Why Calais?

Subject: Why Calais?
Author: Huinesoron
Posted on: 2014-03-19 15:39:00 UTC

I guess in some ways Critta' is similar. It's a foreign enclave in Borrd possession, and - like modern Calais - is something of a hub for trade. I rather suspect the tax-evasion aspects of Critta' occurred in English Calais, too. But Calais was an English possession in France, while Critta' sits firmly on native Plort soil.

If I had to pin an identity on the tax havens, they'd probably be the Welsh Marches. Part of one country, but culturally more like the other - and the countries are right, this way (England and Wales, Borrd and Ozerbord - the only difference is they're reversed). Plus, the southern haven is the mining region, and that's what a lot of South Wales was (and to some extent is).

So what would Critta' be? Probably something like Swansea, or even Cardiff. Since we're medieval, we can remember that Cardiff was relatively small back then. The capital of Wales - our city of Ozerbord - was, insofar as it had one, up in the north. Perhaps Machynlleth is the closest match - in fact, I think I'll go and build a clock tower in the city centre.

hS

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Return to the Protectorate of Plort, Konti-Nyuum. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-16 19:18:00 UTC Reply

As the years draw on, Baron Huinesoron of the Union of Plort goes less often to war. Many have speculated on the reasons for his withdrawal. Does he fear the Marizu? Does he scorn them? Is he preparing some powerful weapon to strike a devastating blow against them?

The true answer can now be revealed: none of the above. He simply has difficulty deciding which banner to fight under.

There are, of course, his own two heraldic devices, after the two systems used in Plort. Then there are the two devices of his wife, and their joint impaled standard. He often bears the banners of Jay and Acacia, which any knight of Plort may bear. He also holds the standards of three fallen companions, Raven, Vemi, and Rohana, which he bears on a time in memory and honour of them. Even the standard of his preferred ship, the Aberration, has been seen on the battlefield - and the standards of the armies he marches with, Ofum Too and the Order of Udisc.

Then there are the flags. The emblems of Ozerbord and Borrd are his to bear, as is that of the Union of Plort - and the ancient standard of the now-fragmented Protectorate of Plort. Less often, he will ride under the flag of lost El-Jheycom - and there are rumours that he has been seen bearing the battle-scarred flag of the El-Jheycom Resistance.

So here we are: back to the Union of Plort. If you're joining us for the first time, or even if you're not, here's what is written so far:

Baron Huinesoron's Cyclopaedia of Plort (scroll down for the rest of the Cyclopaedia)

This thread has two purposes. First, to continue the work we've already begun. The Union of Plort is an AU version of the PPC Community (not the universe!) Write your stories! Every one of you is present on Konti-Nyuum, in one of its four nations (and for clarity: Borrd = the Board, Ozerbord = the Other Board, Wechi = the Wiki, Iric = the IRC), so tell us how you arrived there. (The class system is simple - PGs are barons, people with permission are knights, people without are civilians. There is no rank distinction between the latter two terms)

You're free to embellish the geography as you see fit. There's a fair number of unnamed geographical features, so if you live near them, you can name them. Anyone can also name a new town - or live in a pre-existing one. I'll update the maps, don't worry.

The second purpose of this thread may already be obvious: heraldry! I've made a start, but there's so much more to be done.

This finely-crafted document describes the two heraldic systems of Plort. You can make yourself a device in either system, or both. If you can create an image, that would be brilliant - but just a description (in the formal language, or just in English) is good too.

There are also symbols needed for the armies and ships. The rule is that armies (= OFUs) get a shield, while ships (= PPC departments) get an elvish symbol. (On the subject of ships - I'm imagining that the DMS, DF, and DBS are probably fleets, with multiple ships in them; the other departments are single ships. Feel free to tweak this as you please)

And, of course, there's the flags. I've created them for Ozerbord, El-Jheycom, and both the Protectorate and Union of Plort. The others, I have let untouched. Feel free to put together a design for the nation you 'live' in - and voice your approval for the versions you like!

Anything else you feel like creating - national anthems? Mottos? I don't know - is also good. Remember, the goal of this is to have fun, not to obey my every whim. I'm only a baron, after all!

