Critical Role Campaign 4 has rolled into another arc, swapping the perilous, war-torn lands of the Obridimian Empire for the shadowy, political machinations occurring in the city of Dol-Makjar. Heading this new arc is the Schemers, a group that, from their very first episode, looks to be very different from the two previous tables we’ve seen.

Since Campaign 4 debuted in October, fans have been introduced to Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan’s world of Aramán, shaped by fascinating characters, lore, and magic that works very differently from Critical Role’s previous stomping grounds of Exandria.

Campaign 4 also introduces a format change, adopting a West Marches-inspired approach that splits the 13-player cast into three tables. We’ve had Soldiers (a table where nonviolent answers are few and far between) and Seekers, who are more interested in uncovering mysteries of the world of Aramán. The Schemers, however, have been described as focusing on "intrigue, espionage, skulduggery, and relationships with each other, NPCs, institutions, and the machinations of power."

On the surface, the Schemers table — featuring Murray Mag’Nesson (Marisha Ray), Azune........

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