Exploring Jasper Cartwright's Box of Doom & His Desired Dimension 20 Adventure

Article Overview

Burrow's End is Dimension 20's twentieth season, featuring a darker storyline with stoats seeking a new home in the Blue Forest.

Jasper Cartwright, a newcomer to the cast, shares his surreal encounter when he was invited to join Dimension 20. Alongside this, he expresses his enthusiasm to participate in a future season of Escape From Bloodkeep.

Burrow's End, the twentieth season of Dimension 20, delves into a darker realm of storytelling, following the footsteps of A Crown of Candy and The Ravening War. This season chronicles the journey of a stoat family who is forced to leave their warren after a devastating gas kills their fellow stoats. As they navigate the enigmatic Blue Forest, discovering more about the potent and mysterious Blue, they come across a new sanctuary where numerous stoats reside. However, they soon realize that this seemingly safe haven harbors a terrifying secret: the forest is inhabited by humans, who are the true monsters.

Aabria Iyengar, the first GM to lead a season other than Brennan Lee Mulligan, skillfully weaves the intricate narrative of Dimension 20's latest installment. Joining the cast are newcomers Jasper Cartwright and Rashawn Nadine Scott, along with long-standing members Mulligan, Siobhan Thompson, Erika Ishii, and Isabella Roland.

Jasper Cartwright On Dimension 20: Burrow's End

Jasper Cartwright Talks about His Experience on Dimension 20's Burrow's End Season

Our website: I love your character in Burrow's End! He's so much fun.

Jasper Cartwright: Thank you.

It's exhilarating to see you here at the dome. This marks your debut appearance, coinciding with the 20th season of Dimension 20. Could you please share with me your experience of being invited to participate in this season and what it's like to play in the dome?

Jasper Cartwright: It still feels surreal, like the most unbelievable thing that has ever happened. Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to go to America for Big Bad Con. As a result, I decided to make a little trip to LA to visit friends and potentially record some content for my other show, Three Black Halflings. While I was there, I ended up doing a one-shot with Aabria called Wakandel. It was this unique blend of Wakanda and Riverdale. After the one-shot, Aabria kindly offered me a place to stay at her house since my original accommodations were unavailable. We immediately clicked and formed a strong connection. I now affectionately refer to her as my big sister because of the love and enjoyment we experienced working together.

She casually mentioned that she wanted to include me in something. At the time, I didn't think much of it and assumed she was just being nice. Fast forward to February of this year when I received a message from Brennan asking if I had time for a quick Zoom call. I was taken aback because Brennan Lee Mulligan is notoriously busy, so I wondered what this could possibly be about. However, he had sent the message late and went to sleep, leaving me and my wife to speculating for a whole day, trying to decipher its meaning. We couldn't help but wonder if this meant something related to Adventuring Party or something entirely different.

Eventually, he called me and asked if I wanted to participate in the next installment of Dimension 20. I was ecstatic and nearly overwhelmed by the invitation. Being a devoted fan, Dimension 20 has always been a cherished community for me. In my opinion, it's one of the top-tier creations in its genre. Therefore, being invited to contribute to such a remarkable production feels like landing a role in a significant television series, like Game of Thrones. It's an incredibly significant opportunity. Even now, when I receive a notification from Dimension 20, tagging me in a post every week, it still feels surreal. However, I am thoroughly enjoying it and feel immensely honored to be a part of the storytelling. I am genuinely thrilled.

That's incredible. I really admire the way you accentuate the scar with your eye makeup. It's consistently on point.

Jasper Cartwright: Thank you. I absolutely adore that. The makeup team was brimming with excitement when Rashawn and I wholeheartedly agreed to their wild ideas. It was such a delight for me.

Now, could you please enlighten me on your approach to creating Thorn's character and developing his backstory?

Jasper Cartwright: Yeah, definitely. Thorn came about after Aabria provided us with a brief description of the world we were going to create, and it was clear that we didn't want anthropomorphized stoats like in Zootopia. So I started brainstorming and came up with the concept of a reluctant cult leader, which seemed to resonate with everyone, especially Brennan. During our character creation session on Zoom, I connected this idea with Rashawn's suggestion of a first lady of the church, and it all started fitting together nicely. Once we decided to create a family, the question arose of how Jasper's character would be related to them. The idea of a reluctant cult leader fascinated me because I've always been intrigued by the dynamics of power and how it impacts individuals. I wanted to explore the idea of someone who attracts power but feels uncomfortable with it.

