Hiya! @bluegreenamber here with a fan sideblog, mostly for Critical Role but other fandoms like Dimension20 and just generally funny posts could also pop up. This is me both working on overcoming my social anxiety so that I can actually interact with the larger fandom(s) and keeping my main blog organized and focused on my writing. Here is where I'm going to be reblogging posts to archive for myself (and maybe share with others if I find any followers) as well as adding my own liveblogs and meta discussions--if I can ever figure out the tagging system on this site. Thank you to anyone stopping by, and feel free to Ask me anything! 💙💚💛
P.S. This blog name is a CR-specific renaming of my main username ;)
In a society that values alphas and betas, omegas can often be overlooked. This April 1st, we're placing omegas front and center at AO3. Check our latest news post for details: https://otw-news.org/7ehh7trb
Critical Role Summer Wildflowers: Info, Schedule, & FAQ
Critical Role Summer Wildflowers is a fic or art exchange running between May-July 2026. It’s hosted on AO3, and focuses on rarepairs (platonic OR romantic).
Sign up with multiple requests, offer what pairings and ratings you’re comfortable creating yourself, and receive an assigned request that you’ll fill for someone else.
In short: give a gift, get a gift!
And, at any time, anyone (whether they're signed up or not) can also create treats based on any submitted prompts!
The AO3 Collection is available here!
Schedule
1st - 15th May - Nominations open (Optional)
Anyone (not just participants) can nominate any rarepairs they’d like to see in the exchange. This creates the list of pairings that can be requested during sign-ups. If a pairing is not nominated during this period, nobody can request it.
16th - 30th May - Sign-ups open
Choose which of the nominated pairings (and what ratings) you’d be happy to write/create art about, and which you’d like to receive a gift about, with the option of including more specific prompts, and Do Not Wants. You’ll also decide what pairings (and ratings) you’re comfortable offering.
You then get matched up with someone to create a gift for, and, secretly, someone else gets assigned to make a gift for you!
~1st June - Assignments go out
Create one fanwork based on any of your giftee’s prompts. If your assignee has a prompt that isn’t for a pairing you signed up for, you can fill it anyway! Keep it anonymous!
Additionally, if you’re feeling inspired by other prompts as well, you can also create treats for anyone taking part in the exchange! This is completely optional!
29th June - No-penalty default deadline
The cut-off date for backing out, if you don’t think you’ll be able to complete your gift by 13th July. If you don’t finish on time, and haven't defaulted by this date, you won’t be allowed to participate in CR Summer Wildflowers the following year.
13th July - Assignments due
20th July - Works revealed
Every fanwork created for the event becomes public, and who it was created for, but the creator remains anonymous.
27th July - Creators revealed
What is a rarepair?
We’re defining it as any pairing with fewer than 500 works on AO3, or, in the case of Campaign 4, excluding the top 5 most popular ships. That means any pairing OTHER than the following:
C4:
[Subject to change, the final disallowed C4 pairs will be decided when nominations open]
🌸 Hal/Bolaire
🌸 Julien/Occtis
🌸 Hal & Bolaire
🌸 Julien & Aranessa
🌸 Thaisha & Occtis
Characters that are not from Exandria or Aramán are also disallowed.
Crossovers between campaigns are allowed and encouraged!
FAQs
Nominations
Are platonic relationships allowed?
What about polyamorous pairings?
Should I nominate this pairing in the Critical Crossovers subfandom? Given Campaign 3, what is a crossover, anyway?
Can I include an ineligible pairing in the background of my work?
Why are nominations and signups two separate things?
Sign-ups
6. What needs to be included in my requests?
7. What needs to be included in my offers?
8. I missed the signup, how can I still participate?
Creating works
9. What are the minimum requirements for gifts?
10. How should I post my gift?
11. What is a treat?
12. What are the rules for anonymity?
13. How do I get a beta reader?
14. I really want to check something with my giftee, how do I do this without breaking anonymity?
Other
15. What is the code of conduct?
16. How do I contact a mod? (And who are they?)
17. Do I have to join the Discord?
Nominations
1. Are platonic relationships allowed?
Yes! Platonic relationships are allowed and encouraged, and this includes platonic versions of the disallowed romantic relationships - unless they’re also in the list of disallowed pairings (currently Hal & Bolaire are the only pairing that is disallowed as both platonic and romantic).
