craftyfaecreature

[craftyfaecreature]

Durge: I have memory loss. I don't remember anything from before the tadpoles.

Companions: Yeah everyone is forgetful sometimes.

Shadowheart: Not being able to remember your past is totally normal. Preferred even.

Durge: I have insatiable bloodlust and a need to murder.

Lae'zel: Yes that is normal and preferred too.

Astarion: Dew it!! *Giggle* murder is fun!

Other Companions: I get it, I've been cut off in traffic before.

Durge: I blackout some times and when I come to I have done something terrible I didn't mean to do.

Gale: Oh that happened to me once! I swear I don't remember eating that whole package of girl scout cookies! Tara was mortified!

Wyll: That hasn't happened to me in a long time. My wine tolerance has increased a lot in the past few years.

Durge: *blacks out, murders someone by stabbing them repeatedly and bathing in their blood.*

Companions: *Surprised Pikachu Face*

[craftyfaecreature]

Imagine rolling four nat 1's in a row.

But you play a halfling so you can reroll.

But you are Sam Riegel, so you don't.

[craftyfaecreature]

What if Abdirak is Link's Grandpa?

[craftyfaecreature]

I did one of these pieces. Mine is the world domination board game.

One and all I present you: a Shadowgast coloring book! Art drawn by the lovely folk over at The Aeor is for Lovers discord server!

You can access the book pdf here and a folder containing all the drawings here!

[craftyfaecreature]

I found that I have a soft spot for proposal fics.

Marriage/Engagement Shadowgast Recs

This week, we've got eleven fics that deal with marriages or engagements! Check them out behind the readmore, and as always, if you like them, don't forget to kudos or comment!

like coloured indigo inscribed with my name by KmacKatie (30648, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

A fic that celebrates birthdays and traditions while slowly realising that Essek's path is entwined with Caleb's.

Reccer says: Rich Dynasty worldbuilding and wonderful character moments between Essek and the Nein, it really is about Essek learning what family is and how that family is Caleb.

A Tapestry of Stars by Cinderstorm (95903, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Choose Not to Warn, Referenced past abuse

Caleb and Essek end up in an arranged marriage, with each side having their own goals and secrets

Reccer says: A sci-fi arranged marriage AU with spies, suspicion, political intrigue, and some genuine affection in the mix - there's a lot to love!

the endless string of summer storms that led me to today; began one afternoon with you, long ago and far away by MarsBar2019 (22801, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

It's about the wizards building a life together and having important conversations and having hot sex.

Reccer says: It is a great balance of domestic wholesome fluff and hot sex. The wizards deal with the realistic and difficult questions of building a life with the person you love in beautiful ways together. From home buying, to discussions of having children and getting married. All the grownup relationship topics + kinky sex.

One day, Liebling, we'll be old by The_Rogue_Bard (4877, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb's plan is to leave when he starts getting old. Essek has a different plan.

Reccer says: I can't say everything I like without spoilers, but I can say this. I like the seeing what the Nein are like 20-30+ years in the future. I like how sweet and romantic Essek is.

of blossoming hearts and glittering souls by quinn_of_aebradore (77995, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb and Essek are happy and in love, and decide to take the next step. The customs of the Empire and Dynasty are rather different, however, and what is a wizard meant to do except research how to propose to his partner, with some help from friends along the way?

Reccer says: This is a beautifully written fic with so much character! There are lots of soft moments between each of the characters, and the last chapter DID have me tearing up.

Permission to Send by Nienna19 (1107, General) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb and Essek visit Una and Leofric's graves. Essek asks their permission to marry their son.

Reccer says: It is so sweet and romantic. I like that Essek is the one to propose and I liike how he does it.

All this time love, I sublime love, to the feelings in my mind by onyxshinigami (17041, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

2 weddings, 1 fic. A private ceremony with family. A public ceremony with even more family.

Reccer says: Soft vibes. Warmth and Happiness. A found family. A touch of fashion for visual interest.

Hold you in my hands like hot tea by Technojuicebox (970, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb proposes to Essek after suggesting he take his surname.

Reccer says: Cute and fluffy wizards in love!

