#spottedenchants

[granteddrop]

And I, I thought I was a scholar Withdrawn from love Why would I even bother?

@spottedenchants

[image description in alt text]

#happy chrism #this is not a year late no sir #spottedenchants #shadowgast #essek thelyss #caleb widogast #critical role #critical role fanart #wrist brace my best friend wrist brace #i put this down and lost track of what i wanted to do with it in the first place #so now it is a big mix #and it's done #would you believe me if i said there were originally going to be two more hands here #comic #full drawing #monochrome #technically not but close enough #i need to figure out how to put more 'me' back in my art #i don't know where it went

[mollymauktealeef]

WIP Title Ask Game

the rules are: Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Send me an ask with the title that most intrigues you and I’ll post a little snippet of it or tell you something about it. And then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

tagged by the ever amazing @spottedenchants

the edge of the blade

42

whistle sweetly

a christmas detour

dune au

romancing the stone au

the aftermath

evil au

wall-e au

zombae

i have too many wip's, 21 at the last count so here is a small sample for your enjoyment

tag you're it:

@andrewserkis @callingvoicemail @essektheylyss @foxqueen-katarian @mllekurtz @thechekhov and anybody else who would like (tired not to double tag anybody but thy brain is fuzzy from being ill so sorry)

#tag you're it #andrewserkis #callingvoicemail #essektheylyss #foxqueen-katarian #mllekurtz #thechekhov #spottedenchants #fair warning i may be passing out soon so any asks might be answered tomorrow

[spottedenchants]

heads up that i'm going to be moving all of my fics that aren't Touching Sentiments related to a different pseud on AO3!

Chanse -> SpottedEnchanse

#spottedenchanse cause it's. spottedenchants without a TS (hehe) #chanse chatters

[quinn-of-aebradore]

So that sword the big demon is wielding…

Graz'tchar is a sentient greatsword with a fragment of the consciousness of Graz'zt, the Demon Prince of Indulgence, and Graz'zt speaks through it from the Abyss. The blade was left behind following the defeat at the Battle of the Umbra Hills, and the weapon now calls out telepathically for a new wielder. (from wiki)

So. That’s pretty fun. More cursed swords! Hope Travis ends up with it XD

(credit to @spottedenchants for catching this >:3)

#critical role #cr spoilers #cr liveblog

[glossolali]

listen

THE RUIDUS FLARE THAT APPEARED IN THE FEYWILD THAT FEARNE WAS BORN UNDER WAS 7 YEARS AGO TO THE DAY!!! THE SAME DAY WHEN THE MIGHTY NEIN WERE IN COGNOUZAAAAAA

hhhhhhhhhhhhh

(theory copyright @spottedenchants thank u for being the timeline lord)

#screaming yelling throwing up #cr spoilers #critical role #mighty nein #fearne #cr 3 #cr 2 #glossopost

[aeor-is-for-reccing]

Have some extra time? Want to dive into something deep, or maybe stay up until 5am reading shadowgast fanfiction? Well, this week, we've got thirteen series for you! Check them out underneath the cut, and please comment and kudos if you liked them!

Clock Hands by royalgreen (62504, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: None

Alternate take on canon where Essek and Caleb start a relationship, leading into an alternate Rumblecusp arc

Reccer says: Great pining, sweet fluffy bois, fantastic worldbuilding, and a mystery

Touching Sentiments by Chanse (SpottedEnchants) (239244, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

This slice-of-life, interconnected collection of premises explores, among many things, the concept of Essek as both touch-averse and touch-starved, and how this might affect his relationships with the Mighty Nein.

Reccer says: I love how the author handles Essek's conflicting needs, and his relationship with all of the Nein (especially Caleb). It's so soft.

Wild Magic Surges by literalfuckinggarbage (10385, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Character studies of each wizard turning into a child version of themself through a wild magic surge in Aeor.

