Wittenberg

Something that has been bugging me for some time is the state of the Talossan achievement. I mean... look at this:

There's nothing wrong with it in a substantial sense, but this is 2024, surely we can do better than a low-resolution GIF file. As a result, I've taken the liberty of creating these:



Nothing about these changes from the currently-specified blazon, they are just a rendering of my own. I did replace the crown (which, as previously discussed, is taken from the arms of Spain) with the princely crown of Monaco. I've also replaced the "Ben" character, but only with a different version of it. Specifically, this is still 'ben' but in seal script (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_script). Seal script is the style of characters still traditionally used on East Asian seals, ranging in formality from the Privy Seal of Japan (below, left) to my own personal hanko (below, right).

I'm not sure if I am allowed to talk here but maybe we could use the greater Bavarian coat of arms (as the lesser coat of arms is just the white-blue checker in a shield shape)
Please ignore its size. I forgot to make it smaller. But yeah we could use some of the elements from the greater coat of arms for the Talossan coat of arms.

Anyone is free to provide input S:reu da Miéletz. While the Bavarian coat of arms is impressive, I don't believe we will be interested in entirely scrapping the arms our kingdom has used for decades.

However, if you are interested in heraldry, Talossa has a rich heraldic tradition. For example, I am the Squirrel Viceroy of Arms and the Rouge Elephant Herald. We also have Baron Alexandreu Davinescu as the Dean of the College of Arms and the Noir Raven Herald. Several other Talossans are members of the College as well.

Visit our page on the Wiki and you can learn a lot more, including how to request arms for yourself.

https://wiki.talossa.com/Royal_College_of_Arms

-SVA/REH

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, SMC EiP on March 29, 2024, 11:42:57 PM

(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/946207216275443735/1223487610727694476/Lesser_Arms_Render.png?ex=661a08a1&is=660793a1&hm=66c843e2f4cb448afbcf718db48792fc44c85470b6b8f3fab192bed1ef1c8317&)      (https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/946207216275443735/1223487595615354910/Greater_Arms_Render.png?ex=661a089e&is=6607939e&hm=60ee54b0d10392f9ffebd69b9b638f4b4db68161ff77294bb87a3b591eab00f1&)

These look great! And I've always been partial to the long flowing lines of Seal Script myself.

-TFF

Quote from: Carlüs Éovart Vilaçafat on April 01, 2024, 08:48:25 AMThese look great! And I've always been partial to the long flowing lines of Seal Script myself.

-TFF

Thank you! I'm rather fond of it as well -- I will admit I'm a little tempted to try and clean this one up, compared to some instances of seal script it doesn't have quite the same flow to it, but if nothing else it's a good starting point.

- TLF

Is there any interest in the Coletx in updating the State Arms? They are woefully pixelated.

-Txec R

Here is what I've come up with so far. I don't know exactly how to do the scroll work though. Any ideas or help?

-REH

(https://i.imgur.com/pdF9Fyq.png)

Your Majesty, Mic'haglh's new version (no longer visible above) was good, and we mostly just ran into problems agreeing on the depiction of the squirrel.  The one you have above was deemed too meek-looking.  Maybe he could reupload the ones he provided before, so we could restart that discussion?  @Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be ?

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on February 20, 2025, 06:45:30 AMYour Majesty, Mic'haglh's new version (no longer visible above) was good, and we mostly just ran into problems agreeing on the depiction of the squirrel.  The one you have above was deemed too meek-looking.  Maybe he could reupload the ones he provided before, so we could restart that discussion?  @Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be ?

Cool beans.

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on February 20, 2025, 06:45:30 AMYour Majesty, Mic'haglh's new version (no longer visible above) was good, and we mostly just ran into problems agreeing on the depiction of the squirrel.  The one you have above was deemed too meek-looking.  Maybe he could reupload the ones he provided before, so we could restart that discussion?  @Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be ?

But of course -- please see attached

- Long Fellow

(https://i.imgur.com/yitBPbf.png)

The more I look at this rendering, the less concern I feel about the squirrels. In fact, I am coming around and like this version and, with the blessing of the Coletx, would be happy for this version to be adopted. Thoughts?

-REH

Quote from: King Txec on February 22, 2025, 10:34:57 AMThe more I look at this rendering, the less concern I feel about the squirrels. In fact, I am coming around and like this version and, with the blessing of the Coletx, would be happy for this version to be adopted. Thoughts?

-REH

I would of course be honored if that were the case, though I am interested in hearing more thoughts on the alternate seal script Ben symbol vs. the traditional rendering (which is in a style known as regular script (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_script)).

I do like the original script more than the new version, but I'm willing to adapt.

-REH

Quote from: King Txec on February 24, 2025, 01:47:19 PMI do like the original script more than the new version, but I'm willing to adapt.

-REH

In that case, why not compare them to see which is preferred?


