Of all the merchandise that has come out of the popularity of Critical Role, the most interesting stuff is when it helps expand the world of table top roleplay. Dice and t-shirts are nice, but the various adventures and source books actually help bring the world to life on the gaming table. As do really good props, such as the pre-painted models provided by Wizkids.
The Forge Guardian first appeared in Critical Role’s Campaign One. It’s the creature that the Vox Machina team had to face before they could access The Core Anvil, the divine workshop that can be used to forge god killing weapons.
The model itself is in a single, guardian style pose. The paint job is pretty straight forward, obsidian like black for most of the model, with orange ‘lava’ highlights and some steel grey accents. It bears an enormous cleaver in one hand, with the other hand looking like a wicked looking mechanical gauntlet. The piece is very angular and covered in chains.
It makes for a good golem, robot or similarly inhuman threat for a party. It’s a striking piece, though not the sort of thing most people would instantly associate with Critical Role. A useful monster to add to the arsenal but definitely more a tool for Dungeon Masters than a bit of Critical Role Merchandise.