A Perfectly Ordinary Conversation by Northofthewall (317, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb and Essek have a normal conversation (that ends with a proposal)

Reccer says: It is short, sweet, cute and funny.

and then two recs each for these last two: stars align (hearts beat in time) by flashhwing (2823, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

After Essek is injured and comes to Caleb for help, Caleb proposes a certain solution.

Reccer 1 says: I liked it! Reccer 2 says: Very cute, very sweet glimpse into a possible future for the wizards!

I Do, Five Times Over, I Do by TormentaPrudii (Illustrated by Cha Cha Rae) (2450, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Five times Caleb and Essek get married to other people and the one time they get married to each other, kinda.

Reccer 1 says: I love the pining, the misunderstandings, the cultural differences, the art. There is so much here to love. Reccer 2 says: It's a beautiful fic full of longing and love.

Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast.

Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we'll be back with some Near Death Dangers!

[craftyfaecreature]

Fjord, Mollymauk/Lucien, Yasha and Jester's story arcs:

The Mighty Nein discover their friend is in a weird cult.

Not only that, their friend is an important chosen one/founder of the cult.

They travel with/follow the cult to a far away place.

There's a search where the Nein hide and/or search for something the cult is looking for.

Then they (at least offer to) fight a demigod to get their friend out of the cult.

Most of the cult is dispersed.

[craftyfaecreature]

Beau and Essek have a lot in common

Beau

Grew up as a rich kid

Parents hoped she would be a boy

Terrible family except for a likable little brother

Undercut

Nerd

Lesbian

Responsible for getting her dad sent to prison

Pocket Bacon

Essek

Grew up as a rich kid

Parents hoped he would be a reborn soul

Terrible family except for a likable little brother

Undercut

Nerd

Gay

Responsible for his dad's death

Pocket Beacon

[craftyfaecreature]

Ooh, Aspec Wulf, my beloved.

I love the thought that he was in love with Astrid and Bren, but maybe not attracted to them.

He would probably struggle with the same internalized aphobia that many aspec men experience in that he has always been expected -- always expected himself -- to be sexual, to notice and check out hot people as they walk by.

So, when he initiates with Bren, it is just what he is supposed to do. He and his friends are stressed, and tension is high. They all need a few minutes' distraction. Someone has to make the first move.

Now, with Bren gone, Astrid throws herself into her work. And Wulf has never been more alone, even surrounded by people.

Eadwulf still uses sex just to feel something or as a coping mechanism, but attraction is rare enough that he has no preference for who it is with.

Well, actually, he would prefer it with some he loved, but he's not sure he's capable of love anymore.

Every time I read the Caleb Widogast origin comic, I pause on the page where Bren and Astrid are in bed without Wulf, and I wonder why. I've seen several metas about Bren and Astrid liking each other more than they like Wulf, but that idea didn't sit well with me, particularly because Wulf made the first move. So I kept mulling it over and came up with the headcanon that Wulf is either demi or grey-ace or something of that nature where he isn't always interested in being intimate the same way Astrid and Bren are. Then, I wrote a small little character study about it because I was rotating him in my head like a rotisserie chicken and came to the decision that Wulf would be one of those people who don't figure themselves out until well into adulthood.

I imagine after this, post-C2, he either talks to Caduceus (or maybe even Essek) and finally has words for his feelings. (Also, I headcanon Bren as being a bit self-absorbed during the Trent days, and it makes a small appearance here).

---

Wulf had always had a complicated relationship with romance and attraction. For the longest time, he had blamed it on his father's abrasive nature and the fact that growing up, he was never sure if his parents loved each other or merely put up with each other.

He could remember the first time he had seen Bren Ermendrud. He had been ten and hiding from one of his parent's arguments down by the river when he spotted the smaller boy jumping rocks. He didn't bother saying anything that day and instead watched the other boy's joy and peace.

He kept watching him whenever he wandered towards the village fascinated, though he was sure Bren never noticed. His mom called it a crush. Wulf hadn't been so sure at the time.

The Soltryce Academy was the first time he spoke to Bren and discovered he wasn't one to ever stop talking. Wulf hadn't minded as Bren at least had interesting things to say.

It was also where he met Astrid Becke. She confused him even more than Bren did at the time with the way she seemed to control his emotions with just a smile.