2. What about polyamorous pairings?
Polyamorous relationships (and friendships featuring more than one person) are considered a different relationship than a relationship with only two of those characters, so polyamorous relationships that include a popular pairing are allowed. However, if someone requests A/B, you shouldn’t fill that with A/B/C.
3. Should I nominate this pairing in the Critical Crossovers subfandom? Given Campaign 3, what is a crossover, anyway?
a) If the characters largely interact in one campaign, nominate that pairing in that campaign. For example, Ludinus Da'leth/Trent Ikithon would be in Critical Role Campaign Two; Ludinus Da'leth/Predathos would be in Critical Role Campaign Three.
b) If the characters interact in multiple campaigns, nominate that pairing within the campaign they are featured in the most. For example, Keyleth & Percy interact in both Campaign One and Campaign Three, but because they are more heavily featured in Campaign One, they should be nominated there.
c) If the characters are from a miniseries (Exandria Unlimited: Prime, for example) and are also seen within a main campaign, go with the one where they have more screen time (approximate). For example, Dorian & Fearne and Fearne/Opal are pairings that have interacted in both Campaign 3 and Exandria Unlimited: Prime, but Dorian & Fearne would be Campaign Three, while Fearne/Opal would be Exandria Unlimited: Prime.
d) If the characters feature in different campaigns and haven't interacted or you're not sure if they've interacted, nominate them within Critical Crossovers. This goes for characters from Aramàn and Exandria crossing over as well!
Use your best judgement, you're not going to be yelled at for getting it wrong.
4. Can I include an ineligible pairing in the background of my work?
As long as they’re not the focus of the work, go for it! (Unless they’re listed in the prompter’s DNW list.)
5. Why are nominations and signups two separate things?
Basically, because there are a lot of characters, and a lot of possible combinations. Since this is an exchange, offers and requests have to be able to be matched - so we need to limit which relationships can be offered and requested somehow!
You are not required to nominate, to later sign up - but if nobody nominates a pairing, you can't request or offer it.
You’re under no obligation to offer or request the same pairings you nominated. (Maybe someone else nominated them, or someone else has an idea so brilliant that you want to steal it, or maybe there’s a pairing you’d be happy to write but don’t have a request for!)
Sign-ups
6. What needs to be included in my requests?
You can make 4-10 requests, specifying which pairings you’d like to receive a gift focusing on. Each request can only include pairings from one single campaign (or Critical Crossovers), but can include up to 15 different pairings. Requests can include one or many prompts. Group these pairings into requests however you’d like.
Specify in Additional Tags if you want Fic, Art, or Any. Specify in Ratings which ratings (General, Teen, Mature, Explicit, or Any) you’d like for the creation you receive to be.
Optionally, you can include any other details - such as prompts, likes, and a Do Not Want list.
Only request pairings you want as the main pairing of your gift. If there are side ships you’re comfortable seeing included, mention that in your prompts or Dear Critter letter, otherwise you might get matched to someone who only signed up to write that background ship.
Prompts are allowed and encouraged for requests, but following those prompts is not mandatory. While kink, dark, and other risque prompts are allowed, please keep in mind that there will be certain themes and topics that not everyone will be comfortable including in works they create. As such, when requesting prompts, please be sure to include multiple options for your creator to work with. The more prompts you can give for each request, the more likely it is that you will receive something you'll love.
DNW lists are used for things such as triggers, squicks, NoTPs, or things that would otherwise spoil your gift. They should not be used to "box" a creator into creating a one specific gift. DNWs should also not be vague or very broad - it's better to be overly detailed than to leave your creator guessing, or have them accidentally write a DNW.
Examples of acceptable DNWs; Non-Con, Clowns, Jon Doe/Jane Doe, Coffee Shop AU, Vore, specific kink scenario, pairings not included in my request
Examples of unacceptable DNWs: Anything that isn't [Specific pairing/Setting/Plot element/Kink], SPAG errors, unrequested likes, gross stuff/weird stuff.
Optionally, you can also include a link to a Dear Critter Letter that you have written and which is publicly accessible. It gives you more space to talk about your likes and dislikes, what you enjoy about the characters and relationships you requested, more detailed prompts, etc. You’re not required to write one, and your assigned creator is not required to read or follow it. However, most creators like and follow (as best they can) letters written by their recipient. DNWs can only be enforced if they are written in your signup, although you are free to repeat them in your Dear Critter Letter.
You can look through last year’s requests to get an idea of what is expected here! (You will need to be logged in to AO3 to view requests.)
