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Critical Role Campaign 4‘s five Sundered Houses have been important all along. After all, Dol-Makjar’s Sundered Houses brought about Thjazi Fang’s death to begin with. And then these Houses became responsible for the destruction of House Royce and House Davinos. But in Critical Role Campaign 4, episode 5, we learn that the entire plot of this campaign’s Schemers table will revolve around the different Sundered Houses and how they interact and impact Dol-Makjar. So, what is a Sundered House? Which Sundered Houses exist in Critical Role Campaign 4? And what do each of the five Sundered Houses stand for? Let’s break it down.

What Is a Sundered House in Critical Role Campaign 4?

In essence, Critical Role Campaign 4‘s Sundered Houses are the houses of nobility in Dol-Makjar. They existed before the Shapers’ War, which saw the death of the gods of Aramán, but some houses have grown stronger and others weaker in the time since, and many of them appear to be trying to bolster their own power during the campaign. The Sundered Houses were given their name because of the losses they suffered in the Shapers’ War. Still—despite these losses, the Sundered Houses are, as mentioned, remain a major source of power.

After the Shapers’ War, the Sundered Houses experienced other wars, such as the War of Axe and Vine, and we don’t yet know what befell them there. But eventually, they met their greatest challenge, the Falconers’ Rebellion, which ostensibly was a revolution led by Thjazi Fang against the Sundered Houses. In this conflict, the 5 Sundered Houses banded together against the revolutionaries.

Now, during the time of Critical Role Campaign 4, the Sundered Houses hold power through their place in the Chamber of Lords-Advisory, which advises the governing body of Dol-Makjar, the Revolutionary Council. It was this council, at the behest of Sundered Houses Halovar and Tachonis, though they might deny it, that Thjazi Fang was executed. In the days after Thjazi Fang’s death, several of the houses move to consolidate their power in different ways throughout Dol-Makjar, as we’ll detail below.

Which 5 Sundered Houses Exist in Dol-Makjar?

Critical Role Campaign 4‘s five Sundered Houses of Dol-Makjar are House Tachonis, House Halovar, House Royce, House Einfasen, and House Cormoray.

Do the Sundered Houses All Agree on Everything?

NO. The Sundered Houses are all out for themselves, primarily. While the Sundered Houses all came together again Thjazi Fang and his revolutionaries during The Falconers’ Rebellion, they were not all on the same side during the Shapers’ War. We learn that House Halovar and House Tachonis were was is called “Priestly Houses,” Sundered Houses that supported the gods during the Shapers’ War. Meanwhile, House Royce, House Einfasen, and House Cormoray were “Rebel Houses,” Houses that wanted to kill the gods. It seems these splits in belief maintain to this day. It’s not clear if Sundered Houses Royce, Einfasen, and Cormoray have any connections, but it certainly seems like the Priestly Houses of Halovar and Tachonis are working together in Critical Role Campaign 4.

House Tachonis, Explained

So, what do we know about Critical Role Campaign 4‘s House Tachonis? Well, as mentioned, we know they were on the side of the gods during the Shapers’ War. We also know they are the house associated with death and shadow. This Critical Role Campaign 4 Sundered House is related to the rites of funeral cremation and associated with the movement of souls from one realm to the next. We see House Tachonis is able to summon the shades of the dead, and they almost tore a hole between the veil of the world of living and the world of the dead. House Tachonis is also known to be a family of sorcerers and necromancers. They even have a castle in the Tenebral Reaches, or the realm of death itself.

House Tachonis’ Ambitions in Critical Role Campaign 4

So far, Sundered House Tachonis has been up to no good in Critical Role Campaign 4. House Tachonis led a massive assault against its fellow Sundered House, House Royce, and wiped out House Royce and its vassal House, House Davinos. House Tachonis is also plotting something with the elven relic, the Stone of Nightsong. They cut out Occtis Tachonis’ heart and replaced it with the stone, but Thaisha Lloy interrupted their ritual, so we don’t know how it would have concluded.

House Halovar and House Tachonis seem to have an alliance in Critical Role Campaign 4, but neither of these Sundered Houses truly cares about the other.

Notable Critical Role Campaign 4 Characters From the Sundered House of Tachonis

Occtis Tachonis, a player character played by Alex Ward, is a member of House Tachonis. While he is a sorcerer and necromancer like the rest of his family, he is very much estranged from them. Occtis was studying at the Penteveral and also travelled with Thaisha Lloy.

Primus and Ethrand Tachonis are Occtis’ father and brother and they seem awful. Primus personally murdered Julien Davinos’ father, while Ethrand killed his brother and put the Stone of Nightsong inside of him. Yikes!

