[Fan Supplement] A Guide to Dale (WIP) - Ideas Welcomed!

[Rich H]

Quick question...

Anyone know the coat of arms / flag / heraldic identifier / etc for Dale and King Bard. I've heard references to it involving a dragon. I was thinking it could involve a stylised dragon and a black arrow.

Any other thoughts/ideas?

[Halbarad]

Hey Rich, map is looking good.

Regarding the issue of a standard. I have never spotted anything in the writings about a symbol. The Dragon is a good idea, as is the Black Arrow. What about the Thrush that delivered the information about Smaug's weak spot?

[Rich H]

Something like the thrush perched on the black arrow with Smaug below the arrow. All on a background of blue or green maybe?

[Beleg]

What about Smaug pierced by the arrow with the thrush above, on a field of blue?

[Rich H]

Yeah, those are the two main options I reckon.

[Rich H]

And an update:

Been working on the Dale Chapter and now have it finished with over 5 dozen interesting locations listed in the chapter - put together from my own ideas, posts in Tensen's old thread, and the old MERP supplement "The Thieves of Tharbad" (where they fit the feel of Dale).

Starting on the "Personalities of Dale" chapter next - detailing the Royal Court, personalities about town (bards, thieves, etc), and Guilds.

[Rich H]

Chapter 1 to 3 here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/795 ... 203%29.pdf

Enjoy!

... And tell me what you think.

[Halbarad]

Hi Rich,

It's looking really good mate. Just a couple of things though.

The population of Celduin village looks a little high, based on what little I remember of it from TFW.

I reckon that Ironhold and Northwatch should qualify as 'urban centres', being the major settlements of the Redwater valley. Populations of 2-400 would be appropriate, I reckon.

Finally, 'Ridings' in Scandinavian and Old English are the 'third parts' of counties or regions. To keep them in line with the 'Farthings'(quarters) of the Shire, there should be three of them. I would therefore, respectfully, lobby for you to include Buhr Austar. That would be three Ridings at Buhr Wenjan, Buhr Naurthauja and Buhr Austar.

Including these three new urban populations with an estimated population of 1000 between them would increase the overall population to about 50k.

Food for thought.

[Rich H]

... Can you send me the doc again please mate, I'm not at home so don't have it to hand. Thanks.

[poosticks7]

Looking good so far Rich.


spotted a typo on page 5, should read - nine tenths of the Thane's people...

Think I agree with Halbarad, the Celduin village pop seems a little high. 300 seems more likely, even that is quite a few.

Some nice details in both the surrounding land and city of Dale sections. I feel inspired, let me know if you need any help with anything.

THE ARMY OF DALE
Small note don't use the word militia, Tolkien woudn't. Use levy instead.