every nerve aware (G): When she finds the racers at their new camp, Aloy is surprised to hear that their masked leader has ridden into the wilds and not returned. She sets out to find him. [niloy; written for niloy hell's summer exchange]
what do i care how much it may storm? (E): A winter storm forces Aloy and Nil to shelter in the Base. They find a way to pass the time. [niloy; written for niloy hell's holiday exchange]
the rite of spring (E): Aloy travels to the Memorial Grove to watch a traditional Tenakth ritual, and gets more than she bargained for when she is invited to participate. (kotaloy; written for kotaloy elysium's "seasons of love" event]
things possessed and not quite right (T): Doctor Amari told him the mnemonic impressions, left over from Kellogg's cybernetic implant, would fade with time. They didn't. Unwilling to lose her friend to the same killer who'd taken everyone else from her, Nora sets out to find help from anyone that will listen. Will she be able to, before it's too late? [fallout 4; written for @fallout4bigbang]
** due to recent data-scraping activity on AO3, my works are restricted to registered users. my apologies for any inconvenience. **
While exploring another ancient ruin, an equipment malfunction sends Aloy into a brutal alternate universe. Stranded, and with no allies, how will she find her way home? Her only hope is a man who, in another world, pledged his life to her-- if only she can convince him of that.
written for @kotaloyelysiumevents AU-gust event!
due to recent data scraping activity on the archive, my works are restricted to registered guests. my apologies for any inconvenience.
The fandom-wide Horizon gift exchange celebrates our beloved favourites and helps honour our beloved creators who make our fandom alive and unique. Through art, fanfic, and virtual media (in-game photography or gifs), we can share in the joy these characters bring to us. Upon sign up, participants list what they would like in a gift, as well as “dealbreakers.” Once sign up has ended, I will take into consideration your wants and do my best to match you with someone who will meet them.
Reminder: this event is entirely on a volunteer basis, including beta readers, art helpers, and pinch hitters.
Theme
While there is not a stipulation to follow a certain theme, the time of year opens the door to ideas of “Vacation”—something Aloy and her friends certainly need. Whether that means a wintry mountain retreat with a cozy fire or a tropical ocean-side getaway, inclusion of this as a theme is your call as the recipient.
Creations
As a creator, by signing up you are confirming that you are open to the possibility of exploring character(s) you don’t usually delve into, and will create something with respect and open-mindedness for our friends in fandom. That being said, I understand that everyone has a comfort limit. In your sign up, you can list up to three individual characters that for whom you, for whatever reason, are not comfortable creating. Please do not provide justification as your reasons are your own, and this will not be shared. This will help me in the matching process.
For receiving, you have the option of including up to three prompts for your gifter, and also to list your major squicks. Prompts are to give your gifter a starting point for what you would like to see as part of your gift. Please note that your gifter may not include all elements; they are there to help them know what you like and where to start.
Similarly, squicks help your gifter to know your deal-breakers: elements you do not like and do not want to see in your gift. There is no shame in a squick; it is your preference.
Please note that any squicks that involve bashing characters/ships/real people in the fandom, including the gender and sexuality of those in fandom, will result in expulsion from the event.
Requirements
For writers, a one-shot fanfic with a minimum of 3500 words. It does not have to be a novel. Please ensure that if you do not use a beta reader, you edit your fic for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency.
For artists, one completed piece. It does not have to be in specific 4K dimensions, but should be large, clean, and complete per artist specifications. This means no sketches or incomplete lineart.
For virtual media, an in-game photography or Tumblr gifset of 8-12 high quality and edited pieces. This means they’ve been framed, cropped, positioned, and touched up to the best of your ability, with the understanding that some NPCs are more difficult to photograph than others. Please note that all footage should be obtained specifically by you as the creator new for this event, and not gathered from others or previous sources.
ABSOLUTELY NO GENERATIVE AI CAN OR WILL BE USED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT. If you are found to have used genAI for your gift, it will be removed from the collection and you will be banned from participating in possible future events.
Beta Readers & Art Help
If you do not wish to participate as a creator but want to help in some way, you are welcome to volunteer your services as a beta reader or art help and provide constructive criticism to aid the creator in making the most polished piece possible for their recipient. Please note that all gifts are to be anonymous until reveal. If you figure out whose gift(s) you are aiding, please do not share and spoil the surprise. Please note that a beta reader or art helper can volunteer to be a pinch hitter.
Rules
This particular gift exchange is focused more on our love for the character than ships, so for this go ’round, we are asking for no romance in gifts. This is not intended to be anti-romance or anti-shipping in any way (come on, look at who’s running this), but more out of interest in creator comfort and fairness—some may be exploring characters they never have before, after all! This is all for fun, and we want to keep that in our hearts. This being said, I am open to including romance if participants desire. No romance was used as a baseline to ensure everyone has equal ground.
