#Ashkeeper

[fernthewhimsical]

Ashkeeper

My personal pantheon started with a dream. I was standing in a field, looking towards a round white building. Huge with open arches, like the Colosseum (pic. 8). Inside everything was white marble. The floors and walls made from memorial plaques and tombstones. The only splashes of colour the flowers and candles that were left by some names. This was the Hall of Remembrance. The Hall was not filled with graves. The bodies were not there. These plaques and statues and stones were here for those left behind. A place to visit and remember. It was also not a place of mourning and sadness. Rather one of peace and a serene joy. People were walking around tending the markers, and people were talking to each other, and to the priests, sharing memories and stories of those lost.

This is where I first met the Ashkeeper.

They are the deity of death, who keeps the soul safe before they are ready to move on to whatever afterlife they choose. The Ashkeeper is also the deity of memories and remembrance. The things left behind in our world so people who have passed will not be forgotten.

They live in graveyards and cemeteries (pic. 1, 4, and 9), but also in the box of mementos and albums filled with photos (pic. 7). They live in the spontaneous shrines of flowers and candles which we come together to make after and accident or catastrophe (pic. 3). The in memoriam murals to make sure we never forget (pic. 5). They are with us as we celebrate our various days of Remembrance, to keep the memories alive.

Photo's used: [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]

[tasteoftaldorei]

How a few bad rolls in C2E56 may have resulted in the Mighty Nein's recommendation from the Bright Queen in C3E105:

When the Mighty Nein meet with the Bright Queen for the first time, Nott rolls a Nat 1 on a deception roll.

Nott uses her Fragment of Possibility to reroll, and fails again. Jester also fails her deception roll.

The Bright Queen recognizes that Nott used a Fragment of Possibility:

Then Lythir reveals that M9 attacked him in the Ashkeeper Peaks in C2E51. After Fjord's failed persuasion roll, the Bright Queen orders for their arrest. You can see that Caleb forgets how to breathe for a bit.

As guards begin to arrest them, Caleb walks to Jester's bag and pulls out the Beacon. Gods, I love the look on Matt's face in this moment:

The Bright Queen is lost for words, and the Mighty Nein are immediately released.

7 years later, the Mighty Nein are recommended by the Bright Queen herself to assist Bells Hells in the attack on Ruidus.

All because of Caleb "I can't go back to jail" Widogast.

[utilitycaster]

unbelievable that of the three evil-aligned Assembly members introduced in Campaign 2, the current standings are:

Trent: following decades of torturing teenagers and playing mindgames, imprisoned for 7 years, proceeded to invent an UNHINGED saw trap scenario in Blumenthal but get so fucked over by Antimagic Sphere that he is now bound to an Abyssal entity and sealed within a magic kinder egg.

Ludinus: destroyed the first post-Calamity above ground civilization on the western side of the Ashkeeper Peaks after decades of building a reputation as a rancid-vibe haver extraordinaire, and vampirizing fey to live longer. Pops up, presumably drawn by the word "Crimson", to found the Corrupt Wizard Advisory Council and gladly exploit the resources of the Dwendalian Empire while also being the powerful normie among psionics because you know his ass has NOT read the Patternist series. Missed a game-changing moon loophole that would have saved him potentially CENTURIES of efforts; Bells Hells stole the Torment Nexus AND his diary from his old apartment. Still alive, still Wizard Stupid Forever.

Vess: After some normal levels of being a bitch to shopkeepers and hired mercenaries and sipping tea in her cool bird mansion while secretly gaining the powers of an corrupted Lovecraftian Aeorian city, realized that maybe destroying the world was bad; got murdered by a resurrected mercenary who had decided destroying the world was AWESOME and then was Weekend at Bernie's-ed by the Mighty Nein for a while.

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

Good/Complicated Mom Deirta

This week, we've got ten fics that feature a Deirta Thelyss as either a good - or at least complicated mother. Check them out underneath the cut, and comment and kudos if you like them!

What Luminous Worlds Await by essektheyless (divinationwizard) (178674, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

After a thousand years of sleep, the Luxon's Champion reawakens to a changed Exandria. The memory of Caleb is ever present, the soul of his mother is tucked in the beacon he carries, and Leylas' madness is tumbling the world toward war again.

Reccer says: The second person narrative gives this such an immediacy! This fic makes me wish I could temporarily forget everything I know about CR so I could try reading it completely fresh; I think it would hold up and be a very cool way to be introduced to the world.

some things time can't fix by Chrome (25930, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek is arrested for treason. The Dynasty severs the daemons of prisoners before executing them so they can’t be reborn.

Reccer says: great hurt comfort and an AU, but also a nice depiction of a caring Deirta

Lay Your Bones by LadyOrpheus (53578, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Thinking only of justice and restoring his family's honor after Essek's betrayal, Verin Thelyss finds something he never expected, an Essek he never expected. A mission for justice turns into a race against time and a family finds their world upended.

Reccer says: I love how complicated Deirta is in this fic - that she's bound by her station but still finding ways to act on Essek's behalf

Not the Needle, Nor the Thread by Operafloozy (2149, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Consecuted Deirta is forced to live with her son from another life, it's Essek, things are complicated.

Reccer says: It's part of a series and I loved the series so much, this installment really focusses on Deirta and Essek and also the hurt they caused eachother and how to continue on now that they are both different people.

(and) i'll come running if you call by vagabondfirelily (6489, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

Essek goes to Bazzoxan to save Verin. Doing that, he runs into his mother.

