#nott/veth week

[revvethasmythh]

He's just like me fr part 2

[vethquotes]

"The last several times that we've seen my family, I've been in disguise, and it just feels wrong. It doesn't feel good. It doesn't feel like you're really making a connection if you're deceiving them with your very appearance."

Nott discouraging Jester from meeting her father in disguise, c2ep85 1:45:41

[critter-genfic-events]

Recs featuring Veth Brenatto

We're starting off February with Veth Brenatto, or Nott the Brave! Nine (Nein) fics that feature her as a mom, a halfling turned goblin turned halfling, neurotic, a rogue, a matchmaker and meddler,and more! Check them out beneath the cut, and as ever - if you like them, let the authors know by kudosing or commenting!

Jailbreak Fever by greatqueerator (4165,Teen) Warnings: choose not to warn Pairings: Nott & Caleb Widogast

On how Nott and Caleb met in jail

Reccer says: I liked it

Thieves' Cant by Schistosity (2968,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Veth/Yeza

In which Nott is a rogue well before the goblins (or at least the beginnings of one.)

Reccer says: Part of a series on the Nein and languages, with bonus Veth backstory

nott the best matchmaker by nicole_writes (1046,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: the Mighty Nein & Veth Brenatto; Fjorester

Veth isn’t meddling. She isn’t. She just loves Jester and wants to make sure that her friend has the very best and if that means interrogating her friend’s potential love interest, then she’s willing to make that sacrifice.

Reccer says: Funny and a wonderful last line

call her briar long enough by Lorical (507,General) Warnings: Pairings: Veth & TM9

Veth thinks about being called Nott after she reclaims her body

Reccer says: I liked it

Mother, I was Never One for Mercy by Myzic (11891,Teen) Warnings: violence/combat Pairings: Veth & The Nein, Veth & Caleb

An exploration of various characters' relationships with magic, from Veth's perspective as she asks them to teach her

Reccer says: awesome dialogue and fascinating descriptions of spellcasting

The Truth, The Whole Truth, Nothing But The Truth by Chaos_Breeds (2090,General) Warnings: fantasy racism against goblins Pairings:

Or, the one where a drunk townsperson tells the group that goblins can’t feel love while in a tavern, and Nott is desperate to prove otherwise.

Reccer says: Great hurt/comfort with people comforting Nott

Tugged by navel, a running length, a chain by Myzic (19972,Teen) Warnings: Heavy focus on body image issues and internalised fatphobia Pairings: Nott | Veth Brenatto/Yeza Brenatto, (plus a few smaller ones)

A character study on Veth and her body image issues, both pre and post revethification.

Reccer says: This fic is THE veth study in my heart. It treats her with so much care and respect, and several of the smaller character interactions in here are just a joy to read. Shout out especially to Veth’s friendship with Marion. Incredible. It also shows how her self esteem issues affect her family indirectly which is really good (and also painful <3).

A Good Kid by somesortofsellsword (1421,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings:

When the Mighty Nein visits the Lionett family in Kamordah to gather information about the witch that's cursed Nott, Nott finds kinship with Beau. Sometimes a family isn't the one you're born into. It can also be the one you find.

Reccer says: It's interesting to think about how Veth would have taken Beau's home life, considering her own experiences as both a child and a parent, and I think this fic does a great job exploring it

Just Swim Towards the Storm by CitizenMocha (2603,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Fjord & Nott

Fjord takes first watch and Nott picks at her wounds.

Reccer says: It's a great view of Nott and Fjord mid campaign 2, when they're just starting to work out their issues and be slightly open with each other, but are still jumpy and suspicious

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!

On the 15th, we'll be back with Sendings! Maybe messages to Pike, or Jester messaging everyone else, or those long weeks when sendings were offline in campaign 3?

Then, it'll be Fearne Focused, Road Trips, and then Chetney!

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!

[maudlinjane]

Banner version of my Mighty Nein bust icons!

I finished C2 last week and woof!! I love this group so much and the chaos they bring. My favorite C2 character is Nott/Veth because she is honest, real, and loyal to the people she loves. But again, I love them all!

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

We are halfway through another week, my friends, and so we have yet another recc list for you! This week, we have twelve angsty fics! As always, you can find them below the cut and if you check any of them out, I encourage you to leave kudoes and comments to spread the rarepair love 💕

I Have Been A Fool For Lesser Things by A_Orbit (3,149 words, Teen) Pairing: Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast (Widobrave) Warnings: None

Trying to get a hotel room for the night leads to Caleb and Nott pretending to be married to each other. Fluff and angst.

Reccer Says: Amazing character voices!

Looking for a feeling that I can't remember by CatcherWrites (2,684 words, Teen) Pairing: Ashton Greymoore/Laudna Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Swearing, General Laudna and Ashton Trauma

Team Issylra are making camp by a river when Ashton and Laudna discuss how slow their hair grows. Angsty conversations ensue and they make a pact to cut each others hair.

Reccer Says: It's not too heavy of a fic but that doesn't take away from the tragic implications.

The Last Safe House in Rexxentrum by Operafloozy (13,266 words, Explicit) Pairing: Astrid Beck/Original Female Character Warnings: Unhappy Ending, Modify Memory, Discussion of Feeblemind

Five years before a group of misfits came together in Trostenwald, Astrid Beck asks a stranger to look into some potentially modified memories.

