Let's Play Queen by Midnight!

Princesses Aimee Carrero, Aabria Iyengar, Laura Bailey, and Taliesin Jaffe fight to become Queen by Midnight alongside our illustrious Midnight Crier and game designer Kyle Shire!
Queen by Midnight is available now at all our Critical Role shops as well as Darrington Press Guild stores and other friendly local gaming stores: darringtonpres...
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VIDEO CREDITS
Producer - Kyle Shire
Director of Photography - Michael Schmidt
Queen By Midnight Music Theme -- Colm McGuinness
Gaffer - Rob Auld Wright
Production Sound - Chris Willmott
Production Coordinator - Jeremiah Rivas
Key Production Assistant - Jared Deiro
Production Assistant - Carley Stelchen
Editor - Taylor Burke
Art - Clara Daly, Ameera Sheikh, Mike Pape & Michal Ivan
3D Animation - Christian Brown
Re-Recording Mixer - Chris Willmott
Assistant Editor - Emily "Stevie" Stevenson
Colorist: Peter Koocheradis
Post Production Supervisor - Tal Levitas
Creative Director - Marisha Ray
Head of Production - Vinnie Singh
Queen by Midnight Creative Team
Creation and Design: Kyle Shire
Additional Design: Alex Uboldi
Graphic Design: Matt Paquette & Co.
Art: Ameera Sheikh, Michal Ivan and Mike Pape
Editing: Travis D. Hill, Donald Behne, Darcy Ross and Kaitlyn Money
Playtest Coordinating: Hank Finnin
Cultural Consultation: Christine Sandquist and James Mendez Hodes
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[@Jokercard19]

Fun Fact: Taliesin wasn't meant to be on this show but their 4th couldn't make it, he showed up in his casual attire and fit right in.

[@feitocomfruta]

Marisha: “Our 4th person just had to cancel for the Queen By Midnight stream, and we start in 10 minutes, can you fill in?” Taliesin: “Okay, I just woke up, it’ll take me that long to arrive. Can I come in my pajamas?”

[@IceMetalPunk]

@@feitocomfruta PHRASING.

[@lemonoclefox]

one of Lord Taliesin's many mystical powers is the ability to make everyone else appear underdressed, rather than he himself appearing overdressed. also Aimee is always a fucking delight and I love her.

[@rantdmc]

I think Percy de Rolo may have attained his final form. We thought it was his "Benjamin Franklin" a couple of years ago in the Vox Machina vs Mighty Nein one-shot, but I doubt that now

[@lemonoclefox]

@@rantdmc Percy de Rolo, baroque edition

[@rantdmc]

@@lemonoclefox I think Percy was always high Baroque, even Rococo

[@ziwuri]

saying the other were underdressed is an insult to the universe itself

[@feitocomfruta]

@@rantdmcPercy de Rococo-lo?

[@tylerboyce4081]

The more I think about it, this would be a really fun "murder mystery dinner party" type of event. Every one dresses up in their evening ball best and just socially backstab each other until midnight.

[@Soveliss74]

I'm wanting to make a campaign around this premise

[@RachelShortyRRees]

It's one of the reasons i want to get this game. We have old skool murder mystery parties with a bunch of friends and thought this was a palate cleanser every now and then.

[@SebastianWeinberg]

Aimee, Aabria, Laura, and Taliesin are the prettiest princesses to ever compete in brutal combat for the crown. But their _characters_ are very lovely, too.

[@quantumofzentrix2748]

Your wording just made me imagine Aimee doing the powerpuff girl meme

[@BrknSoul]

I love the inclusion here; dominican, caucasian, african american and eldritch horror from 1077.

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

and the cryer as the northern gayzelle

[@amodelmannequin]

Aimee's character work, Taliesin's outfit, Aabria's makeup, Laura's scheming. Pop off, team

[@Polk]

1:38:14 "It's so late in the day and you only have one clout?" "Have you heard about Hephesta? I haven't" SO GOOD

[@jaredsaenz5737]

Love Aabria’s character arc from “always the villain” to “slightly less of a villain”! An icon!

