From our wintertime line of candles, we bring you Jotunheim, from the land of the Giants.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Jotunheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these snowy forested mountain lands and early Giant brothers Togdor and Tirchon Tallpines come to life.
]]>From our wintertime line of candles, we bring you Jotunheim, from the land of the Giants.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Jotunheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these snowy forested mountain lands and early Giant brothers Togdor and Tirchon Tallpines come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: Personal Grimfrost collections, green cloak by All Dressed Up Costumes, grey cloak made at the last minute by us.
LOCATION: Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, Wisconsin
MODELS: Sean Mulroney, Barber of Beardsgaard, and Michael Hansma, inspiration for Deepwell Beard Butter
From our autumntime line of candles, we bring you Svartalfheim, from the land of the Night Elves.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Svartalfheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these dark magic mountain lands, and Archfae ravenfolk conservationist/gossipmonger Crebain Oydfeather come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our autumntime line of candles, we bring you Svartalfheim, from the land of the Night Elves.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Svartalfheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these dark magic mountain lands, and Archfae ravenfolk conservationist/gossipmonger Crebain Oydfeather come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: Dressed by long time clients and curators of the Dark Pleasures store
LOCATION: GOVERNOR DODGE STATE PARK, DODGEVILLE, WISCONSIN
MODELS: Jerry Osvvalt
From our autumntime line of body goods, we bring you Blackfyre, set high in the mountains between the godlands of Asgard and the land of the Fire Elementals.
Read all about the lore of Mount Blackfyre on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the volcanic caldera house seat of Fire God party animal siblings Brandor and Brannith Godsflayme come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our autumntime line of body goods, we bring you Blackfyre, set high in the mountains between the godlands of Asgard and the land of the Fire Elementals.
Read all about the lore of Mount Blackfyre on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the volcanic caldera house seat of Fire God party animal siblings Brandor and Brannith Godsflayme come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: We usually make elementals happen with a trip to the fancy fabric store, then a combination of safety pins and hot glue, and this is no different.
LOCATION: MATTHIESSEN STATE PARK, OGLESBY, ILLINOIS
MODELS: Mirza Baig, Beardsgaard client, & Anais Lomeli, long time barber pal
Your hull scrapes the bottom to a stop at the shore, and although you would happily touch your feet to solid land elsewhere, here you hesitate. Blademount, the mountain crowned by the royal seat of the Gods rises into the watercolored clouds high above.
But at the base of the great mountain, the stone changes from gently angled slabs of sandy golden stone to twist into blackened spires, run through with silver and bronze, copper and gold, set with melted gems of every color and the charred treasures of the Gods' port that once stood here.
Rising from the sandy edges of the blackened ruins, new green life rises from the ashes, trailing down the coasts. One day it may retake this place, but for now, not even birds fly overhead.
To the west you can see craggy honeycomb sea cliffs lining the shore high above the waterline before stone tumbles to the depths, far behind them the darkening sky is lit by sprays of fire and billowing smoke where lava meets sea.
To the east, shrouded by fog creeping like a blanket over the ocean and gently lit by puncturing golden rays from the setting sun, you can smell green things and hear the thundering fall of water from on high, but see no more.
As you set foot in the shallow water, it is warm and soft against the baking heat of the late day, but your blood runs cold. Treasure hunting here is easy after the daytime patrols of Asgard pull into harbor, they say. Dragonsea was ruined long ago, and kept empty by the stories.
But if they stories are only stories, why is there citrus and peppercorn on the breeze? In this charred and barren place, why are your senses being caressed by honeyed apricot petals and incense?
Striking steel to flint as the sun sinks away to the west, you light a torch and step further ashore, the fire casting monstrous shadows from the twisted spires onto the mountainside and illuminating the treasures they hold. To the west, the silver spark rises over the mountains, scattering silver on stone and water.
Distant shouting. Pealing laughter. The crackle of brazier fires sparking to life, but with no light. You spin around, breath fast and heart in your throat. There is no one.
