After more than three decades of storytelling tradition spanning multiple campaigns, Critical Role has finally delivered on a promise it made years ago: the fifth pillar. In episode 34 of its fourth Dungeons & Dragons campaign, titled “Rock and Flame,” Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan introduced the long-anticipated romance between player characters Kattigan Vale (Robbie Daymond) and Murray Mag’nesson (Marisha Ray), fulfilling a narrative commitment first teased when Campaign 4 launched.
The moment arrived after more than thirty episodes of slow-building tension. Both characters expressed mutual attraction during the campaign’s overture before parting ways, but it was only after spending a night identifying magical items together that they finally came together—sealing their connection with a kiss concealed beneath a cloak of invisibility.
The Fifth Pillar Finally Arrives
When Critical Role first introduced its fourth campaign, Mulligan outlined five foundational pillars to guide the story: swords, representing physical danger and conflict; family, highlighting deep connections between characters; death, conveying the stakes; magic, because it is fundamentally a Dungeons & Dragons game; and, last but not least, kissing. “Just kissing,” Mulligan teased in the campaign trailer. “Everyone likes it.”
Until now, that fifth pillar had seemingly taken a backseat within the world of Aramán. While hints of romantic feelings emerged between other characters—such as Wicander Halovar (Sam Riegel) and Tyranny (Whitney Moore), as well as Occtis Tachonis (Alexander Ward) and Thimble (Laura Bailey)—no official couple had been confirmed until episode 34.
“Just kissing.” Everyone likes it.
Brennan Lee Mulligan, on Campaign 4’s fifth pillar
A Fiery but Temporary Connection
Critters hoping for a long-term romance between Kattigan and Murray may need to manage their expectations. Kattigan remains heartbroken over the loss of his wife and child at the hands of Primus Tachonis, and while attraction clearly exists between the two characters, both appear to be pursuing something purely physical rather than opening their hearts to one another.
This aligns with Critical Role’s rich history of romance across its previous three campaigns and numerous one-shots. Several couples, flings, and even a fake orgy have emerged over the years. Even in Campaign 4, two player characters—Thaisha Lloy (Aabria Iyengar) and Halandil Fang (Liam O’Brien)—were established as an established couple with children from the very start.
The fandom has long embraced these storylines, shipping relationships and hoping their favorite characters find love even while saving the world. As fans have noted, slaying evil doesn’t preclude taking time for romance.
Looking Ahead
Critical Role campaigns typically span more than 100 episodes, leaving plenty of room for character development. Some viewers prefer a slow burn over a fast one—progressions from friendship to love made unions such as Percy and Vex, Caleb and Essek, and Imogen and Laudna especially satisfying when they finally came together.
For now, Kattigan and Murray’s romance appears skin-deep, and with the two apart again, it doesn’t seem likely to develop anytime soon. Either way, Campaign 4’s first new romance is a fiery one—but whether it becomes the last remains to be seen. Given how heavily Mulligan stressed the importance of that fifth pillar over a year ago, fans have every reason to hope.
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