New Year, New Rec List, but old topic
For our first rec list of the year we once again bring you some hidden gems: fics that come highly recommended but have less than 25 kudos.
Give them the love they deserve~
somewhere I have never travelled by dustdeepsea (3190, Teen)
Content Notes: Drunken Kissing
Pairings: Olly/OC
A sweet and slightly sad story about what it's like to be a young member of the Black Network and at the same time want normal human things like a romantic relationship.
Reccer says: In this short story, the author has given Olly a lot of depth, and her original character is very sweet and well-written too.
Playing Favourites by kixlives (10441, Not Rated)
Content Notes: love triangles, drama & romance, angst
Pairings: Astarion/Tav, Tav/Wyll
Act I, Catta (Tav) is split between his budding feelings for Astarion and long-admiration for Wyll.
Reccer says: The scenes are set so well. The dynamics and angst between the characters are so juicy. Also, I love Catta so much!!!
Source of My Bruises by NAUGHTALOID, orphan_account (2109, Explicit)
Content Notes: Blood Kink, Marking, Branding, BDSM
Pairings: The Dark Urge/Lae'zel
Durgezel have bloody romantic Durgezel style sex.
Reccer says: Unhinged, hot, romantic in it's own way
Beautiful by eeriemothz (1830, Mature)
Content Notes: Implied/Referenced Incest
Pairings: Sarevok Anchev & The Dark Urge
Sarevok reminisces on his history with the brother he believes to be dead.
Reccer says: Sarevok's world view is so perverted and twisted, yet his feelings for the Dark Urge are so sweet in their own way. It's a very interesting contrast.
The Self Indulgent Olly One by BluJayMasque (6965, Explicit)
Content Notes: Sex is a little on the rough side, mild age gape
Pairings: Olly/OC
Sweet cinnamon roll Olly has hot sex with another Zhent. Olly is a soft Dom. Olly is cis man. Other character is a trans man.
Reccer says: I like how the author made Olly a dom, but also he's very sweet and cute and a little bit shy.
to become a human being by acecake5 (2090, Mature)
Content Notes: blood & gore, Suicidal Thoughts, angst
Pairings: The Dark Urge & Orin the Red (Baldur's Gate),Orin the Red (Baldur's Gate) & Original Female Character(s), The Dark Urge & Withers (Baldur's Gate)
durge before, during, and after the fight with orin
Reccer says: A really heartbreaking look at the relationship between Durge & Orin as siblings. It's a unique perspective and really well done.
The Gang Goes to the Underdark by writesoftheratt (5663, Teen)
Content Notes: Non-Graphic Violence
Pairings: Full Zhentarim crew
After the Fist find the Zhentarim hideout at Waukeen's Rest, Salazon blows it up, forcing Zarys, Rugan, Olly, Jarg and Isbeth to escape into the Underdark. A Zhent always makes their delivery, though.
Reccer says: A very funny story about the adventures of the Zhentarim after they had to quickly leave their hideout following the events of the first act. I love how flashed out every character is.
Remnants of Yesterday by Auvronestra (650, General)
Content Notes: Implied/referenced Suicide (past and current)
Pairings: Astarion/Dark Urge
Implied Durge's bad ending (suicide), and Astarion's grief afterward
piena in re potestas by Nito (1661, Explicit)
Content Notes: usual freaky durgetash, some mild necrophilia, mommy kink, BDSM
Pairings: The Dark Urge/Enver Gortash
Fem Durge is using Gortash for her own pleasure. Pure smut.
Reccer says: Dom f!Durge, wimpering Gortash, moomy kink and foot fetish. What else do you need?
Obsession by YancySzarr (3760, Explicit)
Content Notes: Rape/Non-Con, Non-Consensual Drug Use, Forced Pregnancy
Pairings: Enver Gortash/Original Female Character
For years, she had followed her favourite politician, watched him in secrecy. He was everything to her, but she wasn’t satisfied with watching. She wanted him in her life and she convinced herself that a child would bind them together forever.
Reccer says: I haven't seen any other fics about Gortash's crazy fans. But I'm sure he must have a lot of crazy fans. I'm glad someone brought this topic to light.
no promise of sun by dryadfiona (19726, Explicit)
Content Notes: Violence
Pairings: Wyll/Lae'zel
After Withers' party is rudely interrupted by a pair of the party's enemies, Wyll and Lae’zel find themselves in the freezing depths of Cania. Wyll’s knowledge of the Hells and Lae’zel’s stubborn determination can get them out of here. Probably.
Reccer says: The descriptions in this fic are so vivid- you feel like you're in Cania with Wyll and Lae'zel. Their voices feel very realistic and the adventure as they try to puzzle out how to escape is super well done. Also: an excellent rare pair!
A Missing Oath & A Missing Heart by misslillianvalentine (1470, Mature)
Content Notes: None
Pairings: Karlach/Oathbreaker Knight
Karlach is feeling lonely at the tiefling party while watching all of her friends pair off for the night. That is until the newest member of camp approaches her with a tempting offer.
Reccer says: Karlach and the Oathbreaker Knight! It's a great pairing and very sweetly done.
The Wroot of the Tooth by Tavylia_Sin (7248, Mature)
Content Notes: Vampire Bites, Blood, Astarion's canon prejudice against gnomes, Mild references to Astarion's past, Safe word is used.
Pairings: Astarion/Barcus Wroot
Faerun's loveliest Deep Gnome stumbles on a Vampire's secret, and being the very decent fellow he is, Barcus is willing to hear Astarion out. Maybe even help him with this little problem...
dj x ke by strugglingcomet (13403, Explicit)
Content Notes: Graphic depictions of violence, major character death, rape/non-con
Pairings: Shadowheart/Tav
A reimagining of Villanelle and Eve from the show 'Killing Eve' as a Dark Justiciar version of Shadowheart and Harper Tav.
Reccer says: Thrilling, fast-paced and full of excitement and dark humour - this fic is an exhilarating game of cat and mouse. The Sharrans make an excellent shadowy assassin organisation, and Tav (and many of the recognisable gang) as Harpers in opposition are a brilliant foil. Sizzling with tension - sexual and otherwise.
unknown as any angel to me by stolenglow (1026, Mature)
Content Notes: None
Pairings: Shadowheart/Nocturne
In Shar’s cloister, worship is written in flesh. Shadowheart offers herself to the scourge, and Nocturne is chosen to wield it for one simple reason: because she alone will take no joy in it.
Reccer says: This to me felt like a very compassionate take on the role of pain in Sharran worship.
Etch by Lethonomia (6134, Mature)
Content Notes: None
Pairings: Astarion/Cazador Szarr
Cazador refused to die completely and he haunts Astarion. Cazador contemplates death, an older Spawn!Astarion shows his strength, but not all can escape their fate.
Reccer says: The narration is quite a journey. It has the same near-unpredictability of watching a butterfly dart around and it's whatever the dark version of whimsical might be.
Tooth and Consequence by Auvronestra (2615, Teen)
Content Notes: None
Pairings: Gandrel & Astarion
Modern magitech AU; Gandrel is a dentist/monster hunter; Astarion comes in for a fang cleaning; Gandrel grows obsessed with hunting Astarion; friendly rivalry occurs -- crack taken seriously