Adrian Empire NEW MEMBER S User Manual

The Adrian E mp ire, Inc.

NEW MEMBER'S GUIDE

JULY 2002

© 2002 The Adrian Empire Inc., all rights reserved.

Anyone is welcome to point out any error or omission that they may find.

Imperial Hospitaler [e-mail]

Empress [e-mail]

Emperor [e-mail]

Page 2 of 12 New Member's Guide
June 2002

ELCOME TO ADRIA

W

It is certainly our pleasure in providing this New Member's Guide to you. We hope it answers many of your questions,
and raises just as many new ones. Most of all, We hope it inspires your participation in Adria. If you have any
comments you have about anything in this guide, or what is not, that you think other new members would be
interested in, please contact the Crown. You're just now at a very exciting time. Everything is new, different, and
fascinating. That's what The Adrian Empire is all about. Even those of us who have been in Adria for years are
constantly finding new information, ideas, articles, items, and (especia lly) pe ople that add to e ve ryone's e njoyment
and enrichment.

---------------------------------------------ADRIA IS LEARNING----------------------------------------

As a new member, you have an opportunity to learn and develop new skills and to experience a different way of life.
In recreating the Medieval and Renaissance periods, you can appreciate the fine arts such as painting, costuming,
music, dance, theatre, and feasting. You can wield a blade and experience fierce hand-to-hand combat. And, more
than anything, you'll meet wonderful like-minded folk who all bring something special to the Empire. We hope you
make as many good friends in Adria as We have!

----------------------------------------------ADRIA IS SHARING-----------------------------------------

Often, work needs to be done by everyone in order to enjoy the fruits of our labor. This can be helping someone get
into armor, setting up a demonstration for the public, designing and building a scale model of a sie ge engine, or
simply cleaning up after an event. Our members enjoy sharing their special ta le nts and skills with the rest of the
Empire, and the public at large. We hope you will make use of the resources we offer and that you will make a
positive contribution of your own that will add to the enjoyment of others. Y ou'll want to participate in many events
and appreciate the benefits everyone gains from the results. T he best way to get to know others in the Empire is by
volunteering. A great way to meet people is to help out. Offer to help take down and set up, offer to assist with sign­ins or other administrative activities

-------------------------------------------------THIS MANUAL---------------------------------------------

Like most manuals, is a “living” document. This means that the document is in nearly constant revision and change to
keep up with the most current information poss ible . T his is not the “end-all” manual on how things are done. It is
merely a guide to help new members get quick information on getting started in Adria and for older members as a
refere nce fo r finding information in other manuals. A s su c h, the information pres e nte d here should be u sed t o get the
creative ju ice s flowing. It also points to further detail in the full manuals on particula r su bje cts . References to
approved manuals and other resources are given where available.

---------------------------------------------------QUESTIONS ----------------------------------------------

If you have trouble finding something, have questions (hopefully lots!), or just want to share a good story, please fee l
free to contact your Hospitaler and let them know. This New Member's Guide has been put together to serve you as
you begin to explore the richness of this new world you've stumbled upon!

------------------------------------------------ PUBLICA TI ONS--------------------------------------------

The Imperial newsletter, the Adrian Herald, contains:

• Contact information

• Schedules of tournaments, meetings, and other events

• News from each region

• Articles about combat, archery, and the arts and sciences

You are encouraged to submit articles that you think would be of general interest: fiction, books,
recipes, humor, poetry, artwork, recordings, local stores, mail-order companies, renaissance fairs.

Your area may have a local newsletter as well and would also like to see your articles.

© 2002 Adrian Empire, Inc.

http://www.adrianem pire.org/

Page 3 of 12 New Member's Guide
June 2002

HE

T

A love of Medieva l c ombat, arts, and politics has brought us all together to ensure that the Age of Chivalry lives on.
We're pleased to welcome you to the Empire of Adria. We hope this short introduction will provide you with enough
information to know what questions to ask and the best person to ask them of.

ODERN

M

IDDLE AGES

M

----------------------------------------TIME FRAME AND SETTING-----------------------------------

The Adrian Empire is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to the study and recreation of Western European
culture between the years 1066 a nd 1603. Our members work to recreate the arts and skills of this era.

We have also begun to include other cultures that interacted with the Western Europeans during our time frame. This
exciting development means there is now even more rich history, culture, and tradition to explore!

