#but so is essek👀

[essektheylyss]

I'd noticed that in the character art, Dynios, Prism's spellbook, antagonistic boss, and captive mage of unclear repute, has some geometric designs on the front, and I was like, "Huh, that has some dunamancy vibes, but it's probably a coincidence." However, @captainofthetidesbreath then reminded me that "dyn-" is in fact a root derived from the Greek word "dúnamis."

Since dúnamis is just a word for power, force, and magic, it could simply be a matter of using the same root, but Matt absolutely knows what he's fucking doing, and as such I am still very much LOOKING.

[hello-eeveev]

How to Rest: Chapter 4

Rated T, 3209 words

Summary: Seven weeks ago, Astrid sent word that the Cerberus Assembly had finally caught wind of Essek’s disappearance in the ruins of Aeor and the Dynasty’s public declaration of his death. Caleb was not privy to all the details, but from what he had gathered, Essek feared that if the Assembly—and Ludinus in particular—saw the lie for what it was, they would use the opportunity to tie up loose ends without Dynasty interference. 

Six weeks ago, Essek visited Caleb only to kiss him goodbye and say that he would be out of contact for a short while.

Eighteen hours ago, Caleb awoke to a furious pounding on his front door.

[spottedenchants]

Relationship: Essek Thelyss ~ Caleb Widogast

Characters: Essek Thelyss, Caleb Widogast

Additional Tags: Established Relationship, somewhere between a romance and a qpr, Queerplatonic relationship, Touch-Averse Essek Thelyss, Touch-Starved Essek Thelyss, Adventurer Essek Thelyss, POV Essek Thelyss, Post-Campaign 2 (Critical Role), Canon Compliant, Domestic Fluff, Holding Hands, Grief/Mourning, Lifespan Angst, (not a focus but it’s there), Relationship Negotiation, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Forehead Touching, Caleb Widogast Needs a Hug, Caleb Widogast Gets A Hug, this one is sweeter than the tags probably make it seem, but also yeah oof

Words: 6.3k

Series:

Part 54 of the Touching Sentiments series

Part 46 of the Touching Sentiments (Chronological) series Summary:

“Caleb?”

The atmosphere holds, and then that quiet face turns, the bluest sky on this cloudy day meeting Essek’s eyes.

“Where are we?”

As if savoring his final air, Caleb takes a deep, slow breath.

“I have called this nation home. Not every inch of it is, but.”

He looks back to the town and releases a sigh heavy enough to lighten the world.

“This was one, once.”

-

AKA two years later, the wizards visit a restful place and memories thereupon

[orcelito]

I finished episode 55 of campaign 2. Hooooooly fucking shit lmfao.

[thechekhov]

Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts

CH.31 (Dryad)

Marcille, your stick--I mean staff!

Sobbing, wheezing with laughter, crying. Boys........boys why are you like this.

IS THE PLOT GOING TO BE GETTING OUT OF THE DUNGEON NOW?

Did the orcs not point them in the right direction at least?!

Marcille, you look like shit. I guess you haven't recovered after that intense battle too well.... and this is bad news if you guys are now being herded into a labyrinth by that sorcerer.........

aww, come on. They're just a bunch of little guys! Look at em!

Lookit em.

MAKING THE WORGS WAVE THEIR PAWS GOODBYE NOOOO STOP IT THIS IS TOO MUCH

S-senshi..... Senshi.........do you think you're traveling with children? Senshi. Did you. Did you actually think you faced a red dragon with children at your side? Was that a logical thing you did? Was that really how you reasoned it out...?

Then again, I think Senshi MUST be older than all of them in comparison but still...........

Go, Chillchuck! I choose you!

My money is on the ghosts which are clearly numerous and common in this world.

👀

Oh?????

SENSHI, LET HIM LOOK!!!! DON'T BE A HOMOPHOBE!

Live slug Dryad reaction

Well now that seems extreme but I trust him.

So.... a cold...?

Oh for the love of--

You had me going there for a second.

I'll develop hayfever if it comes free with looking at ladies smooching all day, ffs. First world problems, guys,

Okay, on second thought, anthropomorphic allergens are kinda creepy.

Someone who's never read Dungeon meshi explain what's happening in this image.

Gotta say, improvised mastectomy was not on my bingo sheet.

I mean......NOW it is........

Their faces......they're so fucking tired of his shit.

........I........I'm with Marcille on this one............ ....please put those back.

Marcille and Essek would get along great.

