Meeting Minutes Nov. 27, 2011

House of Lords meeting
November 27, 2011
In attendance:
Queen Tayissa Azra, (Tayissa Chadwick)
Esteemed Director Aveloc Twiceborn, (Harvey Palmer)
Esteemed Director Kovac, (Clint Smith)
Esteemed Director Mehri, (Terry Rogers)
Arch Duke Khan - Astaroth, (Dan Treichal)
Lady Synder – Astaroth, (Michelle Stonecastle)
Elder Tierany – Astaroth, (Chelsea )
Calipha N’khet – al-Madeena, (Meaghan McKraken)
Lord Lo Tang – Kelet Mori Obek, (George Davis)
Lord John Shewan – Nordholt, (Jonathon Miller)
Lord Turalyon – Freehold of Arandor, (Ryan Thune)
Lady Elzbieta – Fortress Viadrina, (Elizabeth Schmidt)
Lord Gogan - Filii Lupis, (Mike Yates)
Lady Aetheria – Filii Lupis, (Shelly Lambert)
Lord Vego – Broch Ceoban, (John Deighton)
Lady Etain – Broch Ceoban, (Rebekah Spoelstra)
Lord Neoni – Isle of the Black Moon, (Tylor Prather)
Membership Secretary Brahms, (Tom Irwin)
Vox Ordo Iakchos, interim Secretary, (Ian F.Mooney)
Minutes: ( 6:30 )
Intro by Queen
New branches:
• Aquilonia (still to present charter ~ lvl 1 w/ 13 members)
• Elric (Wolf Kill Keep) (demo on dec 3) (still to present charter) (still to schedule event and become official, had branch before)
• Wolf’s Wood Shire (from way north) (only 5 members) (sent rough draft charter) (first event in may?)
• Travelers of Fortune (Vancouver area) (5 people) (rough charter) (no first event planned)
Caolin will be branch co-ordinator (he will collect and organize new branches & will prod them, politely, about remaining motivated and involved)

