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hermitcraftThroughout the year I've made several rec posts with fanworks featuring Hermits in my journal and I thought I'd collect them here in one post.
Hermitcraft fanfic
this is about a stuffed bird by![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
Bee_4
78k, gen, apocalypse AU
Summary: In which Mumbo crosses several towns, learns some creative methods of self-defense, fights some monsters, sees things no human is meant to have seen, befriends a stranger, steals multiple cars, has inconvenient moral scruples, grows increasingly terrified of his own culpability in the apocalypse, grows a spine, blows up at least one building, accidentally prevents a murder, and attempts to find his best friend in the futile but ever-burning hope the man’s still alive.
He has to say, he’s so exhausted and terrified that he thinks he might just be mad?
(OR: the one where, after most of humanity turns into a series of terrifying monsters, Mumbo decides he’s going to risk his life on an apocalypse road trip to try to find out if Grian is alive. Things, as you might imagine, devolve from there.)
Why I love it: Mumbo Jumbo & Evil Xisuma not-quite-enemies-to-allies apocalypse road trip. This story does an absolutely fantastic job conveying Mumbo's anxiety and terror and also, y'know, the apocalypse. It's sad. The ending is perfect and almost made me cry.
There's also great fanart, linked at the end.
Possession is Nine-Tenths bysparrowpassing
25k, gen, AU - supernatural creatures
Summary: Tango is a demon just trying to get by. Etho is a hunter trying to save his best friend.
Kidnapping, gardening, and a friendship that could have been.
Why I love it: Ow. Great worldbuilding and characterization. Etho imprisons Tango to save Bdubs and the story does a great job showing Tango's fear while also making you feel for Etho. Great ending too.
Lab Escape AU byglossyblue
Various pairings, series WIP (2 finished stories, 11.8k total), AU - supernatural creatures
Summary:
The H.T.G.Y. Files: Research scientist Cub didn't intend to make a person. He just came up with the plans. But when a competing team looking to make a supersoldier gets hold of the genome he invented, Cub is pulled in to stop them screwing up—and whatever he expected to find, it wasn't someone like Scar.
The Biocuriosity Files: Etho’s been in this laboratory too many years to count. Tango's been trapped and drained of his fire powers, and Cleo’s slowly going mad in isolation. The cell walls are thick and the scientists are prepared for every trick and escape attempt—but nobody was prepared for Bdubs.
Why I love it: Wonderful character voices, a story told partially in transcripts and protocols, and great AU casting between those not-so-human and the scientists who start to realize that oh no, they might be people. Also shenanigans.
waiting for the fog to lift byOdaigahara, Hermitcraft SMP
2.6k, gen, Etho & Cleo, amnesia
Summary: The zombie definitely saw him, but she just stood at the bottom of the ledge, not bringing out her bow or anything. Etho wanted to go down and stand close to her– she’d be the slightest bit taller, broader, with a cooler body temperature than his, she’d be relaxed as soon as she could see he wasn’t bleeding too much– she would not be those things, because Etho was letting his brain run away with him and this was one hundred percent a trick.
“There, is that better?” the zombie called up to him. Etho tensed. “I literally murdered those other guys, just as I promised I would. Are you finally convinced now that I’m not here to kill you?”
Why I like it: Great character voices and interaction and fun worldbuilding snippets.
written upon the sky byOdaigahara
8.3k, gen, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell fusion
Summary: “Consider your existence as it currently stands,” Scar said with a flourish of his hand. The faerie closed his mouth and leaned back on his heels, a smile dancing across his face. “Four thousand or so years old, surrounded by enemies and allies, dabbling in the mortal realm as it so pleases you–”
“Not seeing a whole lot wrong with this,” the faerie remarked.
“And that’s all well and good! That is all well and good,” Scar agreed. “But consider this: there’s no upper limit on happiness, my recently-summoned friend. Nothing stops you from being more amused, or having adventures that are merely a fraction of your lifespan while greatly impacting both human history and specific human lives– so I think what you really need is a good, friendly relationship with an obliging human magician. Think of it like bread and jam, or ravens and the pale gray sky: two flavors that go wonderfully together! I would like to offer you this opportunity.”
Why I love it: This one makes me smile so wide every time. Great fusion and character voices and story and very funny.
Pitfalls bystorm_warning
3.3k, gen, s9
Summary: Doc comes back to Hermitcraft with a baby Ender Dragon.
Pitfalls ensue.