[@Awkward_Ramble]

And then back to a villain when she flipped her advisor card. XD

[@aphextwinkie410]

She plays that archetype a lot, but it's awesome everytime lol

[@literallythesmallestbee]

the perfectly timed "this bitch" 4th wall break at 1:49:36 was essential to my viewing experience

[@acecommanderjoker3926]

Taliesin coming in with the fuck pomp and swagger outfits man, rockin it XD

[@princebloodgrave8097]

That's just typical, daily Taliesin wear. :P lol ;)

[@consolescrub4031]

I believe there was a comment on the video of one of their previously live shows which perfectly summarised it "you can never tell if the cast has decided to come in costume until someone other than Taliesin comes on stage".

[@Emeraldkiwi150]

​@@consolescrub4031 Personally, I'd say anyone other than Taliesin and Sam, but it's not wrong

[@Aesthetic_Walrus]

I thought Taliesin's jacket was the coolest thing I'd ever seen and then Kyle showed up. Now? I'm pretty sure either choice is technically correct.

[@Angela-hn6mb]

Agreed. Is that waistcoat shot silk? Amazing.

[@kohakuaiko]

Agreed, but Taliesin's is more my color.

[@Lynch2507]

40:12 is just Aabria's thought process any time she guests on Critical Role

[@trezalkapeliskova2121]

Taliesin's eye makeup is in even better then it looked in the photos. Like when he looks down, it's as though he had those ice blue eyes like the white walkers from GOT.

[@PEECTPA]

Can i just say "thank you" for subtitles which was made for every video on the channel?.. Yes? Cool Thank you!

[@0Nightlily]

"I don't like losing, so I guess I'll just get drunk." I love Aimee so much 🤣🤣🤣 Also, well done to whoever decided who the players would be for this! Such an entertaining group, and I always love to see more Aabria and Aimee on CR 💕

[@littlefurnace]

Shout out to Aimee's nip ribbons. Star of the show. I think that's what you call serving clout.

[@jamiejankovic]

serving clout in a god-honouring way

[@chad8767]

Must have been playing on titty tuesday with all the titty talk LMAO

[@muserj]

"Facedown is best." ~Princess Ribbon Nips -2023 😆

[@Bentbrokentheory]

@@muserjthe way I cackled

[@ForestRaptor]

Aimee's *turn to camera* were just brilliant

[@Tatig55]

“I’m a doctor, I’m a queen and I am that bitch” is going to be on my tombstone!! Lmaoo 🤎🤎👸🏾👸🏾

[@ziwuri]

timestamp please I am begging

[@Solefirefly]

​@@ziwuri2:53:40

[@ziwuri]

fuck yeah@@Solefirefly

[@jayberrones9965]

Lol that had me rolling

[@claclarolo1]

1:21:15 I'm crying 😂Aimee doing a whole turn, then the pause before "was that my turn or yours?". The tequilla hit hard in that moment

[@clynemarvel8282]

I need a tutorial for Taliesin's makeup!!! STUNNING

[@NathenTiger]

what i love about these kind of videos is that everyone is willing to ask questions when it comes to a new board game. Like it shows how players are willing to bend the rules and tests the limits of a game before it comes out to the public.

[@juanfelipesierracortes7093]

I love how out of everyone using makeup, Taliesin's eyes steal the show hahahahahahahahahah

[@maxs-lz4pn]

It's so natural on him I didn't notice he was wearing any for half an hour

[@RiversInTheSky.]

First 4 minutes and I have acquired "A Moment of Cacophony" as a life-long practice... get ready next-in-line to the grave

[@ClockworkCake]

Please make Kyle a flower-crowned Crier in every video thank you

[@the_chains]

Mr Jaffe you are looking STUNNING

[@Faithfully5x5]

Ahh they have to play this again. This looks like so much fun once you get the rules/strategy down.

