#scourger caleb widogast

[elliotofmakinstuff]

The Horrors are Endless but Bren Stays Silly :3

I’ve been rotating Caleb/Bren in my brain bc of a delightfully horrible fic on ao3- a body in absentia by nonwal. I read it all in one day and then promptly needed to scream about it

doodles 👀

[euchariis]

Scourger/Volstrucker Bren Aldric Ermendrud is the most pretentious asshole ever. he suffers from SEVERE "smartest person in the room" disorder. Hes a mansplainer. He says "errrrm actually". He's the love of my life. He's my greatest enemy. Imagine if he did not break that night. if he continued studying and learning under Ikithon, if he became a fully realized Sexy Evil German Wizard. I'm obsessed with him. I need him six feet under. I need him on his knees. I need him at the altar. I NEED SCOURGER CALEBBBBBBBBBBBBBB. i need evil caleb. i need morally gray bren. i need to dissect him. i need to blow him up into a million tiny pieces,

[essektheylyss]

Honestly, I'm very excited to find out what happened to Caleb and Beau, but specifically because Ludinus's current status is WILD for Caleb's epilogue in particular. It means his boyfriend is basically free and clear of everyone who has explicit material knowledge of the deal he made. It means the goal he planned to dedicate his life to is basically complete within six years. It means that virtually no one left on the Assembly cares much what kinds of changes he makes to Soltryce from here on out.

Ludinus is on the moon and probably not coming back, given the general expectations of the heroic fantasy genre, and the rest of it is a whole lot of "not Caleb's problem".

What does this man even do with the rest of his life?

[artofcarmen]

Did some background work and got the start of the flamelight on our murder son. Its been a struggle but I think the face is closer to what I wanted. ❤️‍🔥

We also determined im doing neck tattoos in the art stream today lol

[feuerwizard]

for @sanguisarcana || scourger bren (baldur's gate 3 verse)

It had been years since Bren set foot upon the bustling streets and felt the blistering sunlight of Baldur's Gate's undercity. Air thick with the scent of spices and sweat as people bustle about their daily lives, their voices blending into a cacophony of noise around him. Despite the chaos—or perhaps because of it—it is surprisingly easy for Bren to blend in and go unnoticed amongst crowds. Though rumors of past mind flayer attacks and dragon sightings still linger in the minds of those along the Sword Coast, such things have little relevance to the task at hand.

Fashion Couture.

Nestled along the western side of Baldur's Gate, sits a quaint clothing shop with its elegant windows closed shut and adorned by billowing curtains. Bren straightens his shirt and brushes away the dirt from his pants before running a hand through his unruly mop of short ginger hair. With a huff of a sigh, he enters the shop, filled with rows of neatly displayed garments and the sweet scent of perfumes and fabrics.

Cerulean eyes clock him immediately, like a predator tracking its prey, a pale elf with snow-white curls upon his head. Bren boldly strides towards him, clearing his throat to announce his presence before approaching any closer. “Hallo,” he greets the elf, accent thick but full of faux charm, “I am looking for a new coat… I don’t suppose you would be able to help with that?”

[amsayshi]

Okay.

Hear me out.

I have this idea that hasn't left my head since the end of C2 and I need to let it out. I am of the mindset that the intricate web of wizard spies were kind of overlooked and underpowered towards the end of the campaign AND I can't stop thinking about them. Like they were spoken of as if they were an urban legend... So what happened to them in the aftermath? They were basically mist. How could they possibly catch all of them?

So here's some prompts that I want to write but have never gotten around to or can't write because of my disorganized head.

Prompt #1:

What happens next.

Volstruckers in the aftermath of Trent's capture. What happens to a shadow network of wizard spies when their leader is taken into custody? Do they surrender, slink back into the shadows, or reorganize into an independent spy network?

Prompt #2:

So pretty much the same as the above but cozy second chance romance for a bunch of assassins.

