#brief mentions of Essek

[stardusted-bookworm]

It'd been so long since he'd felt warm.

Sure, he'd felt the warmth of the sun. Of fire. Of lava. But external heat rarely thawed internal frost. And he had been cold for so, so long.

He had felt a brief warmth in the company of his two friends, only to be snuffed out by the one they'd called teacher.

After that? Eleven years of numbing frost had crawled through his insides, shutting off everything but the bare minimum.

He thought he'd never feel the warmth again. Had made himself content with the frost, for that would be all he'd know for the rest of his life.

Until it wasn't. Until the frost cracked and broke, shaking off little by little.

As he met a little goblin girl as filthy as he was. His loyal companion who did not belong to the skin she had been forced into.

As he met a blue tiefling girl with her love for pastries and unwavering devotion, a handsome half-orc with a loyalty that ran as deep as the oceans he dreamed about, and a brusque human woman who was running from her past with the same fervor as he was.

As he met a giant aasimar woman whose fearsome countenance was belied by her gentle nature.

As he met a beautiful lavender tiefling who sparkled brightly in order to bring joy to everyone around them. Their brilliance was so strong, he could not help but be drawn to them.

When they lost the lavender tiefling to powerful enemies.... Well, he had thought the frost would come back to stay. Felt the edges of a familiar coldness return and prepared for the worst.

Then, a wise firbolg taught him that death is not the end, that there are many, many ways to honor those who have passed.

He felt the last of the frost thaw completely, and he finally allowed himself to mourn. Allowed himself to trust. Allowed himself to love again.

And oh, how he loved.

He loved his friends, his family, the way a well-fed fire burns: brightly and unceasingly warm.

He loved his partner, his beautiful and intelligent and flawed partner, the way the stars shine: luminously and without end. For as long as they should live.

And as he lays here, on his deathbed, Caleb Widogast cannot help but think how lucky he is to be able to love and to be loved. How lucky to have known and seen as much as he did. How lucky he is to be filled with a warmth that so many spend their whole lives searching for.

I have lived my life well, he thinks, heartbeat slowing. I have no regrets.

And as he exhales his last breath, he smiles. I have so many stories to tell you, Mutter und Vater.

[betaadmin]

im healthy im at peace im healthy im at peace only MY wynandir lore exists

[ariadne-mouse]

With Essek dodging the reveal of Caleb's name, the scenarios in which he and Bell's Hells realize they both know him are shifting towards Orym mentioning or using the Sending stone, or (long game where everyone lives) a brief reunion at the very end

[critter-genfic-events]

This week, we have nine fics dealing with Grief or Mourning -dealing with the losses in the recent episodes of Critical Role, older losses, and imagined losses still in these character's futures. Check them out beneath the cut, and remember to comment and kudos if you like them!

divorce the first by Ink_Beneath_Her_Fingernails (3496,Not Rated) Warnings: Brief mentions of Molly's death, but it's not a focus. Pairings:

Common is the only language all of the Nein share, but it's not the first language of any of them.

Reccer says: There's such an aching sense of longing and grief and mourning in this fic that leaves you with the feeling of an old pain, almost too small to bother dealing with, not that you even could, but every day it sticks around like a rock in your shoe. It manages to slip under your defenses in a way fiction about things like death can't always do, while still touching on loss. There's also some really excellent development of worldbuilding and Wildemount here.

Proud by awaytobeunshaken (557,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Beauregard Lionett & Caleb Widogast

Beau isn't sure how to feel after her father's death. Caleb tries to comfort her anyway.

Reccer says: I liked it

a white and soundless place by BeatriceEagle (7064,Teen) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death Pairings: Una Ermendrud & Caleb Widogast

A portrait of grief, from either side of the thing.

Reccer says: Una and Leofric feel like people, rather than saints.

psychopomp by hydraxx (3357,General) Warnings: Pairings: Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast

Essek comes back to visit Blumenthal over the centuries after Caleb dies, while a long series of local innkeepers observe his mourning process.