You're jolted by the sound of a cart clanking along a stone path that has long since melted, and the sounds of the bustle of a busy street rise in your ears. You throw your back against a stone pillar. Still, no one. A mule brays from nowhere and the indigo chases the pink from the sky.
As the last light disappears, shadows move in front of the dappled moonlight playing on the southern sea between you and your boat. To the west, a rush of air and the slow beat of huge, leathery wings.
Your torch sputters out.
Take your journey to Dragonsea with this collection of goods tempting enough to draw pirates. Sail away with the summer citrus, exotic spice, and dragonfire incarnate scents of Dragonsea beard potions, plus Dragonsea artwork in many forms.
]]>From our springtime line of candles, we bring you Alfheim, from the land of the Day Elves.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Alfheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the green magic-infused lands, and herbalist Dawn Elf siblings Glaewiel and Glaedor Dawnbud come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our springtime line of candles, we bring you Alfheim, from the land of the Day Elves.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Alfheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the green magic-infused lands, and herbalist Dawn Elf siblings Glaewiel and Glaedor Dawnbud come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: Local theater costumer All Dressed Up Costumes, Grimfrost, and pieces from the Beardsgaards' personal closet.
LOCATION: ALFRED CALDWELL LILY POOL, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
MODELS: Tanya, old pal and operatic soprano & Randy, the fella with the good hair we accosted at a random store.
From our wintertime line of candles, we bring you Niflheim, from the land of the Water Elementals.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Niflheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these waterfall-laced glacial lands and impetuous Mist Spirit Elegil Fogfyre come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our wintertime line of candles, we bring you Niflheim, from the land of the Water Elementals.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Niflheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these waterfall-laced glacial lands and impetuous Mist Spirit Elegil Fogfyre come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: Dressed out of the photographer's everyday closet with garb by Holy Clothing and Victorian Trading Company
LOCATION: WATERFALL GLEN FOREST PRESERVE • LEMONT, ILLINOIS
MODEL: Former Beardsgaard barber Lauren Taylor
We already had the map of the Realm on the wall, after all. So when it came to creating the scents of our grooming goods, we first looked to the seasons that our corner of the world has in abundance, all from natural sources.
And then came the names, which are added as locations on the map, each with a mythology all its own. When we can actually gather the whole crew together, we even play Dungeons & Dragons in this world we created (and you can watch on Twitch or the Beardsgaard YouTube channel)!
Our grooming and fragrance potions are crafted from beautiful ingredients to perform to the exacting standards of our founder and clients, but more than that, they tell a story.
When you burn our candles, oil up to unsheath your razor blade, or massage your skin with our body butter, you can lay a veneer of fantasy over the real world and transport yourself to your favorite season. Or to the frozen giant lands of Jotunheim, or the glittering shores of Asgard, or to the enchanted forests of the elves...
]]>From our autumntime line of candles, we bring you Nidavellir, from the land of the Dwarves.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Nidavellir on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these vast mountainous lands, and the Dwarven meet cute love story of Cólben Auldgild and Angnir Strongiron come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our autumntime line of candles, we bring you Nidavellir, from the land of the Dwarves.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Nidavellir on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these vast mountainous lands, and the Dwarven meet cute love story of Cólben Auldgild and Angnir Strongiron come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: Dressed by long time clients and curators of the Dark Pleasures store
LOCATION: STARVED ROCK STATE PARK • OGLESBY, ILLINOIS
MODELS: Beardsgaard clients Jaysen Kralovetz & DC Cathro
From our summertime line of candles, we bring you Muspelheim, from the land of the Fire Elementals.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Muspelheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these blazing coastal volcanic lands, and elemental aspiring nightclub proprietor Húrdir Emberdeep come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our summertime line of candles, we bring you Muspelheim, from the land of the Fire Elementals.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Muspelheim on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these blazing coastal volcanic lands, and elemental aspiring nightclub proprietor Húrdir Emberdeep come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: Dressed by long time clients and curators of the Dark Pleasures store
LOCATION: STARVED ROCK STATE PARK • OGLESBY, ILLINOIS
MODEL: Beardsgaard client Munsif Karim
From our summertime line of candles, we bring you Asgard, from the land of the Gods.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Asgard on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these sun-soaked magic lands, and the first king of Asgard, Balandir Godsheart, come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our summertime line of candles, we bring you Asgard, from the land of the Gods.