Haha So we follow a volstrucker who disappears into the shadows and reemerges as a tavern owner who refuses to look back on their time as an assassin spy until a familiar face pops into their tavern for a drink.

Anyway I still am fascinated by the wizard spies and wish we spent like...so much more time with them.

Give me an EXU series on former volstruckers finding their way in this worlddd. Would they all be ludinus followers!? Would the leftover volstruckers be on the moon?!

Ugh... Every few months I get wizard spy brain rot and it takes a while to push through the hyper fixation.

[nonwal]

Chapters: 1/20 Fandom: Critical Role (Web Series) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast Characters: Caleb Widogast, Essek Thelyss Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Scourger Caleb Widogast, Angst, Demisexual Essek Thelyss, atypical modes of consent (see A/N), Internalized Acephobia, ongoing boundary negotiation, Touch Aversion, Trans Caleb Widogast, (via true polymorph—see A/N), Blow Jobs, Mutual Masturbation, Hand Jobs, Intercrural Sex, Frottage, Dildos, Rimming, Anal Fingering, Light BDSM, Under-negotiated Kink, Sub Drop, Safeword Use, Cuddling, Vomiting, Torture, Feeblemind Spell (Dungeons & Dragons), the horrors are endless but Bren stays silly :3, he's a decent guy if you ignore the atrocities Summary:

“You accused me of treating this like a game. I am sorry if I’ve led you to believe that it is only a game—though I won't deny that part of it is.” Bren gives a disarming smile. “My life is either games or murder, after all.” “Or mail fraud,” Thelyss says dryly, not even a little disarmed. “The mail fraud is a sort of game as well.” A sigh. “Is this your way of telling me that you intend to continue playing?” Bren smiles again, sharper. “If you would let me.”

(In which Bren Aldric Ermendrud decides to seduce the Shadowhand and finds that the best way to convince someone to be vulnerable with you is to be vulnerable in turn.)

so, funny story, I’ve written 100000 words since the beginning of the year,

[atlasarcana]

rubies and macarons - echo bren fic 5

“Extract what you can out of her without magic,” says Trent. “Use your words.”

Bren talks, and talks, and talks, and gets nothing. Marion has a voice like sparkling grape-wine, singing him to sleep before he can fully coax information from her. Marion knows his game. She is young, and she is old, and she is smart as a dragoness behind her skin of red candy and her sugar-gold eyes.

“Fine,” says Trent then. “Her mind is no protected sanctum. Reap from it at whatever cost. And then you will tie that loop closed, won’t you?”

— Years ago, Bren's instructions were to take out Marion Lavorre. He tried. But he never anticipated her little blue secret.

Rating: M Fandom: Critical Role Ship: Marion Lavorre & (/?) Scourger AU Bren Word Count: 5,057 Tags: Flashback, Angst, Guilt, Failed Assassination Attempt, Sex Under False Pretenses, Manipulation, Happy Ending Chapter: 1/1 Fic: 5, Last of Act 1.

Content warnings for the fic are described in the tags and elaborated in the Ending Author’s Note.

⋆ read on ao3 ⋆

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

Hidden Gems: A Shadowgast Rec List

This week, we have our recurring hidden gem list! Look under the cut for twelve great fics that have 150 kudos or less, and don't forget to kudos or comment if you like them!

Falling by CookiePirate51 (1805, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

In an alternate universe where the trip to Aeor between Caleb and Essek never happens, and they find their way to one another, anyway.

Reccer says: It's extremely sweet and atmospheric

The Legend of Widogast Manor by royalgreen (6620, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

Essek is seeking magic and finds a mysterious manor, with an even more mysterious inhabitant

Reccer says: Two people in a secluded gothic manor, everyone's got secrets, and it's very sexy

Mirror Mirror by grassandcitrus (72276, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

After destroying the T-dock in the ruins of Aeor, Caleb and Essek are transported into an alternate timeline where Bren never broke and the Mighty Nein never met. Now they have to reassemble their friends inorder to get back home while also avoiding their alternate evil selves and navigate their complicated feelings for each other.