Steel Weapon Rules: (6:37)
Not a lot of pertinent discussion
Generally pleased consensus
Khan (Astaroth) sought clarification on unarmed blows; Turalyon (Arandor Keep) brought up the nature of fencing armor and why it was set up as it was
Iakchos asks clarification on sport rapiers.
Lady Aetheria( Filii Lupus) asks age restriction: it is agreed that typical EMP combat rules apply.
It is suggested that the SCA approved list is consulted for legal weapon considerations.
Lord Shewan (Nordholt) raises dispute about pommel striking and fencing masks. Turalyon dismisses as ‘not a problem.’ Emphasizes control; ‘gentlemanly sport.’
Esteemed Kovac raises the question of discouraging blatant blows to the face. Lord Turalyon admits that he questioned the same issue. Discussion of who agreed upon the steel weapon rules followed. Turalyon expressed distaste towards multi hits. The Queen and Kovac expressed why they wanted fencing to follow EMP combat tendencies. Lord Shewan brought up the historical significance of a three blow system. Honor system was agreed upon, also, that the system could be changed later. Turalyon does not want a system where the head shot could be waited upon. Khan did not want the system to become a ‘game of skill’ but rather a ‘game of combat.’ Lord Turalyon expressed his preference as: a three blow system.
(6:52)
The Queen proposed the three blow system as the standard; there was dispute over the concept of a fencing ‘substantial.’ Lady Elzbeata argued that the one-point system ala SCA concept was not applicable to the EMP. The Queen agreed. Lady Elzbeata brought up how terrible it would be to be a new fighter in a system where you could get struck by a substantial blow every time due to inexperience. Lord Turalyon expressed he wanted to emphasize defense. Lady Etain expressed that in the EMP we can always adjust the rules. General agreement followed. The point that: fighters may always agree upon their own rules, was brought up, and generally agreed upon. The foundational line was: THREE BLOWS. The Queen decided upon three blows minus the blow to the face.
The Queen officially enacted the present Steel Weapon Rules into Law. No objections were made.
(6:58)
Charter of Ardesca:
The Queen opened the floor to discussion.
Lord Turalyon: more definition of the Officer Corps (specifically the Historian)
The Queen expressed that in the Empire charter, the only requirement was that an officer corps was required and that she is endeavoring to make that a more permanent and well-defined officer group.
The branches should submit bids for Usurper war and Crown war, and the Crown gets to decide. The Queen expressed that she feels that the empire charter was well defined and that the Kingdom charter should more clearly define only that which is Kingdom specific.
Lord Shewan questioned the rules of challenges. The Queen clarified that the current challenge rules only included challenges between branches and that the Esteemed Directors are still working out the challenges conceptually (Specifically Esteemed director Aveloc).
Esteemed Director Aveloc explained that he has the concept formed and that he will be discussing it later in the evening.
Lord Shewan questioned the passing of accolades, specifically the qualifactions of the individuals receiving the accolade.
The Queen said she would come back to it.
Arch Duke Khan questioned: Crown Rules (which were Empire and which specified were crown specific). The Queen directed Arch Duke Kahn to the Esteemed Board of Directors. They both agreed that no Crown should be dictating to other Crowns how they run their Kingdom.
Aveloc brought up the rights of citizens, Lords, etc. Especially that the citizens have the right to participate in any side of the Crown War that they so choose, regardless of the opinion of their Lord. RE: The default should always be a war, a tournament should be agreed upon by the House of Lords. Fealty was stressed as the ultimate decider upon what is what. It would, however, have to be in the charter if the branch. For example the Al-Madeena charter, which is non-specific.
(7:10)
Rights and Responsibilities of Lords in the Kingdom of Ardesca
Lord Khan questioned the initiation of branches: IE does the crown decide, or do the House of Lords, as EMP law dictates that the House of Lords must vote. The Queen stated that she preferred her decision, allowing the House of Lords to veto. It was agreed upon that it will be changed. It was questioned whether this policy should be Kingdom or Empire Corpora. It was also decided upon that the VETO was a RIGHT of the branches. It was brought up that entire ‘groups’ may want to join the Empire, that may want to retain their own forms of government, and that that could come into conflict with the base Empire rules. Khan questioned the intent of the law rather than the letter. Aveloc brought up that the Corpora cannot be questioned.
(7:21)
Guilds in Ardesca
It was stated, by the Queen, that any monetary acquirement by a guild may never be anything more than a suggested donation.
It was discussed that guilds must report all earnings.
Any event must be officially hosted by a Branch. A guild may autocrat it, but, any funds a Guild earns will come from the 75% allotted to the Branch, as per whatever the Branch dictates.
Are Guilds being created and operating outside of the established structure; Lady Elzbeata asks.
Guilds must report to their equivalent treasurer.
(7:41)
Vox Ordo Iakchos mentioned that the Charter of the Sacred Order will be resubmitted once the Crown’s word will be officially stated upon Guilds.
The EMP is an experiment in Modern feudalism on whether or not a group of people could operate in a social feudalism.