That does not mean there is a sole focus on the one character, however. If your preferred character is a NPC, Aloy or any other NPC is allowed to interact in art/fic/virtual media however fits. This time, the ask is for the confines of friendship.
This exchange is also anonymous until reveal. Once you have your recipient, the expectation is that you do not share your recipient or your creation with anyone. This includes progress snippets on social media. The gifts will come as a complete surprise on reveal day. For any beta readers or art helpers, if you figure out who the gift is for, please do not ask or post about it. Do not spoil the gifts for anyone.
Remember that all participants have different strengths and skill levels—but we’re all here because we love Horizon, we enjoy each other, and we want to share our skills. Please do not offer any unsolicited criticism on any works upon reveal, and remember that your gift was made with love!
Posting Format
All entries will be posted in a collection on Archive Of Our Own specifically made for this event. Your entry will be visible only to you until reveal day, when they will automatically unlock. If you do not have an account yet, I recommend signing up now if you want to participate. If anyone in the community has invites they’re willing to share, please feel free to speak up!
For image entries—art, photos, gifs—the best practice I have found in the past is creating a private post on Tumblr, uploading the images there, and then copy/pasting the URL into AO3. This typically helps ensure the best quality. I can also make HTML sets and guides for the images if that helps!
After reveal, you are welcome to post your creation to social media however you desire.
Pinch Hitters
Real life can sometimes throw curve-balls at us we don’t expect. If for any reason you cannot complete your gift, let me know as soon as possible so that I can reach out to a pinch hitter. A pinch hitter is someone who, regardless of if they are already a participant, beta reader, or art helper, may be contacted at the eleventh hour to create a gift for the intended recipient. Please indicate on the form if you are willing to be one.
Deadlines
The deadline to sign up is August 31, 2025, 11:59PM EST. All sign ups must be completed through the provided Google Document. There will also be a Discord server open to participants, beta readers, and art helpers for periodic check-in’s and services (link & invites TBD).
The deadline to drop out is November 30, 2025, 12:59PM EST. This is to help ensure I have enough time to contact a pinch hitter, and that they have time to complete the gift. If you do not drop out by December 5, that is an acknowledgment that you are finishing your gift in time to post.
The deadline to post in the collection is December 19, 2025, 11:59PM EST. You can post in it any time before then once the collection is live and your entry will be hidden.
All entries will go live December 20, 2025, 7:00AM EST. At this point, feel free to link, to post, to spread the love on social media and servers—and go through the gifts for everyone else!
Sign Up
Sign ups are open in the Google Form below. If there are more than ten (10) responses by the sign up due date, the exchange will proceed as above.
Please fill out the following form if you are interested in participating in the 2025 Horizon Fandom Secret Gift Exchange.
Concept: The fan
DAY 6 - NOV. 8: Favorite Location | Alternate Timeline
DAY 7 - NOV. 9: Station Family | "These are my friends."
Use the tag #ds9 week on posts newly made for this event. Participate as much or as little as you'd like, use the prompts above or do something different, it's up to you!
All types of fanwork (fic, art, edits, meta, or anything else) of any rating are allowed, but please tag explicit content appropriately and put long written works under a "read more" or link to an external site. Do not create fanworks for this event using AI.
I love when a character wants to be someone's dog so so bad. Dont mean it in a sexual way (although that can also be a part of it) I mean like. Let me be your loyal companion let me stay by your side give me a purpose in exchange for endless unconditional love let me stop being a person love me like it's my only use. Love me like that's the only thing I was made for. As you can tell. I'm normal.
things possessed and not quite right (T): Doctor Amari told him the mnemonic impressions, left over from Kellogg's cybernetic implant, would fade with time. They didn't. Unwilling to lose her friend to the same killer who'd taken everyone else from her, Nora sets out to find help from anyone that will listen. Will she be able to, before it's too late?
written for @fallout4bigbang!
due to recent data scraping efforts against archive of our own, my works are available to registered users only. apologies for any inconvenience!
A Book of Creatures by @a-book-of-creatures doesn't update these days but is another thing along these lines, really huge, fully illustrated all by the author and cites all sources
thinking about how fallout 4 is 1000% geared towards men but what is more devastating than a new mother who has lost her husband and her child in a single day. what is more powerful than a woman in a completely new world fighting anyone and anything to get her child back. what is more painful than having to destroy the very son you've been desperate to return to. female sole survivor will forever be on top because we've all seen the male war veteran loses his family story. what about the new-mother lawyer who's never experienced war waging it across a world she doesn't even recognize anymore to get her family back together. what about that
literally how boring and dull do you have to be to dislike codependent relationships in fiction like where is the passion where is the devotion where is the worship that inevitably corrupts and destroys one if not both of them
my Hallowe'en Prompts list for The Worst Witch fandom, or anyone of the witching kind or spooky persuasion! 🖤
feel free to complete as many as feels right to you, combine several, or just pick your favourite. fill the month of October with all that creative energy!
i write sometimes @cdrcrichton - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