There are certain similarities between Thorn and myself. Over the past few years, I have taken on more production responsibilities and higher positions. However, I always have a tendency to be considerate of others and not disrupt the flow. Watching the episodes made me realize that there were indeed some parallels to my own behavior, which is a bit concerning. Overall, this was the general process. From there, we delved into Thorn's backstory, growing up outside the Warren and lacking some of the natural stoat-like instincts. This allowed me, as Thorn, to provide a contrasting perspective and balance to the rest of the family.

It was crucial for us, as a family, to have diverse dynamics, despite playing a unified unit. Erika, in her portrayal of Ava, does an incredible job of representing a different viewpoint, as do the children. It was truly gratifying to incorporate these various perspectives and ideas within the group. Reflecting on Thorn's upbringing greatly assisted us in achieving this goal.

I completely agree. I absolutely love it. The conflict between Thorn and Viola in this episode was incredibly interesting. Can you discuss your experience working with Rashawn to create such a realistic relationship? It truly feels like these characters have been together for years, it all fits perfectly.

Jasper Cartwright: Absolutely. I honestly can't praise Rashawn enough. Our connection was so genuine and effortless. Before filming, we had a couple of Zoom meetings where we discussed our characters and even did some role-playing to imagine how their first date and friendship developed. We played around with the concept of Thorn offering trade items to the Warren, and Viola naturally becoming a contact for that community. Exploring these small details was incredibly beneficial for both of us. But the most remarkable thing, and the greatest compliment I can give to Rashawn, is how perfectly she embraced the idea of us creating a safe space together.

I always felt safe with Rashawn, and I hope he felt the same way. We knew we could challenge each other and provide support in our performances. We were never afraid to explore uncomfortable territory because that's what happens in relationships. We push each other to achieve more and become better people. Relationships have a unique ability to bring out the best in us. It was important for Rashawn and me to know that we could push each other, be open and vulnerable, in ways that we couldn't with other characters.

Trust and faith in each other were crucial. We knew that if one of us hit a nerve, the other would speak up. Having the support of your fellow performer when tackling something real and raw is extremely important. A lot of it came down to trust, and we didn't even need to express it verbally. It was just understood between Rashawn and me. We would come in and say, "Ready? Let's do this."

Really connecting with one another and having that mutual determination, like, "Let's give it our all." You know what I mean? I've expressed this sentiment countless times before, and I will reiterate it once again: I firmly believe that I would not have achieved the level of success I did with Thorn and my performance if it weren't for Rashawn's unwavering support. It was truly remarkable. Working with Rashawn was an absolute joy, and given the opportunity, I would gladly collaborate with her endlessly because she is absolutely brilliant.

I love that. In this episode, we experienced our first Box of Doom roll, and based on the teaser, it appears that you may have one in the next episode. How does this increase the pressure for you all in the dome?

Jasper Cartwright: It's absolutely terrifying. Yeah, it's absolutely terrifying. I think it's one of those situations where you... One of the amazing aspects of Dimension 20 is that it allows you to forget about the structure of the show. It allows you to simply be at the table, playing with these individuals, and participating in a way... I can't express how fortunate you are to be a part of that group. It's like playing D&D, or any tabletop role-playing game, in the most incredible manner. Everything is taken care of, everything you could possibly need is provided, and all you have to do is play. Just focus on the game, and it's truly beautiful. So you go through all of that, and it's like, "Alright, fantastic. We're in this. This is amazing."

Upon the emergence of the Box of Doom, an immediate realization struck as the weight of the D20 came crashing down. A wave of fear swept over, prompting the understanding that our lives were at stake. The intensity heightened as the Box of Doom made its appearance, triggering a fervent reaction of impending doom. However, I assure you that there is no cause for concern, as the upcoming episode will feature a roll from the Box of Doom. Despite this, my rolls throughout this season have been exceptionally successful, so I am confident that everything will be alright. There is absolutely no reason to worry or anticipate any problems. It will be perfectly fine. How did it feel to finally experience a streak of favorable rolls?

Jasper Cartwright expressed his strong aversion towards the dice tray, stating that he never wants to see it again. He believes it may have been destroyed by production or set aside for Murph in the future. Despite his disdain for the tray, he recently tweeted about it, emphasizing the significance of Thorn's nat 20 roll in the previous episode. This moment held great importance for Thorn, as throughout the series there were hints of his power and the idea that others were drawn to him because of it. Jasper enjoyed playing Thorn in a slightly frazzled and out of his depth manner, but it was crucial for him to eventually showcase his abilities and prove why he became a leader. Jasper commended Aabria, the Dungeon Master, for allowing him to vividly describe the epic moment. He had consulted Aabria beforehand to ensure the description didn't break the world's rules, but she encouraged him to go all out. Jasper expressed his satisfaction in rolling better now.