Why I like it: Doc absolutely would. Nice fluff, mostly Doc + Buttercups.
Three Black Crows byAard_Rinn
5.1k, gen, Hermitcraft Recap
Summary: Season Four: Xisuma's server has two Watchers. It's understandably off-putting - there are a lot of secrets buried in the soft green grass of the server. Tired gods. The creepers who fight them. Herobrine, sometimes.
Season Five: Xisuma's server has two Watchers. They're - harmless, honestly. The tired gods checked. So did some gods who are not so tired. So did Herobrine, but he didn't mention it to anyone. Zloy and Pixl, as far as anyone can tell, are Good People, inasmuch as it's possible for Watchers to be good. Or people.
Season Six: Xisuma's server has three Watchers.
Why I like it: Maybe my favorite take on Watcher lore, I love this take on the Recap team. They're meant to only watch, but, well. It's hard not to get attached. Fortunately Hermitcraft is special.
ethos exciting ninja vacation bycrabbunch
37k, gen, Naruto crossover, crack
Summary: Here’s the thing. Etho meant to go to Hermitcraft- he really did. But something obviously got messed up- some wire got crossed, some thread got tangled, and now he was not there. Instead, he’s stuck with three kids who seem to think that he’s a guy named Kakashi (them and everyone else) and while he would work on leaving, all the fuss is pretty entertaining.
Eh, he’ll find his way home eventually. No need to rush…
Why I like it: Good crack. Seeing the people from Konoha+other countries try to deal with the Hermits is fun, especially if you enjoy seeing them suffer. Etho is just a very chill guy! A different kind of sneaky ninja. And he teaches team 7 redstone.
The main fic is finished, there might still be additional fics added to the series.
The Body Shot Incident bysparxwrites
3.7k, various pairings (mostly hinted at) including Scar/Grian
Summary: “Are you sure this is a good idea?” asks Mumbo, fiddling with the buttons of his shirt. He’s trying to delay the inevitable – primarily, being shirtless in front of a lot of people with Scar ‘Godlike Abs’ Goodtimes right next to him for comparison. It’s not working very well. “Just, I can think of, off the top of my head, oh, sixteen ways this could go wrong. At least three of them end with us respawning. At least.”
“Oh, no!” Scar, already reclining across a table in a distinctly louche manner, is nude from the waist up and looking distinctly self-satisfied about it. If anybody present knew who Jeff Goldblum was, multiple comparisons would have already been made. “It’s a terrible idea, and it’s going to go horribly wrong.”
(The origin story of the Hermitcraft server party tequila ban, feat. a body shots contest, Mumbo's body hair, Scar's natural reactions, Bdubs being a complete fucking freak, Pearl's love affair with prosecco, and ambiguous pants removal.)
Why I like it: The other kind of crack, this one had me grinning all the way through. Poor Mumbo. "If you want the rewards of bathroom makeouts, you have to submit to the mortifying ordeal of doing crimes with us! You should know that by now.” xD
the only theory they can't prove byOdaigahara
Fandom: Hermitcraft
2.8k, Joe Hills & ZombieCleo, time-travel to an apocalyptic future (CN: body horror and other creepiness)
Summary:“You’re going to nuke the server after we’re done here, aren’t you?” Cleo interrupted.
“Well, yes,” Joe said, faltering, “seeing as you’re the only person we can reasonably extract.”
“Then forget about it. It’s not likely to be real anyway, is it? You’re from the present. This is just a possibility you conned into existing.”
His mouth felt very dry, and it was difficult to speak. The eyes on the walls strained to watch him, dewy and frightened, and the eyes on ZombieCleo were steely and determined and more than a little resigned.
“You’re right,” he managed. “I mean, that’s a reductive but accurate way to describe this situation, and we are going to solve it, so there’s no reason to dwell on the horrific particulars. That is a job for therapy, which you and probably also I will require in spades.”
Why I love it: The author did a great job creating a horrifying apocalyptic future, that somehow still made me nod and go "yeah, it's Hermitcraft, this tracks." Ahem. I really like the character voices too.
a few chance meetings byTheDepressedCanary, Hermitcraft SMP
1.9k, gen, Gem & Cleo
Summary: Gem was barely a princess when she first met Lady Cleo. Not sure how to carry herself, how to rule - all things Cleo knew herself.
A few conversations between two peers.