Read all about the lore of the kingdom of Asgard on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see these sun-soaked magic lands, and the first king of Asgard, Balandir Godsheart, come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: A combination of local gem All Dressed Up Costumes and our personal, getting extensive, costume closet.
LOCATION: INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK • CHESTERTON, INDIANA
MODEL: Old school pal/general Chicago legend Nick Greene
The Apothecary was founded by barbers, who know a thing or two about the benefits of steam for the face. When you open your pores you let the gross stuff out (like dirt, oil, and bacteria), and let good stuff get in (like botanicals in the steam, and anything you put on it afterward, like the beautiful skincare products of Earth Harbor Naturals).
Steam also increases the blood flow in you face, which helps...everything really? Your complexion, collagen and elastic production, which keeps skin youthful. Finally, if you have problem sinuses, nothing loosens things up like a good steam.
You can make a whole ritual out of this but it's a pretty simple process. You will need a small pot, your steam botanicals, a bowl, and a fluffy towel.
With a clean face and neck, boil up a few cups of water and toss in a tablespoon or two of your blend, giving it a stir. Let your tea simmer for a couple minutes, then pour into your bowl.
Drape that fluffy towel over the bowl, and hold your head about 6 inches above the water, breathing slowly for 5-10 minutes, or until you loose your steam.
With our Apothecary Bath Bar, you can make your own facial steam blend tailored to your skin needs, or just what your eyes and nose like (our options are pretty universally skin friendly).
Florals and other botanicals have been used for skincare for time immemorial, but these days we usually think of their extracts being used for such purposes in lotions and the like. Cut out the middleman and take those botanicals straight to the tub to soak with you.
If you have one of those drain protector thingies, you can feel truly luxurious by just tossing a small handful of bath tea into the tub. You can also contain the tea in a teabag or other tea strainer just like you would for a cuppa!
With our Apothecary Bath Bar, you can make your own bath tea blend tailored to your skin needs, or just what your eyes and nose like (our options are pretty universally skin friendly).
Us too. With a little imagination and a bath soak you craft to your powerful will, you can have it right in your bathtub. Add a bunch of plants to your bathroom and let the cat in to peer at you from between the leaves to complete the illusion.
If you have one of those drain protector thingies, you can feel truly luxurious by just tossing a generous handful of bath soak into the tub. You can also contain the soak in a teabag or other tea strainer - the milks and salts will dissolve, but it containing the botanicals makes cleanup easier.
With our Apothecary Bath Bar, you can make your own bath soak blend tailored to your skin needs, or just what your eyes and nose like (our options are pretty universally skin friendly).
From our wintertime shave line, we bring you Strongfell, set on the frozen eastern coast of Jotunheim behind the Wall of Winds, where the Giants dwell.
Read all about the lore of Fortress of Strongfell on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the forsaken outpost of humanity in the frozen northern Giant kingdom, and doomed Human soldiers Ablador Newright and Harndir Southfield come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our wintertime shave line, we bring you Strongfell, set on the frozen eastern coast of Jotunheim behind the Wall of Winds, where the Giants dwell.
Read all about the lore of Fortress of Strongfell on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the forsaken outpost of humanity in the frozen northern Giant kingdom, and doomed Human soldiers Ablador Newright and Harndir Southfield come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: A combination of local gem All Dressed Up Costumes and our personal, getting extensive, costume closet. Weaponry is stuff we just have lying around.
LOCATION: MATTHIESSEN STATE PARK • OGLESBY, ILLINOIS
MODELS: Beardsgaard client Stephen Butler & old school pal Ross Crane
We have done a few shows since then, with escalating size and levels of confidence that we weren't forgetting anything hugely important, but this weekend, the 2019 National Beard & Moustache Championships is going to be by far the biggest show we have ever been part of.
This will also be the first beard-specific show we have participated in, and with as much product as we have run through in past shows, we have made unprecedented amounts of goos and goodies for the occasion.