Reccer says: They are so sweet and precious as children! And all of the Nein’s voices are perfect

Among the Tattered Ruins by Cardinal_Daughter (33320, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Post canon getting together in Aeor, being domestic/sexy in Caleb’s house and meeting family.

Reccer says: I liked it!

Essek Thelyss' Lingerie Collection by CircaTheKnowledgeable (19490, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek Thelyss is given his first set of lingerie and finds a confidence in it that he has not had in a long time. Caleb loves it too.

Reccer says: Hot!

Shadowgast Omegaverse by firefright (54283, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Omegaverse

alpha!Caleb and omega!Essek fall into a relationship right before the peace talks. This explores that and continues on

Reccer says: It's always wonderful to find a good a/b/o series, and this fits that beautifully

Catch A Falling Star (Critical Role) by RainyDayDecaf (32921, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Graphic Depictions of Violence

The Mighty Nein find more than a Beacon in the sewers of Zadash. They also find a drow wizard and prisoner of war.

Reccer says: Mostly pre-relationship, the slow build is lovely! Heart wrenching at times and amusing at others.

birds of prey by TheKnittingJedi (102785, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

A Scourger!Bren AU that has Bren and Essek playing cat-and-mouse in political intrigue, spy games, and increasingly complicated emotions

Reccer says: I liked it!

the tusk love cinematic universe by kaeda (168202, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

While in Aeor, Essek and Caleb are transported to what seems to be the world of Tusk Love.

Reccer says: Kaeda is able to take such a crack premise and make it deeply compelling and heartwarming

reflections and other illusions of control by atlasarcana (84220, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Essek and Caleb have bedroom issues and summon an echo. The Echo is from a timeline where Bren remained a Volstrucker. They make things work.

Reccer says: This fic series focuses on relationship dynamics, intimacy, repression, and vulnerability. Caleb's journey into accepting a Dom role has to do with healing from a lot of trauma, and it's wonderful watching him be taught by Bren, who inadvertently is also healing from trauma by doing so. Plus, there's cross-timeline matchmaking for Bren and his own timeline's evil Shadowhand.

Aeor is for Lovers: Prompt Fills by LessAttitudeMoreAltitude (17979, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek and Caleb in Aeor, their relationship developing over a series of whumpy incidents

Reccer says: For a whump based series, it's surprisingly soft and sweet

Ages Past Ages Hence Cinematic Universe by Athenavine (30355, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Slice of life romance fics that capture the fulness of the love blooming between two wizards in exandria

Reccer says: athenavine really captures the characters voices, and the pace the romance moves at is just delicious. the descriptions are visceral and immersive and the fic updates very reliably and regularly. the series is emotionally compelling and spicy and exciting and it takes place over a span of time that feels like i really get a peek into all the important moments between my two favorite exandrian wizards. 10/10, will scream for anybody to read it, highly reccommend

And then we have two recs for this last one!

Field On Fire (Not the Actual Events) by Defiler_Wyrm (60535, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes, Contains a couple of monsterfucking scenes, but it’s still Shadowgast

From the depths of Aeor to a peace beyond, Caleb and Essek come together and explore their relationship—and each other—thoroughly.

Reccer 1 says: I’m entirely biased, but I like the balance of fluff and smut with a bit of humor and a pinch of angst, and how no two sex scenes are truly the same. Reccer 2 says: Top quality smut, Essek being competent as hell, Caleb being super slutty, I love all of it

Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast. Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we’ll be back with Sports/Athletes AUs! Let's make the noodly wizards move!

#shadowgast #caleb widogast #essek thelyss #critical role #cr fic recs #fan fiction rec list #Fan Fic Series #Longfic

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

Welcome to Critter Rarepair Reccs!

Hey y'all! Welcome to Critter Rarepair Reccs, a recommendation list aimed at fics written for ships that are largely under-represented, appreciated, and loved in our fandom! Now, let's address the elephant in the room first; rarepair is a misnomer here, knowingly. Some of the ships eligible to be recc'ed on this list might not be ones you'd consider a rarepair! So, the more proper welcome would be-

Welcome to Critter Underloved Ship Reccs

For brevity's sake, the URL is staying, though.

