The Realm of Gaian Enoch - A Dark, Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy RPG

The world as it was is over. The War of The Ashes rent civilization asunder, and it left nothing but ruin in its wake. There is no time for rest... no time for healing. There are horrors that lurk on the fringes, and which stalk through the wreckage of cities and towns, seeking to devour what's left. This world needs heroes now more than ever... and they are rising from the ashes. Unions of ancient powers with mortal flames burn bright, but will they be able to kindle something to push back the darkness? Or will they just be the last gasp before the fire goes out forever?

If that little piece strikes you, and makes you wonder what the hell it is I'm talking about, then you need to check out The Realm of Gaian Enoch!

Seriously... if that intrigues you, check it out for yourself!

But before I get into the meat of today's post, remember, don't forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter to get all my updates right in your inbox. Also, if you've got a bit of spare cash that you'd like to use to help keep the wheels turning, consider becoming a Patreon patron! Also, be sure you're following all of my followables, check out my LinkTree.

Lastly, for hundreds of extra articles on gaming, weird history, and for more free fiction, check out my Vocal archive, too!

A Game of Dark Fantasy in a Broken World

For those who are getting a bit of a Dark Souls vibe from the introductory part of this week's entry, I feel that's not far off in the kind of feeling you should bring to the game. It's not mechanically similar, mind you, but that was the vibe I've gotten the longer I've looked through the game, the art, and the kinds of arcs players will be expected to go through.

And if you haven't grabbed the game for yourself yet, I'd recommend stopping by the Arrowland Games YouTube channel to check out what Tony Rowland, the game's creator, has to say about this RPG!

Though I haven't run the game for my own table yet, I have been keeping a close eye on what its creator is doing, and I wanted to take this week's Monday post to make some more folks aware of this game. Because I have a soft spot for dark and fantastical things, and too many games that go grim are either something that comes around to being tongue-in-cheek like Mork Borg, or it goes for the rules-light approach (and often both). The Realm of Gaian Enoch, though, is something that is definitely giving us all a unique opportunity... if we're willing to step through the doors to take it!

If this game peaks your interest, make sure you go to the Arrowland Games YouTube channel in order to watch the creator's videos (and subscribe to the channel while you're at it), and check out all the releases that have come out for the game thus far:

- The Realm of Gaian Enoch, Core Rulebook

- The Realm of Gaian Enoch, Blood in The Snow (Scenario)

- The Realm of Gaian Enoch, Premade Characters

- The Realm of Gaian Enoch, Gallery of Horrors (Volume 1)

Being an indie creators is a tough gig, so consider checking out this game and setting to see if we can boost their signal, and get the juice going for future releases!

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. To stay on top of all my content and releases, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page!

Again, for more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the Azukail Games YouTube channel, or my Rumble channel The Literary Mercenary! Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my dystopian sci-fi thriller Old Soldiers, my hardboiled gangland noir series starring a bruiser of a Maine Coon with Marked Territory and Painted Cats, my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

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Check Out Karol B Clothing and Costuming (You Won't Regret It)

If you're a regular reader, then there's a chance you remember the last time I talked about Karol B in Post-Apocalyptic LARP Accessories That Won't Break The Bank? Check Out Karol B! However, that post went up three years and change ago, and Karol has been doing a lot of growing since then. So I figured I'd take a moment to remind my readers that he's around, and to sing a few praises for the stuff he's been putting out since we last checked in.

Tactical leg bags are still here, and better than ever!

Also, if you're one of the folks out there who finds themselves involved in a lot of live-action games, then you may find the following links useful as well:

- 5 (Specific) Costuming Tips For Your Next LARP
- 5 Tips To Get The Most Out of Your Next LARP

Anyway, back to Karol B!

Same Great Gear, With New Additions

 Back when I first preached the good word of Karol B, I specifically pointed out the tough, post-apocalyptic backpack designs he offers, along with the badass patches (Immortan Joe's mark being one of my personal favorites). However, there have been some additions since those days that are worth your attention.

Witness me!

One of the big additions recently has been the leather bandoliers. Stock varies, but some are meant to hold altoids-style items, others are traditional cartridge belts, and every now and again there are wrist bracers with cartridge loops in them. A great bargain if you catch them while they're in stock. For those who have bigger budgets, items like the spiked leather shoulder holster bag, or the double-hooded wanderer coat are ideal additions to any character that can be used over and over again.

While there are more regular items available on the site now (and a wider array of unusual items that come and go as Karol finds and sells them), one thing remains true of the stock in general. No matter what your budget happens to be, Karol B has stuff that will fit your needs.

Also, for the record, I'm not making any affiliate earnings off these links. I'm not getting a kickback from Karol B, and I'm not even getting a discount on my next purchase from the site. This recommendation is just me trying to boost the signal for a merchant that I feel has a solid product, and which more folks should know about.

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday. Hopefully you enjoyed!

For more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the YouTube channel Dungeon Keeper Radio. Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

Miller Knives Creates Brutal Post-Apocalyptic Blades

If you're a fan of films like the Mad Max series, or you love RPGs like Dystopia Rising, you probably have a thing for post-apocalyptic weaponry. Whether it's scrap metal scimitars, or the WWII-era workhorses that still fire straight and true after generations of desert grit, there's something compelling about wasteland warfare. The refusal of the human race to die, and an ability to fight (or even flourish) in the most wretched conditions is inspiring... in an awful sort of way.

