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Beau risked a glance over her shoulder as she ran. The thing was following her, tumbling over itself with unnatural angular movements, and was catching up.
She didn’t need to wonder what would happen if the thing reached her; there was a bone-deep intuition letting her know that this thing was wrong, that it should not exist, and she should do anything in her power to avoid touching it. Perhaps a dumb animalistic instinct woken from where it had been sleeping between the coils of DNA by her sheer terror.
Geneva, Switzerland. February 1989.Both Beau and Caleb are quite sure that they understand the way of the world, be it scientific or a tad more pessimistic. But when strange and unexplainable occurrences begin haunting them they are both forced to confront the new reality: that magic is seeping into their world from another, far more dangerous one.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 113,496
- Chapters:
- 19/19
- Comments:
- 257
- Kudos:
- 669
- Bookmarks:
- 160
- Hits:
- 20,406
Bookmarked by Balk
15 Apr 2026
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Summary
Shadowgast post canon adventures in Aeor (complete).
- Words:
- 23,224
- Works:
- 2
- Bookmarks:
- 82
Bookmarked by Balk
14 Apr 2026
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In all worlds, nothing is immutable by CherryMilkshake
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
07 Jul 2022
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It should have worked, but instead of finding himself in his own past, Essek Thelyss opens his eyes in another world, where despite his mistakes and failures, he has found a measure of happiness. But can he keep it?
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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Caleb's pulse thunders in his ears as he bites his lip, eying Essek up and down. He's fully dressed, simpler than he had as the Shadowhand but just as modest, his soft hands and handsome face all that he shows. Caleb looks away and shrugs, playing at nonchalant, as his part requires.
"I won't stop you."
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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The Less I Sleep, The More I Think by CherryMilkshake
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
20 Sep 2022
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Essek Thelyss has a crush, which is new. What are you supposed to do with crushes? Court them, right? But how best to court a certain wizard...
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 11,190
- Chapters:
- 7/7
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 54
- Kudos:
- 317
- Bookmarks:
- 55
- Hits:
- 2,504
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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Widogast's Caressing Tentacles by CherryMilkshake, eldritchmochi
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
14 Feb 2022
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While drunk at Jester and Fjord's wedding, Essek admits to a very… private fantasy. Caleb is eager to help him realize his dirty dreams.
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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Essek asks, “How much do you know about drow biology?”
“Not much, I’m afraid.”
“Essentially, there was a point far back in drow history where we had— a, a more rigid, erm, breeding cycle—” and Caleb heart stops before fluttering back to life, pounding like a bird’s wing. “I’ve, ah, I was testing a spell and it— did not go as I had hoped.
“I’ve— sort of triggered it, it seems.”
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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Fundamental Forces Other Than Gravity by mllekurtz (TheKnittingJedi)
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
09 Jan 2021
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Summary
Essek's tone is academic, clinical, cold. “It would be pointless to deny that I am attracted to you. And I wouldn’t object if what happened last night would happen again. But I would be grateful if we could keep it between us.”
There’s a beat, then Caleb nods. “I’m fine with keeping it quiet and casual.”
Or how cold, ruthless and lonely Essek Thelyss (a brilliant student with a secret) accidentally makes some friends and falls in love: a Shadowgast college AU.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 40,676
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Comments:
- 175
- Kudos:
- 1,650
- Bookmarks:
- 369
- Hits:
- 18,906
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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OPERATION: HOT BOI LIBERATION (or: How I Spent My Spring Break in Rexxentrum, by Verin of Den Thelyss) by CatgirlTheCrazy
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
17 Apr 2022
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Summary
The more Verin dug into it, the more convinced he became. Essek had spent an inordinate amount of time with the Mighty Nein when they came to Rosohna. Done all sorts of strange favors for them. Ferried them all over Wildemount. Arranged visits with prisoners in the Dungeon of Penance. Let them dig up his yard. Descended into Aeor with them, unaccompanied. Accepted invitations to dinner. Let one of them hug him. In public. More than once.
Mind control. It had to be.
Verin gets it into his head that Essek has been kidnapped by the Mighty Nein (specifically Caleb), and sets out on a solo rescue mission to Rexxentrum.
Hijinks ensue.
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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like coloured indigo inscribed with my name by KmacKatie (kmackatie) for TheKnittingJedi
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
27 May 2021
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Summary
Essek discovers that Jester either texts in all capitals, or completely ignores them. There’s no inbetween. He also discovers that there are 238 notifications in the Mighty Nein group chat that he had recently been added to in much pomp and circumstance that he still didn’t really understand. A final discovery is that the celebration of birthdays is a sacred tradition for the Mighty Nein and one he is going to be pulled in on regardless of his opinion on the fact.
An exploration of tradition, culture, what is worth sacrificing in finding yourself and family.