Now, it goes without saying, but before we get into the details here, let's get one thing clear: this blog is dedicated to spreading love and appreciation to fanworks and their creators. Ship hate of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a block.

With that said, let's talk about the criteria for an underloved ship and why we're defining it the way we are.

Definition & Explantion

There is one qualifier for a ship to be eligible for this list: less than 100 fics were written for it and posted to Ao3 during 2023.

We landed on this metric for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it casts a very wide net for pairings while still narrowing the field a fair bit. The gulf of works between flagship pairings, endgame pairings, and some of the larger side/non-canon pairings is significant. Secondly, we wanted to take a look at how the fandom is currently, which is why we pivoted away from using the Wildflower System ( @cr-summer-wildflowers ) of excluding any pairing with more than 500 fics total. There are a number of pairings that were extremely popular at one point in time, but these days get far less love and attention. Let's take Widofjord for example. They have almost a thousand fics total and were in the Top 10 relationship tags for Critical Role on Ao3 for a long time. But last year? Only 27 fics were written for them. They have, functionally, become a rarepair.

So, to be fair to ships that exist in that same, nebulous space, we're looking at totals from last year, not lifetime.

For illustration purposes, here are charts (compiled by the wonderful @spottedenchants ) showing how many fics were written for each PC/PC ship last year.

Ineligible Ships

Which ships, then, don't qualify under that definition? It's not a terribly long list. PC endgame relationships, primarily, a handful of non-canon pairings, and some prospective endgame ships. For simplicity's sake, we'll break them down by campaign.

Campaign 1: Perc'ahlia, Vaxleth, Pikelan, Perc'ildan

Campaign 2: Shadowgast, Beauyasha, Fjorester, Widomauk

Campaign 3: Imodna, Dorym, Ashrym

If one of these pairings is secondary or background to a fic, that's alright! But the fic shouldn't focus or center on them. It's also worth noting that polyamorous ships that include one of these pairs are also alright! Shadowidomauk, for example, only had 61 fics written for it last year, so they're in the clear! The same goes for Dashrym, as another example, as they've only ever had 36 fics written for them.

It is also worth noting all accepted submissions must be respectful of character’s canon sexualities; for example, we will not take fics that feature an M/F pairing of a lesbian character, even if said pairing fits the “rarepair” criteria.

The caveat to the above would be queerplatonic fic! There will be an option on the submission form to specify, to avoid confusion due to Ao3’s lack of a designated QPR relationship tag!

So when does the list open for submissions?

Very soon! February 7th, next Wednesday! The opening theme with be Fluff, and that list will be posted a week later, on Valentine’s Day, February 14th! I hope we’ll see you then! 🩷

#recc list rules & info #cr rarepair recc list

[vagabondfirelily]

WIP Wednesday

Tagged by @spottedenchants ❤️

-

"You," Essek starts quietly, still frozen, wets his lips. "You did not want to kiss me?"

He says it so cleanly, his cadence even save for the slight tremble in his voice that comes at the end. He is scared, Caleb realizes.

"No!" The word tears out of Caleb's lips before his mind even catches up to his tongue, the volume maybe a bit too loud and Essek's ears droop almost imperceptibly, a shadow of hurt flickering behind his eyes. Oh. Caleb kicks himself mentally. He isn't scared. This is... something else entirely. "I mean yes. I mean... That is not..."

He heaves a sigh and runs both hands down his face. Essek's look turns quizzical, though still guarded, as he continues to stand in the same spot, unmoving. He looks so incredibly lost at the moment and Caleb absolutely hates every second of it. He does not want to be another person to hurt Essek. Not like this. Not ever.

Focus, Widogast. He takes a deep breath, steeling his nerves and sieving through his racing thoughts, and tries again.

