A Request for an Armorial Achievement

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

Pursuant to my admission as the Oblivious Auditing Fellow, I would like to formally request Arms from the Royal Talossan College of Arms.

The questions necessary to avoid the Gorge of Eternal Peril:

• What is your name? Mic'haglh Autófil
• What is your request? If it so please the Squirrel King of Arms, I request the assistance of the College in designing and obtaining arms for myself and my lawful heirs.
• What is your favorite color? A tough call, but especially in a heraldic sense, yellow -- a deep, golden yellow -- likely takes the cake.

And yes, my name was chosen when immigrating specifically because it roughly translates as "Mike the Car Guy"...

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

I figure this is as good a place as any to share what I have devised so far:

Actually a fair amount of symbolism packed into this one.

Starting with the field, blue and gold is a color scheme I have multiple connections to. A field chequy or and azure was the arms of John de Warenne, from whom my (non-Talossan) surname ultimately comes. Blue, gold, and white were the colors of the high school I attended, as well as the university where my parents met -- a school to which one could argue I owe some thanks for my very existence. The three were also the colors of the service fraternity I was a member of in college. And, when arranged in this pattern, gold placed in the position of honor (reflecting its status as my favorite color).

The bend sinister was sometimes used to indicate a child born to unwed parents; on top of that, you could consider it a nod to the fact that I myself am "sinistral" -- that is to say, left-handed. The bend is itself divided per bend sinister mostly as a rule-of-tincture tactic, but it gave me a chance to bring a little more white into the design to avoid an over-reliance on gold.

In chief dexter we see a black bear, which is both an acknowledgment of my knowledge of the Russian language (Russia's national animal being the bear) as well as my love for the Boston Bruins, a team that wears black and gold and whose team name is itself an old-fashioned term for a bear. The bear has on its chest a Mercury symbol, which...I know this is going to sound a bit odd, but I'd like to hold off on explaining this one until it is determined that the arms would include the symbol.

In base sinister we have a cogwheel/gear, which of course is a nod to my Talossan name -- I chose something that translates as "Mike the Car Guy" for a reason, after all! It could also be taken as recognition of my profession (mechanical engineer). Thirteen teeth are visible on the gear due to the fact that the number shows up multiple times in my life. (For a few examples, my father and I were both born on Friday the 13th, and the name "Michael" first appears in the Bible at Numbers 13:13 -- I was more than a little surprised when I discovered that....)

Per bend sinister or and azure, a bend sinister sable and argent, between a bear rampant of the third armed and bearing a Mercury symbol of the fourth and a demi-cogwheel of thirteen teeth of the first.

I will admit I was unsure how to go about blazoning a bend sinister that is itself divided per bend sinister -- it felt a little repetitive to say it that way.

I think I have hit the limit of eight "complexity points" on the dot -- one each for the bear, Mercury symbol, bend sinister, and cogwheel, along with one for each of the four tinctures (or, sable, argent, and azure). I don't believe the cogwheel counts as an "intrusively modern charge", and I do not see any other obvious violations of the Rules of Heraldry as described on the wiki.

[Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB]

From what I can see, I don't see any specific problems with your design. The blazon looks good also (the two bend sinisters are tricky indeed).

I'll look a little closer when I get a free moment, but I think this will pass muster with the Squirrel King.

-REH

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I figure this is as good a place as any to share what I have devised so far:

Actually a fair amount of symbolism packed into this one.

Starting with the field, blue and gold is a color scheme I have multiple connections to. A field chequy or and azure was the arms of John de Warenne, from whom my (non-Talossan) surname ultimately comes. Blue, gold, and white were the colors of the high school I attended, as well as the university where my parents met -- a school to which one could argue I owe some thanks for my very existence. The three were also the colors of the service fraternity I was a member of in college. And, when arranged in this pattern, gold placed in the position of honor (reflecting its status as my favorite color).

The bend sinister was sometimes used to indicate a child born to unwed parents; on top of that, you could consider it a nod to the fact that I myself am "sinistral" -- that is to say, left-handed. The bend is itself divided per bend sinister mostly as a rule-of-tincture tactic, but it gave me a chance to bring a little more white into the design to avoid an over-reliance on gold.