House Halovar, Explained

House Halovar, also known as the purveyors of the Candescent Creed, is another Priestly House in Critical Role Campaign 4. They were originally a family of priests who served Tansul, the god of the sun. Before the Shapers’ War, they had enormous strength, second only to the royal family of the Obridimian Empire, the old ruling body of Aramán before the gods fell. But we learn in Critical Role Campaign 4, that after the Shapers’ War, this Sundered House was almost entirely wiped out. Now they strive to hold onto power, peddling a religion they invented, which worships light, the Candescent Creed.

The Candescent Creed takes in acolytes or aspirants to bolster their own power. They also produce Filament, a highly magical substance. We learn that this “filament” is actually the blood of a celestial of Tansul, Aetheon, the servant/angel of the god they once worshiped, which they keep trapped below their estate, Villa Aurora. As it transpires, this Celestial is also technically Wicandar Halovar’s grandfather—his grandmother Photarch Yanessa Halovar, Scion of the Candescent Creed, and Matriarch of House Halovar used a drop of the Celestial’s blood to wish her son into existence.

House Halovar’s Ambitions

House Halovar wanted for Thjazi Fang to die, but we’re not sure why. Aside from that, they want to use the Candescent Creed to lure as many people under their influence as possible. Photarch Yanessa Halovar also has designs on the D’Antonio family’s lands. She wants Wicandar to marry its current heir, Ebecca D’Antonio, in order to claim them, as she believes the lands possess vineyards with special alchemical properties. The vineyards, she thinks, would yield wine that could dilute and distribute Filament more efficiently.

Notable Critical Role Campaign 4 Characters From the Sundered House of Halovar

Critical Role Campaign 4‘s Wicandar Halovar is our most prominent member of House Halovar, a player character played by Sam Riegal. Wicandar appears to be the only good Halovar around, truly believing in his family’s religion and always looking to the good. His aspirant, the demon Tyranny played by Whitney Moore, shares a sweet bond with him.

In addition to Wick, there’s Photarch Yanessa Halovar, who seeks to bring her family back to power. We also meet Wick’s father, Godard Halovar, who was magically conceived from the blood of Aetheon the celestial. Godard appears to be an angel as well and he has wings.

House Royce, Explained

House Royce appears to be the only good Sundered House around in Critical Role Campaign 4. We come to understand that House Royce has been blessed by the fey and connected to the fey realm. Unfortunately, the door to the realm of Faerie was closed before the campaign began, leading to House Royce’s waning power. House Royce has a castle in a place called the Golden Orchard, which appeared to be a space of both mortals and fey. We don’t know too much about House Royce beyond this, except that Lady Aranaessa Royce was once married to Thjazi Fang. But during the Falconers’ Rebellion, even House Royce sided with the other Sundered Houses against Thjazi Fang.

Much of House Royce was destroyed in an attack on the Palazzo Davinos by fellow Sundered House, House Tachonis, during Critical Role Campaign 4, episode 4.

House Royce’s Ambitions

It feels like House Royce wants peace and justice. They would also like to rekindle the ties between the mortal realm and the realm of the fey.

Notable Critical Role Campaign 4 Characters From the Sundered House Royce

Lady Aranessa Royce, an NPC played by Brennan Lee Mulligan, is our chief known member of House Royce. Lady Aranessa, as mentioned was the wife of the late-Thjazi Fang. She is also the liege and good friend of Matt Mercer’s character, Sir Julien Davinos.

House Royce’s Vassel House, House Davinos

Speaking of Julien, House Davinos is the most notable vassal house we’ve seen so far in Critical Role Campaign 4. House Davinos serves House Royce, but in the Falconers’ Rebellion, Julien’s father, Raimond Davinos, sided with Thjazi Fang over his liege-house. While probably the right moral move, this choice brought shame upon House Royce societally. Julien never forgave his father for it, but unfortunately, Raimond Davinos, and many others of House Davinos, were murdered by House Tachonis before they could talk about it.

House Einfasen, Explained

House Einfasen has so far played a more minor role in Critical Role Campaign 4. This Sundered House is a military-focused House and does not seem to have much magical ability.

House Einfasen’s Ambitions

After Thjazi Fang’s execution, we see that House Einfasen is moving to exert its influence over Dol-Makjar’s Arcane Marshals and Revolutionary Guard, or its security/police force. The Sundered House of Einfasen seems to want to make the Revolutionary Guard into its own private army under its control in Critical Role Campaign 4.

Notable Critical Role Campaign 4 Characters From the Sundered House Einfasen

So far, we’ve met Sir Harondus Einfasen briefly at the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard. Azune Nayar could immediately tell he was not only seeking power but felt entitled to it and up to no good.