"What I meant to say is... I did not mean to jump you like that. I shouldn't have let my impulses get the better of me. You did not deserve that, my friend, and for that I am sorry. But... I have. Wanted to kiss you. For a while now. I would have thought my feelings for you obvious. I'm not exactly... subtle, I don't think. I just. I didn't want to do it like that, I wanted to do it properly. I had plans. Maybe a dinner in the tower, something nice, and then I would ask you... that is- Essek?”

A hand touches his cheek and Caleb immediately falls silent. Essek Thelyss does not initiate touch. Not really.

"Caleb Widogast," Essek says, both fond and exasperated, still somehow unable to hide the tremble in his voice that made its residence there. "You presume."

"I swear, I didn't-"

"Let me finish, please." Essek raises his other hand in a silencing gesture and Caleb's mouth closes shut. He then brings it to Caleb's other cheek and cradles his face. Gently, so gently that Caleb never wants him to let go. He's the one frozen now. All that he is, held in the hands of the man that he loves. Caleb trusts him completely. Perhaps he shouldn't have, but he does.

Love and trust are two separate things, he's learned. He loves Astrid and Eadwulf still, he doesn't think he will ever stop, but he does not trust them. They are his past. But Essek. Essek is his future.

And then, with violet eyes alight like stars, his future says:

"You presume your feelings are not reciprocated."

#shadowgast #essek thelyss #caleb widogast #wip #vlily writes #they're in aeor need i say more #stolen from my 1am notes on my phone #anyway it's thursday but who cares

[bloopitynoot]

Shadowgast Bakery/Coffee/Tea Shop Au's I Love

Okay I promised this after the Shadowgast Fics that made me Ugly Cry list, but instead I ended up doing a Space Opera-AU list. OOPS.

That's fine - it gave me some extra time to read again for this list!

So here it is, in all it's fluff and glory - some of the Bakery/Coffee Shop Shadowgast AU's that I love.

____

Starting with the longer forms:

1 Labor of Love

Labor of Love (43331 words) by OMGitsgreen (let me know if you know their tumblr so I can tag!) Chapters: 6/6 Rating: Mature Summary: "He still looked devastatingly attractive in every possible way and it wasn’t fair because he looked like he had just rolled out of the bed. Essek needed at least an hour in the morning to talk himself into being even vaguely pleasant. “Oh! Guten Morgen, and welcome back to the Xhorhaus Bakery,” Caleb said, a certain pleasant crinkle to his expression. He was smiling a soft, gentle smile that caught Essek off guard. “What can I get you this morning?” At Xhorhaus Bakery, where the Mighty Nein bake up Rosohna's most delectable treats, magic is something that is in the air. For Essek Theylss, there might just be love there too. COMPLETED

Why I loved it: This is one of my favourite fluffy fics. It's the passion for magic, the softness in the baking, and the transformation of lonely-to-in-love Essek that has my heart. This is truly a comfort fic for me, it's just so unbelievably sweet.

____

2 always the lonely ones know

always the lonely ones know (19348 words) by jolychetta/@hearthianhatchling Chapters: 6/6 Rating: General Audiences Summary: Essek Thelyss doesn't like unexpected changes, but when his usual coffee shop is replaced by a new one, he has no idea how much his life is about to be shaken up. He should hate the Chaos Crew Café and its people, but he keeps returning every day. It definitely has nothing to do with the handsome barista who served him the first day. In the following weeks, everything unravels - Essek's life, his feelings, and the friends he suddenly finds himself having. Learning to become your better self is hard work, it turns out.

What I loved about it: This fic gave me that perfect taste of the "I don't care about the results of my actions but oh no, I have friends and I think I developed a conscious" but also "this iced mocha is life changing". I loved the entirety of this fic, it was as much a fluffy coffee shop au as it was a story of unlearning and coming to terms with your actions. I almost wish it was a longer slow burn!

