Your secret is safe with my indifference

She/Her I'd rather be playing Dungeons & Dragons

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

Shadowgast Fics Featuring Curses!

Some eagle eyed viewers might notice that we did a curse reclist all of two months ago. Those eagle eyed readers would be better than me, who apparently forgot to note this multiple times. Some may say that it is... a curse.

Anyway, here are nine (nein) fics that feature curses - six of which weren't featured on the previous list! Check them out beneath the cut, and if you like them, remember to comment and kudos!

only code it knows is rote survival by Chrome (12637, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

In a world where Trent makes it back to Eiselcross before the Nein do, Essek spends a night under the effects of the Feeblemind spell. Caleb undertakes a duty of care, and the Nein learn how Essek feels about them beneath everything.

Reccer says: Examining the relationships with Essek in between the reveal and Aeor is really fun, and this fic does it spectacularly! Not only is there great shadowgast, but Essek’s friendships with Beau and Jester shine through as well.

heir to the devil's fortune by essektheylyss (divinationwizard) (348340, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Some lifespan angst (the fic has a happy ending though) and a little bit of gore.

Essek uses Transmogrification to hide from the Dynasty and things are going fairly well. There's something wrong with Caleb, though, and it may have to do with their recent trip to Aeor…

Reccer says: it's very well written! the reveal is well-foreshadowed and the character relationships are very sweet - not just essek and caleb, but essek and jester and marion as well

blood and bond by royalgreen (allyoop) (2069, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

Deep in Aeor, alone in the dark, Essek must rescue Caleb from death using a spell that few dare to cast.

Reccer says: I liked it!

Cradle These Shattered Remnants by CatgirlTheCrazy (27347, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

Caleb gets nailed with Feeblemind, much to Essek’s horror.

Reccer says: ITS SO GOOD. Everybody’s characterization is on point, and it’s just a great execution on the feeblemind trope.

Obedience by dawl_and_dapple (20751, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

For as long as Essek can remember, he has been cursed to obey.

Reccer says: Wonderful fic!

Silver Couches To Recline Upon And Ornaments Of Gold by soot_and_salt (3242, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful prince who lived alone in a beautiful tower. He was as lonely as he was lovely and yearned for something he couldn't quite describe. And then, one day, a little ginger cat appeared on his balcony.

Reccer says: So many mysteries! So many curses! An intruiging beginning

grasping dark, reaching gold by lakrisrot (5070, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek gets Feebleminded in Aeor, and has a hard time letting his friends take care of him.

Reccer says: Feeblemind fic from the POV of the Feebleminded character is fun!

Safe For Work by Operafloozy (1501, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb and Essek come upon an office in Aeor that has a peculiar enchantment on it.

Reccer says: Hilarious, but will forever ruin your next work meeting. Or make it more interesting.

Love is a Serrated Knife by Inanerial (8885, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: None

Caleb is Feebleminded as revenge on Essek. Essek must rescue him and they deal with the aftermath.

Reccer says: Very visceral descriptions!

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

And hey, anyone includes you!

Next week, we'll be featuring Wizards learning to accept love/that they are loved!

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

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

Near Death Dangers!

This week, the wizards get in trouble. Bleeding, drowning, more bleeding, mind control - it's not going well for them. What better way to bring people together? See below for nine (nein) stories that feature near-death dangers, and as always, if you like them, comment and kudos!

stars align (hearts beat in time) by Flashhwing (2823, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb comes home to find Essek in a puddle of blood.

Reccer says: I liked it!

Hold Me Close, Cut Me Deep by CatgirlTheCrazy (14192, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Why kiss your man when you could fight him while being mind controlled and then tenderly dress his wounds?

Reccer says: So good! Just a treasure trove of the best hurt/comfort feels.

love brought weight (to this heart of mine) by quinn_of_aebradore (323, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: None

Eesek is scared for Caleb. They kiss about it.

Reccer says: It's short, but punchy.

Slip the Blindfold by timbrene (6024, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Minor graphic description of fall injury- just mind the tags.

Caleb & Essek get separated and must survive relying on each other's distant senses.

Reccer says: While the near-death is only really at the beginning, the rest of the fic is absolutely lovely in the way the two wizards rely on each other through different methods in order to survive further. Caleb being blind and having Essek be his eyes is such a fascinating and intimate concept.

The Bone That Has No Marrow by violettressed (28347, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Major Character Death

In the aftermath of Echoes of the Solstice, the Nein, and Essek, deal with some difficult ramifications.

Reccer says: It's a very interesting look at simulacrum and the emotions and grief that might arise surrounding them when their creator is in a (temporary) dire situation.

(i'll track down the words if you) dig up the dead by SaltCore (4461, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Major Character Death, Graphic Depictions of Violence

Essek and Caleb go to great lengths to save each other

Reccer says: I like the stream of consciousness. I makes you feel what he's feeling.

Patient Zero by Moonsp1r1t (63055, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: Major Character Death, Biological warfare

After the Mighty Nein are done adventuring, they get ready to move onto their lives. However, when a note arrives from a stranger explaining that they are willing to trade the life of Essek in exchange for research stolen from them by the Cobalt Soul, the group needs to act.

