Chris Perkins on working with Matt Mercer to create the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount

[@timandshannon03]

So cool for Matt to have an unofficial 5e book, and now he has an official 5e book. Matt is now forever enshrined in Dungeons and Dragons lore. That has to be a cool feeling!

[@bartocblackwell3391]

Funny story as per Chris Perkins, Matt Mercer actually exists in D&D canon. He appears in one of the full art pieces present at the Yawning Portal Tavern in Waterdeep in the book Tales of the Yawning Portal.

[@timandshannon03]

I have seen that, but I more alluding to written lore. He has a book that Matthew Mercer is now enshrined with all the other amazing writers of D&D lore.

[@bartocblackwell3391]

I understand. I think it is absolutely wonderful that Matthew Mercer is going to have Exandrian Lore in official D&D canon.

[@EmmettF.W.]

Well. Technically, Tal’Dorei is now an official book. Since his world is now tied in.

[@bartocblackwell3391]

@@EmmettF.W. True enough, but prior to this those in the camp of not using anything but first party published Wizards books (they wouldn't touch the previous book will a ten foot barge pole because it was third party published, some wouldn't even use Unearthed Arcana because it hadn't appeared in a Wizards publish book) can use it without the same reservations they had before.

[@brianseguel5308]

Chris Perkins is such a gem! His DMing style is so unique and funny

[@obiwanftw5537]

Brian Seguel and both Chris and Matt are the most humble and sincere people/DMs/creators we’ll ever see.

[@Evila7]

I had no idea he worked at Wizards tbh. I really got check out whatever he DM'd for

[@trollpatsch.]

Guff P. MacGuff do you recommend a particular adventure he DMed? I really wanted to watch and experience his style, but am not sure about what to start with

[@Kain5th]

@@trollpatsch. i know this is kind of old but check out the dice camera action series to see Chris Perkins really shine especially around episode 50 or so.

[@sgisme]

Spurt still remains to be one of my absolute favorite pile of pulverized goop. Thank you for being awesome, Chris!

[@timandshannon03]

"I win!" --Spurt! Lol

[@jeanlannes4396]

I thought that Spurt was a bit flat as a character.

[@scribesarchive289]

Jean Lannes sorta all over the place

[@ebonyvoigt7257]

get Bananad Yeah I really thought he was spread a little thin

[@Rummppot]

Favourite comment I saw on the videos was "How old are you? 11 days How long do kobolds live? 11 days." Well...... He wasn't wrong

[@stevesims5729]

There needs to be an animated ad with Spurt on March 6th. Narrator: Hey, Spurt. When does the Wildmount book come out? Spurt: Eleven days!!!

[@Aggarius]

Omg yes please

[@joojvanni]

"You watch that friendship - both in front of the camera and behind the scenes - and you understand just how genuine it is, and how protective they are of each other and as someone who has seen that first hand I cannot leave that experience behind and not be as protective of them, it's just impossible." It's amazing how Chris ended up perfectly explaining why Critical Role is followed by such a loving and caring and loyal community. All the love and success to these beans, they're such good ones :')

[@archforge]

I remembered in an interview that both Chris Perkin and Matt Mercer said that meeting and collaborating with each other was like meeting a kindred soul. It’s nice to know two of my favourite DMs are friends.

[@nroke1684]

Does Chris dm a streamed game?

[@Discostick55]

@@nroke1684 Yes. He's the DM for Dice, Camera, Action and Acquisitions Incorporated, so search for those.

[@triplebackspace3623]

He did for Dice Camera Action , but that stream ended. I think he is going to start another game sometime this year , but I am uncertain when exactly. It will probably go through dungeons and dragons official you tube channel so look for it there.

[@yoshikidneo869]

This will be a wonderful book, and I'm glad that their friendship was able to do nothing but help the project. Going to be fun using some of the contents in my Homebrew to surprise my players, thanks Matt, thanks Chris, and thanks Wizards!

[@thomasmusgrave7595]

4:06 lmao "if he has one." I dont think matt has an ego, pure soul

[@Realmisskrose]

Yep

[@scrungly]

so does that mean matt is pure id?