Reccer Says: It's a juicy and complicated look at how Astrid might have reacted to Bren's escape, from an outsider's point of view.

polishing the apple eris threw to shake the dead leaves down by grayintogreen (3,558 words, Teen) Pairing: Cree Deeproots/Lucien Tavelle Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Minor Character Death

A Locked Tomb fusion fic featuring Necromancer!Cree and Cavalier!Lucien and the horrifying implications of the Lyctor process.

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

though the scars remain by amateurwordbender (1,472 words, Teen) Pairing: Astrid Beck/Eadwulf Grieve (Blumenduo) Warnings: Implied/Referenced Torture

Astrid is punished for letting the Mighty Nein escape, and she and Eadwulf talk about it.

Reccer Says: So much juicy Blumentrio angst packed in one short fic! Several of the lines in this have stayed in my head since I first read it.

Victim of Convenience by se1ze (54,243 words, Explicit) Pairing: Kingsley Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidoking) Warnings: Sex While Sick

Essek has been bailing Kingsley out of legal trouble in Rosohna and letting him crash at his towers for some time and the pair have grown close. When Essek falls severely ill, Kingsley with him to look after him. Things escalate between them, which both are pleased about. There's just one complication, in the form of one Caleb Widogast, who Essek has recently begun a relationship with and who Kingsley has been hopelessly pining after for months. Things get messy.

Reccer Says: A wonderful combination of fun dynamics, messy relationship angst, sickfic goodness, and hot sex. Kingsley and Essek are such a good pair, I love their banter. The absolutely disastrous state of King and Caleb's relationship at the start is the fic is so heartaching, with the shadow of past Widomauk hanging over them. And the recently established Shadowgast compliments both of those duos so well!!! I adore the different complications that crop up along the way and the way they're all resolved in the end. Highly recommend! Also, the two previous entries in the series are excellent, though they're just Shadowgast on their own.

His Last Night by Twistmalchik (2,617 words, Explicit) Pairing: Thorn/Vax'ildan Warnings: None

Set during the events of Kith & Kin, Vax's first kiss with Thorn leads to his first time with him. All the while, the shadow of the Shademaster hangs over them.

Reccer Says: I adore Kith & Kin to no end and I loved Vax and Thorn's relationship. This is a fun expansion of what they were able to have together during the events of the book!

Time Will Tell by DEV0URMOUS (25,639 words, Mature) Pairing: Yussa Errenis/Original Male Character Warnings: None

Yussa invites Iskamyr, a long-time friend of his from the Dynasty, on a trip into the Happy Fun Ball with him. Both are oblivious to the other's long-standing feelings for them. Pining ensues.

Reccer Says: There is no fic that demonstrates the absurdity of wizards better than this. Two hundred years!!! These idiots pined over each other for two hundred years!!! Oh my god! It's great, it's so great. They're both 1200 years old (Yussa is a dragon and Iskamyr is consecuted) and they're still terrible at feelings. But also! A lot of it comes down to cultural misunderstandings, like Iska doesn't know until the fic ends that Yussa is a dragon and if he did, maybe he would've caught on to Yussa's affection sooner. But he didn't and it took the two of the forever and honestly I love that for them.

woven of (moon)light by viciousmollymaukery (2,315 words, Teen) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidomauk) Warnings: References to severe injury

After his wizards Teleport into the middle of the Blooming Grove, nearly dead at the hands of an Aeorian creature, Molly has a lot of feelings about his partners and their mysterious city in the north. Luckily, he has a simple solution in mind.

Reccer Says: It's the perfect balance between sweet and angsty. I love Shadowidomauk so much and it's fun to see someone look at how the wizards Aeor expeditions might look in a world where they're dating Molly too! Also, Moonweaver cleric Molly is too damn perfect, I love it so much.

it's 3 am (I must be lonely) by Meridas (1,024 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Mollymauk Tealeaf/Yasha Nydoorin Warnings: None

Yasha has a nightmare while out camping alone. She calls Molly in her panic and he comforts her.

Reccer Says: I love this series so much and this entry in particular has stuck with me since I first read it!! QPP circus kids are kind of everything to me and this is just such a perfect little snippet of them; they’re hurting but they love and take care of each other above anything.

I blame it on my own sick pride by MarsBar2019 (11,918 words, Explicit) Pairing: Fjord/Mollymauk Tealeaf/Caleb Widogast (Widofjolly) Warnings: Non-Consensual Voyeurism

Fjord overheard Molly and Caleb having sex one night and gets off on it. But paper thin inn walls work both ways, Molly and Caleb know Fjord heard them, and they take the opportunity to invite him into their bed.

Reccer Says: It’s very very hot and Fjord’s self-loathing (which is only amplified by him getting off on listening to the two of them) is such a fun complimentary pairing to the overall horniness of the fic.

I'll crawl home to him by BananasofThorns (20,262 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

AU where Caleb and Fjord met a few years pre-nein. Now Fjord has been taken by the Iron Shepherds, and Caleb has to team up with the "Mighty Five" to have a chance to get him back.

Reccer Says: Looove that Iron Shepherds arc angst. Plus queerplatonic widofjord, and the *devotion,* like Caleb was willing to go in there after him *alone,* aaaaa

Thank you for joining us this week’s recc list! All the love to everyone who submitted a fic 💕 All enclosed recommendations were submitted by the community via our submissions form, which you can find here. All fic information is as it was provided by the reccer, so it may not be accurate to the author’s intent or the precise contents of the fic itself. Please assume good intent from all parties 💕

Submissions for next week’s list are already open! We’ll be featuring Spring. If you have any you’d like to highlight, you can send them in here. The week after that, the theme is Jester Rarepairs and the weeks after that we’re taking recommendations for Alternate Universes and Hurt/Comfort! Submissions for all of these themes are currently open.

