[MR] heraldry

[Richard V. Macri]

Seems that this line of writing is getting out of hand...fast.

I think that a few people need to step back, cool off, and think about what is 
being said, not only to each other, but to this entire list.

That being said, here is my humble opinion of how to handle submissions 
properly.  It is what I have been doing since 1995 when I became a herald, and 
it has resulted in NEVER having any type of problem.

For those of you who have access to a herald in your group:

1.  Most group heralds have access to Bruce Draconarius' Pictorial Dictionary 
Of Heraldry.  If your group herald does not, I recommend that your 
shire/barony/whatever order one from Free Trumpet Press West 
(http://sca.org/heraldry/ftpw/).  They only cost $10.00.  
The easiest thing to do is to photocopy the images you need, scale the size up 
to fit on the device submission sheet properly, and then paste them down.  
Re-photocopy the whole thing when you have all elements in place and you're 
done!!  Bruce and Yoshio made the Pictures in the dictionary black and white 
outlines, which is what you need, and when you get done sizing them they meet 
the 4 pixel requirement!

I own my own personal copy, simply because I can't draw, and I know it!!  This 
saves the wasted time of having the Golden Dolphin staff trying to determine 
whether I have drawn a lion or fox or whatever it's supposed to be.

2.  Let's face it...it doesn't cost but $4.00 or so to buy a set of 8 Crayola 
markers from Office Depot or wherever.  They work well, hold their color, and 
will make Kingdom and Laurel happy.  Drop the color copier idea.  It only 
takes 10 minutes to color in a set of devices for submission, and it's a good 
stress relief!!  Again, have your shire/barony/whatever herald maintain these 
items, and when the office passes, the material passes with it!

If you don't have access to a herald in your group:

This is a bit more of a problem.  Most people that I know wouldn't want to 
waste the $10 to buy the Pic. Dictionary for only 1 use.  I have seen Golden 
Dolphin post a list of web sites that maintains acceptable heraldic outline 
images.  A re-post is probably in order, as well as a link that is maintained 
on the Atlantian College of Arms website to these sites.  How about it Allana, 
Oshi?  I will contact them separately on this matter.

Once again, it's only $4.00 to buy a pack of Crayola markers that will most 
likely get used again.  That's less than the cost of lunch at Mc D's!!

For something that is as important to people as their device, I would think 
that you would want to color it yourself!!  It gave me a thrill of 
satisfaction when I finished coloring my device for submission, and I was 
proud that it looked so good, and that I had a hand in making it my own 
instead of letting a machine do it for me.

You're name and device is something that is going to be with you for a long 
time.  Most people (myself included) get very attached to their device.  It is 
very hard not to get emotionally involved in the submissions process, and we 
must remember that both submitters and heralds alike have feelings.  Any 
problems that you may have as a submitter can be addressed to Lord Michael 
Batcock (Triton), or to any herald that you meet.

The office of herald is not one that is usually filled by a "warm body"; 
someone who is just there to send in the required paperwork.  Most heralds 
care very deeply for the work that they do, and enjoy it.  They are usually 
willing to answer questions, and when they don't know something will try to 
find you an answer.  Remember that not everyone is perfect, and mistakes do 
happen.

As Mistress Rhiannon was so fond of saying when she was Triton:

"Be courteous, be helpful, and be happy."

This statement applies mainly to the heralds out there, but I can see how 
frustrating and upsetting it is when a submitter is told "no" for whatever 
reason and the reasoning behind the no is vague.  Just remember that courtesy 
can go a long way.  That's one of the main reasons we play this game.  And, it 
is just a game, frustrating as it may be sometimes!!

In service to Crown, College, and all Atlantians,

Richard Mitchell
Pursuivant herald for the Barony of Black Diamond

Richard V. Macri
Dept. of Chemistry
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
(540)231-7049