Liam O'Brien

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

O'Brien's contributions to Critical Role are defined by his specific character portrayals rather than world-building duties like a Dungeon Master. He plays Vax'ildan in the main cast, reprising the role for the animated series The Legend of Vox Machina after Amazon Prime Video acquired streaming rights in November 2019. In June 2021, he joined the cast of Exandria Unlimited, playing Orym. His other significant player characters include Caleb Widogast and Halandil Fang. The show itself achieved major milestones, winning the Webby Award and People's Voice in the 'Games (Video Series & Channels)' category at the 2019 Webby Awards. Following this success, the cast left the Geek & Sundry network in early 2019 to establish their own production company, Critical Role Productions.

In Their Own Story

The journey of Liam O'Brien within the Critical Role universe began with his involvement in a web series that grew into a massive phenomenon. After becoming hugely successful, the cast secured over $11 million via Kickstarter to create an animated adaptation of their first campaign. This project became The Legend of Vox Machina, where O'Brien returned to voice Vax'ildan. In June 2021, he expanded his on-screen presence by joining Exandria Unlimited as Orym. His creative output also extends to writing; he penned the in-universe fairy-tale collection Critical Role: Der Katzenprinz & Other Zemnian Tales, illustrated by Charlie Borovsky, which was released on April 8, 2025. Additionally, he lent his voice as a narrator for the audiobook of Critical Role: Vox Machina – Kith & Kin (2021), further cementing his role in the franchise's storytelling ecosystem.

Reader's Guide

For fans seeking to understand Liam O'Brien's specific contributions to Critical Role, it is essential to note he acts as a player, not the Dungeon Master. His primary characters are Vax'ildan ('Vax'), Caleb Widogast, Orym, and Halandil Fang. He reprised his role as Vax in the animated series The Legend of Vox Machina, which originated from a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $11 million. In 2021, he added Orym to his repertoire with the spinoff Exandria Unlimited. His literary contributions include authoring Critical Role: Der Katzenprinz & Other Zemnian Tales (released April 8, 2025) and narrating the audiobook for Critical Role: Vox Machina – Kith & Kin (2021). The group's success led to their departure from Geek & Sundry in early 2019 to form Critical Role Productions.

Did You Know?

• Liam O'Brien authored the in-universe fairy-tale collection 'Critical Role: Der Katzenprinz & Other Zemnian Tales,' which was released on April 8, 2025.
• He is a narrator for the audiobook edition of the novel 'Critical Role: Vox Machina – Kith & Kin' (2021).
• The Critical Role cast raised over $11 million on Kickstarter to create their animated series, The Legend of Vox Machina.
• In June 2021, O'Brien was added to the cast of Exandria Unlimited to play the character Orym.
• O'Brien and the rest of the Critical Role cast left the Geek & Sundry network in early 2019 to form their own production company.