Critical Role (and the wider world of Exandria)
Jul. 25th, 2025 10:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
settiaiLet's try for an actual, proper fandom-related post for once, huh?
Critical Role had a panel at SDCC yesterday, and they announced all sorts of new details about The Legend of Vox Machina and the upcoming animated series The Mighty Nein (which is based on Campaign 2 of Critical Role like TLoVM is based on Campaign 1). I'm feeling properly fannish for the first time in ages, so let's see if I can keep up the momentum.
With TLoVM, they confirmed that Season 4 will be airing next year in 2026. It's also been renewed for Season 5 as its final season, which should give them plenty of time to properly cover the Vecna arc from the first campaign. They also shared a sneak peek of the upcoming season, which gave us our first look at the one and only Taryon Darrington and Doty. ( Video embed under the cut. )
On the M9 front, Season 1 will start airing this year on November 19th. In addition, the episodes will be a full hour instead of a half hour like TLoVM, although they didn't mention whether or not the total number of episodes in the season will drop because of that fact. They also shared a sneak peek of what will presumably be the first episode. ( Video embed under the cut. )
In addition, they shared some names of actors who will be guest starts on the first season of M9. There's definitely a couple that have me excited, and I can't wait to find out just who on earth they're going to be playing.
Robbie Daymond isn't much of a surprise, considering he was practically a full cast member for a huge chunk of Campaign 3 of Critical Role (with an implication he'll be back for Campaign 4). Plus, you know, he also was in TLoVM. I wonder if they'll have him playing the Gentleman? It would make sense since that's one of the few characters who's introduced early in CR2 and then pops up repeatedly going forward, and they'd probably want someone they could guarantee would definitely be around to voice the character in later seasons.
Mark Strong isn't unexpected either, since we already saw him playing Trent Ikithon in TLoVM during the flashback scene with Ripley. I think it's safe to say that's who he'll continue to be playing in M9.
I was very excited to see both Alan Cumming and Jonathan Frakes on the list, although I'm not certain just who they'll be playing. If Robbie Daymond isn't the Gentleman, Frakes would be my next best guess, but on the other hand I feel like that's leaning too far into Xanatos territory and they probably wouldn't want to re-tread that. Maybe Alan Cumming will be Ludinus? That could be very interesting to see.
Tim McGraw definitely wasn't a name I was expecting to see on the list, and I'm curious who he'll be playing. My best guess would be Lorenzo based on his accent, who I presume will pop up at the end of the season, but if they have flashbacks then he could possibly be Vandran from Fjord's backstory.
I'm amused that they have Ming-Na Wen, Anika Noni Rose, and Auli'i Cravalho are all playing roles. I suspect that Sam Riegel's ties to Disney very much played a role in that, but still. I wasn't expecting to see Mulan, Tiana, and Moana all appear. Personally, I suspect that Ming-Na Wen will be playing Dairon, but I'm not sure about the other two. Maybe Anika Noni Rose is playing Marion? It's not unlikely there will be some flashbacks and such featuring her. I have no idea on Auli'i Cravalho, though.
Rahul Kohli was the only one of the announced guest cast who I'm not that familiar with. I mean, I know who he is, but I don't think I've ever properly watched anything with him in it. The only thing I personally know him from is Stray Gods.
I also wonder if any of the guest stars from the actual campaign (hello, Khary Payton, I'm mainly looking at you) will be making an appearance, and they didn't have them on the list just to make people speculate. Shakäste is such an interesting character, and it would be a shame if they cut him even though it would probably make sense plot-wise.
Overall, I'm very much looking forward to both shows, and I hope it helps bring me properly back into fannishness. With Critical Role on hiatus for months and months now while they do other things leading up to Campaign 4, it's been a little too easy to slip out of being properly fannish about, well, anything. It would be nice to have something airing weekly to draw me back in.
Critical Role had a panel at SDCC yesterday, and they announced all sorts of new details about The Legend of Vox Machina and the upcoming animated series The Mighty Nein (which is based on Campaign 2 of Critical Role like TLoVM is based on Campaign 1). I'm feeling properly fannish for the first time in ages, so let's see if I can keep up the momentum.