Reccer says: It gives a great insight as to what could have been if the M9 never came together. I love it and thinks it's very underated.

Lichtenberg Figures by Twistmalchik (1599, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Male Pregnancy, No one is actively pregnant in the fic, but past pregnancy is alluded to.

Caleb helps Essek find a way to relieve the ache in his chest after their daughter begins weaning.

Reccer says: I liked it!

mother/tongue by anxietiefling (1624, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb and Essek play with their daughters and speak to them in their first languages

Reccer says: It's beautiful, and has so many feelings about language, comprehension, loss, and migration.

the lovliest lies of all by royalgreen (1026, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

How do you rescue someone who doesn't want to be rescued? Essek doesn't know, but he's going to try.

Reccer says: It's very spooky and atmospheric and poetic and haunting

the hole in the stone by MinnesotaBruja (13243, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Death of a Pet

Essek takes a position as a lighthouse keeper on a remote island after Cognouza. During that time, he writes letters to Caleb.

Reccer says: The yearning is top tier and the ending is so sweet. It's an incredible story.

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

Ballroom dancing AU. Enough said

Reccer says: Sweet and full of yearning. A whirlwind little romance with Essek's arrogance and weariness colouring every interaction with Caleb. It's just so swoon worthy and the ending had me melting. Also nails that liminal hotel feeling.

foreign diplomacy by stygius (1087, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Graphic Depictions of Violence

The Shadowhand helps Bren Aldric Ermendrud dispose of his master.

Reccer says: Scourger AU! Killing Ikithon has never been this sexy... very fun to see the dance of mistrust and attraction between Bren and Essek here! there's a sequel too

castle-temp red wine by 06151126 (12759, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Part of a flawless and fascinating F1 racing AU, Essek invites Caleb to a fancy den dinner where everything falls apart

Reccer says: I don't know anything about F1 but this fic is so insanely compelling! The characterizations are perfect, the tension is thick, and I'm dying to see what happens next. If you like intricate, realistic AUs, definitely give this one a try!

when the cat’s away by Anonymous (3192, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Under negotiated scene, Getting caught

Caleb catches Essek in a bit of comprimising position when he comes home early.

Reccer says: It's a complicated situation for Essek and Caleb that is written in such a intriguing and engaging way! The dynamics are so well done. (Also it's very hot.)

in the heart of every galaxy by boynamedhela (1809, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb gets a series of gifts that feel more like threats.

Reccer says: It is very sweet take on cultural differences.

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.

Check out the previous Hidden Gem Recs Lists here [1] [2] [3]

Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we'll have a list of humorous fics!

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

Hello and happy Friday to you all! Midway through May now and this week we have mighty list for you all; twenty-one fics that feature a variety of different and unique AUs! 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 💕

The Changeling by maybetwice (5,899 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Fearne Calloway/Orym Warnings: None

Orym is given to the feywild as a child, and grows up as a changeling in the service of Morrigan, companion to Fearne. Its so funnn, the speculative feywild and its politics (pre canon-Morri), Orym's desparate grip on his identity, and how things change and shift, Fearne trying to help but not quite understanding

Reccer Says: The characterization *chefs kiss, the world building, its very fun. Atmospheric, fairy tail esque? The sworn oaths and loyalty *chefs kiss chefs kiss, you love to see it every time. And! It's part of a series!!! So there's more >:D

your touch's so sweet (throw me in the water) by quinn_of_aebradore (1,872 words, Teen) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord)

Evil AU polyam, Bren visits Fjord for the night and they discuss things (and also have a fun night)

Reccer Says: Sexy evil au brain go brrrrrrrr

steady lodged between beast and god by Junkyard_Rose (6,737 words, Mature) Pairing: Lucien Tavelle/Essek Thelyss (Luciessek) Warnings: Suicidal ideation (first half)