Why I like it: They have an understanding and it is very nice :)
Rescue Run bymelannen, Hermitcraft SMP
2.9k, gen, Etho & Rusty & Decked Out 2
Summary: Iron golems weren't people. That had to be fundamental, that they weren't even as sentient as villagers or Jellie. Etho had never been enthusiastic about iron farms himself, it was true, but if iron golems were people then Tango in particular was one of the worst monsters in all recorded history. So Rusty the Golem couldn't possibly be worried about Tango.
Why I like it: Yess let me chew on Etho and Rusty and Decked Out 2 and all the wonderful worldbuilding and implications some more.
closer to another shore byremrose
56k, Scar/Grian, fake dating, AU – modern with magic
Summary: "Scar?" Grian repeated, more shifting, like he was sitting up. Tired but gentle confusion in his voice. "Are you okay?"
Scar should've hung up. It was bad enough he'd actually called. He should've lied, should've said it was a misdial and pretended to be okay. He should've done a hundred things and he did the one thing he shouldn't, because despite everything that happened between them, Scar felt safest with the one who hurt him. He said, a trembling whisper, "No."
or: fake dating your ex, what’s the worst that could happen?
Why I like it: Great self-indulgent tropey h/c with plenty of angst, with bonus protective big brother Cub, and every once in a while this is exactly what I am in the mood for.
Life series fanfic
choice and mercy byWolffyLuna, Double Life
2k, gen, Scott & Cleo
Summary: “Do you feel like you’ve died already?” Cleo asked.
Scott looked up at her from under his fringe, which still had its green streak. “No? Unless you mean—“ he waved his hand in the general direction of the shimmering barrier that marked the limits of this world . “Before before, in which case, yes? But you know that.”
Choice, death and memory.
Why I like it: Mmm, the good kind of angst about the Life series and soulmates in particular
Jimmy Solidarity and the Pantry of Self-Discovery bywhatcaniwriteinthis (Life Series SMP)
1.3k, college AU
Summary: FOUND: a sticky note. on one side, a list titled "Reasons I'm Straight". on the other, "Guys I've ??? Liked?"
Why I like it: Oh Jimmy *facepalm* Sweet and funny.
You Came to Me With Flowers byAlice_not_Alice (Life Series SMP)
Scar & Grian, song lyrics
Summary: “I’m so sorry I killed you but I had to, it was part of the moment. You understand the moment. It’s crazy, things happen.”
- Scar
And Grian does.
Why I like it: These two! I really like the lyrics and the rhythm and I can imagine different kinds of music to go with it.
It Was Always Going To End Like This byHaroThar, Double Life
3.4k, gen, Cleo & Scott, time loop
Summary: Cleo has just finished Double Life, ready to move on to bigger and better---hey wait a minute.
Why is she back at the start again?
And, more importantly: Can she do things differently this time?
An exploration into time loop!Cleo and her relationship with Scott, were it to change.
Why I like it: Cleo DL time loop!, yess very good.
The Mechanics of Opening a World byjoju997, Life Series SMP
1k, gen, Etho & Cleo
Summary: Cleo and Etho have to do some prep work for the next Life Series.
Why I like it: Fun with server bureaucracy!
TangoTek Evil Incorporated byonawhimsicot (Life Series SMP)
22k, Tango & Jimmy, superhero AU comedy
Summary: As the supervillain Dr. Blaze, Tango has a penchant for oddly named "ificators" and stylistic flair. He spends his days trying to take over the city, shaming superheroes for their basic costume designs, and then sending said heroes home with better equipment that actually matches their aesthetic because clearly, if he wants a cool fight scene to happen, he's got to do everything around here himself.
For some reason, not many people think he’s evil. On the bright side, his nemesis, the superhero Canary, does and has made it his personal mission to bring down Dr. Blaze! But when Canary suddenly goes missing, his superhero partner, Parrot, is convinced that Tango is at fault. Seeing as this is not true at all (kidnapping is so gauche), Tango is offended that someone is trying to steal his nemesis right from under his nose. If Tango wants to get his nemesis back, he'll have to work together with Parrot to find and rescue Canary from whatever danger he's got himself into this time.
Because, after all, what's a supervillain without a nemesis?
Why I like it: Enemies to nemesis to definitely-still-nemesis-and-not-friends comedy, this one makes me smile and laugh every time. Tango has his priorities, and those include being a supervillain with style, and that includes having a cool nemesis. Not his fault nobody else understands.