Reccer says: It is so bittersweet and so realistic. A very good portray of a complicated relationship between two very similar people. And Verin is there!

until it doesn't hurt by breitweisergallery (3.8k, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

5 times Deirta sends to her sons and one time they send to her

Reccer says: I liked it!

When Broken Shells Make Christmas Bells by LuckyOwlsFoot (12348, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Rape/Non-con, Dubcon/Consensual Non Consent, Non-consensual arranged marriage, threats of rape (nothing explicitly happens)

Essek gets forced into an arranged marriage to avoid execution and Caleb rescues him at the altar.

Reccer says: Lots of Essek angst and comfort and support from Deirta and Verin

a star in your sunset by Laeveteinn (2200, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Discussion or implications of a suicide attempt

When I find you at the foot of the stairs, my first thought is that a stranger is wearing my son’s face, because there is a standing call for Essek Thelyss's arrest the moment he is seen this side of the Ashkeepers.

Reccer says: It's from Deirta's point of view - which feels rare, and the way that the author shows how well Deirta actually knows and loves Essek - how much we can figure out about Essek's emotional state and probable motives - is amazing, especially with how little is said.

And then we have multiple recs for these last two fics!

And After the Scripture (Your Mother Beside Me) by SaltCore (9531, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Major Character Death

Essek is so very loved - so much so, that when he dies, his mother enlists the Nein to smuggle him out of Rosohna so that he may live again.

Reccer 1 says: What isn't there to like? Deirta gets explored as a mother, as a leader, and as a person. The Drow society gets examined and sketched out, painted with a history that reaches back before the Calamity. We get to see more of the Thelyss family, and we see the respect that these strangers give to the Nein solely based on the fact that Essek loved them. The interactions Deirta have with the Nein (mostly Caleb) highlight how shrewd and savvy she is, completely zooms in on what it must be like to be an Umavi, even from the Nein's POV. It's such a stunning story, both in craft and content! Reccer 2 says: the characterization in this fic is incredible. for a character who never appears on screen, deirta has a real tendency to haunt the narrative for a lot of shadowgast writers. the version of her who appears here is a completely convincing—and heartbreaking—portrayal of both one of the most powerful people in the dynasty and someone who is fundamentally essek's mother in spite of that. it makes me cry every time i read it, in the best possible way. mind the warnings—but even as someone who has a hard time with major character death fics, this one is completely worth the read. Reccer 3 says: Genuinely my favorite depiction of Deirta Thelyss I’ve seen. Incredibly complicated but so clearly loves her children in a way that makes sense for a woman that old.

Starburst Hearts by kaeda (4805, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Told from Deirta’s pov. A meeting between mother and son while Essek has been on the run.

Reccer 1 says: One of my favorite characterizations for Deirta as a complicated person who loves her son but struggles to show it and doesn’t understand him well. Also a lovely outsider’s perspective on the dynamic of the Mighty Nein as well as Caleb/Essek. Reccer 2 says: It's so wonderfully bittersweet! Also the outsider perspective on the rest of the Nein is very funny

Want more fics with Deirta? Check out our reclist themed with featuring another Thelyss!

This is one of our weekly communally-generated shadowgast rec lists. Every week we announce a new theme and allow anyone to submit a fic recommendation. 

And hey, anyone includes you, if you're so inclined!

Next week, we'll be featuring fics with Astrid and/or Eadwulf in them. Any fics coming to mind? Well, then use this form to submit!

[pocketgalaxies]

"they're releasing troops and guards into the ashguard keep mountains–the ash–the ashkeep....mountains.... that'swhatthey'recalled–"

"ashkeeper."

"the ashkeeper mountains. (to the table) i said it correctly in-game."

[jaskwritesthings]

Wip ask game! 👀 zombae? Or verins terrible no good roadtrip? 👀👀

for every fandom i ever enter there is always the dream of 'what if zombies?', i love the zombie genre so much. its all about the survival found family in desperate times. now with added critical role! i'm really excited about this one, i am in love with the idea i've come up with for how the zombie apocalypse starts in exandria and can't wait to share it

Essek turned his attention away from his maudlin thoughts and back to the reports on his desk. For now, at least, it was business as usual, even if his mind was elsewhere most of the time. He read with half a mind, the words barely registering. A list of battalion movements along the border. Bazzozan requires more weapons. Jester had rarely gone so long without sending to him, perhaps Beauregard and Veth had succeeded in convincing her to cut ties with the traitor? Da'leth had apparently been sighted leaving his tower regularly but not for the king's side. Unusual levels of violence in some villages and towns near the Ashkeepeers Peaks. Perhaps Caleb was having second thoughts on his redemption? Trade interests growing in the wake of the new peace. He said he wasn't born with evil in his heart but if Essek scarcely believed that how was he to expect that Caleb truly believed it as well? Three soldiers in the lower slums started a brawl in a tavern causing casualties. A quick and purposeful knock at the door caused Essek to jump in his seat.

verin's road trip is basically the drow they find in the zadash sewers is the one and only verin, complete with luxon beacon and secret surprise too, mwhahaha. anyway the nein naturally adopt hot boy the younger and seek to help him return to xhorhaus with his treasures! shenanigans ensue

“You all! Halt,” The guards call out to them and the human woman swears colourfully under her breath, letting Verin know their group has been singled out amongst the crowd. “What now?” Molly asks worriedly. “There! Freeze fiend!” Another guard shouts and Verin tenses, reaching for his sword. Before his fingers curl around the hilt, the human man is there, in his space, hand grasping his wrist tightly. Verin growls and snarls at the man who would betray him, only to note that the guards are not approaching, the clamour of armour and yelling is leading away from the group. “Nott has created an image, we don’t have time, let’s go,” he mutters, tugging on Verin's wrist with urgency. Verin nods and relaxes, somewhat.

wip ask game

[critterfloozy]

Critter Gen Week Day 3 - Cross Campaign

For Cross Campaign, I'm posting the first part of my upcoming Delilah Briarwood and Delrta Thelyss work! Unbetad, also don't have a name yet. But will be posting this on AO3 by the end of the week!

