What is Your Character's Heraldry?

The horseman advanced, unperturbed by the bulwarks of cut logs and spikes. The bowmen on the ramparts were sniggering and making bets about who would be able to land the first arrow. A breeze blew through the trees then, snapping the banner that hung just below the rider's lance tip. The laughter died as the cloth unfurled, revealing a black and red boar snorting blood.

"Oh shit," Gadran muttered when he saw the personal sigil of Gutter Rance, the Tusk Lord.

"Raise the red flag," Marran shouted.

"You think he'll parley?" Gadran asked.

"Long as no one puts a shaft in him," Marran said. "That happens, it's just gonna make him mad."

You come for the king, best not miss.

Heraldry, and Your Characters

 

When most of us think of heraldry in our games, we tend to think of the big, flashy, obvious examples. If there's a lord they'll have their signet ring, and likely their coat of arms on a cape or tabard. Servants of a particular household will also bear the house's crest as a sign of allegiance. If there's a fortress or an outpost, then the flag it flies identifies who holds the area to those who are riding in from the wilds.

More often than not we think of heraldry as something that exists in the world around us, but which isn't something that applies to our characters (unless the character is themselves a noble, which is why I covered it in 5 Tips For Playing Noble Characters). However, something a lot of us forget is that heraldry's main purpose is to make someone's identity and allegiances visible at a glance, as well as at a distance... and that is not something that's limited just to knights and dukes.

The Black Hands send their regards.

While a member of a knightly order may bear their crest on their shield, that's no different than a member of a mercenary company wearing their regimental colors. A gang tagging a wall to mark their turf serves the same purpose as the baron planting her flag atop a conquered city; it lets everybody that sees it know who runs this city.

Most of our characters have some kind of heraldry they display, whether it be their personal symbol or that of an organization or cause they fight for. And of course the bigger your Small Legend is, the more likely people are to recognize that heraldry... along with the stories attached to it.

Meaning, Associations, and Symbolism

 

In addition to quickly identifying who you are, heraldry also has its own meanings and interpretations for those who can understand what they're looking at. For instance, the banner of the hill lord Faring Frost has a rampant cockatrice upon the helm. The symbol is traditionally used to reflect the house's refusal to back down, and the statement that all enemies they gaze upon shall be destroyed. The gang known as the Black Bloods tie a dark sash around their waist, letting everyone who sees it know who they fight for, and that unlike other outfits they aren't worried about getting bloodstains on their dark garb.

Some meanings are simpler than others.

Whether it's a personal totem, a family crest, or a symbol given only to members of certain societies or organizations, heraldry should give some hint as to the qualities of the person wearing it. Some things to consider are:

- Rank: Is the symbol worn on the shoulder used to designate a servant, while place of honor over the heart is a member of a family, or a champion?

 

- Qualities: Is the raven a harbinger of death, or a symbol of a learned wizard? Does it have religious overtones, suggesting one walks with a certain god?

 

- Relationship: Minor variations in heraldry could symbolize that one is from a related branch of a family, school, or other organization. A roaring bear with golden fur might be the symbol of the royal family of the northern hills, while a black bear with golden teeth is the heraldry of the king's cousin.

 

- Duties: A warrior bearing a black shield with a wolf on it might be recognized as a standard guard of the city of Dark Home. One whose symbol is a red-bladed sword behind the wolf is an elite member of the Blood Guard attached to the royal household.

All of these decisions, and many more, should play into the symbolism of any heraldry associated with your character. Whether they're a representative of an organization like a church, an army, or a knightly order, or they've simply adopted a symbol of their own in order for friends and enemies alike to more easily recognize them, you can go as deep as you please.

Also, for those who are looking for additional inspiration, I'd suggest checking out some of the following:

 

- Letters From The Flaming Crab: Inspired By Heraldry: This unusual collection has feats and background features for Pathfinder players who possess certain heraldry. Granting you totemic powers, these feats really do merge the symbolic with the extraordinary and the magical!

- A Baker's Dozen of Noble Families: With histories, colors, and heraldry picked out and explained, these deep dives into 13 noble families can get you in the proper headspace for making your own, assuming none of these examples work for your needs.

- 100 Fantasy Battle Cries (And Their Histories): Another aspect of your character that can easily allude to a deeper history. And if you have a crest, some of these battle cries could work quite well as a motto!

- 100 Knightly Orders: From the noble to the savage, these orders can provide all kinds of ideas for adding heraldry to your character. For those looking for something that's a little more street savvy, I'd recommend checking out 100 Gangs For Your Urban Campaigns as well!

Like, Follow, and Stay in Touch!

That's all for this week's Fluff post! If you've used this in your games, share a story down in the comments!

For more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the YouTube channel Dungeon Keeper Radio. Or if you'd prefer to read some of my books, like my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my recent short story collection The Rejects, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now Pinterest as well! To support my work, consider Buying Me a Ko-Fi, or heading to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. That one helps ensure you get more Improved Initiative, and it means you'll get my regular, monthly giveaways as a bonus!