If you want more rarepair fic, check out @cr-summer-wildflowers and their event collections on ao3! If you want some friendship after all this romance, take a look at @critter-genfic-events and their recc lists! And if you’re interested in everyone’s favorite wizards, you can’t go wrong with the lists at @aeor-is-for-reccing !

Thanks all and have a lovely day/night/timezone! 💕

[vesselsart]

Nott! Late post today because I slept in after being up all night celebrating a university tradition, but it's always better late than never, ay? This is one of my favourites of the new sticker designs! I spent many hours cutting out 120 stickers yesterday in time for Rai Con in a few weeks. If you want to secure any of them prior to that, drop me a message, I ship anywhere that international mail is accepted! I also started drawing up a design for a Veth sticker, but I didn't like it enough to commit to it. It has thus been condemned to WIP purgatory in case I do decide to use it at some point in time.

[mareastrorum]

The Fool and the Soldier

Chapter 6: Tavern & Lust

Rating: Mature

Summary: Mollymauk Tealeaf survived the Mighty Nein's encounter with the Iron Shepherds on Glory Run Road, but a short time later, a spirit began hunting him, claiming that he stole his body. This Campaign 2 AU begins with Episode 26 and continues on from there.

Relationships: The Mighty Nein & Mollymauk Tealeaf, Lucien & The Tombtakers (Critical Role) (will update as the story progresses)

Characters: The Mighty Nein, The Tombtakers (Critical Role), Mollymauk Tealeaf, Beauregard Lionett, Caduceus Clay, Caleb Widogast, Fjord (Critical Role), Jester Lavorre, Nott | Veth Brenatto, Yasha (Critical Role), Lucien (Critical Role), Cree (Critical Role), Otis Brunkel, Tyffial Wase, Zoran Kluthidol, The Somnovem (Critical Role), Sehanine the Moonweaver (Critical Role) (will update as the story progresses)

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Mollymauk Tealeaf Lives, not canon compliant with the nine eyes of lucien, Beta Reader - fruitzbat, that's why Molly lived, Action/Adventure, Book: Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, Dungeons & Dragons Game Mechanics, Canon-Typical Violence, Dreams, Body Horror, Mind Manipulation, Curse of Undeath, Possession, mechanics based on Azazel from Fallen (1998) (will update as the story progresses)

Notes: This longfic will update every 2 weeks, usually on Friday. Tags, relationships, and categories will update 1 week after the latest chapter to avoid spoiling the story for those who want to be surprised. Similarly, the total chapter count is hidden to avoid giving hints on the story pace. However, the ending is already planned, the outline is a few hundred pages long, and most plot points are already written. (In addition, chapter, world-building, and character design commentary will be posted on off-Fridays on Tumblr.)

Current total word count (as of 10/13/23): ~452,000

[piratespencilart]

I read the Nott the Brave comic the other week and I'm still thinking about baby Veth... 🥺

[ID: Digital art of a young Veth from Critical Role. She is a halfling with long braided hair and is dressed in the green and beige outfit she wears at the start of her comic. She is sitting in some bushes with her knees to her chest, looking scared and sad. End ID.]

[critterfloozy]

Summer Wildflowers Reveals and Recs!

I did less for wildflowers than typical this year - it's the first time that I haven't written more than one fic. Mostly because I'm still gearing up for Critter Gen Week (next week!). But I still enjoyed reading through a lot of them, and here's a couple that I enjoyed. Created with the reccing template I created, small plug small plug small plug

Vicissitudes by firefright (1818, General) Pairing/Characters: Essek Thelyss & Verin Thelyss, Background Caleb/Essek Warnings: none

When Verin and Essek were small, perhaps not even eight yet, their mother took them into the sealed vault that lay at the heart of their den to show them their history. Recced because: I enjoy it when Verin is allowed to have some complicated feelings about Essek's growth, and this delivers

mask of many faces by SongOfWizardry (1638, Teen) Pairing/Characters: Dairon & Essek Thelyss, Beauregard Lionett & Essek Thelyss Warnings: None

Long after the Xhorhaus, a (disguised) Essek runs into an (undisguised) Expositor Dairon. Recced because: Literally and figuratively written for me! I love the little subterfuge and tension between Dairon and Essek, and the amount of double speak going on between the two.

driftwood and light by Windward_wings (3220, General) Pairing/Characters: Fjord & The Mighty Nein, Beauregard Lionett & Nott | Veth Brenatto, Jester Lavorre & Kingsley Tealeaf, The Mighty Nein & Original Character(s) Warnings: None

Tavi's lived in the Driftwood Asylum in Port Damali for as long as she can remember, and there have never been any other tieflings besides her. And today, there are two of them, talking with the Headmaster, and that's how everything begins to change forever. Recced because: It's everything I would want for orphanage heist - the POV character is darling, and the fic is very sweet.