(I also had things for day one and two, but I'll post them on day seven - life kinda got in the way)

785 PD.

Delilah Briarwood first arrived in Rosohna as a newly minted member of the Cerberus Assembly with little fanfare. Archmage of Antiquity was neither a role with potential trade implications like the Archmage of Industry or Diplomatic Union, nor to be watched the way the Archmages of Civil Influence, Dysology, or Domestic Protection. There was always the chance that some Luxon historical artifact might be found within Dwendalian space, but barring the unearthing of some new great fallen city in the next few short decades, Deirta had little hope.

Still, respect must be paid, if only to keep the other Western wizards in line. And thus, a grand tour for the little mage.

Deirta, as a point of fact, thought little of most wizards. She’d fought wizards, a near millennium ago, and still remembered all the ways to get around their little tricks. She recognized Da’leth as a dangerous and pretentious fool of the old sort, and could only hope that his bizarre machinations brought him down sooner rather than later. In the meantime, he was a pretentious fool with an army, and they were aiming for peace.

The newest archmage looked painfully young, wide eyes taking in the Lucid Bastion and a precision in her step that seemed artfully designed to hide any sort of nervousness. Everything looked to be exactly put into place, just so, standing as if her spine had been put into a vise.

Perhaps one day she’ll learn that the best way to show power is to appear to relinquish some of that control. Or rather, to make it seem effortless, just so. Perhaps she wouldn’t.

“Is Leylas Kryn a title, also? Or an honorary name?” Archmage Briarwood asked.

“How do you mean?”

“Forgive me for being blunt - but while I realize that I am new, and young by your standards, we do have recorded history. I made a point of studying all of them, and have found most- if not all - mention that the ruler’s name is Leylas Kryn. She is a drow in the most recent accounts, but the first encounters between our Empire and yours mention a tiefling.” She smiled. “We may be short lived, but we do jot such things down.”

Archmage Briarwood looked smug behind her polite facade, as if she had caught the Kryn out on some sort of grand lie. She had no idea that she’d just revealed her complete ignorance to the entire group. How little they had to fear from Dwendalian spies, if they did not even know the secrets of consecution?

Part of Deirta pitied her, maybe. Or maybe it was to gloat. Or maybe it was that the Umavi Mirimm was in hospice and not around to stop her. In any case, she said, plainly. “Leylas Kryn has undergone the right of consecution and has been reborn.”

“Ah, how interesting! It’s always a pleasure to learn about other people’s beliefs!” Archmage Briarwood said, though her fellow Archmage and diplomats shot her quelling looks. Perhaps she had not been properly briefed. Deirta focused more on the others, who seemed more worth her time. She’d done her part to be polite to the ignorant condescending mayfly.

In that moment, Briarwood showed no more interest in prolonging life. But she had been so young at that time, and youth always confers the illusion of immortality. Deirta shouldn’t have expected her to stay dismissive.

799 PD.

Deirta received a sending from the Archmage Briarwood a few days before the Dwendalian delegation was supposed to arrive. A somewhat covert meeting request - slip away for a few minutes. The stated purpose of this trip was renewing discussions of trade routes over the Ashkeeper Peaks - nothing the Archmage of Antiquity should have been needed for.

The new northern discoveries had already some intriguing results, perhaps they’d found something they think Leylas Kryn would be willing to negotiate for.

Deirta decided to take the meeting. Leylas seemed less patient these days, less willing to think of the long term consequences, and Abrianna wasn’t around to stop her. It wouldn’t do to bargain away half of western Xhorhas on the promise of some Dunamantic scraps.

And she’d remembered stories of Aeor from her childhood. Yes, they had a duty to spread word of the Light as far as possible and to see if there was any knowledge to be scraped away from the wreckage, but it seemed opportune to her to let their rivals take all of the risk first.

“That’s the story we’re going to go with, yes - I’ll try to sweet talk you into some baubles, you’ll call my bluff and shout a little bit, and nobody will think anything more about me going on this trade talk,” Delilah said breezily, in one of the small suites created for semi-private dalliances in the Lucid Bastion.

“You know this isn’t actually private, yes? The Lens monitor each room in this building. It would be very inconvenient to me if you caused a diplomatic incident.”

“Not a worry,” Delilah tapped an anti-scrying amulet around her neck. Typical wizard - overlooking the nonmagical means of achieving a goal. “But also, your side is not the one I’m worried about. I fully expect that you’ll need to discuss this with your Queen.”

Oh, well, that was intriguing. Deirta chose to let that show. “Why are you here, really?”

“Consecution,” Delilah said, and then stared up at Deirta. She truly was short for a human. “I need to know how it works.”

Deirta kept her voice steady, doing her best not to betray any irritation. “The mysteries of the Luxon….”

“Are saved for the most devout, or richest, or specialist, I’m sure.” Delilah cut her off with a wave of her hand. “I only wish to know how it works.”

“I see. And what will you give us in return?”