Evolution SMP fanfic
solving counting sheep byBee_4 (Evolution SMP)
78.5k, gen, Winter Soldier AU
Summary: Blade-Three, also known as Three, is the living weapon of the Watchers. Conditioned to follow orders, it is meant to use its considerable strength, combat abilities, and total loyalty to obliterate the enemies of the Watchers. Of course, the "following orders" part comes first, which is how, when Listener agent Martyn InTheLittleWood comes along with the right command words, he manages to steal it.
Now, instead of missions that make any sense, Three must navigate as Martyn and his roommate Jimmy attempt to teach it how to be human, or at least enough of a person to be itself. It would help if either Martyn or Jimmy knew how to be human either, and if they weren't falling apart at the seams after the death of an old friend.
(And of course, there's the matter of Three's original identity, a question no one thinks to ask...)
Or: in which Evo had a bad end, and five years later, the pieces that were left behind start to accidentally fall back together.
Why I love it: I love Three a lot. Three is the best. It tries so hard! If you have any interest at all in Winter Soldier or conditioned-living-weapons storylines, this fic is for you. It gives me many feelings and I have reread it several times.
Life series fanart
Boat Boys fanart by![[tumblr.com profile]](https://www.tumblr.com/favicon.ico)
theplagueratt
Limited Life & Double Life, Etho & Joel
digital art; cw: fire, graphic depiction of murder
Why I love it: This piece shows the scene from Limited Life where Etho dramatically killed Joel, and above that the memory of when they were soulmates in Double Life and burned to death together. I love the composition and the stark contrast in color, position and expressions.
Southlands fanart bybc-jpeg
Last Life, the Southlands
digital art, SFW
Why I like it: This is a series of nine wonderful pieces about the Southlands alliance from Last Life: first a few showing them with a spyglass and having fun, then Mumbo and the world builder, and then Watcher!Grian. I love the bright colors, the expressive faces, and especially the lighting.
Desert duo fanart byillustromic
Third Life, Desert Duo
digital art, cw: blood
Why I like it: Desert duo in desert colors but make it creepy/unsettling, show them turning into creatures, with threatening haloes of light... The combination of watcher!Grian staring directly at you while Scar, who is hiding the enchantment table under his cloak, has a face hidden in shadows, and his fingers are bloody and so is the sword Grian is carrying, works so well, I love the atmosphere.
The life members as 80's wrestlers... you're welcome... by![[reddit.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user_other.png)
heavylifting-gal
Limited Life, all players
pen on paper, SFW
Why I love it: I know little about either wrestling or 80s fashion but I love all of these designs, they are so creative and vibrant and joyful and fun and they all fit perfectly.
Warden fishing fanart byingapotejtoo
Double Life, Joel & Etho & Grian & Martyn
digital, SFW
Why I like it: four dudes with fishing rods, what will they do? This is fun and these chibi character versions are very cute, and that includes the warden.
Sun Stars Moon and Mars bydreamishsara-art
Life Series: all winners
pencil, SFW
Why I like it: All four winners of the series with the fandom-assigned celestial body symbolism. I really like the composition here and the expressions and the colors.Mars is the lazy option though.
Life series fanvids
Running Up That Hill by Everen (Katy)
Tribute to Double Life
Music: Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
Why I love it: Every single one of the artpieces is stunning and wonderfully expressive, the choices of scenes makes for great storytelling (the ending!), and the symbolism of the threads (color, placement etc.) is perfect.
[Who are you really?] || Last Life Animatic by Everen (Katy)
Last Life ensemble
Music: Everybody wants to rule the world – Lorde
Why I like it: I love the unsettling atmosphere here, the music and the darkness and the faces, and the art too.
Curses by chrisrin
Last Life ensemble: the Boogeyman curse
Music: Curses by The Crane Wives
Why I like it: Such a great job showing the boogeyman curse as terrifying! The killings are brutal.
The Other Side by chrisrin
Last Life: Grian and Bdubs try to convince Mumbo and Etho respectively to join them on the red name side.
Music: The Greatest Showman – The Other Side
Why I like it: Two of my favorite scenes from Last Life in a very fun animation.
Buzzcut Season Desertduo PMV by LocalWheel
Summary: Buzzcut Season follows the story of Grian and Scar through Third Life and Double Life, and the tragedy that is their relationship to each other across these various timelines.
Music: Buzzcut Season by Lorde
Why I like it: The art is very expressive and the flashbacks & parallels work so well.