Reccer says: It's a really sweet look at how Essek processes losing one of the people important to him, with background worldbuilding!

A Wisdom Without Face or Name by violettressed (17280,Teen) Warnings: major character death Pairings: Caduceus Clay & Jester Lavorre, Jester Lavorre & Essek Thelyss, Artagan & Jester Lavorre

Jester Lavorre spends a lifetime learning how to let go.

Reccer says: A great fic if you need a cry - there's little sparks of humor left by everyone being in character that make the entire thing even more heartfelt

Things to Do in Whitestone When Your Best Friend is Dead by untropicalisland (3038,General) Warnings: major character death Pairings: Ashton Greymoore & Laudna, Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III & Ashton Greymoore

Ashton tries to make sense of FCG's death while the party regroups in Whitestone following their return from Ruidus.

Reccer says: Ashton and FCG's relationship was so great, it's nice to see something that's got Ashton processing their death. And the Percy and Ashton's dynamic is pitch perfect and *chef's kiss*

Synonym for Tragedy by thetickingclock (1060,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Orym/Dorian Storm, Fearne Calloway & Orym & Dorian Storm, Dorian Storm & Cyrus Wyvernwind, Dorian Storm & Dariax Zaveon

Dorian and his brother. The music is different now.

Reccer says: Beautiful and haunting

like wildfire, it starts in my chest by ellis (ellabellachicketychella) (1523,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Dorian Storm & Cyrus Wyvernwind, Dorian Storm & Dariax Zaveon

If this is grief then the poems got it wrong-- or, i love how dorian's grief is rage so much. i wrote a little about it

Reccer says: A brilliant character study of Dorian after episode 93

To hold, to cut by thetickingclock (1665,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

A series of vignettes about the coping with grief through shared work

Reccer says: It felt true

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 focusing on Fjord Stone! Know of something focusing on his backstory, or maybe his interior life during the campaign, that orphanage heist that happened after? You should rec it!

After that, we'll be changing things up a bit. Mentorship will be happening on the 15th, but after that, we're going to switch to a twice a month schedule - starting with Scanlan.

Any fics coming to mind? Well, then use this form to submit!

Oh! Also! Critter Gen Week is happening! We've been using the themes for our reclist - so if you're inspired by what you're reading, consider writing (or making art) for that week!

[kmackatie]

hey friend, 'garden' for the march writing prompts! ♥

hey friend! thansk for the prompt 💜this is also sleepverse, a few years down the line

(ask me a march writing prompt)

"How has he been?" asks Beau, kicking back until she's balancing dangerously on the back two legs of her chair. She does this often, with a disregard for how quickly it could backfire on her, but then her reactions are quicker than Caleb's. Still. If he uses his foot to make it rock slightly under her to see the brief flick of fear across her face, that is between him and himself. "Obsessive," Caleb replies, sliding his foot back carefully as the chair rocks back onto four legs. "Hey!" "What? He is!" "No, for the fucking--you asshole." Caleb flinches back instinctively--the dining table between them isn't any protection from Beauregard's flying elbows--before he grins. "He has spreadsheets for the optimal watering schedule and exactly when they need to be rotated to maximise the sun!" "Coming from Mr 'I tracked my notebook usage to set up an auto-delivery every six weeks' Widogast. Pot, kettle, black, Caleb." "And does the wildflower know when the rain is coming? No! Yet it still grows!" "Let the man have his passions!" Caleb snorts. Essek has many passions, plants being the most recent. Though in all honesty, this one he quite likes. He hasn't mentioned it yet, but having greenery around is nice. Calming. And it makes him smile to see Essek pottering around with his little watering can and moisture monitor and talking to the plants. He really did need something that got him away from work. But half the fun of arguing with Beauregard is the argument itself, regardless of the content. "Beauregard, I no longer have a laundry. It's become a greenhouse!" "You really should look at moving. Apartments really are not set up for gardens, and it's good for him. Good for you too." Caleb swallows past the lump in his throat. They have spoken about it, about how it might be time to start looking for somewhere a little bigger, with a little more space, they just can't quite agree on where yet. It's also something he never thought he would be in a place to achieve--a relationship, or a house, or anything stable. A blessing, and he's terrified of moving too quickly least the house of cards comes crashing down around him. "Eventually. " "I'll send you a listing that Dairon was talking about recently. Has a vegetable garden and a small greenhouse. I think you might convince him once you see it." "I--it's not necessarily him that needs convincing. It feels... the apartment is safe. But a house?" "You could have a library. A whole nerd room of books. Isn't that worth doing something a little scary?" He thinks about it. Takes a breath. "Ja. Ja, it can be. No promises, but send it to me later." "We'll make a proper adult out of you yet."

