L.A. By Night, an actual-play streaming series using Vampire: The Masquerade as its system, has announced that Critical Role DM Matthew Mercer will guest star in the episode airing on Friday, October 22nd. L.A. By Night has already brought together a star-studded cast of actors over its previous seasons, and now it adds another big name to its cast in its fifth and final season.
The series draws inspiration from the Second Inquisition, a faction of Vampire: The Masquerade which will soon receive a new sourcebook. While it is at its core a live-play of a tabletop RPG, the series sets itself apart with higher production values than many others, including detailed makeup and costume work as well as special effects. Over the course of its five seasons, the show has functioned as a sort of sequel to Vampire: The Masquerade, telling the story of two of the game’s factions set some years after the plot detailed in the book. The fifth season will end the game’s current storyline, and while L.A By Night will continue in some form, it is bringing this story to a close with some notable names counted among its guest stars. The World of Darkness tabletop series maintains its popularity, from live-plays like L.A. By Night to future shows and movies.
Adding to its list of guest stars, World of Darkness announced on Twitter that Critical Role DM Matthew Mercer will feature in this week’s episode of the show in a guest role. Mercer will play Beckett, a character from Vampire: The Masquerade. He’s played Beckett before, in another live-play series called Vancouver By Night, and fans have expressed excitement at seeing him take on the role again. No information has been given as to whether or not this appearance will tie into Vancouver By Night, but it is possible given that Mercer is playing the same character in both series. Vampire: The Masquerade has games in development, so players may expect to see more of Beckett, though perhaps not portrayed by Mercer.
Mercer is playing a canon Vampire: The Masquerade character, as Beckett has made appearances in several of the tabletop games’ campaign books, as well as in the Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines video game. He is part of the game’s official narrative, and, given that World of Darkness is promoting this appearance directly, it can be assumed that his actions in L.A. By Night will also be considered canon. Both Vancouver By Night and L.A. By Night air before the multiple Vampire: The Masquerade video games are currently in development, so it’s possible that what occurs in this episode will have ramifications for Bloodlines 2, which is forthcoming. Senior Narrative Designer for Bloodlines 2, Cara Ellison, confirmed that characters from earlier Vampire: The Masquerade games will return, though she didn’t mention specific names.
L.A. By Night’s current story may be drawing to a close, but it’s going out with a bang by bringing in Matthew Mercer. With three different video games on the way and more books coming soon, Vampire: The Masquerade continues to have its adherents and expand its brand. This likely won’t be the last players see of Beckett or Mercer.
Source: World of Darkness