[@mactireliath2356]

If one works toward the dissolution of the ego, it is to rebuild it as an enriched pure engagement with reality. If it must be constructed from scratch, it should be done on the basis of the above principle

[@scrungly]

xr7fan bro u just posted cringe... ur going to loose subscriber

[@ariaflame-au]

xr7fan ah you are commenting on the fact that he has a social conscience and opinions online? People with right wing tendencies may disapprove of those. I do think his super-ego if these terms reflect reality at all is stronger than his ego or id

[@jesterssketchbook]

11 days!

[@matcauthon9669]

And how long do Kobolds live?

[@tearstoneactual9773]

@@matcauthon9669 - About 15 minutes?

[@tearstoneactual9773]

@@tylermc3031 - March is what I've been hearing. Which is fitting because I can get it for me for a birthday present!

[@SkepticalCaveman]

The funny thing is that Spurt could only count to 11, he has 10 fingers and anything above is, sorry was, eleven for him.

[@grimrider3807]

I just binged your videos with the wife, was awesome!keep it up!

[@mactireliath2356]

I appreciate his earnestness. It’s nice to listen to someone talk about something they believe in. It’s like a lovely sound, resonating in a personal space. Thank you for sharing

[@uhltide3]

It makes me so incredibly happy that not only did Matt finally get to share HIS world with our world, but also he had so much to share that they almost had to tell him to stop.

[@DurdleDers]

I knew when I saw Chris Perkins' name I would not be disappointed. I came in expecting a fun retelling of the editing process, etc. but I got that and so much more. Chris Perkins is such a cool dude and I really hope I get to meet both him and Matt someday.

[@JacksonOwex]

Chris brings up a good point: Does Matt Mercer have an ego? Every time I see an interview where someone is trying to give him credit for something he was at least part of he puts all the credit on the others and takes very little of it.

[@mikehorne4053]

I think he's talked about it, but he seems to have a bit of an imposter syndrome and doesn't feel worthy of praise or credit, though it's something he's worked on and improved over time. I absolutely love that man, and he's inspired me in so many ways. He deserves all the love.

[@bonbondurjdr6553]

@@mikehorne4053 What is the imposter syndrome? :O

[@fitzlock8349]

@@bonbondurjdr6553 It's a psychological pattern where one doubt's one's accomplishments and has a persistent, internal fear of being exposed as a fraud. As much as Matt's praised for his world-building or his DMing or his voice acting, on some level he doesn't think he deserves it and is waiting for people to figure out that he's just a hack. He's not, of course, but it's something he can't help but feel to some extent.

[@bonbondurjdr6553]

@@fitzlock8349 Ah, thanks for the answer: I feel bad for the guy! He's awesome, he shouldn't be afraid! :D

[@OoziHobo]

They say you shouldn't meet your heroes, but my heroes are Chris Perkins and Matt Mercer, and I'll roll the dice on meeting those two any day.

[@_OldWorldCharm_]

OoziHobo I’ve met Chris. He’s even more awesome in person

[@aristidesiliopoulos7041]

A new setting is good for everyone. More stuff to read through and add to my homebrew. Congrats to Matt and the CR community. I dont watch but its every players dream and from all I can see CR is helping bring people to the game I've loved for 40 years now.

[@jforozco12]

Chris words at the end are beautiful and the general meaning of them give me hope for humanity

[@zynnylove]

I love Perkins love for the CR folks. I met him at Origins a few years ago and he had nothing but good to say about his time spent with the crew for Campaign 1.

[@obiwanftw5537]

I wanted to buy it just from Matt alone, but this really sold me. Something about listening to something real from someone real makes me want to support it. I home brew everything so I might not even use this, but to have and read will be a dream.

[@SoulisStar]

Obi Wan just the monsters and spells alone is worth it. Let alone the cool lore we can get inspiration from.

[@obiwanftw5537]

Tyler Andersen totally agree, never know where a cool idea can come from.

[@curtiscarver5104]

Anyone else feel like Chris Perkins would be a great dad?

[@alexanderwheeler3943]

Don't provoke my father issues like that

[@Anxuta]

Everything about him melts me. He seems authentic and his mannerism just...

[@DJWinza]

I hit like harder than I did with all the other Wildemount vids, primarily because I love Chris Perkins and wish him to be in more things. Please @D&D Beyond, give us more Chris Perkins!

[@ragewalrus6116]

The genius mind behind scorpion on a stick.

[@kritonman1]

I love Chris Perkins... he's like the brother i wish I had.

