I have some concerns, although I hope they can be resolved very soon.

The rules of heraldry have as one of their main points that arms should generally evoke their original principal of battlefield signage by being very visually distinct, even small or from a distance: "All armory must have sufficient contrast to allow each element of the design to be clearly identifiable at a distance."

While this principle is not always followed with absolute fidelity in the past, neither is any other principle of heraldry, and it is one of the reasons why this body has declined to advise for the awarding of achievements that include words. I do not feel it will be good practice to begin the precedent of including longer words in achievements. We don't want to be too restrictive, so incorporating the initial as a charge would make sense. Or possibly striking other charges, and having the name be the only charge. In such a case, the text will be larger and more identifiable, and this discourage the incorporation of names or text as charges in complex designs in the future.

I would also note that the name could be adopted as a slogan that is also officially awarded, in the case of a grant of knighthood in the future.

- SVA

Adornments are clearly covered under our rules of heraldry:

QuoteBadges and banners may be adopted by armigers at will, but they should be registered with the College of Arms. Members of a household may all display the badge of the head of the household, or they may adopt their own badge. Badges may also be used for display on personal possessions.

Members of the orders of knighthood are entitled to bear achievements of arms augmented by a belt (coloured according to the particular order), a helm, and a motto.

Members of the peerage are entitled to enhancement of their achievements of arms consisting of a motto, a crowned helm, a crest, and mantling. Dukes alone are further entitled to adorn their achievements of arms with supporters.

There is no provision for surname labels.

There are several paths forward:

A. The armiger may accept the blazon as suggested, and display it with an "unofficial" label.  It would be discouraged to display it thus on Wittenberg, but it could be made into a sign to be hung in the home with such a label.

B. The armiger may request the design be modified to include a representation of his name.  An initial is a heraldic charge, but a name is not.  (I believe; I have not done any research and the best resource for such design would be the patient and excellent Green Town.)

C. His Majesty may award anything he pleases, including the first labeled achievement, and the Coletx will devise new rules to accommodate this.  We are entirely at His Majesty's service.  However, His Majesty seems disinclined to start a new tradition in this respect, and the Coletx would respectfully advise against it.

The advice and opinions of other members of the Coletx -- not the general public -- are welcome as we address this issue.

-SVA

I would like to make a key point: there is no name on the achievement. The achievement is the blazon: Quarterly, gules and ermine. In the first quarter a book leaved argent and in the fourth quarter a grail or, gemmed proper.

The thing with the name is a picture, a rendering of that blazon. And while we make a practice of creating fairly standardized, dignified, and pretty emblazonments, they are not being awarded officially and the use of any particular one is not something that we govern.

This label, then, is not under consideration for the grant. It does not appear in the blazon.

If the armiger wishes his name to be a key feature of the blazon, then that is a separate question.  A redesign might be possible.  But the label is ornamental in this depiction, and it will not be awarded.

-SVA

Updated this to focus on just the one issue -- could it be please moved to the CRL?

Quote from: Mic'haglh Autófil, SMC EiP on January 07, 2025, 06:02:52 PM

Quote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on January 07, 2025, 05:05:42 PMI'm worried that adding provincial requirements to the Cosa will make it harder to actually fill seats.

Not necessarily. As it happens, each province is currently represented by at least one MC.

I guess I'm confused, then? It seems like you're saying this won't change anything, since provinces are already represented in any given Cosa. But then why make this process so much more complicated?

I mean, right now the Cosa tries to be fairly reflective of the national vote. If we change it so that it is less reflective of the national vote because it also has to accommodate provincial representation, that seems like it's actively making it worse as a representative body. Unless it wouldn't actually change anything in practice, in which case... why do it?

I'm worried that adding provincial requirements to the Cosa will make it harder to actually fill seats.

Dama Miestra, I'm a beardless teetotaling liberal, but everyone should have their own fun - even if it's not the same as my fun. Goofy jokes about liking beer a lot seem completely harmless.

Pol: for some years, many prominent citizens ran in the same circles, and that's what's being referenced. It's not really the case anymore, but some bad feelings remain. You certainly did nothing wrong!

It was probably pretty surprising to find out we already had a space program before, eh?

While some jokes are offensive, it's beyond me why anyone would be angry at the silly pun name "BEER" for an agency.

I think it'd be cool to see a revival of BEER, whether or not it keeps the same name.  It's not frivolous or unattainable -- it's awesome, and we've done it before!

Thank you for your request, which is in good order.  Different shades of blue are not done, but emblazonments have no standardized hues -- if you end up with azure arms, it can be any shade you wish.  The Green Town Pursuivant, @Carlüs Éovart Vilaçafat , is assigned to handle this request.

-SVA

Sure.  I wasn't trying to stop you or anything, just giving you information.

No, you can use it. It's not currently being used. I was just thinking that if I was in your position, I would want someone to tell me that "RTV" had a long history.

Quote from: Barclamïu da Miéletz on January 03, 2025, 11:29:41 AMAzul, sorry for bothering again... Could the title of this page be changed? I've made a rebranding of what's it about (Radio-Television Talossa).

Just so you're aware, Regipäts Televiziun was for many years the state-run radio and television station.  It was also abbreviated as RTV.  Its use has lapsed, but it was employed for many years, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise for the government to revive it.  I'm not aware of any plans to do so, but I thought you might want to know before you settled on a name.

Just as a note for the public: I was told to wait for now, since someone else is planning on doing their own introductory series of lessons.  I will leave up my first lesson over at Talossan.net, of course.

It seems like the decision has already been made! I'm glad we're moving forward.

Does anyone else know how to program in Django?

I hereby appoint the Long Fellow as the new Prevuost of the Royal Academy of Vexillology, and task him first with recommending an appropriate glheþ name for the Academy, probably selecting from among those suggested.

-SVA