Trent Ikithon hadn't helped in that department, or maybe it was the only department he helped with.

Of the three of them, Wulf acted first and maybe not for the right reasons. He had simply wanted to feel something other than fear, anger, or sadness, and his mom's words came back to him. He had a crush on Bren, and people with crushes wanted a kiss.

And he had, at the time, wanted a kiss and more from both Bren and Astrid, but his interests in them ebbed and flowed throughout their relationship even if his devotion didn't.

Astrid was confused but never asked.

Bren wasn't concerned and never asked.

Wulf would have liked to talk about it.

Instead, he was left in limbo, in love with two of the most amazing people he knew and attracted to them only part of the time.

Then he killed his mom, and it didn't matter anymore.

At least, telling himself that is what got him to sleep at night.

Because now, Astrid Becke was busy, and Caleb Widogast looked good while Eadwulf Grieve was still very confused about what it all meant.

[craftyfaecreature]

How to eat lunch with ADHD while working from home in 12 steps:

Realize it is lunchtime (or two hours past lunchtime if you are hyperfocusing and/or if your meds suppress your appetite).

After 30 minutes, your stomach will remind you that you still haven't eaten. Go to the kitchen.

Open the fridge to get out your salad and see the chicken you were supposed to put in the slow cooker for dinner tonight. Take that out of the fridge instead.

Walk to the sink to rinse the chicken and realize there are dishes in the sink. Set the chicken on the counter.

Open the dishwasher to put the dishes from the sink in, but realize you have to unload it first. Unload and load the dishwasher.

Open and rinse the chicken and put it in the slow cooker. Then, wipe down the sink with disinfectant wipes.

Realize your sink is dirty and needs to be cleaned, not just disinfected. Remember just before spraying the sink that mixing chemicals is generally a bad idea. Rinse the disinfectant out before cleaning.

When you are throwing away the packaging from the chicken, you realize the trash is full. Take out the trash.

Spend a few minutes researching whether you would have died if you had mixed the two chemicals you just used.

Did you turn the slow cooker on? Go check. It's a good thing you checked, or you would have had to figure out something different for dinner tonight.

On your way out of the kitchen, trip over the cardboard box you were supposed to take down to recycling. Ride the elevator to the basement to take out the recycling.

When you get back to your apartment, your stomach will be rumbling again, so prepare your salad.

You have now used most of your lunch hour. Probably. You aren't 100% sure how long it has been, so you check the time stamp on the last work email you sent. It was 55 minutes ago, so at least it hasn't been a full hour yet.

You have 5 minutes.

Bon appetit!

[craftyfaecreature]

Critical Rep Tournament Finale

It's been a long journey, but we've finally reached the end. With only one vote left, it's anyone's game but before you do so, here's a quick review:

To start, Caleb Widogast, with 141 episodes, was originally ranked at position 1 while Caduceus Clay, with 114 episodes, was ranked at position 6. With the top ten ranked characters being excluded from Round 1, the two didn't join the scene until Round 2, where Caduceus beat Keg with a total of 76 votes and Caleb beat Milo Krook with a total of 85 votes.

In Round 3, Caleb went up against Allura Vysoren and won with a total of 234 votes while Caduceus beat her wife Kima with a total of 137 votes. Then, in Round 4, with 87 votes, Caduceus barely secured a win against Beauregard Lionett, and Caleb succeeded against Shaun Gilmore with 113 votes.

Finally rounding out in Round 5, Caduceus secured victory over Essek Thelyss with 497 votes while Caleb stayed on top in a power struggle with Mollymauk Tealeaf (and the various other identities one can fit inside a purple tiefling) with 156 votes.

With a current total vote count of 588 and 797, here's the last two left standing, so vote below:

Make sure to keep an eye out for an after post to follow, which shows not only the original rankings but how they've changed based on the number of votes throughout the tournament and a summary of the five bonus polls: EXU/Oneshot Characters, Deities of Exandria, Who should come out next, Redemption Round and Eliminated Nonbinary Characters.

Bound Round Winners 🏆: Laerryn Coramar-Seelie, Melora, Imogen Temult, Jourrael and Xandis.