-Baron Huinesoron of Plort

SoÂ… prettyÂ… Must resist urge to take... (nm) by Legacy on 2014-03-20 18:03:00 UTC Reply

If you come up with an idea... by Huinesoron on 2014-03-22 18:42:00 UTC Reply

... you can have your own. Just sayin'.

hS

Also, no-one wants to make national flags? :( (nm) by Huinesoron on 2014-03-20 16:15:00 UTC Reply

Generic Excited Two Part Title! Well! by Desdendelle on 2014-03-20 17:19:00 UTC Reply

Unless you want Ydyff or West-north's flags, I don't have much to offer in that area. I am thinking about a device for the monastery/abode I and Firemagic mentioned.
That reminds me: is trilateral symmetry kosher for English-style devices?

I was hoping for the rest of the Plort states. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-20 17:29:00 UTC Reply

Wechi, Iric, and !!Borrd!! still don't have any, which is quite shocking. I left them open for other people (since I'd already made four), but if no-one wants them, I may have to come up with some myself. You can do national flags for non-Konti-Nyuum nations, if you want to - they'll go into the Cyclopaedia same as the rest.

Trilateral symmetry... well, that depends. An English shield is obviously not trilaterally symmetrical, unless you abuse it into an equilateral triangle (inverted). But there is party per pall available. You could make each ~~quadrant~~ ~~trident?~~ section identical. Or you could simply have, for instance, Azure, three stars Or arranged two, one (or indeed one, two). If you wanted absolute trilaterallism, adding rotated to be trilaterally symmetrical would make the point, I guess.

In essence: probably, though it might take some mangling of the wording to blazon it.

hS

Not quite what I was talking about. by Desdendelle on 2014-03-20 20:05:00 UTC Reply

I meant, partitioning a device into three parts.
Anyway, for West-north's flag I have this:
on a silver field, a black shield with a golden border above crossed swords; inside the shield, a smaller golden golden shield bearing the image of a sceptre with a large ruby on top and three rays emanating from it. No, I haven't the faintest how to say this in heraldry-speak, and yes, this is basically a blatant copy of Wesnoth's swords-and-shield logo.
Pft, I can't even make a shield, much less a flag! by World-Jumper on 2014-03-20 18:09:00 UTC Reply

However, to represent the Bronee, I have a few options.

The first one is the one I think is most likely to be the flag, with some minor touching up. It's taken directly from the first episode, so no need to worry about crediting beyond the show itself:

The second is a version of this flag based off of the one we see in Hearth's Warming Eve. However, it is insinuated to be an acient flag, used when the three pony tribes first came together and founded Equestria:

This one is a more "official" flag, with the sun and moon representing Celestia and Luna:

That's all I can really think of for the Bronee. I'm kinda leaning towards the first one, though the second is really, really cool, and looks like an official flag. I'm conflicted. Which one do you guys think is best?

Also, I may or may not actually complete that history of the Bronee. If I do, I'll post it here, but it's way harder then I thought to transition it properly. We'll see what happens with that.
All right, here's one. by Neshomeh on 2014-03-20 17:39:00 UTC Reply

I was kinda thinking July might come up with something for Wechi, but here's my idea:

I thought it was clever to use Wikia's brackety is to represent people worshiping knowledge at the foot of the Larninkurvs, with the yellow/gold being the dawn of enlightenment. Or something like that.

I actually don't like yellow much, but for some reason I associate it with Wikia. *shrug*

~Neshomeh

Trade routes! by Huinesoron on 2014-03-20 14:29:00 UTC Reply

We've known about the Hyparlink Road for some time, and L'Urque is known to be on a major road, too. There at at least four ports on Konti-Nyuum - Borrd, Mei'n Payj, Tumblar and La Wunj - and, presumably, stuff gets from them to the other cities somehow

Here's how:

As you can see, the big loser on the road network front is Iric (and eastern Borrd) - while there are large passes into Wechi and Ozerbord, the former Kingdom of Chaett is solidly walled off by the Larninkurvs - and, where La Wunj itself is concerned, another set of mountains and a river (seriously, is no-one going to give Iric's geography appropriate names?).