After cognouza, Lucien is the one who comes back. The M9 leave him with Essek, who convinces Lucien to (take a second chance) work as his bodyguard. They sort of start to figure things out

Reccer Says: Its kind of a little Lucien's worst nightmare, but also a soft third(?) beginning? Essek trying to be the mirror that Caleb was, and extending the hand, and Lucien is taking it, extremely brrrrrrrr

Shame on a martyr claiming friends by thought (1,641 words, Teen) Pairing: Dorian Storm/Verin Thelyss Warnings: None

Crack played straight, arranged marriage between two second sons who have older, overshadowing brothers, and a desire to carve out a place outside their family's expectations (heheh)

Reccer Says: Its just fun! And honestly, yeah? Yeah! They have a lot of common ground on siblings and their desires to prove themselves to their family's legacies. Also sharing the wish to sidle out of a very awkward room lol

first bloom by flappingduster (3,484 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Beauregard Lionett/Essek Thelyss Warnings: None

Essek and Beau are together (romantic) but then they figure things out at separate, but are still close friends (qpr). Essek has complicated feelings when Beau asks for dating advice for a girl she's met

Reccer Says: Complicated Relationship and Feelings brrr

a home where my heart is by DesertLily (1,252 words, Teen) Pairing: Jester Lavorre/Beauregard Lionett (Beaujes) Warnings: None

Jester sends Beau a text asking her out. Beau over analyzes it and goes to Fjord for advice.

Reccer Says: Very cute!!! Beau is a disaster and I love her.

this is a promise (with a catch) by Anonymous (42,357 words, Explicit) Pairing: Orym/Dorian Storm/Will (Dorymwill) Warnings: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics

Orym and Will are together in an alpha/alpha relationship. It’s perfect, except that Orym’s ruts are difficult and he can’t stand to be around Will during them. And then, set up by Fearne, Orym mets Dorian, an omega in need of a heat partner, and things spiral out from there.

Reccer Says: The sex is hot, the relationships are so wonderful and sweet, the world feels so real around them, and the twist at the end is incredible.

burn, scourger, burn by Anonymous (1,362 words, Teen) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss (Shadowmauk) Warnings: None

Witcher AU, Essek is Yennefer, Molly is Jaskier, and they both have been cast aside by Caleb as Geralt. Allied with Astrid and Wulf, Essek seeks out allies and finds himself watching one of Molly’s performances.

Reccer Says: It’s such a brilliant AU in so few words, the history built perfectly in that small space. The emotion, the layers of it, are so delicious.

warm, unalone (come settle down) by Meridas (20,811 words, Teen) Pairing: Queerplatonic Mollymauk Tealeaf/Yasha Nydoorin Warnings: None

A modern AU in which queerplatonic partners Molly and Yasha move to Zadash to start a soft, domestic life.

Reccer Says: Truly one of the sweetest, fluffiest series out there. QPP Circus Kids are soooo important to me and this series is a large reason for that. You can FEEL the love between Molly and Yasha, the depth to which they care about and for each other. It’s just. So so tender. Also! Baby the Cat beloved. And a very nice side of Widomauk fluff!!!

Something Happened On The Way To Heaven by SweetSilentSteps (24,014 words, Explicit) Pairing: Orym/Dorian Storm/Will (Dorymwill) Warnings: Minor Depictions of Violence

A retelling of Ladyhawke (1985), featuring Orym/Will as the cursed couple and Dorian as the jail escapee.

Reccer Says: Absolutely amazing character voices! It's such a fun read! I enjoy this more than the original movie.

(sing another) song for the lost ones by elanoides (21,453 words, Teen) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord crashes in a small seaside town, meets The Mighty Nein, and finds he isn't lonely anymore.

Reccer Says: This is such a cozy comfort read for me. 10/10.

Advanced Book (And Heart) Stealing by Attila (2,776 words, Teen) Pairing: Kima/Allura Vysoren (Kimallura) Warnings: None

The first time Allura checks out a book Kima needs for her thesis is an accident. The second, not so much.

