Greetings all you lovely Explorers!

As promised in our last dispatch we’re getting ready to bring back Stuffed Animal Taxidermy. This was a super fun event from 2024 and I’m excited that it’s returning. What was unexpected is that at our last council meeting Captain Lark offered to host a separate taxidermy workshop day for the young and young at heart. What this means is that we’ll be hosting this event twice! With the limited capacity of this event, this is a welcomed addition.

The first instance is Sunday, February 22nd, and you can read the Call to Adventure for it below. The one for the younger folks will be offered on Sunday, March 22nd. More details on this kiddo friendly event will be made available in the next few weeks.

Stuffed Animal Taxidermy - Feb 22nd

We in the Explorers Guild delight in putting our imaginations to the test and seeing what emerges when creativity is given a proper excuse. Years ago, this impulse led us to the joyful discovery of Stuffed Animal Taxidermy, a hands-on workshop devoted to creating physical simulations of Asteri, this is the name we use for mythical creatures.

As is our custom, the act of making is only the beginning. The workshop concludes with a salon, during which each Explorer presents their creature for observation and inquiry. Together, through careful listening and curious questioning, we continue the slow and noble work of expanding The Asteri Bestiary.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, you are warmly and cordially invited to join us for a day of handwork, shared wonder, and Stuffed Animal Taxidermy.

Ok, but really what’s going on here?

Each explorer will prepare your stuffed animal base for mounting, then add various accoutrements to really make your creature shine. Perhaps it's antlers, new eyes, some extra arms, or some new teeth. Some basic sewing or felting knowledge is great to have but if you don't have any we'll teach you onsite. 

Once you have a good sense of what you've made, you'll get to name it and officially present it to the group during our cryptid salon.

The cost of the workshop is to bring your own stuffed animal base. Please do not buy a new one. There are many stuffed animals in second hand stores, buy nothing groups, dog toy bins, family basements, & free piles. If you find several and are willing to share, let me know and I can make them available to the rest of the group. These stuffed animals should also be on the smaller size (large stuffed animals will be too big for the mounting shields which are ~ 4"x6").

As a note, one of our shop rules for this event is that you must bring your cryptid (and remnants) home with you.

Space is limited and we max out at 10, but we will have a small wait list. So everyone must register to join!

Where: Oakland, Laurel District (address will be sent to those that register within the first 10 spots)

When: Sunday, February 22nd // 12:30pm - 5:30pm

What to Bring: Your own stuffed animal base

We'll provide: mounting shields, crafting supplies, hanging hardware

The sky is the limit (at least limited to what we'll have on hand) so bring your imagination to play.

Membership Reminder

Thanks to all those who signed up for 2026 Explorers Guild membership this week. For those that missed it here’s the quick recap on the two methods of joining:

Annual Explorer – A one-time $10 fee grants you membership for the rest of 2026, with early sign-up access to events with limited capacity.

Ongoing Voyager – A monthly Patreon subscription also gives you a regular delivery of postcards, field guides, badges, and special artifacts!

You don’t need to be an official member to join most of our explorations, but we hope you consider joining us.

Thanks Explorers, and semper explorandum!