This was all a thought exercise based on the idea that sometimes the College of Heralds would add new standards if they suddenly needed the capacity to double the number of achievements granted. What would they add? As far as charges go, those are already added on a regular basis (even if they do not necessarily catch on). But tinctures are added rarely, so they would need to be iconic. Furs might be easier to justify, what would the 3I College of Heralds choose to add? I've supplied some of my own ideas in the thread (jaseroque, iridium), I'm gathering a lot of people either haven't given it much thought or go on a case-by-case basis.
Ironically, my players all made characters basically on the opposite end of the social spectrum, so I didn't end up needing any of the stuff I came up with.
For reference, what actually happens isn't generally more charges nor tinctures...
it's reducing required distance count and breaking apart distinct variations into discrete charges. Such as distinguishing annulets from bezants and the various furs variations from each other.
And dividing fields and adding more layers of charges. 3 layer devices were actively discouraged in the SCA
For example, Estencile and Ermine have been separated in the SCA: ermine is 3 dots around the lengthened point of an offset lozenge (quadrangle), while estencile is spaced the same, and only has the three-dot clusters, leaving the tail missing (in fur, it's a small arc of fur). Estencile is also clear of a semy of rondels - the pattern of estencile being clear of a evenly or specific patterned group of small circles. (Estencile is considered a fur, and thus neutral, for color/metal purposes, but a semy of anything but Estencile and Ermine tails is not.)
The historical use of skye was brushed aluminum, but also used for water as a metal.
Copper, where used, was drawn pink, linked to carnation as a color.
The SCA still avoids the stains (Murrey, Sanguine, Tenne) even tho' they are documented to late SCA period... largely because of headarchs at checking purpure vs murrey vs sanguine.
The biggest problem of SCA Heraldry is that it is only heritable in the narrowest sense: you can will your SCA armory to your heir, but they have no right to it unless designated by will.
One other thing that the SCA did to open heraldic space was stop checking against the UK and Commonwealth arms; it only for the briefest period checked against German and French... but still blocks "notable mundane arms"... such as
fieldless, 5 annulets interlaced.
Do note also: Heraldry has, largely, been supplanted by Trademark. The SCA is required to observe certain trademarks in its heraldry: ①
Argent, a cross couped gules. (Red Cross), ②
Argent, a crescent gules. (Red Crescent) ③
Fieldless, 5 annulets involved in chain azure, Or, sable, vert, gules. (International Olympic Committee). Note that the description in the trademark is simply 5 annulets involved... which got litigated against AEG over the original L5R cardback. ④
Vert. (one of the historic flags for Libya) ⑤
Paly of 13 gules and argent, on a chief azure, a semy of thirteen mullets of five points, 7 and 6, argent. (United States Arms) ⑥
Barry of thirteen gules and argent, upon a canton azure a semy of 50 mullets argent. (US flag)
