The new Wesnoth logo and the Loyalist sigil

[Sgt. Groovy]

Here's a cleaned up version of LordBob's sigil. Also included in SVG (you can import SVGs into raster programs as paths):

[Sgt. Groovy]

Two further variations. The left one is the same, with more details to the Ruby. I felt that as it's the focal point of the sigil, the solid block was too simple (though in very small sizes, the solid version may work better). The right one is with radial flames, which in my opinion give it more powerful and "royal" feel.

If the ruby still looks too much like an eye, that's only because I put the idea in your heads earlier. It's supposed just to be a faceted gem.

[thespaceinvader]

Making the corners of the gem flat (so that it's octagonal rather than square) would improve its appearance as a gem - currently, it doesn't look too gem-like because we don't often see square gems..

[Sgt. Groovy]

Not that I see any gems often, but generally a shape of a square standing on it's corner, usually flattened either vertically or horizontally is called "diamond shape."

[Turuk]

No need to be so cutting about advice.

I think what TSI is getting at is that that stylized flat diamond shape is not really an actual cut shape for a gem, and so giving it more sides would convey an actual sense of depth and shape.

[Sgt. Groovy]

No need to be so cutting about advice.

And I though we were talking about how gemstones are cut.

I don't think octagonal shape is good, because that would be a top view, but the sceptre is seen from the side. In side view, a "point cut" gemstone can indeed look like a square (or a rhombus). One common alternative is to have the top corner cut off, to create a "table", something like this:

[Turuk]

I was wondering if you would get the bit of humor in that.

I do get your point, but the alternative like what you've shown is more easily recognizable to a person's eye. As for flames versus rays, I'm partial to flames, but I feel that is a more a matter of whether the Sceptre of Fire should be emphasized as a Sceptre that really can shoot fire, or a symbolic Sceptre of "Fire". Given that it is completely capable of the former, I'm partial to the flames, but that's just me.

[Skizzaltix]

Looks pretty gem-like to me, now...
Possibly the "eye" feel could be toned down by making the central dark area smaller?

[Sgt. Groovy]

...or change the pattern of facets into something else, like this:

[Turuk]

My only thought on those facets is that it seems to convey the impression that we are viewing the scepter from the side but the ruby from the top (given the focal point).

[Sgt. Groovy]

...actually, I like this best:

[Corvvs]

That looks quite nice, I must say. Still, maybe curve all the ends of the flames upward to make it clear that they're flames and not supposed to symbolize sunlight?

[Skizzaltix]

Definitely an improvement!
Though, for some reason all I can think when I see it is "casino!"--Is this just me?
Possibly something more like this?

sceptre.png (2.95 KiB) Viewed 4891 times

I guess one of the biggest problems with that is that the jewel doesn't balance well at all with the black body (Which is why I left the body blank)

[Sgt. Groovy]

Still, maybe curve all the ends of the flames upward to make it clear that they're flames and not supposed to symbolize sunlight?

The point of the radial version is that it might also refer to sun, so it's ambiguous on purpose.

I guess one of the biggest problems with that is that the jewel doesn't balance well at all with the black body (Which is why I left the body blank)

I disagree actually, I find it that the solid fill of the sceptre makes it easier to tell that the jewel is of different material. Black is just placeholder, the actual colours can be changed at will.

[turin]

I like Groovy's most recent jewel, but I think I prefer the fire to the sunburst. Could we see those two together - the fire plus the most recent ruby (the one with the checker-board pattern)?