“Full access to the Aeorian ruins. I’ll find a reason to step back. Ludinus wouldn’t be happy, but he’ll live.” She took a deep breath. “My husband is dying. We think it may have come from the north - it appears incurable.”

Deirta made a show of considering Delilah for a few seconds, gauging how desperate she was.

“I’ll discuss this with the Bright Queen when she is next able to grant me private audience,” Deirta said, and then respectfully bowed before leaving the room.

Deirta met Leylas for brunch the next day.

“Do you think they’ll truly cede the ruins over to us?” Leylas said, sipping her drink.

Deirta snorted. “Almost certainly not. Or at least not for long - Ludinus would find a way to dispose of her, and anything she said would be erased.”

And, again, she didn’t really mind the Dwendalians spending their soldiers and agents getting destroyed in the ruins.

“But you still think it’s a good idea.”

“I think she doesn’t realize the true asset being offered, and that makes it a fabulous idea.” A thankful Archmage, one asking to to be indoctrinated - one who knows the secret workings of the Dwendals and of Da’Leth - would be a significant catch indeed. Even if she’s resistant at first, there’s always the husband. Or simply waiting for their next life - a childhood growing up in the light of the Luxon has a way of changing loyalties.

Leylas sighed. “You still haven’t forgiven House Dwendalos, have you?”

“We could have had it all! They were in line for the throne! All they had to do was stay quiet, maybe murder a few choice people -“

“- Their siblings in that cycle -“

“-Or simply give us the information that could have helped us!”

“They chose to not commit treason and betray their birth family,” Leylas said a little playfully. “Most would say that it would be a good thing.”

“A little treason would have been nice,” Deirta muttered, but it was mostly for show.

Leylas gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder. “So what is your plan with your new Archmage?”

“I’ll let her know that you have agreed that we might share information, so long as we start seeing the retreat of Dwendalian agents away from Aeor. But - you will also not blaspheme, and one must be a true believer to be Consecuted. The Archmage Briarwood and her husband would be expected to go through the entire catechism before Consecution.”

Leylas waved one of the servants over to take their dishes away. “I do think Abrianna would keep us from proceeding if she were around.”

“Well, that just means we would have to succeed before she comes back.”

[achillesblanketburrito]

Hopping on the D&D OC moodboard bandwagon because these blorbos are my life lmao.

Odyssey

Tiefling | Wizard | School of Divination | Sage

Born in Gwardan on the Menagerie Coast, Odyssey was raised in the House of Enlightenment, a Temple to the goddess Ioun. But, unlike their classmates, they could never manage to connect with the goddess. Berated for their failure for years, they grew resentful of the gods, and the clerics who received their magic on a silver platter with no effort. They remained, though, studying Divination until their graduation. On their first mission away from home, they were whisked into the Feywild through a mysterious portal. It was only the first of many on their journey through the planes, but it's where they would meet the party that, for the first time, will change their outlook on the world...

Aamris

Changeling | Wizard | Blood Magic | Scourger

As far as his party is aware, Aamris Zoryax is a Dragonborn, a nomad raised in the Ashkeeper peaks, and travelling around in search of knowledge. This is true...for the moment. Aamris is just one of hundreds of names he's worn, one of hundreds of faces. In reality, he's a Vollstrucker agent, stationed behind enemy lines in the Kryn Dyansty. The trail he's been following led him to Jigow, where he became a member of a party of rag-tag, morally compromised secret keepers. Together, they hunt for the secrets of the ghostly Apotheon...as long as they don't kill each other first.

Breylin

Drow | Druid | Circle of Spores | Outlander

Abandoned in the Undergrowth of a giant, ancient forest for being a third-born drow, Breylin was taken in by the Myconid Colony and raised alongside the colony spawn. He doesn't know much about his drow history, where he came from or what House he was in, but if he's honest, he doesn't really care. The Myconids are his family, and the Undergrowth is his home. He is content, and happy, until he finds S.A.R.A., porcelain automaton left alone and broken in the woods. Remembering what had happened to him, he couldn't leave her behind. So, he woke her up, healed her, and made a promise to be for her what the Myconids were for him. Not just family but something more. Something deeper, like fungal roots taking hold in the cracks of tree bark. The two travel together now, Breylin hoping that they will find what S.A.R.A. is looking for. What he will find along the way, he has yet to find out...

[gnomedrawing]

“Traveller” and “View of the Ashkeeper Peaks”

Apparently I was having feelings about Jester leaving home and seeing new places. 

Image description under cut.

Two watercolor paintings featuring Jester Lavorre from Critical Role. In the first she is seen from behind, looking out a dark arched doorway, a road curving down past her feet towards houses and docks. In the background a forest and mountains rise against the sky. The colors are soft and pastel.

In the second the Mighty Nein are sitting, half off the page, in a horse drawn cart. Jester stands with one hand on Molly’s head, facing away from the viewer towards the blobby brown hills and gray mountains on the horizon.