--------------------------------------------- THE NAME "ADRIA"-----------------------------------------

The name "Adria" comes from the annals of Medieval History. During the Medieval time period an attempt was made
to form a new Kingdom that would go by the name Adria. Due to stormy seas and a lost treaty, it came to be known
as The Kingdom That Never Was.

---------------------------------------------- WHERE IS ADRIA?------------------------------------------

Adria has a number of chartered subdivisions, with hundreds of members throughout the United States.

-------------------------------------------------BACKGROUND--------------------------------------------

The Adrian Empire officially began in March of 1987 when the Founding Viscounts decided to start a new Medieval
game in which the players could fight with steel weapons. The group has evolved through a number of incarnations to
its pres ent existence as a non-profit educational organization.

-------------------------------------------------CORE VALUES --------------------------------------------

From the bylaws: Shared commitment to a common purpose, values, and operating principles strengthens the
Organization and the relations we share within and through it and makes even our loftiest goals achievable. Therefore,
we enthusiastica lly adopt, and will live by, the following:

Statement of Purpose

We endeavor to enlighten our communities by providing a mechanism to explore the lifestyles and soc ietie s of the
period of history commonly referred to as The Age of Chivalry.

Core Values

• Integrity

• Fairness

• Loyalty

• Respect

Operating Principles

• Always se rve the bes t interests o f our communities

• Measure a ctio ns by what is in the best interests o f the Organization

• Communicate openly, honestly, and directly

• Be visionary: Encourage innovation and learn from our mistakes

• Be positive: See k s o lutions, and be open to the views of others

• Support each other in balancing work, family, and community

• Support and reward excellence, teamwork, productivity, and growth

• Be accountable and honor commitments

© 2002 Adrian Empire, Inc.

http://www.adrianem pire.org/

Page 4 of 12 New Member's Guide
June 2002

IVISIONS OF TH E EMPIRE

D

Adria is divided into chartered subdivisions, each with geographic borders. You are a member of the chartered
subdivision were you physically live for the majority of the year. Within those chartered subdivisions, there are also
"estates ". These are free-ass oc iation groups of people that band together by choice. They are the political units that
help to decide how Adria should be played.

--------------------------------------- CHARTERED SUBDIVISIONS-----------------------------------

Each subdivision (kingdom, duchy, or shire) of the Adrian Empire is independent, but we are all part of the Adrian
Empire and subject to Imperial Law. You may find significant differences in customs, interests, laws, and pursuits in
the different subdivisions. T his gives each subdivision its unique personality. These chartered subdivisions have
borders, but what they are called depends on the number of members they have. T he larger the subdivision is, the
more freedom they have to make laws, etc.

Subdivision Minimum Size Crown

Shire 1 member Viceroy

Duchy 20 members Duke/Duchess

Archduchy 50 members Archduke/Archduchess

Kingdom 100 members King/Queen

Empire Everyone! Emperor/Empress

Cantons are another type of chartered subdivision. They are formed by the local ruling nobles, usually in areas too far
for them to govern conveniently. The ruling noble does this for administrative reasons, and assigns deputy ministers
to he lp the re gio n r un smo ot hly .

-----------------------------------------------------ESTAT ES ------------------------------------------------

As a new member of the Empire, you are considered to be an independent member of your chartered subdivision. This
will change if you decide to join an Estate. Each political subdivision has different philosophies, politics, and
approaches to playing in Adria. Talk to members of different groups before making any decisions about joining. You
are, of course, free to form your own Estate as long as the requirements are met.

Es tate Minimum Size Es tate H e ad

House 5 members Lord/Lady
Barony 15 members Baron/Baroness
County 35 members Count/Countess

March 50 members Marquis/Marquessa

Some of these estates are considered minor estates, and have a voice only on a local level. Some of the larger estates
are considered to be major estates, and have a voice on the Imperial Estates. The Crowns of the local region seat the
estates . Being a member of an Estate allows you the opportunity to participate in the voting process and to be a part of
shaping the game. We are a feudal society, and your needs will be more efficiently attended to if you have a liege lord
or lady (someone who heads a larger political body) to go to for help.

Of course, being a member of an estate is only one way to have a voice on the estates, and to have some say in how
Adria is run. In time, you can also become a knight, or a Crown (or even a retired Crown). These are ca lled unlanded
estates, and they also have a voice on the estates.

More infor mation:
Voting process and the estates : Bylaws
Terms of addres s and r egalia: Estates Writ #18

© 2002 Adrian Empire, Inc.

http://www.adrianem pire.org/