[thatfaerieprincess]

I don't usually blog directly abt CR I just reblog but uhhhhhhhhh I am STILL thinking about Ashton getting his head inspected by Essek. That was literally almost everything I wanted from that scene!! I have been dreaming about nearly exactly that scenario for MONTHS!!

Ever since we first saw Caleb in C3 I've been sitting on this fic idea I'll never write where Caleb and Essek get to sit Ashton down in their shared study and inspect them and ask them questions and answer questions for them!!! I wanted Ashton to be treated SO gently and so respectfully and yet completely depersonalized as just A Thing for them to study, but still being checked in on!! Caleb being SO careful to make sure Ashton doesn't feel uncomfortable bc of his own history Being An Experiment, the two of them getting Ashton's full story and just Making Eye Contact over their head!! Swapping notes and theories, Caleb filling Essek in on what he knows abt the potions of dunamis, teaching Ash abt what they know, Caleb keeps going into teacher mode, Ashton being somewhat zoned out when they aren't being spoken too, sitting in a comfortable chair just letting themself be moved and positioned! Caleb asking if they need any water or snacks or extra pillows !! Ashton is deeply uncomfortable but in a very comfortable way, not used to being treated with this kind of respect and care, especially not being studied by someone who isn't LEERING !! They give Ashton a full briefing at the end with all their conclusions!! Maybe some other time they run some tests on their abilities!!

And obviously the scene in c3e95 is entirely different by way of No Caleb, but with just Essek that was p much everything I could've wanted!! Being asked "may I touch?" And then taking their jaw and tilting their head?! Peering into the hole in their head and going "O.O Oh Boy!" Getting to teach Ash abt dunamancy and the Luxon!! The only thing that could've made it better was if Essek mentioned the need to confer with his partner about it!!

My only dearest hope rn is that Some DayTM when all this is over and they get that chance to study a little more in depth, that Caleb can be there too. Idk if it'll ever happen again like that in campaign and not just post-campaign fic but!!! I was at peace for like 10 whole minutes there! nevermind Everything Else that happened in this episode!!

[utilitycaster]

Wizard Breakdown Tracker: Mighty Nein Reunited, Part 1

GUESS WHO'S BACK

BACK AGAIN

SOUP WIZARDS

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

Hello and welcome to the return of the Wizard Breakdown Tracker, a late Campaign 2 feature that I realized just now I should have also done for EXU Calamity, but also good news, it's all, eventually, 10/10, pretty much all the wizards die except for possibly Volucia who noped the fuck out to Cael Morrow, and Maya Agrupnin who was Assigned Wizard By Patia. There. EXU Calamity Wizard Breakdown Tracker.

Every D&D game is better with wizards. As Liam O'Brien once said, "what's sexier than wizards? nothing." Now, to be fair, he also once said rogues were the best class when you and I and Brennan Lee Mulligan all know it's paladins; but we can all agree re: the sexiness of wizards. It is my hope that we have more wizards in the future, but for now, we shall cherish the wizards we once had, and that we briefly have again.

Because we're not touching base in this two-shot with a large number of our erstwhile arcane allies and antagonists, and in the service of a joke at the end of this post, we are including our Wizard PCs this time! Let's begin.

