Critmas 2022: Dear Author Letter
Nov. 5th, 2022 04:00 pmPlease don't worry about following any particular prompt I have here. I know how anxiety-inducing it can be to get an assignment and have no prompts or idea of what the person likes at all, so I wanted to provide some. If you get a completely different idea, go right ahead, I look forward to whatever you write for this.
My DNWs for this exchange are: suicide/self harm, major character death, major character illness, brutal unhappy endings with no hope in sight, oviposition, crackfic, rimming, mindbreak, corrective rape (sexuality or gender), character or ship bashing, spelling it "cum," characters under the age of 16 engaging in explicit sex (references to it are ok), fingernail/toenail trauma/injuries, kidfic/de-aging, trypophobia content, teeth damage/trauma, explicit urine/feces/vomit, detailed insects/bugs, first or second person POV, cancer, institutionalization, needles used for torture, eye torture/trauma, breast mutilation (biting or scratching is ok but not more extreme than that), fridging female characters (removing them from the narrative to focus on a male character’s trauma), suicide or assisted suicide as the end of a character/used or framed as a “mercy,” pregnancy, miscarriage, pets being endangered or harmed or killed, unrequested crossovers/fusions with other fandoms, explicit child abuse (references to it are ok), petplay, sexual ageplay, bimboification.
General things I like: character A teaching character B to defend themselves, bandaging wounds, navigating polyamory, asexual characters in romantic relationships, mad scientists, lore & legends, symbolic dreams, powerplays and power reversals, coping with long-term injuries and/or scars, roadtrips, pirate AUs, space pirate AUs, vampire AUs, werewolf AUs, nonsexual BDSM, traditions and loyalty rituals, gothic horror, gothic romance, horror in the vein of Things Man Was Not Meant To Know, survival challenges, being trapped by storms/weather, monster and human friendships/alliances, holidays (real or invented), worldbuilding, platonic sleeping together for comfort, making/sharing food together, found family, character focus/exploration, asexual and/or trans headcanons, role reversal AU.
Smutty stuff I like: Oh No There Is Only One Bed, sexual BDSM, tentacles, xenokink/monsterfucking, hypnotism, aftercare, bratty bottoms getting taught manners, service kink, orgasm denial (that eventually ends, not unending torture), multiple orgasms, two dominants double-teaming a sub, dubious consent acknowledged as such, bdsm session where a character calls their safeword and they have to stop the scene, threesomes, kink negotiation, polyamory, first time sex, consensual voyeurism, masturbation, bondage, wax play/other sensation play, spanking with hands, flogging/whipping, D/s roleplay, sex toys, choking/breathplay.
Darker stuff I like: whump, hurt/comfort, trauma recovery, retribution (disproportionate or not) for a transgression/trespass of some kind, revenge, characters trauma-bonding, characters getting drenched in blood, messy and unhealthy relationships, nonconsensual hypnotism, sex pollen, Something Made Them Do It (aliens, magic, curses, artifacts, etc), virginity fetishizing, ravishment fantasy, consensual nonconsent/rape roleplay where it's clear it's a negotiated roleplay, knifeplay, gunkink, partners killing someone together, lovers killing someone together, monster/human partnerships where the human has allied with the monster against humanity, victims turning the tables on their attackers/rapists/abusers, villains in love and doing horrible things to other people together, possessiveness/protectiveness with couples, extreme loyalty as with a knight/sovereign or sailor/captain, submission to punishment/rape/execution on behalf of another, unconsciousness, begging for mercy, men crying, strangulation, gangbangs where the victim is overwhelmed by sensation.
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Requests
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Critical Role Campaign One
Fandom specific DNWS: Permanent deaths of Percy, Cassandra, Vex, Pike, Keyleth, Gilmore. Rape/noncon between Pike/Vax, Cassandra/Vex, Cassandra/Vex/Percy, Gilmore/Keyleth/Vax, J'mon/Keyleth, or Keyleth/Percy.
Crossovers/AUs: I'm into roleswap AUs, class swaps, What Ifs, pirate AUs, sci-fi AUs, and superhero AUs.
Anna Ripley/Percy de Rolo. So ... these two. These two. Um. Literally anything. Banter and taunts. Expanded conversations on Glintshore. Uneasy alliances. What exactly happened during the time she tortured him. What might have happened had they kept her captured and locked her up after the Briarwoods arc. Extremely unhealthy sex. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea but I really love this pairing.
Cassandra de Rolo/Percy/Vex'ahlia. For this I'm cool with anything, ranging from an arrangement between Percy and Cassandra where Vex is the V in the triad, to a full on all in bed together kind of deal, or whatever strikes your fancy. I feel like it's a post campaign thing. Maybe Cassandra is envious, or just attracted to Vex. Maybe Vex misses her brother in a particular way and Cassandra's rogue traits call out to her. Maybe the de Rolos were one of Those aristocratic families who were very Close in particular ways and they're carrying on the tradition.