[regina-cordium]

please say more about Nell

lost, i would LOVE to say more about nell indridsdottir (but not TOO much, bc i wanna see if any of Nell's Nonsense™️ can finally make @dbradyart's paladin garr finally break is unflappability)

she was inspired by three things

beverly toegold iv

me not wanting to keep track of spells

me thinking it'd be hilarious for an 11 year old to go around swinging giant war hammers (i was right)

nell is basically the pokemon tinkaton. when i first saw tinkaton i was like "THATS MY GIRL!!!" i literally named mine nell lmao

we're playing a wildemount campaign, so nell is from a small village just over the boarder between the dwendalian empire and xhorhas. it's close to the southern part, near the ashkeeper peaks. i'm playing fast and loose with actual cr canon, so like i'm pretty sure by the period this is set the treaty between the two has already been signed, but fuck it that's not fun. there's constant clashes between empire soldiers and the villages along the boarder, so nell's known war and battle her whole life.

her father is the chief of the village, so she's also seen responsibility and leadership. she's still figuring out how to, like, Do That, but she's young it's fine. she's got time.

exceeeeeept........she came to the conclusion after Things Happened that nobody actually takes her seriously; they see a silly child who is not worthy of succeeding her father. so she decides to take matters into her own hands and prove that she can hold her own and help the village survive and grow when the time comes.

don't worry, she left a note!

[12pt-times-new-roman]

c3e64

Aabria and Christian are still here!

We begin with Team Wildemount, who take a whole bunch of damage because of a misfiring teleport. In theory, they could just keep taking damage until they go unconscious, but they do eventually land -- not in Jrusar, but in a similar-looking township built into the side of a mountain cliff.

Because it's the same time of day, they're most likely still on Wildemount, and they've landed in a settlement of eisfurra! It seems to be an isolated and secret settlement, as the leader will only let them go if they are temporarily blindfolded and led away so they don't know where they came from.

Frida looks around, and to one side, very far away, there's a mountain range that looks like the Flotket Alps. In another direction, there's an ocean, and they seem to have gone very far southwest of the Greying Wildlands. If I had to guess, I'd say they're either somewhere in the southern Ashkeeper Peaks, or possibly the southeastern Dunrock Mountains.

Also, Frida can now telepathically communicate? Did they level up and take a level in aberrant mind sorcerer? And if so, what the fuck does that say about them and the way they were constructed, if they're actively assimilating powers and abilities from the people they spend time around?

FCG was already close to a breaking point when they got teleported, and the presence of the birds starts to set it off -- but a calm emotions from Imogen calms them for now. Eventually, they land, and the eisfurra fly away.

FCG's rage starts to build up again, but Frida takes their shoulders and kisses them -- with a successful wisdom save, they "heal" 2 (1d4) stress points.

"I know you're keyed up, and I need you to not make your emotions other peoples' problems right now." .....that's certainly a perspective

They settle down where the eisfurra dropped them and make camp.

While FCG is in rest mode, Frida casts detect thoughts on them. The surface thoughts are recollections of recent events -- passing moments, words, expressions, like a brief review of bits of affirmation. Delving deeper, Frida "truly feels the tension, the immovable intent to kill. There is a need to destroy and cleanse. It feels unlike FCG, it feels alien, it feels intrusive, like an intrusive thought that cannot be ignored any further, and the only thing that you see beyond this boundary is images of someone building [FCG]. You see hands assembling, things being carved, elements of enchantment being pressed within the recesses of the chassis, within the head. There is a delicately crafted intent burned within the essence of FCG. Old, buried." Frida can't tell whether this is original programming or something like a virus.

Imogen casts teleport again and rolls a 53, which is "on-target." They arrive in the night, standing on a cobblestone street somewhere on the Smolder Spire.

From here, they can see Ruidus, massive and static, tethered by a single flickering, pulsing thread, locked in a flaring state. The few civilians in the streets rush to and from their destinations, and there are guards everywhere.

Deanna tries to scry on Laudna, and she sees her in a subterranean space, a cavern, a carved living area -- the place where they fought Bor'dor, just before Team Issylra is set to arrive in Jrusar. Imogen tries sending, rolls a 69, and is met with static.

They go to check in with Pretty. He hasn't seen anyone Ruby Vanguard-looking, but it has been difficult to get around the city because some of the gondolas stopped working.

As the sun rises, the guard presence increases, but both the moon and the aurora stays in the sky. In this new light, they can see that the skyport is cluttered with ships, and there are others anchored amongst the nearby mountains. There's an air of tension and fear throughout the city; people who have errands are keeping their head down; many glance at the moon and quicken their pace. Additionally, beyond the guards and warders, there are other figures in unfamiliar armor -- different militaries with different holy symbols, sellswords and mercenaries. Those skyships are mostly batteships, not unlike the ones they saw crashed nearby the key.

Deanna supposes -- likely correctly -- that that message from the gods went out to the entirety of Vasselheim, and they have amassed armies in the nearest metropolitan areas to it.

"When we messed up the teleport the first time, I think some wires got crossed, and I can speak to people in their head now!"

Chetney notices that there are soldiers gathering at the base of the Lantern Spire, and several skyships have dislodged from the mountains and are heading south.

Imogen uses detect thoughts on a group of soldiers. She picks up anxiety, frustration, not enough information, suddenly sent -- some are from afar, "this place is interesting, where are we going?" Missing home, missing family. Others hold recent prayers in their minds.

Arriving at the Spire by Fire, they are met by a katari who recognizes them, but who hasn't seen the rest of the group recently. It seems like this tavern has been taken as a temporary barracks for gathering troops, and Frida positions themself near a group of them to listen in.

With a history check, they notice that some of the soldiers carry emblems and attire from across the world -- symbols of the Clovis Concord, the Council of Tal'dorei, and other military might from abroad. It isn't just Vasselheim's troops gathering here -- it's everyone.

Imogen looks to Ruidus. There has always been a very faint pull toward it for her, but it doesn't seem any stronger now than before. She tries to send a message to Xhudanna, which works! But she hasn't heard from Laudna.

Chetney approaches a group of soldiers. He learns that they're all following the orders of their commanders, but they don't know whether the militaries of all these different nations are coordinating with each other.