Just Swim Towards the Storm by CitizenMocha (2603,Teen) Pairing/Characters: Fjord & Nott Warnings: None

Fjord takes first watch and Nott picks at her wounds. Recced because: The characterization is just right - both funny and allowing for depth underneath

fata morgana by quanshi (burningdarkfire) (1877,Teen) Pairing/Characters: Astrid Beck/Jester Lavorre Warnings: None

An attack on the Tide's Breath leaves Astrid and Jester stranded, together, alone with their secrets. Recced because: It's got a great dynamic between a serious mastermind Astrid and a trickster Jester. I also love the little bits of worldbuilding in the background of this AU.

And then there's mine:

Sick Leave (2518,General) Pairing/Characters: Caduceus Clay & Kingsley Tealeaf Warnings: None

Kingsley sends Caduceus a message when he's feeling ill. He's the only one Kingsley trusts. Author's note: The prompt was for soft Caduceus and Kingsley, and the Writer's Corner suggested some hurt/comfort to help achieve that dynamic. I think this is the first hurt/comfort I've written? It was fun thinking of reasons why he wouldn't just cast cure disease without making it too serious, plus letting Kingsley have some post-fever/post-migraine euphoria, which is a trip (I got the post-fever version after my last covid vaccine).

[pieflavorpie]

OK so I have thoughts and feelings and a LOTTA them. Here's my list [which is arbitrary and could change tomorrow in all honesty]

1. Percy.

Taliesin put so much love and attention into this character, that it made Caleb & Nott feel cheap to me for a WHILE. Taliesin literally told Sam how guns were constructed in rather extreme detail meanwhile Sam barely used basic chemistry knowledge & Liam was only using the Keen Mind feat instead of taking notes. I had to sit to myself and remind myself that these people each have their own strengths and weaknesses and research clearly wasn't either of those [which probably why I couldn't get into their characters but oh well].

While I'm not on the "Critical Role has to follow writing techniques" train due to the fact I'm into this because it's an unconventional story. But. Percys arc is ridiculously satisfying. I know he was supposed to die, but the entirety of VM being him learning how to cope with [&live with] the grief of his family and all the mistakes he has made. I've never felt prouder in a fictional character than when he talked to his wife instead of calling in on a Devil's deal and selling his soul again. Breaking his cycle. And then the subsequent "i think I wanted to be a clockmaker once" and him choosing a healthy pathway forward!!! It's so rewarding after we see this man break himself into so many pieces continuously, just to find the point he initially broke. He learns that maybe that doesn't matter.

And then there's the actual personality of Percy. That man is a perfect depiction of darkness and pompousness. Able to take the mick of himself sometimes, and able to communicate. Having the rare issue where it wasn't trust issues with other people, but trust issues with himself. He trusted the people around him so much, and had so many lighthearted moments with seemingly no hint of darkness. And it made his Moments hit harder.

2. Mollymauk/Kingsley

Grouping these 2 together as joint 2nd because I view these 2 as intrinsically linked. I can't bring up why I like Molly without mentioning Lucien/Kingsley, and vice versa. I love the analysis of what makes a distinct soul, I love how open the interpretation of what Kingsley IS is. Is he just the rememnants of a severely traumatised & scrappy Mollymauk after spending too much time as the neosomnovum? Is he a different fragment of Luciens soul? Is he a mixture of different parts of Lucien and Molly? Is it fair to say that as Molly IS a part of Lucien?

And the book, oh gods the book. So many things Tal just randomly blurted out that were wrapped in so well. I will never get over Brevyn's kiss to the forehead. "Long may he reign" being a song the tombtakers sang. "Empty" being repeated due to Lucien's worst fear being puppetted just like his brother.

There is not a week i don't spend contemplating what would've happened if we kept Molly. If something would've happened with the Hag, how Vess Derogna would've acted (if we even met her), how he would've impacted the direction the M9 went, or how he would've reacted to the forced amnesia on Rumblecusp, and the subsequent Thing With The Moonweaver at Traveler Con.

And Kingsley, oh how I want Kingsley to be explored more. His 2 episodes in the specials were GREAT. How he is the guy to Get Shit Done, and how he's so button-pushy. I will never forgive the cast [/lh] for pushing him to the side so much. Having him be the only one not mentioned in the BH finale and only talked about above-table to seemingly reduce what Ashton had just been through. It feels like Tal has to force other characters to bring him up outside of "yeah we tried to bring out dead friend back and It Got Weird."

And they don't have the excuse of him being the pirate king either, cause Veth made it canon that Kingsley helped gather Luc when he ran away up north. He is contactable. Im fairly sure Jester said she was in contact with him [like she is with literally everyone I love that girl so much].

Anyway, also love him being a rogue. Go, buddy, get that self confidence.

And also I personally relate to the way identity was talked about during both eras by both of these characters during different parts of my life.

3. Asha

Honestly would be further up but we did not get enough screentime with her to justify that. There are sooooo many ways to interpret this 1 version of the Wildmother and it has kept me thinking for days about the nature of Nature and change and possibility.

She has convinced me to play a druid for my first campaign, a changeling druid who grapples her identity to the nature around her by covering herself with thorns and brambles. All inspired by how Asha only seems to show 2 strong negative emotions besides hunger. Guilt, for the pain her discovery has brought to her family. And anger at her wife for leaving her to face this mission with a substitute. These emotions are what ultimately anchor her to her mortality.

