in some ways I have harsher criticism for media I love the most, because I can see the heights they could have achieved if they tried a little harder, or did some things differently
but, I'm also a creative myself. at the end of the day, commercial art is also a product, and it has to get delivered at some point. this does not preclude a piece of media from being critiqued, of course, but at a certain point you have to accept that fans have spent longer picking the thing apart and inspecting it from every angle than the combined manpower of every single person that worked on the project in the first place
probably by a few degrees of magnitude, if we're being honest
if a piece of media pisses you off so much that it's become a badge of pride that you hate it, you need to step back and realize you've become too close to it, or consider getting into something that actually does spark joy
Come one, come all, it's time to celebrate the monarchy of the Short Court with all kinds of hot and steamy adventures!
Art, fanfic, VP, and all kinds of celebrating our favourite gnomes is welcome (though any kind of AI is not!)
Bring out your works this November and add them to this collection and/or tag them with #Gnomevember on socials!
Which gnomes are welcome? ALL OF THEM!
Canon characters, Tavs, Durges, OCs, that one guy who is barely mentioned in a note somewhere in the background of the game, no gnome left behind!
Join the collection on AO3 - reveal on 1st November!
More details and FAQ below the cut!
Rules:
1. 18+ only
2. All forms of creative works welcome
3. NO AI - this collection is for human works only! It doesn't have to be perfect, it does have to be yours so this includes no use of AI for any editing or assistance at any stage.
4. At least one gnome must be the focus of the work, but they can be paired with any character(s).
5. The collection will be revealed on 1st November - if you wish to change your posting date to 1st November when it arrives to ensure your work will show up on the new works listings, this is fine. It is only poor etiquette to change posting date for the new listings if it has already been on the new pages and visible.
6. Please keep the works gnome positive, so avoid any character bashing - we're here to show the gnomes some love, and yes that does include Wulbren Bongle, the Bongleheads are valid in loving this Tumblr Sexyman Short King!
7. Late entries can be added until the end of the year, the collection will remain open as a celebration for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by~
8. For any other questions or issues please get in touch with me, Tavylia Sin, on Bsky, Tumblr, or Discord.
FAQs:
Which gnomes can I include?
Any! If they're in Baldur's Gate, or even an OC that is connected to the characters or story somehow, they're welcome in!
Do pairings have to be Gnome x Gnome?
As long as there's at least one gnome in the focus of the piece, it counts!
How do I know which gnome(s) to create things for?
Well, that's up to you, but if you want some random inspiration Lula collected all of the canon gnomes from the game in a big list so I could make a wheel for them. There are actually 2 wheels to spin here, but you can choose one gnome, both, or spin as many times as you like until you feel happy with your selection!
Click here to spin the Wheel of Gnomes!
I'm not sure about creating something NSFW, can I still participate?
Not feeling the Gnome smut? Feel free to throw in some SFW Gnomeance instead! Either way, let's show our short court some love~
I want to create something but I'm not sure about a prompt, what do I do?
Get in touch with Tavylia Sin (me!) on Bsky, Tumblr, or Discord - this wrinkly electric jelly of mine can often spit out a hundred ideas I have no time to write, and I love thinking about how characters might work together. This is the brain that brought you such horrors/wonders as BongleTash (Wulbren Bongle/Enver Gortash), Barcus/Volothamp Geddarm, and even a sweet way for Barcus and Wulbren to find a future together (even if it means Wulbren has a whole lot of work to do to be worthy of it)
Can I create something with 3 or more characters in the scenario?
The more the merrier! Want to write a fairytale remake except now it's Shadowheart and the Seven Gnomes?? (Or make it Astarion and call him Snow Bite) Go for it! Just remember, according to Sorn Orlith you need 5 participants to count as an orgy by Menzoberranzan standards~
inspired by the twins at the carousel art trend/meme :)
i really wish the fandom wouldnt reduce him into jokes and would take his PTSD, surivivors guilt & passive suicidalness seriously U_U i love you so dearly Preston, im so sorry youve been through hell ((T_T))
the ghosts above him are random minutemen & kyle long :(
K so not to be dramatic or anything, but there's a free vintage French pattern book available on antiquepatternlibrary so if you like to crochet/weave/make pixel art/tie epic friendship bracelets don't walk- RUN.
It has scenes from aesop's fables! Cherubs doing things! Beheadings! Greek muses! Little farm people! Intricate floral pattern! Goth stained-glass window like patterns! Fun little corner pieces! Eeeeeeeeeeeeee
I can't believe more people don't know about the antique pattern library! All those public domain, vintage handiwork books and magazines are scanned in pdf format, and FREE TO DOWNLOAD! Languages include French, Italian, German, and English. It just does need to be mentioned that most of the earlier English publications are British, so American users need to make sure to convert the instructions as necessary. Especially crochet instructions, where a British double crochet is an American single. No, I don't know why 🤣
Publications include (for those who can't see the picture) :
Tumblr is stuffed to the brim with 18-25 year olds who talk endlessly about being a hole for old men and have a heart attack the second a consenting adult is in a relationship with an old man
theartofmadeline
gummygunk
jimmyeatworldofficial