On the other hand, the east is the clear winner when it comes to sea traffic. The Western Arc allows shipping from Borrd to Tumblar, much of which then takes the Pankae Road inland and through to La Wunj. The Eastern Arc, passing through the recently-discovered Tumblar Gap in the reefs, forms the near end of the Tumblar Route, which reaches all the way to the distant Scholars' Empire and Federation of Academia. La Wunj, with the massive Chaett Break in the reef, is even better off - ships sail in from all the lands to the east, but primarily vast Somath-Aful and wealthy Autor.

The rest of Konti-Nyuum is limited to only two trade routes - or perhaps even one. The northern Hyparlink, heading to Tivit, is well-travelled, but the southern extension heads into waters roamed by troll pirates, and then to Marizu-controlled shores.

Borrd, Wechi, and Ozerbord are tied together by a well-developed network of roads. The north-south Hyparlink and the west-east Great Western Highway are the most prominent, and their intersection has made Vaekew a significant trade hub - particularly since the Iron Highway also terminates there, bringing ore from the western mines. Of course, officially there is no Iron Highway - just the El-Jheycom Road from Vaekew to Andboc - but the barons Neshomeh and Araeph show surprisingly little concern about the masses of smuggling over the Obrefs from Risersh.

The Wattuf Mountains were in Plort's early days considered impassable, until the Quest of the Five discovered the pass now named after them. The proximity of the Pass to the headwaters of the river Wep have spurred development in the area, and much of the output of the mines now takes the Copperway through a bored-out tunnel, north to Ozerbord, and then follows the O-Road and Coast Road to Borrd.

One of the less-travelled, but most important, roads is the Knights' Road, an offshoot of the GWH. It is this road that prospective knights take on their pilgrimages to the Purmeshun Range, and the sides of the road are littered with shrines and monuments.

That was surprisingly fun. Now I have to figure out how to fit it into the Cyclopaedia... :(

hS
National equivalences. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-19 11:04:00 UTC Reply

Neshomeh said last time round that Wechi is basically Scotland - independent, mountainous, self-sufficient. So that got me thinking: what are the other nations of our little Union?

Borrd - England. Oldest (though technically Scotland is sort of older - it depends how you think of the union with England), largest, most populous. It probably holds the most political power, too - and under the baronial system, Borrd has always had the most barons, and thus the greatest influence on the Council.

Ozerbord - Wales. The least populous, Ozerbord is generally content to be run by a Borrd baron - though it does harbour some thoughts of full independence. It's also mountainous, and hosts a song-and-story contest.

Iric - Ireland, the Republic Of. Fiercely independent from Borrd, Iric is only grudgingly in the Union at all (much like Ireland only grudgingly shares the British Isles). It also has a significant history as an independent nation, what with the existence of Chaett. Which of course means...

The Barony of Cassie - Northern Ireland. Cassie's barony lies in Borrd now, but it was once part of Chaett. I imagine there were long debates over where it should be assigned when Iric was formed - and possibly even actual fighting. It's an uneasy part of Borrd, at best.

The former El-Jheycom - Cornwall. Part of Borrd, but with a long-past independent history, El-Jheycom is trying quietly to reestablish itself as a full member of the Union. It also has strong ties with Ozerbord, much as Cornwall does with Wales.

L'Urque - Berwick-upon-Tweed. A little border town between Borrd and Wechi, it's a perpetual debate as to which country it's actually in. Much like Berwick, which changed hands between England and Scotland repeatedly for 400 years.

hS

In similar vein... by wobblestheclown on 2014-03-20 00:09:00 UTC Reply

Marizu Confederacy: The ~~Grab-Bag of Squabbling Germans~~ Holy Roman Empire.

Keen students of history will know that the Holy Roman Empire was a loose confederation of nobles, princes, and similar monomaniacs from sort of where Germany is. Their approach to rule was fairly similar to democracy... as espoused by Twitch Plays Pokemon, in that it generally led to a lot of people with a lot of different views acting at cross purposes with some poor sap trying to keep it vaguely together at the top. Despite this, they still managed to take over Spain, but without Lord Helix or anyone being killed by a ledge. =]
So, am I Calais? (nm) by DarkCivilianAakmal on 2014-03-19 14:06:00 UTC Reply

Why Calais? by Huinesoron on 2014-03-19 15:39:00 UTC Reply

I guess in some ways Critta' is similar. It's a foreign enclave in Borrd possession, and - like modern Calais - is something of a hub for trade. I rather suspect the tax-evasion aspects of Critta' occurred in English Calais, too. But Calais was an English possession in France, while Critta' sits firmly on native Plort soil.