[@Tjirs]

Only just started the video, but have to pause to take a minute to appreciate Taliesin’s whole look. Amazing! ❤ Update: A minute of appreciation for Kyle’s jacket, waistcoat and flower crown combo ❤️

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

He is style...he is grace...LONG MAY HE REIGN!

[@rushvand2685]

I'm feeling totally normal about both of these fits

[@henrymccoy7171]

Watching these four play Queen By Midnight was probably the best inducement Darrington Press could make to get me to buy this game. Thanx, Critical Role.

[@rosesleeps]

This had a ridiculous amount of chaotic fun. Watching for a third time, because the one liners were perfect and plenitful.

[@gconnor18]

1:11:23 wait did I hear abariya right there? 😂 but also taliesin showing an outfit he owned over 200 years ago and proving it still works!

[@t-r3y]

More Aimee Carreo in everythingggg god she's so fucking funny

[@Cyriuxa]

Yeah, I wasnt sure when she was first on EXU, but shes grown on me so much. She's great.

[@user-jt1js5mr3f]

@@Cyriuxa A second pass cemented my feeling that Opal just doesn't fit the Exandrian feel, but I really like Aimee.

[@SergioLobato-o9y]

Long live the CHAOS queen !!! Love Aimee !!!!

[@chad8767]

@@Cyriuxa I thought the way she was playing and her character were going to grind on me, but every time I thought it would be a moment that would make me dislike the character it built her up more and more. I was all team Opal by the end, completely inverted all my expectations.

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

I've watched this twice on Twitch so far, am I going to watch it again here? You bet your nip ribbons I am!

[@WireMosasaur]

Aabria has quite long canines anyway but in combo with the grill she's giving metallic-fanged party vampire and I'm here for it tbh

[@dtigertron]

"You don't look at the rules, you just argue with the guy who made the game!" LMAO !

[@agent00puffball]

God I love Aimee's brand of chaos so much, and it just fit in so well with this table.

[@zeexorcist8869]

Taliesin just wearing his everyday cloths is great

[@nathancarter8239]

A neat touch here is that the purple lights get darker and moodier the longer the game goes on. I only noticed after an hour and a half.

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

_bisexual lighting intensifies_

[@mafaldacosta13]

I've been waiting for this ever since I first heard of Queen by Midnight!!!!!

[@feitocomfruta]

@2:52:10 this may have been the funniest moment. The record scratch when Aabria reveals she didn’t back Laura just got my cackling for some reason Edit: AND THE “UH OH” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sof_t_]

How am i gay for all of them and who allowed Taliesin to look this stunning

[@TheDisplacerBeast]

2:35:50 the way its formatted, i feel like the damage was in addition to the roll not just on a 6. Anyone else feel the same?

[@CptCelestialCarnage]

Agreed! Also the only summons that actively protect you from damage should have the "guardian" tag. So Laura couldn't have used her elemental to protect herself unless Amy intentionally targeted it. The game looks really fun but it seems they need to be a bit more clear with the rules when even the guys that wrote them get confused.

[@borofreak]

To me, reading the card when it appeared on on the review window, it was immediately clear this was in addition, yes. The formatting seemed very easy to understand in my opinion, so I believe they were just too much under stress (and influence of the booze), so they missed a lot of stuff. Laura also missed banishing her potion the first time she used it, and only banished it after she used it a second time.

[@viktorstagnetti7491]

Maybe but both game designers looked at the card and didn't correct her sooo who knows.

[@CptCelestialCarnage]

@@viktorstagnetti7491 Kyle only asked Aimee if the card did anything else to which she replied "no" and then left. It is her ultimate ability, given how much stronger Taliesin's ultimate was, the damage has to be guaranteed right?

[@Jodariel.]