With TLoVM, they confirmed that Season 4 will be airing next year in 2026. It's also been renewed for Season 5 as its final season, which should give them plenty of time to properly cover the Vecna arc from the first campaign. They also shared a sneak peek of the upcoming season, which gave us our first look at the one and only Taryon Darrington and Doty. ( Video embed under the cut. )
On the M9 front, Season 1 will start airing this year on November 19th. In addition, the episodes will be a full hour instead of a half hour like TLoVM, although they didn't mention whether or not the total number of episodes in the season will drop because of that fact. They also shared a sneak peek of what will presumably be the first episode. ( Video embed under the cut. )
In addition, they shared some names of actors who will be guest starts on the first season of M9. There's definitely a couple that have me excited, and I can't wait to find out just who on earth they're going to be playing.
Spoilers under the cut in the form of actors' names but no details about who they're playing save for one who's already been in TLoVM. Some speculation on my part, but nothing official.
Robbie Daymond isn't much of a surprise, considering he was practically a full cast member for a huge chunk of Campaign 3 of Critical Role (with an implication he'll be back for Campaign 4). Plus, you know, he also was in TLoVM. I wonder if they'll have him playing the Gentleman? It would make sense since that's one of the few characters who's introduced early in CR2 and then pops up repeatedly going forward, and they'd probably want someone they could guarantee would definitely be around to voice the character in later seasons.
Mark Strong isn't unexpected either, since we already saw him playing Trent Ikithon in TLoVM during the flashback scene with Ripley. I think it's safe to say that's who he'll continue to be playing in M9.
I was very excited to see both Alan Cumming and Jonathan Frakes on the list, although I'm not certain just who they'll be playing. If Robbie Daymond isn't the Gentleman, Frakes would be my next best guess, but on the other hand I feel like that's leaning too far into Xanatos territory and they probably wouldn't want to re-tread that. Maybe Alan Cumming will be Ludinus? That could be very interesting to see.
Tim McGraw definitely wasn't a name I was expecting to see on the list, and I'm curious who he'll be playing. My best guess would be Lorenzo based on his accent, who I presume will pop up at the end of the season, but if they have flashbacks then he could possibly be Vandran from Fjord's backstory.
I'm amused that they have Ming-Na Wen, Anika Noni Rose, and Auli'i Cravalho are all playing roles. I suspect that Sam Riegel's ties to Disney very much played a role in that, but still. I wasn't expecting to see Mulan, Tiana, and Moana all appear. Personally, I suspect that Ming-Na Wen will be playing Dairon, but I'm not sure about the other two. Maybe Anika Noni Rose is playing Marion? It's not unlikely there will be some flashbacks and such featuring her. I have no idea on Auli'i Cravalho, though.
Rahul Kohli was the only one of the announced guest cast who I'm not that familiar with. I mean, I know who he is, but I don't think I've ever properly watched anything with him in it. The only thing I personally know him from is Stray Gods.
I also wonder if any of the guest stars from the actual campaign (hello, Khary Payton, I'm mainly looking at you) will be making an appearance, and they didn't have them on the list just to make people speculate. Shakäste is such an interesting character, and it would be a shame if they cut him even though it would probably make sense plot-wise.
Overall, I'm very much looking forward to both shows, and I hope it helps bring me properly back into fannishness. With Critical Role on hiatus for months and months now while they do other things leading up to Campaign 4, it's been a little too easy to slip out of being properly fannish about, well, anything. It would be nice to have something airing weekly to draw me back in.
Once more with public transit...
Jul. 22nd, 2025 06:30 pmsettiaiChoosing to change my bus route slightly to avoid assholes who won't take "no" for an answer was definitely the right choice. I hadn't realized just how stressful it had been getting until today when I avoided the transit center, and the difference was very much noticeable.
The extra walk once I get off bus #1 to get to a bus stop where I can get on bus #2 is a bit annoying, admittedly, but I think it's well worth it. It was so much more peaceful waiting for the bus at a random bus stop with one or two other people than it is waiting at the transit center with dozens and dozens of strangers all around.
Now, it's not going to be fun the next time I take the bus when it's raining, since the bus stops don't have any type of roof over them like the transit center. Considering the alternative, though, I think it may still be worth it.
The extra walk once I get off bus #1 to get to a bus stop where I can get on bus #2 is a bit annoying, admittedly, but I think it's well worth it. It was so much more peaceful waiting for the bus at a random bus stop with one or two other people than it is waiting at the transit center with dozens and dozens of strangers all around.
