SarumSabre
@sarumsabre.bsky.social
History teacher (17 years and counting...) and RPG fan. Fencing coach and general student of historical swordplay.
Picked up some more Meeples for scratch DnD games. Orcs/goblins/wolves and as close a fit as I could get to the Mighty Nein. I’ve been glueing tiny magnets on the bottom of them and they make a quick and transportable substitute to proper painted minis (still my preferred option) in a pinch.
January 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Picked up some more Meeples for scratch DnD games. Orcs/goblins/wolves and as close a fit as I could get to the Mighty Nein. I’ve been glueing tiny magnets on the bottom of them and they make a quick and transportable substitute to proper painted minis (still my preferred option) in a pinch.
Potential solution found to getting DND games off the ground at work without waiting for me to paint everything: Meeple! Found some great ones on Etsy that cover most possible classes for PCs. They come coloured too, so you can pretty much make a mini Vox Machina 😁
January 12, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Potential solution found to getting DND games off the ground at work without waiting for me to paint everything: Meeple! Found some great ones on Etsy that cover most possible classes for PCs. They come coloured too, so you can pretty much make a mini Vox Machina 😁
To do (shame) list part 2: Simplified d6 TTRPG system for new people to the hobby. 8 basic starter characters, all based on classic Warhammer Fantasy units. Long way to go on this one too, although the basic terrain is done.
December 2, 2024 at 4:04 PM
To do (shame) list part 2: Simplified d6 TTRPG system for new people to the hobby. 8 basic starter characters, all based on classic Warhammer Fantasy units. Long way to go on this one too, although the basic terrain is done.
To do (shame) list part 1: FFVII board game project. Still a work in progress. Minis and materia orbs purchased, but have I painted anything? Nope…
December 2, 2024 at 12:38 PM
To do (shame) list part 1: FFVII board game project. Still a work in progress. Minis and materia orbs purchased, but have I painted anything? Nope…
#TTRPG inspiration from history: The Catacombs of Paris are underground ossuaries holding the remains of over 6 million people and are about 124 miles long. Built from ancient quarries, they extend from the former Barrière d’Enfer city gate. The ossuary was created to address overflowing cemeteries.
August 20, 2024 at 10:22 AM
#TTRPG inspiration from history: The Catacombs of Paris are underground ossuaries holding the remains of over 6 million people and are about 124 miles long. Built from ancient quarries, they extend from the former Barrière d’Enfer city gate. The ossuary was created to address overflowing cemeteries.
#TTRPG inspiration from history: 1952 Great Smog of London. A severe pollution event that covered London for 5 days. Cold, windless weather and an anticyclone trapped pollutants from coal burning. The combination of SO2 gas and particulate matter caused respiratory issues and thousands of deaths.
August 16, 2024 at 10:01 PM
#TTRPG inspiration from history: 1952 Great Smog of London. A severe pollution event that covered London for 5 days. Cold, windless weather and an anticyclone trapped pollutants from coal burning. The combination of SO2 gas and particulate matter caused respiratory issues and thousands of deaths.
#TTRPG inspiration from history: Therizinosaurus was a large theropod. The most distinctive feature was its long scythe-like claws, which could reach lengths of up to 3.3 feet. These were for reaching high vegetation, as it was a herbivore, but in your game things might be different…
August 15, 2024 at 6:42 PM
#TTRPG inspiration from history: Therizinosaurus was a large theropod. The most distinctive feature was its long scythe-like claws, which could reach lengths of up to 3.3 feet. These were for reaching high vegetation, as it was a herbivore, but in your game things might be different…
#TTRPG inspiration from history: The Mancatcher. This was designed as a non lethal polearm to drag soldiers from horseback. It has a spring loaded front and, despite the spikes on the inside, the intention was to use it on armoured opponents. Similar to the Japanese sasumata (‘spear fork’).
August 14, 2024 at 8:35 PM
#TTRPG inspiration from history: The Mancatcher. This was designed as a non lethal polearm to drag soldiers from horseback. It has a spring loaded front and, despite the spikes on the inside, the intention was to use it on armoured opponents. Similar to the Japanese sasumata (‘spear fork’).
TTRPG inspiration from history: Brontornis burmeisteri. One of the largest South American ‘Terror Birds’, this creature was a predatory carnivore nearly 3m tall and weighing around 400kgs. Specialised in ambushes and short pursuits. Basically a real life Axe Beak.