Blademaiden just kept on going until she ran out of one thing for each and every thing we make. There are SO many dishes to do this week before we clean up and gather the troops of both River Peak and Beardsgaard for the big show.
Get the details, get your tickets, and we'll see you there!
From our unscented beard line, we bring you Deepwell, down in the depths of Nidavellir, where the Dwarves dwell.
Read all about the lore of Deepwell on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the lands above and below the deepest mine in the Realm, and Torech Gudhayr, and the young scion with a love for creatures of the depths, come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our unscented beard line, we bring you Deepwell, down in the depths of Nidavellir, where the Dwarves dwell.
Read all about the lore of Deepwell on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the lands above and below the deepest mine in the Realm, and Torech Gudhayr, and the young scion with a love for creatures of the depths, come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: A combination of local gem All Dressed Up Costumes and our personal, getting extensive, costume closet. Weaponry is stuff we just have lying around.
LOCATION: STARVED ROCK STATE PARK • OGLESBY, ILLINOIS
MODEL: Former Beardsgaard barber Joseph Kram
From our summertime beard line, we bring you Dragonsea, set in the treasure-laden twisted ruins of a port on the coast of Asgard, where the Gods and dragons dwell.
Read all about the lore of Dragonsea on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the glittering dragonfire ruins beyond the shore of the Sunset Sea, and the doomed journey of Demigod adventurer Finn Fisher come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our summertime beard line, we bring you Dragonsea, set in the treasure-laden twisted ruins of a port on the coast of Asgard, where the Gods and dragons dwell.
Read all about the lore of Dragonsea on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the glittering dragonfire ruins beyond the shore of the Sunset Sea, and the doomed journey of Demigod adventurer Finn Fisher come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: This is literally just Tyler's Renaissance Faire costume
LOCATION: INDIANA DUNES STATE PARK • CHESTERTON, INDIANA
MODEL: Beardsgaard client Ryan Phelps
From our summertime shave line, we bring you Magewick, set like an island jewel in the Gilded Sea of Asgard, where Gods and Elementals dwell.
Read all about the lore of the Isle of Magewick on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the elemental mage academy island in the Gilded Sea, and Narwain Newfyre and Tintril Brightspark come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our summertime shave line, we bring you Magewick, set like an island jewel in the Gilded Sea of Asgard, where Gods and Elementals dwell.
Read all about the lore of the Isle of Magewick on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the elemental mage academy island in the Gilded Sea, and Narwain Newfyre and Tintril Brightspark come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: This shoot we went less for "costumes" and more for some base layers, swaths of fabric, a few embellishments and safety pins. Which we forgot at the shop and had to buy duplicates of at a fabric store along the way. As Tim Gunn says, "Make it work!"
LOCATION: MOUNT BALDY • MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA
MODELS: Friends of Beardsgaard Janna Kindred & Marine Elodie
You can find video and gallery down in the post, but get all of the above with this immersive blend of all the things. You even get different experiences on mobile and desktop!
Hidden gems are our favorite sorts of gems. Why would you want gems people leave lying about all willy nilly?
Well, this one isn't exactly hidden, those in Chicagoland have probably driven past it for most of their lives, perhaps with the occasional vague wondering of what that Arboretum thing is about. Is it a forest preserve?
Well, sort of, in that there are trees and trails and such, but the Morton Arboretum is a 1,700 acre living museum where you can walk the world through the trees. Do you love to walk amongst the ancient, gnarly oaks? There's a whole area for that! A fragrant Magnolia grove more your speed? They have that too. Love Birches? Beeches? Yeah, like, all the trees.
Our personal favorite, and one we make a beeline for ever time we're there, is the Spruce Plot. It first drew our attention when we were looking for a location for our Frostwood photo shoot.
Whenever we bring new folks to the arboretum, they will be asking as soon as we get inside and around every bend, they ask. "Where is it? Is that it?" And we always say...you'll know.
And then, when this dense darkness looms up behind this one particular section of the forest, they do know. The Spruce Plot is rather unmistakable.
It's a small area, impossible to actually get lost in, but you do feel lost there, a mere pebble amongst the giants above.
