Fall & Fantasy Festival - 09/26/2026

 On Saturday, September 26th, 2026, we attended Fall & Fantasy Festival in Rock Falls, IL.

This was the event's third year and we were invited to come check it out!

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Ranger Moot - 09/18/2026 to 09/20/2026

 On September 18th through 20th, 2026, I attended the Fall Ranger Moot for the Rangers of Olaran faction of Weekend Warrior Experience.

This is a player-run event which affords Rangers new and old opportunities to train, socialize and build friendships prior to attending a Weekend Warrior event.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Old Falls Renaissance Faire - 09/12/2026

On Saturday, September 12th, 2026, we attended Old Falls Renaissance Faire in Menominee Falls, WI.

We'd first heard about this faire last year, but not until the second day was already winding down and it was far too late for us to jump in the car and make the trip. Friends spoke well of the event, so we wanted to check it out.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Argren Faire - 09/12/2026

 On Saturday, September 12th, 2026, we attended Argren Faire in Milwaukee, WI.

We were both dressed as Tiefling characters using horns that we purchased from Chaos Costumes at last year's event.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Bristol Renaissance Faire - 09/06/2026

 On Sunday, September 6th, 2026, we traveled to the Bristol Renaissance Faire near Kenosha, Wisconsin. This was the ninth (and final) weekend of the 2026 season, and the theme was Cottagecore.

We were dressed as gnomes from the little enclave of Gnomengarde in the Sword Mountains. We were joined by our friend Jacob, who was dressed as a druid.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Cosplay Build - Elbross Dusklight (Elf Ranger / Rogue)

 Elbross Dusklight was originally created as an NPC that occasionally aided the adventuring party navigate the dangers of Undermountain. Originally hailing from Silverymoon, the elf moved to the city of Waterdeep after surviving the War of the Silver Marches and quickly became involved with the Harpers. Later, I imported him into Baldur's Gate 3 for a multicharacter playthrough. After that, he joined The Best Available for a while. At present, he's taking some time off from adventuring and has taken an interest in visiting local faires and festivals.

 

We have a photo album on Facebook that documents the initial costume build and it's evolution over time.  

Test Fit Photos (last updated on 08/31/2026):

 

  

 Equipment Items (last updated on 08/13/2026):

Elf Ears: Cooljoy Cosplay Elf Ears

Shirt: Coofandy Men's Casual Henley Shirt Long Sleeve, Purple, 2XL

Trousers: Perdontoo Men’s Casual Cotton Linen Pants, Smoky Gray, XL

Boots: Men's Cosplay Boots, Brown, Size 10.5

Vest: Dungeons & Dragons Ranger Vest, Brown, 2XL

Collar: Dungeons & Dragons Ranger Collar, Brown, L/XL

Sleeves: Dungeons & Dragons Ranger Sleeves, Brown, L/XL

Tassets: Dungeons & Dragons Ranger Tassets, Brown, L/XL

Bracers: Dungeons & Dragons Ranger Bracers, Brown

Boot Covers: Men's Medieval Boot Covers

Piwafwi (Drow Cloak): Hooded Linen Cloak, Purple

Belt: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Kidney Pouch: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop; pattern by Dark Horse Workshop 

Scabbard: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Frog: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Longsword: Fantasy Foam Cosplay Sword

Bow: Epic Armoury Black IDV LARP Bow - 120cm

Quiver: Hunter’s Leather Quiver 

Arrows: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Mug Strap: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Coin Pouch: Elven Leaf Pouch, Brown (no longer available)

Bristol Renaissance Faire - 08/29/2026

 On Saturday, August 29th, 2026, we visited the Bristol Renaissance Faire near Kenosha, Wisconsin.