Tongues & Teeth – Unfinished Desert Duo animatic by cherri fire
Top comment: "Forget the "I can fix him" dynamic, both of them looked at the other and thought "I can make him worse" lmao"
Music: Tongues & Teeth by The Crane Wives
Why I like it: *points at top comment* I love this take on them. Most of the art of this is sketches but still very expressive, and the dance at the end is perfect.
Bones by lemonandlimee
Limited Life ensemble
Music: Bones – Imagine Dragons
Why I like it: So much happened in Limited Life and this animatic does a great job with the highlights and the people and the story.
Hermitcraft fanfic
this is about a stuffed bird by
78k, gen, apocalypse AU
Summary: In which Mumbo crosses several towns, learns some creative methods of self-defense, fights some monsters, sees things no human is meant to have seen, befriends a stranger, steals multiple cars, has inconvenient moral scruples, grows increasingly terrified of his own culpability in the apocalypse, grows a spine, blows up at least one building, accidentally prevents a murder, and attempts to find his best friend in the futile but ever-burning hope the man’s still alive.
He has to say, he’s so exhausted and terrified that he thinks he might just be mad?
(OR: the one where, after most of humanity turns into a series of terrifying monsters, Mumbo decides he’s going to risk his life on an apocalypse road trip to try to find out if Grian is alive. Things, as you might imagine, devolve from there.)
Why I love it: Mumbo Jumbo & Evil Xisuma not-quite-enemies-to-allies apocalypse road trip. This story does an absolutely fantastic job conveying Mumbo's anxiety and terror and also, y'know, the apocalypse. It's sad. The ending is perfect and almost made me cry.
There's also great fanart, linked at the end.
Possession is Nine-Tenths by
25k, gen, AU - supernatural creatures
Summary: Tango is a demon just trying to get by. Etho is a hunter trying to save his best friend.
Kidnapping, gardening, and a friendship that could have been.
Why I love it: Ow. Great worldbuilding and characterization. Etho imprisons Tango to save Bdubs and the story does a great job showing Tango's fear while also making you feel for Etho. Great ending too.
Lab Escape AU by
Various pairings, series WIP (2 finished stories, 11.8k total), AU - supernatural creatures
Summary:
The H.T.G.Y. Files: Research scientist Cub didn't intend to make a person. He just came up with the plans. But when a competing team looking to make a supersoldier gets hold of the genome he invented, Cub is pulled in to stop them screwing up—and whatever he expected to find, it wasn't someone like Scar.
The Biocuriosity Files: Etho’s been in this laboratory too many years to count. Tango's been trapped and drained of his fire powers, and Cleo’s slowly going mad in isolation. The cell walls are thick and the scientists are prepared for every trick and escape attempt—but nobody was prepared for Bdubs.
Why I love it: Wonderful character voices, a story told partially in transcripts and protocols, and great AU casting between those not-so-human and the scientists who start to realize that oh no, they might be people. Also shenanigans.
waiting for the fog to lift by
2.6k, gen, Etho & Cleo, amnesia
Summary: The zombie definitely saw him, but she just stood at the bottom of the ledge, not bringing out her bow or anything. Etho wanted to go down and stand close to her– she’d be the slightest bit taller, broader, with a cooler body temperature than his, she’d be relaxed as soon as she could see he wasn’t bleeding too much– she would not be those things, because Etho was letting his brain run away with him and this was one hundred percent a trick.
“There, is that better?” the zombie called up to him. Etho tensed. “I literally murdered those other guys, just as I promised I would. Are you finally convinced now that I’m not here to kill you?”
Why I like it: Great character voices and interaction and fun worldbuilding snippets.
written upon the sky by
8.3k, gen, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell fusion
Summary: “Consider your existence as it currently stands,” Scar said with a flourish of his hand. The faerie closed his mouth and leaned back on his heels, a smile dancing across his face. “Four thousand or so years old, surrounded by enemies and allies, dabbling in the mortal realm as it so pleases you–”
“Not seeing a whole lot wrong with this,” the faerie remarked.
“And that’s all well and good! That is all well and good,” Scar agreed. “But consider this: there’s no upper limit on happiness, my recently-summoned friend. Nothing stops you from being more amused, or having adventures that are merely a fraction of your lifespan while greatly impacting both human history and specific human lives– so I think what you really need is a good, friendly relationship with an obliging human magician. Think of it like bread and jam, or ravens and the pale gray sky: two flavors that go wonderfully together! I would like to offer you this opportunity.”
Why I love it: This one makes me smile so wide every time. Great fusion and character voices and story and very funny.
