#shadowmauk

[mouseinthecastle]

Based off a cute cat picture I saw: Being the only elf in the relationship makes mornings a little complicated sometimes.

[redstarcat]

Molly had a very fun night last night. No one is none the wiser (except maybe Caduceus and Yasha)

Bonus:

[glossolali]

gifts u sof swm cuddles.... kisses ur forehead... enjoy

[luddlestons]

gotta let the twink elf dom sometimes, for his enrichment

uncropped: pillowfort | bsky

[chi-arts]

Some Shadowidomauk for the soul!

This is actually my favorite ship to ever in all of critical role and somehow I only drew them now :’)  I totally blame Molly’s design for that lmao

also shoutout to altogether infinite, possibilities for continueing to feed us <3 go read it on ao3 it’s so, so good!

[critter-rarepair-reccs]

Hello all! I hope you're having a lovely day. Today I bring you our very first recc list, featuring eighteen fluffy fics! Some are pure schmoop, some come with a side of angst, and a few with a touch of smut as well. You can find them below the cut and I highly encourage you to check them out, and leave kudoes and comments to spread the rarepair love 🩷

To Keep It All In by rabbitxheart (2071 words, Teen) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: Drug mentions

Fjord touches a weird mushroom thing that makes him high and sick and has to be babysat until the clerics can heal him the next day. While Caleb is sitting with him he tries to make a confession.

Reccer Says: It's really cute and Fjord has sweet moments with Beau and Nott too. Just great sickfic fluff

lips pressed to the palm of your hand by vietbluecoeur (2410 words, General) Pairing: Yussa Errenis/Marion Lavorre (Rubygold) Warnings: None

Yussa does Marion's makeup for her before a performance. She returns the favor. They kiss about it.

Reccer Says: It's just SO beautiful. Every word feels gilded or done up in the cosmetics that cover Marion's vanity. The whole thing is poetry, not least of all the relationship between Yussa and Marion. They're so sweet and you can feel the affection they have for each other in every sentence. The way they banter and tease each other is adorable and Viet's voice for Yussa is also just so fun (let that old man say fuck! XD) Also, the way the title ties into the fic is just so sweet.

a place for us to dream by glossolali (1105 words, General) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidomauk) Warnings: None

Essek, Molly, and Caleb share a cozy and domestic summer afternoon.

Reccer Says: I am a sucker for cozy cuddly domestic fluff and for Shadowidomauk and this combines the two in the sweetest package. They're snuggly and in love and it's absolutely wonderful.

cheap wine and new beginnings by bunnymauk (2618 words, Teen) Pairings: Past Lestera/Mollymauk Tealeaf, Hinted Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss (Shadowmauk) Warnings: Referenced drug use, referenced car accident

Essek and Molly leave the club early and hang out at Molly's place together, there's cuddling <3

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

fledgling pledges by hanap (3100 words, Teen) Pairing: Astrid Beck/Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Blumenshadow) Warnings: None

Caleb, Astrid, and Eadwulf go on a date with Essek, and each try to woo him.

Reccer Says: Its adorable

she said "take care", but i take more than i bring by MouseInTheCastle (3385 words, General) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss Warnings: None

Molly and Caleb are together, and Caleb and Essek are together, but Essek and Molly aren't - Essek gets sick and Molly takes care of him

Reccers Says: Warm and fluffy and cozy, very very sweet <3

December's Language is Imprecise Grief by Marvelouska (2688 words, Teen) Pairing: Mollymauk Tealeaf/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast (Shadowidomauk) Warnings: None

Molly, Caleb, and Essek staying in the dorms over christmas break, and Molly and Caleb try to make it a great holiday for Essek.

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

someone as lost as you by floralprintshark (6500 words, Teen) Pairing: Beauregard Lionett/Jester Lavorre (Beaujes) Warnings: None

Jester asks Beau about her first kiss. The conversation leads to a question Beau didn't expect.