The Queen stated that she wanted more input from the House of Lords and that she would like the Charter of the Kingdom to, sometime in January, to be officially recognized.
(7:50)
Accolades in Ardesca
The Queen stated that she wants each Crown to have different whims on how the distribution of awards to be officially recognized.
Branches in good standing: branches that have enough members to be the level they claim, branches that are hosting their required events. The Queen stated that if any branches wish to give out awards, that she should be present, specifically that every branch should have scrolls handed out for each events. (It was stated that she will likely be at any event that will be giving out awards anyway.) The Queen stated that there shall eventually be a Kingdom Scribal coordinator. All awards shall have the signature of a Lord and the Crown. They should have the Kingdom arms and the Baronial arms.
The Court Form is in evolution. The office of the Historian will assure that all Lords will have them as soon as they are produced.
Lady Elzbeata asked whether or not the Scribal Office was accessible by the Lords for non-kingdom business.
Tier One and Tier Two Accolades need to be recorded to be passed on for the next crown and future generations.
Tier One minimum 2 years participation. Active in their branch. Some inter branch activity.
It is the Queen’s belief that for a kingdom level award, some level of Kingdom participation is required. However, if a member is holding a Kingdom level position, and yet only participated in Branch events, they still are worthy of a Kingdom award, should they fill their office with duty and honor.
It was agreed upon by the Queen and Lord Khan that any level two awards should be conferred upon before they are awarded.
The Queen stated that although Branches may be allowed to alter the heraldry of Kingdom Awards, the tier names (Tiros Lumen, etc.) should be standard. Branch awards should have, according to the Queen, no bearing on the Kingdom Order of Precedence.
(Break)
(8:25)
Esteemed Board Member Aveloc brought up challenge rules and the input of the Lords. What are the rights and responsibilities of the Crown, the Citizens, and the Lords. Should the Citizens have more responsibilities, he asked?
Rights of Citizens:
• Rights to fight in Crown Wars on the Side they choose.
• They have the right to proctor House of Lord meetings.
• They may offer their proxy to their Lord, but none other for the year.
• They have the right to know the members of their Branch.
Lord Vego asked whether they had the responsibility to police the legitimacy of their branch. Aveloc argued otherwise. “It is a Feudal System.”
Aveloc confirmed the site of the Shadow War Rebellion. He confirmed that Ragnaroc will be there. Also, he stated that it will have a castle that will “Rock Completely.” Esteemed Board Member Aveloc promised a work Crew to help build the castle. Also, was said, that more land (including trails) will be added to the site, branch specific and be ‘relatively’ permanent, based of the promise of the site owner.
Lady Elzbeata questioned why citizens may fight for whichever side they choose. Aveloc said: we can not do it “according to BC law.” Esteemed Board Member Aveloc stated that although the citizens could do as they wish, Lords were able to do with them as they wish as well.
Challenges
Is it only a Lords game? (Esteemed Aveloc)
What is to Keep it from being petty? (Lady Elzbeata)
The Queen added that in the future charter of Ardesca, no citizen shall challenge without say by their Lord or the Crown, and no Lord shall challenge without say of the Crown. What is the check? (lady Elzbeata.) Most Esteemed Aveloc stated that Lords should be the final say. The Queen stated: “A Lord is responsible for what happens in their Branch.”
The discussion turns towards what is the nature of an authenticating body.
The Queen states that Corpora is not stating what an ‘Authenticating Body’ is. Rather; the Kingdom in question should define it, especially down to the Branch Level.
(8:45)
Hypothetical Situation Discussion Ensues
There was an argument whether killing a persona is taking their membership. It was decided upon that they cannot.
It was decided upon that there can be no border disputes except between groups of equal or greater level. (IE: a principality disputes a Kingdom border). It will be Crown issues.
The Crown becomes adjudicating bodies for equal levels directly beneath them RE a challenge.
Most Esteemed Aveloc stated that a Principality is essentially a “Proto-Kingdom.”
The Queen stated that “What we want is the general intention of the discussion, so that the Lords may mull over and discuss later how the business shall go.”
The Right to Refuse Service
Most Esteemed Aveloc brought up whether or not Lords may cast members out of their Branch and whether or not a Lord could oppose the first Lord on that decision in the form of a challenge. This is assuming that the first Lord, party one, is banishing a citizen of another Branch. To be clear, the banishing Lord, party one, may only cast citizens out of their own events. Lord Shewan suggests this right should be unabridged. Lord Kahn stated that he wished that this right, to banish a citizen from their events, should be unabridged, Wherein according to challenge rules, this could be overturned. The question becomes: what rights do Lords have that cannot be overturned by Corpora.
Complicated hypothetical situations ensued.
The Queen put forth that there is a flaw in the challenge system, in opposition to the explanations of Most Esteemed Aveloc, and she stated that is should be more elaborated upon later.
(9:05)
It was moved the meeting end.
It was ended.

