Latest news with #medieval
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Firearms Expert Tries to Make Sense of DOOM: THE DARKAGES' Demon-Slaying Arsenal — GeekTyrant
DOOM has always prioritized style over realism. It's not about plausibility, it's about ripping and tearing in the loudest, bloodiest way possible. So when DOOM: The Dark Ages dropped its trailer featuring weapons like a demon-claw flintlock Super Shotgun and a medieval mech armed with a skull-launching cannon, fans knew it was time to call in an expert. Enter Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK and a go-to voice for breaking down fictional firepower. In his latest breakdown, Ferguson does his best to unpack the sheer absurdity of the game's arsenal, from the monstrous Chainshot to the gloriously unhinged Skullcrusher Pulverizer. Ferguson not only analyzes, but he reacts, and that's where the fun lies. With each weapon, you can see the historian in him wrestling between admiration for the creativity and a deep, unspoken 'what the hell am I looking at?' kind of bewilderment. It's a lot of fun to watch! If you're into games that laugh in the face of physics and want to see a real weapons expert try to rationalize a shotgun fused with demon parts, this video is filled glorious chaos you don't want to miss.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Sahara desert sands swallow ancient town and its trove of medieval manuscripts
From his roof, Sidi Mohamed Lemine Sidiya scans the medieval town of Oualata, a treasure that is disappearing under the sands of the Sahara desert. 'It's a magnificent, extraordinary town,' said Sidiya, who is battling to preserve the place known as the 'Shore of Eternity'. Oualata is one of a Unesco-listed quartet of ancient, fortified towns, or ksour, which in their heyday were trading and religious centres and now hold jewels dating back to the Middle Ages. Doors crafted from acacia wood and adorned with traditional motifs painted by local women still dot the town. Oualata's imam and caretaker of its library of medieval manuscripts, Mohamed Ben Baty, enters his traditionally decorated home in the Mauritanian town. Photo: AFP Centuries-old manuscripts, a rich source of cultural and literary heritage handed down through the generations, are also held in family libraries. But the town in the southeast of Mauritania near the border with Mali in northwest Africa is vulnerable to the ravages of the Sahara's extreme conditions.
Al Jazeera
7 days ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Preserving Oualata's fragile manuscript legacy amid desert threats
Oualata forms part of a quartet of fortified towns, or ksour, granted World Heritage status for their historical significance as trading and religious centres. Today, they preserve vestiges of a rich medieval past. Throughout Oualata, doors fashioned from acacia wood, adorned with traditional designs painted by local women, punctuate the earthen facades. Family libraries safeguard centuries-old manuscripts, invaluable records of cultural and literary heritage passed down through generations. Yet, Oualata's proximity to the Malian border leaves it acutely vulnerable to the unforgiving environment of the Sahara. Scorching heat and seasonal downpours have left piles of stone and gaping holes in the town's historical walls, the aftermath of especially severe recent rains. 'Many houses have collapsed because of the rains,' said Khady, standing beside her crumbling childhood home, now her inheritance from her grandparents. Depopulation has only accelerated Oualata's decline. 'The houses became ruins because their owners left them,' explained Sidiya, who is a member of a national foundation dedicated to preserving the country's ancient towns. For generations, Oualata's population has steadily dwindled as residents depart in search of work, leaving the historical buildings neglected. The traditional structures, coated in reddish mud-brick known as banco, were crafted to withstand the desert climate, but require maintenance after each rainy season. Much of the Old Town now stands abandoned, with only about one-third of its buildings inhabited. 'Our biggest problem is desertification. Oualata is covered in sand everywhere,' Sidiya said. According to Mauritania's Ministry of Environment, approximately 80 percent of the country is affected by desertification – an advanced stage of land degradation caused by 'climate change (and) inappropriate operating practices'. By the 1980s, even Oualata's mosque was submerged in sand. 'People were praying on top of the mosque' rather than inside, recalled Bechir Barick, a geography lecturer at Nouakchott University. Despite the relentless sands and wind, Oualata still preserves relics from its days as a key stop on trans-Saharan caravan routes and a renowned centre of Islamic learning. As the town's imam, Mohamed Ben Baty descends from a distinguished line of Quranic scholars and is the custodian of nearly a millennium of scholarship. The family library he oversees houses 223 manuscripts, the oldest dating back to the 14th century. In a cramped, cluttered room, he half-opened a cupboard to display its precious contents – fragile, centuries-old documents whose survival is nothing short of remarkable. 