Fearne listens in to some of their conversation. The soldiers are being kept in the dark for the most part, they don't know where they're going or why, but they know that this secrecy means that they are important and trusted. Regardless, these troops are not stationed in Jrusar, they are being amassed here before being deployed elsewhere.

Hey! I called it! After the break, we're gonna get the other half of Bells Hells.

Emilee is still here too!

Prism fully thought that she was going to a different place, but nope! They're all here together.

They arrived on the Lucid Spire, one they've never really been to before. It's a wealthy neighborhood, lavish and vibrant, a thriving city built around the rest of Jrusar. From the public park they've landed in, they can see the same sight as Team Wildemount: Ruidus, its tether, and the leylines.

Prism wants to go to the Starpoint Conservatory! thank the gods that someone does. (I really, really miss the Cobalt Soul lore dumps from C2.)

Prism also has the dewey decimal system for abs. canon.

Yeah! they did level up! They're all level 10 now. Prism took teleportation circle for one (of two) of her new spells, and friends for her new cantrip.

Orym says that if he has any say in the matter, they'll find their friends, then start heading toward the malleus key.

Entering one of the gondolas, they find a courier. They learn that the solstice was an event, a celebration, to the general populace; individual spires and organizations had their own parties and events, but none expected this.

Orym asks the question of the night, whether the city has made any official statements. They have said that they are working with other militaries and governments in light of the "Hellcatch soul" -- presumably Ruidus -- and that there will be an increased guard presence in the city.

The gondola lands, the courier hurries off, and Prism sends Mother after him. She casts identify on the package, which is just a letter.

Ashton mentions the Ascension's Rise university to Prism, which they believe would be of interest to her. There's also a massive temple to the Dawnfather in the Lantern Spire. But Prism is looking for "pre-mythological information" about the eidolons, the elementals, and/or Predathos.

The Shadowfell has a massive celebration on the Day of Ascension, the Matron of Ravens' holy day. Notably, the same day is celebrated on the Material Plane.

Prism notices that, although the holy symbols are different, there are soldiers whose attire carries the iconography of the gods. The only one she notices in detail is of a woman's side profile whose hair cascades into her armor -- the Changebringer.

Returning to the Spire by Fire, the two halves of Bells Hells reunite! That's 5 people on each side of the table, and I can't imagine that that will be sustainable for long.

But it's Imogen who notices. It's Imogen who notices their silhouettes. It's Imogen who recognizes Laudna's silhouette first.

Laudna and Imogen immediately hug. Orym flies toward Fearne and wraps his arms around her neck. Ashton immediately insight checks Prism. FCG and Frida were making out in the corner. It's perfect.

tbh I'm not even going to try to transcribe this conversation -- needless to say, they explain their situations, there are many insight checks made, and once the group disperses to their room we get the more intimate moments.

"The way you put it, it's almost like the gods are planning escape pods." PRISM???

Both Imogen and Laudna are of the opinion that Ludinus is trying to follow in the Matron's footsteps, trying to become a god. Meanwhile, Laudna misinterprets the eidolons, Prism and Imogen continue to doubt the gods (as they should), and FCG continues to believe in the gods (as they should).

But Orym gets to a completely different question: Frida's past. Frida believes their initial purpose was to protect the original Malleus Key in Aeor, though they, Deanna, and FCG all think that Aeor is synonymous with Eiselcross.

Frida replays Imogen saying, "she's beautiful, but she's spooky beautiful." Imogen hides her face in her hands. But there is something to be said about the extent to which each individual group talked about the other to near-excess.

All the while, Deanna, having found a secluded area in the tavern, completes her commune spell. The burning light of the star that encircles Exandria, the star that brings life, death, and rebirth -- she feels his stare turn to her, expectantly, as she tries her best to not look away. "'A couple questions before I let you go. First, is working with Bells Hells actually going to help all of you? They seem... dangerous.' There is no response, which leads you to believe that the Dawnfather is uncertain. 'Are your disciples perpetrating harm in this world at your behest?' My disciples do what is necessary for the good of our people, collectively, and for the future of Exandria.' 'One more. Are you worth saving?'" Deanna is thrust out of her communion, her back hits against wood, her eyes burn like she had stared into the sun. "He didn't like that."

Finally, Deanna is introduced to the rest of the group properly. That all leads to Prism questioning whether the history of Predathos has been mythologized by the gods (which we as an audience know it has been), questioning what's true and what isn't. And I think it's important to realize that it's absolutely possible that both sides are mythologizing, both sides are lying, both the gods and Predathos are telling the truth, both the gods and Predathos are spouting lies. There is absolutely no certainty.

There are approximately 23 leyline nexuses in Exandria that have been charted, though there are many places that have never been mapped or even explored.

"Our journey was very horny." "It sounds like it. Ours was... traumatizing." oof

To Deanna, it seems like Ludinus put all this technology together slapdash. Frida suggests that someone needs to go to ground zero to figure out the "source code." Prism volunteers.

Deanna offers to them that she could, as a cleric of the Dawnfather, get in to wherever the Bells Hells couldn't in Vasselheim. They remember that teleport was working but teleportation circle was not, which determines that some permanent enchantments were broken while instantaneous spells may be unpredictable but are not entirely broken.

Dynios noted that all magic -- both arcane and divine -- was amplified by the nexuses. There were no fundamental differences between the two in regards to the nexus itself.

