The following article contains spoilers for Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins--Nott the Brave and Critical Role's Campaign 2.
A preview for Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins--Nott the Brave provides new details on Veth Brenatto's heartbreaking backstory.
Written by Sam Maggs with art by William Kirkby and colors by Eren Angiolini, The Mighty Nein Origins--Nott the Brave fleshes out how Veth Brenatto became the masked goblin before joining forces with Caleb Widowgast. In CBR's exclusive seven-page first look, the story highlights Veth's happy life with her husband Yezza and infant son Luc as she brings home odds and ends she's gathered from the nearby stream. Their peace soon gets derailed after an attack by goblin raiders. Ultimately, Veth suffers a painful transformation into Nott and narrates, "I lived, but everything I saw in the water before... it's gone. And I desperately need it back."
A synopsis for The Mighty Nein Origins--Nott the Brave reads, "Veth Brenatto doesn't have an exciting life, but she likes it that way. Unlike her childhood, it's safe. Predictable. And her husband and son love her almost as fiercely as she loves them. But Veth's cozy existence is turned on its head when she and her family are captured by raiders. In order to save them, Veth will commit an atrocity that will sever her from all that she loves—maybe forever—and lead her to become Nott the Brave of the Mighty Nein."
Nott the Brave in Critical Role Campaign 2
Actor Sam Riegel played Nott/Veth in the second campaign of the Dungeons & Dragons live play Critical Role. He and the show's DM Matthew Mercer helped outline the story for The Mighty Nein Origins--Nott the Brave. Nott's reveal that she was once a halfling marked one of the most shocking moments in the first half of the second campaign, with even her close companion Caleb stunned by the revelation. Ultimately, the Mighty Nein managed to restore her to her halfling form through a clever deal with a witch and Caleb's magic.
Critical Role has frequently expanded on its lore through graphic and fiction novels. Most members of the Mighty Nein have seen their backstories released, including Fjord, Caleb, Jester and Yasha. After Nott the Brave, a new story following Mollymauk Tealeaf's origins comes out in February. Lucian, the original personality of Molly's body, recently centered in a novel titled The Mighty Nein: The Nine Eyes of Lucien by Madeleine Roux.
The first campaign for Critical Role has seen an extensive expansion in recent years. Another novel, Vox Machina: Kith & Kin, revealed the backstory of Vaxil'dan and Vex'ahlia. More prominently, the hit animated series The Legend of Vox Machina on Prime Video retells major arcs from the campaign. The series returns on Jan. 20.
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins--Nott the Brave features a script by Sam Maggs with art by William Kirkby and colors by Eren Angiolini, while Mildred Louis coloring the cover. It releases on Jan. 18.
Source: Critical Role