Reccer says: Good Jesties friendship even with the temporary character death

Cold Shock by Inanerial (2946, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: None

Essek accidentally teleports into the ocean. It doesn't go well.

Reccer says: The horror of near-drowning is captured well, as is the intimacy after.

zweisamkeit by ajaxis (41188, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb and Essek explore one of the most dangerous places in Exandria while trying to rekindle their delicate bond. A recounting of what went down in Aeor and beyond after the Mighty Nein's journey 'ended'.

Reccer says: It’s a wonderful fic!! Every chapter leaves me on the edge of my seat. The latest one was definitely one of my favorites. If you enjoy slow burn, Caleb going through it, and Essek being stressed out— This fic is for you

Want more? Check out our previous reclist from 2023!

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

And hey, anyone includes you!

Next week, we'll be featuring Lifespan Angst Solutions! Because what else is fanfic for, other than making sure there's a happily ever after?

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

[spocktheestallion]

Babe wake up service top Caleb just got confirmed

[mingus-archives]

SHADOWGAST FIC WRITERS TAKE NOTE

Source: What would critical role do? Interview by ScreenRant Studio (link here, time 05:21)

[mingus-archives]

SHADOWGAST FIC WRITERS TAKE NOTE

Source: What would critical role do? Interview by ScreenRant Studio (link here, time 05:21)

[shrugsinchinese]

How do you quantify the act of falling in love?

Why yes, this is absolutely inspired by the fic The Mind and The Malady by @saltytothecore , I really love their take on the Hanahaki disease

[hollyevolving]

I am slain.

These two.

[sweetsnowywitch]

What can I say? There's four images

I hope I hadn't miss too much important details, because I don't know a lot about all of campains, but at least I enjoyed to draw this (ノ*°▽°*)

[hollyevolving]

Oh wow that's so good!

[foxqueen-katarian]

I'm sure it was discussed at the time, but Caleb and Essek both being self-made orphans. Just, Caleb who murdered his parents because he believed it was the right thing t do, because they were traitors to the Empire, only to learn too late to save them he had been manipulated. AND Essek, who 'murdered' his mother out of duty to the Dynasty and a religion he doesn't believe in; who blames himself for his father leaving unprepared because of an argument between them. Caleb who actively is trying to find a way to change it and Essek who cannot even truly feel grief because of the culture of his people. Please excuse me while I go scream into the void.

[quinn-of-aebradore]

I know the odds of it are so astronomically low that it’s just not going to happen, and that’s okay, but a Shadowgast wedding oneshot would genuinely heal something in me and I will continue to yearn for it endlessly

[hollyevolving]

So difficult for Liam to be Orym when Hot Boi Essek is RIGHT THERE...in disguise. :'(

[dent-de-leon]

Thinking once again of how Essek literally breaks down in tears and, “storms off in a huff,” over losing someone he never even met. How all of the Nein’s grief and loss is just so gutting to witness—how it’s seeing Caleb give Molly an achingly familiar forehead kiss that hurts most of all…

Essek choking back tears, crying. "We've all come so far. It's just not fair...I have spent my entire life studying with the intent to not leave things like this to chance..." Essek mourning his mother, that she would give up now when he feels like he finally has a chance, can finally save her, "I was so close..."

Do you think, when Kingsley runs off and keeps repeating empty, when he gradually starts to recognize each of his loved ones as they try to ground him…Do you think Essek can’t help but think of his mother in those moments?

Do you think, whenever Kingsley expresses being haunted by forgotten pasts, by lives that feel so alien from his own, yet still bleed into his present--does it remind Essek of his mother's symptoms, how much she suffered from multiple reincarnations. Kingsley running off to sea, running away because, "Maybe those chains will find some quiet in piracy." Anything to keep the nightmares at bay--

When Taliesin said Mollymauk's "memories are...more or less there, in a dreamlike state," does that manifest as vivid visions like the ones Deirta experiences? Is it just as terrifying and disorienting...? Has it gotten any easier over the years to bear, now that he's not actively pushing them away...?

Do Caleb and Essek ever offer to try and use their knowledge of dunamancy to help him cope...? Can they assist him through some form of anamnesis, help ease him into the process of reconciling with the rush of new memories and distant dreams...?

Also, just...thinking of how Deirta and Molly both believed in second chances, in starting over--

[doodle-list]

evil gay demi wizard in evil demi pinterest fits

[venndaai]

[wingkink]

and who is letting two level 20 wizards unsupervised into a demiplane called "Archmage's Bane" in the first place????

[barbaricjester]

"Caleb and Essek fucked in the antigravity tunnel of the tower." "Caleb and Essek fucked on every surface of their house." OKAY WELL APPARENTLY THEY FUCKED IN EVERY ROOM OF THE HAPPY FUN BALL TOO

[atlaari]

Shadowgast as that one behind the scenes pic from American Psycho

[kurosmind]

It’s 3 am Tumblr can’t stop me have some spicy sketches under the cut

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