 1 Viewing Info, & More!.
  14. Critical Role update on Kickstarter.
  15. Tavern Keeper Build | The Legend of Vox Machina
  16. Event information on Kickstarter
  17. Critical Role Logo Programming Schedule: Week of January 24, 2022 on CritRole.com
  18. See archive of The Legend of Vox Machina on Prime Video on January 28, 2022 at 00:31:54 UTC, showing the first three episodes as available to watch with a January 27, 2022 release date.
  19. See the article announcing the release at SoundtracksScoresAndMore.com.
  20. See the article announcing the release at Nerdist.com.
  21. See Crew & A Episode 4: Exploring Exandria | The Legend of Vox Machina
  22. See The Legend of the Music of The Legend of Vox Machina (6:06)
  23. Marisha Ray gave Keyleth's height as 6' in a discussion on Twitter.
  24. Liam states Vax is 5'11" a Twitter thread.
  25. See "Aramente to Pyrah" (1x22) at 1:20:14.
  26. See "The Temple Showdown" (1x11) at 3:21:34.
  27. Twitter logo Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) on Twitter: "Oh... it was VERY intentional. (Not on MY part, but definitely on the design team's as a surprise)" (2022-01-28) — in reply to @ThatNerdGurl_: "Need to know if the animators intentionally modeled an NPC to look like @matthewmercer for each episode"
  28. See My First Time Playing DUNGEONS & DRAGONS at 1:15.

Art:

  1. Image of Kickstarter stretch goals (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
  2. Character designs for The Legend of Vox Machina, by Phil Bourassa (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
Advertisement