Empire of Medieval Pursuits
Rules for Steel Combat
Introduction:

These rules are meant to establish a minimum set of standards for basic steel Combat within the Empire of Medieval Pursuits. While these rules are set to help promote safe steel combat, they do not take away from common sense, judgment and individual concern for the safety of the participants involved in this activity. It should be standard practice to always be aware of one’s personal safety and never commit to an action that will knowingly compromise the safety of one’s opponent. Further these rules are designed to augment foundational theories of fence. The Empire encourages practitioners to study the manuals, period sources, and from knowledgeable citizens, to help rediscover western martial traditions.

Minimum Armor Standards:

• A standard three weapons mask, its equivalent, or better must be worn. The face mask must be capable of passing a 12 Kg pressure test administered by a standard 12K mask tester without deforming, spreading apart or significantly flexing. The face must be covered by either 12 Kg mesh (standard three weapons mask mesh), it’s equivalent or better. Perforated metal may also be used. Openings in mesh shall be no larger than 1/8” or 3mm wide. Perforated metal shall have a minimum offset of 3/16” or 5mm. All masks or helmets must be in good repair with no significant rust, dents, mesh that has been stressed apart, or broken weld points, etc.

• A heavy leather gorget, its equivalent or better must be worn. The gorget shall at a minimum be constructed from untreated heavy leather at least ¼ inch thick, the equivalent, or superior materials such as ABS plastic, Kydex plastic, aluminum, or steel.

• Men must wear a rigid male groin protector and women must wear a form of female groin protection.

• The torso must be covered by a gambeson or fencing jacket with padding equivalent of 3/8 inch closed cell foam, quilted material of enough bulk to provide protection from the impact of EMP legal steel weapons.

• Hands must be covered by a minimum of leather dueling gloves that extend at least 2in beyond the wrist.

Weapon Standards:

• All weapons shall be free of rust without any sharp edges or points. Any blade tip smaller then 1/3rd inch shall have their ends blunted with heavy leather, plastic fencing blunts, or rubber rabbit blunts. Blunts shall be held onto the blade with several wrappings of electrical or equivalent tape. They shall have no sharp edges and the weapons shall be free of deep gouges or burrs; these may be sanded or filed off in order to return a weapon to an allowed safe condition so long as it does not thin or reduce the profile of the sword.

• A sharp sword or dagger blade may not have the edges ground off in an attempt to create a blunt sword for use in steel combat. All blades must be forged as blunted training to be legal in EMP Steel combat.

• Blades shall not be modified in any manner that changes their temper such as heating them up and re-forging them. Tangs may be modified and welded so long as care is taken to not alter the temper of the blade. Blades shall not be cut down because of the dangers of changing the temper or flexibility of the blades.

• Examples of acceptable blades include Practical Hanwei series, Tinker blunted lines, and Del Tin blunted lines.

• Capes or cloaks used for parrying shall be in good repair with no un-mended rips or holes. Hard or soft weights, such as steel, lead or sand, may not be used to increase the weight or spread of a cape or cloak. Light items such as rope, tennis or racket balls, or other non rigid material may be used in the hem so long as it does not dangerously increase the weight and turning the cloak or cape into a flail.

• Bucklers, shields, targes or targets may be made from wood, aluminum, steel, heavy plastic, leather and equivalent or superior materials.

• Rigid parrying only devices such as sword sheathes, pewter mugs, rubber chickens, etc. may also be used as parry only devices.

• Foils, Epees, and sport saber blades and other sport fencing blades are not allowed in EMP steel combat due to the higher demand on the weapons in historical fencing environment compared to the sport fencing environment.