"it's because i'm Dominican, isn't it!?" SENT ME 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@emaus9398]

0:46 Princess introductions 2:28 Game (and designer) introductions 4:25 First round aka 2 O'clock 11:12 Second round aka 3 O'clock 20:17 Third round aka 4 O'clock 31:31 Fourth round aka 5 O'clock. Bazaar changes. 45:12 Fifth round aka 6 O'clock. Advisor choices/secret ally choices. 1:02:08 Sixth round aka 7 O'clock 1:16:36 Seventh round aka 8 (so late) O'clock. Bazaar changes, war chest opens, and free clout for surviving! 1:34:23 Eighth round aka 9 O'clock 1:59:58 Ninth round aka 10 O'clock. Hand size increases to seven. 2:27:53 Tenth round aka 11 O'clock aka the last round! 2:30:01 *Actual* start of the tenth round (Laura's back from a quick stream) 2:36:17 Bossno hulking out a little 2:37:12 Clout/win con PSA 2:51:24 Midnight: who's the winner? 2:51:50 The crowning 2:52:21 Betrayal ! 2:53:24 The box matches the drapes 2:55:08 PSA: Budgeting is a worthy skill

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

"It's an efficient Susan."

[@KatelinPotter-y5e]

I love Kyle's outfit! Everyone looks so good but that iridescent fabric is just everything.

[@thyseer]

Critical role was like : let's have our unhinged players play this game

[@dreamworks1691]

I want more of Queen by Midnight's let's play, this is so cool !

[@keixsy]

I hope everyone here understands that Aimee voiced Shera. You know.. SHERA!?!?!?!?!?!? AHHHHHHHHHH!

[@mayapplesauce1396]

i am a proud representant of the people who followed the "being fan of she-ra to watching exu just for aimee to watching all CR and starting a dnd home game" pipeline ... now i want to run a she-ra dnd game someday to come full circle 😃

[@brentage5000]

​@@mayapplesauce1396dude, same. The magnificent Ashley couldn't do it with Blindspot, but Aimee with She-Ra? Nailed it. (Not putting down Ashley with that, of course, she's the best. Just was too intimidated to start C2 by the time I became aware of Ashley's association)

[@Silverstar-wt5rj]

AABRIA'S SPEECH AT THE END I CAN'T EVEN RN

[@Polk]

I appreciate everyone explaining the cards as they play since I haven't read the rules for the game. Easier to follow along

[@Elnis888]

1:05:40 I wish I had the confidence to walk into a room and simply go: "I'm really pretty!".

[@tecguySD]

Aimee's nipple bows are very strange but very on brand for her.

[@aaronsmedley2596]

Laura is just an icon.

[@ragmat7234]

Every time it seems like someone is going to attack aimee and she looks directly into the camera 😂😂😂

[@smarvin1112]

1:39:00 Aimee: "I just showed--" Laura: "Your titties?" Aabria: "Look what's under this bow!" And then the next 45 seconds is hilarious chaos

[@kab6754]

Aabria called her shot and didn't miss

[@maximefafard1794]

Gotta love this lineup of beautiful humans

[@InimitableAde]

1:22:09 Aimee: "you know, face down is the best way" That Chick Angel, somewhere: "Gimme one margarita..."

[@Elfqueen97]

Aimee’s consistent brawler characters are always so wonderful and I love her so much

[@transientanus]

No.

[@claclarolo1]

the placement of Aimees bows is killing me 🤣

[@JazzyO3O]

Taliesin is a beauty icon with that look~ ❤

[@jessiecorvus9262]

HOW does he get EVEN HOTTER when he presents Femme?

[@doodlebug99]

He’s had millennia of practice

[@showcase0525]

This is gonna hit in the Queen community.

[@Ristro44]

I really appreciate seeing smaller groups doings games and stuff. Kinda lets them shine i a different way :)

[@davea6314]

The Eloquence Bard is the best subclass in all of D&D 5e.

[@UncleverCarapace]

Aabria was so ashamed of the "efficient Susan" line as soon as it came out of her mouth. What an icon.

[@NehpetsMug]

my commute home takes 15ish minutes, I started listening to this and before I got home I had detoured to my FLGS and bought this game, played it the next day and my group loved the game.

[@rcomp1]

Taliesin''s killing it with that outfit. 🔥🔥🔥 Can we have more of Kyle please?