Cassandra de Rolo/Vex'ahlia. I'm intrigued by the idea of this post-campaign, either after Percy has passed away or with Percy agreeing to this arrangement. These are two fantastic characters and I'd like to read more about them exploring their trauma together, getting closer, exploring Whitestone together.
Pike Trickfoot/Vax'ildan. It breaks my heart that she nearly brought him to Sarenrae and then he couldn't go of his own free will. AU where he did get to become a Paladin for her instead? Or really anything. I love their closeness, doing each other's hair, nicknames, checking in on each other. I'd love to read something poignant, religious, smutty, funny, or just a pair of battle buddies hooking up after a successful mission.
J’mon Sa Ord/Keyleth. This is my long term dream for Keyleth's love life, her to pair up with someone who understands the pains of a long lifespan. Maybe Keyleth takes a vacation. Maybe J'mon pays her a visit. I feel like J'mon was awkwardly flirting with Keyleth during their later encounters in the campaign, maybe touch on that more? They could fly together. They could battle dangerous foes together. They could reminisce about lost loves and new joys.
Shaun Gilmore/Keyleth/Vax'ildan. Vax please, you have so much love in your heart, you can love two people at once I promise. Keyleth and Gilmore figure it out and make it work and Vax is the happiest bird ever and they live happily ever after, canon CR1 ending be damned. Or a Modern AU where these three make it work. Brunch dates. Testing out some of Gilmore's new toys from the back of the shop. Dressing each other up and going clubbing together. Going to a bar and pretending they don't know each other and getting flirty.
Keyleth/Raishan. Literally anything. Hatesex. Fighting. Raishan captures Keyleth and torments her for ages. Role reversal where Keyleth is evil and Raishan is her captive. AU where Keyleth is disillusioned with the Ashari and finds Raishan and they become allies.
Keyleth/Percy. Ok so, I love the canon ships a ton. But when I was first getting into the show I shipped these two so much and that's never really faded for me. Literally anything you write for this ship (that doesn't hit my DNWs) would delight me. Full on AU exploring what would have happened if they'd gotten together instead of how canon went. Arranged Marriage AU. Them hooking up in secret in the early days of the campaign. Them getting together after the events of the first campaign (but only with Vex's blessing, no cheating please.) Modern AU where they're college roommates and realize they have a crush on each other.
Percy/Vax’ildan/Vex’ahlia
Keyleth/Vax'ildan/Vex'ahlia
Keyleth/Percy/Vax’ildan/Vex’ahlia
Twin sandwich! Feel free to keep them separate or play up the incest. Those two are so codependent, I'm not opposed to them getting way too close in a fic.
Controversial I know, but I think Percy should be in a twin sandwich. Fluster that boy. Maybe it's his introduction to Vox Machina. Maybe it's comfort after a big fight. Maybe it's flirtation escalating one night to their mutual surprise and delight. Maybe it's a happily ever after AU to the campaign. Maybe it's a fun AU where Percy is kidnapped by hot highway robbers. Feel free to lean into the codependent closeness of the twins or not, up to you.
Percy/Raishan. Curriebell did some excellent meta a while ago about the dynamic of green dragons specifically related to Percy and that's stayed with me ever since. Their powerplays and dynamic were so fascinating to me. Missing scene from canon where they have a longer chat sometime. AU where they make a different deal. AU where she carries him off. AU where she comes to him earlier in life and offers a bargain. Anything you want to explore with these two I'd love to read.
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Critical Role Campaign Two
Fandom specific DNWS: Permanent deaths of Artagan, Jester, Marion, or Astrid. Marion/Babenon content. Rape/noncon between Yussa/Marion or Astrid/Jester.
Crossovers/AUs: I'm into roleswap AUs, class swaps, What Ifs, pirate AUs, sci-fi AUs, and superhero AUs.
Artagan/Jester Lavorre. Smut would be amazing. So would his strange Fair Folk thoughts about her and how excited he is about her growing power. I'm also fond of the idea of Jester getting herself off and that energy transferring to the Traveler through their bond. If smut's not your thing, them pulling pranks together, doing art together, grappling with the realization that Jester's changed him as much as he's changed her. What does the future look like for Jester and Artagan's relationship? Would love to see her take off with him to the Feywilde post-campaign.
Artagan/Jester Lavorre/Caleb Widogast. Jester deserves everything she wants ok, and if that includes Caleb AND Artie so much the better! Down for anything, flirting, smutty first times, an AU where Feylock Jester spirits Caleb away to the Feywilde to introduce him to her patron, post-campaign adventures, anything.
Avantika/Jester Lavorre. What if Jester wasn't just angry about the Avantika/Fjord dynamic because of her crush on Fjord, but because she had a crush on Avantika too? AU where Avantika fixates on Jester instead. AU where Jester decides to try and seduce Avantika and it works. What If alternate where Avantika is in port and Jester wants to flirt with the beautiful woman in the tavern. Smut would be great. So would confused pining and Jester sorting out her feelings for Avantika.