I was dressed as Elbross Dusklight, an Elven Ranger from Silverymoon. I originally created this character as an NPC for a D&D campaign I was running. I later used him in Baldur’s Gate 3 and after completing that adventure, I finally brought him into a weekly campaign as my player character. This was the first time I’d cosplayed as Elbross.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Bristol Renaissance Faire - 08/23/2026 (RennCon)

 On Sunday, August 23rd, 2026, we visited the Bristol Renaissance Faire near Kenosha, Wisconsin. The theme for this seventh weekend was RennCon, which is a celebration of cosplay.

Jenny was dressed as Mira, a light-fingered Tabaxi rogue with a strong dislike of magic... and magic-users. I was Tyren Roaringhorn, a rakish noble fighter from Waterdeep. Both are members of the Swords of Leilon adventuring party in our D&D world.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Bristol Renaissance Faire - 08/16/2026

 On Sunday, August 16th, 2026, we visited the Bristol Renaissance Faire near Kenosha, Wisconsin, for Pirate Weekend.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Lancaster Renaissance Street Faire - 08/08/2026

On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, we attended the 5th annual Lancaster Renaissance Street Faire in the Village of Lancaster, New York.

Hosted by the Lancaster Village Merchant Association, this event is held in celebration of International Mead Day and offers a full afternoon of renaissance-themed fun for all ages. 

Jenny and I were joined in our adventuring party by my parents, my brothers, Michael and Brian, and my sister-in-law Tina.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

~ Our Basement Workshop

Cosplay Build - Bertrand Hawkwinter (Human College of Lore Bard)

 Bertrand Hawkwinter is a D&D character I created while playing Baldur's Gate 3. He's a Lore Bard from House Hawkwinter of Waterdeep.

 

We have a photo album on Facebook that documents the initial costume build and it's evolution over time. 

Test Fit Photos (last updated on 07/20/2026):

  

 Equipment Items (last updated on 07/20/2026):

Hat: Muffin Hat, Blue

Shirt: Coofandy Men's Cotton Linen Henley Shirt

Trousers: Lee Extreme Motion Straight Leg Jean (thrifted)

Boots: Simple Medieval Boots, Black

Vest: Sea Dog Jerkin, Royal Blue, XL

Sash: Medieval Costume Sash, Blue Brocade

Rapier: Epic Armoury Rillet LARP Rapier - Vanguard - Light Wood/Gold - 85 cm

Rapier Frog: Epic Armoury Adventurer Sword Holder, Right-Hand Draw, Black

Scroll Case: Alrich Scroll Bag, Black

Pouch: Hand-made by Scorpius Emporium

Mug: Hand-made by Get Tankard

Mug strap: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Bristol Renaissance Faire - 08/01/2026 (Summerween)

On Saturday, August 1st, 2026, I traveled to the Bristol Renaissance Faire near Kenosha, Wisconsin. This was the fourth weekend of the 2026 season, and the theme was a new one... Summerween.

Until next we meet, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Bristol Renaissance Faire - 07/26/2026 (Marketplace)

On Sunday, July 26th, 2026, we traveled to the Bristol Renaissance Faire near Kenosha, Wisconsin. This was our second visit of the season.

The faire had been closed the previous weekend due to an air quality alert stemming from the wildfires to the north, so this third weekend of the 2026 season was actually the second.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and may all your adventures be fulfilling.

Cosplay Build - Vandar Stormvaktere (Human Barbarian)

 Vandar Stormvaktere is a 4" barbarian action figure created by our friends at Boss Fight Studios. I borrowed the name for a barbarian character that I created for a D&D campaign with my nephews during late 2020.

 

We have a photo album on Facebook that documents the initial costume build and it's evolution over time.  