5 Fantasy-Themed Board Games You Should Have On-Hand (For When Players Don't Show)

We've all had those nights. You've been building the tension and suspense, and the campaign has reached a point-of-no-return... and that's when Jason and Sharon call to let you know that something's come up, and neither your arcane caster or your cleric can make it. So you look around at the rest of your players, who took the time and energy to assemble round the table, and tell them the assault of the Necroforge will have to wait until next time...

But in the meantime...

Since you're all here, the snacks are out, and you're ready to play, you've still got two choices. You can all pack up and go home, or choose something from the game shelf! If some game is better than no game, and you want to help preserve the fantasy theme of the evening, then I'd recommend keeping the following games on your shelf (in no particular order).

#1: Betrayal at Baldur's Gate

Probably the only time some tables will have PvP in their games.

I had a friend give me this one as a Christmas gift a while back, and it has held a place of honor on my game shelf ever since! For those who've never played, Betrayal at Baldur's Gate is a Dungeons and Dragons version of the horror board game Betrayal at House on The Hill, and it uses very similar mechanics. Players choose a character, and that character's tile has their stats, their special power, and all the information you need to start your adventure.

The game starts in the tavern (as all the best adventures do), and the players explore the city. They deal with random encounters, find treasures, and lay out tiles to construct a unique map. Then, when enough Omens stack up, the true adventure begins! Will the half-orc paladin be possessed by a blood cult and try to slay the city? Will a flood bring a tentacled horror from the depths? And most importantly, will the party stand together to face the encroaching threat, or will one of their number betray them?

Seriously, take notes. You can get some great campaign ideas out of this one.

#2: The Red Dragon Inn

All the carousing, none of the adventuring!

If you want to get pedantic, this is technically a card game and not a board game, but The Red Dragon Inn should definitely be on anyone's must-have list. Rather than going out on a perilous adventure, this is what happens when the party comes back to the tavern to celebrate their latest victory! You have to drink everyone else under the table, avoiding getting sick, knocked-out, or going broke before you're out of the game. There are more than half a dozen expansions to this game out there, and if you're looking for one I'd recommend the upgrade with the troll alchemist, as I have a soft spot for him. And he's a powerhouse when it comes to staying on his feet until the end of the night.

#3: Lords of Waterdeep

For the machinators among you.

Rather than taking on the role of an individual adventurer, Lords of Waterdeep casts you in the role of a faction in the City of Waterdeep. Mustering men-at-arms, rogues, wizards, clerics, and of course wealth, you earn victory points to propel your faction to victory. A game that's as much strategy as it is luck, the sheer number of factions and quests currently available (since this one also has a few expansions), can keep your games feeling new and fresh for a long time to come!

#4: Tyrants of The Underdark

For folks who want an evil version of #3...

Most of the games mentioned up to this point cast the players in the roles of heroes. You're a standard fantasy party, and in those there are rarely truly wicked characters. Tyrants of The Underdark, though, is all about seeing who is the baddest of the bad. Each player takes on a single house of Drow, and compete to recruit the worst monsters, to make the most calculated political maneuvers, and to infiltrate the most spies into their enemies' territories. And when the dust settles, whoever controls the largest number of the subterranean realm's environs is declared the Tyrant!

#5: Dungeons and Dragons Adventure System Board Games

A campaign in a box!

Rather than making #5 an individual game, I figured I'd mention the cooperative DND-themed line of Adventure System Cooperative Board Games that Wizards of the Coast has been putting out over the years. From the above-pictured Wrath of Ashardalon, to the classic Temple of Elemental Evil, up through Castle Ravenloft and Tomb of Annihilation, there are all kinds of options to keep on your shelf.

These games feel like the modern descendant of the classic Hero Quest, with multiple PCs, several different scenarios, and the ability to reach conclusion in roughly an hour or so. And while they aren't cheap, you get a lot of parts and pieces with your purchase that you can turn around and use in your regular tabletop campaign (including a free d20), so it's got double the value for those who run full RPGs on the nights when everyone can actually make it.

Would You Like To Know More?

My groups have had some troubles getting full attendance the past month or so, and as a result I've been trying to expand my range of alternative games. I've got a few other lists like this one I could post in future Moon Pope Monday updates, if folks would like to see them? If you've got strong opinions on the subject, please leave them in the comments below along with any games you feel should have made this list, but didn't!

Preferably games we can actually buy without getting a lucky, out-of-print find, if you please.

If you'd like to see more of my work, check out my Vocal and Gamers archives, and stop by Dungeon Keeper Radio where I help out over on YouTube! Or if you'd like to take a gander at some of my books, like my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife, then head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To keep up with all my latest releases, follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. I'm even keeping track of new releases and popular posts on Pinterest now, if that's your jam. Lastly, if you want to support me, then consider Buying Me A Ko-Fi, or going to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron. Every nickel in the tip jar helps me keep creating content for you!