That dryad was the one with the least amount of boobage, too. Trans rights, I guess.

Senshi draws the line at........fruit babies that don't yet look baby-like....? Curious.

And now we're back to smashing faces. What an excellent harvest of uncanny valley.

"I'll still eat it, though!" You know what that is? Growth.

C-can he... do that? Just learn magic without anything?

I mean, it's stupid to ask I guess. I know wizards exist. I guess I just thought this fantasy system required a knack for it?

What a big happy....... family.

Gods, the terror of having another adult try to babysplain sex to you. Every day Chillchuck wakes up.

[aloseirart]

Essek Thelyss with a random background bc I'm a simp ✨

I love him so bad it's unreal.

Also, sorry if his appearance is not the canon one 👀

[mollywauk]

MIGHTY NEIN ANIMATED SERIES PREDICTIONS AND SCREAMING (I'm inconsolable right now bear with me)

First season will end when Molly does, so we'll get that whole arc and maybe the rescue with Caduceus as well? But perhaps a cliffhanger ending

Beau & Keg!

Yasha alone quests may be more fleshed out like with Pike?

KIRI

SHAKASTE?

The "he's my boy" Nott speech and the Caleb vs Everyone tension of the first arc? Delicious

I didn't think we would reach Essek in the first season because he makes his appearance later in the campaign BUT he was in the trailer so maybe he will be incorporated earlier?

MATTHEW MERCER WILL VOICE ESSEK (please please please)

Animated Jester Sendings! I want to see the looks on their faces when she asks if they're pooping

Also hidden dicks on every frame that jester is in? Not even her necessarily drawing them but like little easter eggs if you pause at the right moment

Actually I do think it would be Funny if Caleb and Beau are having their angsty conversations and there's just a little Jester in the background drawing a dick

Fjord's dreams in animation are going to be INSANE I can't wait

I feel bad already for whoever has to animate Molly's coat but I will be screaming, crying and throwing up when I see it for the first time

The opening tavern scene animated has been my one hope and wish since the moment I watched the first episode and I probably will cry when I see it again

Caleb mudwizard Widogast with his bread hands

Caleb unresolved trauma Widogast lighting up their enemies and then going catatonic

(are we going to get Percy style flashbacks of his time under Ickythong? 👀)

The forehead kiss Molly and Caleb that will later re-ermege in the forehead kiss Caleb and Essek (in a later season)

We're gonna get Dope Monk Shit ANIMATED I could cry, Beau is peak character design and Marisha is peak storytelling with her fight scenes, they're gonna be so good

NOTT THE BRAVE! NOTT THE BRAVE! NOTT THE BRAVE!

Nott trying to steal the reccomendation letter from Fjord and being caught by Molly is one of my favourite scenes from Cr2 I'm going feral

I just remembered that it'll likely end with Molly and now I'm scared, that's going to be heartbreaking when animated, I got choked up the first time I saw his coat swinging in the wind in the animated intro

I just have a lot of feelings about this announcement if you couldn't already tell

I'm being so normal about this

[bloopitynoot]

Shadowgast AUs I would 10000% read (if they exist/ed);

The Devil Wears Prada- you know exactly who Miranda is and exactly who Andy is - but instead of platonic, it's a slow burn, and they definitely get together in the end.

***Greys Anatomy- instead of wizards, they're surgeons in different specialties

Chef au 🙏 Essek is an established and respected chef Caleb is new(ish) to the scene with his restaurant

writer AU where they know of eachothers works but not by their name since they both write under an alias- maybe meet at a writing convention/conference?

Punk band au: There's a spot open in the Mighty Nein and Essek auditions?

Queer bookstore by day- bar by night, of course owned by the mighty nein. Closeted Essek keeps coming back for the literature and definitely not the cute ginger co owner 👀

***EDIT: There is a shadowgast Greys-Au in the works by @godanti it's got a chapter, and it's fantastic so far.

[kmackatie]

Ooooh “thunderstorm” for the March prompts? 👀

thank you for the ask!

(ask me a march writing prompt)

surprisingly, I wrote this one before reading this prompt so uh, apparently storms were on the brain. this can be read as a continuation of the above!

