Exandria Unlimited: Calamity

Lore & Background

The Calamity was an apocalyptic series of events triggered by a civil war among the Exandrian pantheon and their followers, which imperiled the entirety of Exandria. Nerdist reported that this era is set about 1,500 years before the main campaigns, representing the second age of Exandria. The conflict was so devastating that only one-third of the world's population survived. Set in the floating city of Avalir, the story focuses on high-level characters showcasing races and subclasses new to the setting at that time. Brennan Lee Mulligan noted that while the central question for many might be whether the Calamity happens, his series instead asks, "What is the nature of mortal beings when faced with this?" The narrative emphasizes themes of hope and fear rather than simply documenting doom, exploring how average individuals survive when the gods turn on one another.

In Their Own Story

The story follows a group of heroes attempting to prevent the Calamity within the floating city of Avalir. Key players include Luis Carazo as the human paladin Zerxus Ilerus, Sam Riegel as the changeling bard/warlock Loquatius Seelie, Aabria Iyengar as the elf wizard Architect Arcane Laerryn Coramar-Seelie, Lou Wilson as the human sorcerer/bard Guildmaster Nydas Okiro, Travis Willingham as the eisfuura rogue Cerrit Agrupnin, and Marisha Ray as the elf wizard Patia Por'co. Mulligan stated he was inspired to set the series in this mythical historical era following a 2021 dinner conversation with Matthew Mercer about the Age of Arcanum. The narrative focuses on the characters' struggle against the unfolding apocalypse, highlighting that "there are different — and, in my opinion, more interesting — questions to be answered here than 'does the doom come or no?'".

Reader's Guide

Fans should note that Exandria Unlimited: Calamity is distinct from other ExU seasons due to its specific historical setting and high-level characters. The series premiered on May 26, 2022, and concluded on June 16, 2022. It was produced as a four-episode limited run during the break between Critical Role's second and third campaigns. The cast includes both returning Critical Role members like Ray, Riegel, Willingham, and Iyengar, alongside newcomers Lou Wilson and Luis Carazo. Mulligan credited Mercer, Marisha Ray, lore keeper Dani Carr, and producer Kyle Shire for helping define this time period. The series is canon within the wider Critical Role story, fitting into the timeline 1,500 years prior to Campaign One.

Did You Know?

• Brennan Lee Mulligan was inspired to set the series in the Age of Arcanum after a dinner conversation with Matthew Mercer in 2021.
• The Calamity resulted in only one-third of Exandria's population surviving.
• Exandria Unlimited: Calamity aired during the hiatus of Critical Role's third campaign.
• The series features high-level characters showcasing races and subclasses that were new to the Exandria setting at the time.