In the spirit of this month's CCC, I present the following:
Want your fantasy to be more Mediæval and less "trippy"? Consider following these very basic precepts of Medieæval Heraldry:
- Use black, blue, green, purple, or red on a white or yellow background; or vice-versa. This provides high contrast which was critical for knights to quickly identify friends and foes across the battlefield.
- When using creatures as your primary design ("charge"), have them orient to the viewer's left rather than the right (see the illustration). This is because the Mediævals considered it literally the "right" way to depict their heraldry. From the perspective of the knight, the dragon on the left side of the illustration is facing his right whereas the one on the other side is facing his left, which in Mediæval French is "sinister."
- Sinister creatures were not unknown in Mediæval heraldry just uncommon and could suggest a disgrace. From a fictional perspective, you could use "sinister" heraldry for your rebels and outlaws.
Now if only we could get someone to flip the sinister heraldry in CEP and Q, it would help our game look more Mediæval.
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