He goes to turn away, but before he can, he's stopped by Essek's cool hand cupping his cheek. He stills, tilting his head for a moment in question before Essek kisses him, lips surprisingly warm as they press to his own. This never gets old, Caleb thinks as he sighs into it, still half asleep and feeling indulgent. His own hand comes up to cover Essek's, his arm slides in behind the silk robe until he can tug Essek in by it, and he deepens the kiss. He half expects Essek to pull away the way he does when he's distracted, but the moment stretches, even as the lightning flashes again and the thunder cracks. By all rights, the door should be closed--this is an incredibly stupid thing to do on a high-rise building--but there's something about it that builds, as if the electricity in the air has zapped directly into his veins, that tries to burn away the last vestiges of sleep that cling to his body. It's not wholly successful, as Caleb breaks the kiss to yawn again. "You should sleep," says Essek, kissing the corner of his mouth. "So should you," he manages in reply. "Aren't you cold?" For under the silk robe Essek is naked. He's not complaining, he can feel the lines of Essek's body against his own and they are warm where they press, but Essek is barely containing the slight tremors he always gets when he's cold. "I'll come in soon." Caleb yawns. "Promise?" "Yes. Go and sleep." "Love you." Essek smiles, then leans up to kiss his nose. "I know."

[renatogpadilla]

THOUGHTS ON CR3E92 IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

- FIRST EVER CR CROSSOVER EPISODE?!

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

- Dariax said "This Flute doesn't play itself anymore." Doriax canon offscreen?

- "After all the handjobs, this is what we mean to you?!" Damn... I mean, I'm glad Opal and Cyrus found a way to relieve stress, Gods know they're both stressed, but damn.

- Ending the episode on Opal Twice-Crowned hitting phase 2 of the boss fight was EVIL!

I love it, @quiddie ! I feel like when this gets animated in a decade or so, we'll get this fight and the fight with Otohan Thull overlayed one on top of the other for a Season Finale or something!

- Raven Queen going two for two on Rogues turned Paladin! Which is great, but now I have to replan Morrighan's moveset for that imaginary Critical Role fighting game that only exists in my head (somebody ask me about it please, I NEED to talk about it!) but at least she gets some Smite options out of the Bunny Hop command jump!

- Dariax is a Bard now too! That's honestly so perfect for Matt! And the fact that both Sorcerers and Bards are Charisma Casters makes me feel like the Synergies are gonna be great!

- Oh, Dorian, wonderful blue king... That's a lot of strength that your Dice will never agree to let you use for anything cool. I missed you SO MUCH!

- Speaking of that imaginary CR fighting game, this just solidified Opal as a puppet character. The tag combos with Ted would be WILD! Think Kenshi from MK1!

- Fy'ra Rai... Just... FY'RA RAI! Gods, I've missed Anjali at the table! Her memory with Opal, her tug-of-war with her thoughts about her sister... THE LAVA WHIP! Nothing sexier than Monks! Except a pissed off Wizard or Druid.

- On the other side of the table, I LOVE the moment the girls all collectively remembered they had to break the news to Frida... Oh, that's gonna hurt BAD!

- Anyone else noticed that Ashton is BURNT OUT and laying on the ground after his Titan form wears off, but Fearne just says she's really tired and just KEEPS GOING? Ashton is DONE for now, but Fearne needs to keep moving forward... Fuck, I love these two.

- Orym... Just... Orym. If you take a level in Barbarian after this, I wouldn't blame you.

- Side-Note: This means Dorian DID get Orym's last message before they went to the moon! He just didn't/couldn't answer! Which means, through the static and everything, Dorian COULD hear Orym! And now he's probably gonna get this message once the battle is over... Jesus, if they get to Zephra and Keyleth went to the Lodge next to the lake that's gonna be a problem...

- Side-Note Side-Note: Anyone else hoping to GOD that Allura called the Nein to help? Cause Beau and Caleb were involved, but now it feels like an "All Hands on Deck" situation, and we could use Kingsley's small army of pirates right about now...

- So much happened this episode between the grieving and the flashbacks and the rolling for handjobs that I didn't have time to process the splinter cell of Xhorhasians that split their soul in twain until I woke up... Opal may have forgotten, but maybe Ted hasn't? Though if they're the same person, maybe they both forgot...

- Aabria, the corrupting of the Memories was FOUL, I LOVE IT!!!

- Somebody needs to tell Essek about the soul-splitters. In fact, let's get to that while we deal with Ashton too!

- IF OPAL DIES, AMY CAN COME OVER AS DENI$E! Like, I don't WANT her to die, but Westruun isn't that far... 👀

- I just realized this is the first ever FULL episode of CR without Sam at the table... Fuck, man, when it hurts it hurts. Glad Marisha brought back the fan.