We do find it best blanketed in snow, which we don't get very often here in Chicago these days, but even on a sparkly snowless February morning, it is still a mystical little patch of magic less than an hour from Chicago.
We urge you to pay it a visit sometime. We certainly will again.
Morton Arboretum • Lisle, Illinois
click to see full image
It seems to now be tradition that we end up in a hot tub in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest in January.
Last year it was just Blademaiden, on the back end of a Reuzel teaching trip, but this time, the Beardsgaards did Shawnee together. And NOT for work. Sort of. You are reading this post, after all. One of these two has a little trouble shutting off.
For some, a vacation is going somewhere and doing nothing. For us, it’s going explorin’. If we need 10 layers of clothing because of the sub-zero temperatures, so be it. There’s magic to be found, especially when it’s awful out and no one else is around.
Lucky for us we had our topo map and know how to use it, because we let that big hunk of majestic rock lure us off the trail a little bit, and with the heavy leaf fall, we had a little trouble picking it back up again. And the sun was going down fast right about then on 3,30 acres of wilderness.
We did make it into the woods, and out of the woods, and home before dark, though. After a well-earned snack at sunset on a cliff’s edge. Then back in the hot tub again right after that.
Some mornings sunrise means little, a fading of blues to lighter blues and nothing more. The world turns into a misted cool shroud - except where the fog parts and allows peeks at the 19th century building across the river.
And then when it turns out to be the first Tuesday of the month in the Middle West, and the hour has rolled around to 10 am, and the tornado test siren hits, it gets quite Silent Hill out in these parts.
From our sensitive skin beard line, we bring you Spiritbrook, set like an island jewel in the Gilded Sea of Asgard, where the Gods and cultish rodents dwell.
Read all about the lore of Spiritbrook Stream on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see our mortal realm take on the idyllic southern exile island of the rebellion-fomenting and power mad rodent god Kevin the Rainbow Flying Gerbil, come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our sensitive skin beard line, we bring you Spiritbrook, set like an island jewel in the Gilded Sea of Asgard, where the Gods and cultish rodents dwell.
Read all about the lore of Spiritbrook Stream on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see our mortal realm take on the idyllic southern exile island of the rebellion-fomenting and power mad rodent god Kevin the Rainbow Flying Gerbil, come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: We hadn't leaned all in on fantasy costumes at this point, and we're still not sure how we would have pulled off a rainbow flying gerbil as a bearded man, so we went with a grown up Calvin & Hobbes vibe, which we got right in Beardsmith's closet.
LOCATION: GUNNAR ANDERSON FOREST PRESERVE • GENEVA, ILLINOIS
MODEL: Beardsgaard client Andy Havrilechko
From the our springtime beard line, we bring you Fjordmist, set on the western coast of Alfheim, where the Day Elves dwell.
Read all about the lore of the village of Fjordmist on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the spring green elven shores and early Day Elf riverboatman Calendir Greenroot come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From the our springtime beard line, we bring you Fjordmist, set on the western coast of Alfheim, where the Day Elves dwell.
Read all about the lore of the village of Fjordmist on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the spring green elven shores and early Day Elf riverboatman Calendir Greenroot come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: A combination of local gem All Dressed Up Costumes and our personal, getting extensive, costume closet.
LOCATION: LES ARENDS FOREST PRESERVE • BATAVIA, ILLINOIS
MODEL: Beardsgaard client Matt Hunt
From our wintertime beard line, we bring you Frostwood, set far in the frozen north of Jotunheim, where the Giants dwell.
Read all about the lore of Frostwood Forest on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the epic adventure to the deep northern Jotunheim forests of Mithrilon Treadwell, the first descendant of all 9 of the firsts, and the only being to collect all 9 Míresgal stones of power, come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our wintertime beard line, we bring you Frostwood, set far in the frozen north of Jotunheim, where the Giants dwell.