Pitfalls by
3.3k, gen, s9
Summary: Doc comes back to Hermitcraft with a baby Ender Dragon.
Pitfalls ensue.
Why I like it: Doc absolutely would. Nice fluff, mostly Doc + Buttercups.
Three Black Crows by
5.1k, gen, Hermitcraft Recap
Summary: Season Four: Xisuma's server has two Watchers. It's understandably off-putting - there are a lot of secrets buried in the soft green grass of the server. Tired gods. The creepers who fight them. Herobrine, sometimes.
Season Five: Xisuma's server has two Watchers. They're - harmless, honestly. The tired gods checked. So did some gods who are not so tired. So did Herobrine, but he didn't mention it to anyone. Zloy and Pixl, as far as anyone can tell, are Good People, inasmuch as it's possible for Watchers to be good. Or people.
Season Six: Xisuma's server has three Watchers.
Why I like it: Maybe my favorite take on Watcher lore, I love this take on the Recap team. They're meant to only watch, but, well. It's hard not to get attached. Fortunately Hermitcraft is special.
ethos exciting ninja vacation by
37k, gen, Naruto crossover, crack
Summary: Here’s the thing. Etho meant to go to Hermitcraft- he really did. But something obviously got messed up- some wire got crossed, some thread got tangled, and now he was not there. Instead, he’s stuck with three kids who seem to think that he’s a guy named Kakashi (them and everyone else) and while he would work on leaving, all the fuss is pretty entertaining.
Eh, he’ll find his way home eventually. No need to rush…
Why I like it: Good crack. Seeing the people from Konoha+other countries try to deal with the Hermits is fun, especially if you enjoy seeing them suffer. Etho is just a very chill guy! A different kind of sneaky ninja. And he teaches team 7 redstone.
The main fic is finished, there might still be additional fics added to the series.
The Body Shot Incident by
3.7k, various pairings (mostly hinted at) including Scar/Grian
Summary: “Are you sure this is a good idea?” asks Mumbo, fiddling with the buttons of his shirt. He’s trying to delay the inevitable – primarily, being shirtless in front of a lot of people with Scar ‘Godlike Abs’ Goodtimes right next to him for comparison. It’s not working very well. “Just, I can think of, off the top of my head, oh, sixteen ways this could go wrong. At least three of them end with us respawning. At least.”
“Oh, no!” Scar, already reclining across a table in a distinctly louche manner, is nude from the waist up and looking distinctly self-satisfied about it. If anybody present knew who Jeff Goldblum was, multiple comparisons would have already been made. “It’s a terrible idea, and it’s going to go horribly wrong.”
(The origin story of the Hermitcraft server party tequila ban, feat. a body shots contest, Mumbo's body hair, Scar's natural reactions, Bdubs being a complete fucking freak, Pearl's love affair with prosecco, and ambiguous pants removal.)
Why I like it: The other kind of crack, this one had me grinning all the way through. Poor Mumbo. "If you want the rewards of bathroom makeouts, you have to submit to the mortifying ordeal of doing crimes with us! You should know that by now.” xD
the only theory they can't prove by
Fandom: Hermitcraft
2.8k, Joe Hills & ZombieCleo, time-travel to an apocalyptic future (CN: body horror and other creepiness)
Summary:“You’re going to nuke the server after we’re done here, aren’t you?” Cleo interrupted.
“Well, yes,” Joe said, faltering, “seeing as you’re the only person we can reasonably extract.”
“Then forget about it. It’s not likely to be real anyway, is it? You’re from the present. This is just a possibility you conned into existing.”
His mouth felt very dry, and it was difficult to speak. The eyes on the walls strained to watch him, dewy and frightened, and the eyes on ZombieCleo were steely and determined and more than a little resigned.
“You’re right,” he managed. “I mean, that’s a reductive but accurate way to describe this situation, and we are going to solve it, so there’s no reason to dwell on the horrific particulars. That is a job for therapy, which you and probably also I will require in spades.”
Why I love it: The author did a great job creating a horrifying apocalyptic future, that somehow still made me nod and go "yeah, it's Hermitcraft, this tracks." Ahem. I really like the character voices too.
a few chance meetings by
1.9k, gen, Gem & Cleo
Summary: Gem was barely a princess when she first met Lady Cleo. Not sure how to carry herself, how to rule - all things Cleo knew herself.
A few conversations between two peers.