Now, it's not going to be fun the next time I take the bus when it's raining, since the bus stops don't have any type of roof over them like the transit center. Considering the alternative, though, I think it may still be worth it.
The joys of public transit...
Jul. 21st, 2025 11:24 pmsettiaiI think that I'm going to shift my bus route to/from work a little bit. I've been getting on the bus outside the hotel/near work, taking it to the transit center, and then switching to the bus that goes to work/the hotel (depending on if it's morning or evening, obviously). It's relatively painless, although the schedules almost never match up so I always end up having to wait a bit for the next bus once I get to the transit center.
There's been a growing issue the past few weeks, though, where a few of the jobless and/or homeless guys who hang out at the transit center all day have been giving me trouble. Some of them hang out there because they don't have anything better to do. Others stay there because it's a good place to pick up odd jobs from people, sell snacks or bottled water to raise a few dollars, easily bum a cigarette from time to time, etc. Most of them are fine, and even a little protective when they see people giving the "regulars" a hard time, but there are some who... well, aren't. It's aggressive flirting and not wanting to take "no" for an answer, for the most part, which isn't great but I can deal with it since it's a crowded, public spot.
This afternoon, though, one of them grabbed me by the arm hard enough to leave red marks when I tried to get to my bus because he wanted me to stay and talk with him. Despite the fact that I'd been pointedly ignoring him for a good ten minutes at that point. A couple of the other guys pulled him back so that I could get to my bus, and it sounded like they were giving him a pretty good tongue lashing, but no. Just, no.
What I think that I'm going to do is in the mornings start getting off four stops earlier near the library. I'll have to walk a block-and-a-half or so, but I don't have to cross the street or anything, and if I get off there I can make it to another bus stop that the bus that goes by work stops at without having to go to the transit center. Then in the afternoon, I'll do something similar and get off several stops early, although it's a little more of a pain as I'll have to not only walk a block or two but I'll have to cross two decent-sized roads in the process.
I think it will be worth it, though, to avoid the assholes.
There's been a growing issue the past few weeks, though, where a few of the jobless and/or homeless guys who hang out at the transit center all day have been giving me trouble. Some of them hang out there because they don't have anything better to do. Others stay there because it's a good place to pick up odd jobs from people, sell snacks or bottled water to raise a few dollars, easily bum a cigarette from time to time, etc. Most of them are fine, and even a little protective when they see people giving the "regulars" a hard time, but there are some who... well, aren't. It's aggressive flirting and not wanting to take "no" for an answer, for the most part, which isn't great but I can deal with it since it's a crowded, public spot.
This afternoon, though, one of them grabbed me by the arm hard enough to leave red marks when I tried to get to my bus because he wanted me to stay and talk with him. Despite the fact that I'd been pointedly ignoring him for a good ten minutes at that point. A couple of the other guys pulled him back so that I could get to my bus, and it sounded like they were giving him a pretty good tongue lashing, but no. Just, no.
What I think that I'm going to do is in the mornings start getting off four stops earlier near the library. I'll have to walk a block-and-a-half or so, but I don't have to cross the street or anything, and if I get off there I can make it to another bus stop that the bus that goes by work stops at without having to go to the transit center. Then in the afternoon, I'll do something similar and get off several stops early, although it's a little more of a pain as I'll have to not only walk a block or two but I'll have to cross two decent-sized roads in the process.
I think it will be worth it, though, to avoid the assholes.
Rain, rain, go away...
Jul. 21st, 2025 07:22 pmsettiaiFor over a week straight, the DC kept being hit by storms in the late afternoon, and it's been absolutely killing my head. I've always been sensitive to weather fronts moving through, and the older I get the worse it seems to be getting. (Although there's a definite possibility that some of that might be stress related too, considering the current state of everything.)
There were so many things that I needed to get done this past week that just didn't happen because I got off work and immediately curled up in bed for several hours until the storm had passed through. And by that point it was late enough in the evening that I didn't have time to get everything I needed to do done (or it was too late to start it because of noise-related reasons).