Reccer Says: It's very sweet and has a lot of mutual pining and disaster lesbian Beau

Thread by Crewe (2256 words, General) Pairing: Fjord/Caleb Widogast (Widofjord) Warnings: None

Fjord and Caleb develop a routine at night, Caleb reading his books and Fjord mending his and his friends' clothes.

Reccer Says: It's quiet and domestic Widofjord from the very beginning of campaign 2.

Maybe by Tulikettu (3389 words, Explicit) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Vax'ildan (Vaxmore) Warnings: None

Vax thinks a good cuddle will really set him right. And Shaun must give the best hugs. (Fluffy smut ensues)

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

Vivere, Ridere, Amare by noconceptoflife (20189 words, Mature) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Anxiety

AU where Caleb meets the Brenattos soon after leaving the asylum and hides with them in plain sight. Pretend poly marriage turns real.

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

The Maps are Gone (So Are Our Footprints Too) by J (6514, Explicit) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: Consensual voyeurism

Yeza knows Caleb and Veth have something special, and decides to show Caleb how best to take care of Veth on their travels.

Reccer Says: I enjoyed it!

Not Fancy Stuff by CriticalRolemance (3216 words, Teen) Pairing: Shaun Gilmore/Vax'ildan (Vaxmore) Warnings: None

Vax and Gilmore take a moment to forget about the looming existential threat of dragons and have a picnic dinner on the roof of Whitestone Castle.

Reccer Says: All the fics in this series are simple sweet fluff, but this one is probably my favorite. They're just a pair of romantic idiots and they deserve to get to be stupid in love together.

something sweet by roundtriptojupiter (4988 words, General) Pairing: Percy de Rolo/Grog Strongjaw Warnings: None

An oblivious, and very confused Percy, becomes subject to Grog's tribe-specific courting rituals when the goliath gets a crush on him. (He eventually gets the hint)

Reccer Says: It's a very niche ship written in a way that feels very authentic to the characters. It also completely got me onboard to the possibilities of said ship! As well as that, it's just a well written, very sweet fic. A great way to get acquainted with what is probably one of Vox Machina's rarest pairings.

The Scientist's Guide to Being Loved by tangereen (1237 words, Teen) Pairing: Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss (Esswulf) Warnings: None

Essek tries to figure out if Eadwulf is in love with him using logic.

Reccer Says: Essek is a goofy little guy trying to use science to explain emotions. I think it's cute.

bifurcation of heart and bone by 917651827 (2372 words, Explicit) Pairing: Eadwulf Grieve/Essek Thelyss (Esswulf) Warnings: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics

After his pregnancy, Essek can transform his body and fuck his partner the way he prefers.

Reccer Says: This esswulf focused entry in an Astrid/Eadwulf/Essek/Caleb series is so sweet! After he gives birth, Essek is able to get his dick back and fuck Eadwulf. They're both so loving and gentle with each other. It makes my heart burst!

Through the Years by piratesPencil (5649 words, Mature) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast Warnings: None

Scenes of how Caleb and Essek and the Brenattos' relationship grows over several years and they eventually form a polycule.

Reccer Says: I love each one on one scene between Essek and the others. Also great demi Essek feels 💕

And we have two reccs for; Today I Love You Even More by wtgw (5687 words, Teen) Pairing: Yeza Brenatto/Veth Brenatto/Caleb Widogast Warnings: None

Yeza encourages Veth to pursue her crush and is surprised when he ends up developing one of his own. Takes place in Xhorhas between the time Yeza is rescued and the time they’re able to relocate him; a very sweet fic about Yeza slowly falling for and awkwardly romancing the Wizard boyfriend his wife picked up on the road.

Reccer 1 Says: I loooooove Yeza's characterization his dynamic with not just Veth and Caleb but the rest of the nein is great Reccer 2 Says: I always love any story fleshing out Yeza and his personality+motivations, and this one does it so well! His patience and kindness in letting Nott persue Caleb, and then his own developing feelings, are just so endearing and fun to read about.