_____

3 read between the lines (Everything is gradual)

read between the lines (everything is gradual) (3047 words) by Chanse @spottedenchants Chapters: 1/1 Rating: General Audiences Series: Part 1 of in which caleb owns a cat café Summary: Caleb’s gaze roams, his eyes narrowing in a manner Essek can only deem analytic. If this was all a hazing prank-- “You are Jester’s… acquaintance?” Lovely. Even better. His reputation precedes him. - AKA a fateful encounter is had on one sunny day in Nicodranas

What I love about this: This is part one in a hefty cat café universe (I know it says one chapter but I think there are at least like 14 parts??)- and all of it is absolutely adorable. Caleb owning a magical cat café is honestly the most wholesome and expected thing. You've got the high strung disaster hot boy, you've got the mostly confident ginger magic man just interacting so awkwardly. If you like disaster first encounters that evolve into the cutest of relationships- this entire universe is for you. Oh and also, in later parts, Frumpkin is in charge of the cats and his thoughts are a jellicle dream.

___

On to the shorts list!

(not that these are short listed- rather they are literally just shorter in word count fics)

4 The Nicodranas Harbor

The Nicodranas Harbor (2220 words) by TheBeeIsLost (if you know them here please let me know so I can tag them!) Chapters: 1/1 Rating: General Audiences Summary: Essek didn't want to be here, but he didn't have a choice in the matter. after weeks of keeping himself cooped up in his own home he decides to finally go out and see what all the fuss about this city is. He found a bit more than he thought he would.

What I loved about it: This fic was an absolute whirlwind. Essek leaves the house one time and stumbles upon a ginger wizard barista who has him completely rattled. Very short, very sweet, and Essek Thelyss will be back.

___

5 serve with lemon and honey

Serve with lemon and honey ((1032 words) by quothhh (if you know them here let me know so I can tag!). Chapters: 1/1 Rating: Teen and up Audiences Summary: "I don't suppose you can brew me anything stronger than chai today?" Essek asks as he sits at his regular seat along the bar, fingers rubbing at the Ludinus-shaped migraine already pulsing between his temples.

Caleb laughs and tucks his book under the counter. "Ja, actually, I think I can.”

-

In which Caleb Widogast is definitely just a barista and Essek Thelyss definitely isn't a Dynasty spy.

What I love about this: The absolute wizard flirting is so lovely in this fic. It is in two parts! I do wish this world was explored more, it would have made a lovely longform. But as it is, it is wonderful. Just two- normal- absolutely not magical, absolutely not a spy, guys, just at a teashop/art gallery/bookstore/apothecary. Oh and there's a recipe in the notes of the first part *chefs kiss*.

________ And as always- I will happily accept shadowgast recs and theme recommendations for future lists! Up next: I want to do a corporate/business AU list.

#shadowgast #shadowgast au #bakery au #critical role #critical role fan fiction #essek thelyss #caleb widogast #disaster wizards #but at a coffee shop #or a tea shop #and even a bakery #OH and a cat cafe? #coffee shop au

[critter-genfic-events]

This week, we have nein lovely hair care fics! Come enjoy some tender love and care. Check them out under the cut, and as ever, comment or kudos if you like them!

Routine by RainyDayDecaf (2902,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Beau & Essek

A part of a series where tm9 find a feebleminded Essek, this fic features Beau cutting Essek's hair and giving him a sense of comfort no one was expecting

Reccer says: I adore this series in general, but this specific fic just hit all the right spots for me comfort wise.

won't you try to be kind to that wandering mind? by GrayintoGreen (2566,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Fearne & Laudna & Imogen

Fearne gets to have a little bit of girls-only bonding time with Imogen and Laudna

Reccer says: It's a great Fearne point of view, plus early campaign bonding time!

fate (is but dandruff) by Meridas (1794,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Mollymauk & Yasha

A newly resurrected Mollymauk and Yasha cut their hair together

Reccer says: It feels like healing

Shave and a Haircut (Two Bits) by MasterQwertster (1749,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Ashton Greymoore & Laudna

Laudna has a rock chisel in her hair and Ashton’s could use a… trim, for lack of a better term.

