Critical Role - The New Cast

Out with the old - In with the new

Matt Mercer walked from the green room to the CR set, for the final time one Thursday night. This was going to be his last time as the CR DM. Matt was the first one on set. He looked around at the room he and his friends envisioned so long ago. He walked around the smooth table that was handcrafted, especially to his and friends' specifications. His hand traced the outline of the D20, the wood still felt smooth under his palm. He thought to himself, "I'm going to miss this place." A single tear falls from his eye. From over in a dark corner, a single figure stood motionless, but as the tear fell, the figure stepped out of the shadows.

"You know, if I had it my way, you would be staying on as DM." the face said. 

"So, you must be the guy that's taking over?" Matt asked.

"You can say that, but I don't. Let's just say that I am the one you're passing the torch too and don't worry your ship is in good hands." the new face said.

Matt walked over to the new guy and held out his hand. The other guy took his hand and shook it, the grip firm and tight. "So, what's your name?" Matt asked.

"Chance. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Chance said with a twinkle in his steel blue eyes.

Chance is a tall guy, about 6"1, long blonde hair and blue eyes. "You know Matt, you are kind of a hero of mine." Chance said, trying to elevate the somber and melancholy feeling on set.

"Really? I've never been someone's hero before." Matt said with a look of awe.

"Yea. I used to watch you. I went through the archives and watched everything you did here. Your storytelling ability is top notch. I am sure that I can fill your shoes." Chance said.

Chance sat the book that he was carrying on the table and put his arm around Matt, just to comfort him a bit.

The red light on set comes on as a signal that filming was going to begin, and the other Critical Roll cast members started to arrive for the series finale.

"Well, it looks like it's showtime." Chance said, and he picked up the book and turned to exit the set.

Matt calls out the Chance, "Wait! Don't go. Stay and watch the magic happen."

Chance turns back and, with a nod of his head, finds a spot off camera and sits down.

As the other cast members file in, they catch Chance's eye, and Chance just puts a finger to his lips, making the "Shhh" sign.

When they all have seated, the green light comes on, and Matt takes his seat at the head of table, behind the DM screen.

Matt looks directly into the camera and says, "Thank you so much for joining us tonight for this very special and final episode of Critical Roll. My name is Matthew Mercer, and I am your humble Dungeon Master. Let's just take a moment and remember the fun that we've had for the past 20 years."

A monitor is lowered, the lights dim, and  the video begins to play. The video shows a collection of snippets of things that were done. From Netherdeep, Vox Machina, Exandria Unlimited, and the Mighty Nine, all the important things were shown. After the 5 min video ends and the lights come back on, the cast starts applauding. Cheers and smiling faces were seen. Even Matt has a smile on his face, where a frown was just a few moments before.

"Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, is going to be our last episode. I know that this is bittersweet, but from what I know, Critical Roll will continue. Actually, we have a special guest with us tonight. Will Chance join us at the table?" Matt says that, and all eyes turn to Chance.

Chance gets up from where he his sitting and finds an open chair next to Matt, but in front of the table.

"I want to introduce you to my successor, Chance. Chance will be taking over as DM. So, what I would like to do is kind of a trial by fire, so to speak. Chance here will be taking the role of our final villain." Matt said and slid a piece of paper and some dice in front of him.