Reccer Says: This is a hilarious story with fantastic character voices and several laugh out loud moments! Also very cute.

a hundred years still in my pocket by burningafterdark (3,360 words, Explicit) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord and Caleb have sex in Caleb's office.

Reccer Says: I love the post-canon vibes, I love how the established background Polynein colors their conversation, I love how comfortable the two feel together. It's also just well written sex!

Shut Up And Take My Money by Attila (14,024 words, Teen) Pairing: Jarrett Howarth/Vex'ahlia Warnings: Descriptions of blood, off-screen violence, off-screen healing of a gun shot wound

Vex needs to hire someone for the (money laundering) coffee shop. Jarett is a perfect fit - and attractive to boot. The question remains: is he a fed?

Reccer Says: This fic is hilarious! It feels like Vox Machina!

Spitfire by kitthekazoo (1,352 words, General) Pairing: Scanlan Shorthalt/Vax'ildan (Vaxlan) Warnings: None

Vax meets Kaylie, Scanlan's 8 year old daughter.

Reccer Says: Lovely!

teakettle love (i'd do anything) by redhoods (6,360 words, Explicit) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord takes care of Caleb when Caleb forgets to take care of himself.

Reccer Says: It's so soft........ such lovely character voices!

houses, homes by Ffwydriad (2,414 words, Teen) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: Implied off-screen transphobia, homelessness

Caleb and Veth are on the streets together, and then move in with Yeza.

Reccer Says: I really enjoy trans!Veth and how the Caleb/Veth/Yeza relationship builds!

and coffee the morning after by impossibletruths (2,546 words, General) Pairing: Keyleth/Pike Trickfoot (Pikeleth) Warnings: Blood*

Keyleth and Pike meet in their apartment building's laundry room. Their relationship builds from there.

Reccer Says: It's so cute! It just feels lovely!

*Keyleth meets Pike when Pike's scrubs have blood on them.

it starts with an earthquake by impossibletruths (13,520 words, Teen) Pairings: Percy de Rolo/Pike Trickfoot/Vex'ahlia, Kima/Allura Vysoren (Kimallura) Warnings: None

Vox Machina's Conclave Arc, but make it post-apocalyptic.

Reccer Says: Absolutely amazing character studies, great plot, and a wonderful way of making things feel hopeful even in the apocalypse.

Free as the birds that fly with weightless souls by impossibletruths (5,643 words, Teen) Pairing: Keyleth/Kashaw Vesh (Kashleth) Warnings: Prominent themes of grief and mourning

Keyleth and Kashaw fall in love during their art collaboration.

Reccer Says: Beautiful.

End Racism in the OTW; you and me and some l-o-v-e (all good things come in threes) by mischiefseven (8,594 words, Teen) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Keyleth/Vax'ildan (Vaxlethmore) Warnings: Off-screen violence, aftermath of violence

Vax finds Gilmore's Glorious Goods and finds himself in love with both Keyleth and Gilmore.

Reccer Says: This is one of my favorite fics of all time. I highly recommend it!

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 Hurt/Comfort. If you have any you’d like to highlight, you can send them in here. The week after that, the theme is PC x NPC and the weeks after that we’re taking recommendations for Proposals & Marriages and Oneshots! 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! 💕

[critter-genfic-events]

Canon Divergent AU Recs!

This week, we have canon divergent AU recs! A dozen different what-ifs to explore below the cut - and as ever, if you like them, remember to comment or kudos!

Catch A Falling Star by Rainydaydecaf (32921,Mature) Warnings: Feeblemind Pairings: Beauregard Lionett/Yasha Nydoorin, Essek Thelyss & The Mighty Nein

The Nein find a feebleminded Essek down in the sewers along with the beacon.