Thank you for joining us for our very first recc list! We'll be doing these every Wednesday for the foreseeable future 🩷 All enclosed recommendations were submitted by the community via our submissions form, which you can find here. All fic information is as it was provided by the reccer, so it may not be accurate to the author's intent or the precise contents of the fic itself. Please assume good intent from all parties 🩷

Submissions for next week's list are already open! We'll be featuring Modern AUs. If you have any you'd like to highlight, you can send them in here. The week after that, the theme is Whump, and you can also submit fics for that now!

If you want more rarepair fic, check out @cr-summer-wildflowers and their event collections on ao3! If you want some friendship after all this romance, take a look at @critter-genfic-events and their recc lists! And if you're interested in everyone's favorite wizards, you can't go wrong with the lists at @aeor-is-for-reccing !

Thanks all and have a lovely day/night/timezone! 🩷

[quinn-of-aebradore]

“Child, please,” she whispers, voice shaking as though he had lashed out with a blade and not words, and Essek sinks back into his chair. “Please understand that I would not even have considered this unless it was an offer worthy of you.” Essek exhales, slow and deliberate, trying to calm his racing and aching heart. “Who, Mother?” Deirta receives an offer for Essek's hand in marriage she cannot reasonably decline except for one reason: he is already taken. Lucien has spent months refusing to approve of Mollymauk and Essek courting. So, Essek takes a trip to Nicodranas to meet his potential brother-in-law with the hope of changing his mind before it's too late.

Hello my lovely friends, today I bring you a new installment in my Shadowidomauk Royalty AU! Today we've got plot! We've got family drama! Deirta doing her very best at being a mom! Essek being an Excellent Partner! Lucien being an asshole!

I am super excited for this one, as it is a follow-up to the absence becomes me (a reticent specter) from back in March. It is not required to understand what's going on in this fic, but I would call it recommended reading :3

Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy the fic and have a lovely day/night/timezone! 💜💜💜💜

[belovedwizardsandpurples]

2023 Shadowidomauk Bang Masterpost

Here is a complete and total list of all of the pieces created for the first (but hopefully not last) Shadowidomauk bang. Our theme for the year was fall/dating, so expect spookiness and cosiness. You can find a good majority of the written works here in the collection. There are going to be a few additions as people finish up their pieces so be sure to check back here if you want more!

Apple Cider/Mulled Wine: New Family Traditions (Writing, 1944 Words - AO3 Link) by Riot_Fae

Apple Picking: Life is Just a Dream, You Know (Writing, 2954 Words - AO3 Link) by NayaZephronic / @languishedlaughing

Cozy: Cozy Cuddles (Writing, 1192 Words - AO3 Link) by AkizaDragonBane

Harvest Festival: On This Harvest Moon (Writing, 4119 Words - AO3 Link) by Harp_Turtle

Pumpkin Carving but with Cats: Pumpkins and Cats (Writing, 543 Words - AO3 Link) by ElphieBLW

Stealing Sweaters/Warm Clothes: Have You Seen My Sweater? (Writing, 1323 Words - AO3 Link) by Widogasp / @widogaspmauk

Taking Care of a Sick Partner: Stardew Stew (Writing, 3430 Words - AO3 Link) by AkizaDragonBane

Witch: Taming the Feral (Writing, 2364 Words - AO3 Link) by ElphieBLW Witch (Digital Illustration - Tumblr Link) by @devourm0us / devourmous / dev0urmous

[viciousmollymaukery]

my soul for a reality where molly and essek meet.

[captainkingsley]

Mollymauk isn't monogamous. And he's never hidden that fact, not from Caleb or from anyone else, especially not while getting more intimate with Caleb. He's not worried about it anyway, as after he and Caleb had gotten closer, Caleb had explained his own past. Not all of it, definitely not all of it, but enough to reassure Molly of his own comfort with the idea. Caleb, as it turns out, is also not monogamous, which Molly chalks up to the universe handing him the perfect man.