"Forgot the Consonants?" "No Letters." OUCH, MISS RAY, WHAT THE FUCK?!

- Raven Queen Paladins hasting themselves first thing in the fight. Vax is back, and he's a Bunny Girl now!

- I like that the Crownkeepers are a two-way Overwatch reunion (McCree Cassidy and Symmetra) and a three-way Persona 5 reunion (Yusuke, Ann Futaba and Akechi).

- Everything was so fucked this episode that everything with Liliana got knocked to the background for me, THAT'S how good it was!

- The SECOND Evoroa said Ludinos was on Exandria I knew EXACTLY where he would be! Now we HAVE to get the Nein involved, right? Unless the bastard makes the city float again...

I cannot WAIT for the next episode! And if Sam brings a new character when all the groups are together, it would be SPECTACULAR! I'm guessing he's going to play one of the moon races, because that just sounds cool... Either that or Tary!

[jaskwritesthings]

I gotta know about gods special princess war criminal 👀

welcome to ludinus' plots fuck up essek's atheism! this little wip is inspired by recent events in campaign 3, essek goes down on the solstice and gets tapped as the luxon's champion with a special mission! i'm loving this one so much!

“Am I to be punished now?” Essek whispered, aware he was weeping openly and unable to stop. The Luxon sagged, their thumb rubbing gently against his cheek, catching each tear. “No, no, my son, besides there is nothing I could do to you that is worse than what you do to yourself,” they said softly and Essek's chest heaved with a sob full of the weight of everything he'd done, all the guilt, all the pain that had become as ever present as the ache of his old childhood injury. “I hurt so many,” Essek wept quietly. The Luxon shushed him with the kindness of a mother gentling their crying child, “My error, so impatient was I to see you to fruition, that I forgot to temper that curiosity.” “Why? Why me?”

and a little bonus in regards to the nein

“They’ve been good for you.” Essek gave the Luxon a look, “Your doing?” The Luxon laughed uproariously, full-bodied and full of joy, “Do you truly believe any god could control the Nein?”

wip ask game

[demigoddessqueens]

TikTok tease 😈

Summary: a prank goes wrong. or horribly right 👀?

A/N - found a prank on TikTok where Person A says “I love you” as they’re leaving but Person B pretends to not hear 👂

Vox Machina

Vax & Vex, Keyleth, Pike and Percy are the types to be like “are you mad 🥺 at me?” before the gig is up

Grog and Scanlan are more than likely to catch on and be like “oh really? This prank works on me?”

Mighty Nein

Jester, Caleb, Yasha, Nott/Veth, Essek are ABSOLUTELY the “are you mad? 🥺” crowd

Fjord and Mollymauk/Kingsley catch on ASAP 😏

Cadeuces is too chill to catch on to it and just goes along with what makes you smile

Bells Hells (and Crown Keepers)

Imogen, Laudna, Orym and Dorian DEFINITELY want to know if you’re mad or not

Chetney, Ashton, Fearne are the chaotic trio who are like “oh nice laugh…oh ok 😏😈”

Assassin’s & Templars

Altair, Evie, Aya & Bayek, Aveline, Eivor, Alexios, Edward immediately catch on to this prank with a “really ? 😑” before lovingly attacking you

Ezio, Connor, Arno, Jacob, Basim, Kassandra, Henry/Jayadeep, Desmond

I feel like Templars, former or current, are the most bratty with a whole “excuse ME! I demand my affection 😤🥺💕.” So Haytham, Shay, Elise and Maria 🗡️ take this one.

Miguel O’Hara 🕷️

Oh he’s annoyed but in a cute way! Goes from “are you mad at me? 🥺” to fixing the problem to catching on it’s a prank and is lovingly amused and annoyed with your antics

[rainbowcaleb]

trick or treat 🍬🎃

candy and a pumpkin huh 👀 a sweet snippet for you

Essek slides his fingers along the box, feeling for seams. The paper itself is a glistening silver, raised vines and leaves tickle his finger pads as he searches.

“Essek,” his name is four syllables in Jester’s mouth.” Just rip it open! That’s half the fun of gifts!”

“If he wants to take his time, let him.” Caleb leans over to kiss his cheek. “It’s okay liebling, it is our wedding after all.”