Reccer says: It's got a great spotlight on each of the Mighty Nein as they interact with the feebleminded drow - from Fjord babysitting him and Kiri to Beau giving him a haircut - and feels true to the characters and the world

pressure cracks by BananasofThorns (10271,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Fjord & Caleb Widogast

Fjord is a student at Solstryce Academy. Professor Ermendrud requests a private meeting with him.

Reccer says: It's got echoes of Fjord and Caleb's dynamic in the pirate arc, combined with scourger Bren

The Star and the Wildflower by devil_seabird_king (ShaaKi) (8173,Teen) Warnings: suicidal thoughts Pairings: Caduceus Clay & Essek Thelyss

A young Essek is becomes friends with a young Caduceus Clay

Reccer says: This is a combination that doesn't get enough love, so it's fun to imagine what they'd be like as childhood friends

A Whisper On My Shoulder by EssayofThoughts (251169,Mature) Warnings: Major Character Death Pairings: none

Percy's not the only member of his family to survive the Briarwoods' attack. He's just the only one to do so alive.

Reccer says: A true epic that imagines Cassandra as a ghost by Percy's side throughout the initial parts of Vox Machina's journey. Amazingly well thought out

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

Over thirty years ago, Una Ermendrud went into the Feywild and met a satyr named Garmelie. thirty years later, Caleb reunites with his godfather.

Reccer says: I love how practical Una is in this, and how that practicality cuts through the feywild magic.

both my broken hands are true by quothhh (1805,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Veth Brenatto & Caleb Widogast

In a world where Yeza was taken by the goblins instead of Veth, Caleb and Veth manage to meet anyway.

Reccer says: It's got some killer lines and also a great example of the Caleb and Veth friendship

watch my back, and keep the blade by jadeandquartz (3553,Mature) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death Pairings: Orym & Imogen Temult

Laudna permanently dies. Imogen and Orym head after Otahan for revenge

Reccer says: An amazing bit of angst

You Think You Can Rid Yourself Of Me So Easily? by sparklegem (3724,Mature) Warnings: Hurt no Comfort Pairings: none

Percy's cursed weapon is not as easy to get rid of as they think.

Reccer says: I liked it

to know that this war was winless by quanshi (burningdarkfire) (834,Teen) Warnings: none Pairings: Beauregard Lionett & Caleb Widogast

Beauregard meets Bren for lunch

Reccer says: I love scourger Bren vs. Beauregard fics, and this is a lovely little taste

The Fool and the Soldier by mare_astrorum (200,000+,Mature) Warnings: None Pairings:

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.

Reccer says: One of the most insane things Matt dropped during the wrap-up was where the campaign might have gone had Molly survived. This is such a wonderful exploration of the concept of the Tombtakers as reoccurring enemies and Molly still with the party that is wonderfully IC, extremely detailed, and a lot of fun. It's going to be a long one and it's ongoing, so buckle in.

Magic Jar by Anonymous (3211,Teen) Warnings: none Pairings: none

The mighty nine, if Caleb was a soul in a magic jar

Reccer says: It's a fascinating premise and an amazing thing to think about

you'll let it go by pigflight (1590,Teen) Warnings: major character death Pairings: Delilah Briarwood & Laudna

What if Delilah convinced Laudna to take the shard?

Reccer says: wonderfully angsty and delicious

If you liked this rec list, follow along for more! We'll be posting a new list with a new theme each Monday. Want to make your own recs? Check out use this form to submit!

Next week, we're featuring your featuring explorations of grief, in all forms. It'll also be a day late, as next Monday is Christmas.

After that, we'll Pike Trickfoot, mysteries, and then monsters.

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!

[astrid-beck]

Offended on behalf of bren aldric ermendrud whenever there's a scourger au shadowgast and caleb is the weak link. For the obvious reason (bren is a supersoldier/trained dog whose only hobby is espionage) but also crucially like. Essek is just not that good at keeping secrets. Like he would obviously fold first. Broken shell of a man caleb widogast quickly and successfully charmed high level government secrets out of essek thelyss when he was years out of practice do you expect me to believe bren "daddy's best child soldier" ermendrud would be so overcome with stupid lust for this one lonely easily manipulated self-important elf in a cloak that it would override the metaphorical wizard L-pill of his training. Bitch they put rocks in his skin.