Lady Vess DeRogna: She was not in this episode nor mentioned but she WAS in The Nine Eyes of Lucien and she WAS talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, etc. No spoilers for that here. Just wanted you to know that Lady Vess DeRogna is still dead. But like, probably 7/10.

Ludinus Da'leth: Per Beau, the Assembly's gotten awfully quiet lately, and per Caleb, Astrid's been trying to set him up with a professorship, which Ludinus can't really spike because he did offer the Assembly seat to Caleb first so it's weird to say that he's qualified for propaganda minister and not transmutation professor. The Mighty Nein have made this slippery motherfucker sweat so hard that apparently he started making deals with the Feywild. 6/10.

Trent Ikithon: Hey Trent! Bitch.

As previously stated, 9/10.

Astrid Becke: Trent's in jail and she's apparently doing pretty well and is either happy to help Beau's investigation, or helping Caleb without realizing that Beau really wants this. Probably the latter, but we love to see a complicated morally gray queen flourish, though I suspect she's having Beau-like growing pains into her new and fancy job. 4/10.

Yussa Errenis: You can just sense, from his brief response to Jester, that he absolutely knows that the Mighty Nein saved his ass twice and that he will need to call them if he gets trapped on the moon in 7 years, but also he is sleeping, dammit. Secretly glad they keep in touch; really unamused at having 14 people dripping seawater in his tower, because Tidepeak is really more of a turn of phrase. Also if he knew Veth was starting up a camp he would be very slightly hurt she hadn't asked him to teach anything but also if she asked him he would 100% turn it down. 2/10. Never change, king.

Essek Thelyss: We could get all poetic about the yearning but realistically, he's still at the outpost, getting more and more twitchy but also managing to visit Caleb regularly. Possibly hooking up? But that might just be a reference to the bit and general vibe of the episode. Anyway he's probably feeling kind of bad, but hey! We know he ends up in Uthodurn eventually, and then gets to go back to Aeor only to be part the most simultaneously intense and oblique confession of love of all time. So probably 6/10 but buddy! It gets so much better, and pretty soon no less!

Caleb Widogast: There's good meta to be had about Caleb Widogast, six months later, and you are NOT going to find it here, in a post that's about shaking up wizards in an empty Pringles can. Well, at least not much. As indicated above I think this is likely pre-Aeor excursion with Essek; but Caleb feels like he is tentatively and hopefully building a life. It's slow, and it's a little quiet and small right now, but the fact that he's able to do so on his own is itself an immense victory. He probably gets to have lunch with Beau and dinner with Essek at least once a week each, he has a little cottage and his tower, and he's already becoming a beloved teacher. And he leveled up! 3/10. We love to see it.

Veth Brenatto: Jitters about her camp notwithstanding, she's fucking thriving. They're working on the apothecary but in the meantime she's finding a balance of what she loves to do professionally while still staying with her family, she's keeping in touch with the rest, and she's absolutely on point, astute, and hilarious this whole episode. And she is definitely using Tenser's Floating Disk for sex purposes. 1/10. It's Veth Brenatto's world; we're just living in it.

Allura Vyesoren: Pending, depending on what sword Yasha brings out next episode and whether Caleb turned in the staff. TBD/10.

Bonus!

Warlock Breakdown Tracker

Fjord (Stone?): Oh honey.

It's at least five simultaneous breakdowns and they're recharging with each rest like his spell slots. You know how one of the Uk'otoa temples had a hydra? It's a metaphor, or whatever. 10/10.

[writtenin-blood]

Part of me is just a bit scared for the next time we'll see Essek in full (not just the brief sweet bits like at the end of the last reunion) bc like what tf has happened to make him come and jump in.

They didn't have him help at all when they were defeating U'katoa and was only briefly mentioned by a certain asshole in the last reunion. Like if he's ever even partly in the next reunion it's either gonna be a shit show or smthn is happening directly to him.

Idk maybe I'm just crazy (this is likely)

[railroad-migraine]

Day 22. Whispers 🎃

-> Essek Thelyss x GN!Reader

It can change a person

~ Poet

He would never admit it, but Essek has come to like and even look forward to the sending messages he shares with Jester at the most random points in the Nein's Adventures - it allows him glimpses into your wellbeing, if only small and brief.