[@master_rafiki]

Easily my favorite Chris Perkins interview to date: for the genuine vulnerability, openness, honesty, friendship, and love. That’s the way it should always be. Thank you, sir.

[@unwelcomehappiness3889]

Legitimately cried during his monologue of Critical Role. I’m in love with this community to such an extent it’s hard to put into words. Thank you Chris, and thank you Matt, and thank you to everyone in this DnD community. You’re all beautiful.

[@LandonTheDM]

Chris Perkins has always inspired me for my experience with D&D. Would not have become a DM without some videos with him.

[@Slyrouth]

Chris Perkins. Touching hearts even in an interview about book content.

[@evalynn1863]

Amazing interview

[@toshomni9478]

It's pretty amazing that they did this. Such a fantastic idea for a collaboration.

[@d.t.m8393]

I'm looking forward to celebrating the D&D holiday of ChrisMatt this year!

[@martyatchley7096]

And the unveiling of the Mercer Perkins Academy of Dungeon Mastery!

[@user-vx4zc9dd6h]

I genuinely admire this guy! As a DM as a Creator but mostly as a person! Cudos, Mr. Perkins!

[@RichardTruth123]

I love that they weren't sure what Matt would say. Its been aclong time dream of his to publish official DnD content.

[@DraupDraupable]

I love how Chris said "If he has one" when they were talking about bringing ones Ego to a produkt. I wonder how Matt does it

[@TheFreedom103]

Though it is not the same as Chris showed us here. I do kind of understand that soul satisfying feeling of being with others and be in the creative process with them. I just this year joint a wonderful student association, but there was almost nothing being done with D&D in there. So I took it upon myself to see how far we could make it. We are currently with a group of 35 people playing a joint campaign every 2 weeks and were still growing. Introducing new people to dnd and meeting a lot of new folk from all over the world in the process is a lot of fun and it warms my hart to see them play every session. I think it is not the same as what Chris described but quite similar.

[@deathgodfire]

Is it a west marches game? Always been interested is running one but haven't heard of anyone doing one, how is it?

[@TheFreedom103]

@@deathgodfire It is indeed a west march style game, however to give the players a sense of cohesiveness, we the DMs decided on a joint final boss encounter which will be the 2 final sessions of this academic year. They also encounter some of the same characters and locations albeit not during the same session.

[@thomasveierd9696]

I really wouldn't be surprised if Matt some time in his life churned out one of the seminal fictional works of this century. Remains to be seen. No pressure, Mister Mercer & Family! Swift winds to yer wee boat!

[@bobtouflow4020]

He basically already has. Between campaign 1 and 2 and both guide books. He has done what few have. Just like Tolkien, orson Scott card, and hubord. He has created a deep expansive lore filled world full of story and life. A story that never ends. With a beautiful attention to detail. Matt is this centuries dreamer.

[@evalynn1863]

His mind is truly one of the greatest in our generation

[@thomasveierd9696]

@@bobtouflow4020 I wholeheartedly agree, though I get the feelig he's just getting warmed up...

[@theyonlycomeoutwhenitsquiet]

Evalynn I don’t know, his friend Matt Colville is doing good work as well, and he’s on his second full book at this point. I’ve helped kickstart both

[@thomasveierd9696]

@@theyonlycomeoutwhenitsquiet Colville is also a great , I agree, and I don't see that there has to be an exclusive competition between those two. But Mercer's charisma,humour and improv is fluid in a different way, plus he he has his family feed him gold ore on a conveyor belt. But all kudos to Mister Colville, and swift winds to his boat as well!

[@bekenotsalony2905]

please tell me there's stats for "the chair" in there somewhere.

[@MisterTingles]

To say that i am overjoyed with this collaboration, and how seamless and mutually beneficial and stimulating it turned out, would be a grievous understatement... So happy for Matt, and a little bit jealous...

[@LandonTheDM]

Now we see the reason for this book, Chris wanted Spurt to be Cannon in official D&D :)

[@zippomage]

the next exciting addition to Idle Champions!

[@BretekV]

@@zippomage Actually I believe he's already been in idle champions for a while. Arkhan the oathbreaker, Joe Manganiello's character is also there.

[@onnnn111]

I now Matt is busy but it seems like he's way more busy than I thought.

