Help with flags for fictional countries

I've been asked by a few people playing ZEITGEIST to come up with flags for the 6 main nations of the campaign. The setting is inspired by 19th century Europe, wherein 'France' had an industrial revolution, provoking the other major nations to either embrace or reject technology, all while competing politically and conspiratorially.

So, is anyone here an expert in flags? What ought I keep in mind while designing flags for these countries?

Risur - The main 'point of view' country, where traditional druidic religion is clashing with modern industrialism. Sort of a mix between Brazil and England.

Danor - Enlightened atheist nation that spurred the industrial revolution. Like France, but ruled by tieflings.

Drakr - Dour and stoic nation with a history of dark magic and warring lords replaced by a modern focus on competing philosophies. Sort of a mix of Russia and Germany, with a lot of dwarves.

Crisillyir - Religion-dominated nation that has lots of trapped demons and monsters they worry might escape. People are encouraged to 'pursue godhood' by working hard to reach their full potential, or at least that's the hierarchy's way of keeping the masses in line. Sort of like a baroque Italy-Greece-Eastern European nation ruled by the Vatican.

Ber - Recently-formed nation of orcs, goblins, minotaurs, lizardfolk, and the like, former slaves of dragon tyrants united by their revolutionary leader, recently dead. Sort of Mexican-Spanish with a heavy nod to the early Soviet Union with the strong emphasis on advancing society and technology in a hurry to catch up with the rest of civilization.


Also Elfaivar - A defeated nation of high elves/eladrin, with a vague Indo-Persian aesthetic.

I'm not an expert on flags, but this might help with inspiration. io9.com/the-coolest-flags-in-human-history-513457320

Here are some of my ideas, but I'd like to hear yours before you read mine:

[sblock]Ber - A pair of eagles spreading their wings atop the skull of a dragon over a background of gold-white-red horizontal stripes in Spanish fess (i.e., the middle band is twice as wide as the others).

Crisillyir - Taller than it is long, purple vertical band (hoist side) beside a black band, trimmed with gold fringe. The black band has a white fisherman's hook on the palm of a hand, with a gold cord running from the top of the hook around and down to the wrist of the hand.

Danor - Deep blue horizontal band on bottom 1/3, two thin vertical red stripes cutting a gold sunburst into a triptych, like a sun rising over the ocean. Perhaps have a stylized white scroll on one red stripe, and a white sword on the other. The sunburst has spokes, as if it is both the light of reason and a symbol of technology.

Drakr - Black vertical band along the hoist, then a thin silver band, then a gold band. Two red diamonds (one above the other) on the black band, and another pair on the gold band.

Elfaivar - Unusual triquetra-shape, with curved edges like the petals of a flower. Green background, red border, with three ornate gold disks in each petal. It needs to look weird and elf-y.

Risur - Blue background, a green laurel wreath lined with seventeen gold stars. Border of flag typically trimmed with interwoven white and green threads.
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Thanks for the io9 page.

I also like this page: http://althistory.wikia.com/wiki/Alternative_History:Fictional_Flags

There's the Vexillology page at wikipedia that may help. Or contact Sheldon and "Fun with Flags".

I don't know much about the setting at all, but here;s one idea;

Ber - How about the Sea-goat? This creature symbolises the drive for progress and evolution (from watery evolution the creature will climb to the highest, earthy mountain peaks). It is a symbol of pragmatism, and utility with negative elements being its overly-materialistic views and the thinking that everything has a use ("or dig it up, chop it down" syndrome). Perhaps this suites their drive, perhaps for rapid over-industrialisation reminiscent of Saruman's orcs. I imagine the demihumans might employ this emblem rampant, highly stylized, simplified and bold, perhaps in red or gold.