Theoretically the rain is supposed to finally be gone, so we'll see if this week goes better than last week on that front. 🤞🏻
There were so many things that I needed to get done this past week that just didn't happen because I got off work and immediately curled up in bed for several hours until the storm had passed through. And by that point it was late enough in the evening that I didn't have time to get everything I needed to do done (or it was too late to start it because of noise-related reasons).
Theoretically the rain is supposed to finally be gone, so we'll see if this week goes better than last week on that front. 🤞🏻
Hotel Life: Once more on the power front...
Jul. 20th, 2025 03:52 pmsettiaiThe power went off again for a bit but, once it turned back on, everything was working correctly again.
Well, mostly. My AC was still making the odd grinding sound, but I did some googling and opened it up, and I was able to get it fixed. The sudden power outage while it was turned on basically knocked a couple of things loose, but I was able to get them all screwed back in properly so that it's working properly again.
We'll see if it lasts?
ETA: The power went out for another half hour around 7pm, with the fire alarm going off when it went out and again when it came back on. Our guess is that the fire alarm is being triggered for some reason when it transfers to the emergency back-up battery and back. No updates from Pepco about what's actually causing the outages (which is par for the course for Pepco), so everyone is assuming it's because the network is so overloaded from everyone using the AC 24/7.
Well, mostly. My AC was still making the odd grinding sound, but I did some googling and opened it up, and I was able to get it fixed. The sudden power outage while it was turned on basically knocked a couple of things loose, but I was able to get them all screwed back in properly so that it's working properly again.
We'll see if it lasts?
ETA: The power went out for another half hour around 7pm, with the fire alarm going off when it went out and again when it came back on. Our guess is that the fire alarm is being triggered for some reason when it transfers to the emergency back-up battery and back. No updates from Pepco about what's actually causing the outages (which is par for the course for Pepco), so everyone is assuming it's because the network is so overloaded from everyone using the AC 24/7.
Hotel Life: Power Update
Jul. 20th, 2025 02:15 pmsettiaiOkay, so apparently the sister hotel and the 7-Eleven next door are having the same issue where about half the lights/plugs in the building are working and the other half aren't. So it looks like it might actually be an issue with the power company rather than some of the wires specifically in this hotel getting fried like we were initially suspecting might be the case.
My AC still won't cool, but I have managed to get it to at least have a weak fan blowing which is better than nothing. And the AC in the hallway just outside my room is working, which is helping a little with keeping the temperature from going up too quickly in here.
Both the power company and the fire department are wandering around trying to figure out what the fuck is going on, especially since two extended stay hotels full of people without working AC (in some rooms, not all - the AC is working fine for some people, although most of the rooms with working AC don't have working lights) in 90+ degree weather is... not great.
The temperature in my room is slowly edging upwards, but it's not too bad yet at least. When the power went out at 11am, it was about 68°F in my room as I turn the AC down low at night to sleep so it hadn't had a chance to start warming back up yet at that point. A little over three hours later, with no AC that entire time, it's gone up to 74°F, so it's averaging about 2° an hour. Which, you know, could be worse.
Now, if they don't get it fixed within the next few hours, it's going to start being a problem. My fingers are desperately crossed that they'll figure it out before then, though.
ETA: It only went up to 75°F by 3pm, so it looks like the temperature might not be rising quite as quickly as it gets warmer. We'll see what happens.
My AC still won't cool, but I have managed to get it to at least have a weak fan blowing which is better than nothing. And the AC in the hallway just outside my room is working, which is helping a little with keeping the temperature from going up too quickly in here.
Both the power company and the fire department are wandering around trying to figure out what the fuck is going on, especially since two extended stay hotels full of people without working AC (in some rooms, not all - the AC is working fine for some people, although most of the rooms with working AC don't have working lights) in 90+ degree weather is... not great.
The temperature in my room is slowly edging upwards, but it's not too bad yet at least. When the power went out at 11am, it was about 68°F in my room as I turn the AC down low at night to sleep so it hadn't had a chance to start warming back up yet at that point. A little over three hours later, with no AC that entire time, it's gone up to 74°F, so it's averaging about 2° an hour. Which, you know, could be worse.
Now, if they don't get it fixed within the next few hours, it's going to start being a problem. My fingers are desperately crossed that they'll figure it out before then, though.
ETA: It only went up to 75°F by 3pm, so it looks like the temperature might not be rising quite as quickly as it gets warmer. We'll see what happens.