If I had to pin an identity on the tax havens, they'd probably be the Welsh Marches. Part of one country, but culturally more like the other - and the countries are right, this way (England and Wales, Borrd and Ozerbord - the only difference is they're reversed). Plus, the southern haven is the mining region, and that's what a lot of South Wales was (and to some extent is).

So what would Critta' be? Probably something like Swansea, or even Cardiff. Since we're medieval, we can remember that Cardiff was relatively small back then. The capital of Wales - our city of Ozerbord - was, insofar as it had one, up in the north. Perhaps Machynlleth is the closest match - in fact, I think I'll go and build a clock tower in the city centre.

hS

What about Pembroke? by Storme Hawk on 2014-03-20 13:58:00 UTC Reply

It is in some ways similar to Cardiff and Swansea, being that it has a thing for trade. Pembroke itself is very much connected to the English, despite being on the other side of Wales, as it was the birthplace of the Tudor Monarchy amongst other things. It was also around in Medieval times, in terms of a settlement and castle.

I mean, my town Critta'? (nm) by DarkCivilianAakmal on 2014-03-19 14:06:00 UTC Reply

Coat of arms thoughts by Neshomeh on 2014-03-18 17:33:00 UTC Reply

I don't quite have the wherewithal to come up with detailed descriptions, but I have some ideas. For the Elvish device, something using kudzu leaves and flowers with vines woven in the middle would look nice, and maybe some spikes and points reminiscent of exclamation marks. White background, silver border.

I'll have to think more about a shield, but my motto is "Preview twice, publish once."

~Neshomeh

And here you go. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-19 10:44:00 UTC Reply

Not gonna lie - I had great fun weaving the knot (which you can probably tell by the fact that another version appeared on Desdendelle's device).

It is rather worrying that Baron Neshomeh of Wechi is displaying kudzu, though... do we have to worry about our own 'vine that ate the south'?

hS

Yay! Thank you! by Neshomeh on 2014-03-19 17:52:00 UTC Reply

That's very pretty, and I love the vine knots. I'm impressed that you can do that in Paint.

And yes, you should. My vines are consistent formatting and proper capitalization and treatment of titles, and their flowers are pages with complete, accurate, easily processed information, and they will overtake the entire wiki in time. Mark my words!

~Neshomeh

Not Plort Related by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-18 02:46:00 UTC Reply

but I wanted to get your attention. I've sent you an e-mail; please keep an eye out for it.
Most shiny! by Elcalion on 2014-03-17 13:39:00 UTC Reply

I really like your Elvish device, most excellent.

Knight Ælcalen's device (Elvish, of course) would be:
Ner royal blue; rena silver; canta nastar alta tera, brown curved violin neck ending in scrolls; cantar nastar nica, rays of silver star; canta miri, linden leaf; canta miri, linden leaf.

The ship Ysæs's device would be:
Ner black; canta nastar alta tera, rayed star beams; canta nastar nica tera waterlily flowers; canta miri waterlily leaves; canta miri waterlily leaves.
(If I got that right, essentially the ESAS flashpatch translated into Elvish heraldry?).

Can I make claim to the town of L'Urque, lying in the mountain glades of the Lhawgin Heights beside one of the main roads between the former nation of El-Jheycom and Wechi?

L'Urque grew up around the mead-hall of Ælcalen, being a convenient place for travellers between Borrd and Wechi to stay their journey and take refreshment of song and drink by the hearth.

The arms of L'Urque are:

On vert, a bend argent, below a harp or and above a tankard argent.

Elcalion, armigerous

And YsÃ¦s. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 17:53:00 UTC Reply

I've gone more for the feel of your description than the precise wording with this one; hopefully it's suitably reminiscient of the ESAS patch. Your description would have given four flowers surrounding the star, in the manner of Luthien's device (it's the final example in the How-To); the idea of overlaying the star directly on the lily appealed to me, though.

hS
L'Urque. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 17:10:00 UTC Reply

... is filed in Borrd for now, and sits on the Hyparlink Road.