With detect thoughts, Imogen learns that Dynios doesn't trust the Bells Hells, and he says that he's "a good book with a bad attitude." In regards to Prism, "she is walking an uncertain path, and I am curious as to what paths she takes. She shows potential, and she has a radical streak I wasn't expecting, so, we'll see." Prism says that he's a "father figure" to her. In response to being perceived by so many people, Dynios retreats into the book, and Prism holds the book to her chest.

Both Frida and Imogen think that there's something nefarious about the book (unclear whether they're talking about the runes on the Judicator, Ludinus' notes, or Dynios).

As soon as Imogen mentions the Tal'dorei Counci, Ashton turns to Orym and asks, "where are your people?" Orym asks Deanna to scry.

Orym pulls out the remnants of the seed that carried Keyleth's message all that time ago, and she uses it as the focus of a scry.

It takes a moment for the magic to push through, as if Deanna's magic is being held at bay ("daddy wasn't happy with the attitude"), but it eventually does push through. As opposed to clouds, Deanna is pulled through warm sunlight, until she drops through the sky. "You see a shaded interior. There is light from nearby windows. A figure, standing, looking through with window -- turns around, carrying a staff. A woman, red hair, antlers, leaning heavily on the staff. Somebody talks on the side, and she looks back and nods, gives a motion, almost falling onto the ground before figures catch her and lead her back onto a bed. She fights them before eventually laying there and setting the staff to her side... voices, saying, 'Voice of the Tempest, you must not over-extend yourself--' Across her, there are dark red wounds, across her neck and arms and face and torso, that aren't bleeding but aren't closing. She breathes heavy. 'Just give me a moment, I have to speak with the others, too much is happening... it wasn't supposed to be like this.' She looks to a tapestry, and at the end, there is a single black feather... she stands and hobbles away from the chamber.'" Deanna tries to cast guidance on her, knowing that it probably won't work but also knowing that Keyleth needs it.

The Bells Hells decides that the failure of resurrection magic is due not to the reconfiguration of the leylines but to the malleus key and Ruidus, to Ludinus' influence.

Lastly, Orym recognizes the chambers Keyleth was in as her chambers in Zephrah.

Laudna feels as if the druids, nature, and eidolons may be the key to unlocking the secrets of this mystery. Ashton questions where they can find more of these druids, more of these ancient elementals, because the forces in Jrusar don't align with this.

They agree to split up; Deanna, Frida, and Prism will go to the Starpoint Conservatory to do research, while the Bells Hells will start moving across the Hellcatch Valley and back to the malleus key. They plan to travel alongside the soldiers who are starting to march that way.

oh god I had fully forgotten about the potential waeorwolf situation

For level 10, it looks like Frida took a level in aberrant mind sorcerer and Fearne took another druid level!

[fernthewhimsical]

For those who are curious, this is what I mean when I say my personal pantheon is a mix of historical, unrecorded, and constructed deities.

In this context historical means there is a general consensus this deity was worshiped in the past. There is archeological or historic evidence, no matter how little.

Unrecorded are deities forgotten through time. They were once worshiped, but that was so long ago even their name is forgotten. Perhaps on day we'll find evidence, perhaps not.

Constructed are deities that are of my own creation. Whether completely from scratch, or through adding to existing mythology of different deities.

When it comes to the Gleaming Grove - my personal pantheon, it is like this:

Hooded Hunter, both historical and unrecorded, Cernunnos

Rootwoman, historical, Baduhenna

Wildmother, historical, Nehalennia

Wayfarer, historical and unrecorded, Elen of the Ways

Sanctuary, historical, Nemetona

Hearthlight, historical and unrecorded, Freyr

Trickster, historical, Loki

Iridescent One, historical and constructed, Frigg-Frija

Shining One, historical, Frigg-Frija

Lady of Flowers, unrecorded, Eostre

Amber Forge, historical, Brighid

The Healer, historical, might be Eir or Airmid

Ashkeeper, unrecorded

Veiled Silence, historical, Holle/Holda

Crescent Huntress, historical, Jecha

Earth Mother, historical, Herta/Hertus

Crowmother, historical, the Morrigan

Void, unrecorded

Moon Mother, historical, Mona

Star Sister, unrecorded

Lotweaver, unsure

Wordweaver, constructed

Clothweaver constructed

Because there is so much we don't know of most of the historical deities that I honor, I rely heavily on my interactions with them, as well as UPG. It is why I started calling them by titles, instead of names, to make sure it people looking for historical "facts" would not be led astray.

However I am doubting this decision now, and may start refering to them by name again. We'll see.

[updated 13 September 2023]

[hoperays-song]

Phone Cases For The Teens

So, the bits we see of the character’s phones (in the movies and in the shorts) show them either in plain cases if any at all. And since I found that kinda boring and slightly unrealistic especially for a group with a fair number of young adults/teens, I decided to give them new phone cases. two new phone cases to be exact. One tough and protective case for them to use during tours and performances where they have their phones on them (+ a pop-socket for those since a lot of people I know have them), and a decorative one just for fun.

---------------------------------

Nooshy

Everything about how Nooshy was dressed screamed 70′s so hence the neon phone case, and the other is based on her colour scheme . 

Ash

Keeping her red and black colour scheme but adding in way more grunge/rock elements, I figured these would fit Ash.

Porsha

Porsha seems to like sparkly things so the phone case and pop-socket are gem themed, and the protective case is based on her Calloway shirt.

Ryan

We’re all gonna pretend that these are all the same shade of green for one, and two I felt like Ryan would absolutely own a Heartstopper case.