'These books, at one time, were very poorly maintained and exposed to destruction,' Ben Baty said, gesturing towards pages marked by water stains, now stored in plastic sleeves. 'Books in the past were stored in trunks, but when it rains, the water seeps in and can spoil the books,' he explained, recalling when part of the roof collapsed eight years ago during the rainy season. Spain provided funding in the 1990s for a library in Oualata, supporting the restoration and digital preservation of more than 2,000 books. However, continued preservation of these documents now relies on the dedication of a handful of enthusiasts like Ben Baty, who does not live in Oualata year-round. 'The library needs a qualified expert to ensure its management and sustainability because it contains a wealth of valuable documentation for researchers in various fields: languages, Quranic sciences, history, astronomy,' he said. Oualata's isolation hinders the development of tourism – there is no hotel, and the nearest town is a two-hour journey across rough terrain. The town's location in a region where many nations advise against travel, citing the threat of rebel violence, further complicates prospects. Efforts to counter the encroaching desert have included the planting of trees around Oualata three decades ago, but Sidiya admits these measures were insufficient. A number of initiatives have been launched to rescue Oualata and the three other ancient towns inscribed together on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1996. Each year, a festival is held in one of the four towns to raise funds for restoration and investment, and to encourage more people to remain. As the sun sets behind the Dhaar mountains and the desert air cools, the streets of Oualata fill with the sounds of children at play, and the ancient town briefly springs back to life.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Yellow oak kitchen looks like it should be part of a dated home but its surroundings are INSANE
At first glance, the yellow oak kitchen might make you think you've stepped into a slightly outdated suburban home. But just beyond the cabinetry lies a 4,616-square-foot fantasyland that once hosted Renaissance fairs - complete with a throne room, dungeon, vampire crypt and catwalks. Welcome to Birdsell Castle, a one-of-a-kind estate in Charlestown, Indiana, now listed for $1,295,000. Set on 7.91 acres, this medieval-inspired property blends live-action roleplay flair with event-hosting grandeur - and it's looking for a new royal steward. 'The owner of Birdsell Castle, who has hosted Renaissance Fairs and many other gatherings, is ready to hand over his crown to a new owner who has a new dream for this wonderful property,' the listing reads. Originally built in 1994, the estate was designed to immerse guests in a fantasy experience. The main living quarters include two bedrooms and two bathrooms, each housed in separate towers. A non-conforming 'King's Room' with an adjacent space could easily be converted into a private suite with its own bath and walk-in closet. Step inside and you're immediately greeted by the Throne Room and lounge, setting the tone for the rest of the castle. Beyond it lies a formal dining room and Great Dining Hall, as well as a laundry area and that infamous yellow oak kitchen. Upstairs in the Nobles Hall, the fantasy continues with four 'Noble Rooms,' each wired or equipped with mini-splits and bathrooms. The upper floor also includes a library, a ballroom and an apothecary. An aerial view of the property shows the sprawling compound from above on a day when it hosted a Renaissance fair - there's plenty of space for visitors to park But it's a hidden passage that steals the show - leading to a fully themed Dungeon with its own prison cell and a Pirates Deck. And, of course, what's a castle without a Vampire Crypt? Venture past the deck and down the stairs to find out if anything's lurking in the dark. Birdsell Castle's exterior is a masterclass in immersive, medieval-inspired design, offering a rare opportunity to own a fully realized fantasy estate. The property is encircled by a formidable crenellated stone wall, evoking the grandeur of a true fortress. A defining feature is the working drawbridge that spans a moat - complete with defense towers - providing both security and theatrical flair. Outside, the property features a mermaid pond, beer garden, two entertainment stages and horse stables. Four garage bays - each fitting two to three cars - have been converted into a Blacksmith Shop, Weapons Shop, Seamstress Shop, and Adornment Shop. Overlooking it all is a full catwalk circling the courtyard for keeping a watchful eye, or making a dramatic entrance. With nearly 30,000 square feet of usable space, including all structures, the property offers ample opportunity for events, rentals, LARPing, or simply living out your fantasy in peace. Birdsell Castle is now on the market for the first time in years, giving a brave new buyer the chance to take the reins and make history.
