Blazon: Per fesse engrailed blue a sea hawk gold and paly of six on top gold and black.

Commentary: This arm of the Greyhawk militia was created in the panic following the rise of Turrosh Mak in the Pomarj. Rumors of orcish pirates being sighted in Wooly Bay had riverfolk and towns along the Selintan River worried that they would be attacked. The Directors of Greyhawk created a river patrol.

This patrol needed a symbol. Since the Hardby marines were being formed at this time and their ships were using sails of black and gold, this was adopted for their river patrol brethren. Perhaps to sound important the members of the patrol called themselves the River Hawks and petitioned to have a sea hawk added to the arms, see fig. 1.

Those that they accosted called them Water Rats under their breath, though few would say it loud enough for them to hear it. The name has stuck. Evidently, some artistic wag from the Clerkburg district put up flyers with a sea rat, see fig. 2. If the stories are true, some very large militia members found this person and broke all their fingers. I am sure someone’s sister’s cousin knew a guy.

In Service,

Saracenus Garasteth, Baron of Trellwood
Radiant Sun King at Arms