• Any weapon or weapon combination may fence against any other weapon or weapon combination of the same style. For example, it is fine for single sword to go up against sword and dagger, duel swords, sword and buckler, etc. Different realms of Fencing should not however cross (longsword vs rapier for example).

Duelist Decorum:

• Be excellent to each other.

• Cordial behavior shall be maintained at all times. Displays of temper are highly frowned upon.

• Control means you do not injure your opponent’s with wild or overly hard thrusts and cuts. Your opponent should be able to feel a good thrust or cut, but they should not be hard enough to injure your opponent. Maintain control of your weapon attacks at all times.

• The acknowledgement of blows shall be based upon the honor system. If you have been properly struck with a thrust or a cut you are honor bound to make it known. It is up to the individuals fencing to correctly judge and acknowledge all blows given and received unless otherwise agreed upon.

• Upon hearing the call of “HOLD” all fighting shall IMMEDIATELY stop. A combatant may call “HOLD” for any reason (ie: personal armor failure, perceived danger), but in doing so places himself at the mercy of his opponent. By stopping the combat he is in effect yielding and it is up to the discretion of his opponent to choose whether or not to resume the contest.

• A fighter shall not enter the lists or participate in any form of EMP steel combat while impaired by alcohol or drugs (including, but not limited to: drugs prescribed by a licensed health care provider, over the counter medications, and illegal controlled substances.)

• A fighter shall not strike a helpless opponent beyond a touch.
Attacks, thrusts, strikes, and blows:

• Thrusts may be executed with or without a lunge and may be done with or without a step. The recipient must call any thrust that they feel and is within measure.

• Cuts shall be delivered with enough force to be felt, but not enough to injure. The recipient
must call any cut that they feel. True cuts that are percussive strikes may be delivered with the front or back edge of the blade but shall be done with control. Cuts may come from above, below or from either side. Full force hacks that would require armor to protect you from injury are a forbidden form of attack.

• Tip cuts are an acknowledged attack, especially to the head.

• Draw cuts are also an allowed form of attack if they use at least one third of the length of the blade.

• You must be in control of yourself and your weapon at all times. While accidents do happen, everyone should fence in a manner that is safe for themselves and their opponent.

• Attacks may be parried or redirected with a weapon, a parrying device such as a shield or a cloak, or you’re offhand.

• Disarms are allowed and do not stop the action of a fight. If your opponent drops his sword or you take it from him by grasping the blade or the hilt of your opponent’s sword you may continue to attack them. If grappling rule is in effect, this will usually start a wrestling match.

• All thrusts and strikes are to be acknowledged as if one is completely unarmored and wearing
period clothes. Armor does not count as armor worn unless agreed upon by tournament rules or individual agreement.

• Valid target areas shall be the whole body.

• The art of “fence” is to defend oneself, thus a victory occurs when you pass your opponents defense and score 3 blow’s.

Rules for Rapier Fencing:

• The rapier is primarily a thrusting weapon. Upon contact with the opponent, the blade must make hard enough contact to bend the blade, but not so hard that you injure your opponent.

• Tips cuts will be an allowed form of attack, as will draw cuts. Hacks or chops may be executed, but they must be controlled and land with no more force than that of a good thrust.

• Strikes with the basket, cross guard or pommel of the sword, or other areas or items not specifically intended for safe striking are not allowed.

• The dagger may be used to thrust, or cut in the same manner as the rapier.

• Bucklers, shields, targes or targets may be used to press an opponent’s weapons or body parts. Quickly placing your shield on your opponent’s body is not considered a punch so long as the energy of your motion is not transferred to your opponent’s body. Driving back your opponent with a heavy shield strike is not allowed, but placing the shield and then pushing is.

• Grappling is not allowed under normal rapier conditions, participants may agree to grapple if they wish.