- TLF

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on February 24, 2025, 02:36:39 PM

Quote from: King Txec on February 24, 2025, 01:47:19 PMI do like the original script more than the new version, but I'm willing to adapt.

-REH

In that case, why not compare them to see which is preferred?


- TLF

Sure! Do you happen to have both versions (with your updated graphics, not the old pixelated one we use now!)?

-REH

Quote from: King Txec on February 24, 2025, 03:12:23 PM

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be on February 24, 2025, 02:36:39 PM

Quote from: King Txec on February 24, 2025, 01:47:19 PMI do like the original script more than the new version, but I'm willing to adapt.

-REH

In that case, why not compare them to see which is preferred?


- TLF

Sure! Do you happen to have both versions (with your updated graphics, not the old pixelated one we use now!)?

-REH

Of course -- here are the Lesser Arms side-by-side:



And here are the Greater Arms:

Both versions are nice but I certainly don't wish to be the only member of the Coletx weighing in. What are your thoughts @Baron Alexandreu Davinescu @Carlüs Éovart Vilaçafat @Béneditsch Ardpresteir @Cresti Nouacastra-Läxhirescu?

-REH

I feel that the Original Ben script on the emblem looks more regal than the newer version of the script which seems like a kid's scribble.

Quote from: Béneditsch Ardpresteir on February 25, 2025, 11:47:17 AMI feel that the Original Ben script on the emblem looks more regal than the newer version of the script which seems like a kid's scribble.

I do also think the original ben glyph looks nicer. What do we think about the squirrels?

-REH

I agree, I think the original Chinese script looks more "professional".

As far as the squirrels, I do like the new squirrels, but I personally feel they should be bigger (read: taller)

-Green Town

Quote from: Carlüs Éovart Vilaçafat on February 25, 2025, 02:35:53 PMI agree, I think the original Chinese script looks more "professional".

As far as the squirrels, I do like the new squirrels, but I personally feel they should be bigger (read: taller)

-Green Town

Yes, I was also thinking the squirrels need to be larger.

-REH

I love a lot about the new version.  And while I recognize that it's easy to criticize from the sidelines when it doesn't add onto your work, my two bence are that:

(a) I agree that the squirrels should be taller, maybe by 25%.

(b) I agree that the original script looks nicer.

(c) Ideally, you might also bend the greenery around the lesser seal a bit more and drop it so that it's not partially occluded by the same.

On the subject of personal bugaboos, how would we feel about switching from the Heraldic Royal Crown of Spain at this point?  (Full disclosure: This isn't my first pitch on the matter. (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=2392.0))

-Dean

It's frustrating that the images in this post as well as those in the link from the Baron seem to have disappeared.

-REH

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on February 25, 2025, 07:51:09 PMI love a lot about the new version.  And while I recognize that it's easy to criticize from the sidelines when it doesn't add onto your work, my two bence are that:

(a) I agree that the squirrels should be taller, maybe by 25%.

(b) I agree that the original script looks nicer.

(c) Ideally, you might also bend the greenery around the lesser seal a bit more and drop it so that it's not partially occluded by the same.

On the subject of personal bugaboos, how would we feel about switching from the Heraldic Royal Crown of Spain at this point?  (Full disclosure: This isn't my first pitch on the matter. (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=2392.0))

-Dean

• Our squirrels have been beefed up from 700px height to 850 (width adjusted proportionally) and repositioned to reflect their newfound bulk.
• Consensus heard on the Ben character, I'll stick with the "traditional" version going forward.
• The leaves of the dandelion frond have been rotated 30 degrees "in" and repositioned, and the flower itself has been enlarged by about 17% and lowered slightly to keep it visible. Their previous position was under the belief that the dandelion frond itself was supposed to be the compartment upon which supporters stand, but according to the wiki article on our National Coat of Arms, the squirrels are actually standing on the ribbon. I've actually added a second layer of leaves to the frond, which I suppose makes it look like they're standing on both (but really was meant to address the fact that it looked a little light otherwise).
• Keep in mind this uses the crown from the arms of Monaco; I've already ditched the Spanish crown.

Quote from: King Txec on February 26, 2025, 07:41:41 AMIt's frustrating that the images in this post as well as those in the link from the Baron seem to have disappeared.

-REH

Some image sources for embeds seem to play better with Witt's software than others; it is definitely frustrating, however.

- TLF

Beautiful work! Thank you Long Fellow!

Also, try using Imgur for your image hosting. I use it and their site makes it very easy to post images on Witt.

Personally, I'm satisfied with the new version.

-REH

Any more thoughts on this rendering?

-REH

As there have been no further comments or suggestions, I will officially adopt the new rendering of the Greater and Lesser Seals. Thank you to The Long Fellow and the rest of the Coletx in helping in this endeavor.

-Txec R