[@LadyMiir]

I'm looking forward to getting this book and playing the new stuff!

[@jordancarlson9071]

Check out Chris' dark aura That's a DM right there

[@Pilsnerp1c]

Ok, Ok. I want the book. You've sold me. Why do I have to wait until Mid-March to get it? Why are these marketing pushes always so early?

[@jacknimble932]

Hype game son

[@kagato23]

Because all the studies that have been done say this works. More times than not, this early push system does end up selling more product. Annoying for the rest of us, but since it makes money...

[@ffwydriad]

Not sure when it was planning to be announced, but it was leaked the same day they did the announcement, and some of what I’ve heard makes me think they did announce it early bc if that. To be fair, I have to imagine they were gonna announce it pretty soon.

[@wiet111]

Because they want preorders. Preorders help them figure out how many copies they should print. If they launch the campaign a week before product launch they have no clue how many copies they need.

[@halseypayne4249]

Perkins is the hero we deserve.

[@adambirch6466]

Perkins is pure class.

[@trarthanrunaway]

This was more touching than I expected.

[@Icosiol]

Cool that you did Wildemont, but I am still waiting for an official Dark Sun 5e.

[@erichall090909]

Still got five books left this year might get it

[@ROBHELL82]

I love Chris . And people was saying earlier than NO ONE from WotC did work on this product. That is was only Matts settings.

[@Magemaster55]

Eleven minutes. Nice :D

[@patriciamercer7632]

We WIN!

[@lazyliam7402]

A chance to work on some official D&D work, there is no way Mercer would ever decline that! Really happy for him!

[@valasafantastic1055]

Sweet interview it’s clear he really cares.

[@brioche496]

I’m not a critter nor particularly a fan of Matt Mercer however I am very excited for this and am looking forward to playing in the world of Wildemount in the near future!

[@MrCrypsodium]

So since you’re not a Critter I’ll give you some info. Wildemount is a continent on the world of Exandria

[@thomasjackson1645]

Y would u watch this and dislike it thats so crazy

[@cooldood648]

this interview was awesome

[@pedroscoponi4905]

The fact that the project's codename was Dawn War makes me think this was thought to be an Age of Arcanum adventure or campaign setting at some point... I can definitely see how that would be dauting to do on top of the Campaign 2 work, if that is indeed the case!

[@chuckallerston9997]

This is soo, great .Books on order

[@emdm2220]

The most ambitious crossover of all time

[@majestyc0359]

You don't say "No" to Chris Perkins.

[@i_shoot_stuff]

best teeth in the game sorry melon

[@Volition366]

Didn't expect this here lmao

[@thesepretzelssuckass247]

Thought I was in the wrong comment section for a second

[@joban2333]

DNDthony Beyondtano

[@erbgorre]

-for how long have you been contemplating working with matt beforehand? -ELEVEN DAYS! -how much time did you give him to come up with an outline? -ELEVEN DAYS! -err, ok.. so whats the inscription going to read? -YOU DEAD. I WIN! *SpluuuuuuuuuuurrRRRRTTTT*

[@Mathizsias]

Just imagine this man dabbled in mma fighting and male modelling. What a wholesome dude.

[@thesepretzelssuckass247]

Middle aged bald white guys are always good at MMA

[@greenhawk3796]

You think Matts eyes watered when they asked?

[@oliverg8085]

Chris = Fantastic D&D resource

[@TheAcarson13]

That ending... tear.

[@wickedpissa25]

R.I.P. Spurt

[@BrianJoyce]

Now I am wondering if this is why we got Eberron in two instalments? Was that team not able to meet the aggressive timelines?

[@David_Blake91]

Nope. Matt brought his own team for this book, and he even posted about on Reddit, that this book doesnt takes place away from other setting books

[@donanausetcscom]

This book comes out a week after I am supposed to start DMing my Exandria campaign. 🤦‍♂️

[@time_flash]

Delay your game, get the book, study study study. Add onto what you built

[@rptrrwr]

Chris, you're wrong. Spurt lives on...in our hearts

[@Bpblayney]

Once I've read it I really want to know what was cut! Could be new Matt Mercer subclasses and spells and allsorts! Totally understand it might not fit broader DnD so fine to cut it but still curious

[@KrazyBird911]

Did Chris say 306 pages!? Fuaark, that's a thicc tome

[@joshuapicaro8726]

Anyone else feel like the transition at 10:56 from a heartfelt confession to pre-order now was quite awkward?