He sits at his desk, a quill in one hand scribbling aimlessly, the other hand pressing two fingers to his temple, softly smiling in the candlelight as the cleric recounts today's adventure. He asks how your injury from last week has healed, if you've been resting, if your training is coming along nicely, and if you've been happy.

If you miss him, or mention him at all.

"You know," Jester interrupts him, muffled slightly and he can imagine her hiding under a thick blanket with a mischievous grin, "I like this side of you, Essek. Caring and all, like, doting."

"As do I. It feels..." He trails off, a little at a loss for words. It's hard to describe the distance between you an him, hard to understand how despite it you've only nestled yourself further in his heart. "It's really, really... nice, actually."

"Falling in love?" Jester stage whispers so her voice does not disturb your sleeping form in the bed next to hers.

His answer comes easier and clearer than he was expecting: "Falling in love with them."

-

Poet's Note:

Yes I took creative liberties with the sending spell. Let me have my faves talk like they're on the telephone.

[dent-de-leon]

My shadowwidomauk brain when you mentioned Caleb's and Yasha's hair is like starlight: 👀

No, but fr, Essek usually has star iconography associated with him, he's got white hair, and A LOT of fan artists draw him with white freckles.

oH I didn't even think of that!! But yes I think he'd find Essek's hair very pretty too!! I hope one day we do get to see Kingsley interact with Essek, because I think that?? He'd actually really like meeting him?? In the same sort of way that hanging out with Deuces is kind of freeing, because there's no past between them to reckon with (and all the complex memories and feelings that he's still a bit scared to face just yet).

I think King would enjoy meeting another member of the Nein who he can meet for the first time. Because he loves the entire Mighty Nein so much, they're the ones who reached for his very soul and brought him back to earth--but there's also pain and grief and the knowledge of everything Lucien's done. And the fact that King is still terrified of confronting the past, but is slowly trying.

Seeing Essek and Deuces is probably easier just because it's simpler, less intense; he doesn't have all these powerful emotions and memories invested in them. They're new slates, which is why he calls them both, "Empty," when he refers to the rest of the Nein by their tarot cards. They're the new cards, still waiting to be filled.

And I could be wrong, but I think King was sort of angling for the Nein to call Essek in the reunion?? When they're trying to figure out when and where Caleb should teleport, I think he says something like, well, don't they know someone else who's good at teleporting, can't they just contact them? I don't know, I feel like it would be fun to see King in a scene with both Caleb and Essek. Especially if he starts flirting with Caleb, and then just outright tells them he likes them both--Caleb being in a polyamorous relationship with both King and Essek really is my happy end.

Also, very fun that both Essek and Molly are associated with stars--early on, Gustav describes Mollymauk as, "A brief star burning very bright, but twice as short." And of course, Caleb tells him, "Shine bright, Circus Man." Just the thought of Molly being a fallen star who came back, and Essek being a star too--

[tiredqueermushroom]

One friendship that is not often talked about is the relationship between Caleb and Yasha.

Both are characters are people who have hurt the people they love and feel as if they are undeserving of live because of this. And their respective journeys through grief, regret and pain mirror each. Caleb in having killed his parents and Yasha being unable to stop Zuala's death and her subsequent mind control that led her to almost killing beau. In a very similar manner in which molly died...

They have very little scenes together but when they do, it hits strong! For example, the obvious being Caleb was the only one who truly understood why Yasha intentionally got her ass kicked by the champion in the fight pit. He understood the need for self-punishment before starting the path to forgive oneself, and how pain can sometimes be needed.

Another fantastic scene is during their watch together in episode 93. When Yasha asks Caleb how he handles the guilt of hurting someone he loves, his answer is that his guilt is old and that he's grown used to it but he does at times feel better with the group. That the guilt and regret never truly goes away but that it does get easier when you surround yourself with people that remind you that you're not the monster you think you are.