House Cormoray, Explained

Again, we don’t know too much about the Sundered House of Cormoray yet in Critical Role Campaign 4, other than that it contains sorcerers. Additionally, House Cormoray produces wine. In the campaign, we see Lady Amariya Cormoray poking around the Archanade museum where Bolaire works, another instance of a Sundered House beginning to meddle in a Dol-Makjar institution.

Other Things the Sundered Houses Are Up To in Critical Role Campaign 4

In addition to all of the above, the Sundered Houses, at least some of them, seek to stop the use of magic in Dol-Makjar. Via the Chamber of Lords-Advisory, they pushed the Revolutionary Council to ban the use of magic in public markets, and are even trying to ban it in the Penteveral, literally a magic school. We don’t like the sound of that.

The Schemers Want to Turn the Sundered Houses Against Each Other

The Sundered Houses are up to no good, but the Schemers’ Table wants to turn them against one another. Azune Nayar pointed out that a Priestly House had destroyed a Rebel House, and now he wants to convince the other Rebel Sundered Houses they’re next. If they can keep the Sundered Houses from allying together to maintain power, maybe they have a chance to save Dol-Makjar.

More About Critical Role Campaign 4

Critical Role Campaign 4 premieres Thursdays at 7 pm PT on Beacon.tv and is streamed to Critical Role’s YouTube and Twitch channels at that time, with the VOD available for everyone the following Monday at 12 pm PT and podcast episodes available in two parts: the first one week after the premiere, and the second on the following Tuesday.

The post The 5 Sundered Houses of CRITICAL ROLE CAMPAIGN 4, Explained appeared first on Nerdist.

2025 hasn’t been an easy year for most, but it’s been especially difficult for Black women. Since the spring, economists estimate that more than 300,000 Black women have either exited or been pushed out of the labor force. This dramatic shift carries both immediate and long-term consequences for individuals, families, and the economy at large.

What’s Behind This Exodus?

This departure didn’t happen in isolation. It’s the result of intersecting pressures — inflation, student debt, program cuts, and underrepresentation in high-growth sectors like technology. Compounding the issue is the erosion of professional networks and mentorship opportunities that once served as vital lifelines for Black women navigating the workplace.

According to LinkedIn’s Meg Garlinghouse, 70% of professionals are hired through existing connections, yet many Black women continue to face “network gaps.” The widespread dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across industries has only deepened these divides, cutting off access to mentorship, sponsorship, and advancement. Meanwhile, the rise of AI-driven hiring has further narrowed pathways to opportunity.

The Cost of Losing Black Women in the Workforce

The backlash against DEI initiatives has sparked a troubling rollback of the very policies that helped Black women gain ground in historically exclusionary environments. Under the current administration, DEI positions were among the first eliminated across federal agencies affecting over 12% of the Black female workforce.

In the private sector, inclusive hiring and mentorship initiatives — often deemed “DEI-adjacent” — have been quietly scaled back or dissolved. Job postings for DEI roles dropped 43% from 2022 to 2024, and many employee resource groups (ERGs) have shuttered, leaving Black workers without crucial support systems. These reversals come at a moment when connection, sponsorship, and advocacy are needed most.

The impact extends far beyond the individual. From February to June 2025, the labor force participation rate for Black women fell 1.8 percentage points, resulting in an estimated $37.2 billion loss to the U.S. GDP. The sharpest decline came in February, when 266,000 Black women left the labor force in a single month.

Why Mentorship Matters More Than Ever

Mentorship remains one of the most powerful tools for professional advancement. For Black women, having a mentor can expand networks, boost confidence, and provide critical guidance for navigating racial and gender bias at work.

For companies, mentorship pays dividends too — reducing turnover, strengthening culture, and preserving institutional knowledge. When mentors pass down experience and leadership values, they help cultivate stronger, more resilient organizations.

Reclaiming Support and Building Back

If you’re a Black woman facing job loss or feeling overlooked in a post-DEI workplace, you’re not alone. There are organizations committed to helping you rebuild and thrive:

• Black Career Women’s Network (BCWN): Provides culturally informed coaching, leadership training, and strategic career development.
• The Sadie Collective: Supports Black women and nonbinary professionals in economics, finance, data, and public policy, fostering mentorship and representation.

Equally important is reconnecting with your personal network former coworkers, college friends, and Black women business owners in your community. These relationships can spark new opportunities and restore confidence. Inspiration can also come from the stories of Black women leaders who’ve paved the way.

There’s immense wisdom within our own communities. To rebuild, we must lean on each other, invest in mentorship, and make sure Black women reclaim and redefine their rightful place in the workforce.

The post The Great Exodus: Why Black Women Are Leaving the Workforce appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Every fall, cuffing season arrives like clockwork -–, that unofficial stretch of months from October through February when casual flings turn into something a little more intentional, as couples bunker down for cozy winters. This year, according to insights from DoorDash, cuffing season is in full swing, and the proof is in the data.