[@EmceeTimmyT]

Great video.

[@tommaso3211]

I will work with you one day

[@austinsadler1403]

"Our books have kind of a long gestational period." I guess they take more than eleven days?

[@Millstone1985]

2:54 The codename was "Dawn War"? I wonder if this book includes elements of Nentir Vale.

[@ffwydriad]

Critical Role uses the Dawn War pantheon but I think that’s it

[@Millstone1985]

@@ffwydriad Does that mean the Raven Queen is a true goddess, and the souls of the dead go through the Shadowfell?

[@ffwydriad]

Millstone1985 Yep! She’s straight 4e RQ, none of the 5e backstory stuff.

[@Millstone1985]

@@ffwydriad I like that a lot!

[@zero3045]

Make the digestion period longer if that means more work on the campaign books.

[@APaganPerspective]

After Tal Dorei itsa Big blow to Green Ronin

[@thornelson1411]

I doubt Green Ronin will ever give up Tal'dorei which sucks cause that's 4 subclasses and 1 class that will never be d&d canon.

[@BretekV]

@@thornelson1411 That all depends on the contract they signed, whether or not green ronin got the exclusivity to those creative works, which they may not have. Either way, I doubt Matt would bother republishing the same subclasses and class in a new book. He'd rather come up with some new stuff.

[@tofton1977]

Green Flame!

[@jayteepodcast]

Dark Sun

[@dayalasingh5853]

Chris Perkins? What's next? Ann Traeger? I hope someone gets this reference.

[@christiantafolla3606]

That idea, is literally, the best idea, I have ever heard.

[@dayalasingh5853]

@@christiantafolla3606 thank you.

[@vincentrusso4097]

I love that chris has too say everyone’s full name

[@erikhirschfelt5066]

Lol " we had no idea what he would say..." anyone who has ever followed critical role knows he would drop everything to become an official contributor to his greatest passion

[@shawnw739]

Can I summon @ChrisPerkinsdnd as my next familiar?

[@MikeDollar]

Is it March 13th yet?.... pls...

[@toonezon4836]

I guess it took longer than ELEVEN DAYS! but I do wonder, how long, in the exandrian creation myth, did I take for the world to form? I'm half hoping it took ELEVEN DAYS!

[@DanE-1212]

I can even hear the voice 😆

[@companyoflosers]

Just don't let Hasbro muscle in on control over Exandria years down the road. I can believe in people like Chris who just want to make D&D more enjoyable, but Hasbro gave this the green light because they probably think they can buy the setting out from under Matt eventually.

[@LeBigsou]

Over the entire Critter community cold dead hands

[@companyoflosers]

@@LeBigsou my feelings as well, but our feelings don't mean squat to corporate agendas.

[@LeBigsou]

@@companyoflosers definitely true but in the end the property is critical role's and I can't see them selling it off for money, at least I think so

[@companyoflosers]

@@LeBigsou not for money, but eventually whatever licensing deal they have is going to get re-examined. theyll say they can either sell them the rights or they wont keep making more content under the D&D brand. this will either be a temporary thing, or Exandria will have to be sold to Hasbro to keep getting made. Matt will probably still be a key part of the process. he will probably maintain creative rights to lead the world in whatever direction he wants, but Hasbro will have the rights to publish and distribute at least for a while until they start thinking they can do it better, which they wont. im trying to see his involvement and the current canon of Exandria within the D&D multiverse as a good thing, but there are a lot of ways this could go badly and Matt could end up losing Exandria to corporate greed, especially being as good-natured as he is. on the other hand, if he keeps exandria, itll fade into eventual obscurity like all the other third party settings. we can all pretend to be as big of fan as we want, but we wont keep exandria alive past our generation if it isnt owned by the people who make D&D.

[@HuevoBendito]

Acq Inc. crossover when? They already did Ravnica.

[@ZeldaLover1031]

I miss Chris Perkins DMing for DCA... sad times.

[@Ziajin]

They say they 'playtested' it, but then I think about Descent into Avernus.

[@EincoolerName1312]

As someone who doesnt own baldurs gate, but plans to maybe buy it, whats wrong with the book?

