Critical Role's upcoming series with Hololive gave Matt Mercer 'a deeper understanding and appreciation' for vtubers
Shattered Legends is a six-episode miniseries that will debut later this month.
Matt Mercer, a prominent figure from the popular tabletop roleplaying game Critical Role, found himself unexpectedly working with vtubers from the Hololive entertainment company to produce a new series titled Shattered Legends. This collaboration, which might initially seem odd, proved to be a beneficial experience for Mercer, as he gained a deeper appreciation for the skill and talent involved in vtuber performances.
The primary challenge faced during filming was the technical logistics of combining live actors with 2D anime characters. However, Mercer recognized that Hololive vtubers, like any other performers, are simply skilled voice actors. The idea for Shattered Legends originated from Nerissa Ravencroft, a Hololive vtuber and "Demon of Sound," who was long-time fan of Critical Role.
Ravencroft expressed awe upon discovering that she had been selected for the project, highlighting her desire to play a tabletop roleplaying game and her excitement at the opportunity to collaborate with both Hololive vtubers and Critical Role members.
Ravencroft took charge of the Hololive side of the production, creating her character, working with artists on visuals, and contributing to an original song. The story for Shattered Legends was inspired by the dark fantasy elements found in Berserk and Soulsborne games. All six Hololive vtubers involved—Ravencroft, Mori Calliope, Gigi Murin, and Shiori Novella—desired to tell a darker tale than expected.
Mercer and fellow Critical Role member Marisha Ray helped adapt the story into the Exandria setting of Critical Role, creating a self-contained campaign called Daggerheart.
Daggerheart differs from traditional D&D by using two 12-sided dice, one representing hope and the other fear. If the hope roll is higher, players can spend a point to perform a beneficial action; however, if fear is higher, the game master can use it to challenge the players. Mercer found Daggerheart particularly appealing for its narrative dynamics, which allow for built-in tension and release while encouraging collaboration and creative problem-solving.
The vtuber group found the experience of playing Daggerheart with Mercer and Ray to be enjoyable, with even Ravencroft, who typically plays video games, feeling intimidated but ultimately embracing the challenge. Mercer expressed his excitement about the potential for a wider world for these characters, hinting at future adventures should the audience show interest. Shattered Legends will premiere on Ravencroft's YouTube channel in mid-November, promising an engaging six-episode story.
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