Rules for Small Sword Fencing:

• Double Wide epees and Musketeer blades are acceptable for smallsword fencing. The length of the blades shall be from 29 inches to 35 inches in length with a standard length of 32 inches. The weapon weighs an average of one to one and a half pounds. The grip length is about three and a half to four inches long, or about the same length as the average width of your hand. The guard generally consists of a small plate style cup or shell. A guard usually has either one or two shells with a figure 8 style shell being very common. The most common guards will have a cup and two short arms or cross that may or may not have two small finger rings in-between the shell and may or may not have a D-style knuckle guard. Any guard that is similar to or based off an historical example will be allowed.

• The only attacks allowed are the thrust. No percussive, tip or draw cuts are allowed.

• Blade grabbing and grappling are not allowed.

• No off hand parrying devices are allowed. Defense shall only be done with the sword. Parrying with the offhand is allowed, though discouraged. If the offhand is used to parry an attack and the hand gets stabbed or the blade slides at least one third of the length of the blade, then it is considered a first blood wound that ends the match.

• Guards must not allow sword points to pass through holes or complex hilts where they may be trapped and broken.

Rules for Side and Arming Sword Fencing:

• Arming sword blades when held at a rest position, tips should rest near the ankle of the wielder. They should be at least an inch wide and have their edges sufficiently blunted. A rubber tip is recommended but not required if the tips are wider then a 1/3rd of an inch. Army swords should also have proper cross guard and be a single handed sword.
• Rigid chest protection must be worn when fencing with Side and Arming swords, these blades are rigid and do not flex like a Rapier would. Acceptable protection includes but is not limited to, chain hauberk’s, rigid plastic fencing armor worn under jacket, and cuirass of leather or metal.
• Bucklers, shields, targes or targets may be used to strike the opponent’s mask/helm and count as a blow towards the tell.
• Rigid hand protection is required for using an Arming Sword or Side Swords, unless the hilt system includes coverage for the length of the grip. There must be a minimum bar from cross to pommel, in which cases a dueling glove is sufficient,
• Grappling is allowed for this style of fencing unless agreed otherwise by participants or tournament rules.
• Knee and elbow protection is advised but not required.

Rules for Long Sword Fencing:

• Longswords when held tip down at the wielders feet, should have their pommels rest between their sternum and their chin. Longswords should be handled comfortably in two hands, but able to be used with one.

• Rigid chest protection must be worn when fencing with long swords, these blades are rigid and do not flex like a Rapier would. Acceptable protection includes but is not limited to, chain hauberk’s, rigid plastic fencing armor worn under jacket, and cuirass of leather or metal.

• Hands, knees, and elbows must be covered and protected by rigid material.

• Grappling is allowed for this style of fencing unless agreed otherwise by participants or tournament rules. Pommel and guards trikes to the helm will count towards the tell

• Halfswording is allowed in minimal use, a fight may not begin with halfswording. A grapple or initiated grapple maneuver are the only permissible halfswording techniques in Long Sword fencing.

• Federschwert style blades are allowed in Long Sword fencing but may only be used against other Federschwert blades

Grappling:
• For safety, grappling must be limited in its nature. Not all forms of grappling can be done safely such as full throws that take an opponent completely off his feet and slam him to the ground may not be performed. Any action that has the potential to harm or destroy someone’s joints, such as a counter joint attack may not be employed. No full throws or joint locks may be used.

• Grabbing the blade of your opponent is allowed whether grappling is in effect or not. If the blade slips through your hand in a manner that would allow for a cut then it shall be counted as a blow.

• Unarmed striking, such as punching, chopping, palm strikes, kicking, head butting, elbowing or kneeing an opponent are disallowed.

• Trips and sweeps that do not attack an opponent’s knees or other joints may be used. Any take downs or throws must be done with control. If you use a throw or a takedown, it must be executed so you can control the fall all the way to the ground. Do not bounce your opponent’s head off the ground or execute a throw that will land him on his head or his neck. Do not use take downs on rocky ground or hard surfaces such as cement.

• A grappling match ends when one opponent has been taken to the ground or yields by either verbally or physically tapping out.