The dice proved to be crucial for you, resulting in a perfect outcome.

Jasper Cartwright: Precisely, precisely. It allowed for a narrative to unfold, if you catch my drift. That was the ultimate transformation from poverty to wealth for Thorn, making it significant, in my opinion.

Thorn's cult is now gone, and it raises questions about how he is feeling. In this episode, Oliver and Teedle have chosen their own paths, leaving Thorn with his newfound family, which is somewhat chaotic. Thorn never desired to be the leader or have control over others. He valued freedom of choice and believed that everyone should have their own will. Viola, on the other hand, believed that control was necessary for safety. With the cult disbanded, Thorn feels a sense of relief from his responsibilities. He trusts that Oliver and Teedles will be okay, but he also mourns for the people he couldn't protect. The demands from his family and the Lakura have left him torn in different directions.

Thorn's recent experiences have been difficult, from finding out he's going to be a father to his intense interaction with Jaysohn and Lila. However, he quickly moved on from those events.

Jasper Cartwright: Yep. Oh, immediately, yeah.

How was he feeling about being a father after this experience with Jaysohn and Lila about how he is going to be as a father?

Jasper Cartwright believes that adjusting to the energy of someone else's children, like raising them or taking care of them, is similar to adapting to the rhythm of your own family. He feels that his struggle with Lila and Jaysohn stems from needing more time to adjust to their energy. Interestingly, just 24 hours before flying to America to film Burrow's End, Jasper discovered he was going to be a father. Months prior, he and his partner had decided that their pets Thorn and Viola would potentially have offspring. This led to a unique experience of simultaneously processing his impending fatherhood and Thorn's in an improvised manner, which was enlightening and intriguing.

Jasper also feels a sense of responsibility towards the next generation, similar to what he's starting to feel towards Lila and Jaysohn. He wants to guide them to become better, stronger, faster, and "brighter than the sun, swifter than the wind." His desire is to embrace the gifts he has been blessed with and pass them on to others. This aligns with the concept of the Lakura, where Jasper believes that if everyone has access to his gifts, society as a whole will benefit. He hopes to empower others so that he doesn't have to always be the leader and imagines a scenario where everyone is as strong as him, enabling them to achieve more, live without fear, and fully embrace their own abilities.

So he is actually quite enthusiastic, extremely excited about the possibility. This is obviously due to him becoming a father. However, considering the fact that there are still numerous unanswered questions and clearly some hidden and potentially dangerous situations, the most pressing concern is to ensure that they all reach a place or a moment where they genuinely feel secure enough for this litter to enter the next phase of his life.

Definitely. I did love the moment where you were like, "My own children will respect me." That was just a little line to himself.

Jasper Cartwright: Yeah, that's what I mean. Right, exactly.

I'll be fine. They're a lot

Jasper Cartwright: I'll be fine Yeah, it's gone for me and them. They're never going to respect me. I'm always going to be this Uncle Doofus or whatever.

Then we're discussing the danger. I found Thorn's reaction to be quite fascinating compared to everyone else. His unique background, not growing up in a warren like the others, has made him accustomed to living with constant threats. How do you think he's responding to the discovery of the human monsters, in contrast to everyone else? And what do you think explains his eagerness to stay and fight them, rather than wanting to run away?

Jasper Cartwright: Yeah, I found this to be quite intriguing. As a performer, I'm always drawn to the most captivating choices. I felt empowered by the idea of my character taking the most active course of action. When we reached this point, I experienced a mix of excitement and fear. It was confirming to see these other stoats who had been affected by the Blue and witnessing their accomplishments. It made me believe that we could truly make a difference. The visions I've had and the things I've witnessed were validated to some extent; there is a sense of power within us, countering the fear of these humans, these monsters.

I believe he perceives this as a confirmation, which in turn bolsters his chosen lifestyle. When the warren was filled with smoke and smog, his natural instinct was to flee, and now we are here while the others are not. I believe there are other instincts at play as well. He and Viola instinctively knew to attack the bear's brain, and because of this, they have become stronger. His instinct also drew him towards the light, which led us to this place teeming with numerous stoats, making us considerably stronger in both numbers and knowledge than before. So, while he follows his instincts, he does not exclude or force others. Thorn once said something in a previous episode that stuck with me, "I'm not saying this as a cult leader, but as a family member." It is essential for the others to understand that he does not intend to dictate their actions. His aim is for everyone to arrive at the same conclusion. Ultimately, Thorn is always afraid. It's similar to the Hulk, constantly terrified. He genuinely believes that no matter where they go, the monsters will find them. They are much larger, on a different scale entirely. What takes us a day to traverse, they can do in just a few hours. Therefore, there is no distance great enough to ensure our safety from these monsters. The only way for us to truly feel secure is to know that we have the capability to defeat them.