Why I like it: They have an understanding and it is very nice :)
Rescue Run by
2.9k, gen, Etho & Rusty & Decked Out 2
Summary: Iron golems weren't people. That had to be fundamental, that they weren't even as sentient as villagers or Jellie. Etho had never been enthusiastic about iron farms himself, it was true, but if iron golems were people then Tango in particular was one of the worst monsters in all recorded history. So Rusty the Golem couldn't possibly be worried about Tango.
Why I like it: Yess let me chew on Etho and Rusty and Decked Out 2 and all the wonderful worldbuilding and implications some more.
closer to another shore by
56k, Scar/Grian, fake dating, AU – modern with magic
Summary: "Scar?" Grian repeated, more shifting, like he was sitting up. Tired but gentle confusion in his voice. "Are you okay?"
Scar should've hung up. It was bad enough he'd actually called. He should've lied, should've said it was a misdial and pretended to be okay. He should've done a hundred things and he did the one thing he shouldn't, because despite everything that happened between them, Scar felt safest with the one who hurt him. He said, a trembling whisper, "No."
or: fake dating your ex, what’s the worst that could happen?
Why I like it: Great self-indulgent tropey h/c with plenty of angst, with bonus protective big brother Cub, and every once in a while this is exactly what I am in the mood for.
Life series fanfic
choice and mercy by
2k, gen, Scott & Cleo
Summary: “Do you feel like you’ve died already?” Cleo asked.
Scott looked up at her from under his fringe, which still had its green streak. “No? Unless you mean—“ he waved his hand in the general direction of the shimmering barrier that marked the limits of this world . “Before before, in which case, yes? But you know that.”
Choice, death and memory.
Why I like it: Mmm, the good kind of angst about the Life series and soulmates in particular
Jimmy Solidarity and the Pantry of Self-Discovery by
1.3k, college AU
Summary: FOUND: a sticky note. on one side, a list titled "Reasons I'm Straight". on the other, "Guys I've ??? Liked?"
Why I like it: Oh Jimmy *facepalm* Sweet and funny.
You Came to Me With Flowers by
Scar & Grian, song lyrics
Summary: “I’m so sorry I killed you but I had to, it was part of the moment. You understand the moment. It’s crazy, things happen.”
- Scar
And Grian does.
Why I like it: These two! I really like the lyrics and the rhythm and I can imagine different kinds of music to go with it.
It Was Always Going To End Like This by
3.4k, gen, Cleo & Scott, time loop
Summary: Cleo has just finished Double Life, ready to move on to bigger and better---hey wait a minute.
Why is she back at the start again?
And, more importantly: Can she do things differently this time?
An exploration into time loop!Cleo and her relationship with Scott, were it to change.
Why I like it: Cleo DL time loop!, yess very good.
The Mechanics of Opening a World by
1k, gen, Etho & Cleo
Summary: Cleo and Etho have to do some prep work for the next Life Series.
Why I like it: Fun with server bureaucracy!
TangoTek Evil Incorporated by
22k, Tango & Jimmy, superhero AU comedy
Summary: As the supervillain Dr. Blaze, Tango has a penchant for oddly named "ificators" and stylistic flair. He spends his days trying to take over the city, shaming superheroes for their basic costume designs, and then sending said heroes home with better equipment that actually matches their aesthetic because clearly, if he wants a cool fight scene to happen, he's got to do everything around here himself.
For some reason, not many people think he’s evil. On the bright side, his nemesis, the superhero Canary, does and has made it his personal mission to bring down Dr. Blaze! But when Canary suddenly goes missing, his superhero partner, Parrot, is convinced that Tango is at fault. Seeing as this is not true at all (kidnapping is so gauche), Tango is offended that someone is trying to steal his nemesis right from under his nose. If Tango wants to get his nemesis back, he'll have to work together with Parrot to find and rescue Canary from whatever danger he's got himself into this time.
Because, after all, what's a supervillain without a nemesis?
Why I like it: Enemies to nemesis to definitely-still-nemesis-and-not-friends comedy, this one makes me smile and laugh every time. Tango has his priorities, and those include being a supervillain with style, and that includes having a cool nemesis. Not his fault nobody else understands.
Evolution SMP fanfic
solving counting sheep by
78.5k, gen, Winter Soldier AU
Summary: Blade-Three, also known as Three, is the living weapon of the Watchers. Conditioned to follow orders, it is meant to use its considerable strength, combat abilities, and total loyalty to obliterate the enemies of the Watchers. Of course, the "following orders" part comes first, which is how, when Listener agent Martyn InTheLittleWood comes along with the right command words, he manages to steal it.