Nature never really feels guilt for the hunt, or anger at the prey. And yet, to us those emotions are perfectly natural. So in this case, where does the domain of Nature stop? Melora/Asha is the goddess of the Wild, so it's probably safe to assume natural human emotions don't come under her purview. But in the grander scheme, are we natural? As human beings? Are the buildings we roost in natural, as they are made from the dirt and mud that are processes made possible from what we had in Nature? Is being a God with Nature as your domain also make you a God of progress and potential?

And isn't that an incredibly interesting concept.

4. Ashton.

Would've been higher than Asha, if he had had a better finale. It felt like he had narrative progress, with people coming to save him as he died, but he came out without much of a change in mindset since The Shard. He literally martyred himself, intending to die for good and no one really bothered to emotionally check in on that afterwards. If he has finished with his martyr complex, I don't think its done through actual help, it feels like it was done because he's realised that his friends will fight through thick and thin to bring him back. But that doesn't mean anything for someone's mental health in a world like this. It could make people feel trapped, or could make them too reckless with the "I'll be fine my friends will get me if I die." Like No?????

And i love his parallels with Laudna, even outside of his probing. They are both stunted beings, perpetually childish. Laudna because she never got the chance to grow up, being ostracised since before the Briarwoods came up and ruined everything [and then Delilah wouldve purposefully kept it that way for Manipulation Purposes]. Ashton because he never really got to be a child. Laudna coped with her loneliness by making a shit ton of dolls. Ashton had never had a doll until Laudna gave him one. And neither of them really get the community they deserve within the group.

I think the best example of this with Laudna is Swordgate. Marisha said on 4sd that Laudna was upset about Orym using the sword anyway, and then Delilah got into her head. I was also immediately off put by Orym using the sword due to the fact it had killed so many of the Bells Hells and had literally sent Laudna to her own personal hell for an indetermined amount of time for her. A sword does not have to be possessed to be Evil. But it was the fact that noone responded to her actual, valid reasons it was all pretty much the message of "you can't be trusted, this is all Delilahs machinations" like WHAT. Which, mini tangent here, i feel like is why I also prefer VM to BH because it seems like BH had so many completely impossible moral quandries that they seemed to completely dismiss the complexities of their own friends situations after 1 conversation. I feel like they should've had a few more [and I mean only like 2] sessions that was just BH getting to be a mercenary group because for like 100 flat episodes they were Not A Mercenary Group. Maybe getting to explore Marquet a lil more.

Anyway, tangent over. I just think its sad Laudna got dismissed due to her being manipulated and Ashton often got dismissed because of his brash attitude and low Charisma. Before the Solsitice he was continuously getting drunk and even said he'd started shouting at seemingly nothing and no one bothered to explore it. Besides Laudna. Anyway.

Love the concept that Being Broken isn't a wrong thing to say. Most of the time it's all like "oh no don't say that!!! You're wonderful!" But no this guy is just fundamentally and mechanically broken. They are someone who's had to be reformed so many times that some pieces just don't fit anymore, and there's nothing to replace them. And maybe you don't have to be a rock guy who was literally shattered to have that. I personally relate in all those times that I failed tests as a gifted kid that, upon reforming myself afterwards, I lost the piece of me that cared about working. Later, being shattered as I'm told by my college that I'm flagged for undiagnosed ASD and need 25% extra time and loosing that part of me that felt I could trust adults to understand me. But it's not always bad. I felt part of me break away when me and my friends turned 18, and we went out and I realised I didn't have to treat my friends like glass physically. That i could hold them and hug them and they will reciprocate.

And I think where the term "broken" comes into play is when you actively start to grieve those parts. In BH we watch Ashton mourn the ability to trust. Idk. I hope we see more of him in future.

5. Caduceus.

Look, I love Cad, I just also love every other Tal character I've seen. And Cad just narratively and as a complex character comes up that little bit short to me. I love watching his clips. But the rants I did about the others' themes and how they get me to think? I don't get that with Cad so much. I get him, honestly I do. I love him repping the aroaces in that wonderful gossipy way. I love how he only ever silently panics and won't call attention to himself [I only realised how much of myself I saw in him in that moment when they stole a ship and I was like "...oh."]. I love how he canonically did drugs just to try and connect with what felt like a dying connection between him and his God [again something that wasn't really touched on but Holy Shit]. I love how he only apologised for being weak when he asked his Goddess whether his family was OK. He does have depth. Depth that never seems to be taken much deeper than surface level with the Nein and I can honestly only hope that Cad and Kingsley are treating each other well cause they really both need somebody on the outside to Talk To.

I don't actually Know the other 2. So this is it:)

[rochnariel]

Critical Bakes - Nott/Veth Week

When @criticalbakes​ released this week’s prompt, I immediately reviewed what alcohol we had in the house (and what other supplies. quarantine is a bitch when no one has open delivery spots), and we came up with this spread: whiskey bacon hamburger (with homemade bread bun cause that’s what a tiny tavern would have. not because we have no hamburger buns in the house), bread pudding with a brandy sauce (and the leftover raspberry curd from last week), and a moonshine drink (because someone must be making their own alcohol in these tiny towns and nott would probably love it).  

Yeah we apparently had a decent amount of alcohol in the house….

(and that’s not including the wine. maybe we’ll revisit that when beau week comes around) 

Recipes, such as they are, under the cut. I did my best to give actual measurements because I never measure anything when I cook. Baking, especially finicky macarons, is different which is why last week had actual weights.

