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Showing posts from January, 2026

The Shield of the Horned Elder

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  Not all relics are taken from ruins. Some are given. The encounter with the Horned Elder came at the end of a road few merchants dare follow — a broken causeway of stone leading into high ravines where even the wind seems reluctant to linger. It was there that we crossed paths with an aged minotaur, broad of shoulder though bent with years, his horns chipped and worn smooth by time and war. He barred the pass. The Challenge of Custom Among his kind, passage is not purchased with coin or words. It is earned. The Elder spoke of old customs, of trials meant to measure resolve rather than cruelty. He did not seek death — only proof that strength had not fled the younger races. The battle that followed was fierce but measured. Each blow carried weight, yet none were struck in hatred. When at last he faltered and lowered his guard, the Elder did not fall in shame. He laughed. A deep, echoing sound that rolled through the ravine like distant thunder. A Relic Given, Not Claimed...

An Account from the Oakhaven Forests

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  It is the custom of the Hagglestone shoppe to send expeditions beyond the stone roads when supplies run thin. Iron and leather may be sourced from nearby towns, but true lumber — the kind fit for strong shelves, wagon repairs, and carved fittings — must come from deeper places. Thus it was that we entered the Oakhaven Forests . Oakhaven is not marked clearly on most maps, and those that do name it often carry warnings in the margins. Travelers speak of shifting paths, watchful eyes among the branches, and forest folk who do not welcome axes lightly. Still, our stores required replenishment, and coin alone cannot buy what the deep woods guard. We packed light: tools, provisions, and several Borous Pig Hide bags , sturdy and well-oiled, meant to carry trade goods and rations alike. First Contact Beneath the Canopy Three days into the forest, the silence changed. Birdsong thinned. The wind no longer stirred the leaves. That was when they revealed themselves — not charging or s...

Why the Medieval World Still Calls to Us

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  The medieval world has never truly faded. Long after the clatter of armor and the glow of torchlight vanished from everyday life, something about the age of stone castles, sworn oaths, and hand-forged steel still grips the imagination. At Hagglestone, we don’t see medieval history as a relic — we see it as a living influence, woven into stories, craftsmanship, and identity. But what is it about the medieval era that continues to resonate so deeply today? A Time of Meaning and Material Unlike the disposable culture of the modern world, medieval life was built around objects with purpose. Every item — a belt buckle, a cloak pin, a sword pommel — had weight, function, and symbolism. Things were made to last, often by hand, and often with meaning attached to who you were and what you stood for. That philosophy is at the heart of Hagglestone. Our merchandise is inspired by this mindset: objects that feel grounded, deliberate, and connected to something older than trends . Whether...