The Review Geek
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Doom: The Dark Ages (2025) Game Review
This new instalment in the long-running FPS franchise has a medieval slant, but despite the 'Dark Ages' setting, it's still the game you know and presumably love. There are still hordes of demons to kill, with an increasingly powerful set of weapons, and the music score is as adrenaline-pumping as ever, to enhance your excitement as you blast monsters into oblivion. The game is a prequel to the last two entries in the series, with a dark, occasionally complicated narrative that leads into the events of the 2016 reboot. Of course, you don't come to a Doom game for a plotline. For the most part, it's very forgettable – a lot of mumbo jumbo about the DoomSlayer being humanity's last hope against the forces of Hell – and a lot of it has been echoed before in previous games in the series. The bolted-on narrative adds some meaning to the run-and-gun gameplay, but whenever a cutscene appears to explain away the plot, you'll probably be itching to hit the skip button, so as to get back into the thick of the very bloody action. And if it's action you want, it's action you'll get, as you battle the hordes of darkness like a medieval badass. Movement is more weighty this time around, so you're not quite as nimble as before (which isn't to say you're particularly slow), but you do have a handy shield that you can fling around the battleground and lay waste to multiple enemies before they swarm to your locale. You also have the ability to shield charge, so even though the Doomslayer is not quite as athletic as he used to be (there is no option to dash or double jump), you can still whiz across the landscape by targeting and jumping to an enemy with your shield. This makes moving around the battleground a lot faster, useful when you're feeling outnumbered, so your chances of survival are increased dramatically. Of course, it's mainly your weapons that do much to boost your survivability. Early on in the game, you're armed with a combat shotgun, the Shredder (the Doom-verse's equivalent of a machine gun), and the Power Gauntlet, a melee weapon that packs a mighty punch. Later on in the game, you're rewarded with more powerful weapons, such as the Accelerator, a pulverising plasma gun that can rip apart the enemies' shields, and the Ballistic Force Crossbow, a limited ammo weapon which is especially useful at taking down the game's bosses. You also get a couple of new melee weapons, including the Flail, a slow but powerful chain weapon that befits the medieval setting, as well as an upgrade to the shield – the Shield Saw – that sticks into and momentarily stuns the enemies, thus boosting your offensive potential. In short, the game lets you be the badass you always want to be in a Doom game as you use your beefed-up armoury to wipe out Hell's minions. Some of these monsters are easier to defeat than others – you should have little trouble ripping apart the slow-walking Zombies and weak-assed Imps. But more of a challenge are the Riders – annoying archers who take pot shots at you while riding giant reptiles – and the Titans, gargantuan beasts that can only be taken down with certain types of weaponry. There are 39 enemy types in total, some of which you'll have seen in other Doom games, and new additions to the franchise that match the medieval setting. So, it's pretty much business as usual for a Doom game then. However, there are a couple of new gameplay additions that will likely prove divisive. The first of these sees you ride on the back of a dragon at various points during the game. Movement via this winged beast is smooth and slick, so you'll have little trouble flying around the corrupted landscape. However, you're required to use this flying lizard to take down building turrets and shields, which can be a little fiddly due to the need to build up a meter by dodging gunfire (easier said than done) before you're allowed to destroy the hellscape's defences. The other new addition is a giant piece of mechanised armour that allows you to tower over the environment and smash your way through obstacles and the minions of Hell below. Unfortunately, this isn't as much fun as it sounds, and like the dragon riding, it proves as a needless distraction to the demon-pulverising at ground level. I can understand id Software's decision to modify the traditional Doom formula – some people will appreciate the variety in gameplay – but franchise purists might get annoyed by these diversions. Despite the occasional change to formula, Doom: The Dark Ages still hearkens back to the franchise's roots. You're still required to find keys to enter previously impassable areas (and find optional secrets) within the game's expansive map, and you're often confined to specific areas until you destroy the hellspawn that litters each battleground. Fans of the franchise will welcome the familiarity, though newcomers to the series might be frustrated at the game's old-school feel and lack of depth in the puzzle department. Doom: The Dark Ages is a fun game with super-smooth combat and a wide variety of graphically impressive environments from which to unleash all manner of glorious kills on the demonic enemies. New variations to the gameplay will please some while irking others, but for the most part, this is still a traditional Doom game at heart, which will be good news for long-time fans of this loud and bombastic series.
