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Critical Role has earned a special place in the tabletop community with its message of hope and love and the endearing friendship of those “nerdy-ass voice actors” sitting around and playing Dungeons and Dragons, but one of the main cast members, Sam Riegel, has been missing at the table for several weeks now. Following the rather explosive departure of his most recent character, Fresh Cut Grass, in Campaign Three, Sam Riegel took an extended break from Critical Role to embark on a very personal journey – his recovery from cancer.

The Emmy-winning voice actor and director confirmed the reason for his departure from the show in an emotional YouTube video where he talks openly about his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from tonsil cancer caused by HPV. It is upsetting and uplifting, offering a candid look at a deeply personal journey for the actor.

It isn’t all doom and gloom, though, as Riegel confirms that he is ready to return to Critical Role and continue telling the stories that have become so personal to himself and many other fans around the world. In fact, he is currently down as a guest at Florida SuperCon this weekend alongside the rest of the Critical Role cast, so he isn’t wasting any time getting himself back out there. As he puts it, he simply wants a chance to spend time with his friends and fans and think about something other than cancer for a while.

We all wish Sam Riegel a speedy recovery, and hope that he is able to enjoy getting back to the Critical Role table as much as we all missed having him at it. The campaign (and the ads!) just weren’t the same without him.

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