Yasha confiding in Caleb how hard forgiveness is from other when she has not yet forgiven her self. And him assuring her that even if self-forgiveness never comes they can still make a change for the good, and how losing yourself in that regret does no one any good.

And to have Yasha parrot Caleb's advice back to Essek in final episode, to give himself time for inner reflection and reflection on the people he'd inadvertently hurt, but to not get lost as he has much to do to atone. Really highlights how profound of an effect Caleb's words had on her.

[otterlyart]

It’s been years since Lucien’s death, but the layout of Caleb’s Tower never changes. Once only the top floor had been devoted to memory, now all of it remains as a love letter to the friends he once traveled with.

Some days he sits and reads Der Katzenprinz and thinks of the joy in Jester's face as he narrated it, enjoying the smell of baked goods and more pastries than he’d care to admit.

Others he visits Yasha’s and looks at the flowers on the walls, pondering which to add or change the next time he creates the tower. More he decides. It’s what he always decides.

When he can't sleep he visits Fjord's, the soothing swing of a hammock bed never fully quieting his anxious mind, but it helps. Caduceus’ he visits for similar reasons. What better for sleep than a cup of tea?

Beau’s he visits for a laugh, the mirror still hanging shamelessly above the bed. “What a good friend I was”, he thinks circuiting around it so he doesn't have to see his own reflection. He doesn’t belong there anyway.

Veth’s he doesn’t visit often, but why would he? His hair still holds braids from his last visit to the Brennattos, some tight and held with leather and fine buttons, others clumsy and loose and made by even smaller hands. He doesn’t have the heart to take them out.

The guest room is the most changed, the furniture now a blend of Zemnian and Xhorhausian, the curtains turned a cool silver and tones of purple scattered throughout the rest of the upholstery. Fresh paper and ink sit near a sturdy writing desk and there also hovers a chair with thin legs that don't quite touch the floor. Caleb smiles as he briefly pokes his head in. It’s not really for guests anymore.

Decades pass and the tower is now a demiplane, anchored by love and recreated to the finest detail. It wasn’t hard if you had a mind for it and Caleb did. Using magic as a guide, he forged pathways between planes and connected the entrance to a series of keys, each as individual as the people he had once made rooms for.

He took comfort in the fact that his home would outlive him.

In the end it outlives all of them.

Almost all of them.

Many centuries later Essek walks into the tower. He says “up” to reach the seventh floor and cracks open the door to a plain room. He knows the old building like the back of his wrinkled hand, but every visit ends here. He can’t help but smile. So rare a man he had once known. A man who would pour out his soul for the benefit of a friend and give himself nothing.

Essek sits and remembers, and someday his key goes to someone else.

[balleater]

the one thing i will be considering an upside to verin never being in the actual show is i can continue to believe he's a paladin without being proven wrong

[sky-scribbles]

Fandom: Critical Role (Campaign 2) Rating: Teen and Up Relationships: Essek Thelyss & The Mighty Nein, Essek Thelyss & Verin Thelyss, Essek Thelyss & Uraya Characters: Essek Thelyss, Verin Thelyss, Uraya Hythenos Tags: 5+1 Things, Eiselcross, Character Development, Angst with a Happy Ending, Canon-Typical Violence, Assassination Attempts, Blood and Injury, Panic Attacks, Fantasy Religion, Mentions of Shadowgast Warnings: No archive warnings apply; violence/blood but nothing too graphic; Essek’s current fatalistic headspace; discussions of (fantasy) religion Words: 9125

Summary: The Mighty Nein erupt into Essek's life, teach him to love them - and then leave him behind. As the weeks pass, and the people who changed him do not return, Essek learns to change himself.

(Or: five things that change in Essek Thelyss after he parts ways with the Mighty Nein, and one thing that doesn't.)

