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Critical Role's animated series The Legend of Vox Machina is approaching its endgame, and as you might infer, this most recent season is finally getting into its Thanos. The Big Bad I'm talking about here is, of course, The Whispered One. First hinted at all the way back in season 1, this necromantic demigod is not just set up to be the greatest challenge Vox Machina has faced yet, but also one of the most interesting characters on the show, and we're betting that a whole bunch of Critters are going to want to know more.

Thankfully, Marieke Nijkamp is happy to provide that.

Along with artist Aviv Or, Nijkamp is the creator of Dark Horse's Vox Machina prequel The Whitestone Chronicles Volume 3--The Briarwoods. And if you're familiar with the project's titular villains, you know that they're acolytes of the not-quite-Vecna. So, when Popverse got the chance to sit down Nijkamp to discuss the project, we had to ask - what will the upcoming OGN reveal about the Whispered One that fans won't get from the Vox Machina series?

"I think the graphic novel will show fans just how invasive The Whispered One is," Nijkamp told us,
"Especially in Delilah's arc; why she falls to his influence. That allure of, of evil, of power, it's obviously a very typical story, but also a very relevant story for all of us."

What makes The Whispered One's influence especially harrowing, Nijkamp continued, is the artwork in the book from Critical Role staple Aviv Or.

"It works really well," Nijkamp said, "Because you, visually, see her slipping down into The Whispered One's embrace further and further."

The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 is streaming now on Prime Video. The Legend of Vox Machina: The Whitestone Chronicles Volume 3--The Briarwoods comes to bookstores everywhere June 30.

With two animated series on Prime Video, Campaign 4 in full swing, and so much more Exandrian lore to come, Critical Role is showing no signs of slowing down. That's why the adventuring party at Popverse are here to bring you everything we can from those nerdy-ass voice actors & Bo., including:

• Critical Role release schedule
• Critical Role's Campaign 4 characters ranked
• How to watch Critical Role in order
• Ways for you to relive the Critical Role panel from ECCC '26
• Taliesin Jaffe on playing Mollymauk Tealeaf for Campaign 2 vs. playing him for Prime Video
• Matt Mercer's homebrew warrior class (created originally for Vin Diesel)

...and much, much more. Roll initiative, player. Magic awaits.