Very Irish. ^v^

hS
The Knight Ã†lcalen. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 15:05:00 UTC Reply

It would benefit from longer violin necks, but overall I think that's quite pretty. The linden leaves are listed simply as tolto - it would be unbalanced to have them all clumped to one side of the star, so they're placed in two sets of four by default. I wasn't sure if you wanted them attached, but there wasn't room to do so anyway.

Will try and get round to the others later (L'Urque should be relatively easy, at least). And of course you can found L'Urque. Purely for atlas purposes, though, would you prefer it to be filed under Borrd or Wechi? I get twitchy if I have to duplicate entries. ;)

hS

Very nice! by Elcalion on 2014-03-17 20:47:00 UTC Reply

That's how I intended the linden leaves to go, wasn't sure on how to capture having them all the same using the Elvish system but you've got it spot on.

L'Urque would be just within the boundaries of Borrd, I guess.

Very shiny!

Elcalion

Do you do these on Paint or something else? (nm) by Ekyl on 2014-03-17 10:12:00 UTC Reply

Hm by Desdendelle on 2014-03-17 10:31:00 UTC Reply

Since that raven is pretty complex, I had to lift it from a picture (I'm not the first to use a raven volant as a charge, by the by), and the rest was done in MSPaint and GIMP.

I've taken the liberty... by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 11:17:00 UTC Reply

... of cleaning your raven up a little and putting it in the proper heraldic tinctures. It's up in the Cyclopaedia if you want to see.

hS

Paint, yes. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 10:24:00 UTC Reply

With the exception of Vemi's dragon, everything on there was done in MSPaint for Windows 7 (which fortunately has some built-in shapes, like stars). It works out well enough, and helps avoid mucky artefacts.

hS

Declaring the Device of Critta'. First Try. by DarkCivilianAakmal on 2014-03-17 09:12:00 UTC Reply

Heraldic: Shield Vert, above a stalk of kangkung proper and under a stack of coins argent, a quill bendwise Or with shaft argent, on a stalk of paddy vert with seeds Or bend sinister.

Formal English: Green Field Shield. On it, on the topmost part of the shield, a stalk of kangkung, a creeping plant, coloured green with white roots. Huinesoron's quill placed diagonally from left to right. It is placed overlapping a stalk of rice with green stem and golden seeds. Under this, there is a stack of silver coins, three pieces in total.

Could anyone draw this for me? If it's not what I had in mind, I will comment further. If how I write it is wrong, I'll correct it. And I take Huniesoron's pen on my device, as I have to emphasise that my town is under him somehow. And I'm not good at quartering. Maybe I'll try to snap a pic on my desired shield and paste it as reply here tomorrow.

Here you go. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 11:23:00 UTC Reply

The main liberty I've taken is in changing the kangkung stalk to a sheaf; I think it looks pretty, and the Internet refuses to show me what a single stalk looks like.

It's interesting to note that this violates the Rule of Tincture (by placing a stalk of paddy vert on a field vert - though everything else is correct); this makes it an 'arms of enquiry' - one which people will look at and say 'Hey, why've you got green on green?'. I'm guessing the answer is to emphasise the agricultural aspects of Critta'. (If it's accidental, you could probably fudge it with 'a stalk of paddy proper with seeds Or' - since the proper colour for a rice plant is, of course, green. ;) Same trick you pulled with the kangkung.)

hS

PS: I've also assumed that the coins in use in Plort probably bear the sword emblem of Jay. If someone invents an actual currency, I'll tweak the art. ~hS

Thanks. by DarkCivilianAakmal on 2014-03-17 11:34:00 UTC Reply

I have tried to draw my device IRL. I decided to make a change. The field is now Azure instead of Vert. I will upload a pic once I am done. Oh, and kangkung is a creeping plant. So I may have mistaken to call it a stalk. Should it be a vine?

Changed my version, then. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 11:52:00 UTC Reply

It's in the manual in azure. The internet refuses to show me a single stalk/vine/anything of kangkung, so I'll wait on your image.

hS

My kangkung, device, and et cetera. by DarkCivilianAakmal on 2014-03-17 12:37:00 UTC Reply

This is my first time trying Google Drive. I hope this works.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WGznTkf-5n_YCM8Td00nj99kPQR4jrRbOsWaMBTt8Bw/edit?usp=sharing

And now I see. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 13:21:00 UTC Reply

Final (?) version sitting nicely in Volume 1, Section 2.

hS

Uh... by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-18 19:05:00 UTC Reply

In the description, shouldn't you have switched "above" and "below," since the crossed shaft and quill are on top of the stack of coins and under the vine? Or am I somehow confused?