That is a significant concept, particularly for Tula, who holds a completely contrasting viewpoint on this matter. It is fascinating and an absolute delight to have the opportunity to engage with Brennan, albeit slightly intimidating when I find myself disagreeing with him in his own domain. It is indeed a bit intimidating, yet an incredible joy to be able to have such discussions with him. I believe this is why he has embraced it wholeheartedly, trusting his instincts and thinking, "Well, we're all still here, so let's see if it pays off."

I genuinely love that. I hope it proves successful. He has been, and continues to be, right in his opinions. Though the dice may not always roll in his favor, his judgment has been spot-on.

Jasper Cartwright: Yeah, that would've been great if the dice were more in my favor, but we managed to handle it.

So, what have you learned from watching Aabria as a GM? She's one of my favorite things to observe.

Jasper Cartwright: Yeah. The best. Yeah.

Is there anything you've learned from playing with her that you've maybe wanted to take into your own games?

Jasper Cartwright: Oh my goodness, an abundance of them. Let me share an interesting anecdote. There's this fantastic program in the UK called RPGeeks that I absolutely want to give a shout-out to. Recently, they premiered a Kids on Bike series, in which I had a role. Interestingly enough, I borrowed a character voice directly from one of Aabria's non-player characters in that show. I essentially used that voice for my character in this specific series. So, if you've happened to watch it, you might recognize it as Lucas' voice.

Well, that's quite amusing.

Jasper Cartwright expressed his admiration for Lucas and the emotional depth portrayed by Aabria. According to Jasper, Aabria excels in handling emotions, their impact on a character's psyche, and the social consequences involved. Playing with Aabria is effortless due to her eloquence in these aspects, leading to a fully immersive experience. Jasper believes that DMs can learn from Aabria by embracing the truth of their NPCs, even if it might make players uncomfortable. The gift it brings to players is truly remarkable, contrary to the tendency of DMs to avoid presenting discomfort unless it is related to the villain.

But Aabria's approach to managing Oliver and Teedles throughout this series was truly captivating. It stirred up a whirlwind of emotions within me, enabling me to fully embody Thorn's multidimensional character. Had it been solely left up to him to conform to the family's desires and subtly blend in, he may have ended up somewhat flat. However, Aabria's support and involvement with Oliver and Teedles provided me with the strength I needed to fully immerse myself in the role. She possesses a remarkable talent for this, among her many other skills, but in this aspect, she is unrivaled. Playing alongside her is an absolute delight.

I love it. This season of animated puppet shows and the impressive bear battle map have taken D&D to a whole new level.

Jasper Cartwright: Yeah, it's hard to put into words. Recently, I even had the opportunity to attend the live show of Critical Role at Wembley Arena. Witnessing the current state of TTRPGs and being a part of this industry at such a high level is truly mind-blowing. I never imagined sitting at a table with world-class storytellers, comedians, improvisers, and actors, collaborating to craft a captivating narrative. The Hollywood-grade cameras capturing our every move, the captivating projections, and the intricately designed battle maps are beyond anything I could have ever envisioned. Plus, the incredible support from the team, who are always there with refreshments and whatever I need, makes this experience even more surreal.

Attempting to comprehend that concept, which I encountered when I began playing D&D a few years ago, is truly awe-inspiring. The progression and future direction of the industry have left me astounded, and I am immensely grateful for the support and inclusion provided by the Dropout team. It is an incredible experience to be allowed a seat at the table and to express myself. It has truly been an extraordinary journey.

I share your sentiment. I feel a twinge of jealousy as I had the opportunity to witness Critical Role live in a theater, but being present at that moment must have been truly amazing.

Jasper Cartwright: Yeah, it was pretty awesome. It's quite fascinating.

As a fan of Dimension 20, is there a particular established world here that you would be interested in exploring through a side quest or something similar?