[@ziwuri]

Aabria and Taliesin's makeup is out of this world, holy shit

[@dove-o-war]

0:43 in and I’ve already left a like purly for taliesin’s outfit

[@Faladrin]

Laura never knew that pot of coffee she drank this morning would be the downfall of her entire existance.

[@toph2249]

though this was a delightful video, i really felt it when aimee said "this should've been the playtest" LMAO 😭😭😭

[@buffypoynter]

this game seems so fun!! I love a good card builder and the game story is great!

[@JenRave]

The moment they started advertising the game I immediately thought Taliesin must play Freya

[@Rohrae]

Tal is really looking amazing in this.

[@thelocaldork]

i relate so much to aimees stress of having to start a new game first, I always wanna be last so I can see how others do it

[@darb.bassist]

The fact that almost one of them could look at the right goddamn camera at the start!

[@JonathanRyanDaudelin]

love to see Percy fighting for the queen title he deserves.

[@globalhope1866]

Kind of love this group

[@brentage5000]

That was awesome. Probably the closest we'll get to that Real Housewives of Exandria teased way back in Narrative Telephone 3002.

[@Valacit]

oh my god, Talesin's Drip is legendary, but KYLE!!!! SERVE KING YESSS

[@BlazeTube626]

Taliesin is dripped as fuck!! Anyone knows his tailor?

[@Migolcow]

Yes but unfortunately he passed away some 326 years ago.

[@lover-of-fate]

I would love to see these folk playing it again.

[@jayberrones9965]

How do we get a second round video going??? I love this so much and want to buy the game

[@yellowtoad6803]

Production really said "This is for the girls, gays and theys" ✨ Just kidding this is for everyone and we can normalize a fabulous and femininity-embracing presentation of games and stories but it was a joke that crossed my mind

[@3dartstudio007]

(I have a Matt Mercer sock puppet, from time to time I pause the video and try to do a voice over of him describing the scene) The GRAND castle has high vaulted ceilings, and magnificent peaks of gold and red tapestries, with great silver chandeliers with seemingly thousands of dancing flames that accompany the swaying music of the jaunty stringed orchestra. Exquisite perfumes from around the world and fine wine and cigarettes fill the air, the music sways and swells for all in attendance... (Ahem! Yes, now continue)

[@xarvous]

Aimee was hilarious with the long glances to camera

[@InimitableAde]

1:39:19 Aabria knows One Margarita! I 💜 her!

[@princessblazena]

Right?!

[@DarkLawYGO]

Taliesin looks very similer to his outfit in the VM vs MN One shot

[@olliemoffat4025]

Queen Ben Franklin

[@Magaruis]

I need a link to wherever I can get the outfit that Kyle Shire is wearing. For reasons.

[@BackGroundCharacter.6]

I would like to belive this is in talisins everyday wordrobe

[@averageopinion1251]

I would love to see them play again now that they have had a chance to learn the rules!

[@godrico125]

It's impossible not to just love Aimee

[@Sideway8]

I think Laura came close when Aimee _ruined her_ in that final round lol

[@transientanus]

It's incredibly easy to despise her. She's annoying, ditzy, and constantly tries to steal the spotlight from everyone around her.

[@TrashPanda57]

Nice to see Taliesin in his comfy nighttime clothes for once. 😊

[@BearlyAiden]

How did I just know Taliesin would play Freya 😂

[@inalasahl]

Love to Aimee’s fingerless lace gloves.

[@CorpsePrincezz]

1:02:49 is the start of a moment that was funny to me

[@jasontankable]

Might have been a misplay, but if I was reading Aimee's ultimate correctly, she should have dealt 10 unblockable damage to Laura after dismissing her armory. It's ambiguous if the "then" applies only to the #6 roll or to all of them, but if it was supposed to only be on the 6, it should be grouped in the same paragraph.

[@amyoregan7433]

The asides are EVERYTHING

[@getmedieval69]

This was really fun. They shoudl do this again in 3 or 4 months.

[@danielconner1210]

After watching this... I am a big fan of Kyle Shire! Of course Closing Time is by Semisonic! Also, great game here!