Reccer says: A fun look at taking care of crystal hair and friendship between Laudna and Ashton.

trimmed by Chanse (SpottedEnchants) (239,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Essek & Yasha

essek inspects the aftermath of yasha's help

Reccer says: It's short, sweet, and very poignant

there is no other version of this story by Otocyon (625,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Vex and Vax

Vex tries to talk to Vax

Reccer says: Lovely, lyrical and heartbreaking

With no Lapidary by Operafloozy (960,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

Ashton's hair requires a little extra work to take care of - much like the genasi himself

Reccer says: An interesting thought I never had before - if Ashton's hair is actually gemstones, how did he learn to take care of it?

Three Years, Six Beacons, Nein Braids by devil_seabird_king (ShaaKi) (1818,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Essek & Verin Thelyss

Verin visits Essek in prison, talks about the nein, and braids his hair

Reccer says: I liked it

tell me there's another song by yelenavasilyevna (7220,Mature) Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, discussion of child abuse (Caleb's backstory) Pairings: Astrid Becke/Caleb Widogast, Astrid Beck/Eadwulf Grieve

A post-canon character study about the newly appointed Master Astrid Becke. Astrid copes with the political and ethical horror show that Ikithon has left for her to clean up, while reconnecting with Bren as he teaches her his transmogrification spell. Uses haircutting and Astrid's hair as a framing device.

Reccer says: Class tension, Astrid on the assembly, Astrid in the memory prison rooms of the nein-sided tower, Astrid talking to students, Astrid and Eadwulf trying to be people after a lifetime of being weapons, Astrid and Caleb doing magic together, and gratuitous use of the title "Master Becke"

This is one of our weekly communally-generated gen rec lists. Every week we announce a new theme and allow anyone to submit a fic recommendation. Please note that the summary and content notes are provided by the reccer, and may be different than what the author has provided. Please assume good intentions all around. <3

And hey, anyone includes you!

Next week, we'll be featuring Pre-Campaign fics!

Then, it'll be Crashing A Party, Calamity Focused, and then Transformation!

Any fics coming to mind?  Well, then use this form to submit!If you're looking for some more, check out some fics written in the critter genfic bingo tag, or the older rec lists! Or you can request your own card and join in on the fun!

#critical role #critter genfic rec lists #gen fic #cr fan fic #hair care #the mighty nein #bells hells #vox machina #sorry for the late post!

[mouseinthecastle]

WIP WEDNESDAY

Tagged by @spottedenchants

Ty for tagging me 💗 here’s a little hurt comfort thing from my big ol wip doc

He froze as Caleb’s hand came up to hover near his face, as if just about to touch his cheek, before quickly pulling back as Veth’s shrill voice called out to him. They both jumped, she was much closer than either of them had expected.

“Caleb! I think I found a good place to put the tower! Down this hall a bit.”

“Ach, yes, show me, please.” Red faced, Caleb jumped up and followed the halfling away. He avoided looking back at Essek, who was refusing to think about it. The rest of the group started heading after the two. Essek tried and failed to get back on his feet once, reeling from a sudden dizzy spell, before a shadow fell over him.

“Cmon’ squishy wizard number two. Let’s move.”

“Ah, just a moment please, I-” Beau didn’t give him a chance to finish before she leaned down and hauled him up by his arms. The sudden movement caused his dizziness to explode into full vertigo. His muscles screamed and a headache bloomed behind his eyes, so intense that his vision began to gray around the edges.

“Aw fuck, aw shit. Sorry Essek,” Beau’s quick reflexes saved him from falling back onto his ass when his knees gave out from under him. He could hear Beau calling for Jester as she lowered him back to the ground. He took a deep breath and tried very hard not to puke on his friend.

“I just need,- just a minute please. I’m fine,” he slurred against the monk’s collarbone from where she held him up awkwardly. He wasn't sure if he had fully passed out, but the next thing he was conscious of was the tingling chill of Jester’s healing magic washing over him.

