| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rodrigoalcanza |
Posted - 22 Jan 2014 : 18:06:35
Hello!
I have some questions regarding heraldry and coats of arms in the Realms. I have a group of adventurers who want to create a symbol for them. I do not know how to classify this symbol in heraldry Realms. Also do not know if they will have to look for a herald to legalization. Basically it is a scroll, two crossed swords, and a sun in the background. How would that be... badge, blazon, arms ?
Indeed, bands of adventurers may have coats of arms, crests, arms, bagde etc?
The second question is regarding the armed people. There are cities, town or villages in the Realms that prohibit people from carrying weapons? All weapons or only certain types? I know that Cormyr has this prohibition, but only for five or more armed people gathered, that do not have license. I refer to something as Karameikos, in the world of Mystara. Many places do not allow people carrying weapons. It seems odd to me that the rulers not to worry about this issue.
Anyway, a coat of arms ensures that benefits the nobles? I know the legal, economic transactions, but which would be beneficial military?
I ask for help in these matters .
Thanks and sorry for english! |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| rodrigoalcanza |
Posted - 07 Mar 2014 : 18:58:27
This forum is fantastic! Many times better than the official books. Thank you all for the great and helpful assistance. |
| Barastir |
Posted - 02 Mar 2014 : 00:36:12
In my campaign the heroes decided to have a coat-of-arms in the same time they recognized themselves as an adventuring company, some 15 years ago in RW time. Back then I called a friend who helped me designing the coat-of-arms, and he played an herald contracted by them through the Duke of Daggerford. We studied a bit of heraldry, specially using the info in the Fleur-de-lis Designs website, and so the heroes chose both a name and a crest for their company. |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 01 Mar 2014 : 01:04:10
a crest to your adventuring band......
I'd imagine it would be worn as a badge noting you as a member of the 352nd Black Widow company.. or so.
Could end up as a banner if your adventuring band becomes a merc company later on.... or even family coat of arms should your band make it into nobility....
anyway, I'm just mumbling my outlook on it.
as for the other part, namely carrying weapons in cities, towns, and villages etc. I would imagine that unless you are a guard or watch, just got in, and or leaving, it would be frowned upon carrying anything larger than a dagger, hand axe, or club. Note: most places might not stop you from doing so, it would just likely mean that the watch will keep an eye on you. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 01 Mar 2014 : 00:08:10
Google up “heraldry wiki“ to gain an introduction of the complicated art of heraldry, if you like. Knowing a bit about the subject can add much depth to your campaign, especially since your PCs apparently have some interest in establising a coat of arms.
To summarize: heraldry was an artful combination of symbols and language which identifies noble (and ignoble) people in largely illerate societies. It has a technical terminology which basically amounts to flowery poetic names and titles. A heraldric name/title was used to declare identity and assert a position among peers (that is, it would often be as impressive and pretentious as possible, sufficient to impress others, yet not so much as to overstep one‘s station among betters). Elements of other heraldric insignia were incorporated and combined to state allegiances with higher entities, usually in some way which demonstrated which things were most prominent or how they interrelated.
Your example might be pronounced as, say, an azure scroll draped upon the pale by a guard of mithril rapiers, all occluded by an ardent crimson sun. It might represent, say, scholarly/arcane discipline combined with skill at arms (or two warriors?), all dedicated to the service of Lathander/Amaunator. Terms like “dragonslayer“ are plain and unadorned to the point of being commonly base and vulgar; whereas “swordbane of the obsidian wyrm“ are verbally posh and impressive. |
| rodrigoalcanza |
Posted - 28 Feb 2014 : 17:50:03
Thank you! Where could I get more information about the bearing of arms? |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 23 Jan 2014 : 06:19:41
The job of a herald in terms of heraldry, is to make sure that no one uses a device that someone else is using. The symbol that your PCs use could be a badge, blazon, a coat of arms, a seal or a flag - it hardly matters adventurers can carry what they like where they like as long as their symbol can't be confused with someone else's. Indeed, in Cormyr adventurers have to register any such symbols that they could be recognized by when they obtain their charter. Militarily, such a symbol would aid them in being immediately recognized by other military forces from a distance or in the heat of battle so that allies wouldn't identify them as enemies.
As for how one can bear arms: Most countries that have such restrictions would allow a person to carry a knife or dagger (as long as the blade doesn't exceed a certain length, say, 29cm or just under 1 foot) but if other arms are allowed to be carried at all, they would have to be peace-bonded i.e. made more difficult to wield by tying leather straps to sheathes or padded so that blades couldn't cut as well. |
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