Whiskey Bacon Hamburger

1 lb of ground beef

 Salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Paprika

Cheddar cheese

4 strips of bacon cut in half

½ cup whiskey

1/8 cup brown sugar

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Buns

I know, I promise ingredient amounts and then I don’t give amounts for any of the burger spices. But I really have no idea.

Anyway, make your favorite hamburger recipe. I use ground beef and the spices listed above. Use your hands to mix the spices in making sure to now compress the ground beef too much. It can make the burgers tougher if you do. Form into patties. Since this was the only day we were eating this, I made ½ pound patties.

For the whiskey cause, cut the bacon in half and cook in a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Once bacon is done, remove from the pan and set aside on paper towel to drain.

Add brown sugar to the pan and cook for approximately 3 minutes. If you have onions at home (and like them), you can add onion before the brown sugar and cook those down before adding the brown sugar.

Add the whiskey, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Cook down for another 2-3 minutes until it forms a thick sauce for your burgers.

Cook your hamburgers however you like to whatever doneness you like. Since it is actually snowing here again, I cook might in a skillet over medium high heat on the stovetop until they were medium-well. 150 degrees on the inside.

(if you cook meat and you don’t have an instant read thermometer, i suggest it. it’s an easy way to know for certain that whatever you’re cooking is done and done how you like. no worries about undercooked meat. no overcooking things because you’re afraid it isn’t done. no cutting into it and trying to see if it is done. and they’re pretty cheap)

Assemble your burger and eat. We’ve got bacon, whiskey sauce, and cheese on our rustic bread.

(if anyone is curious about the bread recipe, let me know. it’s a no knead baguette recipe that you make and toss in the fridge and then pull out and shape as needed. dough lasts about a week in the fridge)

Note: I made the sauce with way too much brown sugar. It was a new recipe and I didn’t trust my instincts. That’s why it looks funny in the picture. I changed the amount for this recipe.

Bread Pudding with a Brandy Sauce

Loaf of challah or other soft bread, cut into 1 inch-ish cubes and left to dry over the course of a few hours or two days….

8 eggs

4 cups milk

½ cup butter

½ cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cloves

¼ tsp all spice

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup butter

2 tablespoons cream (or milk if you still have no cream)

¼ cup brandy (or more if you want more alcohol)

Heat the milk and ¼ cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted.

In another bowl mix the eggs, ½ cup brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, vanilla, and cloves (and raspberry curd if you happen to have some) until well combined. Add the hot milk mixture slowly mixing the whole time in order to not cook the eggs.

In a casserole dish, dump in the bread and spread into an even layer. Pour the milk and egg mixture over it. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until a knife stabbed into the dish comes away mostly clean.

Remove from oven and set aside.

In a heavy saucepan, heat the 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup butter, cream, and brandy until everything is dissolved and combined evenly.

Pour over the warm bread pudding.

Eat! (clearly the most important step)

Moonshine Cocktail

2 shots blackberry moonshine

1 ½ cups-ish chokecherrry tea (cold)

Pour together.

Mix.

Drink!

btw this is chokecherry tea. its apparently a north dakota thing. i think. i don’t know. my friend there sends it to me.

feel free to message me if you have questions. although i am out of quarantine and back on the road in a few days, so it might take me a bit to respond.

[mycatts]

I'm sticking with you 'Cause I'm made out of glue And anything that you might do I'm gonna do too

I'm sticking With You - The Decemberists

[mighty-polynein]

Mighty Nein Dragon AU

Or more specifically, a Temeraire AU. 

Basically, all the Nein are dragons in a low magic world. Dragons are seen as useful beasts in many countries instead of the powerful magical beings typical in D&D. The world is still Exandria, but with a few tweaks based on these changes.

The Mighty Nein are a rogue band of dragons not beholden to any country. Some had riders in the past, but now they have decided to just stick together (and become an epic dragon polycule).

This is a rough size chart (colors not accurate, just to mark who is who). Yasha, Fjord, and Caduceus are heavyweights, Caleb, Beau, Jester, and Essek are middleweights, and Nott/Veth is a lightweight. I stuck a little human in there for reference.

Individual descriptions below.

Yasha still has angelic heritage, just as a dragon. She has feathered wings, which is basically unheard of for dragons. Her backstory is mostly the same, though she was one of the few dragons in her tribe.

Caduceus is a kind of dragon very in tune with the natural magic of the world. This allows him to fly without wings. Most people who see him are baffled by his flight as well as his sheer size. His family tends to the ancient dragon burial site in the Blooming Grove and worships the Wildmother, gaining some magical ability for their faith.

Fjord used to work for the naval division of the Port Damali aerial corps, with Vandran as his captain. He would sail on carrier ships and help defend them from sea serpents, as well as hunt large game like whales. After waking up on shore after his ship exploded, he discovered a new ability - breathing an extremely powerful water jet. He also gained some level of magical ability.

Jester is a Longwing, acid spitting dragon. She grew up with her mother in the Lavish Chateau, headed by her mother. The Chateau is a place for dragons to visit the famous Ruby of the Sea for her expert company, as well as stay the night in the large pavilions there. After angering a local dragon lord, she had to flee into the world. 

Her friend the Traveler grants her some divine powers, and sometimes goes on flights with her. If anyone asks who her captain is, she says “the traveler”.

Beau grew up as part of a rich family’s property in Kamordah, a situation her father agreed to long ago. Her family was used for maintaining the vineyards and flying around the nobles and their products. She naturally grew sick of this and started causing trouble, at which point her father had the Cobalt Soul take her. 