Jasper Cartwright: That's a tough question, but I have to say Escape from Bloodkeep was incredible. The cast was outstanding, and I've been longing to play alongside Iiffy for a while now. So, if I could choose, I'd love to take on the role of a wicked villain in Bloodkeep. It would be a blast. But honestly, if Dimension 20 approached me with any opportunity, I'd jump at it. I'd even happily portray a mere corn kernel in Candia. So, any side quest in any world would be exciting. But if I had to pick one, a Return to Bloodkeep would be absolutely fantastic. It would be thrilling to see you as Thorn's complete opposite.

Jasper Cartwright: Oh yeah, that'd be fun. Like the real cult leader.

Yeah.

Jasper Cartwright expressed his enjoyment of the idea, stating that he would relish the opportunity to showcase his sharp British accent and embody the deviousness of Charles Yance. He found the prospect of this quite amusing.

Personally, I absolutely adore it. As I mentioned before, I have a deep fondness for Thorn. I particularly loved the moments when he was exploring the wilderness, exclaiming, "Check it out, check it out, check it out." It was a truly enjoyable experience.

Jasper Cartwright: I forgot about that. Oh, man. It was very funny. Going to rewatch that moment. Very silly.

Before we go, can you tease anything for the next episode without giving too much away?

Jasper Cartwright: People were amazed by the bear map and the revelations about this world and how it's unfolding. Some were caught off guard by the fact that there is a logical explanation for why these stoats can talk and think. However, I can assure you that every episode surpasses your expectations. The story becomes increasingly complex and we never reach a point where we feel like we know everything. Aabria consistently introduces new elements that take our breath away. From here on out, it's like this with every single episode. It's a challenge just to hold on.

I believe the next episode, or maybe the one after that, has a pivotal moment that will likely bring tears, whether they are tears of joy or sadness, we can't say for sure. But it's a moment that will profoundly impact some people. It's the kind of moment that shatters you in the best possible way, leaving you in awe.

Oh, I can't wait. Yeah, I've been surprised every episode. Every time, I'm like, "I think I know..." Nope, no idea.

Jasper Cartwright: Yeah, that's exactly how it went down. I was actually staying at Aabria's place while we were filming this, and during that time, I was diligently taking notes and trying my best to figure everything out. I asked Aabria numerous questions, but she didn't give me any helpful information. I was really desperate, thinking, "Come on, I have to piece this all together somehow." There's this one moment, unfortunately, it wasn't captured on camera, when me, Brennan, and Erika all had this sudden realization. It's a shame we weren't filming because we went crazy with excitement. We were like, "Oh my god!" Brennan and I were especially confident about a certain fact, but as it turned out, we were completely wrong. It was just ridiculous. So yeah, for a solid 48 hours, Brennan and I were completely consumed by trying to make sense of it all. I'm really curious to see what happens with everyone else as well.

I absolutely love it. I can't help but imagine you intensely trying to decipher everything while Aabria stands in the corner, laughing away.

Jasper Cartwright: Oh, fully giggling. Yeah, because I'm just so far away. I'm so far away. It was, yeah, wild.

I love it. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me.

Jasper Cartwright: Thank you so much for having me. This is such a pleasure. I'm a big fan, so love Our website. It's great. So awesome to be here.

About Dimension 20: Burrow's End

Set in the enchanting Blue Forest, Burrow's End unravels the tale of a stoat family. The family consists of Ava, their wise matriarch, the adult sisters Tula and Viola, Viola's devoted husband Thorn Vale, as well as Tula's children Jaysohn and Lila. Together, they must confront the challenges that arise from both natural elements and mysterious outside forces, jeopardizing their once harmonious existence.

Check out our other Dimension 20 Burrow's End interviews:

Aabria Iyengar

Siobhan Thompson

Brennan Lee Mulligan

Erika Ishii

New episodes of Dimension 20's Burrow's End debut on Dropout every Wednesday.

Editor's P/S

Jasper Cartwright's Box of Doom & His Desired Dimension 20 Adventure

Jasper Cartwright's surreal experience of being invited to join Dimension 20's Burrow's End season highlights the transformative power of role-playing games. His journey from a fan to a cast member underscores the inclusive and welcoming nature of the Dimension 20 community. Cartwright's excitement about participating in a future season of Escape From Bloodkeep reflects the enduring appeal of the show's unique blend of storytelling and adventure.

Cartwright's description of Dimension 20 as one of the top-tier creations in its genre speaks to the show's high production value, engaging narratives, and talented cast. The opportunity to contribute to such a remarkable production is a testament to Cartwright's skills as a role-player and his passion for the craft. His genuine thrill and honor in being part of the storytelling showcase the profound impact that role-playing games can have on individuals and communities.