Series
- Part 1 of like coloured indigo
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 30,648
- Chapters:
- 9/9
- Comments:
- 451
- Kudos:
- 1,664
- Bookmarks:
- 362
- Hits:
- 19,234
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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(If One Could Be Home) They'd Be Already There by DotyTakeThisDown
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
21 Jan 2021
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Summary
When Caleb stays in the on-campus apartments, he expects to be alone for winter break. He doesn't expect to run into Essek Thelyss in the laundry room.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 25,820
- Chapters:
- 7/7
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 198
- Kudos:
- 1,743
- Bookmarks:
- 359
- Hits:
- 21,748
Bookmarked by Balk
13 Apr 2026
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- Words:
- 75,353
- Works:
- 2
- Bookmarks:
- 17
Bookmarked by Balk
07 Apr 2026
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fighting the forces of gravity by bubblegumspook (eldritchmochi), CherryMilkshake, eldritchmochi
Fandom Critical Role (Web Series)
25 Jan 2022
- Words:
- 102,241
- Works:
- 4
- Bookmarks:
- 70
Bookmarked by Balk
06 Apr 2026
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The chasm of the night and a matter of time by SkyScribbles
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
09 May 2021
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Summary
Essek loops the silver cord around his own wrist, like half of a handfast. ‘What I mean to express,’ he says softly, ‘is that this spell requires a degree of trust.’
Ah, Caleb thinks. Yes, that is always the issue, between the two of them.
(In which Lucien takes Caleb's mind, and in the aftermath, two wizards confront questions of trust and time.)
Bookmarked by Balk
06 Apr 2026
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Summary
The Mighty Nein erupt into Essek's life, teach him to love them - and then leave him behind. As the weeks pass, and the people who changed him do not return, Essek learns to change himself.
(Or: five things that change in Essek Thelyss after he parts ways with the Mighty Nein, and one thing that doesn't.)
Bookmarked by Balk
02 Apr 2026
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A thousand fingerprints on the surfaces of who I am by SkyScribbles
Fandom Critical Role (Web Series)
02 Oct 2020
Summary
'Changing is hard. For most of us, it happens little by little in in the smallest moments and we don’t notice it, we don’t choose it. But looking yourself in the face and deciding to be different – that is hard. You are unpicking threads of who you are that were put in place more than a century ago.'
(A collection of Essek-centric oneshots, following a hypothetical redemption journey post-Episode 97. Features Shadowgast and Essek's platonic relationships with the Nein. The fics are arranged in rough chronological order and are loosely interconnected, but they can all be read individually. This series was written during the 2020 hiatus, so is not canon compliant beyond episode 100.)
- Words:
- 64,780
- Works:
- 14
- Bookmarks:
- 440
Bookmarked by Balk
02 Apr 2026
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Summary
There’s something new in the air, something obvious yet intangible, like a rise in temperature, a shift in scent.
It’s her. It’s the familiar. A fey spirit in the form of a bat is chewing at Essek’s earrings, and for the first time, his towers are home to a living creature aside from him.
(In which Essek adjusts to life with his new familiar.)
Series
Bookmarked by Balk
31 Mar 2026
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Summary
“This is not a negotiation.” Deirta Thelyss’s voice cracked the air like a thunderclap, sharp enough that even her ever-bustling flock of attendants twitched. “You will agree to this marriage, or I will have you cast from Den Thelyss for dereliction of duty. Is that clear?”
Essek held himself stiffly, his shoulders rising in affront. A dangerous lapse of control, considering the woman standing before him, and one he would berate himself for later in the privacy of his tower, but he couldn’t help it. To be bartered off as—as a diplomatic representative of all things. It was absurd, insulting. Was the prestige his accomplishments brought to the den not enough? The Bright Queen herself had awarded him the title of Shadowhand for the advancements he’d made to the field of dunamancy, advancements that had secured countless victories in the war. Why should he have to upend his entire life to accommodate some human he’d never even met?
Or: A Shadowgast Arranged Marriage AU in Space~
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 127,981
- Chapters:
- 50/60
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 2,809
- Kudos:
- 2,842
- Bookmarks:
- 496
- Hits:
- 93,978
Bookmarked by Balk
30 Mar 2026
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I was the match and you were the rock by glittergarbage
Fandoms: Critical Role (Web Series)
11 Jul 2021
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Summary
Essek looked online, and after deeming most of the ads absurd, caught one that seemed good.
Responsible Roommate Wanted (pets allowed)
Male professor (early 30’s) looking for a responsible housemate to share my 2 bedroom apartment with. Renter must be LGBT friendly, magic friendly, mindful of personal space, and respectful. About me: I'm easygoing, clean, and non-smoking. I do have a cat familiar, named Frumpkin, he is very cute. I am a certified wizard with a masters in transmutation, and I teach at Quay University. If you like to read, we will get along just fine.- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 70,470
- Chapters:
- 21/21
- Comments:
- 756
- Kudos:
- 1,870
- Bookmarks:
- 349
- Hits:
- 44,337
Bookmarked by Balk
30 Mar 2026
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Summary
There had been rumours about his and Caleb's sordid love affair since long before it was technically true. Essek was simply... playing into them a little, to help his defection go a little more smoothly. Rosohna would gossip about it for a few months, and then the rumour mill would move on, as it always does.
(it doesn't).Or: how Essek and Caleb accidentally inspired (at least) a few dozen smut novels.
Bookmarked by Balk
29 Mar 2026