The Cobalt Soul is one of the only places in the Empire where dragons are treated as equals with humanoids, and are tasked with memorizing vast amounts of knowledge in their long lifespans. They also guard the libraries against danger. Beau resented being brought there against her will, but still learned much at their hands.

Caleb is a firebreather. He was born to feral dragons in the wild, but his egg was found by two humans, Una and Leofric Ermendrud. He was raised by them in secret for some time before the Empire found him and conscripted him into the Aerial Corps. He was put under Trent Ikithon, who was experimenting on the dragons in his care with Celestial shards in an attempt to give them the magic wielded by the Celestial dragons in Xhorhas.

When he ‘broke’ during his final test, Caleb was put in the Vergesson Dragon Grounds, a place to dump dragons the Empire can’t use. He spent his time there holed up in a cave and didn’t interact with the other dragons much, though he doesn’t remember it. He escaped some time later and wandered the Empire wilderness as a feral.

Veth Brenatto was a halfling woman living in Felderwin with her family, before she angered the local dragon ferals raiding her village, who had her cursed into one of them. She met up with Caleb and they lived together in the wilderness before meeting the Nein. She wants to return to her original form and reunite with her family, though she has learned to enjoy being a dragon and also wants to remain with her friends.

She wears lots of jewelry and trinkets too, which I didn’t draw.

Essek is a Celestial dragon living in the Kryn Dynasty, a land ruled by the Celestial Bright Queen. Celestials have magical ability, something extremely rare in dragons. They are born so infrequently that they are seen as holy and are the ruling class of the Dynasty. The Kryn worship the Luxon, and Celestial eggs are kept next to the beacons as they incubate in order to absorb its magic. 