Test Fit Photos (last updated on 05/06/2026):

  

 Equipment Items (last updated on 07/26/2026):

Shirt: Dungeons & Dragons Barbarian Shirt - Brown, XL $45

Trousers: JMIERR Mens Casual Linen Pants $25.49

Boots: Fell & Fair Medieval Ranger Boots $189

Bracers: Celtic Mantikor Leather Bracers - Brown $67

Belt: Dungeons & Dragons Barbarian Belt - L/XL $35

Loincloth: Dungeons & Dragons Barbarian Loincloth - Brown ) $15

Pouch: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Mug strap: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Mug: Hand-made by Get Tankard

Weapon: Mytholon Skarga LARP Axe $65

Ranger Patrol - 06/20/2026

 On Saturday, June 20th, 2026, I decided that I wanted to shoot some short videos of fantasy Ranger characters patrolling the woods around their small fictional town.

So, after enlisting our friend Todd, we grabbed our kit and drove out to Token Creek County Park in DeForest, Wisconsin. We spent about 30 minutes shooting with an iPhone and were happy with the results. We shared those shorts over the following week.

A month has now passed, and we realized that the shorts look pretty good when stitched together, so that's what this is.

We hope you enjoy!

Bristol Renaissance Faire - 07/12/2026 (Opening Weekend)

 On Sunday, July 12th, 2026, we traveled to the Bristol Renaissance Faire near Kenosha, Wisconsin for the second day of Opening Weekend of the 2026 season.

Tooling Leather on a Lazy Saturday - 06/13/2026

 Hello friends and welcome back to Our Basement Workshop!

It's Saturday morning and I'm working on a new set of bracers for my Ranger character, Aladon Tresendar. I wasn't planning on a video today, but then I thought... "why not?"

Cosplay Build - Xan Kahnebor (Tiefling Warlock)

 House Kahnebor, sometimes referred to as the House of Feasting, was a family of hedonism and depravity that even the Tieflings of Khalir looked askance at, host to rumors so dark that even today, few Tieflings will ever voluntarily confess to tracing their lineage to Khanebor. Xan routinely assumes a variety of false surnames to avoid the chance that someone might actually recognize the significance of his true name...

 
We have a photo album on Facebook that documents the initial costume build and it's evolution over time. 

Test Fit Photos (last updated on 05/06/2026):

 Equipment Items (last updated on 05/06/2026):

Horns: Hand-made by Chaos Costumes (purchased at Argen Faire)

Shirt: Runcati Medieval Men’s Tunic, Red, XXL

Trousers: Paceiadta Men's Cotton Linen Drawstring Pants, Dark Grey, XL

Robe: Hooded Costume Robe, Black, XXL

Boots: Simple Medieval Boots

Belt: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Pouch: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Pact Tome: Hand-made by Blunder & Blix

Tome Carrier: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Dagger Frog: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Dagger: 18” Medieval Foam Cosplay Dagger

Mug strap: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Mug: Hand-made by Get Tankard

Cosplay Build - Brandt Margaster (Human Fighter)

 Brandtwell Margaster is a D&D character I created a few years ago for a one-shot. Later, he became my primary character in Baldur's Gate 3. 

We have a photo album on Facebook that documents the initial costume build and it's evolution over time. 

Test Fit Photos (last updated on 05/06/2026):

  

 Equipment Items (last updated on 05/06/2026):

Undershirt: UnderArmor Heat Gear

Trousers: Paceiadta Men's Cotton Linen Drawstring Pants

Boots: Simple Medieval Boots

Gambeson: Epic Armoury Imperial Gambeson

Chainmail Hauberk: Riveted Aluminum Chainmail Hauberk - 10mm Round Rings

Gorget: Steel Markward Gorget

Spaulders: Large Steel Markward Spaulders

Bracers: Steel Markward Bracers

Greaves: Steel Markward Greaves

Surcoat: Fell & Fair Knight’s Surcoat

Sash: Large Linen Sash, Aubergine

Gloves: BARENNSU Leather Work Gloves, Black, Large

House Badge: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Belt: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Pouch: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Sword Frog: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Dagger Frog: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Mug strap: Hand-made by Our Basement Workshop

Longsword: Mytholon Fornac LARP Long Sword

Dagger: Mytholon Fornac LARP Dagger

Mug: Hand-made by Get Tankard