[critter-genfic-events]

Parents: A Critical Role Gen-fic Rec List

Hey everyone! This week we have eighteen incredible fics that are all about parents and other parental figures. Recs under the cut, and as always, remember to comment or kudos if you liked them!

they really love their shades of gray by grayintogreen (1619,General) Warnings: Mentions of tiefling racism, brief mentions of Kashaw's traumatic relationship with Vesh, brief mention of Kashaw's forced marriage to Vesh Pairings: Percy/Vex'ahlia (background), Zahra/Kashaw (background)

When Gwendolyn is born, Kashaw reflects on being a father of a tiefling.

Reccer says: Kashaw's voice is extremely well done, and the little slices of him reflecting on what it's like to be a not-tiefling father of a tiefling in a world where that generally signifies something about him as a person is well done without being overdone.

Benediction by Sandtalon (4961,General) Warnings: None Pairings:

A deep look into Cerrit's quest to return home after the events of EXU Calamity as well as Maya's thoughts as she waits for him to come home.

Reccer says: This fic is beautifully characterized on both Cerrit and Maya's ends and takes a very complex, emotional look at the beginning of the Calamity. Cerrit's determination to reach his family even when he's pushing himself too hard is just so viscerally beautiful and the ending is a happy gutpunch on so many levels.

ridged scars bandaged with butterfly kisses by Ford_Ye_Fiji (3220,General) Warnings: None Pairings:

A look at Percy through the eyes of his youngest child.

Reccer says: This is probably my favorite Gwendolyn and Percy fic- it's a sweet look at Percy as a dad getting schooled by a precocious child.

Sing the Sky to Sleep by commoncomitatus (3105,General) Warnings: Pairings:

A character study of Marion Lavorre following the birth of her daughter.

Reccer says: This fic is absolute poetry from start to finish and handles the messy, complicated emotions of motherhood so well. Marion is beautifully characterized and it's equal parts sweet and sad.

A Fate Stitched by Angel Ascending (896,Teen) Warnings: Temporary Child Death Pairings:

A look into just how much work Nana Morri might have put into protecting Fearne.

Reccer says: This fic took an offhand line in EXU and turned it into a beautiful- if not a bit creepy- look into Nana Morri protecting Fearne, no matter how hard she makes it on her.

Bleeding Heart by steelneena (2321,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

Gustav Fletching adopts a stray into his circus.

Reccer says: I love stories that deal with Gustav's paternal relationship with Molly and this is one of the best of the lot. It blends Gustav's bleeding heart with his pragmatism very well.

some ever after no one could predict by QueenWithABeeThrone (15343,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Leofric Ermendrud/Una Ermendrud

Una goes on a journey to the Feywild in order to earn herself a happy ending. She gets some help from a familiar archfey.

Reccer says: This fic takes the idea of "Artagan as Caleb's fairy godfather" and runs with it. The characterization of Una is absolutely lovely and it makes you wish it was canon. It's so cute and fun.

Fearful Symmetry by seraphium (3151,Teen) Warnings: none Pairings: Keyleth & Vilya

In the aftermath of the Apogee Solstice, Keyleth is hurt and her mother waits at her bedside.

Reccer says: It seems extremely true to the complexities of their relationship and Keyleth as a character, as rough as it might be.

Storge, I Will Protect You by Professor_Rye (2135,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Percy/Vex, Vex & Syldor, Vex & Gwendolyn

Percy and Vex have a beautiful tiefling daughter and no one in Exandria is going to say anything bad about her, least of all her grandfather.

Reccer says: Really liked the big show of support from everyone

white orchids by quinn_of_aebradore (1561,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Essek & Marion Lavorre

Essek's crimes catch up with him, forcing him to flee his sinking ship and seek safety in the company of an old friend.

Reccer says: I adore any instance of Marion adopting Essek, and this does that wonderfully while also playing with a fun Pirate AU concept

The Ruby by Ceridawn (580,General) Warnings: None Pairings:

Marion Lavorre does not wield a blade, but she also doesn't need it to protect her daughter and her friends.