October 16, 2023 at 7:47 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Brontornis burmeisteri. One of the largest South American ‘Terror Birds’, this creature was a predatory carnivore nearly 3m tall and weighing around 400kgs. Specialised in ambushes and short pursuits. Basically a real life Axe Beak.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Elgin Cutlass Pistol. Pistol swords (or in some cases, pistol axes) were an idea that never really worked, as they didn’t excel as a sword or pistol due to the weight. The Elgin, however, did have some success with the US Navy in an 1840 battle with Fijian warriors.
September 6, 2023 at 6:14 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Elgin Cutlass Pistol. Pistol swords (or in some cases, pistol axes) were an idea that never really worked, as they didn’t excel as a sword or pistol due to the weight. The Elgin, however, did have some success with the US Navy in an 1840 battle with Fijian warriors.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Trident dagger. Used in the off hand when fighting with a rapier, the three blades are designed to trap (or even break) the blade of the opposition. They were often spring loaded, with the normal dagger transforming into the trident with a simple button push.
September 5, 2023 at 9:17 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Trident dagger. Used in the off hand when fighting with a rapier, the three blades are designed to trap (or even break) the blade of the opposition. They were often spring loaded, with the normal dagger transforming into the trident with a simple button push.
TTRPG inspiration from history: A case of rapiers. Dual wielding rapiers was a rare, but real, style of historical combat. It is sometimes referred to as ‘Florentine Style’, although it was more common in Bologna. Some rapiers came as part of a matched set, with two symmetrical swords in one sheath.
September 4, 2023 at 6:57 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: A case of rapiers. Dual wielding rapiers was a rare, but real, style of historical combat. It is sometimes referred to as ‘Florentine Style’, although it was more common in Bologna. Some rapiers came as part of a matched set, with two symmetrical swords in one sheath.
TTRPG inspiration from history: The Pata. An Indian sword gauntlet popular in the 1800/1900s. The gauntlet covered the users arm almost to the elbow and they gripped a handle inside. Sometime used in pairs, these were better suited to slashing, rather than piercing, due to the lack of wrist control.
August 31, 2023 at 8:22 AM
TTRPG inspiration from history: The Pata. An Indian sword gauntlet popular in the 1800/1900s. The gauntlet covered the users arm almost to the elbow and they gripped a handle inside. Sometime used in pairs, these were better suited to slashing, rather than piercing, due to the lack of wrist control.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Arctotherium angustidens. The South American giant short faced bear was possibly the largest carnivorous land mammal in history. Standing between 11ft and 14ft tall and weighing in nearly 4,000lbs, it would dwarf bears today. Went extinct around 700,000 years ago.
August 29, 2023 at 5:42 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Arctotherium angustidens. The South American giant short faced bear was possibly the largest carnivorous land mammal in history. Standing between 11ft and 14ft tall and weighing in nearly 4,000lbs, it would dwarf bears today. Went extinct around 700,000 years ago.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Hussite War Wagons. These were a vital part of warfare for rebels in the Hussite Wars 1419-1434. Circling them together to create a fortress, firearms and cannon provided most of the damage, with long flails defending the walls and cavalry inside ready to charge out.
August 28, 2023 at 4:14 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Hussite War Wagons. These were a vital part of warfare for rebels in the Hussite Wars 1419-1434. Circling them together to create a fortress, firearms and cannon provided most of the damage, with long flails defending the walls and cavalry inside ready to charge out.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Hidden treasure of Rennes-le-Château. Blanche of Castille ruled on behalf of her son from 1226. Even after he became King of France, she had to take over again when he was imprisoned. Legends say she hid a fortune to ransom him. Treasure hunters still seek it today…
August 27, 2023 at 7:17 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Hidden treasure of Rennes-le-Château. Blanche of Castille ruled on behalf of her son from 1226. Even after he became King of France, she had to take over again when he was imprisoned. Legends say she hid a fortune to ransom him. Treasure hunters still seek it today…
TTRPG inspiration from history: Boeotian Flamethrower. This Greek weapon was used most famously at the Battle of Delium in 424 BCE. The Boeotians burned the Athenian defences by filling a cauldron with flammable material and using bellows to pump air through it, shooting the flames out of the end.