In chief dexter we see a black bear, which is both an acknowledgment of my knowledge of the Russian language (Russia's national animal being the bear) as well as my love for the Boston Bruins, a team that wears black and gold and whose team name is itself an old-fashioned term for a bear. The bear has on its chest a Mercury symbol, which...I know this is going to sound a bit odd, but I'd like to hold off on explaining this one until it is determined that the arms would include the symbol.

In base sinister we have a cogwheel/gear, which of course is a nod to my Talossan name -- I chose something that translates as "Mike the Car Guy" for a reason, after all! It could also be taken as recognition of my profession (mechanical engineer). Thirteen teeth are visible on the gear due to the fact that the number shows up multiple times in my life. (For a few examples, my father and I were both born on Friday the 13th, and the name "Michael" first appears in the Bible at Numbers 13:13 -- I was more than a little surprised when I discovered that....)

Per bend sinister or and azure, a bend sinister sable and argent, between a bear rampant of the third armed and bearing a Mercury symbol of the fourth and a demi-cogwheel of thirteen teeth of the first.

I will admit I was unsure how to go about blazoning a bend sinister that is itself divided per bend sinister -- it felt a little repetitive to say it that way.

I think I have hit the limit of eight "complexity points" on the dot -- one each for the bear, Mercury symbol, bend sinister, and cogwheel, along with one for each of the four tinctures (or, sable, argent, and azure). I don't believe the cogwheel counts as an "intrusively modern charge", and I do not see any other obvious violations of the Rules of Heraldry as described on the wiki.

Quite lovely arms design

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

For my money, the mercury symbol seems like a bad idea.

You're not excessively complex, since you have four tinctures (argent, sable, azure, and or) and three charges plus a line of division.  That's eight "complexity points," the maximum allowed, as you noted.  But that's still very complex and contributes to why I think this looks so busy.

There's also practical reasons to avoid a small complicated symbol on a large complicated charge.  The bear itself is already on a divided field and so it's going to be small when emblazoned in most instances, and the mercury symbol has to thus be even smaller to be on a "clean" section of the bear so that both can be understood.  If you shrink down this sample emblazonment by 50%, it's hard to tell that it's mercury.  This blazon doesn't quite violate the rule of contrast, but it does violate the principle that rule is intended to protect (designs should be easily-distinguished at a distance).

I'd advise that you should perhaps decide whether you like the bear or the mercury symbol more, and just pick one.

Beyond that, this is beautiful and balanced.

-NRH

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

For my money, the mercury symbol seems like a bad idea.

You're not excessively complex, since you have four tinctures (argent, sable, azure, and or) and three charges plus a line of division.  That's eight "complexity points," the maximum allowed, as you noted.  But that's still very complex and contributes to why I think this looks so busy.

There's also practical reasons to avoid a small complicated symbol on a large complicated charge.  The bear itself is already on a divided field and so it's going to be small when emblazoned in most instances, and the mercury symbol has to thus be even smaller to be on a "clean" section of the bear so that both can be understood.  If you shrink down this sample emblazonment by 50%, it's hard to tell that it's mercury.  This blazon doesn't quite violate the rule of contrast, but it does violate the principle that rule is intended to protect (designs should be easily-distinguished at a distance).

I'd advise that you should perhaps decide whether you like the bear or the mercury symbol more, and just pick one.

Beyond that, this is beautiful and balanced.

I think you make a valid point. For comparison, here's the version without the symbol. What are the College's thoughts?

Per bend sinister or and azure, a bend sinister sable and argent, between a bear rampant of the third armed of the fourth and a demi-cogwheel of thirteen teeth of the first.

(I am glad everyone seems to like it overall, though!)

[Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB]

I'm in agreement with my colleague. The version without mercury is much clearer and easier to understand. Remember that the point of a CoA was once the ability to recognize it over long distances, such as a battlefield.

I like this version.

-REH

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

In that case, let this updated version serve as my petition to the King.

Thank you for the feedback everyone!

[Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB]

Great. All that remains is for the Dean and the Squirrel King of Arms to accept the emblazon and they will submit it to the King for award at the next day of honor.