[@lukasceru6647]

Eincoolername there are a few encounters in it that are difficult, especially the very first one. It’s not impossible but there is work to be done on the DM’s side not to overwhelm the first lvl party. I’d say the book is not to be recommended for a DM that’s new to D&D but it’s a beautiful book after all! There is so much detail in the places the players visit and also in the plot to make it a very immersive and definitely enjoyable experience.

[@MatthewUrickITGuy]

One like on this is not enough!!!!

[@kriddius]

Vecna downvoted this 7 times so far

[@RDGoodner]

Can't be. The thumb symbol is a right hand.

[@runeball50]

Question for the community. Did something happen between Critical role and wizards of the Coast? It sounded like they were patching up a relationship.

[@projectrallus]

What do you mean?

[@Goomyx1492]

I think they've always had a good relationship, I think they are just wording things in certain ways because of some of the backlash about this particular book. For whatever reason, some people just REALLY don't like Critical Role and don't want it to be a part of "regular d&d" or something. Idk, but yeah pretty sure their relationship is perfectly fine.

[@flameknightdragon]

@@Goomyx1492 which I find odd. Since in D&D lore every game ever played is a part of "regular d&d".

[@AVJHalonen]

I think it's because when the book was announced and nobody knew yet what the content of the book was going to be, some of the D&D puritans immediately reacted negatively towards it so Wizards want to reassure players that are not Critical Roll fans that it's still an official D&D book and a useful resource for them.

[@Goomyx1492]

@@flameknightdragon For sure! I think there's just too much negativity in the world in general. For whatever reason people like being upset by stuff but it's so much better to just enjoy whatever you can.

[@herbster12345]

I do not believe there is a more meaningful community in existence right now. And I don't think that's a profound statement.

[@Wiseblood2012]

Kinda looks like Joe Satriani.

[@elguapo1690]

It sounds like Jeremy Crawford needs to check in on the mechanics before the last second. I'm sure he's *very* important, but by delaying his part on a project until the last second means they have to just cut whatever he doesn't like. If even one person works on an aspect of a game for hours and hours and then it gets cut because the boss didn't review it until the last second? I'd be pissed.

[@gregkun1]

I don't pre-order anything anymore. So please do be one of those marketing idiots that believe that preorders are what you are going to expect to sell no more or less. A lot of good things were made but their company for some reason didn't believe in their product because if low preorders. Only to barely gain traction later on only to be too late to produce more.

[@ariaflame-au]

0mega Zer0 well this is definitely not predicated on pre orders but it does give them a minimum to create and up front capital which can be nice

[@SoulisStar]

0mega Zer0 don’t worry about the pre-orders. There is more pre-orders for this book then any other book in 5e. That’s from Todd him self.

[@patriciamercer7632]

this isn't a video game, the preorders aren't much of a cancer on the industry

[@willc6577]

wHeRe Is ThE tAl'DoReI cAmpAiGn SeTtInG pDf

[@majorfallacy5926]

"if he [Crawford] sees anything problematic for the game, we cut it". Phew, good thing healing spirit and hexblade didn't make it

[@misfit3050]

audio is meh

[@cheeseburgerdave2463]

Maybe now we get what us fans want now

[@erichall090909]

A ton of fans wanted this may not be exactly what you wanted but hopefully you can still get that this year I think there are five more books for saying that fans didn’t want this is just silly

[@RomanRyder]

I think Matt would be a great replacement for Chris' position when he retires!

[@sclair2854]

Interesting how no mention of the Green Ronin Taldorei guide here. Im sure an extremely well selling product from a competitor publisher had absolutely zero to do with the decision

[@bartocblackwell3391]

It probably did. That, however doesn't change the fact that this isn't necessarily a bad decision.

[@sclair2854]

@@bartocblackwell3391 ​ I dont think its a bad decision. In fact as a UK citizen wizards publishing instead of green ronin will make the book much more accessible to me. I just think its disingenuous to answer "How did this book come about?" as if it was a happy coincidence based on scheduling alone. I dont like it when companies and their reps avoid the whole truth for PR purposes. The fact this is Matts second published guide seems to be a big elephant in the room in all these videos, a lot like the wayferers guide seemed like a big elephant in the room for the majority of the lead up to the Last War book.

[@Jawn15]

Chris, speak up please.