Eh. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-18 19:08:00 UTC Reply

It's supposed to read as 'Field, this at the top and this underneath, this in the middle'. I'll take a look at it, though: it could probably be reordered to be more elegant.

hS

Yes, let that be the final version. (nm) by DarkCivilianAakmal on 2014-03-18 08:40:00 UTC Reply

Since people seem to want to use Latin for their mottos... by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-17 04:24:00 UTC Reply

Feel free to ask me for any translations. Or at the very least use a dictionary that can actually translate into Latin, such as Whitaker's WORDS (though you will need a fair bit of knowledge of Latin in order to make use of the program's output).

As I've mentioned in a different thread, please do not use Google Translate to translate something into Latin (unless you are deliberately going for bad Latin for the sake of comedy); Google Translate sucks at translating into Latin!

Ooh, yes please. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 10:06:00 UTC Reply

(I know, right? There's something I can't do!)

Can you translate for Baron Huinesoron, the motto 'If this is to end in fire then we should all burn together'? It's from the closing song to Desolation of Smaug, and the fire-theme of my house is sorely lacking of late.

Of course, now I have to figure out who to give the Translatin motto Vos autem non ita scribere potes! to... ("That isn't how you write Latin!")

hS

The arms of Thalia Weaver. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-18 11:08:00 UTC Reply

Because Kaitlyn made a suggestion, and I couldn't not. The motto is deliberately bad Latin (or Translatin, as I like to call it).

hS

Wouldn't that be "geek affrontÃ©" by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-18 18:56:00 UTC Reply

He is looking towards the viewer, after all. (And if you know your French, it does look like he just punched someone in the face!)

She never is! by Huinesoron on 2014-03-18 19:10:00 UTC Reply

All right, technically yes - but that's down to bad drawing. The blazon is accurate - but I can't draw people, and this was the best I could cobble together. She's meant to be rampant.

hS

"A geek rampant." {X D (nm) by Neshomeh on 2014-03-18 17:37:00 UTC Reply

How about this? by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-18 01:57:00 UTC Reply

Si delenda sit igni, omni pariter ardeamus! Literally, "If this should be destroyed by fire, let us all burn together!"

Sounds good! by Huinesoron on 2014-03-18 10:28:00 UTC Reply

I particularly like the blind coincidence that leads to ardeamus in my motto, when I keep talking about Arda...

hS

Sorry, but I need one crucial detail... by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-17 23:38:00 UTC Reply

In your quote, what does "this" refer to? Every noun is gendered in Latin, and I need the antecedent in order to give the correct form of "this."

As for the quote at the end, were you trying to say that Vos autem non ita scribere potes! translates to "That isn't how you write Latin!"? Because, unfortunately, it doesn't. The Latin sentence is somewhat poorly contructed, as vos is the plural "you," whereas the verb potes is second-person singular: "thou art not able." Delete the vos, and you're left with a translatable sentence (albeit not a well-constructed one): "You (singular), however, are not able to write thus!"

A way to say "That isn't how to write Latin!" in Latin is Non est quam Latine scribere!

I'm not sure. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 23:48:00 UTC Reply

I think it's talking about life in general, or recent events. Specifically it means the Quest of Erebor, but that's not so relevant to Ozerbord. So 'life'.

And no - it wasn't Latin, it's Translatin. As in, Google Translate Latin. I was actually hoping it was really bad, so thanks for confirming that! (I know no Latin at all, so anything that looks like me claiming I do is either a joke, a lie, or an imposter)

hS

Hrm by Desdendelle on 2014-03-17 10:33:00 UTC Reply

Maybe Castle Fanvik?

That would probably make it... by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 11:24:00 UTC Reply

... the former motto of Triumvir Thalia (since it's her castle - so, since I'm custodian of Fanvik Whirl, I guess I can technically fly her standard, too!). I'll have to ask Kaitlyn if that fits her personality. Good idea, though.

hS

Oh, I've got one for you. by SeaTurtle on 2014-03-17 06:13:00 UTC Reply

How would you say : "Run for your life and don't look back"?