The State of Cuffing Up: What the Orders Reveal

The story of cuffing season is written in the receipts. DoorDash data shows that what people order, leave behind, and update says more about connection than any caption could. Order data from Sept. 1 – Oct. 15, 2025, and Oct. 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025 (compared to May 1 – Sept. 30, 2024), along with a survey of 1,000 adults ages 18–58, tells the full story.

Defining the Relationship (and the Delivery Address)

The “What are we?” talk still ranks among the scariest dating milestones, especially for Gen Z. But when it comes to defining a delivery address, people seem a lot braver. The week of Sept. 1 hit an unexpected high in DoorDash addresses labeled “bae” or “bf/gf,” proof that cuffing season (and new connections) kicked off ahead of schedule this year.

By the first week of October, widely acknowledged as the start of cuffing season, the trend was rising again. It’s proof that people often act the part before they say it, and in 2025, defining the delivery address might just be easier than defining the relationship.

Toothbrush Territory

The toothbrush has become cuffing season’s quiet MVP. DoorDash sees nearly a 30% uptick in toothbrush and toothpaste orders between 5-9 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays as date nights get underway, and by the really late hours (midnight to 5 a.m.), orders spike over 10%, suggesting some of those date nights are turning into late nights that weren’t exactly planned. But there might be more behind the order. According to a DoorDash survey of 1,000 U.S. adults aged 18-58 who are single, dating, or in a relationship, one in four daters admits to leaving a toothbrush behind on purpose, a small but unmistakable way of marking their territory. As one respondent put it, “I left my toothbrush to let him know I intended on coming back.”

The “Ick” Factor

According to the DoorDash survey, 68% say they’ve gotten “the ick” after seeing someone’s home, with clutter and bad hygiene topping the list. DoorDash data shows orders for sheets, pillowcases, and blankets rise nearly 80% during cuffing season. Call it the navy-sheet cleanout as people swap old habits (and old bedding) for something more cuffing season ready.

The Modern State of Dating

Cuffing season isn’t fading; it’s evolving. Per the survey, 94% of singles say they’re participating in cuffing season this year, proving it’s not a passing trend but a fixture of culture. Nearly all Gen Z respondents (97%) say they plan to or might take part, showing that younger daters aren’t stepping back from connection; they’re just rethinking how it fits into their lives.

Dating today mirrors Gen Z’s mindset: flexible, spontaneous, and a little more on-demand — from late-night hangs to ordering in together. In fact, nearly 70% of people surveyed say ordering in feels just as, if not more, intimate than going out, proof that modern romance runs on convenience.

Culturally, there’s been a shift from talking about a relationship to subtly showing the signs of one, from labeling an address “bae” to that late-night toothbrush order after a date. People are expressing connection in smaller, more personal ways. The receipts often tell the love story before the words do.

Because in the end, cuffing season isn’t just about coupling up, it’s about settling in.

This story was produced by DoorDash and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Love Is Getting Spicy! BLK Releases ‘2025 State Of Black Singles’ Report

The myth of the American West has long been painted in shades of white. There are lone rangers, dusty saloons, and heroic sheriffs. But a new docuseries is riding in to rewrite that story. High Horse: The Black Cowboy, executive produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, premieres Thursday, November 20, on Peacock. The three-part pop culture and historical documentary aims to confront, reclaim, and celebrate the untold legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls — the real trailblazers of the Wild West.

“I’m grateful to Monkeypaw for amplifying the powerful voices and long-standing culture of Black Cowboys and Cowgirls through High Horse: The Black Cowboy,” says Academy Award winner and executive producer Jordan Peele. “Their history is inseparable from the story of our country and this project aims to honor and celebrate their lasting legacy.”

The series brings together an impressive mix of voices from across entertainment and culture including Jordan Peele himself, Bun B, Pam Grier, Lori Harvey, Tina Knowles, Rick Ross, Glynn Turman, Blanco Brown, INK, Lynae Vanee, and The Compton Cowboys — all connected by their admiration for the Black equestrian tradition. Backed by an original score from the legendary Raphael Saadiq, High Horse blends history, music, and cultural storytelling to paint a vivid portrait of resilience and pride.

Directed by Jason Perez and executive produced by Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Keisha Senter, Jamal Watson, Mari Keiko Gonzalez, Liz Yale Marsh, Kadine Anckle, Tom Casciato, Sacha Jenkins, and Keith McQuirter, High Horse: The Black Cowboy is a visually rich and soulful reclamation of American identity.

This November, High Horse invites viewers to saddle up and experience a truth long overdue, the Black cowboy was never a myth but a cornerstone of the American story.

The post Jordan Peele’s ‘High Horse: The Black Cowboy’ Rides Onto Peacock, Reclaiming the Forgotten Frontier appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.