Essek is too used to Jester to break his concentration. “The wrapping is so intricate, it is clear the gift giver took much care in selecting ribbons to match paper, and to fold every crease just so.” He slips a finger under the edge of the opening of the paper and starts to gently pull it open. “I want to show the same care in opening. Plus, my patience is renowned. Yours, however.” He gives her a fond look, even as she fake pouts.

Caleb chuckles. “Is it your gift, blueberry? Is that why you are bouncing with such anticipation?”

“Oh no, my gift is that long and thick box over there.” She points at a green box with gold ribbons. “My recommendation is to open that one very last, ‘cause when you see it you may want to end the reception and run right to your room to use it!”

“Ach.” Caleb’s face is crinkled with laughter. “If it’s anything like the gift you got my on my birthday two years ago…”

She winks. “Maybe. But definitely bigger.”

[spottedenchants]

Relationship: Essek Thelyss ~ Caleb Widogast

Characters: Essek Thelyss, Caleb Widogast

Additional Tags: Established Relationship, somewhere between a romance and a qpr, Queerplatonic relationship, Demisexual Essek Thelyss, Touch-Starved Essek Thelyss, Touch-Averse Essek Thelyss, POV Essek Thelyss, Sexual Intimacy, Implied Sexual Content, Post-Campaign 2 (Critical Role), Canon Compliant

Words: 300

Series:

Part 55 of the Touching Sentiments series

Part 40 of the Touching Sentiments (Chronological) series

Summary:

It’s not an unreasonable conclusion to reach, that sometimes a confession is the price of admission to thresholds of kinship and ken.

[burningdarkfire]

Ahdkdhs ancillary justice sg? 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

HI YES thank you for asking about this one because i do love the concept and i think i could love writing it. if only i wrote it

(ask me about my WIPs!)

caleb-as-breq and essek-as-seivarden, focused mostly in the major time jump that happens in AJ (trying to keep it ambiguous for the sake of spoilers) and what happens to their relationship during that time, with many things of course shifted to the left to allow for a particularly critical role sort of flavouring

it's still a very early draft, because i quickly intimidated myself out of working on this project (😂) but i do hope to return to it someday!

here's a snippet:

Essek watched Caleb sleep.

Correctives had been applied all over his body, though most of them were hidden now under the heavy blanket. The temperature in the medical tent of the outpost was certainly warmer than outside, but it was still cold—Essek had kept his coat and sat now, hunched and miserable, to the alternating bemusement or disapproval of the two nurses that checked in once an hour.

"He won't wake for another few days." This was the disapproving one. The outpost belonged to the Dynasty—her ears were pointed and her skin a deep amethyst—but her accent was so thick Essek could hardly understand her. "You ought to be in bed yourself."

He ought to, perhaps. But Essek had always had a little trouble with ought.

[hello-eeveev]

For the ask game:

All the boys in the mighty nein... are doing what? 👀👀

They are being ace-spec! Caduceus and Essek are canonically on the asexual spectrum, and I have loooong since headcanoned Fjord as demisexual and Caleb as grey ace! (Like, since the pirate arc for Fjord, Caleb since… idk forever I guess. He just gave me vibes periodically throughout the whole campaign.)

“All the boys in the mighty nein are aspec” is a little song I sing to myself sometimes (to the tune of “camptown races”) so that’s where the “title” comes from!

This what written around the same time as On the Nature of Attraction and tbh there hasn’t been much thought put into this idea outside of there being a discussion about asexuality and this little exchange:

“So we know that Caduceus isn’t interested at all and Fjord needs to feel comfortable with someone first, and now you two…” Jester looked between Caleb and Essek.

“Ah, no thank you,” Essek said.

Caleb shrugged. “Largely neutral.”

She gasped. “So that means all the boys in the—wait!” She turned to Kingsley, who was relaxing near the hot spring some fifty feet away. “Kingsley! How boy are you feeling today?”

Kingsley looked to Jester, then off to the side as they considered it. “Eh?” they called back, hand wobbling back and forth in a so-so gesture.

Jester slammed her hands on the ground and leaned close into Caleb and Essek’s personal space. “All the boys in the Mighty Nein are aspec*! That’s so cool!”

“Is it?” Essek asked.

“Of course! Especially because in all my books, all of the guys are so horny. Like, all the time. It’s cool to know that that’s not always true!”

*figuring out the language to use here is difficult because the word ‘aspec’ feels so out of place with the language typically used in critical role? What do???

So yeah. Just boys being ace-spec :) just guys being pals on the ace spectrum :)