As a reminder, Arms may not be borne in any fashion until they've been awarded by His Majesty.

Also, just in case you were curious, we have an odd little tradition in the Royal Talossan College of Arms of signing our posts when conducting official business of the College. For example, you'll usually see me sign my messages with -REH (short for my title of Rouge Elephant Herald). When I was the Kingsbridge Pursuivant, I'd sign it as -Kingsbridge, etc. You don't have to adopt this, but it's kind of a fun way of demonstrating that what we are stating publicly is in our official roles in the College.

Also, once your initial project is completed and accepted for honors by the College, you'll be able to move from being the Oblivious Auditing Fellow into a Fellowship of your own. When I became a full fellow, I was given the title The Fulbright Fellow.

There is one vacant fellowship of a former citizen that has not been handed out: the Long Fellow (no one will ever be given the The Odd Fellow for historical reasons I will not discuss here). It is my suggestion to the Dean and the SKA that our esteemed member, the Oblivious Auditing Fellow, be given the Long Fellow title.

-REH

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

Great. All that remains is for the Dean and the Squirrel King of Arms to accept the emblazon and they will submit it to the King for award at the next day of honor.

As a reminder, Arms may not be borne in any fashion until they've been awarded by His Majesty.

Also, just in case you were curious, we have an odd little tradition in the Royal Talossan College of Arms of signing our posts when conducting official business of the College. For example, you'll usually see me sign my messages with -REH (short for my title of Rouge Elephant Herald). When I was the Kingsbridge Pursuivant, I'd sign it as -Kingsbridge, etc. You don't have to adopt this, but it's kind of a fun way of demonstrating that what we are stating publicly is in our official roles in the College.

Also, once your initial project is completed and accepted for honors by the College, you'll be able to move from being the Oblivious Auditing Fellow into a Fellowship of your own. When I became a full fellow, I was given the title The Fulbright Fellow.

There is one vacant fellowship of a former citizen that has not been handed out: the Long Fellow (no one will ever be given the The Odd Fellow for historical reasons I will not discuss here). It is my suggestion to the Dean and the SKA that our esteemed member, the Oblivious Auditing Fellow, be given the Long Fellow title.

-REH

I did know that arms are not to be borne until officially granted -- otherwise I'd already have a new profile picture :P

The irony of someone of below-average height potentially being created The Long Fellow is palpable -- and would seem to be a perfect fit for doing things The Talossan Way  ;D

I suppose then, that I had better take the opportunity to sign College business OAFishly while I still can:

-OAF

[Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB]

I did know that arms are not to be borne until officially granted -- otherwise I'd already have a new profile picture :P

I expected you did know this, but I put it out there for someone who may not be aware.

The irony of someone of below-average height potentially being created The Long Fellow is palpable -- and would seem to be a perfect fit for doing things The Talossan Way  ;D

I think this is perfect then! Were it up to me, I'd make it happen!

I suppose then, that I had better take the opportunity to sign College business OAFishly while I still can:

-OAF

There we go! It's always fun to follow our quirky traditions, isn't it?

-REH

[Béneditsch Ardpresteir]

Looks good to me, and we can draft the Petition.

However, the bear on gold is something I have seen earlier. If so, then we might have to go to the drafting board again.

Dean BenArd
Noir Eagle Herald

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

Looks good to me, and we can draft the Petition.

However, the bear on gold is something I have seen earlier. If so, then we might have to go to the drafting board again.

Dean BenArd
Noir Eagle Herald

At least looking through the various lists on the wiki, I'm only seeing one mention of a bear (fittingly, on the canting arms of Óïn Davíu Ursüm)

[Sir Txec dal Nordselvă, UrB]

I do see a bear on the arms of one member of the gentry, but it is a bears head on a white field. Unless the Wiki is not up to date on grants of arms (which is possible), I don't see any issue with your CoA. Perhaps the Noir Eagle Herald can be more specific if he remembers a difference somewhere else.

- Rouge Elephant Herald

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

I haven't found anything similar, either.  As proxy for the Dean, the blazon is accepted by the College of Arms and will be transmitted to His Majesty for approval.  I'll check with the Dean about advancement to Long Fellow, also.

-NRH