Will this work? by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-17 23:20:00 UTC Reply

Fugite et non respice. Literally, it translates to "Flee and don't look back."

Translation error by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-18 03:08:00 UTC Reply

Oops. One of those verbs is plural, but the other is singular. That won't do. Let me fix that:
Fugite et non respicite. (both verbs plural) or
Fuge et non respice. (both verbs singular).

Glorious. by SeaTurtle on 2014-03-18 05:33:00 UTC Reply

Thanks. I'll get working on my Plort introduction eventually...

That's good. by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-18 14:26:00 UTC Reply

Of course, you should use one of those two versions. Since you're most likely speaking to a group of people, I'd suggest the plural.

Ooh, ooh by firemagic on 2014-03-17 04:38:00 UTC Reply

Could you translate "Spes est scintilla magna et dura facie domuit indifferentia non universi," which is google translate Latin for "Hope is the spark that is not subdued in the face of the vast and callous indifference of the universe" for me?

Translation by son_of_heaven176 on 2014-03-17 17:43:00 UTC Reply

Hope is the spark that is not subdued in the face of the vast and callous indifference of the universe.

Spes est scintilla quae non comprimitur apud indifferentiam immanem callosamque universitatis.
Re: Ooh, ooh by firemagic on 2014-03-17 04:39:00 UTC Reply

Oh stupid copying thingie.

Harken, all, to the tale of the Fire-Mage Karrin by firemagic on 2014-03-16 22:59:00 UTC Reply

Once upon a time, in the land of Tivit, lived a mage by the name of Karrin the Blue. In the earlier years of her life, she dwelt in the calmer outlands of Fanvik-Neht, but all records of work in that time have been lost. She then left those lands and walked with a tribe of Bronee before finding the land of Tivit, where she studied the art of Arpying.

From the libraries of Tivit she learned the ways by which the nations of the Scholars Empire had been founded and learned of their shared traits. And in time she learnt to recognize the traits of the Marizu, whose ways had been nigh-unheard of to her as they rarely ventured to the outlands where she had lived.

One day, in her studies she heard tell of the land of Plort, and set off with her books of magic and gods. Though she was inexperienced in the ways of fighting the Marizu, it was not long before she began to make raids into the familiar outlands to cull the rare incursions she discovered. In these battles she found aid in the Fast Seneschal and later a monk, and often she used her knowledge of the magic of Beytah to aid them.

She continued in this way until one day she saw a vision of the Marizu war-leader, Nova, and the desolation she had brought to the lands of Fanvik-Neht where Karrin had once roamed. She and the monk travelled to defeat her, and though the battle was long and hard, Karrin the Blue dealt the death-blow herself.

Though the battle against the scourge Nova had been won, it was not without cost - during their campaign the mage had been observing the festival of Nahn-Oh Wry-Moh, and she found herself exhausted. She returned to her home, retreating from the societies of Plort to meditate and regathering her strength, making frequent pilgrimages to the lands of Tivit and Aohtree, and seeking new knowledge in the port town of Tumblar. Having since honed her skills in Arpying, Beytah, Vew'zorse, and Eich-Tee-Ehm-Ehl, she now undertakes scouting missions into the Marizu lands, though the results are kept hidden until she believes that she has gathered enough information to be of use.

-------------
Her motto is "Spes est scintilla magna et dura facie domuit indifferentia non universi," which is google translate Latin for "Hope is the spark that is not subdued in the face of the vast and callous indifference of the universe," which itself is a paraphrase from this: "Hope? Hope is not the absence of tragedy, my friend. It is the conviction that tragedy can be endured. Hope is the spark in you that is not subdued in the face of the vast and callous indifference of the universe. Hope is that which is not shattered by hardship. Hope is the urge to fight what is wrong even when you know it will destroy you. Hope is the decision to love and need someone knowing that they will one day die. For me to promise that there are no obstacles would be the cruelest lie I could possibly tell. That lie is not hope. Hope is the will which needs no lies," which is a quote from http://travisbeacham.tumblr.com/post/59911992881/ochinkun-there-is-a-thing-about-the-pacific-rim

And her heraldry by firemagic on 2014-03-17 04:27:00 UTC Reply

Per chevron inverted, argent and azure; a flame gules with a spark azure within; below a hummingbird rising vert, wings displayed and inverted; below a swan orchid argent with center purpure.

