I guess this is where my post should go... (some of this is reposted from the Maps forum )

Can anyone say super-mega-awesome-fun!? because that's what I had while developing this


The actual shape of the city is the symbol of the Ashtain family's crest, the ones who lived/ruled there. The symbol includes the white outline of a Dragle on the field of azure. One large star (representing Attensie) hovers near the Dragle's mouth. 11 smaller stars extend from the large one (they represent the E'shawnti). There is one black star clutched between the Dragle's front claws (this star represents Natorii, how he fell, and also his lordship of darkness). The crest itself is more detailed than this, but I don't have it all figured out yet.
This is also used as the banner of LigrarenNabatae (instead of a flag, they have a banner). Remove the top 'point' and attach it to a long pole (with a crass bar) and you have their banner. The poles/wood used to hang/hold the banner are always made from the wood of the Silver Trees from North Ashta (through trading, the Ashtains were able to obtain some).



To go along with the symbol/crest, I sketched up a quick picture of what the over-tunics of solders look like. This is what most of the soldier's wear over their armor. Sometimes the tunic is white in color (and thus the soldier's wear all white). This helps when it is an extremely hot day. When the tunic is white the Dragle and stars are blue (except for the black star of Natorii).
All of the Royal soldiers/guards wear tunics like this (though some of the more personal guards wear altered ones, I'll try drawing those too). Not all of the soldiers are required to wear the crest tunic, but it is frowned upon if they don't.
The sleeves are white, but shouldn't actually be so drape-ish They should be straight with a short cuff. The tunic is secured by a leather belt. Attached to this belt is normally a sword (long, short, double-handed, depending on the soldier's preference). There are also two daggers on the opposite side from the sword. One is small, normally for cutting things, the other is longer and can be used in battle if the need arises.
The blue cloth is dyed with the desert plant the "Sarais". The berries from this plant (which can be quite numerous, depending on the location of the plant) have a dark blue juice that stains quite easily. The plant is so numerous in fact, that most people in the desert have either brown/tan or blue cloth.
The leather belt can be covered by a long piece of colored cloth, tied around the waist. This cloth is used to denote rank within the regular soldiers (it is not used by the royal soldiers/guards). Each color tells a man's ranks. The higher ranks use two different colored pieces. The ranks go up to captain. There are also honorary titles added to a person's name depending on rank.

Ranks:
(colors: rank/title)
None: Normal soldier/Laeti
Red: Corporal/Kondatt
Blue: Sergeant/Shur
Blue&Red: Staff Sergeant/Sanshur
Blue&Purple: Master Sergeant/Nishur
Blue&Black: First Sergeant/Rintashur
Blue&White: Sergeant Major/Maphor
Gold: Second Lieutenant/Naetin
Gold&Black: First Lieutenant/Naetinyar
Gold&Blue: Captain/Kilone

Some with the title/rank of Sergeant Major/Maphor:
Y’rota-Seithor’Cail-Maphor

Oh, I like it! The details and thought that you've put into it are impressive. How exactly would you move up through the ranks? How would you "earn" that honor?

Roving/raiding Duvat tribes provide plenty of chances for men to prove themselves in battle. This is one way they can gain rank. Some other ways are:
Prove themselves through service in the city.
Given rank by "knowing the right people"
Prove themselves in ways other than fighting (strategy, training, ect.)

Ah, I see.

Super-mega-awesome cool.

You draw really well.

Thanks
It's been a while since I've drawn anything.

Those are very cool