August 26, 2023 at 6:45 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Boeotian Flamethrower. This Greek weapon was used most famously at the Battle of Delium in 424 BCE. The Boeotians burned the Athenian defences by filling a cauldron with flammable material and using bellows to pump air through it, shooting the flames out of the end.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Irish Elk. This huge breed of deer went extinct around 8,000 years ago and was native to Northern Russia. It measured around 7ft tall, with antlers 12ft across. These antlers may have been it’s downfall, making it hard to flee human hunters through forests.
August 26, 2023 at 2:21 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Irish Elk. This huge breed of deer went extinct around 8,000 years ago and was native to Northern Russia. It measured around 7ft tall, with antlers 12ft across. These antlers may have been it’s downfall, making it hard to flee human hunters through forests.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Lauterbrunnen Valley. This village in Switzerland includes the imposing Staubbach Fall, the highest free falling waterfall in the country. JRR Tolkien hiked these valleys as a teenager and used what he saw as inspiration for Rivendell, home of Elrond and the Elves.
August 24, 2023 at 3:14 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Lauterbrunnen Valley. This village in Switzerland includes the imposing Staubbach Fall, the highest free falling waterfall in the country. JRR Tolkien hiked these valleys as a teenager and used what he saw as inspiration for Rivendell, home of Elrond and the Elves.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Gilles de Rais. One of the close compatriots of Jeanne d’Arc, he helped liberate France from the English. Later executed by the Church for the murder of hundreds of children. A mock retrial in 1992 found him innocent, but many historians maintain his guilt.
August 23, 2023 at 8:09 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Gilles de Rais. One of the close compatriots of Jeanne d’Arc, he helped liberate France from the English. Later executed by the Church for the murder of hundreds of children. A mock retrial in 1992 found him innocent, but many historians maintain his guilt.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Joyeuse. This sword (meaning ‘joyous’) belonged the great Frankish king Charlemagne. A sword claiming to be Joyeuse is on display in the Louvre Museum and was used to crown French kings before the Revolution. Some claim it has part of the Holy Lance in the hilt.
August 22, 2023 at 5:41 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Joyeuse. This sword (meaning ‘joyous’) belonged the great Frankish king Charlemagne. A sword claiming to be Joyeuse is on display in the Louvre Museum and was used to crown French kings before the Revolution. Some claim it has part of the Holy Lance in the hilt.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Kuru. This disease was isolated to Papua New Guinea in the early 1900s. Scientists linked the disease to the ritual cannibalism practised in PNG and the consumption of contaminated brain matter. Symptoms included tremors and uncontrollable laughter. There was no cure.
August 22, 2023 at 10:32 AM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Kuru. This disease was isolated to Papua New Guinea in the early 1900s. Scientists linked the disease to the ritual cannibalism practised in PNG and the consumption of contaminated brain matter. Symptoms included tremors and uncontrollable laughter. There was no cure.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Haast’s Eagle. This extinct species of eagle was native to New Zealand. It was the largest eagle species that has ever existed, weighing over 30lbs and possessing a wingspan up to 10ft. They hunted the flightless Moa bird, which could weigh up to 500lbs itself.
August 22, 2023 at 10:16 AM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Haast’s Eagle. This extinct species of eagle was native to New Zealand. It was the largest eagle species that has ever existed, weighing over 30lbs and possessing a wingspan up to 10ft. They hunted the flightless Moa bird, which could weigh up to 500lbs itself.
TTRPG inspiration from history: La Isla de las Muñecas (The Island of the Dolls). This small island off the coast of Mexico has hundreds of dolls suspended from the trees. These were hung here by the owner since 1950, allegedly in tribute to the spirit to a small girl he found drowned nearby.
August 21, 2023 at 6:16 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: La Isla de las Muñecas (The Island of the Dolls). This small island off the coast of Mexico has hundreds of dolls suspended from the trees. These were hung here by the owner since 1950, allegedly in tribute to the spirit to a small girl he found drowned nearby.
TTRPG inspiration from history: Götz von Berlichingen. This German mercenary, born 1480, fought for around 47 years. After losing his hand in 1504 to a cannon, he wore a series of metal prosthetic hands. He is also famous for the quote “Leck mich am Arsch”, essentially translating to “kiss my arse”.
August 21, 2023 at 4:28 PM
TTRPG inspiration from history: Götz von Berlichingen. This German mercenary, born 1480, fought for around 47 years. After losing his hand in 1504 to a cannon, he wore a series of metal prosthetic hands. He is also famous for the quote “Leck mich am Arsch”, essentially translating to “kiss my arse”.