====== Sargon and Sai's Imperial Seal of Approval ======


This is an award presented to works of note on the forums.


==== Overview ====

Recognising that a lot of very hard work and effort goes into many of the works here on the board, [[Sargon]] in the past awarded a Seal of Approval to those stories he had read and found very good in various ways.  

The very first ever awarded such was [[timelines:Isaac's Empire]] by [[Basileus Giorgios]] some time ago as this had been inspired in part by Sargon's own [[timelines:/no_terror_of_justinian_-_glory_instead|Byzantine TL]] being awarded a "Seal of Approval" by [[Midgard]] which Sargon considered high praise due to Midgard's expertise in Byzantine History.  He felt it would be a nice way to show his approval of a fellow Byzantine TL writer's well written and executed work since he by now had his own reputation for being something on an authority on the matter. As such, a recognition from a fellow expert would hopefully help the writer feel their work was greatly appreciated just as Sargon had felt when Midgard had done the same. 

Since then, Sargon, joined by his partner Sai, have read many stories together on the board, and those that they feel are original, well written, exciting, cool, unique or otherwise noteworthy have been awarded their own Seal of Approval. Although they may not be experts in many of the fields covered, they do enjoy good writing and well executed ideas and it's a way for them to show their appreciation of hard working forum members.

Since in board culture they are recognised as the [[offtopic:grand_empress_grand_emperor-consort_of_ah.com|Grand Empress and Grand Emperor-Consort]] of the forums, they have made it into an Imperial Seal, and hope that the recipients feel as happy and appreciated when they receive one just as Sargon felt honoured all that time ago by Midgard's praise and appreciation of his work posted on these forums.


==== Influence ====

Ever since the debate about the quality of threads in the ASB forum erupted, it has also been viewed as a particularly constructive way to encourage talent and well written works there as part of the [[Landshark Offensive]] and more //Imperial Seals of Approval// are likely to be awarded to other works in other forums on the board in due course once the of reading them has been caught up with. 

Recipients sometimes feel like placing a line in their sig to say they have received such an award although this is by no means necessary and is something spontaneous that has occurred as a result of the awards without any request from Sargon or Sai themselves. However, it is acknowledged this perhaps hopefully encourages even more members to follow the link and read the stories, and is noted by them both with humble thanks.  As Sargon is known to favour decent works and diligent efforts across the board rather than some of the more "creepy teenish" threads that appear, then there's a degree of confidence that if a work is approved, then it is likely to be a good or interesting one, and thus probably worthy of members' time to have a look at. 


==== Recipients ==== 

The following works in chronological order have so far been awarded a Seal of Approval:

  * [[timelines:Isaac's Empire]] by [[Basileus Giorgios]] for being an absorbing, well written and excellently executed Byzantine TL that is one of the finest high quality Byzantine TLs on the entire board. [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=126427&highlight=kynge|Story Link]]

  * [[timelines:The Eighth Continent]] by [[The Vulture]] for being a good concept, nicely written, well executed and fascinating read that is also a credit to the ASB forum in terms of high quality. [[http://www.alternatehistory.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=140145|Story Link]]

  * [[timelines:The Time of Crows]] by [[offtopic:othyrsyde]] for being an epic and sweeping story covering many periods of history both geographically and chronologically, and a well written, finely executed, absorbing work that is a credit to the ASB forum in terms of high quality.  [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=118163|Story Link]]

  * [[timelines:The Fox of the Outer Rim]] by [[offtopic:OKH_1946]] for being a fun and exciting work, that is nicely plotted with plenty of action resulting from a very cool premise, and ranking among the best of the offerings to be found in the ASB forum. [[http://www.alternatehistory.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=138950|Story Link]]

  * [[timelines:England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty]] by [[offtopic:robertp6165]] for being an extremely well researched, expertly written and finely executed work, that is also educational in terms of the period of history it covers as well as a very exciting read.  [[http://www.alternatehistory.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=145897|Story Link]]

  * [[timelines:Superpower Empire China 1912]] by [[offtopic:Hendryk]] and related //Tales of the Superpower Empire// along with all Maps, Illustrations, Designs, Advice and other contributions by other forum members for being a breathtakingly wide ranging and thorough TL that is painstakingly researched, eminently absorbing and interesting, expertly written and laid out, and a first class credit to the forums representing the very best of works here.  [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=86560|Story Link to Version 3.0]]

  * [[stories:The Coin]] by [[offtopic:Doctor What]] for being an outstanding work of excellence, well researched, very finely written and which completely immerses the reader in a story with a compelling atmosphere. A credit to the Writer's Forum and surely a great story that deserves to be professionally published.[[http://www.alternatehistory.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=152256|Story Link]]


==== Imperial Seal of Approval Artwork ==== 

The Imperial Seal of Approval consists of the Imperial Arms of the Grand Empress of AH.com on a white circular background with a motto on a ring, all placed upon a blue field. (Sargon managed to knock this up with his sub-par photo editing skills, so please feel free to make improvements and fine tuning upon the design if necessary):

{{:offtopic:imperial_seal_of_approval_blue.png|}}o