[craftyfaecreature]

figured it was about time i make an updated commissions post! 

check out my website for more examples and for a commission form, and email mantisdraws1@gmail.com for a quote! reblogs appreciated, i always seem to be in a tight spot these days <3

[craftyfaecreature]

One piece, two styles

[craftyfaecreature]

My fan art for Chapter 8 of The Golden Thread Around Your Neck Whispered Visions of My Undoing by MarsBar2019 on A03.

Caleb's view of the Marquet sunset from the balcony plunge pool of their fancy hotel room in Ank'Harel. And Essek's view of Caleb.

[craftyfaecreature]

Cozy: A Shadowgast Fan Fic Rec List

Stay for a Spell by Palebluedot (2277, Explicit)

Warnings: None

Caleb and Essek decide to have a lazy morning in and have sex with each other. Essek gets eaten out, then gets penetrated vaginally by Caleb.

Reccer says: It's very sweet and cozy, the love portrayed between Caleb and Essek is very comfortable and kind.

The Acknowledgment of Certain Traditions by RainyDayDecaf (568, General)

Warnings: None

Essek makes Caleb breakfast the morning after their first time having sex.

Reccer says: It's really cute! Essek is very earnest and tentative and it is very sweet to see him making the effort to be kind to Caleb.

my home in you by vagabondfirelily (1103, General)

Warnings: None

In the middle of the night, Essek comes home to see Caleb.

Reccer says: It's sweet and soft.

Series of Smaller Adventures by 2manyboys (3576, Teen)

Warnings: None

In winter, Caleb returns home from a day to work and catches up with Essek. The one with Marie Kondo.

Reccer says: Nothing

Creature Comforts by mousecookie (4645, Teen)

Warnings: None

Caleb likes to polymorph into a cat sometimes, and is far less reserved about requesting cuddles in that form.

Reccer says: It is very soft and sweet. A quiet comfort for weary adventurers in need of cuddles

in the indigo by SaltCore (1076, General)

Warnings: None

Essek lies awake in bed, contemplating a sleeping Caleb.

Reccer says: It's extremely sweet and methodical, like a gratitude meditation.

In Our Hearts It's Warm by bluebirdsongs (23188, Teen)

Warnings: None

Caleb wants to share his Zemnian holiday traditions with the most important person in his life. What will Essek think of these things that Caleb holds so dearly in his heart?

Reccer says: It radiates blinding love. This fic is a slow dance with your head on a loved one’s shoulder, whispering and giggling to each other.

warm inside (with) you by flammablehat (2023, Explicit)

Warnings: Inherent consent issues rising from somnophilia

Caleb has sex with a sleeping Essek, safe in their conjured tower.

Reccer says: The fic is very hot and very sweet. Its coziness comes from how syrupy and languid the sex is between the wizards, necessarily because of the somnophilia aspect of it.

hold me down, hold me true by lakisrot (12600, Explicit)

Warnings: Warning for allusions to gore and blood from a violent encounter (nothing happens on-screen).

Essek, frazzled and traumatized by a recent violent run-in, gets forcibly cared-for by Caleb, ft. warm baths and love confessions

Reccer says: The culmination of longing and yearning between the both of them in the confession scene is probably my favorite SG confession of all time. Maybe my favorite confession ever. It's incredible. And the smut afterwards????????? oh my god.

a moment's silence (when my baby puts the mouth on me) by goldengrahams (4782, Explicit)

Warnings: None

Essek and Caleb have sex while Essek encourages Caleb not to silence his pleasure.

Reccer says: Hot, sweet, morning sex between two men in love.

path of the traveled sun by mousecookie (6008, General)

Warnings: None

Post-canon, Verin comes to a party at Essek's invitation, curious and hoping to reconnect - and is completely unprepared for how much Essek has changed

Reccer says: Nothing

Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fan fic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast.

Next weeks theme is "Getting Nerdy About Magic", so stay tuned!

Special thanks to Operafloozy and Professor_Rye for running the event!

[craftyfaecreature]

New discord reaction

[craftyfaecreature]

I actually wrote something

[craftyfaecreature]

Inspired by Molly’s dress in chapter 11 of Possibilities Inbetween by @thatonesadending