Critical Role has launched Age of Umbra: Sallowlands, a new Daggerheart miniseries set in a dark, foreboding world abandoned by its gods and debuting on 9 July. In this nightmarish setting, five adventurers set out to explore the unfamiliar Sallowlands after hearing rumours of a mysterious metropolis that has suddenly appeared, brimming with life and magic. The series marks a fresh venture into grief, survival and lost community for the popular tabletop actual-play franchise.

Polygon interviewed Vico Ortiz, who plays Caguama, a 102-year-old galapa seraph, about their debut with Critical Role. Ortiz, a Puerto Rican performer who first learned English through Dungeons & Dragons, met co-founder Marisha Ray through stunt work in Los Angeles. They chose the Seraph class to reflect a character afraid of their own magic, drawing parallels with their experience as trans and non-binary, and worked closely with game master Matthew Mercer, even submitting a nine-page character biography. Ortiz emphasised wanting a non-violent character navigating grief, pain and guilt, while weaving in their Caribbean island roots.