Hotel Life: Happy Sunday?
Jul. 20th, 2025 12:16 pmsettiaiThe power in the hotel went out a little while ago and, while it came back on after about twenty minutes, the plugs for my fridge and microwave are dead and my AC won't blow cold air. And it's definitely not the circuit breaker, because I already checked it and tried flipping everything on/off to be certain. 🙃
While the plugs for the microwave and fridge aren't working, there are three more in the kitchen that are working fine (two on the wall over the counter and one for the oven). I was able to move the fridge to another nearby plug that was working, and I'm pretty sure that there's one close enough that I can do the same for the microwave if I need to use it. Or I can move the microwave to on top of the stove top long enough to use it if the cord won't reach.
It's not a great option, but it's at least an alternative until they can figure out what the fuck went wrong.
The temperature in the room is quickly ticking upwards a little at a time without a working AC, though, which is definitely not a plug issue since it's turning on but is just not cooling anything off. I turned the AC completely off, flipped the breaker off/on, and am letting it sit for half an hour to see if that helps. I know sometimes that can be enough to reset it, so my fingers are crossed it will work this time. Luckily, I had the room cool enough that it will take a while before it gets too hot in here, but still. It's supposed to hit 90°F today, so a working AC is kinda vital.
The lovely part is that the person at the front desk has no idea what to do, because a ton of people are having similar issues where some things came back on but not others. Half the lights in the hallway are still dead and a lot of us are having issues with some things working but not others (although it seems to vary from person to person per the person at the front desk who I spoke with), so it's gotta be some type of wiring issue where plugs that are piggybacked off the same failed wiring are the ones not coming back on for anyone. The maintenance guy doesn't even work on weekends, though, so.... yeah.
ETA: And now the fire alarm is going off, presumably due to the same wiring issue as there's definitely no fire. Today's great, y'all.
While the plugs for the microwave and fridge aren't working, there are three more in the kitchen that are working fine (two on the wall over the counter and one for the oven). I was able to move the fridge to another nearby plug that was working, and I'm pretty sure that there's one close enough that I can do the same for the microwave if I need to use it. Or I can move the microwave to on top of the stove top long enough to use it if the cord won't reach.
It's not a great option, but it's at least an alternative until they can figure out what the fuck went wrong.
The temperature in the room is quickly ticking upwards a little at a time without a working AC, though, which is definitely not a plug issue since it's turning on but is just not cooling anything off. I turned the AC completely off, flipped the breaker off/on, and am letting it sit for half an hour to see if that helps. I know sometimes that can be enough to reset it, so my fingers are crossed it will work this time. Luckily, I had the room cool enough that it will take a while before it gets too hot in here, but still. It's supposed to hit 90°F today, so a working AC is kinda vital.
The lovely part is that the person at the front desk has no idea what to do, because a ton of people are having similar issues where some things came back on but not others. Half the lights in the hallway are still dead and a lot of us are having issues with some things working but not others (although it seems to vary from person to person per the person at the front desk who I spoke with), so it's gotta be some type of wiring issue where plugs that are piggybacked off the same failed wiring are the ones not coming back on for anyone. The maintenance guy doesn't even work on weekends, though, so.... yeah.
ETA: And now the fire alarm is going off, presumably due to the same wiring issue as there's definitely no fire. Today's great, y'all.
Disaster Squadron
Jul. 18th, 2025 09:20 pmsettiaiLook at these amazing emotes that the DM commissioned for the group to use on Discord!
The artist is WillowPotato on Bluesky.
The artist is WillowPotato on Bluesky.
. . .
Jul. 17th, 2025 12:02 amsettiaiToday was certainly a day. Well, technically yesterday at this point since it's a few minutes after midnight, but still. I haven't gone to bed yet, so we'll just call it "today" and be done with it.
( More under the cut. )
And once I get out of the shower, I have something like five or six more things that I have to get done online before I go to bed despite it already being after midnight. I'm going to have so much fun in a few hours when I need to get up early to take care of some things before work. 🙃
( More under the cut. )
And once I get out of the shower, I have something like five or six more things that I have to get done online before I go to bed despite it already being after midnight. I'm going to have so much fun in a few hours when I need to get up early to take care of some things before work. 🙃