7. What needs to be included in my offers?
You can make 4-10 offers, specifying which pairings you’d be happy to focus on when creating your work. Each offer can only include pairings from one single campaign (or Critical Crossovers), but can include up to 15 different pairings. You can make multiple offers for the same campaign, if you have more than 15 pairings you’re comfortable writing (or if you are not comfortable writing in every campaign).
Specify in Additional Tags if you want to create Fic or Art, or select both if you’re willing to do either. Specify in Ratings what rating(s) (General, Teen, Mature, Explicit, or Any) you’re willing to create.
8. I missed the signup, how can I still participate?
A couple of ways!
Browse the prompts, and create a treat (at any time, up to the very end of the fest, ie. creator reveals on July 27). Treats can be shorter or less polished than standard exchange works (150 words or a sketch), but otherwise are expected to comply with the same rules.
Watch out on Tumblr or on Discord to see if we need any pinch hitters (to fulfill prompts after any participants drop out) - you'll be given less time to fulfill your prompt, but you'll be ensuring everyone gets a gift.
Join the Discord and become a beta reader, help brainstorm, or just cheer on the folks who are writing/creating art.
Creating works
9. What are the minimum requirements for gifts?
For writing: 750 words, in a coherent structure with no placeholders (ie.: no unintentional trailing off sentences or 'Insert Scene Here')
For art: One completed piece that has the equivalent amount of work as one would find in an artist alley or similar space - the work does not need to be to that level of skill, but cleaning up sketch lines and unintentional rough edges is expected.
The work should focus on the relationship that was part of the request. Other relationships can be depicted within the work, but should be secondary to the requested relationship.
Do Not Wants (DNWs) that are included on the sign-up form must be followed. The gifting of a creation that includes any stated DNWs will result in a forced default.
Assignments must be posted to the collection by the due date deadline (13th July). You can make edits and changes to the work after that date, but whatever is posted must meet the minimum requirements. Not doing so will result in automatic default.
If you need to default on your assignment, please do so as quickly as possible so that a pinch hitter can be found and given plenty of time to create. To default at any time, please use the "default" button located on the right hand side of the applicable collection assignment, found on your assignments page. If you default after the no-penalty default deadline (29th June), you become ineligible to participate in next year’s Summer Wildflowers exchange.
10. How should I post my gift?
For assignments, you can use the "fulfill" button located on the right hand side of the applicable collection assignment found on your assignments page, OR click on the work on the associations section in 'Post New Work'.
When posting your completed works, please use Archive (AO3) canonical tags rather than the collection tags for fandoms, characters and ships where available. This will ensure that your works are searchable Archive wide and will show up properly when someone is looking for that type of work. You may add the collection tags to the additional tags section if you wish.
If you need any other assistance with posting your work, see the AO3 Posting and Editing FAQ or contact a mod.
11. What is a treat?
Treats are additional works based off of any submitted prompts (browsable on the AO3 collection), and can be created by anyone - whether or not they signed up for the exchange. They are very welcome, and encouraged! Don’t worry about the fact that they might also be getting another work following the same prompt from their gifter - this is very much a two cakes situation!
Treats must be at least 150 words for fic and can be the "rough sketch" phase for art. They should adhere to all of the stated Do Not Wants (DNWs). They can be added to the main collection. They should be tagged "Summer Wildflowers Treat" in the additional tag section.
12. What are the rules for anonymity?
The expectation is that you keep who your recipient is a secret - you don't want to spoil the fun! So avoid posting snippets on places that are open for anyone to see them, like Bluesky or Tumblr, and be very careful in Discord servers. In the CR Wildflowers Discord, avoid posting snippets or identifying information. In other Discords where you think you might be the only one participating, or one of a few, you can put the information under spoilers. If you need a cheerleader, we definitely understand! Consider messaging a friend that you know isn't participating, or even contacting a frequent kudoser or commenter on your work, and ask if they'd be interested in being in on the secret.
In the week between work reveals and creator reveals, do not claim your work anywhere (eg. by making a Tumblr post saying hey here’s a fanfic I wrote) - but you can respond to comments on AO3 (they automatically anonymise you). After creator reveals, feel free to repost your work or discuss it wherever and with whoever you like.
13. How do I get a beta reader?
You are more than welcome to contact someone outside the exchange. We will also be providing a form for anyone who is willing to beta read, and the list of these beta readers will be available on the Tumblr and Discord for you to contact (as long as they’re not your recipient!)
