An Introduction ~

I am Þóra Hrafnsdottir, also known as Thóra the Tall, of the Barony of Black Diamond, Atlantia. I am a heavy fighter, I do Arts & Sciences, and make most of my armor and garb.

I am squired to Harald Brandarm of Dun Carraig, Atlantia.

The title of the blog comes from my original heraldry, which is now registered as my badge: Argent, five swords in annulo, points to center sable within an annulet gules. I describe it as 'five swords within a red ribbon pierced with five needles'. The swords for my fighting, the needles for my fiber arts, and the ribbon for the blood of life.

 
My current device was submitted in the winter of 2016, and I kept one sword, one needle, and the red ribbon from the heraldry that I originally submitted.  This was registered in February of 2017: Argent, a raven rising perched upon and maintaining a sword fesswise sable, on a chief gules a needle argent.

I took the elements of the original submission, added a raven, and redesigned it. The red ribbon is now a chief (a bar across the top), with the needle laying across it. The raven is holding a sword in it's claws, wings held aloft for the first downstroke as it takes flight. 

The red is for family (both blood and chosen family), the needle is pointed at my family (to the right as you look at it) to show that I take care of them. The raven is messenger to the gods, and the sword is pointed to the left as you look at it. When I hold my shield on the field of combat, it is pointed at those who may threaten the ones I can about. (To clarify - I am not threatening harm to anyone here; I am expressing the 



My Arts & Sciences:

• Leather: tooling, making armor and other items, as well as leather care and restoration. 
• Wool: Shearing, preparation, and spinning
• Gardening: I grow herbs, flowers, and some food and dye plants
• Embroidery: crewel work, regular embroidery, and modern cross-stitch
• Sewing
• Tablet Weaving

Originally posted July 2015; updated April 2025