Authentic, Handmade Calligraphy Tools From Green Man Calligraphy Supply

As folks know, my Monday updates are where I like to big up cool things I've found, and signal boost geeky folk I think my readers would get a kick out of. That's why, in the past, I've talked about the Dungeoncrate subscription box service, as well as Gargoyle Forge, which sells some of the highest quality boffer gear you'll ever find, along with dozens of other products and services the geek nation should know about.

That's why, this week, I want to tell you about Green Man Calligraphy Supply.

Now this is rocking it old school!

What you're looking at there are some of the genuine, no frills quills that Green Man Calligraphy Supply makes. A real scribe's pen that's meant for business, it's been stripped, scraped, trimmed, and made ready for your use. Made from only the finest goose feathers, these quills are ready for use right out of the box, though you can still trim and shape the tip if you find it not quite to your liking. Whether you're bent over your gaming table at home, or recording your latest adventures in-character at your favorite LARP, these pens won't fail you.

Of course, what good is a pen without ink? That's why, in addition to these fine quills, you can also buy hand-mixed iron gall ink. This ink, which is safe for all papers, and which won't damage a quill pen, or a metal-nibbed one (as long as it's cleaned after every use), is made using a personal recipe that gives you dark, smooth ink every time. Not too thick, not too watery, you'll find it's just right. Whether you're a fan of historical re-enactments, or you just want to make your handouts a little extra authentic at your table.

These are, of course, just the basics you'll need when it comes to hand-written, homemade calligraphy. They also offer Medieval-style reed pens, as well as red ocher pigment. With that said, though, you should regularly check back with Green Man Calligraphy Supply's Etsy store to stay up on the latest offerings. After all, if they get popular among a new wave of DMs who want to get some old-fashioned writing done, chances are good they'll expand their lines to include even more diverse products. Also, if you're truly interested in the history and art of calligraphy, check out Scribe Scribbling, the owner's blog all about how scribes did it back in the day.

As always, thanks for stopping by and checking out this week's Moon Pope Monday update. If you'd like to help support Improved Initiative, then stop by The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to toss a little bread in my jar. $1 a month is a huge help to me, and it gets you some sweet swag as well! Lastly, if you haven't done so already, why not follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter?

Knight Fighting Leagues: A Brutal Dream Come True

Sitting at a roleplaying table and rolling dice is the closest many of us get to strapping on a suit of armor and entering life-threatening combat with medieval weaponry. A lot of gamers will pick up foam weapons and play at being heroes in a LARP setting, and sometimes they pick up a few genuine skills in the endeavor. Some may even get up the cojones to join the SCA or another re-enactment group and compete in armored combat, but by and large these organizations always put fighter safety first. This means that weapons tend to be rattan or some other form of blunted material, the pace is meant to be less than full-speed, and there's a laundry list of maneuvers that simply are not allowed on the field. More often than not modern Western martial arts organizations are interested in history and fantasy, but not in leaving participants bloody and broken on the battlefield.

Then there's these guys.

No this is not a joke, or some illegal thing that only happens in the boondocks; that is a promo video for a Polish Knight Fighting League. It is a place where men put on full plate and helms, pick up blunted swords, axes, and polearms, then proceed to get medieval on each other until there's only one man left standing. Gauntlet punches, elbow and knee strikes, helmeted head butts, shield bashes and full-out bull rushes are all allowed, and judging from the crowd's reaction quite encouraged.

Approacheth me brother!

As with any sporting event combat is judged by referees. Landed blows count to determine the winner based on form, but knock outs are understandably common (there's a beautiful shot or two in the promo that shows what happens when a mace is applied to a helmet at around mach 2). In many ways it's like MMA or boxing... except worlds cooler. These events are understandably popular in Europe, but they have them in America too. There's also international leagues, for those who want to travel to the birthplaces of the knight and try to throw down heavy metal style in places where castles and banners are not that far in the past.

If you want more information these leagues have been featured both on Cracked (in this article here), and on i09 (in this post). To check out one of the American leagues, go to this link.

As always, thanks for stopping by Improved Initiative's Moon Pope Monday feature! If you've got ideas, suggestions, or comments then please feel free to leave them right here! If you'd like to keep up with everything that shows up on Improved Initiative then by all means follow me on Facebook and Tumblr, or just plug your email into the box on your top right. If you'd like to keep the blog going so I can keep bringing you great content then share the posts, come back often, leave a tip in the jar by clicking the "Bribe the DM" button on the upper right, or stop in at my Patreon page to become a patron today!

Castle Magic: Contractors That Build You A Freaking Castle!

I'm going to make a broad, blanket statement that everyone who reads this blog has had at least one idle fantasy about owning a castle. Maybe it was when you were a little kid, maybe it was when you got your college degree and thought you'd have a high-paying job soon, or maybe it was earlier today when you were thinking about launching ballista bolts at your boss. Fortunately you live in the modern world, and in this fairy land of engineering and science you too can own your very own castle! Just go to Castle Magic.

Is it a magic castle?

In 1980, less than ten years after the invention of Dungeons and Dragons, Castle Magic opened as a company. Their website is right here (you're not imagining things, it really does look like a relic from a simpler, more idyllic Internet), and it lays out pretty much everything you need to know. It's a company whose sole aim is to provide those who are willing to put in the time, effort, and cost with the castle they've always wanted.

How does it work? Well that depends on you as the client. Clients who want the experience of really building their ideal tower with their own hands can purchase blueprints and plans, then put in the work on their own (it isn't as hard as you may think, actually). Alternatively Castle Magic will come out to your site and get the castle built for you in record time if you can afford to pay them. Also, just because it looks like something out of the middle ages doesn't mean it can't have all of the modern comforts, as well as a few additional luxuries as well (solar panels, swimming pool moat, you get the idea).

You don't need to be a lord, but be forewarned that a keep of your own is still not cheap. We're looking at six or seven figures still... but it can be done!


As always thanks for dropping in on us at Improved Initiative this week! If you want to keep up-to-the-minute with our latest then stop by Tumblr or Facebook, or just insert your email address in the top right to get email updates. If you want to help support us then don't hesitate to drop your loose change into the "Bribe the DM" box, or stop by our Patreon page to become a donor today!