Poor Essek needs a nap!

Mutuals tag ur it!!

#Essek gets like 98 points of exhaustion and it scares the Nein #I love this lil wip but idk where I’m going with it #it’s actually Thursday evening here but shhhhhhg #mousewrites #essek thelyss #the mighty nein #critical role fanart #critical role #cr

[granteddrop]

consider this the successor to [this piece]

(inspired by Like a Diamond to the Rough by @spottedenchants)

[image descriptions in alt text]

#essek thelyss #caleb widogast #shadowgast #critical role #critical role fanart #full drawing #render? i don't even know 'er #spent all day on this because this scene would not leave my head #quite the experiment

[hello-eeveev]

Self Rec Tag Game

tagged by @spottedenchants thank you!!!

Rules: Share five of your own fanworks (fic, art, etc.). Then, tag five more people to share the things they've made.

1.something you absolutely adore

On the Nature of Attraction

T, Essek/Caleb, 7.5k

What more can I say about this fic that I haven't already? It's a very vulnerable fic that came from a very vulnerable place. It means a lot to me, and I love that it seems to mean a lot to other people. Sometimes art is sending out a call and receiving the answer: you're not alone. That, and I truly do just like it. I like the story, I like the pacing, I like how I wrote Essek's inner monologue. Unironically, it's a banger.

2. something that was challenging to create

All Things End, All Things Change

T, Essek/Caleb, 2.8k

Fun fact: this is an entirely different fic from what I had intended it to be at the outset. I had been planning an Essek POV romp through Aeor where the main tension was pining that would culminate in hand-holding that's not explicitly romantic but they both kinda know what's going on. Instead I got Caleb POV emotionally devastating choice in Aeor where the main tension is pining for power that you know isn't worth the risk and for a past you can never return to. Does result in hand-holding though, so good for them :) One thing I learned in this fic (and re-learning in the current fic I'm working on) is that Caleb's darker moods are more difficult for me to write than, say, Essek's. And once I get that internal feeling down, it's hard to figure out how much of that should be revealed through dialogue, what exactly should be revealed, and how should it be revealed. It requires some real intentional thought, a lot of brain power and brain space, makes my dopamine-starved adhd brain go noooooo lol That said, I am particularly proud of how I explored why Caleb chose Essek and Essek alone to accompany him to the T-Dock. I think I hit on some tasty stuff there.

3. something that makes you laugh (or smile, if that fits more comfortably)

oh, by the way (also on tumblr with a small coda here)

G, Beau & Caleb, 932

This fic gives me a chuckle every time. It's got all the hits: empire siblings, Caleb playing a silly little prank, Beau's over-the-top reaction to said prank, the "Yasha doesn't get how Sending works" gag. Beau is a fun POV to write. I don't swear much in my day-to-day life and I am not prone to irritation or anger much at all, but those are pretty key to Beau's voice, especially in this little scenario I've crafted for her, so it was fun to play around in her headspace during this low-stakes, overdramatic moment she finds herself in.

4. something that surprised you (in how it turned out, how much other people liked it, etc.)

The Shadowhand Becomes A Baker

G, Essek/Caleb, 2.1k

My first critrole fic! This one surprised me in a couple of ways. Before this fic, I had thought that a beauyasha wedding one-shot I planned shortly after the c2 finale would be the first critrole fic I published, then I thought that I would re-spec a ramble about the relationship between Essek and the Bright Queen and publish that as my first critrole fic, then Ephred the Shadow Baker showed up and my twitter moots convinced me it was Essek in disguise (still holding on to that belief btw) and then I wrote this fic in 2-3 days before anyone else had the same idea. And I was so pleasantly surprised by how kind and eager shadowgast fic readers were! I had seen it ofc, but it's different to be on the receiving end. Before writing critrole fic, I had written some Fire Emblem fics that existed in corners that were far less active than shadowgast in general, much less shadowgast in 2021, so I had not been expecting such an enthusiastic response. It also surprised me that several people complimented my descriptions of the baked goods because at least two of them involved citrus in pastries, which is something I actually hate. I just pretended that someone might like them for the exact reason I hate them and really leaned in to everything I hate about cinnamon rolls that have orange in them. Turns out when you do that, you get some really vivid descriptions. So... writing tip, I guess?

