It\'s probably a bit too late now, but I think the sword and standard would look better in the opposite hands. I liked how the standard pole looked swaying sideways, and the sword would be very cool raised aloft. It would be a very Bretonnian style pose too.
The chain thing is useful, I have been using a different, less simple and less effective technique than that, so cheers to whoever it was you got the tip from!
What\'s his raised foot going to rest on?