Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin
The cover, featuring Yasha Nydoorin
Attribution Information
Writers	Cecil Castellucci Matthew Mercer Ashley Johnson
Artist	William Kirkby
Colorist	Diana Sousa
Cover artist	William Kirkby Diana Sousa
Publication Information
Publisher	Dark Horse Comics
Publication date	2022-08-17
Format	Digital Hardcover
Pages	56
Dimensions	6 5/8" x 10 3/16
ISBN	9781506723792
Chronology
Timeline	Pre-stream
Series	Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins
Issue number	3
Preceded by	The Mighty Nein Origins: Caleb Widogast
Followed by	The Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone

Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin is the third issue of Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins. It was written by Cecil Castellucci, with direction from Matthew Mercer and Ashley Johnson, and art created by William Kirkby. It was originally set to release on September 15, 2021 but was actually published by Dark Horse Comics on August 17, 2022. The comic explores the backstory of Ashley's player character, Yasha Nydoorin.

Publisher's summary

“

For Yasha, there has always been a storm on the horizon. Maybe it formed with her adoption by the Dolorov people in the harsh lands of Xhorhas. Or perhaps when she fell for her first love, Zuala. Or still later, when grief and madness drove her from her village and out into--somewhere else. Maybe, on the other hand, Yasha IS the storm.

”

– 

Publisher's summary

[edit]

Plot summary

Between about 809 and 819 PD the Dolorav tribe found a young aasimar girl as the survivor of an attack of the Dumaran hobgoblins on another tribe. Impressed by the fighting spirit of the child, the Skyspear took her and brought her to her home, giving her a new name, Yasha Nydoorin, and making her husband Baska raise her along with their sons together.

The Skyspear became a mentor figure for her new adoptive daughter. Despite her lack of compassion or tenderness, the Skyspear appreciated Yasha's progress, and when the young girl was old enough, she began to involve her in activities of greater responsibility. At some point another girl, Zuala, became part of the Dolorav tribe, and along with Yasha was trained for many years in anticipation of the tests for The Marking. During their training, Yasha and Zuala became very close friends. Eventually, aiding each other to survive, they both passed the arduous testing and were Marked. Yasha was given the name "Orphanmaker" and swore to follow the life path set by the Skyspear, upon penalty of death.

However, the Skyspear began to suspect the closeness between the two warriors, recommending Yasha not spend so much time with Zuala. Despite this, she could not prevent the girls from falling in love and marrying in secret, against the Dolorav law that those who had been marked should wait for the Skyspear to assign them a partner with whom to start a family. However, they wanted the approval of Yasha's adoptive mother, and when the Skyspear was planning to pair Zuala with another member of the tribe, Zuala decided they should reveal their relationship to the matriarch. Yasha initially quailed, but buoyed by her beloved's courage, she went to confront the Skyspear as well, only to see Zuala killed by the tribe's leader.

Consumed in a mad rage of grief, Yasha awoke to find a scene of desolation. She began randomly wandering, picking fights and living as a vagrant. Eventually, she was found by Obann, who comforted her and exploited her will to live by giving her tasks so that she didn't have to think for herself, using her anger to burn the world. However, the grief within her remained, and eventually she stumbled upon a ruined temple of the Stormlord, who accepted her, becoming her protection, refuge, and strength.

Freed from Obann's control, she continued wandering, eventually stumbling upon The Fletching and Moondrop Traveling Carnival of Curiosities.

Development

The comic was originally scheduled for publication by Dark Horse Comics on September 15, 2021. Due to the 2021–2022 global supply chain crisis and unidentified circumstances with creative teams, all Critical Role titles were delayed, and The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin was initially pushed to June 21, 2022 and postponed multiple times again. It was eventually publishesd on August 17, 2022.

Media

Editions

ISBN	Released	Publisher	Format	Price	Ref.
9781506723792	August 17, 2022	Dark Horse Comics	Hardcover	$17.99
9781506723891	August 17, 2022	Dark Horse Comics	Digital	$10.99

Library Links

Available for free at Hoopla, through participating public libraries:

• Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin (2022)
• Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins Library Edition Vol. 1 (Jester, Caleb, Yasha, Nott)