[tunedtostatic]

A year after the defeat of Trent Ikithon, Astrid and Eadwulf are settling into their lives as Eadwulf works helping other former scourgers and Astrid contends with her fellow archmages of the Cerberus Assembly. But when Wulf's voyage to a white stone city across the sea leads to a method for the safe removal of residuum--and the powers it bequeaths--and Astrid's plans put her at odds with the headmaster who sent them to Ikithon two decades before, both have choices to make about their magic and their future.

--

Astrid Beck/Eadwulf Grieve, Eadwulf Grieve & Cassandra de Rolo, Astrid Beck & Cerberus Assembly, Astrid Beck & Marion Lavorre, Astrid Beck & Eadwulf Grieve & Beauregard Lionett, Astrid Beck, Eadwulf Grieve, Cassandra de Rolo, Percy de Rolo, Marion Lavorre, Caleb Widogast, Essek Thelyss, Yasha Nydoorin, Beauregard Lionett, Owelia (Critical Role), Unnamed Human Scourger (Episode c2e070), Ludinus Da'Leth, Zivan Margolin, Other(s)

Shadow Magic (Dungeons & Dragons), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Angst, Death, Suicide, Grief, Combat, Gore, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Additional Warnings in Author's Notes, intramural sports jock Eadwulf, if you want emotional conversations but also 2k of Astrid 4vs1 high-level wizard battle you are the target audience for this, Glyph Chant, Bioluminescence, neither a recovery arc nor a corruption arc but another secret third thing

[artofcarmen]

Caleb Widogast - The Butcher of Rexxentrum

Evil AU art of Caleb (Bren) if he was neutral evil, met Essek while he was a full scourger, and instead of healing each other, fed into their darkness and conspired to remove the rest of the Assembly and Kryn elite from their way.

[feuerwizard]

What would it take to make Caleb a Scourger again?

truthfully, i'm not sure there is anything that could make him a scourger again solely because of his intense and personal hatred for trent. but i do think there is a world out there where caleb never meets people who help heal his heart, and we would see a much more bitter and violent version of caleb as a result. possibly even one who does decide to take trent's place in the assembly after he's gone.

send me questions you have about my character(s) || open

[beatriceeagle]

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Fandom: Critical Role (Web Series)

Relationships: Beauregard Lionett & Caleb Widogast, Beauregard Lionett/Yasha, Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast

Characters: Caleb Widogast, Beauregard Lionett, Bren Aldric Ermendrud, Original Male Character(s), Yasha (Critical Role), Essek Thelyss, Astrid Beck

Additional Tags: canon compliant through Mighty Nein Reunited, canon inspired through Echoes of the Solstice, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Torture, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, technically this is kidfic in both senses of the term

Chapter: 18/24

Summary: Six months ago, Beau adopted a teenager who loves the Cobalt Soul, but can't stand her. Ten minutes ago, Caleb accidentally summoned his own teenage self into his living room. So you know, they're both going though some shit.

At least Caleb's got experience befriending novice monks with attitude problems. And Beau's got experience befriending Caleb.

Chapter Summary:

Beau makes an offer; Jasper makes a choice.

_____

Essek had been too focused on the urgency of the situation to appreciate its strangeness at first. But the moment Caleb shut the guest room door behind him, the absurdity of the moment truly dawned on him. He was trapped in a Cobalt Soul dormitory—not even one of the prestigious Cobalt Soul reserves—with the echo of his Dwendalian boyfriend’s scourger teenage self. And why were they here? Why, because the echo had asked so sincerely, of course.

Essek lowered himself onto the bed that Caleb had just vacated and smothered a slightly unhinged laugh before it could escape his throat.

“Thank you,” Bren said. “Thank you.”

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