Now, instead of missions that make any sense, Three must navigate as Martyn and his roommate Jimmy attempt to teach it how to be human, or at least enough of a person to be itself. It would help if either Martyn or Jimmy knew how to be human either, and if they weren't falling apart at the seams after the death of an old friend.
(And of course, there's the matter of Three's original identity, a question no one thinks to ask...)
Or: in which Evo had a bad end, and five years later, the pieces that were left behind start to accidentally fall back together.
Why I love it: I love Three a lot. Three is the best. It tries so hard! If you have any interest at all in Winter Soldier or conditioned-living-weapons storylines, this fic is for you. It gives me many feelings and I have reread it several times.
Life series fanart
Boat Boys fanart by
Limited Life & Double Life, Etho & Joel
digital art; cw: fire, graphic depiction of murder
Why I love it: This piece shows the scene from Limited Life where Etho dramatically killed Joel, and above that the memory of when they were soulmates in Double Life and burned to death together. I love the composition and the stark contrast in color, position and expressions.
Southlands fanart by
Last Life, the Southlands
digital art, SFW
Why I like it: This is a series of nine wonderful pieces about the Southlands alliance from Last Life: first a few showing them with a spyglass and having fun, then Mumbo and the world builder, and then Watcher!Grian. I love the bright colors, the expressive faces, and especially the lighting.
Desert duo fanart by
Third Life, Desert Duo
digital art, cw: blood
Why I like it: Desert duo in desert colors but make it creepy/unsettling, show them turning into creatures, with threatening haloes of light... The combination of watcher!Grian staring directly at you while Scar, who is hiding the enchantment table under his cloak, has a face hidden in shadows, and his fingers are bloody and so is the sword Grian is carrying, works so well, I love the atmosphere.
The life members as 80's wrestlers... you're welcome... by
heavylifting-galLimited Life, all players
pen on paper, SFW
Why I love it: I know little about either wrestling or 80s fashion but I love all of these designs, they are so creative and vibrant and joyful and fun and they all fit perfectly.
Warden fishing fanart by
Double Life, Joel & Etho & Grian & Martyn
digital, SFW
Why I like it: four dudes with fishing rods, what will they do? This is fun and these chibi character versions are very cute, and that includes the warden.
Sun Stars Moon and Mars by
Life Series: all winners
pencil, SFW
Why I like it: All four winners of the series with the fandom-assigned celestial body symbolism. I really like the composition here and the expressions and the colors.
Life series fanvids
Running Up That Hill by Everen (Katy)
Tribute to Double Life
Music: Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
Why I love it: Every single one of the artpieces is stunning and wonderfully expressive, the choices of scenes makes for great storytelling (the ending!), and the symbolism of the threads (color, placement etc.) is perfect.
[Who are you really?] || Last Life Animatic by Everen (Katy)
Last Life ensemble
Music: Everybody wants to rule the world – Lorde
Why I like it: I love the unsettling atmosphere here, the music and the darkness and the faces, and the art too.
Curses by chrisrin
Last Life ensemble: the Boogeyman curse
Music: Curses by The Crane Wives
Why I like it: Such a great job showing the boogeyman curse as terrifying! The killings are brutal.
The Other Side by chrisrin
Last Life: Grian and Bdubs try to convince Mumbo and Etho respectively to join them on the red name side.
Music: The Greatest Showman – The Other Side
Why I like it: Two of my favorite scenes from Last Life in a very fun animation.
Buzzcut Season Desertduo PMV by LocalWheel
Summary: Buzzcut Season follows the story of Grian and Scar through Third Life and Double Life, and the tragedy that is their relationship to each other across these various timelines.
Music: Buzzcut Season by Lorde
Why I like it: The art is very expressive and the flashbacks & parallels work so well.
Tongues & Teeth – Unfinished Desert Duo animatic by cherri fire
Top comment: "Forget the "I can fix him" dynamic, both of them looked at the other and thought "I can make him worse" lmao"
Music: Tongues & Teeth by The Crane Wives
Why I like it: *points at top comment* I love this take on them. Most of the art of this is sketches but still very expressive, and the dance at the end is perfect.
Bones by lemonandlimee
Limited Life ensemble
Music: Bones – Imagine Dragons
Why I like it: So much happened in Limited Life and this animatic does a great job with the highlights and the people and the story.