5. something you want other people to see

How to Rest Chapter 1

G, Essek/Caleb, 3.2K

Shadowgast first date! This chapter makes me so soft! Back in my rom-com era! They have a picnic! They stargaze! Caleb flirts! Essek bluescreens! It is one of the joys of my life to make the wizards be awkwardly in love with each other (or, in this case, not quite in love yet, but on their way there), and this date is chock full of it. The hello and goodbye are two of my favorite moments. I really enjoy the imagery and how I conveyed the very blush-y, awkward first-date dynamic. I also love their conversation and Essek's subsequent introspection while they're stargazing. It's sweet and tender and layered, and I got to make a subtle nod to one of my favorite Fire Emblem games and the role that made me fall in love with Matt Mercer in the first place because sometimes two of your favorite ships are about people finding each other against all odds and who knows why their lives are intertwines, but man, are we glad they are.

tagging: @awesomefrogofawesome, @astrasia, @esseekthelyss, @quinn-of-aebradore, @cogsandsprings

#shoutouts to the shadowgast fandom for being absolutely feral #yall keep me writing love youuu #that and wizard brainrot. it's powerful stuff #critical role #shadowgast #essek thelyss #caleb widogast #beauregard lionett #empire siblings #eve’s writing

[flashhwing]

What do you think the Dynasty does in between Bright Queen's deaths before being born again?

I HAVE NO IDEA BUT I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED

@spottedenchants have you any thoughts?

#asks #anon #this has been a post #critical role

[quinn-of-aebradore]

“Go away, Tavelle,” Essek bites out, still not turning. “I don’t feel like playing games tonight.” “Aw, why not?” Lucien whines but there’s still something razor sharp in it. “Shouldn’t we be celebrating, princeling? Four consecutive years, that’s quite the feat.” Following his fourth year winning gold at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, Essek Thelyss is... tired. With the gilded veneer falling away from competing and mounting expectations from his coach and country, the approaching season looks bleak. That is, until Lucien Tavelle—by all accounts the second best skater in the world and Essek's media-assigned rival—begins to carve out a space for himself in Essek's life.

Hello friends, today I bring you my last fic of the year, as well as my 100th fic: written for my wonderful friend @rainbowcaleb , I have for you all my Luciessek Figure Skating AU! This behemoth of a fic was an absolute delight to write, I had so much fun with these purple boys and the world around them. I hope you all enjoy it 💜💜💜

Also!!! Extra special thanks to @spottedenchants for helping me researching skating things, helping me sort out some of the background/behind the scenes aspects, as well as introducing me to Yuri on Ice, where very loosely inspired this fic :3

#essek thelyss #lucien nonagon #verin thelyss #abrianna mirimm #luciessek #a ton of NPC cameos as well as a handful of OCs #critical role #cr fanfic #quinn fics #quinn moodboards

[glossolali]

Tiefleb, inspired by Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel

check out @vampwidogast aka flashhwing's lovely and heartwrenching fic in the same tiefleb AU 'Kleines Fünkechen', @quinn-of-aebradore 's moodboard here, and keep yer eyes peeled for more tiefleb in the future~

thank you chansey @spottedenchants for the fallen angel idea and thank you ash and quinn and the rest of the beloved soup server for brainstorming and creating our hurty lil tief child together ❤️🤲

Below the cut are refs used!

Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel

This panel from M9 Origins Caleb 🥲🧡

#caleb widogast #critical role #critrole 2 #caleb #tiefleb #c2 #critrole #glossopost #glossoart #scars cw #scars tw #critical role fanart #critrole fanart #cr fanart