Johnny

Johnny’s current phone case is canonically teal so I decided to carry that over and add in some skating and lightning details.

Meena

Lots of pastels with floral and silver accents, I don’t know why, it just seemed to fit Meena’s vibe.

[utilitycaster]

it is entirely possible and probably likely that there is no real mighty nein massachusetts au and the caduceus cranberry bog remark was purely a joke, but I absolutely MUST ask about it on the off chance there is more to this concept

There will never be a coherent fic not in the least because I have not actually lived in New England for a decade, but:

Beau is from a wealthy suburb of Boston (in my heart I want her to be from Brookline but the vibe is further out, like Newton or something). Veth is from a not wealthy suburb of Boston, further out than Beau. I was going to say Caleb dropped out of Harvard but actually given his age at the time it should probably be some kind of Frankenstein of Boston Latin with Philips or Groton.

Caduceus is in fact from an ancient line of cranberry farmers in western Mass.

I feel like everything east of the Ashkeeper Peaks should just be like. New Hampshire and Maine, which sort of undercuts the grandeur of the Kryn Dynasty, but I'm really struggling to place Yasha and Essek in Massachusetts.

Actually for peak hilarity Essek should be from Montreal in this analogy which puts Yasha in rural Vermont or New Hampshire.

Technically I think this means Beau dropped out of College of the Holy Cross.

Obviously both Fjord and Jester are from the Cape; she is wealthy old money whose mother decided to live in the summer house all year long. He is a working class townie who is faking the accent and his native accent is just generic non-regional US. Uko'toa is real and I saw him in the Boston Harbor on a field trip in fourth grade. Veth still ends the campaign running a summer camp.

Every joke I had about Molly's death I have rejected for not being nearly funny enough to offset the incredibly poor taste it is in but most involved the violent and unhinged avian wildlife along the Freedom Trail.

Caleb crashing through the window with Cat's Claw but it's the Citgo sign

I was going to also joke that Teleport lets you summon the T after midnight but apparently it runs until 1 and possibly 1:30 now so fuck me I guess.

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

Less Commonly Recced Authors!

This week, we have less common authors! Check under the cut for 8 fics written by authors who aren't frequently featured and don't forget to comment and kudos if you like them!

For my Love Lies Patiently by Xhorhaus (13596, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: panic attacks

An exploration of Caleb and Essek's relationship, throughout and after the campaign, and how they came to love each other.

Reccer says: Gorgeous and a wonderful look at their changing dynamics

what the poets could not grasp by principessa (2946, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes, Choose Not to Warn

Essek and Caleb spend the day together, and then spend the night together.

Reccer says: Soft, lovely and very sweet.

Ashkeeper, or Urn by darundik (66476, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes, Arranged Marriage

Essek and Caleb are political enemies sent to survive in the Ashkeeper Peaks alone. Nothing is supposed to grow there and yet they manage to make something flourish.

Reccer says: This whole fic is stunning. The setting, the writing, the characterization. A very poetic kind of fic, that will captivate your brain completely.

the large aggregate of little things by quanshi (burningdarkfire) (3206, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Three times Caleb and Essek get ready together.

Reccer says: Lovely prose, and so very soft

Paper, Ink by aeli_kindara (14589, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

The wizards venture into Aeor, as their relationship grows, Caleb shares his past with Essek as he reckons with his decision of whether to use the T-Dock and the grief that comes with it.

Reccer says: A fic I keep coming back to! Beautifully written with fantastic prose and characterisation. By far one of my favourite shadowgast fics out there!

Dancing Cheek to Cheek by soot_and_salt (3871, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek Thelyss is a prodigy at dancing but he is tired of it. Caleb Widogast brings a little bit of joy into his world.

Reccer says: A lovely modern AU, very sweet and heartwarming.

The Chrysalis You Cannot Keep by Foxtrot66 (39219, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Major Character Death

It has been 20 years since Caleb's death. In Shadycreek Run a young half-elf life gets turned upside down by nightmarish memories.

Reccer says: Beautifully written, very emotional, and amazing art!

The Purr-ent Trap by Justnap (2443, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek doesn't have a cat. He just has a stray that he feeds, grooms, and now lives in his house. Caleb works at the local pet store and helps him out.

Reccer says: The most adorable and fluffiest thing I've read in ages

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 character studies!

[waitingin4-4time]

I love critical role and I’ve been running a game in wildemount since the book dropped. Overall fabulous, but somebody needs to explain to me how these rivers are cutting through massive mountain ranges. It was my understanding waters is going to go down either side of the mountain making separate streams and rivers.

So rain or snow falls on the mountains and gathers in the Gehem Basin that’s fine so far. The southern river is perfectly logical straight to the ocean. To the east we’ve got water going over the Ashkeeper Peaks to the same ocean the southern river goes to. To the north it goes over the Ashkeeper Peaks, turns into a swamp, turns back into a river, and goes clear across the continent. Ustaloch would actually make sense if it was higher up in the mountains and just flowed down into the basin. There is no way for me to read elevation of this map that way. It very much makes it look like it cuts through more mountains and just ends in a lake and stops? I guess Trostenwald is using a lot of water for brewing and agriculture this could have flowed through the Wuyun Gorge in the past.

Matthew Mercer please tell me the story of what happened here. Was it wizard hubris? A calamity battle? Did the Wild Mother just have some fun? Is there just some fundamental difference about Exandria that makes this make sense?

reminder to worldbuilders: don't get caught up in things that aren't important to the story you're writing, like plot and characters! instead, try to focus on what readers actually care about: detailed plate tectonics