Or in simple English - an inverted chevron field, with white above and blue below. In the center of the white section is a red flame, with a blue spark at the center. In the blue section, a green hummingbird with its wings spread is above a white swan orchid with a purple petal (like here: http://asianorchidfarms.com/images/C347.jpg)

Once I get to a computer with picture editing, I'll make an official picture.

Behold the arms of Karrin the Blue. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-18 15:32:00 UTC Reply

Quite pretty, actually, and less trouble than I thought it would be. With the SOH-approved Latin motto.

hS

That is so awesome! by firemagic on 2014-03-18 23:48:00 UTC Reply

Thanks!

A heraldic device and more by Desdendelle on 2014-03-16 21:13:00 UTC Reply

Since I've already posted my story down there in July's thread, I'll just link to the monk Thanasius Ampelius' English heraldic device: argent, a raven volant azure.
(The Elvish way is a bit too confusing for me.)
As to his motto... since we're in the business of pretentiousness, I'll just put this piece of Latin beauty here: Errare humanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum, et tertia non datur. (Trans.: To err is human, to persevere in error is diabolical, and a third option does not exist.)

It's not, really. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 13:06:00 UTC Reply

I put together this for you (you can take it or leave it, up to you) in... about an hour? And that's drawing everything by hand, mind.

Basically, Elvish heraldry is: make a design with four-fold rotational symmetry, and the right number of points/feathers/flower petals/whatever. Four, unless you're a baron.

The description might be confusing - I dunno, I wrote it - but isn't really necessary. I was just playing with the concept at that point.

hS

I shall take it. by Desdendelle on 2014-03-17 15:49:00 UTC Reply

It looks feathery and stuff. It fits the monk.

How does one draw a unicycle rampant? by wobblestheclown on 2014-03-17 02:46:00 UTC Reply

Signora Wobbellini does have her own motto, and it is as follows:-

"In nominae padre, fili, et spissamentum sanctum." (Which roughly translates to a gag from Four Weddings And A Funeral: 'In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spigot')

I should probably point out by Desdendelle on 2014-03-17 09:55:00 UTC Reply

That according to the articles hS linked to 'rampant' is a descriptor applied to animals, not to objects.
(Same with 'volant' - this one applies specifically to birds, though.)

It's probably flexible. by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 10:07:00 UTC Reply

And anyway, 'a unicycle rampant' is funny. ;)

hS

Can't argue with that. by Desdendelle on 2014-03-17 11:05:00 UTC Reply

Though, since you're around... why aren't you answering your e-mails?

Er? by Huinesoron on 2014-03-17 11:19:00 UTC Reply

If you mean right now, because I'm at work and can't access them. If you mean in general, probably because I'm a terrible person. I'll take a look tonight, 'kay?

hS

Tip the seat up, and lean it backwards a little bit. (nm) by Outhra on 2014-03-17 03:10:00 UTC Reply

Pray stand for the National Anthem of the Protectorate by wobblestheclown on 2014-03-16 19:45:00 UTC Reply

(Roughly to the tune of the Red March)
---
See now, Konti-Nyuum,
What wonders the dawn brings,
All the light touches
Is yours now to own,
For our fallen heroes,
Whom our hearts avenge still,
Took this sacred country
And made it their own

=CHORUS=
Rise, commoners and nobles!
Rise up against the speshul!
For only through union
Shall our hearts fly free!
=CHORUS=
---
It continues in similarly overblown vein for about nine years, much like the best national anthems.

Can you make it shorter? by DarkCivilianAakmal on 2014-03-17 08:02:00 UTC Reply

Sabah Tanah Airku is half as short. And it's awesome.
But true patriots only remember the first verse! by Outhra on 2014-03-16 20:43:00 UTC Reply

What sort of person memorizes all of the dozens of verses of a national anthem, anyway? Spies, that's who. Real citizens would remember the beginning, maybe up to the second chorus or so, and then just mumble along with the tune until everyone else decides to stop.

On another note: "All the light touches/Is yours now to own" is giving me a mental image of a Sued Mufasa. Suefasa. Wonderful.