All of that is wrapped up in a simple, complete package over at Miller Knives.

This beast started life as a HORSESHOE!

That beauty, as well as the other blades on the channel, are made by Stephen Miller. According to the smith himself, he's been making blades for some time now, but it's only been within the past year or so that he's put his work up on YouTube. A huge fan of both Mad Max and The Walking Dead, some of Miller's earlier experiments involved taking rasps and files, and turning them into weapons. Nowadays... well, see for yourself!

That, right there, is the sort of weapon a goblin would kill for. And it's just one of a dozen different projects Miller Knives has up right now. Everything from a Viking greatax to a tomahawk made from an old railroad spike. It's some seriously great stuff. Additionally, if his audience keeps growing the way it is, chances are good you'll be able to buy some of these weapons for your very own.

They're not LARP appropriate, of course, but hey, when the apocalypse comes at least you'll be well-armed. If you are looking for LARP accessories, as well as wearable post-apocalyptic gear, though, you should take a look at Post-Apocalyptic LARP Accessories That Won't Break The Bank? Check out Karol B. He has just what you're looking for, and at a price you can afford.

Also, if you're a sucker for forge-related videos, you should check out "Secrets of The Viking Sword" is a Documentary About How to Make a Masterwork Weapon, as well as Making a Miniature Sword From a Nail!

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday installment. If you enjoyed it, please like and share this story with your friends. If you'd like to support Improved Initiative so I keep creating more content just like this, stop by The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page and make a donation. It doesn't take much; $1 a month gets you my eternal gratitude, as well as some sweet swag. Lastly, if you haven't followed me on Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter yet... well, why not start now?

Post-Apocalyptic LARP Accessories That Won't Break The Bank? Check Out Karol B!

As I've mentioned a few times in the past, in addition to being an avid tabletop gamer, I tend to show my face at LARPs from time to time. And while there's a certain thrill that comes with costuming a character, that thrill often butts up against my pocket book. Which means I either have to find ways to create cool costuming gear on the cheap, or limit my concepts to things I already own.

Which is why I was thrilled when I stumbled across Karol B.

You see that? It's $15!

What Makes Karol B So Great?

You see that leg drop bag? I bought one for myself as a Christmas indulgence, and with shipping and handling it cost me less than $20. Getting a similar design from other companies, but particularly from boutique costumers, could easily cost double, triple, or quintuple that amount.

If you poke around Karol B, you'll see that same kind of shocking difference in cost all over the place. Have you ever wanted a custom, post-apocalyptic backpack complete with your own war boy logo? Well, would you pay $49.99 for it? Particularly when the same sort of bag would easily run you two to three times that from another location? How about vintage WWII accessories for under $10? You know, the sorts of things you scour Ebay for at 2 in the morning to complete your costume, and the only auction you find is already $25 more than what you'd be willing to pay.

Do I really need to eat for the next week?

Aside from consistently low prices, cool gear, and a changing lineup of stuff, Karol B is a small business that caters to what we in the geeky world are looking for. So, as a satisfied customer, I reached out to the site's owner Karol Bartoszynski and asked him if he'd be willing to answer a few questions. He was, and here is the result!

Question #1: What Made You Open Your Store?

I opened an Etsy store a few years ago as mostly a way to try selling a few handmade items now & then, with mixed results. It wasn't until 2012, after losing yet another soulless, dissatisfying job in Los Angeles, that I finally decided enough was enough.

I resolved to pursue my passion for costume & clothing design as a living, and not work for anyone again. It wasn't long before I was sewing custom jackets & pants in my friend's garage.

Then, things really picked up when I started selling my backpacks. I never knew backpacks were so popular. That's when I started selling them on my own personal site, KarolB.com.

Question #2: Are You Looking To Expand Your Product Lines in The Future?

I'm always trying new things & definitely hoping to one day return to focusing on clothing. But right now, making accessories & patches is easier to manage. My next plan is to offer unique baseball caps.

Question #3: What Would You Say Are The Reasons Customers Keep Coming Back?

I think customers come back because I offer things that are unique & you can't find anywhere else. There are so many companies manufacturing the same old indistinguishable dress shirts, bags, etc. I'd rather stand out in the crowd & offer something that makes you feel like you're dressed to be in your favorite movie, video game, or rock band.

Question #4: Are There Any Particular Fandoms or Groups (LARPers, cosplayers, etc.) Who Find Your Gear A Perfect Fit?

I have found cosplayers to be my best audience. My stuff tends to walk the edge of daily clothing & costume, which perhaps helps cosplayers bring their hobby into their daily lives. I'm also a really big post-apocalypse fan (I am one of the founders of Wasteland Weekend, the world's largest post-apocalyptic festival), so there's definitely a focus on that in my stuff, especially with Mad Max & Fallout. I also run the Mad Max costume reference site, MadMaxCostumes.com, so some of my accessories are really screen-accurate & targeted at serious fans.

So, what are you waiting for? Go check out Karol B today, and see if they have that piece you've been looking for. And, while you're at it, follow Karol B on Facebook, too.

That's all for this week's Moon Pope Monday update. Hopefully there are some folks out there who enjoyed this little signal boost. If you'd like to support Improved Initiative, all you have to do is go to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page, and toss a little change in my jar. And there's free swag in it for everyone who chooses to support! Lastly, if you haven't followed me on Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter yet, why not do it today?