Essek still traded two beacons to the Empire in hopes of understanding them more, but he also gave them the shards of some hatched Celestial eggs. When he met the Mighty Nein, he taught Caleb how to further develop the magical ability given to him by Trent’s experiments.

~~~

The Mighty Nein meet up close to how they did originally, just with more suspicion of them because they’re dragons. Molly is a middleweight, probably a longwing like Jester though I still need to draw him. 

They travel around as dragon mercenaries, becoming a very powerful independent band. They bond very strongly with each other and become very close, with all sorts of relationships connecting them in a polycule. 

Because it’s my AU I get to make it Polynein >:)

@polynein-week​

[critter-genfic-events]

Gen Fics with Reunions

It's nice to be able to get the folks back together. This time, we've got eight fics that feature reunions - parents, siblings, and long lost friends. Check them out beneath the cut, and as always - comment or kudos if you like them!

Laudna and Bella catch up 20 some odd years later after a chance encounter at a casino in Kymal.

Old Friends and New by AstoriaColumnStaircase (4133,General)

Warnings: None

Pairings: Laudna & Bella, Laudna/Imogen Temult

Reccer says: It's a fun look at a future version of Bella, and it's cathartic to think about Laudna being able to interact with that part of her unlife without pain.

Someone had opened a portal in the tree.

A Long Awaited Reunion by Settai (520,Teen)

Warnings: None

Pairings: Keyleth & Vilya

Reccer says: Oh my entire heart - this is the fic I wanted to read after watching that episode

A few years after faking his own death, Essek runs into someone he used to know by chance in Uthodurn - A certain someone who had supposedly died his last death in Bazzoxan a few decades before.

No One by That Name Lives Here Anymore by Operafloozy (13138,Teen)

Warnings: None

Pairings: Essek Thelyss & his father, Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast

Reccer says: Operafloozy is great at dysfunctional family interactions, and this is a really uncomfortable but extremely human.

Her son returns with a new set of friends after months away, notably missing a handsome blue-skinned bard with a shy smile and a loving gaze who never took his eyes off of Orym, and Alma is a mother after all, and a mother has a way of knowing things.

I'm on the mend, but I lost a friend by Multifandom_damnation (1713,General)

Warnings:

Pairings: Orym & Alma (his mother)

Reccer says: Extremely sweet, with background Dorym

Vox Machina aid the gods and rescue one of their own.

I've Held You in the Plan by CitizenMocha (4015,Teen)

Warnings: None

Pairings: Vax & Vex

Reccer says: I liked it

The night after the demon fight and the reunion of the day after.

don’t fall into darkness by CymbirrEsra (3667,Teen)

Warnings: graphic depictions of violence

Pairings: Orym & Baernie

Reccer says: extremely sweet

Verin goes looking for Essek after Essek fakes his death.

dreaming with my eyes open by breitweisergallery (4414,Teen)

Warnings: Brief Suicidal Ideation

Pairings: Essek Thelyss & Verin Thelyss, Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast

Reccer says: I liked it

Three hundred years after the Red Solstice, a much-changed Deirta Thelyss seeks out her son for the first time in centuries and finds herself greeted by an unfamiliar face: Essek's current partner. It's an unexpected turn of events and Essek is must-changed himself, when he arrives, but perhaps there is a chance at healing left for the two of them.

looking for the meaning of life by quinn_of_aebradore (15281,Teen)

Warnings: Implied character death (due to happening far in the future)

Pairings: Deirta Thelyss & Essek Thelyss, Essek Thelyss/OMC

Reccer says: It allows Deirta and Essek to both be complicated and change, which I enjoy!

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!

For February 1st, we'll be featuring Nott the Brave (or Veth Brenatto!). Goblin, Halfling, Mom, Adventurer, Alcoholic and someone who rocks a catsuit - she's got a lot going on.

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

And we'll be following that up with:

February 15: Sendings

March 1: Fearne

March 15: Road Trips

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!

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

Hello and happy Wednesday, everyone! This week, we have nine fics that star relationships between PCs and NPCs! As always, you can find them below the cut and if you check any of them out, I encourage you to leave kudoes and comments to spread the rarepair love 💕

A Drow, A Tiefling and an Empty Closet by devil_seabird_king (1,086 words, Teen) Pairing: Kingsley Tealeaf/Verin Thelyss (Verinking) Warnings: None

Essek notices Verin is having relationship trouble and feels lonely. Shenanigans ensue to set him and Kingsley up.

Reccer Says: It’s very silly and cute! It’s the only Verin/King I’ve read but I think they’d be a fun couple.

like being a little bird by annie_blackbird (513 words, Mature) Pairing: Yussa Errenis/Caleb Widogast (Widoyussa) Warnings: None

Yussa and Caleb play with rope. Caleb needs to call a halt. They work it out.

Reccer Says: It’s very tender and very hot!

threads of fate by viciousmollymaukery (1,812 words, Teen) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidomauk) Warnings: None

Essek knits gifts for his partners.

Reccer Says: It is sooooo soft and so sweet, gift giving is The wizard love language, truly. Also the Molly voice is so on point.

Fabric by the_deep_magic (62,807 words, Explicit) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Vax'ildan (Vaxmore) Warnings: None

Vax pays a visit to Emon’s premiere BDSM club, looking to find a dom who knows what they’re doing. By chance, he finds that, and a whirlwind romance, in the club’s owner, Shaun Gilmore.

Reccer Says: Hot, fun, heartfelt. Overall a really enjoyable read.

Grass Stains by Luddleston (3,026 words, Explicit) Pairing: Orym/Will Warnings: None

Young and in love, Orym and Will have to get creative to find ways to get alone time away from their families.

Reccer Says: Sweet, sexy, and full of emotions.

So About The Minotaur… by OkaySoWereDoinThis (3,697 words, Teen) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto Warnings: Body Dysphoria for Goblin Reasons

Nott/Veth thinks she’s gonna get dumped but she gets kissed instead (it’s what she deserves).

Reccer Says: It's set shortly after they rescue Yeza and it's cute and angsty and funny and yeza is the best everrr

brighter than before by royalgreen (1,119 words, Teen) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Vax'ildan (Vaxmore) Warnings: None

Following a near-death experience and realizing he might have an 'after' in the aftermath, Vax follows his heart.

Reccer Says: A very sweet snippet of vulnerability and promise!

A Friend in Hand by Eunicorne (10,085 words, Teen) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: Major Character Death

After Veth's death, Yeza finds himself picking up the pieces of his life, helped by a dear family friend, Caleb Widogast. Aka, a grief stricken Caleb takes care of his dear friend's family after her death.

Reccer Says: Oh my goshhh it's so bittersweet and sweet and cute. Yeza enjoyers will love this. Grief enjoyers will love this. Caleb enjoyers will love this and honestly Veth enjoyers probably too.

Today I Love You Even More by wtgw (5,687 words, Teen) Pairings: Yeza Brenatto/Caleb Widogast, Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto, Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: None

"Yeza Brenatto is a creature of infinite anxiety, but he’s not blind. He can see how much Veth loves Caleb. He can see how much Caleb loves her back. And he can also see that Caleb is really attractive. But it’s not like he’s not going to do anything about that…"

Reccer Says: Funny and cuteee, Yeza my beloved<3<3

Thank you for joining us this week’s recc list! All the love to everyone who submitted a fic 💕 All enclosed recommendations were submitted by the community via our submissions form, which you can find here. All fic information is as it was provided by the reccer, so it may not be accurate to the author’s intent or the precise contents of the fic itself. Please assume good intent from all parties 💕

Submissions for next week’s list are already open! We’ll be featuring Proposals & Marriages. If you have any you’d like to highlight, you can send them in here. The week after that, the theme is Oneshots and the weeks after that we’re taking recommendations for Laudna Rarepairs and Grief & Mourning! Submissions for all of these themes are currently open.

If you want more rarepair fic, check out @cr-summer-wildflowers and their event collections on ao3! If you want some friendship after all this romance, take a look at @critter-genfic-events and their recc lists! And if you’re interested in everyone’s favorite wizards, you can’t go wrong with the lists at @aeor-is-for-reccing !

Thanks all and have a lovely day/night/timezone! 💕

[talkshitgetcrit]

Something something Caleb saying „I was scared something like this would happen (to Jester’s mum and veth’s family) since the moment we first arrived in nicodranas“ and then TRENT IKITHON is the catalyst to the events that lead to Luc Brenatto dying?!

Something something cruel poetic irony of caleb using fire to kill his parents, and running from it for a huge part of his life, and when he finally stopped running his past catching up and Luc being killed by a fire elemental?!

Something something caleb is responsible for his parents death vs veth is responsible for her son‘s death (albeit in a way a lot less direct and also Luc not permanently dying but!! You get my point)

Sequences like this are the ultimate proof this show could not be scripted, because no living human being could even come up with a story arch so painful and multilayered and brilliant. That‘s some Shakespearean level of mindfuckery right there.