Reccer says: Always love when we get to see Marion Lavorre kick ass in her own way, and this fic captures that perfectly

Wild's Grandeur by Operafloozy (3741,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Caduceus Clay & Clay Family | Constance Clay & Vilya

For the first time in decades, the Clays could leave the Blooming Grove and celebrate Wild's Grandeur in the Savalirwood. Caduceus would rather stay at home. On necessary confrontations, being able to open the windows, and move on.

Reccer says: I really enjoy the more tense but still deeply meaningful depictions of family here. Of parents who mean well but still hurt their children, and of trying to pick up the pieces afterwards.

and the birds sing by celaenos (1604,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Keyleth & Vilya

Vilya returns to Zephrah.

Reccer says: It's extremely sweet and soft.

cabin fever by justlikeswitchblades (3032,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Fjord & Vandran

Fjord works, and meets Vandran

Reccer says: I liked it

and after the scripture (your mother beside me) by SaltCore (9531,Mature) Warnings: Major character death (he gets better) Pairings: Deirta Thelyss & Essek Thelyss, Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast

Essek dies. Deirta calls the Nein to Rosohna to mourn.

Reccer says: It's a very nuanced view of Deirta, and I love how the announcement at the beginning is handled.

in the times in between by jakia (8098,Teen) Warnings: miscarriage Pairings: Una Ermendrud & Caleb Widogast, Leofric Ermendrud & Caleb Widogast, background Shadowgast in the second half

Caleb Widogast travels back in time to save his parents. He runs into Una a few times when getting the timing right.

Reccer says: I love this version of Una, smart and kind and loving.

Worth It by TherapyBard (1085,Teen) Warnings: Discussion of Luc's death Pairings: Yeza Brenatto & Caleb Widogast, Yeza Brenatto & Luc Brenatto

Yeza and Caleb talk about guilt on the plane of fire

Reccer says: There's not much exploration of Yeza's feelings as a father in the fandom, it's nice to see something that gives Yeza space after Luc dies.

No One by That Name Lives Here Anymore by Operafloozy (13138,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: None

A few years after faking his own death, Essek runs into his father in Uthodurn.

Reccer says: I liked it

If you liked this rec list, follow along for more! We'll be posting a new list with a new theme each Monday. And if you would like to make a rec yourself, feel free to reach out to @professor-rye to request access to the submission form! 

Next week, we'll be presenting gen fics focusing on Shapeshifting into Animals! Whether it be polymorph shenanigans or one of our favorite druids just having fun, we want it all!

[critrolesideblog]

Caleb was pulled from his warm, hazy doze by whispered curses in Undercommon. Not an uncommon occurrence in and of itself, but the rhythmic frrrpt, frrrpt of stitches being pulled from knitted fabric was a new sound to his ears. He lifted his head from the pillow where he had been resting for seven minutes and sixteen seconds and peered groggily at the elf sitting next to him in bed, who was looking at a lopsided bit of knitted fabric with great consternation. Essek froze momentarily mid-pull on the thread of yarn connecting the fabric to a nearby particolored ball, as he realized Caleb was watching him, and then resumed his task.

"I dropped a stitch." He said without looking away from his work.

"You dropped a stitch?"

"To be expected, as a novice."

"And… how long have you been knitting?"

"The past five minutes."

"Ah… and when did you decide to take up knitting?"

"Earlier this afternoon." Essek paused as he carefully reinserted the knitting needle in the remaining stitches. "I was speaking with Beau this morning," he said, slowly as he resumed his work. "We were discussing that case she's been working on. At one point, I mentioned my numerous sins, and she told me to, ah, 'get a hobby.'" Caleb gave a soft a snort of laughter as he settled back down onto his pillow, which earned him a brief, withering glare, before Essek continued. "Uraya used to knit -- still does, I assume -- when they were working on a particularly troublesome problem. They said it helped clear their mind. I was always intrigued, but I did not have the time to pursue it before."

"The colors are lovely," Caleb yawned, as he brushed his fingers against the soft ball of verigated oranges, reds, and deep purples.

"I'm glad you think so… I thought I would add a scarf to your collection."

Caleb smiled as he closed his eyes. I love you, too.