Yussa Errenis/Marion Lavorre | Ruby of the Sea. Look I just ... really don't like who Marion ended up with in canon. I really wanted to see her and Yussa get together in the show. AU where maybe Yussa is a regular client? Maybe he admires from afar? Maybe a big AU where Marion is sent to the tower of the mighty dragon and charms her way into his heart? Maybe something fun post-campaign of them in Nicodranas together enjoying each other's company?
Jester Lavorre/Essek Thelyss/Caleb Widogast. OT3 Donutmancy. I love this trio so much. I love how Jester teased Essek, and later held his hands during the big reveal. I love how Caleb and Essek have this intense flirty spy vs spy magic teaching dynamic and then Caleb got all intense with him later after the reveal. I love how Jester and Caleb bring out the best in each other. I'd love to see the three of them flirting, falling in together in some way, figuring out how to make things work.
Astrid Beck/Jester Lavorre. Their brief meeting in episode 110 was soooooo good! I want to read more about them interacting, teaming up in a fight, saving each other, flirting, nudging each other cautiously and then not so cautiously. I think Astrid could benefit from time with Jester, and Jester could impress her with some direct insights.
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Critical Role Campaign Three
Fandom specific DNWS: Permanent deaths of Laudna, Vex, Imogen, Dorian, FCG, Joe, or Ashton. Rape/noncon between Laudna/Dorian, Laudna/Dorian/Imogen, or Fresh Cut Grass/Imahara Joe.
Crossovers/AUs: I'm into roleswap AUs, class swaps, What Ifs, pirate AUs, sci-fi AUs, and superhero AUs.
Laudna & Vex'ahlia
Laudna/Vex'ahlia
Wow there's a lot going on here. Shippy or gen, I'm super curious about if they had more time together to talk. Laudna was picked because she resembled Vex, there's all sorts of guilt and anger and grief mixed up for them because of that. Also into an AU where Vex finds Laudna in the woods and helps her.
Laudna/Dorian Storm. They didn't have long to interact, but the combo of spooky former-peasant woman and easily-flustered nobleman? Just really got to me. This could also be fun as an AU or What If meeting scenario.
Laudna/Dorian Storm/Imogen Temult. Laudna and Imogen seem so closely attached. I feel like whatever's going on between them, sharing Dorian between them would feel right. Maybe Dorian angles for one before learning they're a package deal, maybe they team up to seduce him together.
Delilah Briarwood & Laudna
Delilah Briarwood/Imogen Temult
Delilah Briarwood/Imogen Temult/Laudna
Delilah Briarwood/Laudna
Would love to see this before the CR3 episode 38 confrontation, or perhaps afterwards if Delilah didn't fully vanish. Could be Laudna trying to hide this from Imogen, or agreeing to share so long as Delilah doesn't harm her, or weird body-sharing consciousness shenanigans. Maybe a dark AU where Imogen is also a warlock to Delilah?
Fresh Cut Grass/Imahara Joe. These two were just plain fun together. Would love to see them go on a date, or a series of dates. What would a relationship between them look like? What about an AU where Joe fixed FCG up after the traveling trader came by? I'm extremely into robot ethics so feel free to go philosophical with this one.
Ashton Greymoore/Jiana Hexum. This leans into dubious consent scenarios fast. Perhaps there's another way Ashton can work off that debt. Bonus points for Jiana messing with their mind/memories/head trauma. If you don't wanna go that dark, maybe a mutually beneficial arrangement between these two characters in the crime world of the city.
Ashton Greymoore/Percy
Ashton Greymoore/Percy/Vex'ahlia
There was some VERY interesting energy going on there. I'd love to see that explored, if not in the canon timeline then some kind of AU.
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Critical Crossovers
Fandom specific DNWS: Permanent deaths of any requested characters. Percy cheating on Vex (if he's hooking up with someone, he should have Vex's consent.) Rape/noncon between any requested ships.
Crossovers/AUs: I'm into roleswap AUs, class swaps, What Ifs, pirate AUs, sci-fi AUs, and superhero AUs.
Percy/Caleb Widogast
Percy/Vex'ahlia/Caleb Widogast
I'm into this idea either as Percy, with or without Vex, having a time with this handsome younger man. Maybe an AU where they meet during Caleb's vagabond era. Maybe post CR2 when Caleb is at a diplomatic function? I think Percy would see a lot of the traumatic backstory written on Caleb's face, and Vex would have a soft spot for a bit of a scoundrel/thief type.
Shaun Gilmore/Caleb Widogast. I just want to see these two together and what would happen. Maybe Gilmore catches Caleb trying to steal from his store? Maybe Caleb is shopping post CR2 and they start to flirt? Maybe an AU where Caleb ends up apprenticed/working at the shop while on the run?
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