From the very beginning of Campaign 4, new Dungeon Master Brennan Mulligan has kept fans guessing with deep backstory, a colorful mix of personalities, and a thrilling plot showcasing divine entities, evil spirits, and malevolent powers increasing in influence within the city.
Warning: Spoilers for the latest installment of the new season are included.
The Combat-Oriented Party Unveiled
The third episode concluded with a major cliffhanger and introduced the first table of characters who will split off from the primary party to begin their separate journey, separate from the additional parties.
The combat-focused team consists of Teor (played by Travis), the agile character (Laura), Tyranny (Whitney), Wicander (the player), and Kattigan Vale (Robbie).
Why Split the Party?
Considering a large ensemble, it was clear from the beginning that maintaining everyone at one table would be unfeasible.
That’s why, the initial installments of this story serve as an Overture, weaving together the characters’ stories before branching into three smaller tables: Warriors, Schemers, and Seekers.
The Nature of the Combat Party
Per Brennan Lee Mulligan, the Soldiers table is for participants who are drawn to a classically intense battle-oriented gameplay experience where non-violent answers are few and far between.
At first glance, characters like the squeamish cleric Wicander Halovar might seem unsuited, but the events of the third episode make it clear why these five characters are best suited for the combat party.
Motivations for Departure
To begin with, the party has a clear idea where to head next after a intense first encounter with the antagonists.
A former ally of Thjazi—whose demise started the campaign’s events—exploited The Crow Keepers for his own means, breaking into the hidden lair, attacking Thimble, and taking all the enchanted items to auction.
Casimir then settled his debts and escaped to a Halovar stronghouse in Gormalay, Timmony, north of the urban center, with Teor’s brother hot on his heels.
Personal Motivations
Moreover, each member has a individual motive to depart the urban setting:
- The agile hero, as the companion and closest confidant, desires vengeance.
- Kattigan has experience in Timmony and advises that it is a dangerous environment.
- Tyranny and The cleric, having resisted his relatives’ demands to eliminate the target and instead rescued him, have nowhere else to go.
- However, their status as prominent individuals in the powerful family could help the group enter places they typically wouldn’t be able to.
- Additionally, The fighter pledged a eternal obligation to The cleric for his salvation and will now follow him anywhere.
Pursued by Authorities
Lastly, all of them are sought by the powers that rule Dol-Makjar for a multiple motives, making remaining behind no longer safe:
- The agile adventurer and Kattigan are recognized lawbreakers.
- The strong figure and Wicander defied the powerful family and the army of fiends they are partnered with.
- The target is wanted dead by House Halovar.
This means them little choice but to head to the remote area in quest for the traitor.
What’s Next?
Based on episode three’s follow-up content, we discover that the Soldiers table will be absent the following episode, leaving the remaining eight players to round up the Seekers and Strategists parties.
Viewers can expect finding out which characters will be assigned to which table in the season’s last Overture episode, available to watch on next week.