Read all about the lore of Frostwood Forest on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the epic adventure to the deep northern Jotunheim forests of Mithrilon Treadwell, the first descendant of all 9 of the firsts, and the only being to collect all 9 Míresgal stones of power, come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: This was the first of these photo shoots we began to dip into fantasy costuming with cloaks, which started a bit of a trend. Said cloaks were furnished by local gem All Dressed Up Costumes
LOCATION: MORTON ARBORETUM • LISLE, ILLINOIS
MODEL: Beardsgaard client & Apothecary illustrator Brian Busch
Workaholics have a hard time taking time off. But if work is already bringing one to an out-of-the-way area rife with natural beauty, and a small part of your job involves collecting nature photography for brand materials and fantasy world-building, well.
One might be convinced to take one full day "off" to go hiking and fulfill a hobby bug.
No part of Illinois is particularly warm in the winter, but this weekend it was absolutely weirdly warm for January, getting into the 40s and 50s during the day and around freezing at night.
It was grey, misting if not outright pouring, and the winds, especially on the sandstone cliffs, howled with a rattling fury. It was not optimal hiking weather to be sure, especially when by oneself. Moreso when one has already gone more than a day without seeing another human.
When was the last time you felt, not felt, but appeared to be completely alone on this planet, for an extended period of time?
Especially in a place, like the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail where the biggest complaint about the place is that it's always packed with people.
It's awe-inspiring. And in weather like this, super unsettling. And then upon further area exploration, you run across a cemetery off a little, unpaved road in the forest that if anywhere is haunted, it has to be this place.
It wasn't all eerie stillness, though. Well, it was, but there were some laughs in there too, because barbers never tire of dick jokes.
Speaking of eerie stillness, there was this. Not at all going to get murdered here.
So what is Garden of the Gods, and why was Blademaiden so keen to get there? Inside the Shawnee National Forest is the Garden of the Gods Wilderness, a 3,300 acre area that was a shallow sea 320 million years ago.
The rock formations are spectacular, and there are all sorts of trails and tunnels to explore. Which we will more one day when the mud isn't trying to literally suck our boots off.
Will you look at these? The rock formations here look like rusted metal or something.
Walking through the wilderness is pretty great, but most people come here for the views, which you can't get through the trees when you're hiking down below.
Trying not to fall off a cliff.
Turned back by an oncoming storm, Blademaiden took refuge in the cozy cabin for the night, waking to growing mists which continued o build through the day like an overzealous fog machine had descended upon the world.
It was as if smoke was building and pouring out of the forests all around. Just an extra little bit of ominous effect to cap a magically, perfectly, creepily unsettling weekend.
Please read no snark into that. This was an introvert's dream weekend away.
From our autumntime beard line, we bring you Hearthstone, set deep in the wilds of Svartalfheim, where the Night Elves dwell.
Read all about the lore of the Hearthstone Ruins on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the rocky falling forests on doomed Human Haeredion Pathfinder's quest to find his missing father come to life.
]]>Every Apothecary product is a location on our map of the Realm. The Faces of Beardsgaard series takes you inside the stories of this fantasy Realm we lay over the real world.
From our autumntime beard line, we bring you Hearthstone, set deep in the wilds of Svartalfheim, where the Night Elves dwell.
Read all about the lore of the Hearthstone Ruins on the Beardsgaard World Anvil, and scroll on to see the rocky falling forests on doomed Human Haeredion Pathfinder's quest to find his missing father come to life.
At the bottom of the page you will find the magic potions that summon this place and its scents at will. Of course, if you wish to join us on adventures through the Realm of Beardsgaard, tune into our in-Realm D&D games on the Beardsgaard YouTube channel.
COSTUMING: This was the first of our photo shoots, when the idea was to make our models real world versions of the mythological ones. Immediately after this, we began veering into full on fantasy garb, because it's just so much fun.
Countless thanks to Una Mae's in Chicago for lending us the wardrobe for this shoot, which matched the setting so well it still gives us goosebumps, especially when we put these pants on again. They were so nice we just bought them.
LOCATIONS: STARVED ROCK STATE PARK • OGLESBY, ILLINOIS / GUNNAR ANDERSON FOREST PRESERVE • GENEVA, ILLINOIS
MODEL: Beardsgaard client Dan Sines