14. I really want to check something with my giftee, how do I do this without breaking anonymity?
Contact a mod, and we’ll pass the question on for you, and let you know their answer. However, if they're not in the Discord and have no other means of contacting them in their AO3 Profile, we won't be able to pass it along.
Other
15. What is the code of conduct?
Violating the code of conduct is grounds for not being allowed to participate in future Summer Wildflowers exchanges. If you see any of this behaviour, please let the mod team know.
Do not bash characters, pairings, or the cast, or kinkshame. (Saying you don’t like a certain ship or don't want a certain character included in your gift(s) is fine.)
You must inform the mods if you are unable to complete your gift before the No Penalty Default Date (Monday, 29th June) or you will not be allowed to participate in next year’s CR Summer Wildflowers Exchange.
Do not leave any rude or disparaging comments on any collection work, whether or not it is your gift.
Please comment on your gift and treats - your creators worked hard to give you a gift tailored to you. If you don't have time for an effusive comment, a quick 'thank you so much for writing this!' will do. In order to be eligible for future Summer Wildflowers participation, you will be expected to respond within one week of reveals.
The use of generative AI in this exchange is disallowed. Because attempts to check for genAI often penalize non-native speakers of English and digital artists, this will rely on the honor system - however, it is strongly against the spirit of this exchange. We would much rather see your own imperfect work, and feel free to reach out for a beta.
16. How do I contact a mod? (And who are they?)
If you need to contact the mods for any reason, here are the ways in which you can do so. These are roughly ordered by how quickly you can expect a response, but please use the method which suits you best.
Send a Discord message on the Critical Role Summer Wildflowers Exchange by posting in the server or DMing a mod.
Send a Tumblr DM or Ask to the Summer Wildflowers blog.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions, or feel at all confused! We want you to participate, and we’re here to help make that happen however we can!
As of 2026, the exchange is being run by @CitizenMocha (AO3), @warmer-gaze (AO3), @anubisisms (AO3), and @just-a-funny-little-brain (AO3), with @iiitsnotbase (AO3) helping with the Tumblr.
17. Do I have to join the Discord?
Nope! The Critical Role Summer Wildflowers Exchange Discord is available for anyone who wants to join but it’s completely optional! We’ll be using the Discord for questions, resources, sprints, reminders, encouragement, and general camaraderie, but if it’s not your jam - or you’re just in enough Discords already - that's perfectly fine.
However, if someone wants a mod to pass a question onto you, and you're not in the Discord and have no other means of contacting you in your AO3 profile, we won't be able to send it your way.
Reminder that the whole point of Queerplatonic relationships is to be QUEER.
A *queering* of platonic relationships. As in non conventional. As in there are no rules. As in the whole assignment is to do whatever the fuck you want.
They aren’t exclusive to aspec people. They aren’t just a funky friendship. They aren’t just a romantic relationship without the kissing. Sometimes they DO kiss!!!! On the mouth!!!! Or have sex!! People are so ready to accept that aces and aros can still do sexual/romantic activities, but like. Why would that not include doing them with a QPR?????
The only thing that makes a specific relationship a QPR is the label itself. And that’s literally the only requirement. There’s lotsa funky queer relationships that aren’t labeled Queerplatonic just cuz those involved don’t wanna use the word.
Like how some bi or pan ppl chose their label because they liked the specific definitions some groups subscribe to for those words, and some just chose theirs because they like the flag colors better.
Hot take: Friends with benifits is a type of QPR actually. (Insert obligatory “not actually but kinda sorta. If you’re gay enough about it.”) Fight me.
You know what? Forget the discourse. This is no longer my hill to die on.
You wanna ship canonically aspec characters because “aro/ace people can still date/have sex”? Okay, then. LET’S DO IT.
I wanna see an aromantic character with an alloromantic love interest. I wanna see that confession of undying love and the moment when the aro character says they will never feel the same way—not romantically.
I wanna see the asexual character with their allosexual partner. I wanna see that moment when the ace characters tries sex with their partner for the first time because they want to make them happy only to realize that they are 100% sex repulsed.
I wanna see the two demiromantics who don’t even know if what they feel is romantic attraction, but they adore each other and just want to make healthy snacks together and destroy each other at Mario Kart.
I wanna see the two aces who love sensual affection and are figuring out what they define as sexual or not.
I wanna see the romance + sex neutral aroace who happily and consensually does whatever makes their partner happy…but their partner still struggles with feeling undesired.
Oh, babe. You thought shipping an aspec character would be just like shipping an allo character?
