Critical Role continues the Mighty Nein story in a Campaign 2 sequel novel

Critical Role returns to Wildemount in Nibedita Sen’s The Mighty Nein — Children of Empire

Fans of the hit actual play TTRPG show Critical Role will likely already be familiar with two of the most beloved characters from Campaign 2: The Mighty Nein, and its animated TV adaption. Beauregard Lionett, the cynical, keenly observant monk of the Cobalt Soul, hides her heart of gold behind walls of abs. Caleb Widogast, the traumatized dirt wizard who sought revenge against his tormentor, found family and forgiveness in the adventuring party The Mighty Nein. While Beau and Caleb often butted heads in the early days of Campaign 2, due to their stubbornness and distrust, they eventually became fast friends, building mutual respect and love based on their shared upbringing as "Empire Kids." These two characters are the focus of Critical Role's upcoming campaign sequel novel The Mighty Nein — Children of Empire.

While most of the Mighty Nein have gone their separate ways, planning extravagant weddings and running summer camps for children, Caleb and Beauregard return to the Dwendalian Empire where they grew up, to finally take down the Cerberus Assembly and its founder, Ludinus Da'leth. Once they arrive, an old acquaintance of Caleb's provides them both with the chance to track down the bloodthirsty archmage.

Written by Hugo, Nebula, and Ignyte Award-nominated author Nibedita Sen (known for her previous work in Critical Role's anthology Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold), Children of Empire picks up after the Mighty Nein's adventures have ended, and helps tie together the stories of Critical Role Campaign 2 and 3. Over on Bluesky, Sen said Children of Empire will have "fistfights and smooching and disaster gays and dark academia and spooky archaeology and political intrigue," which just about sums up both Caleb and Beau's Critical Role character arcs throughout Campaign 2 and their cameo(s) in Campaign 3 as a whole.

Given that the novel is billed as a "first of its kind" sequel to the Mighty Nein's campaign, it feels more than fair to assume Children of Empire will catch fans up on the days leading to Caleb and Beau's first meeting with Bell's Hells in Campaign 3. That raises several questions: Will Yasha and everyone's favorite Hot Boy, Essek, make appearances? Who exactly is Caleb's "old friend"? Could it be Eadwulf, Astrid, or a different dubious wizard entirely? Will we see other members of the Mighty Nein or Bell's Hells along the way? We'll find out when Children of Empire hits shelves on November 10, 2026.