Since they'd started their little dance between each other, their relationship has been open — Molly had slept with a paid partner here and there, and Caleb had been flirted with to no concern from Mollymauk. It was simply a part of their relationship, and neither of them minded. 

So, with all of that known — why does Caleb feel as though Mollymauk is glaring daggers at him any time he spends time alone with Essek? He tries not to think too much into it, but every now and then he catches a glimpse of Molly looking through a doorway or passing by with a strange look on his face.

They're just studying. Essek is teaching him complex dunamantic theory — they need the quiet time together to focus. Molly can join them any time, he's aware of this, but he never does. Maybe the magic talk is too complex, maybe he'd get bored too fast and cause a distraction. 

Even so, why Molly doesn't simply explain himself is concerning. Caleb makes a note to himself to ask later, after Essek has gone home for the evening. 

Caleb doesn't really get a chance to ask, though. 

Essek goes to leave that night, pulling his cloak on and heading through the halls of the Xhorhouse, intent on getting home to rest and be away from the energy and chaos the Nein bring. Just before the main entrance, however, he sees Mollymauk. His usual coat is gone, and he's left in a tight-fitting top that exposes his scarred arms and hips, his pants covered in a strange pattern of multicolored astrological patterns that glimmer in the dim torchlight. 

"Mollymauk." Essek greets, nodding once as he moves to pass by him. 

Mollymauk puts a hand on the wall, effectively blocking Essek from exiting. A half second later, Essek is staring at him with a furrowed brow, a questioning look, and he's about to open his mouth when—

"You like Caleb, don't you?" Molly says. Essek's face turns a darker shade of purple.

"He's a good student." Essek says, lifting his chin. Molly stares down at him, shifting just an inch closer. 

"You know what I mean, smart boy." Molly says. 

"I'm afraid I do not." Essek replies, keeping his voice level. His expression returns to its normal cold demeanor, making Molly feel a surge of frustration. 

"All I'm going to say is that I love Caleb with all my heart, and if you so much as make him uncomfortable, or try to use him for your own gain…"

He watches as Essek's face pales slightly. 

"...I will kill you."

"You'd put another layer of tension on the war, Mollymauk Tealeaf, killing the Shadowhand." Essek says. 

"War be damned, I'll do anything for Caleb." Molly says, his voice dropping lower as he leans closer to Essek. A hand swiftly drops onto the elf's shoulder, pushing him an inch lower to the ground. Essek shrugs off the hand after a moment. 

"You have interesting priorities." He says. 

"I care about the people closest to me before anything else.  I don't owe the rest of the world shit, but I owe Caleb — and the rest of the Nein — everything. I love him. And I've crawled out of a grave once before, so don't think you could kill me and be done with it."

Essek's eyes widen. Molly grins. 

"I would pull myself out of the ground a second time just to hunt you down if you hurt my Caleb. Got it?" 

“I…” Essek’s voice is now quieter. His eyes scan Mollymauk over, taking in the scars, the tone of his lean muscle, the fangs that peek out of his mouth as he smiles at him. “I understand. Do not worry, I have no plans to ‘use’ Caleb in any way. Nor will I intrude on your relationship.”

"Glad we're on the same page. You're a good boy." Molly says, and taps his hand against Essek's cheek. “And listen. You’re pretty. Stick around long enough, be nice, and maybe Caleb and I will let you between us for a bit. How’s that sound?”

“What?” Essek says, his voice an octave higher. Mollymauk laughs.

“Think about it.” He says, and steps away from Essek. 

Leaving Essek to head home with many, many questions.

[rainbowcaleb]

Summary: Caleb’s spell required a delicate component he had scoffed when he first read. Doubting his translation, he cast Languages again, but the inkbled scrawl read the same. “Heart of a fae”. Literal or figurative, he almost did not care. He would seize both to be sure.

*slides this shadowidomauk AU over to you on this fine afternoon*

[mouseinthecastle]

Late valentines art with the wizard and ourbles!!!!

[redstarcat]

✨Sparkles✨

[glossolali]

;-)

[luddlestons]

Not pictured: Caleb Widogast standing 30 feet away, bright red and staring at this whole situation.

