Elanthian Vogue/Fashanos 5126

This is a creative work set in the world of Elanthia, attributed to its original author(s). It does not necessarily represent the official lore of GemStone IV.

Title: Elanthian Vogue: V (Fashanos 5126)

Author: The Looking Glass

Editor: Rohese Bayvel

Editor's Thoughts

Editor. Image generated by Rohese's player using MidJourney

Fashanos is a month of stark contrasts; the chill of winter still clings to Elanthia even as the heat of competition rises in Bloodriven Village. With the gates of Duskruin Arena thrown open once more, adventurers gather to test steel and spirit against formidable foes. And just as each combatant prepares spells and strategies, so too do they consider their appearance: not for court or ballrooms, but for the brutal arena of the sands. This month, V turns its gaze to Gamac's Goods, a shop that trades in rugged practicality yet boasts a raw, unpolished sense of arena-ready fashion.

Fashanos in the Bloodriven Village

Every Duskruin run sees Bloodriven Village transformed into a bustling crossroads of combat and commerce, with the Arena and Sewers drawing bloodscrip and spectators in equal measure. Combatants enter with hopes of victory - earning bloodscrip and loot for successful bouts - and end with a mix of notoriety, wounds, and chatter in the Cheap Seats.

In this crucible, fashion means something fiercer than silk and lace. Here, garments and gear must integrate functionality for combat with a sense of identity: an aesthetic that says as much about the wearer's daring as their strategy.

At first glance, Gamac's Goods hardly resembles the elegant boutique of Ta'Illistim we featured last month. Its leaning stone walls and dust-heavy velvet curtains speak more of ramshackle charm than couture yet within its corners resides a curious blend of practical gear and stylish accessories for both skirmish and show.

In the shop's front room, faded curtains and overturned crates frame an assortment of gambling kits; from leather-strapped snakewood cases to marblewood kits with vaalorn hinges, all suggesting that, even in Bloodriven Village, leisure and lore walk hand-in-hand with combat.

But it is the back room that captures the true spirit of Duskruin fashion: a pair of mannequins stand watch, dressed in attire that marries rugged quality with flair. Here you can find:

⚔ six-times enchanted ebony leather shoes with disruption flares; ideal for unpredictable footwork in the arena.
⚔ improved obsidian asp pendants and coin pouches that hold considerable sums weightlessly; both practical and striking for any combatant.
⚔ charcoal suede knee-boots suitable for unarmed combat with grappling flares
⚔ side-laced sable leather trousers, a textured linen shirt with distinct wing collar and high-capacity frock coat with ornate bronze buttons. Though not armour, these layered pieces articulate personality and presence. Perfect for the fighter who insists on style even when dust and blood are thick on the sands.

These offerings suggest a gritty, almost survivalist aesthetic but, with careful curation, they can become an integral part of a winter ensemble that feels purposeful rather than purely functional. The result is a style uniquely suited to Duskruin and its regular visitors.

So while the inventory of Gamac's Goods may lack the refined tailoring of Ta'Illistim, it offers something just as valuable for the gladiatorial spirit; form and flair … or flare … in equal measure. In the blood-spattered sands where survival and spectacle meet, fighters find not only gear but identity and we, at V, will gladly admire and cheer for it from the benches.