I still have no idea whether they actually meet in canon (no spoilers please i'm making my way slowly) but of course my gay brain went "what if the purple tiefling and the purple elf did a purple smooch"

[thebest-medicine]

Day 2: Accidental

Tickletober 2023 - Critical Role - Campaign 2 - lee!Essek

[see my other tickletober 2023 fics]

A/N: It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this? It was only a kiss. It was only a kiss. (Shadowidomauk but Caleb is out getting groceries or spell supplies ok.) [read on AO3]

Words: 661

—

From the floor, Essek makes his best attempt at a glower, his face fixed on Mollymauk, who sits above him, a few inches away, on the love seat. He tries his best to ignore the burning feeling rising in his cheeks as he takes in Molly’s absolutely devious grin.

They both stare, energy tense and prickling in the air, waiting for the other to make a move. 

Instead of attempting to dissuade him or plead, when Essek opens his mouth it is to start the incantation for Misty Step. Not the brightest move, but he was still yet unaware of just how good Molly was becoming at hindering a spellcaster in close range (thanks, Caleb).

“Well,” Mollymauk interrupts as he pounces off the love seat and onto the drow below. “This afternoon just became much more interesting.”

– 

A few minutes earlier, Essek had been thinking things would take a very different direction. He was laying against the love seat in the study he shared with Caleb beneath a very persuasive tiefling. The books the wizard had been studying lay strewn about on the nearby table. He had gotten less than an hour of studying in while Caleb was out before Molly traipsed into the study and demanded affection. He had asked Essek to read something to him on the chair, but that quickly devolved into him snuggling into the drow’s chest and starting to pepper kisses on his cheeks, taking his lips soon after. The book Essek brought over tumbled out of his hand as he readjusted to kiss him a bit deeper.

This was still rather new for Essek, Molly was quite a different type of partner than Caleb. They both shared a streak of mischief, though Molly was much more ornery about it. Mollymauk also showed his affection much more openly, and while Caleb pushed his mind, Molly pushed his… buttons. In the best of ways. Though it was sometimes not without inconvenience or embarrassment. Speaking of embarrassment… 

They made out for a few minutes before Mollymauk’s kisses began to trail off of his lips and catch the edge of his chin. Essek leaned his head back, eyes fluttering shut as he hummed. Molly kissed his way down Essek’s neck, nipping once or twice playfully. Essek was smiling, a pleasant squirm baring his neck further. Molly kissed just below his ear and Essek tensed up a bit, shaking it off when he pulled away.

Molly gave him a curious look, one that Essek barely registered, eyes trained on Molly’s lips, and leaned down and nipped at the side of his ear.

Essek let out a squeak, his whole body jumping with a flinch. 

Molly made a pleased sound and started to kiss and nibble the edge of his ear, from base to point. Essek screeched, hands coming up to push at Molly’s head and shoulders. “Wait- wait!” He laughed as his voice caught up to his brain. Molly blew slightly into his ear and Essek scrambled to the side, sliding out from underneath the tiefling and onto the floor, his cheeks bright. “Molly.”

– 

Essek would like to think he doesn’t shriek when Molly bounds after him, the attempt at Misty Step fizzling off his lips. Instead of somatics, his hands scramble to grab Molly’s arms. He rolls a bit, squirming to get out of the way. 

“Light above- you- you’ll kill me!” Essek cries out. He shuffles on the ground beneath Molly, wrists pinned near the sides of his head.

“Oh, I’ll do no such thing.” Molly pouts. He sounds so sweet, almost songlike as he continues. “So, tell me, are your ears the only place you’re ticklish?” 

“No!” Essek flushes more. “I-I mean, yes- I- I-” He feels giggles already starting to build up in his chest.

“Well which is it? No? Yes?” Mollymauk teases. 

Essek’s eyes meet his, frantic and bright. He shakes his head as he fights off a smile.

“Guess I’ll have to find out for myself.”